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Friday Five // March 23rd, 2018

It’s time again for the Friday Five, our weekly roundup of events happening around the Lowcountry throughout the weekend. Get out and have some fun! Take your four-legged friend out for brunch, see an outdoor movie, go see some basketball mixed with comedy, and more. Whatever you choose to do, the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company wish you a safe and happy weekend!

Head out to MUSC Health Stadium on Friday evening for Films on the Field. Bring the kids out for an Easter egg hunt and more fun activities, then spread out your blankets and chairs on the field for a viewing of Hop at 7pm. Who knows? Maybe the Easter Bunny himself will even show up!

If you’ve never experienced the fun and excitement of rooting for the Harlem Globetrotters, now’s your chance! Catch the exhibition basketball team at either 2pm or 7pm on Saturday, and delight in cheering on extremely talented basketball players who combine athletics with theater and comedy in a way that’s fun for all ages.

Sunday Funday has gone to the dogs! Bring your favorite pooch to Bay Street Biergarten on Sunday from 11am until 2pm for Puppies and Pints Brunch. Sip a mimosa and enjoy a delicious brunch while Fido plays with other four-legged friends. There will also be treats available for the pups!

Speaking of pets, they’re really going to love you for taking them to Palmetto Islands County Park on Sunday for Pet Fest. Pets of all shapes and sizes and the owners are invited to join in the fun from 11am until 5pm. There will be plenty of exhibits, demonstrations, experts, entertainment, and more. Try out the dog-washing station, enter your dog in a cover model contest, enjoy live music and children’s activities like jump castles, meet local rescue groups, and maybe even adopt a new friend.

Join Awaken Church and the Charleston community for a citywide Helicopter Easter Egg Drop. This event takes place on Sunday from 4-5pm and is for families of all ages. Over 20,000 eggs will be dropped for the children from a helicopter at West Ashley High School. There will also be a golden egg hunt and fun, age-appropriate prizes for all children.

Pros and Cons of an Open Floor Plan

Open floor plans have been extremely popular for a few years now. How many times have you turned on a home improvement show to see the hosts talking about knocking out a wall or two? According to the National Association of Home Builders, 84% of new single-family homes have fully or partially open layouts. Before you buy a home with an open floor plan, consider the following pros and cons to decide if it’s really for you.

Pro: More Usable Square Footage

Walls take up more space in a home than you realize and can make things feel claustrophobic in a smaller home. Knocking down walls or creating pass-throughs can help give the illusion of more space when things are cramped.

Pro: Freedom to Mingle with Guests

Home with open floor plans are perfect for entertaining. Your guests will have plenty of space to spread out and see who’s around. And instead of being stuck in the kitchen cooking or preparing drinks while your guests chatter away in the other room, you’ll be able to see them and join the conversation too.

Pro: More Flexibility

Without walls dictating where furnishings can and can’t go, you’ll have more freedom to arrange and decorate your space however your heart desires. It’s easier to change things up, too! Moving furniture around is a snap when you don’t have any doorways to cram your soft through.

Con: Less Privacy

The downside of having more open space is that, well, everything’s open to whoever walks in your front door. If your family is watching the big game on TV and you just want to curl up with a good book, you’ll have to retreat to a bedroom or other private space to get away.

Con: Inability to Hide Messes

You know that mad cleaning dash we all make when we get a five-minute warning that a friend or family is dropping by? It’s much harder to hide messes quickly when there’s no door to shut or wall to toss your kids’ toys behind temporarily. An open floor plan requires more vigilant organization if you want things to look neat and clean all the time. Be aware as well that if your kitchen is open to the rest of the living area, smells (and smoke from those burned biscuits...oops!) will travel.

Con: Trends Eventually Die Out

Even though open floor plans have been popular for a while now, it’s still a trend in home design, and trends eventually go out of style. Remember when everybody wanted a separate, formal dining room? That trend will come back around at some point too. If you go with an open floor plan, make sure it’ll be possible to section it off later on down the road. You never know: open layouts could be completely undesirable when it’s time to sell your house.

