Defense One Termite and Pest Control

I recently worked with Defense One Termite & Pest Control, and I was so impressed! Locally owned and very professional, I highly recommend them for all of your pest control services!

A note from Defense One: It’s not easy to control pests in Charleston, considering the warmth, humidity, and other environmental factors. It really does require true professionals, and that’s where Defense One Termite & Pest Control comes in! Defense One Termite & Pest Control handles Charleston pest control efficiently so that you don’t have to worry anymore about insects or rodents. We offer a variety of services, including our Total Encapsulation Solution which is one of the most effective moisture regulation systems on the market today. This will help to control pests, improve overall indoor air quality, protect your home against structural damage caused by moisture, and reduce your energy bills. Whether your home is in Goose Creek, West Ashley or downtown Charleston, our goal is to keep your home safe from all of the little pests that can cause major damage to your home and health. Click here to learn more, and you can request a quote or call 843-760-9291

Advertisement

Meet Interior Designer Dara Rosenfeld!

As we are spending more time at home, I am often being asked if it is worth it to hire an interior designer.  My answer?  YES! 

For obvious reasons, investing in your home is always important!  Whether you are considering making changes to your living space, or buying a new home, teaming up with a trained professional is a great way to not only transform the way your home makes you ‘feel” but also “how you live!” 

Dara Rosenfeld has been helping her clients create functional, innovative and welcoming spaces for over twenty-five years. She provides comprehensive interior design and interior architecture services.  She will help implement your unique vision in a timeless and elegant style.   

Dara began her career at Christie’s New York where she was responsible for valuating interiors with distinguished histories. She went on to senior design positions at two AD 100 firms: Peter Marino in New York and The Wiseman Group in San Francisco. In 2007, Dara started her own firm Dara Rosenfeld Design.  Dara has designed city and vacation homes in Hawaii, France, England, Northern and Southern California, New York, Texas and now Charleston where she lives with her family and two toy fox terriers.

Feel free to check out her services and work by visiting her website at www.dararosenfelddesign.com or contact her at (415) 522-1616 or by email, dara@dararosenfelddesign.com

Supporting Lucy Beckham High School

The new Lucy Beckham High School welcomed students September 8th, and we are so excited. Sports teams are practicing, clubs are getting organized, and instruments are warming up. It’s an exciting time to be a high school student in the 29464.

As parents, we want the community to support the school and get involved. At Beckham, instead of each individual group fundraising, the One Beckham Foundation was created to equitably support all the extracurricular activities, Athletics, Performing Arts, and Academics, LBHS has to offer under one umbrella and to the benefit of every child. The One Beckham Foundation is determined to remove barriers for children and parents who want to experience all that our new public school can provide, but who have traditionally faced road blocks with full participation.

We are recruiting businesses, families, and individuals to lend their support to Lucy Beckham High School and help make it one of the best high schools in the state!

For more information, visit onebeckhamfoundation.com or contact onebeckhamfoundation@gmail.com

The Post House Is Now Open!

An Old Village favorite has come back to life!  I am thrilled to learn that The Post House is officially opened for business!

The Post House is comprised of a ground floor tavern and bar and seven cozy hotel rooms on the second and third floors. Additionally, the “Rose Room” is a private events space located on the second floor, overlooking charming Pitt Street. Designed with both the local and visitor in mind, Post House is a blend of historic charm and modern amenities.The Post House team consists of owner/operators Kate and Ben Towill of Charleston-based design and hospitality firm Basic Projects (Basic Kitchen); Executive Chef Evan Gaudreau (Renzo); and Property GM Jonathan Bentley (Obstinate Daughter).

The restaurant is a casual, lively, and family-friendly spot serving simple and seasonal contemporary American food. Influenced by the region, Gaudreau’s menu features an array of seasonable snacks, raw bar options, fresh pastas, as well as local seafood, sustainably raised meats and plenty of vegetarian dishes. A James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef nominee in 2019 and Eater  Charleston Chef of the Year2019 Gaudreau was most recently chef at Renzo and has spent the past several months working the land with local farm Spade + Clover. A Boston native and Culinary Institute of America grad, Gaudreau brings an immense love of food culture, anthropology and sharing great meals to Post House.Post House’s beverage program is a celebration of both old and new, bringing together spirit-driven classics and seasonally-inspired libations, as well as a varied, approachable wine list with bottles from all over the globe.

