Protecting Your Home from Termites

You just built a brand new home in the Lowcountry and don't need termite protection, right?  WRONG! Whether brand new or 200 years old, your home is vulnerable to termites.  Tiny termites can do a huge amount of damage to your home. The problem is that you may not even know you have them since they hide so well. In spring, termites become more visible as they fly in swarms to create new colonies. You can’t prevent termites, but these tips can help you identify an infestation and discourage an invasion. 

In the U.S., you’re most likely to see two kinds of termites: subterranean termites, which live deep underground, and drywood termites, which feed off the wood they inhabit. 

So, where should you look for termites? Anywhere their tiny bodies will fit, which means crevices, cracks, front door entries, garage openings and more. Termites hide well, so look closely. Be especially mindful of areas where water tends to pool. 

Here are some signs that your home might have termites:

• Buckling, sagging floors

• Popping hardwood slats

• Bubbling or peeling paint

• Small, wood-colored droppings called frass (indicates drywood termites)

• Wings that drop from “swarmers”

• Dark, blistery wood

• Tunnels within wood

• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped

• Mud pipes where the structure meets the soil

For some precautions on how you can protect your home, see more at: AHS: How to Protect Your Home from Termites

New Price!***Adorable Folly Beach Cottage***Excellent Rental History!**Great Location!

Click here for details on this adorable cottage:

Already $40k in rental income has been booked for you for 2014 with this wonderful opportunity to own 1 block from the Atlantic Ocean! A classic Folly cottage, The Island Girl is being sold fully furnished and comes with an excellent rental history - grossed approx. $50k in 2013 and the calendar is almost 3/4 booked for 2014. Current owners have made many improvements to make this adorable home a true turn-key opportunity, including just completely renovating the bathroom with new tub with subway tile surround, new tiled floors, new vanity and toilet.***New HVAC installed in April 2012***New kitchen appliances in 2013***New laminate flooring***New storage shed to store your bikes and beach toys***New sundeck and screened porch built in 2012***3 nicely sized bedrooms***Second floor entry to the sun porch which looks over the palms***fenced-in backyard is nicely shaded from all of the beautiful, mature palm trees and there is even an outdoor shower to wash off the sand from your day at the beach***Beach access is just steps away***Pirate park with tennis, basketball, and playground only 2 short blocks***downtown Folly only 4 close blocks away - easy to walk but far enough away from the nightlife to enjoy a peaceful retreat. Take advantage of the summer season now!

Call Desiree Maurer, owner/agent for more information!

843-327-9010

www.yourcharlestonhousesearch.com 

New Folly Beach Listing***Beautiful Elevated Home

Click here for details on this home:

This is the One You've Been Waiting For ** Beautiful Elevated Home Located in the Quiet Residential Section of Folly Beach Just 2 Blocks From Center Street on Folly and 3 Blocks to the Beach ** This 2,600 Sqft Home Features an Open Floor Plan Perfect for Entertaining ** As You Approach the Home, you are Greeted with a Full Front Porch Overlooking the Beautifully Landscaped Front Yard ** As you Enter the Home You will Notice the Kitchen Featuring Granite Countertops, White Cabinetry and a Large Breakfast Bar Overlooking the Dining Area and Family Room ** The Family Room is Light and Bright and Open to the Dining area and Kitchen ** Just off the Family Room is another Sitting area, or a Perfect Study ** Located Just off the Kitchen is a Full Size Laundry Room and the Downstairs Power Room ** Just Outside the Kitchen is a Cozy Screen Porch ** The Home Features Bamboo Floors and Ceramic Tile Throughout ** Upstairs you'll find a Spacious Master Suite with His and Her Walk-in Closets and Large Master Bath with Whirlpool Tub, Standing Shower and the Private Water Closet ** There are Two Other Bedrooms on this Floor with a Second Full Bath with Ceramic Tile Floors ** On the Third Story you'll find a Huge Bonus Area Perfect for a Media or Game Room, or easily Converted to Two Additional Bedrooms ** The Huge Garage Provides Ample Space for Multiple Cars, Golf Carts and Beach Supplies as well as a Large Storage Room ** It also Features a Potting Bench with Sink and Even an Oyster Shucking Station ** The Yard is Nicely Landscaped with Irrigation System, and the Home backs up to a Green Space ** The Owners enjoy the Fresh Fruits from Multiple Fruit Trees on the Property ** One HVAC is New and the other is 6 years old ** The Home Features an ADT Security System ** Current Flood Insurance is just $438 Per Year ** If You Are Looking for the Perfect Place to call Home on Folly Beach - This is the One!!

