Beaufort, SC

There is no way I could have known that the almost empty lot I was looking at one year ago would have changed my career. I was simply hoping NOT to disappoint the two gentleman who asked for my help. Late January of last year I met with Scott Dennis (NBM Builders) and Trey Ambrose (Proslab) who together formed Carolina Village LLC.

Although I was well aware of both of them, they knew very little about me. What they did know was that I had a loyal client base that supported me in just about any venture I chose.

Their goal was simple; they wanted to move a development that had simply become stagnant and bare.

I was just crazy enough to think I would be the one to do it.

I knew of the impeccable reputation of Scott Dennis and the NBM crew. I knew of the dogged determination of Trey Ambrose. I knew I was ready for a challenge.

So with only a brief meeting, a relationship was formed. I had absolutely no choice but to do what I said I would do. Incredibly intimidated and slightly overwhelmed, Carolina Village became my project.

I spent hours upon hours researching sales, viewing homes, rearranging floor plans, and most importantly speaking with my clients. The feedback from past buyers was invaluable.

NBM Builders gave me the freedom and the support to offer buyers a home that I felt certain would meet the needs of a forgotten population. Trey Ambrose was always available to answer questions, offer solutions, and remind me of the promise I had made. Not always the most agreeable three minds(oh the stories!!!), but we were able to focus on the big picture.

Now, with only 5 homes away from completion, we were featured in the Real Estate section of our local paper. The headline "Beat the Economy". I didn't pay for the front page ad, I didn't even ask for the feature. We were chosen along with two other communities in all of Beaufort County, the only one chosen in our town.

I had no idea we would complete this project in three years, much less a year and a half. I am extremely proud, glowing, kinda giddy to be exact. I have gained valuable experience, extremely happy buyers, and builders that feel more like family than just two men asking for help.

It really is true. Anything is possible if you believe it can be done.

It was a good way to end the real estate year.

Beaufort, SC home sellers enjoyed a surge in the final quarter of 2009, as the Beaufort real estate market posted its best quarter since 2006. The strong finish gave needed momentum going into 2010, as sellers and Realtors finished off what had been a disappointing year, according to Beaufort Multiple Listing Service (MLS) stats.

There were 214 home sales logged between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, the same number of home transactions as 2006, according to MLS stats.

Within these quarterly figures were other signs of encouragement. 2009 posted the best November (75 units) and December (73 units) sales figures since 2005, the last year in Beaufort which saw a combination of both rising prices and robust unit figures.

Perhaps driving these figures were a continuation of price depreciation, a result of increasing numbers of short sales and foreclosures. The medial sales price in 2009 was $185,000, versus $226,800 in 2006, the first year of Beaufort's real estate slowdown.

Was 2009 the bottom of the market? Only time will tell, but 790 homes sold for the entire year was only about 1 percent (8 homes) off from the 798 sold in 2008.

Because of the change in the credit markets, the way Beaufort buyers have purchased homes has been turned on its head.

In 2006, Beaufort was very much a conventional loan market, with 83 percent of all home purchases done this way. By 2009, however, only 47 percent of purchases were made via conventional loans.

At the same time, there has been an extreme boost to the number of cash sales, VA loans, and FHA purchases.

Cash sales doubled between 2006 and 2009, jumping from 10 percent to 20 percent. VA loans quadrupled during this same time period, increasing from 5 percent in 2006, to 19 percent in 2009.

As banks have buckled down on lending policies, these other forms of finanincing have become very attractive to buyers.

FHA, a loan type which allows buyers to borrow as much as 97 percent of the loan amount, represented less than one half of one percent in 2006, but by the end of 2009 represented 8 percent of all loans. I can't even do the math on that increase.

I must admit, being a retro pin up queen is a bit tiring. I didn't realize hosting an all female party would be more physically demanding than running a three mile dash. But oh is it so much more fun! Last night I hosted a client appreciation event at our top local spa, Aqua Med Spa.

There was a very specific reason for the location, the theme, and the female only restriction.

Many of my clients are brand new to the area. They suffer from Newcomers-itus, a most paralyzing condition for social women! At a closing a few weeks ago, one of my clients asked me where she could get her hair styled.

