About Beaufort County, SC

Hold on to your lock boxes, this is one for the strong at heart! It was taught to me quite early on, that the best rarely have to announce that they are, in fact, the best. Their work usually speaks for itself without any need for back up. Possibly it is just me, more likely it is just me on an entire pot of coffee; but what on earth is going on in the real estate marketing realm? Is every single agent really THE absolute best?

I ran track in high school, not many cheerleaders do. There is a reason not many cheerleaders run track, a reason that alluded me until track season was over. Unlike real estate, at the end of track season the best actually get a ribbon, a trophy, and often a much needed new pair of shoes. Truth be told, I didn't get a ribbon, no trophy was presented, and there was simply no need to replace my shoes. I wasn't the best. I wasn't even in the same time frame as the best.

There is a new phenomenon in the real estate industry that I find a bit odd. Perusing magazines, local papers, websites, fliers, and even name tags I see that each and every single Realtor is, in fact, the best. Maybe they should meet my track coach. He had no problem explaining to us that in order to be best, you had to beat the best and until that momentous occasion, you were just another track runner. Sound harsh? I think it is honest and I appreciate someone telling me that it was something to work towards, not just a word that looks good on paper. If you want to win, run faster. If you want to be the best, work harder. It isn't just a word or a tagline.

To add to my confusion, this odd new approach to marketing seems self indulgent at best. If you are marketing a home, shouldn't the home be mentioned? Shouldn't the strengths of the property, the area, and the lifestyle be somewhere in the advertising? Instead I see flashing photos of shiny happy Realtors exclaiming their transcendence to perfection! What on earth?

Our jobs are personal, they do require some amount of self promotion, but to be so self promoting as to forget the point of showcasing a property, a project, or a cause? Again, maybe it is the coffee.

If you are searching for a Realtor, weed through the clutter, rule out the ridiculous, and go with the one who understands their job is to market your property, not their seemingly true accolades. Finding a good Realtor is not difficult at all. Some of the most professional, most skilled, most knowledgeable Realtors are ready to take your call, and help you reach your goal.

Tips on weeding through the ridiculous:

1. Does the agent's marketing, revolve solely around the agent?

2. Will they market your home, or their head shot?

3. If they are the best, have them show facts! Where do they rank in their local MLS?

4. Ask for RECENT phone numbers/contact information. If they can't give you three sellers, or three buyers; give them a goodbye.

5. Ask for an example of their marketing plan? How will it get your home sold?

6. Do they advertise real estate on their PERSONAL Facebook page, where they also advertise their weekend debacles, beach photos, and overly emotional opinions? Do you want your home advertised directly above a photo of your highly intoxicated Realtor? Ouch.

Our industry is full of amazing, wonderful, and professional Realtors who work so hard everyday to fine tune their marketing, streamline their efforts, and produce real results. Make sure your Realtor is result driven, not recognition driven. Ask for facts, weed through the rubbish, and work with someone who will focus on you! After all the best agent is the one who just sold your home!

The Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce held their annual ball Saturday night. Amid all the hoopla and fancy dresses - it was a Mardi Gras theme - they recognized some wonderful members of our community.

The top award, the Alice Glenn Doughtie Good Citizenship Award for the first time was presented to two honorees; Ida Martin and Betsy Doughtie. Ida Martin, who created Bluffton Self Help in her garage in 1987 also most recently was awarded the Presidential Citizenship Award by President Obama in Washington, D.C. Betsy Doughtie serves as Executive Director of Deep Well; an organization that was created by Charlotte Heinrichs to address the lack of adequate drinking water and now provides assistance to thousands of Hilton Head area residents.

For such a small geographic area we are so fortunate to have these wonderful people with generous spirits committed to making lives better.

Another award winner, a friend and fellow Realtor, Gloria LaCoe was named the Zonta Woman of the Year. Gloria founded the annual Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas teen party at the Boys and Girls Club, and because it appears she has a few moments left, has recently partnered with St. Andrew by the Sea Methodist Church to create a soup kitchen.

