About Charleston County, SC

Just a couple more weeks and it'll be here! Twenty days to be exact!

The Coastal Carolina Fair always comes around Halloween for us. So that gives the kids a great opportunity to strut their costumes a little longer or take part in the pumpkin contests!

This year the fair is celebrating their 52nd year. The gates will open on Thursday, October 30th at 3pm for ten fun-filled days!

What's really cool is that there is entertainment every single night the fair is open. The first night will feature Three Dog Night. Some of the other performances that we'll have a chance to see are Little Texas, Jake Owen, Heidi Newfield, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, Gin Blossoms, and Bucky Covington from American Idol. And fireworks are every night as well!

And then there's the rides! There are so many great rides every year, for adults and kids alike. And I've heard it rumored that there will be three new rides this year, but no one is letting out what they will be.

I'm extra excited about this year because it will be our son's first experience with all the sights and sounds that makes the fair so enjoyable!

One of the best qualities of the Coastal Carolina Fair is that all of the proceeds stay right here in the Lowcountry. They have donated millions to local charities throughout the years. A few of the recipients have been the Ronald McDonald House, as well as various senior, youth, and community outreach programs.

So are you ready?! Just a few short weeks and the wait will be over. But the fun only lasts for 10 event-filled days, so be sure to make your plans now to get out to the fair!

Park Circle is traditionally a highly desirable neighborhood in North Charleston South Carolina. It is beloved for both the park that the neighborhood encircles and its proximity to downtown Charleston. Below is the Sales and Inventory Report year to date for 2008. If you have any questions or if you are interested in buying or selling in North Charleston, or anywhere in the Charleston Metro, Please don't hesitate to contact me.

Michael J. Johnson

843-817-5299

michaeljohnson@carolinaone.com

www.providingthelight.com

Read this in an email yesterday "Keep your words soft and sweet in case you have to eat them". When the negotiations of a contract are not going well, it's so easy to start complaining about the process, the other agent, the other customers, or even your customers. How you act and react in tough situations speaks volumes regarding how others perceive you. Funny thing is that it's all relative. Some client's may want you to go in screaming and kicking on their behalf or they wonder whose side you are on. Others would stare wide eyed at you if you started making a scene. I'm not a fighter. I will negotiate hard for my clients. I will back up my requests with data and statistics and comps but I don't present anything with venom. We all make mistakes but it's easier to apologize if you haven't been a complete monster. Pass the chocolate :)

Maybe, just maybe we ("we" meaning good remaining Loan Officers) can begin to move from evil villain (because we caused the mortgage meltdown....ya, right) to Super Hero. Perhaps we should ring an ActiveRain bell every time we close a loan for a new home buyer. Isn't that what everyone wants, needs and demands right now for the economy to pick up speed?

So, how do we do that, you may ask, with limited programs and resources? We work harder, network more and study the FHA and VA guides like we are studying for our doctorate. We find more LEGAL and ETHICAL ways to help clients get into homes. Take another look at your state housing programs..they have all sorts of cool ways for buyers to get approved and usually some grant money too.

If you are a broker who does not have delegated underwriting authority join a company that does...fast!!

We can do it!!!!

Seven days a week we all do it...Eat sometime between 11 and 2pm. Are you spending that lunch time wisely? I met with a great friend ,in my sphere, today for coffee and an hour later we were more ready to help each other than ever. Tomorrow I'm having lunch with another sphere friend. Wednesday, I'm eating with clients, Thursday, I have a referrals group luncheon...and I need to plan who I'm seeing Friday. But the bottom line is - I'm out, I'm interacting with people and getting myself on their mind.

Ever buy a red car and then all you see are red cars. I want to be my sphere's "red car". I want them to be running into people that may need me but I must be on their minds for them to give my name out. I enjoy meeting people for a bite or for coffee. It's not a sales call. If it were they would stop agreeing to meet. But I will say something interesting about the market at sometime or I may have something of value to give out. Our company is having a 25 dollar gas card daily give away. How easy is that for me to throw out and offer!

Our business is about relationships and I plan on building many and having a solid foundation with the top referrers.

Who are you eating with?