In this months newsletter we will go over a brief market update, a winter and spring house checklist, some spots you could hit the town for date night, events this month and a neighborhood spotlight at the end!
I hope everyone has stayed warm throughout these cold winter days. Spring is SO close.
President Trump has been talking a lot about housing affordability, including directing Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to start buying billions of dollars of mortgage-backed securities, which should lead to lower mortgage rates. But on the other side, concerns about US debt levels and foreign 'adventures' are keeping volatility high. (Source: Freddie Mac PMMS)
Within Charleston County inventory is up by about 14% from last year. Meanwhile houses days on market are only growing, showing the avergae homes are sitting for 50-55 days. Overall our market shows stability because price and inventory are still rising. County wide we are in a normal market again- prices are up BUT not spiking, this has given buyers the ability to actually shop around instead of fighting over the only house on the street.
For sellers, the bar is higher: pricing correctly and prepping the home matters again. For buyers, this is the first time in years you can negotiate and actually have a selection.
Insulate exposed pipes in attics, crawlspaces, garages, and exterior walls with foam sleeves or heat tape, and disconnect and drain garden hoses and outdoor lines. Drip faucets to avoid frozen pipes.
Seal gaps around windows, doors, AC lines, and wall penetrations with caulk or weatherstripping; add door sweeps to stop drafts at the floor.
Have your furnace or heat pump checked before cold snaps, replace filters regularly, and keep vents clear so the system can handle sudden temperature drops.
Cover plants with tarps to prevent them from dying or bring them inside.
Have batteries charged and extras for backup. Make sure all flashlights work. If you live off well water you should fill your bathtub just in case you lose power.
Can Spring come any faster?
For homeowners that are looking to sell when the grass starts to get green, the time is now to start prepping your place for listing. Here are some tips to get you started!
Exterior & Curb Appeal: Start with repainting or touching up the front door, trim, and shutters. Update hardware and house numbers if they are dated. Check roof, gutters, and downspouts-clean debris and make visible repairs. Clean up landscaping by removing dead plants, mowing, and mulching.
Interior Cleaning and Decluttering: Spring cleaning is a must! Declutter ALL rooms while organizing closets, cabinets, and storage so the space appears spacious and tidy. Deep cleaning your house is essential. Focus on baseboards, windows, light fixtures, vents, fans, carpet, grout, and appliances (inside and behind).
Ironrose
Southbound
Charleston Grill
Circa 1886
Frannie & The Fox
Husk
Magnolia’s
Indaco
Peninsula Grill
Maison
Post House
Melfi’s
Obstinate Daughter
Marble & Fin
Wild Olive
The Establishment
Verns
Coda Del Pesce
Graze
Matthew Morrison Live
When: February 3, 2026
Where: Charleston Gaillard Center
JUMP: Van Halen Experience
When: February 4, 2026
Where: Charleston Music Hall
Love on the Rocks Cocktail Making Class
When: February 5, 2026
Where: New Realm Brewing with Mike and Thomas
Anti Valentine’s Night Market
When: February 14, 2026
Where: New Realm Brewing
Harambee Dance Company Celebration
When: February 19, 2026
Where: Charleston Gaillard Center
Cocktails and Camellias
When: February 21, 2026 from 3 pm to 5:30 pm
Where: Middleton Place
Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
When: February 21, 2026
Where: North Charleston Performing Arts Center
International Wine & Sweets Stroll at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
When: Saturday, February 14 — 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Where: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the beautiful Magnolia gardens while tasting curated international wines paired with bites and live music. **Tickets are available for purchase on the Magnolia Plantation website ahead of time — this is a ticketed event.
Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet”
When: Friday, February 13 — 6:30 PM
Where: The Unitarian Church, Charleston
Book tickets to this candlelit concert featuring romantic classics including themes from Romeo and Juliet performed by a live string quartet. Tickets can be purchased online.
Charleston 2nd Ward Valentine’s Day Party
When: Saturday, February 14 — 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1519 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.
