Cherimie Crane, www.Marine1Realty.com

Chance afforded me yet another outstanding opportunity. I had the honor of meeting a gentleman who not only has appeared in FORBES magazine but whose wealth of real estate knowledge is without peer. Over the span of three months we have developed a professional relationship that I am quite certain will change the path of my career tremendously.

As a land speculator, (as he modestly refers to himself) his interest has been directed towards my charming little town. Beaufort is famous mostly for our water aspects; however, our land attracts the attention of the most discerning visionaries. Beaufort is a treasure, and the treasure seekers are quickly learning what we have known all along.

Yesterday was meeting four. Objective: meet with an international (extremely well known) builder to discuss feasibility of a project we have been exploring.

****A little background is in order; I am a former high school teacher, a simple Mississippi girl, a small town real estate broker, a self proclaimed fisherwoman:), and for all intensive purposes completely out of my league with present company!*****

Now, back to my story. The international builder is hoping to partner with my new found mentor in building several new communities in my little town. Sounds promising.

As I sit in complete awe of how on earth I managed to find myself in a meeting with such high dollar players, I realize they may be in trouble.

Yep. Now normally my ability to think before I speak leaves much to be desired; however, I mustered up enough self discipline to consider my words prior to shooting from the hip. A moment I am most proud of if I do say so myself.

What I wanted to say...

" Gentleman, with all do respect, that just isn't going to work. Not here, not now, maybe not for a very long time. Have you ever been to Beaufort???? The proposed product has absolutely no Beaufort charm and looks as though it could be picked up and planted in any town USA. Every aspect from marketing to exterior appearance is a very very bad idea."

What I chose to say...

"It may be advantageous for you to spend a few hours with me in Beaufort (the meeting was not in Beaufort). Let me give you a brief overview of what your target market will be, your current competition, and what this particular buying population expects."

I did good. They were extremely responsive and appreciative of the invitation.

So Monday, I will be driving a group of extremely experienced, extremely influential, extremely wealthy, individuals who will get a much needed crash course in knowing the market..not the numbers, not the corporate buzz words, but the people who will be responsible either for thier success or failure and how they live their lives in beautiful Beaufort by the Sea.

God help me.

And if things go well, as I am hoping they will, we will then join together in a partnership that not only will be profitable but will enhance my fairytale town, not blemish it, insult it, or give it the appearance of just any other town.

Now....if things don't go well... I guess they will just have to find another self proclaimed fisherwoman...

Remember the first time you teetered on the top of an old metal roller coaster? Knowing at any moment you would drop, shake, rattle, and say things your mom would blush over? I do.

I remember the stomach-knotting, the excitement, the fear, and the desire for it all to be over quickly! Sometimes I feel that way in trying to balance a career and what I consider to be a life....

I enjoy my job. Immensely. All too often however, I wake up and realize I may not have much else to discuss. I don't want to be "that girl". Sure, I love to go fishing. I can talk the tail off a cat about my dog, yet...not everyone finds that to be stimulating conversation.

I am pretty much a "big picture kind of girl", and working day in and day out certainly does help reach my goals but goals don't make very good best friends.

The most interesting, successful, well rounded people, to me, DON'T work ALL the time. They take time to build meaningful relationships. To me, that is success.

It isn't quite January yet...but I am thinking a New Year's resolution is acceptable any time during the new year. Right?

I want to continue the success that I have been fortunate to attain in my career; however, I want to be successful in living life as well...

Some days, I am going to turn my phone off, close my computer, ditch the high heels, and do something...anything. Climb a tree, learn a new sport, fish a bit more, laugh a bit more, and try and remember how to have conversations about ANYTHING OTHER than real estate.:)

Think it can be done? I will give it a shot.

It has recently been brought to my attention that my clients don't always know exactly what I am talking about. Apparently I speak "Southernese".

Ya'll, I'm sorry. Or maybe...not. I do live in the South. Beautiful Beaufort South Carolina has many wonderful mysteries, legends, folk tales, and well....it's own way of describing life's little quandaries.

Maybe some clarification is in order.. The following phrases may be heard during your visit to our little pardise:

"Dying Duck Fit"- This is serious business. This will not land you in Beaufort Memorial Hospital although sometimes there may be effects that could possibly lead you right into the office of one of our many gracious physicians. Let me explain.

One may experience a "dying duck fit" in the following local Beaufort situations:

• Preparing your pallet for the exquisite Shrimp Burger prepared by Plums Restaurant only to be told they just served the last one.
• Going to the local Piggly Wiggly and getting that one buggy that screeches and squeals around each turn.
• Waltzing around Dempsey's You Pick farm and attracting the one and only no see um that survived the cold spell.

There is great speculation regarding the cure of this peculiar ailment. I advise a quick trip to Bill's for Sweet Tea Vodka. All in moderation my friend.

"Hill of Beans"- This is an extremely versatile phrase. The following is acceptable/unacceptable uses.

Acceptable

• If you are visiting Beautiful Beaufort it is perfectly appropriate to use this phrase while describing your navigational abilities of our challenging waterways. It is quite alright to say "I don't know the tide chart from a Hill Of Beans."

