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General •
May 8, 2021
“Happy Mother’s Day
The month of May…who does not remember as a child knowing this was a special month. The end of school was fast approaching, and we were all trying to figure out what we would give our moms for Mother’s Day.
In our younger years, we made crafts in school. Bowls from clay or flowers pressed between 2 sheets of waxed paper. I still have a little hand pressed into a substance that has lasted since I was little. My Mom had it hung on the wall and now that she is gone it’s mine.
As a team, our moms couldn’t be more diverse. Just look at their pictures and you can see it. I didn’t know Yvette’s and Chari’s moms, but I can tell you if they were anything like their daughters’ they were smart, funny, and great cooks.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms we have loved and know. We appreciate you.
General •
April 17, 2021
Staging…what does it mean and how do you do it?
When we go to visit a prospective seller and look around their home, we often use the word “staging.” Many buyers have no idea what that means. They understand de-clutter but what does staging mean to us, in real estate terms? In the words of our favorite stager, Lorelie Brown of Showhomes of Charleston:
“Staging has very little to do with de-cluttering and great furnishings. It is a professional service that aligns a buyer’s perspective with a visual sense of space, and generates an emotional connection with the home. Professional stagers are skilled in ensuring that these components bring about buyers’ experiences that generate offers, and help agents and buyers get things SOLD.”
That is why when you list with us, we provide a free staging consultation with Lorelie. After that, the choice is yours and yours alone. You can follow her advice or not. We can honestly say that doing what she suggests will get your home sold faster and at a better price. Don’t believe us? Call us to list your home, meet Lorelie and see for yourself.
General •
March 26, 2021
Spring Prep!
Spring is finally here. After months of uncertainty and isolation it will feel so good to be out in the garden again. This winter was harsh for Charleston. Many of my plants were very frost bitten but I am happy to see my Azaleas getting ready to bloom.
- Here is a good spring “chore” list.Make sure all your shrubs, bushes and trees are trimmed away from your house.
- Branches hanging over the roof can fall and cause damage, leaves can clog gutters and shrubs against the house encourage pest intrusion.
- Speaking of gutters…clean them out. If they are loose secure them. If you don’t have any now may be the time to think about directing water away from your foundation.
- Mulch your garden shrubs and plants. When the temperature goes up plant roots dry out quickly. Keeping the roots well mulched will decrease your need to water. Fertilize lawn and garden as needed.
- If you have an in-ground sprinkler system test it to be sure there are no leaks and all areas are getting watered properly.
- Walk around your home and check window caulking. Keeping your windows well caulked is one of the most important maintenance items for a homeowner.
- Check your exterior paint. Is it flaking or peeling? Paint before it gets too hot outside.
- While you are outside check the light bulbs on your outside fixtures. Make sure they all work.
- Make sure your air conditioning system is working properly. Have your unit (s) serviced before the companies get too busy. Change your filters often for most efficient system use.
Thinking of selling? Call your favorite Realtors®, us. We’ll take care of the rest.
General •
March 1, 2021
Has COVID made you analyze your life?
Has COVID made you analyze your life? Think about what is important and what can fall by the wayside?
We all have our own stories to tell. The 3 of us have totally different backgrounds. You can read more about that on our website. As for me, if 70 is the new 50 I’m 50, but if truth be told I’m in the “twilight” of my life. My children and grandchildren say I will live forever but I know better.
Has age changed how I approach my real estate career? Yes and no. If anything my contracts are tighter. I don’t leave room for misinterpretation or misunderstanding. We will make the following repairs spelled out if I represent the seller or we want the following repairs spelled out if I represent the buyer. My clients expect that I will represent them in a proper and precise manor, and I try hard to cross all my t’s and dot all my i’s.
I love having listings. Does it wake me up in the middle of the night worrying if they sit on the market too long? Of course, but in this market it’s not a big problem if we price them right.
I have limited the buyers that I will work with. With my wonderful team and their knowledge and energy I pass some along to them. That’s the joy and purpose of having a team.
Do I think about retirement? Doesn’t everyone? But here is that word again, team. As long as I am surrounded by Chari and Yvette to give me a break when I need one I’ll keep working. After all, I own the domain name, AskFranne.com. Go ahead, ask me any real estate related question.
General •
February 17, 2021
“Make Your Dreams Come True Day
Chari, Yvette, and I are quite different. Chari is a country girl from a farm in Georgia. Yvette was born and raised here in Charleston. I am from the East coast. Raised in and around cities. Chari still has one child of her 3 at home, Yvette’s boys are on their own and I am a Grandma, but when it comes to business we are always on the same page, all 3 of us. Our service is platinum; you are our priority.
When we write contracts, we cross every “t” and dot every “i”.
This year our market is quite different. Buyers are aggressive and many houses have multiple offers. Sellers are aware it’s a sellers’ market and may be listing for more than they would have last year.
Are you planning to move this spring; buying or selling? Of course we would like to be your Realtors of choice, but if you will be interviewing before you choose here are some questions to ask:
- A Realtor® is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and must abide by their code of ethics. Ask the question; are you a Realtor®! (We are.)
- How much experience does the agent have? Do you want to be part of the learning curve? (We have more than 40 years of combined real estate experience.)
- Most buyers choose what homes they would like to see online. Does your agent have an online presence? (Our listings are advertised on our website, our Facebook page, our Instagram feed, Realtor.com, Trulia, and Zillow plus our website at Coldwell Banker and more.)