This neighborhood Valentine’s Party is free to attend, and it’s a fun way to mingle, enjoy music and refreshments, and make new connections. No tickets required — just show up and enjoy!
Romeo & Juliet by South Carolina Ballet
When: Saturday, February 14 — Evening performance
Where: West Beach Conference Center, Kiawah Island
Tickets are available through the ballet’s official ticketing page.
Cupid's Chase 5K
When: Saturday, February 8 — Morning start time
Where: James Island County Park
Kick off February with a healthy Valentine’s-themed run open to runners and walkers. Participants register ahead of time.
Valentine’s Dinner & Comedy at Bohemian Bull
When: Saturday, February 14 — Time TBD
Where: Bohemian Bull, Charleston
Enjoy a fun evening combining a prix-fixe dinner with live comedy. Tickets and reservations are available through Bohemian Bull’s website.
Valentine’s Candle Making at Charleston Candle Co.
When: Saturday, February 14 — 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: Charleston Candle Co., Downtown
For a creative and hands-on date night, join this candle making workshop where you can craft custom scent candles. Tickets are available online — each includes all materials and instructions for crafting two candles.
Located off Highway 17 North, next to Boone Hall Plantation and along Horlbeck Creek, about 10–11 miles from Downtown Charleston. It is roughly 800-900 single-family homes across multiple subsections. Subsections include areas such as The Landing, The Preserve, McLeans Orchard, and The Colonnade, each with its own feel and price point
Brickyard gives you a lot of options with properties that back to ponds, marsh, lakes, or Horlbeck Creek, and several sections offer deep-water or tidal access.
Amenities include two pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer field, playground, walking/biking paths, and several fishing spots. Community boat ramp, dock, and boat storage. The closest beach would be Isle of Palms.
Zoned to top-rated Mt. Pleasant public schools; sources commonly list Jennie Moore Elementary, Laing or Cario Middle, and Wando High (exact zoning can vary by subsection and year, so always verify).
Rough recent closed-sale ranges show roughly mid–400s up to around 1.9M, with a median in the 600s, depending on subsection, size, and water access.
In this months newsletter we will be discussing the current market trends, home buying tips, a neighborhood spotlight, this month's restaurant spotlight and a cool event for this month!
I hope everyone had an amazing holiday and a Happy New Year! I know personally the transition from fall to winter can be tough, and coming back from the holidays can feel like a drag. And I hope you can find time to do the small things that fill your cup!
Lets talk market projections for 2026. What is to come?
What does this mean?
If you paused your plans to move because of high rates or prices, it may finally be time to take a second
look at your numbers. Affordability is improving in 39 of the top 50 markets, according to First American. And that’s the 7th straight month where buying a home has started to get a little bit easier One of the clearest signs of this shift is in monthly payments. The latest data from Redfin shows mortgage payments on a median-priced home are now $416 lower than they were just a few months back
What’s Behind the Shift?
Two key factors are working in your favor right now. First is that mortgage rates have eased down a bit from their high earlier in 2025. Secondly, house price growth is slowing in our market significantly. As Andy Walden, Head of Mortgage and Housing Market Research at Intercontinental Exchange, says: “The recent pullback in rates has created a tailwind for both homebuyers and existing borrowers. We’re seeing affordability at a 2.5-year high . . .” The inventory of housing has seen a 17% increase comapred to a year ago. If you’re a buyer it is a great time to get out their!
New Construction has been booming with more brand-new homes right now than there has been in years. And as a buyer this can help you in two instrumental ways. It gives you more options to choose from, and it motivates builders to sell their inventory before they build more. That’s exactly why so many homebuilders are offering serious incentives like price cuts, mortgage rate buydowns, and help with closing costs. Data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows 65% of builders offered special perks to buyers. That’s the highest percentage we’ve seen in 5 years.
1- Putting off Pre-Approval- part of the homebuying process, a lender will look at your finances to figure out what they’re willing to loan you for your mortgage. This gives you a good idea of what you can borrow. I call this your buying power.
