Keller Williams, Baby!

Hi folks,

I know it's been a while since I've posted to Charleston360, but it's because I'm making moves...to Keller Williams! And what a great move it has been. Along with a personal coach, team leader, and mentor, I have the entire Keller Williams family to guide me. Did you know that KW just opened an office in Dubai? In fact, KW has offices all over the world! And to tap into that perk for consumers, I am now part of KW GPS - Global Property Search. That means that if you list with me, your property will not only reach Charleston and South Carolina and the United States, but the WORLD! And since Charleston is such an international city, it seems like a stellar idea. I can advertise your property in countless languages on real estate webpages around the globe. If you know of anyone who's interested in selling, please let them know about this crazy cool program. As always, I love helping buyers, too! Please let anyone and everyone you know that I am new to the business, eager to learn, and want to help! If you want a snapshot of KW, take a look at our belief system below.

peace,

rachel barkley

rachelbarkley@kw.com

charleston360.kwrealty.com

843.244.0042

OPEN HOUSE AND MIMOSAS

This Saturday & Sunday, the 25th and 26th, from 11am-3pm. Two blocks away from the Charleston Homes and Design Show.

Click Here to View Property Details

Ghostly Night in the Holy City

The tri-fold brochures and oh-so-dreaded fanny packs were no where to be found. If tourists want a tour of the city--history, culinary, or ghost related--they start at Market Street. For the first time in eight years, I went on such a tour yesterday evening, and it was free! Yes, one night a year, Bulldog Tours dedicates an evening to locals.

 

Our tour guide was Lisa, a Charleston native and excellent story-teller. Or were they just stories? Among visiting the graveyards at St. Philip, St. Michael, and the Circular Congregational churches, and restaurants that are now Poogan's Porch and South End Brewery, we were told stories of ghosts who protect the living, ghosts who appear in broad daylight, and ghosts who still hold grudges against patrons in hotel rooms.

 

 

 

Want to know more about these ghosts? Book a tour today!  http://bulldogtours.com/

 

Want to live in a haunted home? Follow Charleston360 Real Estate on Facebook, and search through Lowcountry homes by clicking here.

Oysters and Beer for a Lighthouse, Oh My!

It was the most beautiful view I'd witnessed since peering out onto the Grand Canyon or the Montana Rockies. It all began in 2010 with a simple college assignment for a class taught by Craig Bennett called Preservation Engineering. And it lead me to the top of the Morris Island Lighthouse. Unlike other lighthouses, this one was not so easy to climb since it sat (and still does) in the middle of the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean. A morning alarm, two John boats, a swinging ladder, and hundreds of steps later, I was standing at the top, viewing the panorama of the South Carolina waters. It was one of the most magnificent views I'd ever seen. I stood on a lone mountaintop along a flat coastline, and only the wind rushing past my ears.

The Hitchcocks, myself, and two cadets from the Citadel ate lunch together on the sandbar afterwards, eventually pushed to the beaches by the incoming tide. I didn't want to leave. But every now and then when I'm on James Island, I'll drive out to the lighthouse just to see it in person again, sit for a moment by myself on the beach, breathe in the salt air, and imagine a bridge that could take me there. 

To learn more about how the lighthouse found itself in the middle of the ocean, visit www.savethelight.org.

The annual Save the Light Oyster Roast is this Sunday, January 12, 2014 from 2pm-5pm at Bowen's Island off of Folly Road on James Island, South Carolina. All you can eat oysters, all you can drink beer&wine (21+). $25/person. (843)633-0099.

My follow-up photo:



Boat brought the oysters right to shore! 1/21/14



 

Looking for homes with a view of the lighthouse? Click HERE.

A Little Relief in Charleston During the Holidays

So, we all know of our favorite neighborhoods to walk around, whether it's around Hampton Park downtown or the county park on James Island or around the old Navy Base in North Charleston or even on the beaches at Folly or Sullivan's. But, if you need a little variety from your normal routine, read below.

I discovered this little known trail less than a year ago. I had forgotten about it until recently, and it is great to take the pups on, walk with your significant other, or just escape from everyday life for a half hour of solitude. It's located on Patriot's Point and starts just beyond the golf course near the Shell Station. It's probably two miles round trip. There is another access point further down into Patriot's Point, but walking the whole trail is very rewarding, especially when you make it to one of the most stellar views in Charleston (see above, courtesy of my phone). From the end point, you can see the entire harbor from downtown Charleston to the Isle of Palms. Look out for both lighthouses, and you know you've made it.

If you need an escape, be sure to check it out! It's a great way to unwind during stressful times, especially throughout the holiday seasons.

Interested in living close to Patriot's Point? Click HERE

Charleston's Holiday Artist Market

Don't fall for the big name ads on the TV. Instead, shop local in Charleston for the holidays! Along with Charleston's traditional Farmer's Market downtown (which is a great place to purchase holiday gifts for friends and family), this Saturday December 7th will also feature a holiday artist market just a few blocks away at the Music Farm (32 Ann Street) from 10am to 5pm. They are staying open two more hours this year in anticipation of the holiday rush!Handmade jewelry, custom hair accessories, vintage clothing, stationary, clothing, and artwork are just a few of  the items to be featured for sale. While all ages are welcome, the bar will also be open for the adults. So for those 21 and older, sip a mimosa while you shop!

Don't "accomplish Christmas" this year, enjoy it! Support your local artists by joining me there this Saturday!

For more information on this event, click the link below.

http://www.musicfarm.com/event/407387-holiday-artist-market-charleston/

For more information on the Artist Market Year-round, click the link below.

http://lowcountryartistmarket.com/

Ginger Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving

Hello, health nuts!

Here is a wonderful ginger-orange-cranberry sauce recipe I found on one of my favorite websites--Food Matters. It is the website behind the documentary "Hungry for Change," which you can check out on Netflix. We can talk about that another day, but it's almost Thanksgiving! So check out the recipe by clicking the link below.

Give Your Body Thanks this Thanksgiving - Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Not only do cranberries taste delicious, but they also control blood sugar levels, help with digestion, and detoxify free radicals. Plus, we all know ginger works wonders.

10 Terrific Benefits of Ginger

I wonder if grapefruit would work too...if anyone tries it, let me know!

Vegan Thanksgiving?

On another note, many of your Thanksgiving dishes can actually be made vegan with a few simple changes. For example, substitute dairy milk and cheese for almond, coconut, rice, or soy alternatives. You can also cook with cashew butter instead of dairy butter. Use whipped bananas in place of eggs (bananas are also great mood elevators, which come in handy around the holidays!).  Coconut yogurt is also a great tool, and delicious on its own, too!

Dellz

Also, shout out to Dellz Uptown, who will be closed on Thanksgiving, but if you're looking for a healthy pick-me-up after the heavy holidays, check out their page on Facebook. The Hummer and the Snobby Joe are my favorites!

Dellz Uptown on Facebook

Have questions or comments? Write to me below!