I received a gut wrenching email today regarding Steve Brown's catering business. As I am sure most businesses are, Steve is feeling the pinch of the economy. As one of my friends, Connie Hipp says, "If Steve had back a 10th of what he gives to the community the business would be just fine. He continues to give with a very big heart."
Please help spread the word if you can.

Fundraiser to Benefit Steve Brown Catering
Sunday, September 28, 2008
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Waterfront Park
$15.00 All-You-Can-Eat
Area restaurants and merchants participating
This fundraiser is just a small way to thank Steve for all he has done for the community over the years.
You can check out Steve Brown Catering here.
For those of you who don't know, Steve Brown's Catering is a cornerstone in Beaufort. The cookies are amazing and beyond the food (which is great by the way) Steve has and continues to go above and beyond to support those in need and this community.
Join me in saying thank you to Steve Brown and lending a hand to a business that we need to keep in Beaufort.
Talking with another real estate broker yesterday, I heard the broker say "the phones have been kind of quiet, showings have slowed and buyers have apparently disappeared." I looked at recent sales in Beaufort from August 1-today.
I looked at residential homes in Beaufort, Mossy Oaks, Port Royal, Burton, Lady's Island, St. Helena, Dataw Island, Fripp Island, Harbor Island, Northern Beaufort County, and Jasper County including Ridgeland. 71 homes in 6 weeks isn't much to talk about, but it could be much worse. We live in a community of about 45,000 people. The great thing we do have is that we do not have one type of buyer. We have military, retirees, professionals such as doctors, lawyers, vacation home buyers, and investors. We do not rely on one type of buyer or industry to spur our local market.
To give you an idea of what is selling here is the breakdown:
100,000-200,000=38 sales
200,000-300,000=13 sales
300,000-400,000=10 sales
400,000-500,000=2 sales
500,000-600,000=3 sales
600,000+=3 sales
While the average and median days on the market has fallen, it is evident that homes in the 100,000-200,000 are what people are buying right now. Interest rates are coming down, but guidelines for lending are hard to navigate. To search all area homes for sale visit www.BeaufortExperts.com
Great, thanks to Money Magazine, everyone now knows what I do! Beaufort was recently one of 6 of the best places to retire. I am not near retirement age, but I certainly chose Beaufort for many of the same reasons talked about in the article. Read the article here.
We are surrounded by so many types of water, the ocean, the marsh, the river, and the Intercoastal Waterway. We are a boater's paradise, which is how many of our visitors find us on one of their coastal trips up the ICW. Others stop along the way and hang out on one of our many sandbars for libations and social networking. 
If you have ever looked at a topographical map of Beaufort County you are likely to get lost in the sea of green as we are fortunate to have some of the area's best golf courses designed by major players.
I am not a history buff either per se but I do find it quaint and charming to walk along Bay street and see buildings from the 1800s or walk along a cobblestone road that many before me have traveled. Beaufort is one of those towns that successfully has found a way to mix progression and growth with preservation of history and culture.

I thought today that I am truly fortunate that I get to live here. Many choose where they live because of their job or family. We are fortunate that we get to choose to live here because we WANT to. There is a wooden sign in a local real estate office that fits me exactly. It says, "I wasn't born in Beaufort, but I got here as soon as I could." If I ever have to leave, trust me I will go kicking and screaming.
It is that time again, when thousands converge upon Beaufort to get a little something we might take for granted-SHRIMP! Every year the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce put on a great time over two days filled with shrimp boats, entertainment, vendors, shopping, restaurants eager to test their shrimp recipes, as well as a 5K run/walk. This year, Advanced Real Estate Company is a jumbo shrimp festival sponsor again.
Last year we had a money booth.
You know the kind where you step into a booth for a certain amount of time and try to catch as much money as you can. Well, this year we will not have a money booth, but you never know what we might come up with to get your attention.
We are looking forward to seeing you there and we hope you will stop by and say hi!
You can read more about the festival here. Register for the 5K shrimp run/walk here.
It is that time of the year again. Water Festival is upon us where people all over the country flock to beautiful Beaufort to see some great talent and have a great time! Like last year, Advanced Real Estate Company is proud to be an admiral level sponsor.
Last night kicked off the festivities with the Parris Island Marine Band and fireworks. Tonight Blake Shelton will take the stage for a concert in the park. Tropical Tuesday features The Landsharks. Wednesday we showcase local talent with a talent show sure to entertain. Thursday you will find the lowcountry supper delightful with music by Too Much Sylvia. Friday is the river dance with music by The Breakfast Club. On Saturday, everyone is looking forward to the Commodore's Ball with music by Jim Quick and Coastline. You won't want to miss the grand parade on Saturday and Sunday is children's day. There are also toadfishing contests, a women's golf tournament, matress racing, and boat bingo.
For more information and to purchase tickets, you can visit http://www.bftwaterfestival.com/.
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