2- Buying More House Than You Can Afford- with today’s rates and home prices, its even more essential to avoid stretching your budget too far. Expenses like home insurance and taxes are on the rise. Bankrate offers this advice “Focus on what monthly payment you can afford rather than fixating on the maximum loan amount you qualify for. Just because you can qualify for a $300,000 loan doesn’t mean you can comfortably handle the monthly payments that come with it along with your other financial obligations.”
Pizza: Iggys Pizza
Recommendations: SO FRESH and SO GREEN Salad with a Meat Lovers Pizza. YUMM
Address: 1220 Ben Sawyer Blvd Suite H, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Seafood: Grace & Grit
Recommendations: Fish Dip with Blackened Golden Tilefish and a Honeysuckle Martini
Address: 320 Wingo Way #100, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Brunch: Bodega
Recommendations: The Cow OR The Gropfather with Lattes Favorite Cookie
Address: 414 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Coffee: Brown Fox Coffee
Recommendations: Vanilla Bean Latte OR Milk n Cookies Latte
Address: 307 Simmons St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Happy Hour: The Perch
Recommendations: Carolina Caviar with the Shrimp Boil (ONLY SERVED DURING HAPPY HOUR)
Address: 644 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
1/8-1/18
167 Raw Oyster Bar - 3 Courses for $45
167 Sushi Bar - 3 Courses for $45
82 Queen - 2 Courses for $25 | 3 Courses for $55
Amen St. Fish & Raw Bar - 3 Courses for $50
Bar167 - 3 Courses for $45
Basil Thai - 3 Courses for $30
Bohemian Bull - 3 Courses for $30 or $40
Bourbon N’ Bubbles - 3 Courses for $55
Brasserie La Banque - 3 Courses for $55
Callies Hot Little Biscuit - All day offering for $14
Catina 76 - 3 Courses for $18
Church and Union - $50 per person
Crave Kitchen & Cocktails
Delaney Oyster House - 2 Courses for $35 | 3 Courses for $55
Edmund’s Original - 3 Courses for $45
Élevé - 3 Courses for $45
Eli’s Table - 4 Courses for $55
Fam’s Brewing Co. - Dinner for 2 only $30
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine - 2 Courses for $30 | 3 Courses for $50
Five Loaves Cafe - 3 Courses for $40
FortyEight Wine Bar & Kitchen - 3 Courses for $48
Grace & Grit - 3 Courses for $40
Halls Chophouse - 3 Courses for $70
High Cotton - 3 Courses for $68
Husk
Hyman’s Seafood - 6 Course + Wine for $30
Indaco - $55 per person
Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe - Dessert Offerings
Lasso Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse - Full experience for $51.96
Mesu - $45 per person
Minero - 3 Courses for $30
O-Ku - 4 Courses for $55
Oak Steakhouse - 3 Courses for $60
Park & Grove - 3 Courses for $45
Pearlz - 3 Courses for $55
Pink Cactus - 3 Courses for $35
Ritual - 4 Courses for $35
Ruby Sunshine - $18 per person
Rudy Royale - 3 Courses for $40 per guest
Shokudo - 4 Courses for $50
Taco Boy - $30 per person
TBonz Grill & Grill - 3 Courses for $45
Tempest - $50 per person
The Harlow - 3 Courses for $35
The James - 2 Courses for $25 | 3 Courses for $45
The Kingstide - 3 Courses for $55
The Matador - 2 Courses for $25 | 3 Courses for $40
The Mill Street Tavern
The Ordinary - $50 per person
The Peacock - 3 Courses for $50
The Swamp Fox - Lunch: 2 for $22 or 3 for $33
Dinner: 2 for $30 or 3 for $40
Two Bit Club - $45 per person
Well Hung Vineyard - 3 Courses for $55
Yokoso Japanese Steakhouse - 3 Courses for $35
Zachary’s Daiquiris - $17 a person
Starting off with the place I have planted my own roots for the past 25 years.
