Living the Charleston Coast Lifestyle with Jennifer O'Brien

View the Video version of this episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2023/03/07/charleston-self-guided-walking-tour/

  If you're looking for an easy self-guided walkable tour you should definitely tour the Heyward-Washington Home. It's located at 88 Church Street in the historic Charleston neighborhood, South of Broad.

They will give you an audio device that is full of fun facts about Thomas Heyward Jr, his family and George Washington's stay in Charleston.

If you’re looking for more fun tours around Charleston, check out one of my other videos or download my FREE Charleston Guide.

https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/free-downloadable-guide/

If you have questions about Charleston or real estate, feel free to email me at [email protected] or call 610-283-0867.

Charleston's Best Romantic Restaurants - https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2023/02/28/charlestons-best-romantic-restaurants/

Charleston is a romantic city! What better way to celebrate your relationship then a lovely night or lunch in downtown.

Here are my top 3 recommendations for a romantic dinner in town.

Circa 1886 - https://www.circa1886.com/

Magnolias - https://magnoliascharleston.com/

Muse - https://www.charlestonmuse.com/

If you're looking for more ideas on how to celebrate your love, check out one of my other videos or download my FREE guide to all my favorite Charleston places!

https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/free-downloadable-guide/

If you have any questions about Charleston or real estate feel free to email me at [email protected] or call

610-283-0867.

View the Video version of this episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2023/02/07/south-carolina-golf-courses-womens-golf/

If you are a female golfer and living in South Carolina, you need to look into the 5 major Women’s Golf Associations throughout the state!

We are so very fortunate to have so many opportunities to play amazing courses and make new friends throughout South Carolina. The only requirement is that you have a South Carolina handicap. If you need help getting one, send me a message, I'll recommend the easiest way to sign up.

Here’s links to each Women’s Golf Association:

Charleston Area Ladies Golf Association (CALGA)

Women’s South Carolina Golf Association (WSCGA)

South Carolina Senior Women’s Golf Association (SCSWGA)

Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)

These are really fun events and great opportunities to make new friends. Let me know if you are going to play in an event - I’ll probably see you there!

Reach out to me if you’re having any trouble signing up to play

Jennifer O’Brien

610-283-0867

[email protected]

www.JenniferO’BrienHomes.com

View the Video version of this episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2023/01/31/bidding-war-first-day-on-the-market/

How did we get several offers on this home on the first day we allowed showings? Planning and Preparation! These two are such key components in showing your home off to the pool of buyers. My client and I met and developed our plan to prep and stage the home a month before we listed it for sale. My seller had fabulous furniture but we determined the best way to highlight the features of their home was to move their furniture out and have professional stagers come in. The seller worked extremely hard to move and clean like Oprah and Martha Stewart were coming for lunch together! I can’t stress enough how well a clean home shows off!

Check out the results and comment below on how you think we did!

438 Sycamore Shade Street, Charleston, South Carolina

In the highly sought Grand Oaks Neighborhood

The main living area is on one level and there’s a bonus upstairs flex space.

The home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, is 1774 sqft and has a 2 car garage.

Your kitchen has an eat-in nook with a gorgeous bay window, lots of counter space, a breakfast bar and overlooks the living room.

The living room is bright and welcoming with vaulted ceilings, a wood burning fireplace and oversized windows which look over your private backyard.

Your generously sized primary bedroom also has a bay window that looks over the backyard. The primary bathroom has two sinks, a soaking tub, shower, linen closet and walk-in closet.

Two great sized guest rooms, and a decorated laundry room are also on the main living floor.

Upstairs you’ll find a huge flex room with built-in shelves that will fit your need for this extra space.

Enjoy dining outside in your large screened porch. In addition, there’s a patio that is perfect for cookouts and entertaining. You’re going to love this fenced in private backyard oasis.

The neighborhood is ideally located close to all West Ashley area shopping and recreational activities. Just a short distance from highway 526, you’ll love the proximity to historic Charleston, the airport and the Charleston area beaches.

Jennifer O’Brien

[email protected]

www.JenniferOBrienHomes.com

610-283-0867

View the Video version of this episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2023/01/17/secret-path-on-sullivans-island/

The Sullivans Island Nature Trail is a secret that’s not hidden, but really only known to locals. It’s the longest trail on Sullivans Island, estimated to be about 0.6 miles. With an ascent of 9 ft, Sullivan’s Island Nature Trail has the most elevation gain of all of the trails in the area. It’s a relatively flat and easy trail to walk. Be sure to keep an eye out for tree roots on the path.

