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A True Tennessee Classic

Perusing the Island Packet each morning can be depressing at times with all the bad things going on in our world. But every so often an article is written that "stands out" and should be picked up by the Associated Press and "spread" around the world. The included story by Lee Stokes is one of them.....
Lee Stokes just happens to be from one of my favorite states, Tennessee. There's something homey and wholesome about folks from that state and quite frankly I have never met a person from Tennessee I didn't like. Now I have never met Lee but when I do I am sure to be met with a firm handshake and smiling eyes.

As for the "Story", it touched my heart and brought me back to times when I grew up on a small farm in South West Pennsylvania. All that is left of the farm is an old barn foundation, but till this day, I can smell that special aroma of of just cut hay and Aunt Nellie's home made muffins.

"The beat goes on" and time "flies"....... but I will always remember this story that brought a tear to my eye and spoke to my heart. I will store it away for future Holiday seasons and share it with special friends. Thanks Lee for a "True Tennessee Classic".

Low Country Joe
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Being home for holidays stirs up those fond memories

By LEE STOKES

Published Saturday, November 24, 2007

I just love the holidays and hope you and yours had a meaningful Thanksgiving.

I'm spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Tennessee, getting some well-needed rest and visiting the stomping grounds of my youth. There is a consensus among many of my family members that the time could have been more fruitful had I concentrated more on my books and less on the outdoors. But such was not the case, and many days found me looking for an excuse to escape. With so much to offer, it just seemed a waste of time to be confined within four walls when the entire classroom lay just beyond the schoolyard.

I stopped at the corner, where Mr. Reginald once had a store at this spot. The smells of sawdust and pickles seemed to fill my nostrils once again, and I yearned for days of nickel sodas and peanuts. Down the road a bit stood the remains of Aunt Bertie's house, where we could always grab a slab of pie and cold milk on the way to the fishing hole. It seems odd somehow that so many old chimneys stand alone in fields and on empty lots as if to mark where memories linger.

The sounds of dogs in the distance remind me of Uncle Grover. The man could literally convince a dog to be a retriever, whether it was in the animal's bloodlines or not. I recall a very angry northern gentleman with a champion pointer having a few words with Uncle Grover after one particular hunt. In the laid-back style common to his Southern persuasion, my uncle simply told him, "The dog will do what is in its nature to do; we just have to hope it's the nature we want to pursue." Many good dogs -- from sooners to curs -- were brought to find their true calling under the hand of Uncle Grover.

Time has a way of rushing forward, often with such speed and intensity it's as if we are standing still. But progress fills the void, and reality soon returns us to the present. A lot can be said for those times and for those fortunate enough to have been a part of them. It has been said you can never go home again. Perhaps. But I found my true blessing lies in my heritage, and I am thankful to so many for aiding in my development.

The path may have been one chosen for me long ago, but the decision to follow was mine alone. And for those that were so much a part of the forging, I am truly grateful and will always know the time as the better blessings of my life.

Great Press for Daufuskie Island's Haig Point (TWO ARTICLES)

Hello from Daufuskie Island....

Last Sunday I picked up a copy of the New York Times....discarded the "front page/editorials and went straight to the Travel Section. Considering the fact that I recently purchased a number of properties on Canada's incredably beautiful Maritime Island of Prince Edward, I was delighted with what I saw. There for the whole world to view was a FULL page on Prince Edwards delectable mussells and oysters written by Frank Bruni, New York Times restaurant critic. And that aint all....continued on page nine (9) and ten (10) were two more FULL pages all done up in brilliant color. That's probably close to One Million bucks worth of free advertising for one of the best kept Island secrets in the world.

The day after Thanksgiving I picked up a copy of Hilton Heads, Island Packet, scanned the second page and with pleasant surprise found not one (1) but two (2) great articles on Daufuskie Island's Haig Point written by long time editor David Lauderdale and a relative newcomer Jim Faber.  Considering the fact that my Bride and I are ten (10) year members, I was delighted by what I saw. There for the world to see was two wonderful articles  about our brand spanking new ferry, completely renovated Rees Jones golf course and stately new beach club. Now that wasn't worth New York Times advertising bucks but considering I am paying for all this new stuff I will take all the free advertising I can get. Plus that, we also just happen to be one of the best kept Island secrets of the world.

So without further ado.....I present to you the "Power of the Press".............