Old Village
In May 1791, after visiting Snee Farm, President George Washington boarded a vessel at Shem Creek to travel over to Charleston, giving Old Village a direct brush with early presidential history
Shem Creek has been a working waterway for centuries—supporting mills, rice processing, and commercial shrimping, crabbing, and oystering—and was the site of defensive works in both colonial conflicts and the American Revolution
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Old Village was a summer escape for wealthy Charlestonians who came for cooler harbor breezes; many original cottages from that era still stand, now restored as primary homes.
Some of the earliest platted streets—King, Queen, and Pitt—come from an 18th‑century village plan; Pitt Street was named for British Prime Minister William Pitt, and parts of that early “common” area evolved into today’s McCants, Boundary/Simmons, and Pitt streets.
My recommendations when visiting:
Pitt Street Commercial Strip
Pitt Street Pharmacy
Alhambra
December 2025
Issue 3
In this months newsletter we will be discussing the current market trends, holiday home tips, this months restaurant spotlight and holiday festivities.
I hope everyone has an amazing holiday and a Happy New Year!!
Lets talk about the elephant in the room. Houses are not selling like hot cakes right now.
What does this mean?
About 57% of homes sold in 2025 through October had atleast one price cut according to NAR, indicating that a significant number of sellers are entering the market with unrealistic expectations. Between 2020 and 2024, that share was closer to 47%.
For homes that sold this year with a price cut, the sale price was an average of 3.7% below the asking price.
Homes priced correctly from day one tend to sell more quickly and get nearly 100% of their asking price, according to NAR. After three months, sellers usually trim prices by more than 5%, and after a year, by more than 12%.
Why?
Buyers continue to be deterred by elevated mortgage rates and persistent economic uncertainty. Lower mortgage rates often fail to make homes affordable because of high home prices that outpace incomes. An outcome of the pandemic was that home prices rose much faster than incomes. The ratio of median home price to median income is now over five, compared to about four for the previous 50 years. While current rates aren't historically extreme, persistent inflation is curbing discretionary spending, making mortgage payments more burdensome for American consumers.
For Sellers: Pricing is more critical than ever if you want to sell. To price your house competitively look at the comparable houses that have sold around you within the past month.
The Data
According to Freddie Mac data, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate stood at 6.27% as of mid-October 2025. The degree to which rates have dropped may not be substantial enough. Many homeowners secured sub-4% rates during the pandemic and are reluctant to move and refinance just because of an extra 25 basis point reduction in mortgage rates.
The Overall Impact
Even as mortgage rates dip, other under-the-radar costs continue to rise, tightening buyer budgets. Combined with homebuilders' input and labor cost burdens, potential homebuyers are in a tough spot right now.
With the seasons changing it is very important that we make sure our homes are ready for the seasonal change into Winter.
Fire Prevention:
Inspect lights for frayed wires before use, never overload circuits, and ensure outdoor lights are made for outdoor use. Plug outdoor lights into a GFCI outlet. Use timers for lights and unplug them before bed or leaving. Keep candles away from flammable decorations and consider using flameless alternatives. Clean your fireplace and chimney and monitor space heaters. Make sure to water your Christmas tree regularly (if real) to avoid extreme dryness, this is what makes your tree a fire hazard!! Consider LED lights, which emit less heat.
Anti-Burglary:
The holiday season is primetime for burglars to take advantage of residences are left unoccupied with more valuables present in the house. Perfect example is Home Alone. Package theft also ramps up this time of year. Burglars take advantage of the fact that holidays cause alot of commotion, people naturally become less guarded due to festivities. Limit inside visibility, homes are more lit during this time of year, causing better outside visability of a home’s interior. This gives burglars a clear view of vaulables and incentives to target a home.
To deter burglars, automatically set a timer for your lights to activate to convey the image of an occupied home. Strengthen entry points by upgrading locks and deadbolts and by reinforcing doors and windows. Consider smart locks that allow you to remotely monitor and control access.
