The South Carolina Lowcountry Blog

5 Tips for Being Prepared for an Interview

2009-09-04T20:36:00.001-04:00

5 Tips for Being Prepared for an Interview

1. Cover All Your Bases

Be prepared in all respects. Dress for the interview, be on time or early, look focused and like you want the job. Go in feeling confident and that this job is right for you. Words aren't the only form of communication, body language, appearance, eye contact, listening and firm handshake are some non-verbal forms of communication that will help you cover all your bases.

2. Researching

Finding out all you can about the company will help you understand what you're getting into and help you form intelligent questions to ask. With the vast knowledge that can be found on the internet, use it! Find out who their competitors are and how this can relate to the position you are applying for. This information can be used to help you stand out. Know where you're going for the interview and how to get there.

3. What to Bring

4. Questions, Questions

5. Time Commitment

Dreamy Holiday Pumpkin Bread with Carolina Cream Cheese Icing

2008-11-22T14:12:00.001-05:00

BEST pumpkin bread ever
Originally uploaded by 3 bees

How to make the Pumpkin Bread

Makes 3 large loaves

Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
2 cups white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour (or, all purpose flour works, too)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans. (Can also use cupcake tins)

* In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugars until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

*Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Carolina Cream Cheese Icing: (double recipe per loaf)

One 8-ounce package softened cream cheese (per loaf)
1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine, softened
1 box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
chopped nuts on top or folded in - option and very yummy!
Fold in a few scoops of whip cream for a lighter, extra yummy, icing. That's the Carolina "twist". You can even use Vanilla Whipped Cream (Cool Whip Brand)!

Cool completely before refrigerating the loaves. To take the Pumpkin Bread with you to Holiday Family Events, just wrap in tin foil, reheat in a 250 degree oven for 20-30 minutes...then apply the Carolina Cream Cheese Icing to the loaf...or to each slice for more frosting coverage.

Variations: Add chopped nuts to the mix. Add some white or black raisins, some candied cranberries, or even chopped prunes or dates.

Down here in the Carolinas, some country folk like to add shredded zucchini or shredded carrots to the loaves. If you don't like pumpkin, swap it out for a can of applesauce for a delightful "Carolina Spice Cake Loaf" instead.

Happy Holiday Season from DreamVest Appraisals! May your Family time together be genuine and warm as you consider the life-appraisals for the New Year's Resolutions soon to come.

SC Real Estate Appraisals - How is Your Property Value Holding Up to all the Changes?

2008-11-21T13:36:00.003-05:00

Charleston, SC
Originally uploaded by jrhyley

How do I determine whether property values are increasing or decreasing?

The Lowcountry Loop | Your SC Community Newsletter

If you read national news publications like USA TODAY, they will normally report on the value of real estate as reported by the National Association of Realtors.

• The most common way that these papers report on values is the median sales price. They often report that the median sales price for the nation was up or down X% for a certain period.

• This information is applicable for many areas of the country, but it is not very specific to any one subdivision or market area.

What I am doing for South Carolina Lowcountry subdivisions is analyzing several different streams of data to give you a very good idea of what values in your subdivision are doing this year.

I will be looking at and evaluating:

• the average sales price
• the median sales price
• the average per square foot price
• and the average size of the homes that have sold in your neighborhood.

This will give you the best idea of what homes are doing in your subdivision. For example, the median price may show a 15% decline, but the average size of the homes that sold may have decreased. I will analyze all of these factors to give an accurate picture of homes in your subdivision.

I will also look at the number of listings on the market, the number of pending sales, and other factors that may affect your area.

I will be adding new articles and new subdivisions on a weekly basis. You can also post questions or comments on my message board as I will be adding information on a weekly basis.

http://www.scappraisers.com/lowcountry-loop

Charleston Home Sales - South Carolina Real Estate Graphs

2008-10-18T04:29:00.004-04:00

Charleston Home Sales - South Carolina Real Estate Graphs
Originally uploaded by DreamVest

My name is Shane Langdale and I am a local real estate appraiser. If you are worried or just curious about your property value, you are not alone. The value of your home is one of the primary concerns of not only lowcountry folks, but people nationwide.

The purpose of the “Lowcountry Loop” is to give lowcountry residents valuable information about their homes. You shouldn’t have to guess or worry about the value of your most valuable asset.

I am here to help you understand what the sales in your neighborhood will tell you about the value of your home. I analyze the median price, the average price, and the price per square foot to give you a very accurate picture of what values are doing in your SC Lowcountry Neighborhood.

You are invited to check out our SC Appraisal Blog on the website, and also participate in out online forums.