FIRST ARTICLE

How Cajun culture arrived on Daufuskie Island

By DAVID LAUDERDALE
dlauderdale@islandpacket.com

Published Friday, November 23, 2007

Daufuskie Island is anchored in the Lowcountry sand, but when you get out on the water, it's swimming in Louisiana etouffee.

When a new ferry was delivered to Daufuskie last week, it renewed a 21-year bond between the island with no bridge and Loreauville, La., a tiny village in the heart of Cajun country.

The Haig Point IV is the third ferry built for Daufuskie's Haig Point development by Breaux Brothers Enterprises on the banks of Bayou Teche.

Two more ferries serving the Daufuskie Island Resort & Breathe Spa were crafted by Breaux Brothers. And when cousins Vic and Brannon Breaux, who run the business, saw the big, blue vessel cruising toward Freeport Marina, they said it was made by their grandfather.

A lot has changed since the Haig Point I made the trip from the bayou to the fledgling Daufuskie development in 1986.

About 500 people reveled in the woods on Daufuskie as the original developer, International Paper, celebrated the arrival of the boat like it was a first-born son. Then, as now, a new boat was a symbol of grand new possibilities. And it was a way to sell real estate.

The Breaux brothers themselves, Vance and Ward, were at that party, dark hair combed straight back and thick gold chains sparkling beneath their open shirts. They brought a big grin, a funny accent and an infectious laugh. More important, they got through the Atlanta airport with 150 Mason jars full of crawfish etouffee made by their mother, Myrtle.

And the Lowcountry two-stepped into the world of a sister culture on another shore. As it has turned out, it was more than a one-night fais do-do.

Myrtle, who they called "the chairman of the board," has passed away. And Vance and Ward have retired, leaving it to their sons to keep the money flowing.

"They pretty much said they were going huntin', and didn't come back," said Vic.

"They show up once a month, chew us out and leave," said Brannon.

New Iberia Parish, better known for its legendary Tabasco pepper sauce than its three boat yards, dodged both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Sugar cane still grows tall, and Breaux Brothers is slammed. It has $165 million worth of business on order. Instead of pleasure boats, today's demand is for boats at least 165 feet long for the oil industry to feed an ever-increasing international thirst for offshore crude. Those customers don't have time to celebrate a new boat.

On Daufuskie, it's a whole different story.

Today, David Thornton manages seven Haig Point vessels and 15 captains who ply Calibogue Sound and Broad Creek day and night, year-round. More than 100 Haig Point members lined the dock last Friday as their new 55-foot baby led a parade of boats toward them, horns blaring. Gumbo, dirty rice and steamed oysters waited for them on the hill as the Lowcountry Boil band resined up their bows.

But first Pat Huff, whose husband, Wayne, is president of the club, stepped to the white vessel with green trim, a bottle of champagne in her hands.

It was a very Lowcountry moment.

Everyone howled when Pat somehow managed to clang the bottle unharmed into the Cooper River.

Laisser les bons temps rouler, y'all.

SECOND ARTICLE

Daufuskie community christens new ferry, begins building clubhouse

By JIM FABER
jfaber@islandpacket.com
843-706-8137

Published Friday, November 23, 2007

DAUFUSKIE ISLAND -- Last week was a busy one for Haig Point on Daufuskie Island.

And, this week is pretty big, too.

On Nov. 15, the private community reopened its 20-hole golf course after a $5 million restoration overseen by designer Rees Jones.

On Saturday, the community's newest ferry, the Haig Point IV, came across from Savannah.

And today, Haig Point will hold its official groundbreaking ceremony for its new beach club, which will serve as a dining hall and meeting place for residents of the secluded community.

Community general manager Mark Nordman played the restored Haig Point golf course last week with Jones. The course was ranked No. 71 for best residential golf courses in the country by Golfweek last year.

"We're putting back the nuances, keeping the character (of the course) that was originally put in 21 years ago," said Jones in a statement.

Nordman said about 140 Haig Point members played the private course during last week's opening. The restoration added 250 yards to the course, expanded greens and reconstructed bunkers. The course closed in January for the restoration.

The $5 million spent on the course was just a fraction of the $15 million improvement plan owners approved in 2005.

Another $1.6 million went to buy the Haig Point IV from Breaux Brothers Enterprises in Louisiana. The 55-foot ferry will be able to take 100 passengers from Haig Point to the community's embarkation point on Hilton Head Island.

The additional ferry will eventually allow for an expanded travel schedule for Haig Point residents, Nordman said.