Implement a home security system of alarms, cameras, motion sensors, automatic locks, and detectors. Ensure your system is professionally installed and monitored, providing 24/7 protection.
Mount Pleasant: Tys Roadside
Recommendations: Tarvin Shrimp Toast or Filet Mignon Steak Frites
Address: 713 Coleman Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Downtown: Brown Dog Deli
Recommendations: Classic Grilled Cheese with Tomato Bisque Soup or Rosemary’s Baby Daddy
Address: 225 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC
Summerville: Shugs
Recommendations: Pork Chop with Mac n Cheese or Shrimp Po Boy
Address: 1208 Central Ave, Summerville, SC 29483
West Ashley: Mazal
Recommendations: Smash Kebab or Hummus with Tahini & Chickpeas
Address: 1901 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
North Charleston: EVO Pizzeria
Recommendations: Farmer’s Salad with the Pork Trifecta Pizza or the Farro Salad with a Pepporoni Pizza
Address: 1075 East Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
Johns Island: Lost Isle
Recommendations: Whipped Ricotta with the Smoked Tomahawk Pork Chop or Fire Roasted Sapelo Island Clams
Address: 3338 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC 29455
James Island: The Harlow
Recommendations: Spicy Tuna Tostada or Fried Fish
Address: 1015 Harbor View Road, Charleston SC 29412
Folly Beach: Catch 23
Recommendations: Smack Down Shrimp with Mahi Sandwich or Seafood Platter
Address: 10 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC, 29439
Daniel Island: The Kingstide
Recommendations: Fish Sliders with 8oz Flat Iron Steak or She Crab Soup with Blackened Grouper
Address: 32 River Landing Dr, Daniel Island, SC 29492
Charleston Tri-County Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026
Charleston County Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026
Dorchester County Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026
Dorchester District 2 Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026
Berkeley County Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026
Happy November!!
In this months newsletter we will be discussing the current real estate market trends in the tri county area, interior trends that are budget friendly, budget friendly restaurants, and November events! I hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving and enjoy the time off! And if you work through the holidays I hope you spoil yourself after!!
Interior Design Tips
Wondering how you can spice up the inside of a room but you don’t want to break the bank? Well I am going to do you one better- these interior recommendations are not only budget friendly but they are also timeless.
Did you know trends in fashion and interior design have an average cycle of 10 years. Usually the more intricate or over-the-top the trend is, the faster it will fade. While simple trends have more longevity. Let's get started!
High contrast neutral color palettes are your best friends! Black and white will always compliment each other. If you go for black and white hexagon tile, white walls and black doors, or a black and white wallpaper in your living spaces, you can pretty much bet that it’ll never go out of style.
Striped Fabrics are forever. The colors you choose for those fabrics could be trendy, but those simple geometric patterns themselves will always be in style rather than trendy prints.
Pinch Pleat Linen Curtains go with pretty much everything! Linen in general is one of those natural fibers that always has staying power. Go for full length, puddled if you like a romantic look or hemmed to “kissing” the floor for a tailored look. Pinch pleats are a great way to add a luxe detail that will always stand the test of time.
Traditional Molding can be a DIY project, while adding resale value to your home because it is one of those features that never truly goes out of style.
Bonus Tip! Scrape that popcorn ceiling ASAP. It will increase the resale value on your home!!