Find Appraisers for Rural SC - Discover Ulmer, SC 29849

2008-09-27T01:54:00.002-04:00

Ulmer, SC 29849
Originally uploaded by Brian the Red

Ulmer, SC 29849

At the junction of US301 and US321 is the town of Ulmer. Not a lot to it besides this Post Office and the rundown little building next to it. However, that was not always the case and lil ole Ulmer has a fascinating South Carolina history!

The community now known as Ulmer goes back for many years. The surrounding lands belonged to only two persons - Ephriam Ulmer and John Williams. There are authentic records dating back to the 1700s. The ancestorial home of the John Williams family still stands. It was lived in until sometime in the 1950s. The first building was erected on the banks of the Salkehatchie River. The site was near a settlement know as Buford's Bridge - which was there prior to the Revolutionary War.

While a proper name was being decided for the town that was building around the depot, it was jokingly called "too nigh". Streets needed to be laid out for the new town, but this was going to take more of Mr. Ulmer's property. However, Mr. Ulmer agreed to reliquish extra property in exchange for the town being called "Ulmer" in his honor. This was agreed upon and the town of Ulmer got its charter on August 7, 1891.

Jalapeno Mesquite Boiled Peanuts

2008-09-25T04:35:00.001-04:00

Jalapeno Mesquite Boiled Peanuts
Originally uploaded by huggingthecoast.com coastal food blog

Another interesting Lowocountry Blog to consider:

Huggingthecoast.com, is a celebration of coastal life, food, fishing and travel. Updated daily, the blog's features include The Fish For Friday Seafood Recipe of the Week, The Free Cookbook of the Month, a foodie movies list, a coastal life and Southern food photo gallery, a streaming MP3 foodie playlists, YouTube cooking and travel videos, and more!

Grand Prize Winner of the Taste of the South Recipe Competition which was judged by Matt and Ted Lee, the James Beard Award winning authors of The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook: Stories and Recipes for Southerners and Would-be Southerners.

Unlike most traditional chili recipes which rely on the usual beef and beans, Charleston Chili was created using succulent pulled pork barbecue, country ham, boiled peanuts, and black-eyed peas.

After the competition, Ted Lee described the combination of the flavors in the Charleston Chili as, “…fantastic…clearly an original idea that followed through.”

The full recipe is available on www.huggingthecoast.com which celebrates the pleasures of coastal food and life.

Semi-Finalist, Redwood Creek Campfire Classic Recipe Competiton.

Hugging the Coast: A Celebration of Coastal Life, Travel, & Food!
Charleston, SC, USA

View From Sol Legare Road, Charleston, SC

2008-09-25T04:32:00.001-04:00

View From Sol Legare Road, Charleston, SC
Originally uploaded by huggingthecoast.com coastal food blog

Perfection!

Do Not Feed the Alligators Sign in Georgetown, SC

2008-09-25T04:30:00.002-04:00

Do Not Feed the Alligators Sign in Georgetown, SC
Originally uploaded by huggingthecoast.com coastal food blog

Everyone in Georgetown, SC knows this is a good idea. The sign is posted for our annual "visitors" - Gator Hunting Season just opened in the Lowcountry.

Hands of a Fisherman: McClellanville, SC

2008-09-25T04:26:00.001-04:00

Hands of a Fisherman: McClellanville, SC
Originally uploaded by huggingthecoast.com coastal food blog

Lowcountry Beauty - What our Founding Fathers Found

2008-09-25T04:25:00.001-04:00

West Ashley Park 5
Originally uploaded by huggingthecoast.com coastal food blog

Unspoiled, natural beauty!

That's what our Forefathers and first settlers must have found when they made their new home in the Lowcountry of our beloved South Carolina. It must have looked just like this...green, and serene.

Is this a photo from Charlestowne Landing, perhaps? No, just an undeveloped property in West Ashley.

Do you have waterfront property? What's your property appraising for these days? Get an appraisal.

A Lowcountry Seafood Tradition - How to Make SC Hush Puppies

2008-09-19T05:22:00.002-04:00

Fried Whiting and Hushpuppies From Marvin's Seafood, North Charleston, SC
Originally uploaded by huggingthecoast.com coastal food blog

If you're not from around here, this box of "fried stuff" might not seem like a big deal to you. But everyone in the Lowcountry knows that fried fish or shrimp and a big batch of Hush Puppies is comfort food to us. It's what we grew up on, too!

Charleston, and the rest of the Lowcountry that hugs our SC Intercoastal Waterways, is the lifeblood and livelihood of our hardworking, dedicated Fishermen and Shrimpers.