In the meantime, a $1 million program to upgrade and refurbish Haig Point's existing ferries will start soon.

Haig Point I and II date from the opening of the community, and this will be the first full-scale refurbishment for both, Nordman said.

With the restored golf course open for play and the new ferry in service, the next piece of the Haig Point

improvement plan will get started today. That's when ground will be ceremoniously broken on the $1.9 million, 3,000-square-foot beach club.

The new club will be next to the existing club, but will be on a grander scale. The two-story club overlooking the Calibogue Sound is expected to be completed next summer, Nordman said.

Haig Point is a 1,150-acre private club and community accessible only by boat. Members use golf carts and bicycles for transportation because there are no cars at Haig Point. The community was founded in 1986. In 2001, it became member-owned when International Paper Realty passed control to property owners.

Bring on the Euro and Canadian Dollar...Ehhh!

Holy Euro Batman......Check out the following AP article re: foreign investment in US real estate. The savvy folks from my favorite Country, Canada, and my friends across the pond are purchasing at incredable low prices with very strong currency. Now this is a very timely article to me, considering last week I sold two homesites on Daufuskie.....one to a lovely lady in Canada and another to a lovely Lady in England. And it just so happens that a RE/Max friend on Hilton Head just sold a home last week to a Canadian. Now that sounds like a "trend" to me!!!!

Now I did not go to school to eat my lunch....so where do you think I am going to put all of my internet and media adverting....you got it, Europe and Canada. I have been beating the drum re: the Baby Boomer's driving the future market, but for some reason American folks just dont seem to be listening. So....Canadian and English flags will prevail at www.LowCountryJoe.com and the great deals and best buys will go to them. Already it takes consideably more "bucs" to buy at Bloody Point and the same will happen to the rest of Daufuskie and the Lowcountry very soon if the AP article is even half correct....

The bottom line is, if you have been considering purchasing, please read the following article intently, listen closely to the financial markets and give me a call. The weakening dollar is making it more expensive for my Bride and I to visit my cottage way up North in Prince Edward Island, Canada but, in 2008, foreign investment looks to increase dramatically in the Lowcountry and my sales will surely increase as well. So...... I wont feel as bad when I do my money exchange for the pretty picture of the Queen on it when I return in the Spring.

Have a great day, Ehhhhhhhhhh....

LCJoe

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AP
Foreign Cash Could Boost Housing Market
Saturday November 10, 2:35 am ET
By Stephen Bernard, AP Business Writer

Foreign Cash Could Provide Much Needed Relief for U.S. Housing Market Thanks to Weak Dollar

NEW YORK (AP) -- The weakening dollar has caused many problems for consumers, but it may also be providing the fuel for one unintended -- and very welcome -- benefit: a rally in the struggling housing market driven by foreign investors.

ADVERTISEMENT

For an individual or developer trying to sell a home, interested buyers are just as likely to already have a place in London or Paris as they are to be first-timers new to the market.

"European investment is likely to pick up," said Mark Vitner, chief economist for Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia Corp. "Now is the time to come over and take advantage."

The theory goes that foreign investors step in and replace first-time home buyers who have been squeezed out of the housing market during the recent downturn. These new investors in turn allow current homeowners to sell and trade up to larger homes.

That will help restart owners moving up the housing ladder, a process that had been key to economic growth in recent years.

Some mortgage brokers are already seeing a boost in inquiries about buying property from overseas. Dan Green, a certified mortgage planning specialist and author of TheMortgageReports.com, said the number of inquiries he's received from outside the U.S. is probably five to 10 times larger than it was a year ago.

A boost in the number of homebuyers would provide needed relief for the beleaguered housing market.

Home sale prices fell every month in 2007 through August, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller index. Existing home sales have declined for eight straight months through September, according to the National Association of Realtors.

As the housing market has plummeted, the dollar has also sunk to record lows compared to other currencies, such as the euro, meaning more spendable cash in the U.S.

"The dollar is on sale," said Susan Wachter, a professor of real estate at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Today, a foreign buyer would need only 34,100 euros to make a $50,000 down payment on a house. At the beginning of the year, the same buyer would have needed 37,920 euros to make the same down payment.

The influx of foreign investors can help set a floor for the real estate market, Green said.

Because lending guidelines have been so restricted in recent months due to rising delinquencies and defaults, it is more difficult for U.S. customers to get a home loan. First-time homebuyers are especially being squeezed right now, Green said, and that is where the foreigners can provide support.