Built in 1896, 101 Pitt Street has a long-standing history as a neighborhood hub,housing a restaurant and inn for many decades.The space underwent a top-to-bottom renovation, in which the fitst-floor layout was reimagined by moving the bar to face Pitt Street, while the main dining room moved to the back, open to the outdoor courtyard. Kate Towill served as lead designer for the project, outfitting each space uniquely in stylish and functional antiques, vintage rugs, playful fabrics, local art, archival wallpaper and handcrafted fixtures. Inspired by travels to laid-back,seaside inns around the world, Towill brings both whimsy and character to the beloved building.

The inn at Post House opened on Monday, August 24 and features seven distinctly decorated rooms, a relaxing home away from home for staycationers and travelers alike. With oversized windows, original wood floors, fully renovated bathrooms, comfy beds, bespoke robes, and locally-curated mini bars, each Post House room features plenty of charm and comfort.

Post House is opened for dinner service starting August 22, with weekend brunch following soon. To make a dinner reservation, visit Resy. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m. For hotel reservations, visit theposthouseinn.com. For more information about Post House, follow along on Instagram at @theposthouseinn.

2021 Color Trends from BEHR®

More than ever, homeowners are looking to change up their space with all kinds of DIY Projects!  But nothing makes your home feel more clean and new than a fresh coat of paint!  So why not check out the newest trends?  Behr Paint Company recently unveiled its BEHR^® Color Trends 2021 Palette. This color palette consists of 21 versatile shades spanning from essential neutrals to lavish bolds, which enable people to create energizing yet comforting new focal points in the home. “This has been a year of unpredictability and 2020 has significantly changed our relationship with our home. When our color team began exploring a palette for the coming year, we knew it needed to be grounded in what we’ve been craving: comfort and personalization,” said Erika Woelfel, vice president of color at Behr. The BEHR^® Color Trends 2021 Palette is organized into six color themes: Casual Comfort, Subtle Focus, Optimistic View, Quiet Haven, Calm Zone, and Outdoor Escape.

Click here to see the 2021 color themes!  Enjoy!

(photo credit:  BEHR® Color Trends 2021)

Locally Owned, “Wild and Wooly” is a special place for Knitters, Quilters and Sewers!

I recently started knitting, and I must admit I am OBSESSED!  Super relaxing and rewarding!  But here’s the thing… I am short on time, right?  So I invested about 7 minutes on Youtube to learn my new skill… and it worked.  For a bit.  Then I dumped some money at Michael’s on some yarn, only to realize it is scratchy and itchy.  I was stuck, not knowing hot to move ahead.  So I took the plunge and walked into Wild and Wooly.  And I loved everything about it!  Locally owned and operated by Debbie Newman, this place is SOMETHING SPECIAL!  I was welcomed with open arms!

Not only do they sell everything you need for knitting, quilting, sewing, etc, but they know their stuff!  And they share their knowledge.  After spending about 20 minutes with Debbie, I walked out having learned some really great skills, armed with some soft, yummy yarn, and I am off!  I am creating some lovely items and enjoying the process.  But the best part is that there is always more to learn.  And the Wild and Wooly Team can help, they offer classes and events for all skill levels.  It is as much of a community as it is a store and I feel really lucky to have found this quaint little shop right down the street!

Oh, don’t believe me?  Click here to meet the team and tour the store on Facebook!

Wild and Wooly is located at 1212 Chuck Dawley Blvd, Mt. Pleasant.  They are opened from 10am-3pm Mon- Sat.  Click here to visit their website. 

Old Village 4 br, 4.5 bath Condo! AVAILABLE FOR RENT! $3850/ month

Lovely condo located in the Pitt Street Shopping District, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath, with den and balcony.  Now available for rent for $4000/ month.  Please email Jackie@TheCassinaGroup.com if you have interest in learning more!

This beautiful historic post-Reconstruction era condominium masterfully renovated and a unique upscale residences, one of only 3 condos available in this building.  Features include gorgeous antique heart pine throughout, exposed brick offering architectural interest, and lovely wood trim. The eat-in kitchen is open to the living room and features a large island, perfect for casual meals and gathering with friends and family.  The kitchen also features Viking professional appliances that any chef would enjoy along with granite counters & window seating. The floor plan was designed to fit any lifestyle. The master suite is located downstairs, along with a 2nd bedroom with ensuite bath, study/office, powder room and washer/dryer. Upstairs, you will find 2 additional graciously sized bedrooms with ensuite baths and beautiful vistas. Secured Common Hallway, Pre-wired Sound System, Viking Appliances, Rennai Hot Water Heater, Porch overlooking Church Street, Views of Pitt Street and 2 Off Street Parking spaces as well as a small outdoor storage area.  This is a second and third floor condo, so no one lives above you.

