To give y'all a feel for my little city. I'm sitting in my living room and I hear the clip-clop of horses hooves on the pavement. Yes, I knew it would be a horse-drawn carriage, but I still rush to the window every time I hear them. Well, it was the cutest thing. It was a carriage - a small one, the lady driver and her two pups along for the ride :) .....and..... there was a younger boy hitching a ride on the back of the carriage, and his horse was walking along behind them (on a lead, of course, lol). I wish I could have gotten a picture. I hear the clip-clop all the time - I live in the historic part of our city and very close to the Hitchcock Woods. Check out an earlier blog of mine. It's called "more than twice the size of Central Park" (if I knew how to put that little link here, I would) You can hire a carriage and ride thru the woods, or downtown. Now, it's NOT overrun with carriages. Just enough to maintain the charm that is Aiken. The place I call home.
*****update...... well, it's about 10 minutes later and now I hear the rrrrrrrrrrr of the lawn mower outside, lol - not quite as pleasant as the clip-clop, lol.
Just another reason to consider Aiken, SC if you are thinking of heading south!!
Back in '99 a resolution was passed by the City Council to support the "Community of Character' initiative in Aiken. THE FIRST IN SOUTH CAROLINA!!
EVERYONE (schools, club members, businesses, chamber of commerce, the media....) is involved in encouraging good character among Aiken's citizens. Each month a character trait is presented to the community to encourage citizens of all ages to become better role models of GOOD CHARACTER. There is even an awards ceremony each year to acknowledge students who display positive character in the way they conduct their lives.
Promoting good character in the community helps develop strong families, friendships, and adds positive qualities to the lives of our younger generation as well as our adult citizens.
For more info on this, you can visit: www.aiken.net
"Our city will be judged by the character of our citizens."
RESPECT - SINCERITY - ATTENTIVENESS - COMPASSION - LOYALTY - COURAGE - RESPONSIBILITY - CITIZENSHIP - TRUTHFULNESS - PATIENCE - FORGIVENESS - SELF CONTROL
This Thursday night in Downtown Aiken!! Downtown After 6 - Beach Blast (6-9pm)
Come Join Us!!
Treasure Hunters: you will need to pick up your map at the Aiken Downtown Dev. Assoc office - in The Alley on Thursday during business hours.
Cruise In: Aiken Horsepower club members....and others will be cruisin in for a show! If you want to show off your wheels, come on down.
Downtown Shoppes: Participating Downtown Businesses will each represent a different beach, and will be offering complimentary food, music OR entertainment to show off that beach's cultural style :) IT'S GONNA BE ALOT OF FUN!!
Here's just a few of the beaches that you will be able to 'visit':
Ipanema, Brazil
Key West, Florida
Hilton Head, SC
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Brighton Beach, UK
Charleston, SC
.............................and that's just a few.
Some of the shoppes participating:
Birds & Butterflies
Equine Devine
The Curiosity Shop
Stop Light Deli
Up & Away Balloons & Fudge
Tea Garden Gifts
Women's Echoes
.. ..and more, more more!!
And then a Beach Blast Dance on Newberry Street. 9pm. (come shag into the night) FOR THOSE THAT ARE UNAWARE....THE SHAG IS OUR STATE DANCE!! Get your minds out of the gutter, lol.
(you know, the place where they hold the lobster races!! etc.. - our ‘block party' street)
Call me if you need directions or visit : www.DowntownAiken.com
Aiken, South Carolina
A Dozen Things to Discover
1. Discover treasures in this 32-room, 15-bathroom & 1-ballroom cottage.
2. Explore Aiken's unique touch and feel sensory trail.
3. Experience where the Duke of Windsor & W.Churchill have stayed.
4. Explore the parkways where the Astors & Vanderbilts once gathered.
5. Find the 'remains' of Aiken's one-time police station.
6. Honor the Confederate soldier and 20 Union soldiers buried in Aiken
7. Reconnect with nature in an urban forest 3 times the size of Central Park.
8. Learn about the town that educated Fred Astaire's son.
9. Identify Aiken's own Derby, Preaknesss & Belmont winners. 
10. Stir your creative juices in Aiken's art galleries and specialty shops.
11. Visit the American home of the West Highland Terrier.
12. Play the first course in America to feature tees especially for women.
for more info.............. http://visit.aiken.net and: www.CarolinaLiving.com
Aiken, South Carolina
A Dozen Things to Discover
1. Discover treasures in this 32-room, 15-bathroom & 1-ballroom cottage.
2. Explore Aiken's unique touch and feel sensory trail.
3. Experience where the Duke of Windsor & W.Churchill have stayed.
4. Explore the parkways where the Astors & Vanderbilts once gathered.
5. Find the 'remains' of Aiken's one-time police station.
6. Honor the Confederate soldier and 20 Union soldiers buried in Aiken
7. Reconnect with nature in an urban forest 3 times the size of Central Park.
8. Learn about the town that educated Fred Astaire's son.
9. Identify Aiken's own Derby, Preaknesss & Belmont winners.
10. Stir your creative juices in Aiken's art galleries and specialty shops.
11. Visit the American home of the West Highland Terrier.
12. Play the first course in America to feature tees especially for women.
for more info.............. http://visit.aiken.net
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Aiken, SC ~ One of the most beautiful cities that I have had the honor to live in. I'm serious. I fell in love with Aiken the first time I visited. I'll tell you all about it in a blog, sometime.
Hi. My name is Kara, and I work for/with Jane Page Thompson. We are both Realtors. Jane Page is originally from Virginia and has lived and traveled all over the world :) (I am just filling this in for now, I'll get with her one of these days for more specifics, haha)
(yes, I am a KC Chiefs fan - and I like the St. Louis Rams, too. so?)
