rehava ~ Charleston, SC Real Estate

Green Testing

Brandon Call — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:54:12 +0000

One solar way to get hot water with little cost is Thermal Glycol energy. Glycol warms water using the sun’s energy, and then circulates the hot water into your hot water tank. More and more people are turning to this source of energy to save on the sky rocketing energy costs. Some balk at the initial set up cost, but thermal glycol can pay for itself in as little as three years, sometimes less.

2. Solar Photovoltaic Power

Solar photovoltaic’s is a solar alternative to powering your home. Used world wide already, many claim that solar photovoltaic’s is just as good as electricity. The United States offers incentives for using this type of energy, and many people are turning to this type of energy. By installing solar panels on your roof, you can absorb the sun’s energy to use just as you would traditional forms of energy.

New Technology Pushing the Real Estate Envelope.

Steve deGuzman — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:06:05 +0000

The real estate industry has changed more in the last 5 years than it has in the last 150. Since the DOJ setteled their lawsuit with NAR. This story is an example itself. The technology we use makes it so that you never even have to leave our site .

We can show you market stats in real time by using other site like trulia and Zillow to generate Charleston Market Info.

Going Green: 3 Solar Solutions to Try

Paul Dolphin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:44:31 +0000

If the Summer heat in Charleston has you thinking about solar then you are not alone. There are many more solar solutions, of course, these are just three of these exciting solar alternatives to try.

1. Heating Water

3. Solar Direct Circulation System

A solar direct circulation system is probably one of the most entertaining application of solar energy. Using a solar collector is a great way to heat your pool or hot tub. That makes huge savings in electricity.

While many fear the initial cost of starting these solutions, remember, not only will the savings on traditional energy pay for itself, but the government also offers large incentives like tax breaks.

New First-Time Buyer Bridge Loans

Paul Dolphin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:45:23 +0000

If you are a first time home buyer, you are probably aware of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. Essentially, you may qualify for a tax credit of up to $8,000 (10% of the home’s purchase price) if you are a first time home-buyer (or have not owned a principal residence in the last 3 years), you purchase the home between Jan 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009, and you meet certain income caps. You can learn more about the tax credit at: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

This month there is new news related to the tax credit:

“Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow homeowners to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment.” (Realtor.org May 12,2009) This means FHA approved lenders will now be able to offer short-term bridge loans to first-time home buyers, allowing them to use their tax credit as a down payment.

If you are a first-time home buyer and ready to purchase a Charleston area home, please call the rehava ~Real Estate Store today . In addition to the tax credit, you can save even more when you work with rehava - we’ll give you 50% of our commission back too. 843-747-4762

Folly Beach Moonlight Mixers

Emily Kodger — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:20:50 +0000

Shagging on the Pier, at Folly Beach is a great LowCountry event, held Friday’s throughout the summer. Dance the night away from 7-11PM, under the stars at the Folly Beach Pier. Remaining dates this summer are, June 26th, July 10th, July 31st, August 14th, September 4th, & September 25th. Rain dates are the following Saturday night.

DJ Rob Duren plays the greatest hits of oldies as well as beach classics. Food and beverages are available for purchase. You can also purchase tickets for $10 at the gate, or $8 in advance if you are Charleston County resident. For tickets call 843-795-4386.

The event is sponsored by Charleston County Parks & Recreation Commission. Enjoy a night dancing under the stars at Folly Beach.

Charleston Harbor Fest 2009

Paul Dolphin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:09:30 +0000

Charleston Harbor Fest is a true harbor-wide celebration of the sea. Attracting visitors and locals alike, this event is family-friendly and loads of fun for all ages.

From the classic beauty of sailing ships, wooden boats and pirates giving their best “Argh” to the interactive educational exhibits, Charleston Harbor Fest offers an array of activities. You can be as hands-on as you want from tame to adventurous. Tour the ships, enjoy the scenic waterfront and relax with a beverage and fine Lowcountry fare. For those with more adventurous spirit, build your own boat over the weekend with the handy help of our volunteers, head out on the harbor for your free sailing lesson, or actually join the crew of one of the ships and sail north to Boston. For those more interested in air than sea, there are aerobatic flight demonstrations, helicopter rides and other exciting aerial attractions. Please use this website to explore Charleston Harbor Fest 2009 and all the exciting elements of land, air and sea.

