Randall Sandin, 843-209-9667 ~ Search for Charleston SC Real Estate~

I read this on the Washinton Post website this morning and thought it was worth sharing with everyone else. With the doom and gloom of all bankers coupled with the greed there are not many positive stories about the banking industy but here is one about a smart little bank with a very smart President.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/10/AR2009021003583.html?hpid=topnews

Maybe some of the big boys will follow his lead.

For info on Charleston SC, James Island SC, Folly Beach, SC and Johns Island, SC please call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or search the Charleston MLS at http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com

Mepkin Abbey in Moncks Corner to grow Mushrooms instead of selling eggs

The 40 year tradition of raising and selling eggs as been replaced with oyster mushrooms at the Moncks Corner monastery. As many people are aware, PETA raised a big stink about the handling of the chickens at the Mepkin Abbey monastery. So to calm things down, the monks have moved to growing and selling oyster mushrooms.

Piggly Wiggly officials said the mushrooms will be sold at the Piggly Wiggly stores at 100 W. Main St. in Moncks Corner and 1981 Riviera Drive in Mount Pleasant and at Newton Farms on Johns Island. The mushrooms will also be sold to local restaurants such as Slightly North of Broad, High Cotton, McCrady’s, Cypress and Anson.

For info on Charleston, SC or Folly Beach, SC real estate contact Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or visit http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com to search the entire Charleston MLS

1st Annual Folly Gras Parade February 21st, 2pm until Center Street on Folly Beach

March, bring a float or ride in your golf cart

Must be in Mardi Gras garb to be in the parade

Parade will begin at 2pm

Pick up masks and beads at city hall

Center Street will be closed for the event

Local businesses will have specials all day

Live Mardi Gras music and more

See you there!

To search for Folly Beach, SC or Charleston, SC property go to http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com or call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 or email at rsandin@carolinaone.com

As everyone looks to cut corners financially, do not forget about the great resource we have here in Charleston County - our public library system. Here are a few great reasons to go to the library.

Why pay $4 for a movie rental when you can pick one up for free and keep it for a week at the library?

Why buy a new book when you can get it at the library for free?

There is free computer access at all locations.

There are great programs for children and adults - why spend $40 going to the movies when you can enjoy great stuff at the library for free.

Pick up books on tape and enjoy listening in your car.

You can read the paper there or browse just about any magazine you can think of.

Here is a list of our local Charleston County Libraries:

Main - 68 Calhoun

Cooper River - 3503 Rivers Ave.

John Dart - 1067 King St.

Dorchester - 6325 Dorchester Road

Edisto - 1589 Hwy 174

Folly Beach - 55 Center St.

James Island - 1248 Camp Road

Johns Island - 3531 Maybank Hwy.

McClellanville - 222 Baker St.

Mt. Pleasant - 113 Mathis Ferry Rd.

Otranto Road - 2261 Otranto Rd.

Edgar Allan Poe - 1921 I'On Ave.

St. Andrews - 1735 N. Woodmere Dr.

St. Paul's - 5131 Town Council Dr.

Village - 430 Whilden St.

West Ashley - 45 Windemere Blvd.

Search for Charleston, SC and Folly Beach, SC Real Estate at http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com or call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667

With mortgage rates at record lows, many people are looking to refinance. Here are 7 things you need to know in today's market.

1. Percentage Point break - a good rule of thumb is that the rate needs to be a full percentage point less than your current rate.
2. Half rejected - with so many people looking to refinance and the tight credit market, do not expect to be automatically approved even if you do have a lot of equity in your home.
3. FICO scores - 720 used to be the Gold Standard, now they are looking for 740 and above to get the best rate. Lower FICO scores equal a higher interest rate.
4. Equity & Documentation - equity is key and you must be able to document the equity and will also have to document your income and assets.
5. Fee Paying Options - fees range widely depending on each lender and look out for lenders adding in buy down points to get you that super rate. If it takes more than two years to pay back the closing cost amount with the monthly savings, it may not be worth it.
6. Shop around - things are changing daily so if one lenders says no there may be another that says yes.
7. Be patient - with the wave of refinancing there is a back log of loans so it may take some time to get the loan approved and closed.

Here are two lender contacts that I recommend to my clients. Feel free to mention my name if you give them a call.

Joel Greer - Carolina One Mortgage 843-414-2489, joel.greer@gbmail.com

Ted Honney - First Federal 843-708-0250, thonney@firstfederal.com

Search Charleston, SC and Folly Beach, SC Real Estate at http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com or log on to get our FREE Relocation package or FREE foreclosures updates

Call Randall Sandin at 843-209-9667 for more info about the Charleston area