Folly Beach Now

There will be Mardi Gras celebrations on Folly Beach this Saturday February 13th, 2010 from 12-5 for the annual Folly Gras party and parade.  Wear your beads and most colorful outfit and come down to Center Street and celebrate New Orleans style.

Live Music by:

Jupiter’s Garden
Shakin Martinis
Jason and the Juggernauts
Oscar Rivers Band
Stratton Lawrence & Stratton Moore
DJ Ron in the park

Parade trophies will be awarded for the following categories:

***Best Float***

***Best Golf Cart***

***Best Costume***

Parade Rules!

• Decorated Floats, Golf Carts, Marching, & Alternative transportation only! NO CARS OR TRUCKS UNLESS THEY ARE PULLING A FLOAT! You must be in Mardi Gras costume to participate! We Welcome decorated pets!
• Must be at the Folly Beach Public Boat Landing by 1:30 pm for lineup

We have asked our restaurants to prepare special New Orleans food fare and Mardi Gras drinks beginning at 1 pm.  There will also be a trophy awarded to a restaurant for Best Food Fare.

We will have live music set up at different locations on Center Street. The Parade will begin at 2 pm and start at the Public Boat Landing. When the Parade ends at the Holiday Inn, Indian, Huron, Hudson will reopen. There will be music, dancing and food in the streets provided by our own businesses from 1 to 5 pm.

Masks will be sold at City Hall for $2.00 first come first served. Free beads given with each mask.

The Folly Beach Arts and Crafts Guild will also be in the Park with their crafts and vendors.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Cunningham at City Hall; 513-1836 or 708-1113.

Act fast on this opportunity to own an incredible Folly Beach deep water property for a steal!  The builder has thrown his hands up and will let it go at auction prices to avoid foreclosure or short sale.  This waterfront property will need to be finished, but has awesome views of the Folly River and is sold with a shared deep water dock.  This is a huge home on Folly Beach for a fraction of what it should really cost. There were two available now only one left. For information and pictures click details below.

Vince Perna

843-425-6414

vperna@dunesproperties.com

The Taste of Folly Beach 2010 was a great time with a great turnout.  The streets were full of fans of Folly and their energy beat back the overcast skies, and warmed up the lower temperatures.  The sun made an appearance here and there, which was a welcome sight for the many participating Folly establishments.

The chili cookoff sponsored by Planet Follywood was extra competitive this year with over 30 entries.  The awards were given out as follows:

1st place Ryan Galloway
2nd place Chef Aaron from Locklears
3rd place Chef Jonathan from Blu
Honorable mention Nick the kid

Brian Hawkins from the Folly Beach Crabshack won the server olympics, the finals featuread a photo finish with Brian winning by holding more beverage in his two cups.

The hot dog eating contest was entertaining.  The winner ate 6 hot dogs, and there were images that conjured up memories of “Stand By Me”.

The tunes were provided by the Hawkes.  Some of the largest crowds were in front of the stage dancing and swinging to the music.

As usual when Center Street closes, a good time was had by all.  Make sure and come out next year!

I recently received an article that I wanted to share.  Insurance in Charleston is difficult to manage unless you have the help of a great agent.  Charleston insurance and coastal insurance will be a topic of conversation for some time to come.  Here is some advice given to me by my State Farm insurance agent, Paula Hampton.

Understanding the value of your home

How to determine your homeowners coverage

Your home may be the biggest investment you’ll ever make.  So if you are serious about protecting that investment, here is some important information to consider when determining the coverage amount for your home.

Make sure that your home is insured for at least 100% of its estimated replacement cost

To determine your amount of homeowners coverage:

• Get an estimate of the replacement cost of your home
• Select the coverage amount that best fits your needs

We recommend that you purchase an amount of coverage at least equal to the estimated replacement cost.  But the choice is yours.  Determining your home’s estimated replacement cost is important because this will ultimately determine which policy options are available to you.  Since it is impossible to predict today what the cost will be to replace your home in the future, it’s important to have enough coverage to account for unforeseen circumstances.

Understand the difference between market value and replacement cost

Market value is the amount a buyer would pay for a home, including the land, regardless of how much it would cost to rebuild the home.  Replacement cost for this purpose is the rebuilding cost necessary to repair or replace the entire home.

Replacement cost IS NOT:

• The market value of the home
• The home’s purchase price or the cost of the land
• The outstanding amount of any mortgage loan

When buying a new home, be sure to obtain a replacement cost estimate

Before you purchase a new home, make sure that you determine the appropriate amount of coverage needed.  Here’s how:

• Ask if a replacement cost estimate is available when you have the home appraised
• Or, consult with your local builder association or a reputable builder for an estimate
• You can also check with your insurance agent to help you with this process

Be aware of any architectural details or unique building materials that may affect your estimated replacement cost, such as:

• Upgraded bathrooms or kitchens (including cabinets)
• Finished or partially finished basement
• Additional rooms or living space
• Custom molding or arched windows
• Other unique features

A contractor or appraiser can help estimate your home’s replacement cost

Building contractors or professional replacement cost appraisers are a good source for obtaining an estimated replacement cost for your home.  Estimates from these sources should reflect your home’s features, like those mentioned above.  If you are unable to obtain a detailed estimate from these sources, your insurance agent can discuss other options for estimating the replacement cost of your home.

Review your policy annually to make sure that your coverage meets your needs

Have you recently remodeled or improved your home?

