Building Green in Charleston SC - What does that mean?

So the hot thing now is to build green, but what does that mean? According to WIKIPEDIA, Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal — the complete building life cycle. If you build green you can reduce your home operating costs, reduce environmental effects and improve health in the environment. Some green builders try to build the new home to fit the environment using nature as it's guide.
One way to help the environment and be green is to use product with the Energy Star seal. Energy Star is a program created by the EPA in 1992 to reduce the effects of greenhouse gas emissions by power plants. The Energy Star label can be found on appliances, heat and cooling systems, lighting, home electronics and even buildings.

Energy Star buildings use at least 15% less energy than standard homes. They usually include properly installed insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, energy efficient cooling and heating systems, and Energy Star appliances, lighting, and water heaters.
In Charleston, South Carolina there are several new home builders that build Green. Sabal Homes recently built The Abbey at Wescott Plantation, a town home community in Summerville, SC using the Earthcraft certifications. Many of Brentwood Homes neighborhood's are now being built with Earthcraft homes energy efficient standards. EarthCraft homes are healthier to live in, more comfortable and substantially more energy efficient than standard construction. There are also several custom home builders that use green building standards. One of our partners, Chris Terry owner of CIA Inspections recently went back to his roots of Home Building. Chris saw a local need for a home builder that concentrated on the needs of building green.

CAROLINA ONE REAL ESTATE - PRUDENTIAL FRANCHISE OUT IN CHARLESTON- REAL ESTATE NEWS

With the recently annouced news of Prudential Carolina leaving their franchise and starting a new endevour it made me do some thinking. Does the company make an agent or does the agent make the company? You can have good and bad agents at any Real Estate Firm. What matters is that your agent is ethical, honest, diligent, professional and a person you feel you can relate to for your real estate needs. I believe you will start to see some of their agents leave and move back to a franchise company like Century 21 and Remax. Its hard to complete against a major francsises when it comes to TV, radio, print and online Marketing. You will notice when you search for Real Estate Century 21 remains up top. Even Locally in Charleston Century 21 has the dominent online market share.

Creaturo and Associates of Century 21 Beachside Real Estate, has helped many families over the last fifteen years relocate to our area, and local families move up or size down. We would love an opportunity to meet you and assist you with your real estate needs.

Darcy Creaturo has been a Realtor for Eight years and mother of three. By nature, I’m a caregiver, and I believe in the personal touch. I’ve met so many wonderful people, and I’ve made so many friends since I’ve become a Realtor. I understand the stress that relocating or trying to find the right home can have on a family. My experience and compassion for my job can greatly benefit you!

Dave Creaturo moved to the area, Isle of Palms, in August of 1995 with his family. My mother, a real estate agent for 20 years, is the one responsible for leading me towards a career in real estate. The real estate side of my life began nearly 3 years ago when Darlene Creaturo (my mother) and I decided to marry her strong real estate background with my marketing and internet skills. Darcy Creaturo, A power house leader in the real estate community, has taught me the fundamentals of the business. She also makes sure I treat each client as if they were part of the family. The partnership between the three of us has been successful and enjoyable. We believe that our team offers you, the prospective client, service that is a notch better than any of our competition.

Charleston, SC is the city of history, beaches, parks, museums, great schools, wonderful malls, great sports, many universities and colleges, live entertainment, lush trees, boating and swimming activities .The Falls are spectacular!! You are only minutes from the ocean, and a few hours from the mountains. You can not find a more wholesome place to raise your family. There are so many reasons you should live in Charleston that I can not name them all. You just have to see Charleston and experience it for yourself.

We would like to be your first point of contact for your home buying process. We can help you in the initial stage by providing you with active home listings and great information on Charleston and the surrounding areas including financial, business and school resources. Then, if you are not working with an agent already, our Team can represent you and your best interests in finding and closing on the home of your dreams. We specialize in the resale market and new homes.

What does .0076% mean to the Mortgage industry

Obviously, it is an extremely small number. It is 76 ten-thousandths of 1 percent, that’s tiny! It is also represents the percentage of sub-prime loans compared to all outstanding loans in the United States. It is time for some perspective!

There are currently $9.9 trillion dollars in mortgage loans in the United States. Of that $9.9 trillion, there is only $75 billion in sub-prime loans or .0076%. Is this .0076% really worth all of the negative attention the media is giving it? Absolutely not!