Want to interview us? Contact us anytime! Homes@CharlestonFineHomes.com
General •
December 30, 2020
Christmas
When my children were growing up, we celebrated all holidays, my Jewish ones and their and their Dad’s Catholic ones. They knew they were Catholic but also knew their Mother was Jewish. Christmas was a really big deal as it is in most homes with 3 young children. Because my Mother was Jewish she preferred not to visit us on that holiday. The children never cared because they saw her often even though she lived in Virginia and we lived in Georgia.
When my Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer many things changed. I always loved her but now it became more like I cherished her. One year as December and Christmas came closer she said she wanted to come and see what it was like at our home. The children were so excited I can’t even put it into words. Their Grandma was coming and she would see the Christmas tree, the stockings, see them open their gifts from Santa and see John, our oldest participate in the manger tableau at the children’s mass at church Christmas Eve. He was going to be a wise man.
Grandma arrived and Christmas eve fast approached. All the discussion revolved around church and the baby Jesus. Would he be in the manger when they got to church? Could they walk down and see him? Would he be a real baby? Finally Grandma could not contain herself any longer. “Baby Jesus, baby Jesus all I hear is baby Jesus”. I laughed until my sides hurt. Mom, it’s Christmas and isn’t that what the holiday is all about…I think I said through tears of joy? She looked at me and started to smile. When we got to church she walked the children down the aisle to see the baby with their hands in hers.
Merry Christmas to all and a belated Happy Chanukah too.
General •
December 30, 2020
2020 Do-Over!
If ever a new year required a “do over” 2020 is it. Do you realize that at 12:01 AM you will have 2020 hindsight? What does that hindsight tell you? The year was full of unexpected things? What things? A Pandemic, a loss of a friend or family member, a decreased income or none, claustrophobia and or maybe a combination of all those things. None of us were spared from the unexpected. We are so ready for this year to end.
I found the picture below on Facebook. Thank you to the person that let me “steal” it. We wish you all of this and more. Happy 2021!
General •
September 24, 2020
Home
Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.- Jane Austen
Home is the nicest word there is.- Laura Ingalls Wilder
Home means many things. Right now, home may be the place you want to leave, at least for a little while. But, for some it is a dream yet to be realized. For others it’s the place they grew up. For me, Chari, and Yvette it is what we hope you will call the house we help you find.
Whether you are buying a condo with a $90,000 price tag or a house on the ocean with a million dollar price tag it will be your home. The real estate contract and home finding process with all its details and possible pitfalls is just as important to one buyer as it is to the next. We are Realtors, bound by the National Association of Realtors and its code of ethics. We will take you home skillfully, honestly and professionally.
Happy home finding.
General •
August 18, 2020
What is COVID?
What’s a COVID?
How will we show property? What about our listings? What do we tell our sellers? Can we have open houses? Will photographers take pictures of our new listings? If lenders are working from home can they still work efficiently? Will attorneys have their offices open? Can we go to closings? Will the courthouse be open and recording deeds? What if a buyer gets sick? What if a seller gets sick? What if we get sick? Will our office be open? Can we apply for any of the business funds available? Masks everywhere?
Almost 5 months into COVID looking back on all the questions we asked seems strange. Some questions were downright self-centered but how do you plan for something you have never experienced? This is how we put food on our table, and we wondered if we were even eligible for any of the programs being put in place. We are independent contractors and had no idea what that meant with things like applying for unemployment. Would our significant others remain employed? In my case that meant my son working at Publix. What if he got sick? Could I live on his income alone?
As a team we have weathered the storm fairly well, so far. Our loyal clients are still loyal. Our listings are still going under contract. Maybe not as quickly but that’s ok as long as they sell. We aren’t doing open houses unless we must, and we know what precautions to take. We show property in masks, social distance and do not let buyers get in our cars. We miss seeing each other and our friends in the office. That is real life for everyone, so we suffer along with you.
We hope you are weathering the storm. We know your lives are not “normal” either and we feel your pain. If you need any advice or help in our area of expertise, real estate, feel free to contact us. It does not have to mean you are selling or buying. Just need to ask a question we are here. After all, where are we going to go?
General •
May 3, 2020
“What Do You Think About During Quarantine?
As we sit in quarantine or isolation, whatever your preferred term what are you thinking about? I am a Mom and Grandma first so of course that is what I dwell on. When will I see my out of state children again and even more important when will I see my 4 grandchildren again? Will all their summer camps be cancelled so they will spend more time with me, or will we still not be traveling, and they won’t be able to get here at all?
I am enjoying working in my garden and it looks the best it has ever looked, but I do not want to venture to my favorite nursery and buy anything new. The smell of fertilizer has replaced the delightful smell of sitting with friends in the office and eating lunch
My home copier is working overtime to replace the one at my office that I used every day.
My home office was so depressing I gave it a fresh coat of paint.
Am I eating more or less? Less trips to the grocery store mean I must be more organized. No running in on my way home from work.
AND always on my mind, how are my clients? The ones that cannot get showings or a contract are not happy with me or the market. I am running more ads and publicizing more but nothing seems to help them. My listings that are selling result in some incredibly happy people. Living on commission with so far, no government loans even though my team and I have applied makes sales imperative.
I am opening windows, playing music louder, dancing when no one can see me and humming as I do my walks. (Not riding my bike much since I fell off a few weeks ago.)
I wish you all joy, happiness and good health!
Franne, aka Mom, aka Grandma, aka Realtor®
