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City of Charleston Addresses Traffic Concerns

Charleston traffic solution has been a big topic here in the Lowcountry lately. With tourism even bigger and better than ever, and with the population expected to reach one million by the year 2027, it's no wonder that traffic is on everyone's mind. As reported by the Charleston Regional Business Journal, the City of Charleston has listened to residents' concerns and has partnered with the Historic Charleston Foundation to hire Gabe Klein, the former transportation director for Chicago and Washington, D.C., to help develop a transportation strategy.

"We have 18th- and 19th-century streets; that's all we're going to have, 18th- and 19th-century streets in downtown Charleston, so it makes a big challenge in a growing city and region to handle transportation," says Charleston planning director Tim Keane. "We think that the priority...is that you have to drive less. If you live downtown, more and more people can drive less, and more and more people can live without a car." The solution, says Keane, is public transportation that residents and visitors will be happy to use, and better bike facilities and safer sidewalks for pedestrians.

In order to enforce new and existing transportation rules for carriages, bike taxis, and buses, the city is also hiring three new tourism enforcement officers under the Department of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability.

Though we have no current solution to traffic issues, concerned residents can rest easy knowing that the city is actively working to resolve the problem.

The committee formed to update the city's Tourism Management Plan is expected to finish by the end of the year and present recommendations to the tourism commission and City Council in early 2015.

How-To Tuesday: Sell Your Home Quickly

The Charleston real estate market is hot right now, and sellers are sitting pretty. Buyers are plentiful, and inventory is lower than it was this time last year. If you're thinking about selling your home, now is the time to do it. The first thing you have to do before putting your home on the market is to get it into shape for selling. There are several things to consider before you let potential buyers into your home. It takes a little bit of planning and elbow grease, but striking off a few items on the following to-do list is sure to help you sell a house fast.

Before Listing

1. Declutter. It's hard for most buyers to look past an abundance of "stuff." That collection of mugs from your world travels might be precious to you, but potential buyers aren't interested in seeing it. Minimalize knickknacks and other decorative items, making things look more streamlined. This is also a good time to weed out those items you won't be taking to your new residence. Take a look around and decide what you can sell or donate before your home goes on the market.

2. Give the house a deep clean. This means the outside, too! Pressure wash the siding and clean windows inside and out. Inside, make sure the kitchen and bathrooms are spotless and all furniture and baseboards are dusted. Give any spots on the wall a little touch-up with paint. Have floors steam cleaned if carpeted or mopped and waxed if wood.

3. Repair any issues you haven't gotten around to. Closet doors that have come off their tracks, wonky drawers that don't quite close all the way, carpet that has pulled up in one corner... All of these are small details that will be noticed, believe it or not. Potential buyers catalogue all of these little issues and will have a mental list of things that need to be fixed. Nip this in the bud by taking care of them in advance.

4. Neutralize decor. Not everyone likes dark or bright colors. Giving buyers a blank canvas to work with will help them visualize their exact preferences in decor. Paint the walls with neutral colors. This doesn't have to be boring. You can even use different neutrals in different rooms. Ecru for the living room, a dove gray for the bedroom, etc. Keep furnishings as neutral as possible, too, so buyers won't have a hard time seeing their own belongings in the home.

5. Create curb appeal. This doesn't mean you have to entirely overhaul your front yard. Just give it a bit of a facelift. Make sure the grass is always mowed. Trim any unruly trees or bushes. Plant a few colorful flowers. Paint the mailbox or install a new one. Pressure wash the driveway if there are stains. Little touches here and there do wonders for curb appeal. Make sure the back yard is tidy as well.

On Showing Day

1. Do a quick sweep of all rooms to make sure they're clean and neat. Pick up any stray clothing or shoes, and stow personal items like toiletries.

2. Make the house smell good. This is especially important if you have pets. Make sure any pet odors are neutralized. Light a candle that isn't overpowering or use an air freshener.

3. Let in natural light. Open the curtains and blinds to let buyers see how much sun the home gets during the day.

4. Leave! Under no circumstances should you stay home while your house is being shown to buyers. Having the seller there makes potential buyers uncomfortable, and they're less likely to look at everything they want to see. No offense, but they just don't want to see you there.

5. Take pets with you. Barking dogs, stalking cats, and chirping birds can be pretty annoying and disruptive to buyers. Take them with you when you leave the home for the showing.

What other tips do you have that have helped your home sell quickly?