How-To Tuesday: Buy Your First Rental Property in Your Twenties

It’s never too early to start thinking about saving for retirement and your future. There are always traditional retirement funds and savings accounts, but did you know that investing in real estate can be a great way to save for the future? If you’re smart about it and have a great real estate agent to help you along the way, you can get a better return on investment than many other ventures. The best thing about getting started in real estate investing when you’re young is that you have more time to buy multiple investment properties over the years. Here’s how to go about buying your first rental property in your twenties.

Have a plan. As with most things in life, buying an investment property takes a certain amount of planning. It doesn’t have to be a meticulously detailed plan, just a loose outline. When do you want to purchase a house—in the next five years? The next eight months? Will you live in the house for a while before you rent it out, or will you rent it right away? What is your ultimate goal? Do you want a house that you’ll keep for years, or will you sell it once it appreciates in value? These are all important questions to address before you even think about looking for investment property.

Don’t wait until it’s time to “settle down.” Lots of young people wait until they’re married, in a long-term relationship, or having a baby to buy a home. A little hint: don’t combine buying a home—whether it’s residential or for investment purposes—with another major life milestone. Planning for a wedding or a baby can be stressful enough. You don’t want to put more on yourself than you can handle. Also, don’t think that you first home has to be

Clean up (or establish) your credit. Two common problems with younger generations is that they don’t have a good credit history, or they have no credit history. Consult your bank or a mortgage lender for advice on how to establish or repair credit in order to obtain a home loan.

Hire a real estate agent. Did you know that there aren’t any fees associated with hiring an real estate agent? Agents make a certain commission (usually about 6%, but that number can vary) based on the total sales price of a house. This commission is normally built into the closing costs. But you don’t have to wait until you’re absolutely ready to buy to consult a real estate agent. Johnson & Wilson agents are always willing to work with you from the early stages to get you ready to purchase a home. Professional, personalized advice is way better than anything you’ll find by searching online or reading books on investing.

Save, save, save. Unless you qualify for a 100% loan (e.g. if you qualify for a VA or FHA loan and the home will be your primary residence for a while before you turn it into a rental), you’re going to need to save up for a down payment. Not only will you need cash to close on an investment home, but you’ll also need to keep an emergency fund for things like repairs or covering the mortgage payment if/when the house isn’t occupied. One of the easiest ways to save is to set up weekly or monthly transfers that get automatically deposited into a high interest savings account. This is even easier if you have direct deposit. Simply have your employer deposit a certain amount from each paycheck into a separate account from the one the rest of your paycheck goes into.

Do some preliminary research. Don’t start your home search until you know exactly what you’re looking for. As a younger person, you have the advantage of knowing where people around your age really want to live. Make a list of the most desirable areas in your city, followed by the best neighborhoods, the types of amenities people want, and how many bedrooms and bathrooms renters in your area typically need.

Don’t use television as a measure for success. Most TV shows that feature home buying and selling, flipping, and renovation are the exception to the norm. There are a lot of factors behind the scenes that you don’t get to see that guarantee the success of those projects.

Start your search. When it’s time to start actively searching for an investment property to buy, it’s important to be logical. Don’t go with a “gut feeling” or get too personal. Remember, unless you’re going to live in the house initially, it’s not going to be your “home.” Keep to your plan, consult your research, and listen to your Realtor. They know what’s up.

Buy less than you can afford. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a mortgage payment you can’t cover if the house is unoccupied for a month or two. Figure out what you’ll be able to cover from month to month and go from there. Don’t forget that monthly payment includes the principal mortgage payment plus interest, taxes, insurance, and perhaps an HOA or regime fee. Don’t go too low on the totem pole, though. That brings with it a whole other set of issues.

Find a good property manager. Of course you can take care of leasing, maintenance, and other issues yourself, but it’s so much easier to hire a reputable property management company to help out. They’ll take care of marketing, leasing, maintenance, and in unfortunate cases eviction and other legal actions, all for a reasonable fee. Ten percent of the monthly rent is a pretty common amount to pay a property manager. If they charge 10% and you charge $1,000 a month for rent, you can expect a check for $900 each month (minus any incidental expenses like repairs) after your property manager takes their cut. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind and less work on your plate.