Hunter Reynolds Team

Contact Desiree Maurer for more information.

Keller Williams

843-327-9010

www.yourcharlestonhousesearch.com

New Wescott Plantation Home Listing! Well Maintained Home with Beautiful Wooded Lot

Click here for details on this home:  

Well maintained home on a beautiful wooded lot located in a cul de sac. Spacious rooms throughout the house with an open floor plan. Screened porch overlooking private bubbling pond and landscaped yard. Garden tub with separate shower and walk-in closet in master bedroom. Lots of closet space including pantry and large laundry room. Crown molding in living room, dining room and kitchen. Conveniently located near shopping. Irrigation system to keep the yard looking nice. Garage wired for electric garage door openers. Water filtration system in the kitchen.

Listing courtesy of Hunter Reynolds Team, Keller Williams

Call Desiree, Full Time Realtor for more information.

843-327-9010
www.yourcharlestonhousesearch.com

Charleston Considered One of the Top 20 Hottest Real Estate Markets in the World!

According to the NY Post, Charleston real estate is considered a hot commodity right now.  While foreign properties seem to attract US buyers, New Yorkers, especially, seem to be very attracted to the Charleston market.  

"The lure: A coastal city with thousands of miles of waterways, historic Charleston has a lovely year-round climate that allows for outdoor recreation of all types. But beyond the beauty, Charleston has emerged as a surprising economic success story that is luring East Coast-based buyers. Over 250 small-scale tech and digital companies have set up home in the Charleston area, making it one of the 10 fastest growing cities for software and Internet technologies in the nation."

For the complete story, go to:  http://nypost.com/2014/04/08/the-20-hottest-real-estate-spots-in-the-world/

Interested in learning more about Charleston and its lucrative real estate?  Give me a call!

Desiree Maurer, Realtor, Keller Williams

www.yourcharlestonhousesearch.com

843-327-9010

Fabulous New Listing - Stunning Renovated Wagener Terrace Home for Sale!

Click here for details on this beautiful home:

** STUNNING RENOVATED HOME IN HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER WAGENER TERRACE WITH THE BEST MASTER SUITE IN THIS PRICE RANGE ** This home has been meticulously cared for and is in move-in condition. Upon entering the home you're greeted by a large family room with fireplace and lots of natural light. Walk through french doors to the dining room (currently used as a recreation room) and pass through into the renovated kitchen with refinished cabinetry, high-end granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and separate pantry. Off of the kitchen is a dining area with french doors leading out to a screened porch and deck, which spans the length of the back of the home. Wait until you see the modern renovation these owners did to the master suite; it is absolutely breathtaking and there is nothing else like it available. Designed as an open concept, the master bedroom is large in size with hardwood floors, his and her closets and a separate closet for a stacked washer and dryer. A custom-built glass wall acts as a partition between the bedroom and the bathroom, which includes a free-standing tub, his and her vanities, a large walk-in shower and a door with private access to the back deck. The other guest bedroom is large in size and uses the full bathroom in the hallway between the two rooms, which is also updated with a pedestal sink and ceramic tile flooring and tub surround. The fenced backyard is a perfect blend of shade and space allowing for great parties or room for the kids or dogs to run around. Don't miss this opportunity to own a unique home in Wagener Terrace where prices are on the rise!

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams

Call or email me for more information!

843-327-9010

Desiree Maurer, Realtor, Keller Williams
www.yourcharlestonhousesearch.com