Friday Five // June 27, 2014

We're back with the Friday Five this week to bring you a list of Charleston fun for the weekend. This week, we've got some really unique to-do's to share with you!

Whether you're a history buff or not, chances are you've been on a Charleston carriage tour or walking tour. Well, now there's a new tour in town. Charleston Steeplechase takes runners on a three to four mile tour of our beautiful city, stopping at key points for the guide to give the history behind each area. If you're into running, think about checking it out this weekend!

Head over to Mount Pleasant's Memorial Waterfront Park Friday evening for an outdoor movie. This week, Cinebarre will show The Lego Movie on their giant screen. Admission and parking are free. Food and drinks are available for purchase.

Don your best superhero costume and head out to the Third Annual Super Hero Bar Crawl Saturday night! The event begins at Mynt at 7pm and continues until 2am with other stops at Life, Prohibition, King Street Public House, and a few others. There's a costume contest with a grand prize that includes a weekend trip to Charlotte.

Are you a fan of reality television? If you're one of the many loyal fans of the hit show The Bachelor and have a dream of appearing on the show, head over to Cinebarre on Saturday from 1pm to 5pm for a casting call.

If you love barbecue as much as we do, then you know a summer BBQ cookoff is a great way to spend a weekend afternoon. The Lowcountry Firefighter Support Team hosts its first annual Battle of the Grill Masters BBQ Cookoff this Sunday from 11am to 6pm. The event takes place at Relics Antique Center & Flea Market on Johns Island. Enjoy delicious BBQ, live bands, a kids' corner, antique and flea market vendors, and fire trucks on display.

8 Advantages of Booking a Vacation Rental

The main goal of a vacation is to get away from it all. But travelers often miss some of the comforts of home. It's hard living out of a suitcase and making sure you have cash on hand any time you want to eat. If you prefer the conveniences of home to the restricted space of a hotel room, think about searching for a vacation rental at your travel destination. This is much simpler than you might think it is. Sites like VRBO and AirBnB make booking vacation rentals easy peasy. There are several advantages to choosing a vacation rental over a hotel room. Here are our eight best reasons for booking a rental home instead.

1. Vacation rentals are usually friendlier on the bank account than hotels are, especially when you consider what you get for your money. Vacation rental rates are often less than a comparable hotel room, and the nightly rate usually decreases for extended stays. For example, a rental owner might charge $200 per night but $1,100 per week (7 days), saving you $300 versus a $200/night hotel room. On top of those savings, vacation rentals can house more people, making it possible to split the cost.

2. There's plenty of room to breathe. In a hotel room, your space is limited. The room acts as your bedroom and living room (and sometimes kitchen, too). And chances are you'll be living straight out of your suitcase. Unless your vacation rental is a studio apartment, there will be defined rooms, including a living area, bedrooms, and kitchen. You'll be able to hang your clothes in the closet and store your suitcase out of sight.

3. Having a kitchen means you won't have to dine out for every meal or be restricted to certain dining times. In the interest of saving money on food, swing by the local market and pick up a few staples: cereal or bagels for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, etc. And when you get thirsty, you won't have to resort to drinking lukewarm tap water or spending a fortune on the mini bar.

4. You can choose your lodging based on your lifestyle. Need a place on the beach? In the middle of the city? Prefer to stay close to a suburb? No problem! It's easy to find a house or a flat pretty much anywhere within a given location.

5. Pets can join in on the family fun! No need to worry about seeking out a hotel that allows pets (which can be pretty difficult). Many vacation rentals allow pets with a small deposit or fee. If you're renting a single family home, you might even have a back yard for your dog to run around.

6. Vacation rentals are usually mroe kid-friendly. A lot of rental owners are more than happy to make certain accomodations for their guests. Your house or apartment might even include a playpen or crib, which means your travel load will be lighter. Most rentals also have various forms of entertainment, like board games, DVDs, or spacious yards for outdoor fun.

7. The amenities are numerous! There's a good chance that the rental will have a washer and dryer, free parking, kitchen necessities, linens, free cable and internet access, and possibly a private pool or spa. There shouldn't be any hidden fees whatsoever.

8. Owners of vacation rentals are almost always ready to provide their guests with helpful information. Renters will often find packets including literature about their vacation destination, recommendations for activities, and info about nearby restaurants and stores. Many owners try to make themselves available to answer any questions guests might have about the area. Some will even help you book tours or take you on a guided tour themselves.

Have you ever stayed in a vacation rental? What was your experience with it? Tell us in the comments below!