We are grateful to always be blessed with fish and shrimp...and round these parts...it's fresh, Buddy!

How to Make SC Hush Puppies

1 cup flour
1 egg
1 cup corn meal
15 oz can cream style corn
1 teaspoon salt
1 large onion chopped
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 jalapenos (chopped fine)

Mix together all ingredients. Spoon in hot cooking oil until your Hush Puppies are brown.

Now some folks do not use the cream corn, In that case add a little milk to the batter until it forms a soft dough - and fry it up as the recipe states.

Some Lowcountry folks add paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper and garlic.

For SC Cocktail Sauce just mix horseradish and ketchup, a dash of lemon juice and one shot of worcestershire sauce.

SC Rustic Charm and an Old Classic Car

2008-09-15T15:22:00.002-04:00

MG
Originally uploaded by D.S.OWENS

Everywhere you go in SC, you find small pieces of history.

If our buildings and structures could speak, what a tale they would tell! Even the well worn car ads to the charm in this photo.

When we see images like this as we drive by, we often joke and say, "Now there's a fixer-upper," but in reality, this was once someone's home...or a business. Now all that stands is a memory of days gone by.

There is a momentum gaining in the SC Lowcountry to capture old structures and commit their memory to photograph before they are no more.

DreamVest We Value South Carolina!

Hurricane Hugo Memorial, Charleston - South Carolina

2008-09-15T00:29:00.004-04:00

Hurricane Hugo Plaque, Charleston, South Carolina
Originally uploaded by hanneorla

Do you think that your insurance company will give you an equitable settlement and pay out adequately on your hurricane damage without a recent appraisal? Something to think about!

"Insurance Claims Appraisals are different from Residential Property Appraisals. Residential property appraisals establish the most probable price the property would bring on an open competitive market without undue stress or stimulus. Insurance Claim Appraisals establish what they believe your property is worth after the fact and what they would be willing to pay for the loss."

THE BEST APPROACH TO HURRICANE SEASON:

Protect your investment with a Residential and/or Commercial Property Appraisal now.

Get an interior and exterior appraisal inspection to document your property today. DreamVest tries whenever possible to make same day appraisals!

Know the reliable Market Value of your home or business today.

Take time to prepare for hurricane season so that "if" and when the worst case scenario comes to the Lowcountry again...you'll be ready. Everything can be replaced...but at what cost to you and yours?

In time of disaster, you need to know where your SC Property Appraisal is to support and document your loss.

DreamVest Appraisals - What our Logo Represents - History of the SC Flag

2008-09-14T14:17:00.004-04:00

Port Royal Fire Department
Originally uploaded by WillEckrich

"Image is everything," as the expression goes. Why do we love images of Fire Trucks and Fire Engines in South Carolina?

It's because of what they stand for! Fire Engines are a symbol of safety and security for us. They represent everything we love about order, cleanliness, strength, power, rescue, and integrity.

Notice on the SC Image on the Port Royal Fire Truck?
It's very similar to our Official DreamVest Appraisals Logo!
Why is the State Flag on this Engine? Why do we use such a powerful and inviting image to represent our Company?

SC Symbols - a little bit of interesting SC State Flag History Info:

South Carolina Flag Law
The following information was excerpted from the South Carolina Code of Laws, Titles 1, 4, 10, and 59.

TITLE 1. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 9. STATE EMBLEMS, PLEDGE TO STATE FLAG, OFFICIAL OBSERVANCES

SECTION 1-1-670. Official pledge to State flag.

The pledge to the flag of South Carolina shall be as follows:

"I salute the flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith."

Love. Loyalty. Faith. That's what living in the South Carolina Lowcountry means to us at DreamVest. What does living in Carolina mean to you?

Carolina Lowcounty Sunset Parris Island, SC

2008-09-14T13:38:00.002-04:00

Sunset outside Parris Island, SC
Originally uploaded by WillEckrich

History of the Parris Island, SC Depot

Marines were first stationed on Parris Island in 1891, in the form of a small security detachment headed by First Sergeant Richard Donovan. His unit was attached to the Naval Station, Port Royal, the forerunner of Parris Island.

Donovan's unit was highly commended for preserving life and property during hurricanes and tidal waves that swept over the island in 1891 and 1893.

Military buildings and homes constructed between 1891 and World War I form the nucleus of the Parris Island Historic District. At the district center are the commanding general's home, a 19th century wooden dry dock and a turn-of-the-century gazebo—all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

MCRD Parris Island: On November 1, 1915, Parris Island was officially designated a Marine Corps Recruit Depot and training was continued from then on. It's a Lowcountry Tradition of Honor.

SC Appraisers - DreamVest