Non Acceptable

• While enjoying a Sunday drive through our rural St. Helena Island during the fertile spring/summer seasons please don't be tempted to glance to your right or lolly-gag to your left and say "Is that a hill of beans"?? No my friend. We are the Lowcountry. We don't have hills. We do enjoy our plentiful soil for planting beans, tomatoes, and the like....but remember..we don't really have hills!

No Room TO Swing A Cat- Before PETA fusses..let me clarify. We aren't going to swing a cat..even if we could. Now I can't promise you that we won't try...especially if that feline frolics towards our fresh catch of the day. This phrase is often used to describe tiny or crowded (more than 10 people at a time) places for example:

• Now you have spent a glorious day touring the streets of Historic Downtown Beaufort. You develop an unmistakable desire for ice cream. What do you do?? You walk down Bay Street and step in to Sweets Ice Cream Parlor. Maybe you aren't the only one hankering for something sweet...You guessed it...you walk in the door and there is No Room To Swing A Cat

• Now another time you may find yourself tempted to borrow this form of Southernese would be the infamous Beaufort Water Festival. You have done everything you can to prepare yourself for one of life's greatest experiences...You got your fried chicken, gased up the boat, filled the cooler, and drenched yourself in sunscreen. You carefully navigate your way to the local sand bar....now my friend...this is a perfect time to say " NO Room TO Swing A Cat".

Last but Certainly Not Least

"Bless Your Heart"- This is a Southern Term of Endearment and can be used with anyone at any time.

• Ok..you decided to visit Common Ground our locally owned specialty coffee shop. You are enjoying your issue of the Beaufort Gazette, sitting on the porch that overlooks the intracoastal waterway while sipping a latte. One of our most talkative neighbors decides you need a bit of conversing. After about 45 minutes..you have our permission to gracefully exit this long winded monologue by simply saying....BLESS YOUR HEART.

• Another perfectly acceptable time to speak this treasured tradition: You have gone to one of our many festivals. Maybe it was the Shrimp Festival, Night On The Town, or Taste of Beaufort, any are completely appropriate for this little scenario... You have been socializing for hours enjoying some libations and just feeling all the Beaufort Love. As you go to exit this event one of Beaufort's Finest walks up to you and says...."May I call you a cab dear?"...And you simply smile and say..

BLESS YOUR HEART.

Now that you have a cliff note version of Southernese..you have no excuse not to come over, across, up or down to beautiful Beaufort by the Sea. Come visit us or we may just have a dying duck fit!

I have tippy -toed across the warm sand, sunk sheepishly into the pluff mud, hopped one-legged down the steaming boards of the docks, and flip -flopped shuffled through the tributaries but not until recently have I seen Beaufort from the clouds.

Perspective is everything.

From the bow of a boat I feel powerful and small all at the same time, from the dock I feel content, from the edge of the shore I feel protected, and from underneath the Live Oaks, I feel an overwhelming sense of belonging.

From the clouds looking down, I feel an unmistakable connection to HOME. Having lived all over the world, all over the country, from big cities to one horse towns, it is apparent I am finally home.

Peeking through the clouds, Beaufort shines. The waterways curve and wind through the sea grass with ballerina grace. The waves crash against the beaches as if a reminder that there is a consistency even in the most changing of times.

Our small little waterfront town commands attention even from 6,000ft. It is special, period.

If you haven't seen Beaufort South Carolina, really seen Beaufort, you owe it to yourself, your eyes, and your family to hurry on over, across, down, or up. It is more than a town.

Happy Travels.

Success comes at a price but at what price and when, is my question. Please do not misinterpret this post as a complaint. Everyday I realize just how fortunate I am to enjoy success in a market that is challenging the best of the best.

Marine 1 Realty is only 3.5 months old, yet we are already a serious force in the industry. Hard-work, courage, and timing are credited right along side with the unwavering, staggering, endlessly faithful clients that walk through my door daily.

So, whaty is my problem??? I don't like doing anything any less than 100%. I am no math major, but something tells me fairly soon, something isn't going to get that 100% if I continue at this rate.

I am the Broker-in-Charge. I am also the receptionist, trainer, housekeeper, fax fixer, copy maker, social organizer, mail sorter, yada yada....you get my point.

Marine 1 Realty has the exclusive listing rights to Carolina Village. Carolina Village is, to date, my pride and joy. Working closely with the builders I was able to turn an entire community around and as a bonus, sell a boat load of houses.

Ok..I know WHAT IS MY PROBLEM..???

The success of Carolina Village has made the phones ring!!! Not just prospective buyers, but developers, builders, OTHER REAL ESTATE COMPANIES, and believe it or not, major marketing firms...

I get the same question over and over..."How are you doing it?"

I am doing more lunches and dinners than a girl can possible maintain. All of the sudden, this Mississippi girl that was just a new agent a few years ago...is pretty darn popular....

So what does this mean?? When my favorite cami-wearing clients come running through my door with coffee...I am on the phone. :(

Those cami-wearing, coffee bringing, raspy voice talking fellas made me a success. I can't NOT have time to speak with them..... I can't not go visit them! I can't forget why there is MARINE 1 REALTY!!!!!

I need advice, I need help, I need agents who can keep up with the pace of our office....