Once you’ve bought your first rental property, you’ll want to keep an eye on the market. Even if things are going smoothly, you don’t want to be caught by surprise. Keep in touch with your real estate agent to make sure values in the neighborhood are still increasing, or at least holding steady. If you keep up a good relationship with your agent, they’ll keep an eye out and let you know the perfect time to cash in on your investment by selling.

A Guide to Charleston Area Easter Events // 2018

Here comes Peter Cottontail! It’s almost time for Easter, so we’re bringing you a comprehensive list of local Easter events in the Lowcountry for 2018. Want to attend every Easter egg hunt possible? Looking for something to do Easter Sunday? Just want to take your pet or kiddo in for a quick pic with the Easter Bunny? We’ve got you covered!  

 EASTER BUNNY PHOTOS

Northwoods Mall

Visit with the Easter Bunny in Dillard’s Court from Saturday, March 10th through March 31st. Visits are free, but if you want a memento of the occasion, photo packages must be purchased. No personal photography is permitted. Stop by Monday through Saturday from 10am until 9pm or Sunday from noon until 6pm. Follow the link above for photo package pricing. Bring your pets on Monday nights from 6–9pm for photos with the Bunny as well!

Citadel Mall

Visit the Easter Bunny in Center Court from March 17th–31st. Stop by Monday through Saturday from 10am until 8pm, or on Sunday from noon until 6pm. Note: the Easter Bunny takes his “carrot break” from 2:30–3:00pm. On March 20th and 27th, you can bring your four-legged friends for photos too! Bring a food donation for Pet Helpers and receive a free 5x7 photo with any package purchase on those days.

EASTER EVENTS

Hat Ladies 17th Easter Promenade

When: Saturday, March 31st at 11am

Where: Broad Street between Meeting and East Bay

What: The Charleston Hat Ladies (not to be confused with the Red Hat Ladies or any other hat group) will take their annual, elegant stroll in their Easter bonnets to wish you a “HATpy Easter!”

Easter Weekend Brunch

When: Saturday, March 31st and Sunday, April 1st at 10am

Where: Middleton Place

What: Celebrate Easter weekend with a traditional southern brunch buffet featuring seasonal specials. On Saturday, enjoy the Eggstravaganza activities beforehand. On Sunday, take a stroll through the gardens and reflect on the day. Cost is $30 for adults, $12 for ages 6-12, and free for children ages 5 and under. General admission is required. No reservations necessary.

Spring Festival

When: Saturday, March 31st from 11am–3pm

Where: Freshfields Village

What: Children will enjoy a jump castle, inflatable slide, mechanical bull, face painting, balloon animals, spring crafts, and more! Bring your camera to snap a photo with the Easter Bunny, and enjoy treats like snow cones, kettle corn, popsicles, and BBQ from local food vendors.

EASTER EGG HUNTS

Easter Egg Hunt at Alhambra Hall

When: Wednesday, March 21st from 11am–1pm.

Where: Alhambra Hall

What: Kids ages 6 and under are invited to bring their baskets to “the cutest Easter Egg Hunt in the Lowcountry!” Children will be able to hunt eggs, participate in fun activities, and visit the Easter Bunny.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt: Daniel Island

When: Friday, March 23rd from 5:30pm–8:30pm

Where: MUSC Health Stadium

What: Get your tickets now for this fun-filled annual event! Tickets are $5 and include a dozen filled eggs per child, jump castles, face painting, a balloon artist, viewing of the movie HOP, and a special visit from the Easter Bunny himself.

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt

When: Friday, March 23rd from 7pm–10pm

Where: St. Andrews Parks and Playground

What: Bring your flashlight and a basket and hunt for Easter eggs in the dark! The cost is $5 per child. Age groups will be 2-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10.

