Every project has a beginning, a middle, and an end, and our custom build project in Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton, SC, is no exception. From the trepidation of launching into an unknown start, to the adrenalin of the building going vertical, the long slog of construction, and on through trim and painting to when the interior designers start to deliver the furnishings, rugs, artwork and lighting that add the finishing details. Then all of a sudden, it is completed and on we go to the next project. At project completion we take time to fully review the arc of the project in its entirety - what w ..read more

These uncertain times push us all to consider just how we spend our days and to see our neighbors in a kinder light. Times are scary, and this post is the start of our story of how we are trying to help.  I once watched a great TED Talk by Rev. Bill Stanfield of Metanoia.  His premise was that a healthy society improves itself from within and less so through outside intervention.  By that, the inference was that outside agencies created a dependency in their helicopter largesse, they disenfranchised vulnerable communities and ultimately lead to a repeating cycle of inequality a ..read more

With the current economic upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic, right now may not seem like an ideal time to purchase any type of real estate, much less an investment property or second home. But don't rule out the idea completely.  With historic low rates set by the Federal Reserve, now is a good time to consider investing in real estate. Low rates can help give you more buying power and maximize your potential for returns. After the Federal Reserve's recent rate slash, which was intended to protect the market against the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus, now may be the righ ..read more

There's something special about visiting a home in person when searching for your dream home. You instantly feel a connection to it, and can see you and your family living there. You might even start to make a "mental list" of projects to complete once you move in. However, there are plenty of reasons why we can't always visit a home in person, whether it's due to schedule conflicts, travel limitations, an illness that restricts outside movement, or simply wanting to see a home as soon as it hits the market as opposed to waiting. Thankfully, today's technology tools allow us to view ..read more

As our custom build in Palmetto Bluff will be our primary residence, it is not an unreasonable goal to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In the mild climate of the lowcountry, warmth in the winter is not often hard to achieve, but when it comes to achieving cool in the summer, much needs to be taken into consideration during the build stage. Even in the guest quarters over the garage [pictured above], interior climate comfort was a top priority. When weighing your options as to how best control the climate in your home you should turn to your HVAC installer as the expert ..read more

Our build at Palmetto Bluff is now in its final week or so.  We will update with a final blog on the finished home, but until then, I thought it would be useful to use this space to reflect on the process, those things that went well and what we could improve on. This has after all, been a project with many dimensions for us, family home, investment property, construction project, but mostly a labor of love ..read more

At 4800 square foot of heated and cooled space, our custom build at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC requires a lot of flooring. When planning how we want the look and feel of the home to be, the choices we make in a building are always a balance between cost and personal preference. As this is our personal home, and I'd like to stay married, I won't ride roughshod over my wife's request that the floor reflects the effort that has gone into a good quality build. So just how to balance that act ..read more

Look in any local Charleston Marina at this time of year and you will find them full, every slipway taken every dockside mooring occupied.  This is a yearly event most land-lovers simply don't notice.  By early November comes the end of Atlantic hurricane season and your beloved boat is now insurable for operation from Ft. Lauderdale to all points south into the Caribbean.  Around this time of year a large flotilla of smaller watercraft head south from a rapidly cooling Northeastern coast stopping at marinas around Charleston to await their chance for the run south to warm ..read more

By:  Samantha Rudd, Guest Contributor Often, when someone pictures Charleston SC in their mind, they immediately paint a picture of Battery Street, with its grand historic mansions overlooking the majestic Charleston Harbor. And it's no surprise to discover that these stately historic homes date back to the early 1800s. Each of these magnificent houses reflects a bygone era in design and architecture, and each has a unique beginning and a captivating story of Charleston’s past era. The Edmondston-Alston House is among the most celebrated and beloved along this storied street in Cha ..read more

With an extended summer season and access to endless coastal waterways and beaches, historic sites, and an award-winning restaurant scene, it's no surprise that the Holy City is a popular and fast-growing metropolitan area. The Charleston metro area sees an average of 26 new residents moving to the area each day! A move across state lines is an exciting adventure but comes with a number of adjustments including assimilating into the local culture, a higher cost of living compared to your previous locale, and learning the ins and outs of your new home. If you're thinking of moving he ..read more