As well as the organizations above we have Volunteers in Medicine, Cancer Thrift Store, the Litter Box, and of course Rotary, United Way, Goodwill, Salvation Army and more - plenty of organizations that would love your help.

If you live here, join in continuing to improve Hilton Head and Bluffton; if you are thinking of moving here, you'll become a valuable member and much appreciated partner!

I guess by now it is pretty obvious to most that I am a wee bit protective and maybe even slightly neurotic of my precious (yep I said "my" so maybe even a little egocentristic) little town by the sea.

Beaufort has meant so much to me in so many ways. I first came to Beaufort solely based on a conversation I overheard in an emergency room. I vaguely recall the injury most likely one of my slip, trip, bump-n bruise days no doubt.

Emergency rooms are not the best places for private conversations or maybe I was just blatantly eaves dropping.

The nurse spoke of a place she had recently visited that she truly believed was "spiritually magical".

As a young gypsy minded woman, that sounded good to me! I packed up my prize position, Captain Jack (my cocker spaniel/counselor/ best friend/confidant/foot warmer), loaded up my seen-better-days mustang and headed to Beaufort.

Honestly, I could write a book (and someday I just might) about the details of the drive, the actual events surrounding my life at the time, and the little voice inside my head that screamed "What the hell are you doing?"

But....for now, I will give you the high points.

I was a school teacher so I quickly found a job. I spent my days driving around aimlessly enjoying the most amazing sights I had ever seen in a small town.

The sailboats cruising through the Intracoastal Waterway, crabbers and shrimpers pulling in their days catch, children playing without a care in the world; I was home.

Even after several years, the sights, smells, faces, and sounds are as fresh as the seafood I eat each day. Long (very long, I'm wordy) story short, Beaufort saved my life in many ways. I had time to stop and remember who I was and that happiness wasn't a luxury but a necessity.

So where am I going with all of this???? Told you I was wordy...

I had a couple in my car, nice couple very business minded and career driven. They were just a few years older than me.

They were trying to choose between my little paradise and a larger city north of here. I spent time educating them on the market, what was available in their range, etc... Then, I showed them around a bit so that they could get their bearings.

Then it happened...

"How do you live in such a small town?" Where is the mall?, "This place seems forgotten by society." And on and on they went, denting, and bruising my little town by the sea.

Oops.....did I just run off the road??????!?!?

It would have been a nice commission I suppose.

Maybe they would have learned to appreciate the true beauty of my little town by the sea.

Maybe, I shouldn't have dropped them back off at their hotel so quickly.

If you are looking for the hustle and bustle, or the hurry up and get out of my way life style. Don't come to our little town. You will not be happy and you will interfere with the happiness of others.

If you are looking for a life somewhat forgotten, an amazing place to raise a family, a place where your neighbors know you AND LIKE YOU, a place where you can spend a Sunday sitting by (or in) the river with your closest friend without feeling as though silence must be filled;come on down, over, across or up, we will save you a seat.

If you are lost and don't have time to find yourself, come to Beaufort. We are happy people.

No we don't have a mall and yes, we even may talk funny, but we will welcome you and help you find your piece of paradise.

Just over a year ago we opened our doors at Somerset Point in Beaufort South Carolina. Months and months of preparation, long hours, long debates, and long lists preceded opening day. Building a community is challenging; building a community in the current economic atmosphere is just plain crazy, right? Wrong.

When most of the industry was hibernating, we were innovating. When everyone was saying "It can't be done."; we were finding a way. As a Realtor, I knew buyers wanted something more. My builder new buyers demanded quality; our owner knew it would take all of us to make it happen.

What was once a question of where are you located? Is now, which lots are still available. What was once who is the builder? Is now, Manor House is the builder.

Not too long ago I drove through an area with only a few homes, now I drive through a community with laughing children, full front porches, lovingly maintained landscaping, and the evidence that if you provide quality homes and impeccable service at affordable prices; communities can thrive, even in our current economic atmosphere.

We are open Tuesday-Saturday 11am -5pm. We would love to show you how our community has grown!