Moving with Pets

Moving into your new home can be stressful enough as it is - but when you add in pets?  There's another layer of planning that needs to be involved.

Here are a few tips to make the move easier on you and your furry friends.

• Bring moving boxes into your current home early. Allow your pets to adjust to the sight and smell of them.
• Keep pets in the room that will be packed up last so their environment is the last to change
• On moving day, keep pets in a crate or at a friends house while the moving van is being loaded
• Always transport your pets in your own personal vehicle and not the moving truck
• Once you arrive at your new home, don't let the pets run around unsupervised. Start them out in one room and then gradually introduce the rest of the house.
• Quickly put out familiar items such as a food bowl, toys, bed, and litter box.
• Try to layout their familiar items in places similar to where they were in your old house. For instance, the food bowl in the kitchen or the litter box in the hall bath.
• Be sure to update your pet's collars and ID tags with your new address as quickly as possible.
• Your pets will mimic your mood. If you stay calm, it will help them through this transition.
•  Take time out from unpacking to play. Make the move a fun and positive experience!

Have you moved with pets? What tips or tricks worked for you?

Happy Father's Day!

This Sunday is Father's Day and we'd like to take a minute to celebrate all the Dads, Step-Dads, Uncles, Grandfathers and Father figures in our lives!

Father's Day Fun Facts:

• First Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910
• In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson issued a Presidential Proclamation making Father's Day the third Sunday in June
• According to Hallmark, Father's Day is the 5th largest card sending Holiday
• The U.S. Census Bureau says the neck tie is the most popular Father's Day gift
• The official flower of Father's day is the rose

How will you honor the Fathers in your life this weekend?

Housing Boosts SC Economy

The Department of Commerce reported this week that South Carolina's Leading Index of economic indicators rose for the third straight month in April, reaching a seven-year high!

The index reached 101.46 and any value greater than 100 is used to predict economic growth for the next three to six months.

The Real Estate market across South Carolina was a major contributing factor to the increase.  Between April 2013 and April 2014, median home prices increased as well as closings. Foreclosures fell by 19% and the number of home permits increased by 31.9%.

Inventory remains tight as home sales increase and interest rates remain low.  If you're on the fence about buying a new home, act quickly to make the most of your buying power!

Summer Maintenance and Upkeep

The warm weather and longer days allow for opportunities to work on home maintenance projects and beautify your home! By keeping up with home maintenance while your home is still new, you can prevent larger and more expensive problems down the line.

Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:

• Change your air filters. During times of heavy use like the summer, change every month.
• Clean all ceiling fans from dust build up
• Check your grill for cracked lines or broken pieces. Clean and get it ready to use!
• Clean the dust from smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors
• Clean out your dryer lines, filter
• Replace flashlight batteries and test smoke detectors
• Put up curtains/blinds to help regulate the internal temperature
• Pull up dead bushes/plants from your yard
• Put down much to help prevent weeds and retain moisture

What are some of your standard summertime chores? Tips for making them go faster?

Memorial Day Weekend

Remembering those who sacrificed all for our country this Memorial Day Weekend. 

Thank you for your service.

New Homes Win Out!

According to a new survey from Trulia, Americans prefer to buy new when shopping for a new home.

41% of Americans would prefer a new home
21% prefer an existing home
38% have no preference should features and pricing be equal

The top reasons for preferring a new home include:

• Modern Features
• The ability to customize
• Requiring less maintenance and repairs

Modern features in new homes includes bigger closets, a kitchen island, open floor plan and pre-wiring for flat screen TV's

US markets that have the largest ratio of new home construction relative to market size are Texas and the Carolinas - great news for home buyers in South Carolina!

New home prices continue to rise as the market improves and demand increases. Take advantage of your buying power and shop for your new home this weekend!

Full survey results available here:
http://info.trulia.com/new-vs-existing-homes-survey-may-2014

Happy Mother's Day!

This year Mother's Day turns 100! The first Mother's Day was celebrated in 1914 after being designated a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson.

Take some time this Sunday to honor the Mother in your life.  And if you need some conversation starters for Brunch - we've got you covered.

Check out this fun facts about Mother's on their special day.

• Mother's Day is always the second Sunday in May
• Mother's Day is the third most popular holiday in the world next to Christmas and Easter
• There are more phone calls made on Mother's Day than any other day of the year
• Americans are anticipated to spend about $15 billion this year to celebrate their Mothers.
• The most popular flower for Mother's to receive on Mother's Day is the carnation.
• July is the most popular birth month. Tuesday is the most popular birth day.

Share with us how you will celebrate your Mother this weekend.