Restaurant Spotlight
Mount Pleasant: Mozzo Deli
Recommendations: French Toast or the Cuban
Address: 730 Coleman Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Downtown: Millers All Day
Recommendations: Banana Bread or Steak & Eggs
Address: 120 King St., Charleston, SC 29401
Summerville: Five Loaves Cafe
Recommendations: Chicken Salad Sandwich or the Red Wine Braised Short Rib
Address: 214 N Cedar St, Summerville, SC 29483
West Ashley: Santis Restaurante Mexicano
Recommendations: Quesadilla or Taco Salad
Address: 1660 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
North Charleston: Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q
Recommendations: Pitmaster Nachos or Pull Pork Sandwich
Address: 4964 Center Pointe Dr., North Charleston, SC 29406
Johns Island: Tattooed Moose
Recommendations: Lowcountry Cuban or Super Melty Grilled Cheese
Address: 3328 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455
James Island: Ladles Soup
Recommendations: Chicken Noodle Soup or Tomato Soup with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Address: 1175 Folly Rd Ste A, Charleston, South Carolina 29412
Folly Beach: Lost Dog Cafe
Recommendations: Homemade CInnamon Roll or the Breakfast Burrito
Address: 106 W Huron Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439
Daniel Island: Heavy's Bar Burger
Recommendations: Barburger with Crinkle Fries or Fried Chicken Salad
Address: 891 Island Park Dr, Charleston, SC 29492
November Events
November 1, 2025
Welcome!!
By Carly Bell
Welcome to the very first edition of my real estate newsletter! Whether
embarking on a home-buying journey or simply exploring the market, this space
is designed to offer valuable tips, answers to your pressing questions, and a
closer look at the latest trends shaping our local community.
Stay tuned for expert guidance, helpful resources, and insider secrets to help you
feel confident every step of the way.
Just a quick note to set expectations: you’ll receive an email from me once a
month. Each message is packed with actionable advice and tools for everything
real estate related — no spam, just genuine guidance tailored to your needs.
Why Carly?
So who is this random real estate agent sending you a newsletter? Great
question! Here is the simple answer -- I’m a young professional advocating for a
better tomorrow.
What a loaded statement right? But it’s 100% true. Advocating for a better
tomorrow, starts with lending a helping hand today. I believe everyone deserves
to have a house they call home because, it’s so much more than that.
We are all fighters in our own ways, and we all deserve a place to feel safe from
the rest of the world. And that is what I stand for. You need a shoulder to cry on?
A helping hand or an ear to borrow? I’m here.
Now back to the original question...why Carly? You should pick me because I’m a
problem solver. I can pivot faster than a door on hinges. I will out work every
person next to me, whether they are 24 or 60. Age doesn’t define success,
competence and hard work does. I may not have 25 years of experience but what
I do have is AI experience, marketing skills, adaptability, fluent use of social
media, flexibility and confidence.
And if that was not enough information on me, well here is some more!
I am originally from Hampstead, Maryland. I moved to Charleston to attend the
College of Charleston in 2019, where I rushed the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta. Igraduated with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in psychology.
I have one brother named Cam, and a sister in-law named Darcy! We all own
german short-hair pointers and I’m pretty sure it’s a personality trait at this
point. I also have a miniature long/wired-haired dachshund named Millie. She is
the light of my life.
I have worked many jobs, from being a logistics broker to serving in a fine dining
restaurant, every job taught me valuable skills to relay into my career as a real
estate agent. I used to cold call 75 people every day as my first “big girl” job out
of college. Trust me when I say I will out work every person around me.
I am a Baltimore Ravens fan through and through, and you cannot convince me
Lamar Jackson isn’t the man. Don’t even try it won’t happen. I’m a huge
volleyball fan, I grew up playing and now I am getting into coaching.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Please help our office in fundraising for breast cancer awareness.
MAKING STRIDES WALK- On October 4, 2025 at 9 AM-12 PM. Event will be held
at Riverfront park.
STROKES IN THE OAKS- Golf Tournament for Breast cancer Awareness- On
November 11, 2025
Did you know...
An estimated 316,950 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive
breast cancer in 2025, plus 59,080 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S., excluding
skin cancers.
There are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.
About 42,170 women will die from breast cancer in 2025.
Women with a family history of breast cancer have nearly twice the risk of
developing it themselves.
Breast cancer mortality is about 40% higher in Black women compared to White
women.
1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Early detection through mammography and breast exams remains the best
defense against advanced breast cancer.