I took this picture for a photo contest a few years ago. I won 2nd prize :) How cool is that! I also took a picture at New Bridge Polo that ended up on the cover of Farm & Ranch/Country Estates Magazine! Isn't that awesome :)
Me on the other hand: I grew up in New Jersey, and lived there most of my life. (pleeeeease--- don't say Joyzey!) Small town. North Western part of the state. I love being a Jersey Girl. Jersey will be in my heart forever. I've been in Aiken since 1996 and wish I had moved here sooner. Seriously! It is one of the prettiest little towns. I'll have to write a blog on 'why I love Aiken'.
I've been involved in real estate in some way, shape or form for the past 9 years - but have been a SC Licensed Real Estate Agent and a Realtor for about the past 2 years. Jane Page is great to work with. I am learning a lot, that's for sure.
A little bit more about me...well, I have a grown child, and I am recently divorced and back doing the dating thing. I have a feeling you will see a blog or two about this, lol. (for those of you who may not be familiar---- lol = laugh out loud) I tell you this, because I use that term ALOT!!
I love my family, friends and I love the beach. I have a very large extended family....tons and tons of cousins. If you think you have a large family, I think mine can beat yours! And not going back 100's of years!! I mean starting with MY Grandparents :)
Well, as you can see, I'm a talker. Guess I'll save all that stuff for some blogs. Oh - there will be plenty of real estate tips, news, updates, etc..... as well. Watch for it!
I like to read blogs...and I like to write blogs. :) A bunch of blogging Realtors, how fun is that!! And to be part of this great community of real estate related professionals is just wonderful. Advice - opinions - suggestions - perspectives - comic relief - insight - sounding boards ...... from so many different professionals in so many different locations. I'm happy to be here.
Even though I work as a 'licensed assistant', I AM A REALTOR! I have been a member of the Aiken Board of Realtors - Education Committee since 2006, and have been asked to serve on the Grievance Committee in 2009. I feel very honored to have been selected for this position, and I am hoping for a VERY SLOOOOW year, haha -- let's all play by the rules - ok guys!?
The agent that I assist is an Accredited Land Consultant, but she has expertise in more than just land sales/purchases! Aiken's historic and luxury properties, as well as equestrian estates top the list.
Hard to separate business from personal sometimes, I am who I am - I am no different with my clients as I am with my friends. Always honest - always looking out for them - dependable - ethical - loyal...... Ok, so I know you need to get to know me, and you will, but I'm not here to brag on myself by no means. (even though that is what 'they say' to do.) Hey, I know that I still have alot to learn when it comes to real estate. The way I look at it, I am learning from one of the best in the business, as her assistant. I need to look into getting her on the speaker circuit. Yes, she is that good at what she does!! :)
My title is assistant, but we work more as a team. I love doing the administrative stuff, keeping things organized. (as best I can anyway) No problem for me, I'm a Virgo, haha. I love meeting new people and showing them around this great city, too.
In 2008 I took some extensive education to earn a designation of "Seniors Real Estate Specialist"and was very excited to put it to work for me ----- after weighing the expense of maintaining this designation, it was with a heavy heart that I chose to let my membership lapse this year. (it didn't bring us any more business, so why keep on paying for it - times are tough these days, afterall!) NOW REMEMBER - I can help a buyer/seller of any age, but I had hoped to create a specialty niche with the mature crowd. I hate the word 'senior citizen', and I never want to hear it said to me, so I will never use those words here on my blog, again. (I don't even like being called ma'am...and in the South you hear that ALOT) I may be a Baby Boomer, but I'm far from old. And most of the other Boomers I know feel the same way. When does old happen? Hmmm.... sounds like a good blog topic to me, lol.
I'll be posting all sorts of things! I hope you come back and check from time to time so you can get to know me ----and then hopefully when you or someone you know needs some real estate assistance, you can contact me ---even if you/they are not moving to/from my town...I can help by way of a referral. With our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of The World, we are connected to over 5500 offices worldwide!! Please come back and get to know me. I'd like the opportunity to assist you with your real estate needs. Let me find an agent to help you no matter where you are moving to/from ----whether you are buying/selling.
Like I said, my topics will vary, please enjoy :)
Welcome to Aiken :)
Because Jane Page is the selling agent (and I am the assistant), most of the letters received are to her. (I will add some of those to the comments below soon) There is an occasion or two where we will have more than one client coming on the same day....then I am 'out in the field' so to speak :)
Here are a few of the notes that I have received from previous clients:
"....we had a wonderful visit to Aiken. You and Jane Page just couldn't have been more pleasant to work with as well as thoughtful. Thanks to both of you for your efforts on our behalf....... Fondly, Beth S"
"Thank you Kara for the informative packet.... You have been the most helpful out of all the real estate people I have contacted, which is a tribute to how hard you work. I prefer to work with people like you.... All the best, Jan M"
"...thanks for all your efforts involving the Drafts property. But most of all thank you for the kind words on the note you sent...... That was very thoughtful......See you in Aiken soon. Frank"
"Hi Kara, Thank you!! Thank you for just an exceptional wonderful afternoon of 'house shopping'!! You are the consummate pro for that job!!!..... Love, Jan and the two horses"
(Jan, her husband Bob, and their horses are all retired. The house they purchased was the first house we looked at - it was perfect! I had a great time helping them through the entire process from the first look at the property .... all the way to the closing table)!
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Even though I wasn't born here, Aiken feels like home.
Come see for yourself! What are you waiting for?
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