I didn't realize just how often that question had been coming up. After all we are women, no matter where we are, what house we buy, or how long we are in the area.

So, the idea was born. I enlisted the help of the experts, Aqua Med Spa. Each lady got her hair styled, was given individualized make up advice and application, as well as was treated like royalty by a professional photographer, who constantly reminded all of my lovely ladies just how beautiful they are!

Maybe it was the champagne, could have been the delectable customized cookies, or possibly the comfort level of women who so desperately needed the company of other women.

What ever the need, it was obviously met. Women, who upon entering, knew no one; left with a whole new set of friends and a fabulous hair do!

The whole evening was permeated with giggles, reassurance, and exchanging of contact information. Women who had never met, cheered each other on in front of the camera. The staff, not only gained new clients, but most likely gained a few new friends as well.

As Realtors, we see so many come and go and go and go and go.... We can often forget that they require more than just a new address. Take time to stop and listen to the needs of your clients. It may be something so simple yet so important.

Take your client appreciation to another level. Help them feel more comfortable in their new enviroment! It is a just as much a gift for you as it is for them!

How do you show appreciation to your clients? Thank you notes, closing gifts, automated birthday cards? If you aren't taking the time or putting forth the energy to show appreciation, you may find your client database dwindling.

2009 was one of my best years in real estate. I learned many valuable lessons, many expensive lessons, and a few painful ones as well. By far one of my most valuable came from desperation. Don't they always?

Fortunately, my client base has grown and matured into a reliable, consistent, and most necessary source of revenue. It took many years to build, many hours to nurture, and will require even more to sustain. Drip campaigns, birthday cards, and preprinted thank you notes just didn't seem to communicate my sincere appreciation to this ever so loyal foundation.

I was spinning my wheels and my wallent trying to find ways to keep in contact, show appreciation, and find time for meaningful conversation with the heart of my business. So....in keeping with my impulsive type behavior, I planned (absolute last minute of course) my first of many client appreciation events.

The heavens parted, the angels sang, and finally the dusty old light bulb once again illuminated my often cloudy brain. DUH! That is how it is done.

It wasn't overly fancy or pretentious. I had no banners or life-size photos of myself. Just personal invitations (a phone call from yours truly), lowcountry food, contributions of drinks, door prizes, and discounts from my trusted allies (contractors, interior designers, even hair stylist!). My first event was a huge success. I sent a feedback form a few days after and was most pleased with the reviews.

Was it expensive? No more than an automated email campaign! Did it strengthen my connections? DEFINITELY. Will I do it again? Yes MAM! Tonight actually.

Tonight I am showing appreciation to all the wives, girlfriends, moms, sisters, and friends! Beaufort's Top SPA is opening after hours for my clients! It is going to be 2 full hours of fabulously female fun.

If you haven't planned your client events for the year, now is the perfect time to do so! Enlist the assistance of local businesses that depend on you. I have 6 events already planned and would be more than happy to share a few tips!

Appreciate your clients!!!! Where on earth would you be without them?

My entire home smells like chicken. Not because I found a stray feathered friend, well not this time anyway, but because I spent at least three hours cooking for my Broker Open House.

I had the whole day planned out to a tea (that would be Sweet Tea, the gallons that grace my fridge). It was going to be fabulous. Good food, a great turn out, and a very happy seller. Basically everyone would be singing my praises.

The one minor detail I somehow overlooked, 100% chance of a freakin monsoon rain. I could have lived with that except for the freshly cleaned, almost completely white carpet. Hmmmmmf (said with serious conviction)!

You see the thing about a freakin monsoon rain, is no matter what I do I just can't fix it. It is one of real estates biggest freakin enemies lifes little road blocks. Like we don't have enough to face. I mean hey, tax laws, housing crash, mortgage roller coaster, overall distrust of the industry, and did I mention tax laws!?!? Why not throw in a freakin monsoon little rain.

For those Realtors who have managed to survive one of the toughest economies in history, KUDOS! Hopefully we made it through the worst of the freaking monsoon the storm.

Now, grabbing the umbrella and swimming heading out the door. Have a good Tuesday!