Maps of the festival grounds, ships, shuttle stops and more!

More about Charleston Harborfest 2009

First Time Home Buyers Workshop

Steve deGuzman — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:45:35 +0000

The Homeownership Resource Center and rehava teamed up to present a Home Ownership Workshop at the College of Charleston Carter Center for Real Etate. This video features one of our clients inetrviewing on the local TV station ABC News 4.

What our clients are saying about rehava

Steve deGuzman — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:17:34 +0000

Hi Chris,

I wanted to write you and let you know how impressed I am with you and all the folks at Rehava.

As you know, I am also a real estate broker and I have owned my own company for 16 years. I feel this is significant because I know what it takes to successfully market a property and work with sellers.

You and your company went above and beyond in all aspects of our transaction and I would highly recommend you to my friends and family.

You always returned my calls and e-mails within hours and I felt you were there for us all the time. Additionally, you provided execellent feedback from all showings, keeping us informed every step of the way. Your experience and knowledge helped us get the best possible price in a VERY tough market. I also liked how you met me at the property and made recommendations on how to stage and price the home.

What really impresses me is, you provided this top notch, professional service for a much lower fee then any other REALTOR we interviewed.

Chris, you and the entire Rehava team are absolute true professionals and you set a positive example that all REALTORS should follow. I want you to use this e-mail anytime you like to show your potential clients. They can rest assured that they will not find a better value when selling their home.

Please feel free to give any of your potential clients this e-mail address if they would like to ask me any questions.

Thank you for your hard work and caring attitude.

Sincerely,

Shawn Green

Judge upholds $4M verdict in “Flip” lawsuit in SC

Brandon Call — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:24:36 +0000

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A federal judge in South Carolina has upheld a $4 million verdict for the creator and one-time host of cable television’s “Flip This House”. The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that U.S. District Judge C. Weston Houck on Wednesday affirmed the victory for Richard Davis against A&E Television Networks. Davis had won a jury award in the breach of contract case. Davis had argued that he had an oral contract with A&E to evenly divide profits from the show. The network said there was no contract. Lawyers for A&E had asked that the decision be reversed or that Norton order a new trial. A&E’s senior vice president of corporation communications, Michael Feeney, said the network will appeal.

Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com

US Gov Launches New Agenda for Smart Growth and Sustainable Development

Brandon Call — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:34:28 +0000

Back in March, Obama announced that he was partnering the Department of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development to forge a strategy for sustainable, smart growth in the US. But one important government agency was curiously missing: the EPA. Now, the Environmental Protection Agency is joining the fray, and it could result in the creation of the greenest agenda the US has seen for sustainable development.

Essentially, the new partnership means that there will be a new focus on environmental issues when the nation’s housing and transportation needs are being considered, and that sustainability will be a primary concern for perhaps the first time in US history (at least when it comes to the HUD).

This is truly encouraging–this partnership isn’t particularly sexy, and is unlikely to garner any headlines in the MSM. It’s further proof that there’s an actual shifting towards an emphasis on sustainable development from the current administration.

Here’s the 3-way partnership’s MO, via NRDC:

Provide more transportation choices. Develop safe, reliable and economical transportation choices in order to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nations’ dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health.

Promote equitable, affordable housing. Atlanta’s Livable Centers Initiative was another EPA smart growth award winner (courtesy of USEPA)Expand location and energy efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.

Increase economic competitiveness. Enhance economic competitiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers as well as expanded business access to markets.

Support existing communities. Target federal funding toward existing communities to increase community revitalization, the efficiency of public works investments and safeguard rural landscapes.

Leverage federal investment. Cooperatively align federal policies and funding to remove barriers, leverage funding and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth.

Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods - rural, urban or suburban.

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