Easter Eggstravaganza

When: Saturday, March 24th from 10am–12pm

Where: The Charleston Museum

What: The Charleston Museum presents their Easter Eggstravaganza, featuring crafts at the Museum and an Easter egg hunt in the garden of the Joseph Manigault House. This event is free with admission ($12 for adults, $5 for children, free for children under 3) and free for Museum members.

Search Party: Summerville’s Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt

When: Saturday, March 24th from 5pm–8pm

Where: Ashley Ridge High School

What: This is Summerville’s only glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt! Egg hunt times will be based on age group: Toddler/Pre-K Daylight Hunt, Elementary (Kindergarten–5th), and Students (6th–12th). There will also be food trucks, music, and more!

Community Easter Egg Hunt

When: Saturday, March 24th from 11am–2pm

Where: Park Circle

What: This is a free event including visits with the Easter Bunny, games, hot dogs, snow cones, a fire truck, and of course an egg hunt! Easter egg hunts will be conducted based on age group. Afterward, kids are invited to exchange their eggs for a goodie bag full of treats.

Cane Bay Eggstravaganza

When: Sunday, March 25th from 3pm–6pm

Where: Lindera Preserve at Cane Bay Plantation

What: Join Lennar Homes and the Church at Cane Bay for an Easter egg hunt, jump castles, over 50 vendors, Game Galaxy Mobile Gaming Truck, and a food truck rodeo. Sign up in advance to get a free t-shirt!

Easter Egg Hunt: Park West

When: Tuesday, March 27th from 11am–1pm

Where: Park West Recreation Complex

What: Children under the age of 6 are invited to bring their baskets and join the fun! There will be an Easter egg hunt, fun activities, and photos with the Easter Bunny.

Easter Eggstravaganza

When: Saturday, March 31st, beginning at 10:30am (gates open at 9am)

Where: Middleton Place

What: Bring a basket and hunt for eggs hidden in the Middleton Place Gardens. Once found, the hard-boiled eggs can be taken to the Stableyards to be dyed. Children are also invited to play colonial games, participate in the Egg Roll and Egg Toss, hear classic stories, and make Easter crafts. This event is included with the price of general admission.

Easter Egg Hunt: Isle of Palms

When: Saturday, March 31st at 10am sharp

Where: Isle of Palms Recreation Department

What: Bring your Easter basket and hunt for eggs, visit the Easter Bunny, and enjoy jump castles, snow cones, cotton candy, face painting, a photo booth, and more!

West Ashley Easter Egg Hunt

When: Saturday, March 31st from 2pm–4pm

Where: Bees Landing Recreation Center

What: This is a free event for children from ages 0–12. Join the hunt at 2pm sharp for over 10,000 egg! This events also features crafts, face painting, jump castles, the Easter Bunny, and more.

Town of James Island Easter Egg Roll

When: Saturday, March 31st at 11am sharp

Where: The Town Market on James Island

What: The Town Market on James Island is partnering with the Town of James Island for their 2nd annual Easter Egg Roll. This events includes free parking, free admission, and free fun! The market opens at 9am with the Egg Roll taking place at 11am.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Hampton Park

When: Saturday,March 31st from 11am–1pm

Where: Hampton Park

What: This is a free event for children ages 12 and under! The Eggstravaganza features a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, jump castles, games, arts and crafts, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and much more! Pre-register for the event for a chance to win some great prizes.

Easter Egg Hunt & Jump

When: Saturday, March 31st at 9:30am and 11:15am

Where: Mellow & Play Cafe

What: This popular parent-child hangout will have two Easter Egg hunt times, one from 9:30–10:30am and a second from 11:15am–12:15pm. Tickets are $11 per child and include one hour to hunt for eggs and use the play area. There will be a minimum of 350 eggs for 35 children to hunt per session. Eggs will contain candy, toys, and maybe even a Mellow & Play coupon surprise! Entrance times into the egg hunt will be staggered by age at 2-minute intervals. Bring baskets and socks for kids and parents entering the play area.