4Br / 4 Ba / $585,000
.82 Acres / $260,000Charter School and Sewee Summit Breathe New Life into McClellanville
September 7th, 2011 News Daniel Bates Comments
If the overall state of the world has got you down, I wanted to share a little good news with you. In the past couple of months we have seen great strides in resolving McClellanville’s two greatest deficits; Education and Employment.
This summer brought news that the Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School had gained approved by the state charter school board. This school, which will me most likely begin it’s life at Archibald Rutledge Academy’s facilities, will be publicly funded and free to attend but will operate autonomously from the Charleston County School Board. Decisions governing the school will be made by a local board of teachers, parents, and community leaders with the best wishes of the children placed first. As the name implies, education at the school will be intertwined with the rich natural resources that we have here, raising a generation of children who appreciate and understand the bountiful resources that nature has bestowed upon us. The school is able to attract students from beyond Charleston county, with enrollment open to all South Caroline residents. This means that students living in nearby Berkeley and Georgetown counties will be able to attend. The school will open it’s doors in 2012 teaching Kindergarten through 5 or 6th grade, with the potential to grow to a full K-12 school in the coming years. For those with a family, or plans to start one, this is a monumental achievement that offers parents struggling with the choosing between local public schools or cross-district enrollment a great opportunity.
The second news comes from a committee that has been in the works for several years now but is gaining steam recently. The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation (huge advocates for the environment throughout the lowcountry) is paying for the formation of a group called the Sewee Summit. The group seeks to protect the resources of the Francis Marion Forest, Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge, and beyond by getting local governments to agree to a standard of development more suitable for this area. McClellanville was the first municipality to approve the recommendations of the group, which did not conflict with Town’s existing Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The Summit doesn’t just stop at getting the regulations in place however. It is also working hard to assist the area in regard to employment, education, health, infrastructure, housing, and more through professionally lead forums in which local community members and experts in the corresponding field sit down to brainstorm on ideas for improvement
The most recent jobs forum had local business owner and organization leaders from across Awendaw and McClellanville seated together with the heads of government agencies including the Forest Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service. The coalition to came to a consensus on a list of resources that should be marketed to promote the uniqueness of the area. There was a strong call for the formation of a chamber of commerce to be shared by the communities of Awendaw and McClellanville, which I hope will soon begin. The group identified many low-impact sources of jobs that could be fostered and nurtured to further develop the unique assets of this area without taking away from what we hold near and dear. By working together local businesses will be able to achieve greater marketing strength than they could have ever achieved as individuals and also increase job opportunities in the region that will strengthen our community rather than change it in the negative.
I could easily hit the publish button on this article and hope that it improves everyone’s day, but here is where I ask you to roll up your sleeves. Both of these plans do not seek to change McClellanville, but to promote it’s uniqueness and sustain the way of life that it has. That is not something that comes from a government bailout check, a new law, or a visit from your representative, it’s change that the people must want and it’s change that the people must make for themselves.
One thing that I have learned is that you can either sit around and say, “Someone should…” or you can be that someone. I am involved with both of these organizations and have taken a lot of time out of my schedule which truly belonged to my family and my real estate business to participate with both of these organizations, but my hope is that my family and my business will be better off in the long run through these efforts. Just as this community banded together after Hurricane Hugo in a time of community crisis, I hope that we again can band together to avert potential crisis. There will be jobs that everyone can fill and I truly believe that when we look back 5 years from now at our hard work that we will all have an enormous amount of pride at what we have accomplished and have changed McClellanville’s path for the better.
540 Pinckney Street Open House – August 20th, 2011
August 16th, 2011 Buyers, Events Daniel Bates Comments
$175,000 House for Sale Among Amazing Historic Homes
Looking for an affordable house in the Historic District?
Looking for a potential home to rent?
Looking for free food and something to do this weekend?
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, than you won’t want to miss the open house at 540 Pinckney Street this Saturday between 10am and 3pm. This event is presented by MCVL Realty and will include grilled hotdogs, drinks, and snacks and allow you a first look at this great housing opportunity.
540 Pinckney Street (Listing Details) is offered at $175,000 and all offers will be presented to the sellers. Pick up the phone and call that friend of yours that is always telling you that they want to move to McClellanville and tell them this is their chance. See You There!
McClellanville Deal of the Week: 528 Pinckney Street
June 24th, 2011 Buyers Daniel Bates Comments
White Gables - $150,000
528 Pinckney Street, known as “White Gables”, is for sale. This isn’t news, it’s been on the market for over 4 years, but now it is banked-owned and listed by Beach and River Homes and has been reduced to the shockingly low asking price of $150,000. ”4 years?”, many people ask. Well yes, but it was introduced to the market at $688,000 when I had a competing home listed for $750K that had been completely remodeled and this home needs a lot of work. Over the years the price just kept dropping along with the market and was listed at $258K most recently before the bank finally foreclosed and slashed the price by over $100K. I’ve shown this house more than any other house in town and have learned that historic fixer-uppers just aren’t for everybody. It is going to take the right buyer even at this price to want to restore National Historic District landmark to it’s former glory. I’d be sure to have at least $100k that you are ready and able to spend on repairs because you just don’t know what you’re going to find once you start opening it up. That being said, $150K is a steal and this house is the buzz of McClellanville. The new owners will surely be the envy of the town and should get used to hearing “We almost bought this home ourselves” on a regular basis.
Most people that buy a home do so for their own enjoyment, whether full-time or part-time, but today I wanted to have a discussion about the other side of the coin. Using this home as an example, I want to show the various investment opportunities that one can explore when buying a home. One of the advantages of being the only real estate agent in the area who also specializes in rental management is that I know these markets and the prices that homes can fetch. I should probably disclose that all buyers should do their own research and due diligence and understand that I am using big round numbers for easy math and to make examples. Contact me directly to come up with a detailed analysis of your needs and how a home can work for you.
Read the rest of this page »
2nd Annual Jeremy Creek Triathlon for the Weary – June 11th, 2011
May 25th, 2011 Buyers Daniel Bates Comments
Click Image for Event Flyer
Don’t let the word “Triathlon” scare you away, this is a laid back, non-competitve event consisting of a paddle, parade, and a picnic. In fact, the event planners warn that “serious competitors will be fed to alligators”, so leave your A-game at home and just come out with the family to to enjoy a leisurely time on the water and walking down our oak lined avenues.
The event begins on Saturday, June 11th at 10am at the town boat landing with a kayak (donated by Nature Adventure Outfitters) paddle out to birthday island (first spit of land between ICW and Five Fathom creek) and back, then the group parades from the boat landing to the restaurant’s where participants will enjoy a picnic on the porch at T.W. Graham’s or patio at Pinckney Street Kitchen. The cost for the event is $33 and includes kayak rental and t-shirt!
Proceeds from this event go to support a really great cause called Begin with Books, which seeks to improve childhood literacy at an early age by providing area residents with 1 book each month from birth to 5 years old. $33 covers one year of books for one child and can make a huge difference in the child’s development and attitude toward reading. A donation of $165 will buy a complete library of 60 books for a child. You can also follow this cause and the event on facebook.
Registration is easy, but necessary to do so early to ensure that enough t-shirts are ordered and kayaks are provided. If you will be attending, email elizabeth_livingston@charleston.k12.sc.us today with your t-shirt sizes and bring a check to the boat landing on the day of the event.
New McClellanville Bumper Stickers
May 9th, 2011 News Daniel Bates Comments
I have just received a new shipment of McClellanville bumper stickers. I had a little fun with the design and added a picture of McClellanville’s unofficial mascot; the mosquito.
Read the rest of this page »