About Beaufort's Parris Island

Ahhh yes. Today is the 234th birthday of the Marine Corps. I don't think it's any coincidence that the Corps started in a bar, do you?

Whether you call them gyrenes, jarheads, leathernecks, devildogs, husband/wife, son/daughter or boyfriend/girlfriend, they are devastatingly good looking in their dress blues, no?

Now, the Marine Corps has many traditions and the one most closely associated with THE BIRTHDAY is the Birthday Ball.

I have attended plenty of Birthday balls and although these fetes start off as formal, they don't end that way. I could make the post about Ball antics, but I would like to refrain.

Even if there is no Birthday Ball, there is always a cake cutting ceremony. The oldest and the youngest Marines in attendance receive the first two pieces.

Marines greet each other on this day with a hearty "Happy Birthday" as if it were their own and in a very real way, it is.

I suppose I could go on and on about why I love working with so many of these amazing people, why I love the traditions of the Corps, why I love their loyalty to their fellow Marines, and why I love each one I have had the honor of calling friend.

Maybe another day...

Today, I'll just say,"Happy Birthday" to the Marines and the people who love them.

Recently Marine 1 Realty listed 31 Chesterfield Drive. More importantly, Marine 1 Realty also put it under contract in less than a week. Now, that isn't a guarantee that your home will sell so quickly; however, it is a testament to our ability to asses a property and find a buyer.

Marketing, strategic advertising and staging are all crucial factors in selling a home in today's challenging market.

Employing a real estate company that knows the needs of buyers is also incredibly important. Each day Marine 1 Realtors are briefed on active buyers. We brainstorm properties, prices, and communities that may match. This process has been extremely successful.

Our most recent success story is this beautiful home on Chesterfield Lake. During the sellers interviewing process we emphasized our methods of attracting buyers for active listings. We explained our pricing strategy and the necessary steps to reach her (seller) goals.

After interviewing several other companies, she called Marine 1 Realty. The next day we showed it to one of our potential buyers and...

Our seller client is so excited. Our buyer client is overjoyed. Marine 1 Realty was able to put these clients together to reach each of their goals.

If you are considering selling your home, make sure you interview a Marine 1 Realtor. Our market knowledge, experience, and active buyer clients gives us the ability to get the job done!

They have done it AGAIN. The dedicated Drill Instructors of 3rd Battalion, India Company are preparing for this Friday's graduation.

Their long hours and selfless dedication to MAKE MARINES has made our wonderful country even stronger.

Thank you and congratulations!

It has been three VERY long months, for you AND especially for your MARINE. Now the time has come to load up the family, maybe even fido, and head to Beaufort, South Carolina for graduation.

You and your family will find Beaufort to be an amazing place full of history, charm, and of course, HONOR.

If this is your first trip to Beautiful Beaufort and you need a little help finding a rental house, a hotel room, or even a list of the best places to eat local shrimp, give us a call.

Feel free to drop by our office on your way to Parris Island for local coupons, maps, and general information about the area.

We are happy to have you and would like to extend our gratitude and congratulations to your NEW MARINE. We sincerely hope you enjoy your visit.

They are strong. Their stamina borders the unnatural. Their squared off jaw, broad shoulders, and fierce stare streamlines into uniform perfection, even at 2:45 in the morning. They are US Marine Drill Instructors, AKA HATS.

With a raspy voice and unwavering determination they make Marines. Intimidating?? Hell yes, at first anyway.

Over the past few years, I have worked so closely with this rare breed. Oh the stories I could tell (and plan on doing so) about my time with this lively bunch.

Many of them have bought and sold homes from me during their time on the drill field. I have been fortunate enough to have known many from the day they graduated until the day they finished their tour.

For some of them, I was the only person they knew. Working 150 hours a week doesn't leave much time for making new friends.

I have tremendous respect for these selfless marvels. They are nothing short of amazing; however, they are human.

Several of them have fallen asleep in my car, a few have fallen asleep inside homes we were viewing.

They have called me in the middle of the night (time has no meaning) asking me to make an emergency Liquid Starch run.

Now, that took a bit of explaining, but I did it just the same. I can navigate Parris Island (once so foreign to me) with my eyes closed!

I cook for them and when there is no time for cooking, the young lady at McDonald's knows me by name.

"Ms. Cherimie are you getting cheeseburgers for the Hats again?".

Yes, Melody...load me up.

Often they don't get to go home during their first cycle. Some of them try desperately to maintain relationships with the outside world. Girlfriends and family in different states, no easy feat.

I am also their emergency cell phone charger supply person. Somehow these fiercly focused gentlemen can't keep up with a charger to save their life.

I am their link to the outside world. After three years, I speak Drill Instructornese. Who saw that one coming??? Not me.

They began as my clients, they morphed into my friends, and now they are forever my heroes. We are the quintessential odd couple.

Just another day at the office:).