Charter One Realty Commercial Broker, Michael Mark got hooked on real estate at the age of 21 when he started buying and selling investment properties in the Lowcountry. With single-minded determination, Michael became known as the go-to agent for Beaufort residential and commercial real estate.

As a native of Beaufort, SC, Michael talks to us about how he got his start, the changes he has seen in the Lowcountry, and his neighborhood on Ladys Island. 

Charter One Realty: When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in real estate?

Michael MarkMichael Mark: I was about 35 years old, had been buying and selling investment property since I was 21.

Charter One Realty: Tell us about your start in the business. How did the first year go?

Michael…

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COVID-19 Giving Back

The Lowcountry has been in the midst of our new normal, living through COVID-19, for over a month. Between layoffs, furloughs, and school closures, life has changed quickly. Our communities in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort have stepped up to the new challenges and we will be featuring the “new normal” in a series of articles over the coming weeks.

From healthcare facilities to nonprofits to restaurants, every industry has pivoted to support our community in new, impactful ways. 

In today’s feature, we highlight the volunteer organizations making a difference, now more than ever. We’ll also showcase the many ways you can get involved.

Below is a list of nonprofits (in alphabetical order) who are offering resources and services…

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For many Lowcountry residents, our area represents a summer escape tailor-made for long weekends, beach days, and a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of regular life. For Charter One Realty's Allison Cobb, though, Hilton Head Island is more than a seasonal retreat—it's a year-round oasis she has called home for many years.

Allison Cobb describes the Lowcountry as a "vibrant & upbeat place to live"—one rich in natural beauty and protected lands. Allison and her family relish in spending a lot of time out of doors and put a big emphasis on the beauty that nature provides. "There is a magic here that is hard to duplicate for retirees and families alike."

Charter One Realty sat down with Allison to learn how she got her start in real estate…

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As you could imagine as Realtors, we have been getting that question like "how is the market doing?" quite often. I always like to back up my comments with strong data, so I have some quick statistics for those of you that enjoy the numbers as much as I do. I wanted to know what our market had been doing since April 1st, which is really when our Shelter In Place became a bit more serious. These are the statistics for the last two weeks in the Hilton Head/Bluffton market.

These numbers reflect the period between April 1st and April 15th. All Data has been taken from the Hilton Head Island MLS system.

UNDER CONTRACT - Residential-Single Family Homes - April 1st - April 15th

1. Bluffton Off Plantation: 41 Under Contract, Median Price: $300,000

2. Hilton…

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Who would have thought just a little over a month ago, our world and lives would be so different than they have been in the past. My own community of Hampton Lake is managing to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and even though our lives have become shelter in place, the community is still growing and moving along.

Construction of homes and new amenities is ongoing, albeit a little slower than in the past. But homes are still being sold, and homesites are breaking ground for new foundations, and soon to be new Hampton Lake neighbors.

Our wonderful lake, which covers a large part of our community is open to residents that have their own boats or kayaks. Social distancing still applies, even on a boat! Luckily, our weather this past month has been…

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As I look back over the first quarter, I realize that my thoughts a month ago would be very different than they are today.

On Daufuskie and at Haig Point we have had numerous listings go under contract since the first of the year and many of those homes had been on the market for extended periods of time.  Some for years.  Properties in various price ranges; 100’s, 300’s, 400’s even over a million.  Every single Plantation Home has sold or gone under contract. There have been times in the past when we have had 7-8 Plantation Homes on the market at one time, now there is just one new listing.  There are only a handful of homes for sale in the Historic District.  The homes in Melrose area selling as strongly.

Market statistics on their own would be…

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COVID-19 Update



Hello, friends of Charter One Realty. We hope this message finds you and yours doing well. 

We want to touch base with you to share our company’s plan as the COVID-19 situation impacts so many communities around the country – including ours. 

Just as our clients rely on us for our real estate expertise, we feel it prudent to rely on the advice of those whose expertise is infectious diseases. As such, we are doing our part to act responsibly by limiting physical social contact with others. That does not mean we are slowing all contact. And it certainly does not mean we are shutting down for business. 

Our area is unique relative to real estate in that so many of our Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort clients are originally from elsewhere. Charter One…

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Congratulations to the 2019 Realtor Service Award Recipients

2019 Realtor Service Awards

Each year, the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors recognizes Realtors® who have done exceptional work to advance their association, education, and community. These members epitomize what it means to be a Realtor®.

Only a small percentage of the Realtor Association is honored with this distinction. The award recognizes those professionals who are passionate about the real estate industry and their community while adhering to the Realtor® Code of Ethics. These individuals have achieved higher levels of education, served in leadership positions within the association, and volunteered for several organizations in the community.

The following Charter One Realty sales professionals…

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Toy Drive

Celebrate the holidays with us by donating any new, unwrapped toy to our Holiday Toy Drive. We will gladly accept your donations at any Charter One Realty office location (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm) from now until December 9, 2019.

All toy donations will go to Deep Well's "Santa Shop" and Bluffton Self Help's "Holiday Toy Shop" to help Lowcountry families in need this holiday season. Anyone wishing to help make a difference in the life of a child or family in our community, we invite you to stop by any of our offices to make a donation. 

We will graciously accept your donations at any of the offices listed below:

  • 2 North Forest Beach Drive, Suite 119 (Beach Market) - Hilton Head Island
  • 5 Park Lane - Hilton Head Island
  • 11 Park Lane -…

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Outdoor Fireplace Designs

With crisp and cool air finally settling in over the Lowcountry, it’s time to get the outdoor fireplace crackling again! 

There’s nothing quite as cozy as bundling up around the fire, sipping a warm drink and watching the sun go down. The outdoor fireplace serves as the home base for all gatherings taking place under the stars. If you’ve been thinking about building your own, you’re probably surprised to see the wide variety of outdoor fireplace designs you can create.

Thanks to modern ingenuity, outdoor fireplaces are more customizable than ever, ensuring that there’s a perfect option no matter your style. Here are our favorite outdoor fireplace designs to help you make the most of the Lowcountry chill!

 

Stone Outdoor Fireplaces

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