When you upgrade or improve your home, you may increase your home’s estimated replacement cost.  Your agent will then help you adjust your policy to meet your coverage needs.  Check your policy’s provisions for notification requirements of any remodeling or additions that increase your home’s value.

Has the rate of inflation risen since your last appraisal?

Many policies provide coverage that automatically adjusts every year in an effort to compensate for increases in construction costs for your area.  However, certain conditions such as severe weather can increase the demand for labor and materials, and raise costs beyond normal inflation.  It is important to update your coverage amount each year to keep up with the changing economy.

What influences building costs in your area?

Market conditions in your area may impact the amount it will cost to rebuild your home if you experience a loss.  Replacement cost estimates are influenced by supply of labor, demand for labor, and the cost of construction materials.  Keeping up with the current market conditions in your area and changing your coverage amount accordingly, will help you maintain coverage at least equal to 100 percent of the estimated replacement cost coverage for your home.

HELP HAITI BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE MUSIC FARM
CHARLESTON, SC, (JANUARY 20, 2010) – Local Charleston
Bands and businesses are staging a benefit concert this Sunday,
January 24, 2010 at the Music Farm to raise money for the
victims of the Haitian earthquake. Proceeds from the event will
be split between the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in Haiti
and Water Missions, a Charleston-based on non-profit
organization that provides emergency clean water systems.

The show begins at 3PM and runs until 10PM. Participating Bands
include: Carey Ann Hearst & Michael Trent, Mary’s Got a Band,
the Whisper Jets, Mac Leaphart, Tater Famine, Ryan Bonner, A
Fragile Tomorrow, Megan Jean and the KFB, the In-Laws, Justin
James Burke, Doug Jones, Danielle Howle, Josh Roberts & Leslie
Branham

Businesses that have agreed to help sponsor the event include:
CSS International, General Engineering Laboratories, Passport
International, Chai’s Lounge and Tapas, Basil, the Midtown Bar &
Grill and the Music Farm.

Tickets are $10 at the door; additional donations are welcome.
Representatives from the Red Cross and Water Mission will be
on-site during the event.

Saturday January 23rd, 2010 12-4 PM

Come out and enjoy a day on Folly Beach while tasting everything the restaurants have to offer.  There will be booths set up from each restaurant where you can sample their menu and talk to the chefs and find out how they make their magic.  Center Street will be closed which always means a good time and many memories.  There will also be fun activities such as:

Hot Dog Eating Contest

Server Olympics

Live Music w/ the Hawkes

Chili Cookoff

Chili Cookoff Rules:

1. There is a $5 entry fee payable when you bring your chili
2. All entries must be brought to the festival in a crock-pot with a spoon or ladle. There will be none available at the festival.
3. Judging begins at 12pm. All entries should register between 11am12pm.
4. Upon arrival, check in for your jar and number placard
5. 2oz cups, spoons, and napkins will be provided so festival judges can sample your chili. Your entry should be attended during the judging for questions
6. Judging will take place by festival patrons. They can purchase a Token for $1 and put it in the jar of the chili they like best. Judging will end at 3pm, jars collected and winners announced soon after. Trophies will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place, with a few bonus awards as well! Winners will be announced between 3:30-4pm on the stage.
7. All leftover chili, crock-pots, and utensils need to be cleared by 3:30pm

Any questions or to sign up, please stop by Planet Follywood or email Planet_Follywood@yahoo.com

This is one of the best deals on Folly Beach and certainly one of the lowest priced. If you were waiting for prices to come down to affordable levels, then here is your chance. This is a well maintained 3 bedroom 3 full bathroom condo with awesome views. To learn more about properties like these contact me here.

#1 Selling Real Estate Firm on Folly Beach

When you are choosing a real estate company to work with, make sure that you are using the best.  In 2009 no company sold more Folly Beach real estate than Dunes Properties.  Our staff has the knowledge and professionalism that you would expect from a leader.

Nobody knows Folly Beach better!

Below is a summary of the real estate market for Folly Beach, SC for the entire year of 2009.

There was a total of 64 properties sold on Folly Beach in 2009.  That is down 28% from a total of 83 in 2008.  It is also a far cry from the totals of years past.  Folly Beach has a history of regularly selling over 100 properties.  Will this be the new normal sales volume?

The average sales price in 2009 was $477,000,down 10% from $531,000 in 2008 and off 30% from a 2006 peak of $680,000.  The average difference between sale price and list price was roughly 10%.

There were 3 sales of condominiums under $200,000 in the Palmettos, Pelican Pointe, and Marsh View Villas.  The lowest Mariners Cay condominium sold for $215,000.  The lowest lot on the island sold for $295,000 and was a full street to street lot.  A 3 bedroom condominium at the Charleston Oceanfront Villas sold for $675,000, and an oceanfront lot sold for $775,000.  The most expensive home sold for $1.2 million and was an oceanfront triplex.

The price of the average home sale is very low relative to the location of Folly.  We are beginning to see rock-bottom prices and when homes are priced right, they are being put under contract immediately.   People are taking advantage of the low prices and making the move onto the island that they previously thought was out of reach.

There is still high inventory with nearly 400 homes for sale.  Sellers are eager to talk to qualified buyers and the leverage is absolutely in the buyers favor.  If you are interested in buying on Folly Beach, or want to talk to an expert on selling you home, contact me here.