218 Venning is one of the few historic commercial buildings remaining in Mount Pleasant. Originally used as a live/work space, Lunden’s Store, was a grocery, built and owned by a German family back in the mid to late 1800’s. The building was converted into 3 condominiums in 2008, each with its own design, floor plan and personality.

Again, if you have interest, please email Jackie@TheCassinaGroup.com, and thanks!

530 Speights St- Old Village

Charming Old Village cottage on a rare, half acre lot! This light-filled home has been fully renovated with a coastal feel, and features ample outdoor space for entertainment. You will love embracing the Lowcountry lifestyle and all that makes this fabulous neighborhood so special! Home features include: *Tabby Shell circular driveway with adorable wooden picket fence and brick pillars *Full front porch flanked with lush landscaping *Open living/ kitchen with tons of natural light and beautiful heart pine flooring *Granite island and counter tops, with white and glass-front cabinetry, subway tile, and stainless appliances *Gas range with pot filler *Separate family room with wet bar and access to the fantastic covered outdoor entertainment area  *Large Laundry room *Custom mahogany doors, high-impact windows, new roof *Detached 2-car garage *Fully fenced back yard *No flood insurance required

Available for $1,199,000.  Contact me for more information, or visit www.SearchOldVillage.com

Old Village/ Old Mt. P Market Update

The real estate market looks pretty solid in Mt. Pleasant as a whole, so I thought I would drill down on our neighborhood and take a look at how Quarter 1 of 2020 is faring compared to the past few years.  Here are some interesting stats, according to the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS and reflect single family homes in the Old Village/ Old Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood.

No real surprise that sales were down in Quarter 1, but homes in the Old Village/ Old Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood are still selling!  In Quarter 1 of 2020, 24 homes closed, compared to 41 sales in Q1 of 2019 (wow), 37 sales in 2018, 32 sales in 2017, and 30 sales in 2016.  So, although the 2020 number is off compared to last year, it is with in the zone of previous years…. and that’s not too bad considering most buyers are shopping primarily online through virtual tours.

Sales prices are holding steady and this is some really good news.  For homes sold in the Old Village/ Old Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood in Q1 of 2020, the average price per square foot was $385, compared to $395 in 2019, $365 in 2018, $371 in 2017 and $329 in 2016.

What about the length of time it takes to sell?  Q1 of 2020 stats do indicate that, although homes are selling for a solid price per square foot, it is taking a bit longer than usual.  Homes in Q1 of 2020 averaged 133 days on the market, compared to 88 days in 2019, 58 days in 2018, 93 days in 2017, and 76 days in 2016.

In summary, things are selling, prices are holding steady, but it may take a bit more time to find your buyer making it more important than ever to chose a full time, professional Realtor who has the experience to help you achieve your goal!  f you are thinking of buying or selling, I specialize in this area, and I have been selling here for over 17 years.  If I can help, please let me know.

Stats are provided by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, and reflect the time frame of Jan 1- Apr 30, for single family homes in the Old Village/ Old Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood.

 

 

 

 

Mt. Pleasant Real Estate Market Review

The stats for the month of March look pretty impressive when comparing 2020 to 2019.

According to the Charleston Trident Association Of REALTORS, home sales in Lower Mt. Pleasant (South of the IOP Connector) held steady in March of 2020 with 70 single family homes sold vs 73 homes sold in March of 2019.  The median sales price was $592,000, up about 10% from 2019.  Home sales took slightly longer, with the days on the market averaging 75 days in 2020, vs. 59 days in 2019.

And home sales in Upper Mt. Pleasant looked even stronger!  In March of 2020, there were 100 single family homes sold vs 79 homes sold in March of 2019.  The median sales price was $545,000, up about 7% from 2019.  Days on the market averaged 69 days in 2020, vs. 75 days in 2019.

People are still buying and inventory is still low.  If you would like to explore the real estate market, please let me know.  I am happy to help!