For investors from countries like Ireland, the exchange rate is providing a boost in spending power, said Phillip Hegarty, the sales director for Castleroc Estates, a Dublin, Ireland-based firm that works with Irish investors to buy residential and commercial real estate in the United States.

"It's an enticing investment," Hegarty said.

Hegarty said there is plenty of demand for investment in locations like Chicago and New York, and often that demand exceeds supply.

But New York and Chicago are not the only locations likely to provide popular options for foreign investors. Places like Florida and California are likely to see a surge in foreign investment.

"In a market with great turmoil, (the weak dollar) is one factor supporting some key markets," Wachter said of the weakening dollar.

Wachter said markets like Miami and San Francisco, which are under pressure from the U.S. slowdown, are increasingly being supported by foreign investors.

What's under King Tut's Mask?

I was all prepared this morning to pontificate and elaborate about Judge Marvin Dukes, Beaufort Counties Master in Equity. He's the Dude that presides over foreclosures in our esteemed County and said some very interesting stuff re: real estate in Sunday's Island Packet.  But "No" you will have to wait to hear what the shrouded public servant said in a future blog because of a front page article in this morning's "Monday" Island Packet.  You see....after a fantastic ferry ride and five cups of heavily laden caffeine coffee topped off with a double shot of Starbuck's expresso once on the Mainland, I am ready to challenged the real estate world.....to climb the tallest Carolina lolly pine in sight and shout to the world why folks should buy "NOW" in this very special place in the world. I am ready to put on my bloggin' hat and fire up the old Dell like it has never been fired up before and to BLOG....But I have found from experience that I only have one good blog in me per day and this is it.

I really have never been enamored by the Island Packet newspaper ever since, years ago,  they took the paper's symbol of an authentic Lowcountry lookin' kind of boat and replaced it with a pic of a vessel that looks like it just came out of Asia. And they seem to pe predominated with presenting negative thoughts and feeding on sensationalism in their daily rag. But talk about "morbid sensationalism"..... On the front page, right under  a "Crackdown in Pakistan" is the heading "What's Under Tut's Mask". Featured is a gold pic of Tut's sarcophagus with a closeup of Tut's 3000 year old leathery black face with holes for eyes.....and they just happen to mention the poor nineteen year old kid had buck teeth, like we really need to know....Now it's not the article that starts my blogging instincts a "stir". Actually it was a pretty interesting summary of a guy thats been dead so long. Its the Headline..."What's Under Tuts Mask?"......Daahhhh....It's KING TUT you blithering Associated Press PINHEAD.....who do you think they would find under all that gold ....."Jimmy Hoffa"........

Oh well.....now that I got that out of my system, its time to get back to my morning routine, update "Fresh Daily" sales stats on LowountryJoe.com, have another cup of coffee and get back to the business of sellin' real estate. But I just can't keep wondering why Tut's wife, Aukhesenamum, never insisted he had his teeth fixed.

Fed Cut is Good News for Those Who Act Fast

Thanks to Sue Ann Hess from Mortgages Unlimited/Wells Fargo for the following...

Today the Fed announced its second consecutive decrease in rates, cutting another 0.25% from the Fed Funds Rate. This change could directly impact millions of American borrowers.

Are you one of them? 

Adjustable Rate Mortgages
If you currently have an ARM that is scheduled to reset in the next 14 months, then today's news is good for you. Now is the time to investigate your options. Even if you have a pre-payment penalty or you're behind in your payments, don't delay. There may still be options available to get you out of your ARM and into a mortgage you can afford, including FHA or the new FHASecure program introduced by the President.

Important: The FOMC does not meet in November, so ask yourself this: Can you really afford to roll the dice until its next meeting in mid-December? 

Buying at the Bottom of the Market
If you're looking to invest in real estate in the next six to twelve months, and recent rate cuts have inspired you to start taking action, now is the time to prepare yourself for intense credit scrutiny. There are a lot of great real estate deals to be had today. But if your credit doesn't stand up in today's tight-fisted credit environment, then you could easily miss out on an exceptional opportunity.

What's the point of taking advantage of discounted home prices if you can't qualify for the right mortgage or interest rate that makes it all worthwhile? Get pre-approved now and know exactly what you can afford. And with the right REALTOR® on your side, you can have incredible negotiating power in a buyers' market!