Throughout the trail you’ll find benches, maritime forest views, areas for birdwatching and wildlife observation and beach access to walk the pristine Sullivans Island beach.

This is a great family activity. Be sure to check it out on your next trip to Charleston.

If you’re interested in the other hidden secrets of Charleston, reach out! I’m happy to help you with your next adventure.

Jennifer O’Brien

[email protected]

(610) 283-0867

www.JenniferOBrienHomes.com

View the Video version of this episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2022/12/20/christmas-in-charleston-south-carolina/

Hey y’all. Here are my favorite things to do in Charleston, South Carolina during the holiday season

I hope y’all got some great ideas on how to spend the holidays in Charleston. If you’re looking for some others, let me know. There’s plenty more to do.

Happy Holidays!

View the Video version of this episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2022/12/13/4-things-to-know-about-owning-a-second-home-in-south-carolina/

South Carolina is a wonderful place to own a second home or investment property. There’s a wide variety of options to choose from - a mountain house, coastal home, farm land or a place in the city. Here are 4 things you should know about owning a 2nd home here whether for yourself or for investing.

First - If you are going to utilize it as a rental home, you need to research the local area’s regulations. For example, in the Charleston area, each community and neighborhood has their own guidelines on weekly rentals. This may limit them to a certain number of nights each year, they may require a business license or in several areas they may only allow long-term rentals, which can be anywhere from 30-days to 6-month minimums. You can find most guidelines on the municipality website.

Second - Taxes - we have two different tax brackets in South Carolina. The 1st is a 4% primary residence tax. You would have to claim your property as a primary residence, change your driver's license, vehicle registration and where you file your taxes. The primary resident also receives several tax credits and incentives. 

The 2nd rate is a 6% secondary residence tax - this will be applied if the home is not your primary residence, whether it’s a 2nd home, investment or rental property. 

If you have a home in Mount Pleasant, and the assessed value of your property is $500,000, at the 4% tax rate you will pay about $1700 a year. At the 6% tax rate, this same home will pay $7000 a year. Each county will have a tax estimator on their website that you can utilize to calculate your estimated tax. 

Third is Flood Insurance. If you’re looking for a home along the coast, you will most likely need flood insurance. Particularly if you get a loan to purchase your home - your lender will require it in most cases. However, your flood insurance can be as low as $500/year. There are several levels of severity of flood insurance. Your insurance rate will depend on which flood zone your home is in, how high the elevation of your property is and how high your first livable floor is. It’s important to speak with your insurance company during the due diligence portion of your contract to understand the cost of your insurance because it will affect your monthly mortgage. 

Fourth - Buying a home with Furniture. Since this will be a second home for you, it’s worth trying to negotiate the furniture, kitchen wares and linens into the purchase. If the home you’re buying is already a rental, the seller may not want the hassle of packing and storing the furniture. If this is the case, your realtor will be sure to create a bill of sale and list all the items that will be sold with the home. It can be as easy as stating the home will convey with everything seen in the home on the 3rd day of September. 

If you’re looking for a second home in South Carolina, comment below with any questions you have. Or contact me through my website, JenniferO’BrienHomes.com. I’m happy to help you in the Charleston area or put you in touch with one of my real estate colleagues around the state.

View the Video version of this episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2022/12/06/things-they-dont-tell-you-about-living-in-charleston/

I love living in Charleston - the history, food and beaches are spectacular! There’s always an event or festival to enjoy with your friends and family. It’s truly like living on vacation. But what about the things they don’t tell you about? Here are the top 5 things I learned after moving to Charleston South Carolina.

Number 1 - the Bugs. There are 3 that you will get to know when you live here…The first, We have what is politely called a Palmetto Bug - it’s a cockroach and it flies…completely terrifying. Second, the No-See-Ums - these are gnats with the sharpest teeth on the planet. You will never see one…but you’ll feel them enjoying a free picnic on your skin. And the 3rd is the mosquito - also known as the state bird, since some are large enough to carry you away. These can be a shock when you first move here, but really you get used to them. My recommendation is that you set up a treatment service with a local pest control company for your yard. I have a recommendation for a company that I personally use for my home. 

Number 2 - Humidity. The summer months of July and August are not only hot - but they are also very humid! If you have any kind of hair it will be a ball of frizz. The humidity will also push our real feel temperatures close to triple digits and bring the lovely afternoon thunderstorms…which end up making it feel like you’re in a steam shower. 