Why is the media giving the sub-prime “melt down” so much publicity? Obviously, the numbers above are probably a bit staggering to you compared to what the media is telling us. The true reason the media is harping on the sub-prime sector is that many Fortune 100 and 500 Companies have purchased financial products as assets that have sub-prime loans within the product. In years past, there has been a large rate of return on these products. However, these companies now have to write off some of the profits they have received and that is why the media is having a field day. What about the hundreds of billions of dollars they have made on sub prime loans over the last 6 years?

The market is great and I think these numbers will put into perspective the skewed representation from the media that the industry is receiving. Rates are great and this is the perfect time to buy up!!!

Other numbers to keep in mind:

99.9924% is the percentage of home loans that are NOT sub-prime loans

97.4% of all mortgages are current and being paid on time

6.9% is the average yearly rate of appreciation of homes since 1952

30% of all homes in the United States are paid off

This information was given to me by Steve Fisher of Century 21 Beachside real estate in charleston South Carolina

Century 21 Beachside April 27 Open House

UPDATE: OCTOBER OPEN HOUSE TOUR IN CHARLESTON



Century 21 Beachside real estate in the Charleston SC area is joining Century 21 with April Open House Month. On April 27 Beachside real estate will open 22 of their premiere properties to the public. If you would like like to have your home showcased in this national event please contact Dave Creaturo @ 843-709-6687 or Dave@CharlestonSouthernHomes.com

APRIL 27 OPEN HOUSE - SHOWCASED HOMES

Charlotte Clarke 3609 W. Higgins Dr. Hamlin Plantation $405,000

Barry Hollingsworth 15 41st Ave. Isle of Palms $895,000

Evelyn Bull 130 Mary Ellen Dr. Longborough $1,299,000

Arlene Bimberg 1551 Ben Sawyer Blvd., #17 Simmons Point $454,900

Janis St. Onge 2753 Louise Drive Waylyn $120,000

Terry Orvig 3003 Cameron Blvd. Isle of Palms $1,625,000

Candy Palmer 1370 Black River Dr. Horlbeck Creek $649,900

Faye Merritt 4203 Sawgrass Dr. Coosaw Creek $479,000

Jamie Hollingsworth 2507 Palm Blvd. Isle of Palms $2,999,000

Jamie Hollingsworth 2245 Magnolia Meadows Seaside Farms $535,000

Jamie Hollingsworth 2068 Willbrook Lane Rivertowne $1,899,000

Jamie Hollingsworth 3528 E. Higgins Dr. Hamlin Plantation $489,000

Bobette Fisher 3682 Coastal Crab Rd. Darrell Creek $649,000

Jamie Hollingsworth 2257 Myrtle Ave. Sullivans Island $2,395,000

Faye Merritt 32 Vendue Range #401 French Quarter $440,000

Jamie Hollingsworth 776 Preservation Place Hamlet Square $479,000

Vicki Hollingsworth 38 Intracoastal Ct. Isle of Palms $3,850,000

Beau Hollingsworth 33 25th Ave. Isle of Palms $649,000

Bryan Chavers 3111 Linksland Road Charleston National $399,959

TJ Van Thullenar 849 High Battery Belle Hall $472,500

Jamie Hollingsworth 1 Seashell Lane Isle of Palms $1,575,000

Information on the Charleston Area

The Tides Luxury Condo's

A desirable Mount Pleasant South Carolina's Luxury Real Estate address is The Tides Condominiums. Located on Charleston's Cooper River, The Tides are a perfect home for those working on Charleston's Peninsula as well as part time visitors.Overlooking the Ravenel bridge and the town of Mount Pleasant, The Tides were planned so every resident would have excellent views.
The Tides offer many amenities. There is a roof top terrace overlooking the harbor. The Tides fitness center includes 2,500 square foot of sauna, steam room, massage room, whirlpool and juice bar. The Club has a library and media room with high speed Internet access. The pool has a hot tub and sloping beach entry,cabana bar, summer kitchen and sun and shade deck. In addition, The Tides has a hammock garden, dog park and a planned boardwalk leading to a day dock.
The Tides are designed to complement the Ravenel Bridge with modern and contemporary lines and lots of glass. There are a variety of floor plans available from a 1 bedroom with 1240 square feet to a 5 bedroom penthouse with over 4,000 square feet. Prices range from 595,000-over 3 million. Some of the features are ten foot ceilings, granite counter tops,Viking appliances, custom cabinets,natural stone flooring, crow and baseboard moldings. The master bedrooms feature views of the Charleston Harbor, walk inn closets and whirlpool tubs.
Click to view available properties on Charleston SC's MLS
Creaturo and Associates of Century 21 Properties Plus Real Estate specialize in the sale of Fine Homes and Estates.