Number 3 - in contrast to humidity we have something amazing…Air Conditioning. EVERYWHERE! For anyone in the northern states, you may remember growing up without air conditioning or installing window units every summer. So yes it gets hot here, but you can escape it at any home, restaurant, museum or your preferred indoor activity.

Number 4 - Hurricanes. Y'all living in the south, you will not escape these storms, but that’s just like living in the north where you are guaranteed to have a SnowMaggedon. Thankfully with advances in storm tracking technology, we are given plenty of notice and South Carolina error’s on the side of caution and will evacuate the coast if the storm may be severe. It’s best to just pack your loved ones and important documents and travel to another area of the country to explore. You’ll come back safe, well rested and ready to clean up.

Number 5 - Truly how friendly and welcoming people are. Charleston is known for its Southern Charm and Hospitality and it really lives up to that.  The cashier at the grocery store will strike up a conversation with you while you check out. A stranger you pass on the street will say hello. Or anyone you meet, if you’re looking for guidance on the best place to eat, shop or explore, just ask the person next to you. The locals are happy to make recommendations and help you learn the area. There’s also a lot of folks who have moved to Charleston and it’s an easy place to make friends since most of us came here not knowing anyone. 

I hope you’ve learned a little bit about living in Charleston, South Carolina. This is truly one of the best places to live either full-time or seasonally. Comment below with questions you have about living in Charleston.

If you’re ready to buy or sell a home in Charleston, I’d love to help you. Contact me through my website, www.JenniferOBrienHomes.com

View the Video version of this episode at: https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2022/11/29/how-do-we-host-a-successful-open-house/

As your real estate agent, it’s my job to get as many people to see your home as possible and an open house is an informal way for several buyers, their agents and your neighbors to walk through your home. 

How do I market your open house?

I start with advertising the open house on all real estate home websites, like zillow, and realtor.com, and I run advertisements on facebook and instagram.  

I also personally call and email my large network of real estate agents and buyers.

One marketing technique that I’ve had great success with is inviting your neighbors. They are already looking at it online, so let’s get them through the door. They might have a friend that is looking to buy in your neighborhood!

What marketing material is provided at the open house?

I am going to prepare a report to hand out on your home with square footage, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, a list of upgrades and neighborhood amenities. 

How can YOU help make the open house a success?

Prior to the open house, clean like your in-laws are coming for the weekend! Make every surface shine, put away personal items, and declutter. We also want to make your home smell great! Avoid cooking meals with a strong odor the night before and day of the open house. Buy odor neutralizing spray and use it often!

Then I want you to enjoy an afternoon out on the town. Head to the beach, do some shopping, or your favorite family activity. I will call you after the open house to give you feedback from the buyers that came through.

View the Video version of this episode at: - https://www.jenniferobrienhomes.com/2022/11/22/is-airbnb-a-good-investment/

Is buying a home to AirBnb a good investment? Here are 3 AirBnb investing strategies and opportunities.

An AirBnb home is also known as a Short term or Weekly Rental for short lets call them STRs.

Identify the Best Places to Invest an AirBnb

Investing in STRs isn’t the same as investing in other types of real estate. You need to  understand the STR regulations in your target markets. Some markets are more friendly than others, which is why you might ultimately invest in one market over another, even if all else is equal.  For example, Charleston County has a Short Term Rental Ordinance which limits short term rentals in the county. They do allow each municipality to determine their own guidelines and regulations.

Know your Capitalization RateThere are certain figures specific to STRs that can help you uncover whether or not an investment will be as profitable as you hope; statistics like capitalization rate can reflect both the level of risk of the investment and your potential return. Learning these figures can help you spot a great place to invest.

Analyze Airbnb investments and real estate data in each market

Once you’ve decided on your investment’s location, it’s time to dive deeper into its neighborhoods, zip codes, and adjacent markets. Even after you’ve chosen a city, it’s important to analyze the factors within that city that can make your investment soar: competition, zoning laws, average daily rate (ADR), and more. Though you can find some of these figures manually, you can also use tools like MarketMinder™ to quickly generate the data you need. 

Investing in Airbnbs can be a great way to expand your income opportunities. Though there is risk involved, there are also sizable returns; many investors see a return of 40% or more. Doing your research, making strategic investments, and continually optimizing your listing with the right data can help increase the return on your investments. 

If you’re interested in this form of real estate, please give me a call. I have a lot more information to share with you!

Jennifer O’Brien

(610) 283-0867

www.jenniferobrienhomes.com

[email protected]