Keeping Cool on a Budget

Memorial Day was the unofficial kick off to the summer season and the temperatures are here to prove it!

Here are some tips for how to keep your utility bills from getting out of control while you try to stay cool!

• Remove debris from around your outside air conditioning unit. Look for grass, weeds, dirt and leaves.
• Change the air filters in your home regularly.
• Use your ceiling fans and make sure they are blowing the right way. The air should be blowing down.
• Close the registers in unused rooms to keep from cooling unoccupied space.
• Use a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature for when you're home or away.
• Make use of drapes and blinds to keep out some of the sunlight.
• When replacing light bulbs, choose LED lights that give off less heat.

What tips and tricks do you use to keep cool during these southern summers?

New Home Sales Rise in April

There's more good news for the housing market and new homes in particular.

According to HUD and the US Census Bureau, sales of new, single-family homes rose by 2.3 percent in April. Regionally, new home sales rose 3 percent in the South.

A quote from an article by the National Association of Home Builders reinforces this positive message. “Today’s report is further evidence of the gradual, consistent improvement we have been seeing in housing market conditions over the past year,” noted NAHB Senior Economist Robert Denk. “We’re now about half-way back to what could be considered a full recovery, and we do expect to see continual, solid gains in both starts and sales of new homes going forward.”

Interest rates remain low and house prices are trending upwards and inventory remains tight.  Now is the time to buy!

To read the full article from the National Association of Home Builders please click HERE. 

Home Appreciation Research

New research from Zillow suggests that home values will continue to appreciate, on average up to 5% through 2013.

This result is based on a survey conducted by Zillow and distributed to economists, market and investment researches and real estate experts.

With interest rates still low and home prices remaining stead, this is a great time to buy a home from Galloway Family Homes.

To see the full results of Zillow's survey visit their research website. 

Now Building in Darrell Creek!

Galloway Family Homes is excited to have construction underway on new homes in Darrell Creek - one of Mount Pleasant's exclusive communities.

Darrell Creek is located off highway 17, minutes away from Towne Centre shopping and Isle of Palms.

Neighborhood amenities include a pool, dock, lagoons and marsh view.

Galloway's homes are in the early stages of construction so there's still time to choose your colors and options.  Come see for yourself!

Directions: Head northwest on Interstate 526 E. Take exit 28 for Long Point Rd. Turn left onto Long Point Rd/State Rd S-10-97. Turn left onto US-17 N. Turn left onto Darrell Creek Trail.

Contact: Chris Eller
Carolina One New Homes
(843) 343-3359
CEller@CarolinaOnePlus.com

Special Incentive in Cedar Grove

For a limited time, Galloway Family Homes is offering $10,000 in Flex Dollars on the following, quick move-in homes.



5403 Clairmont Lane
5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths with Loft
3 Car Garage
3,395 sq. ft.
$334,990

5410 Clairmont Lane
5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths
3 Car Garage
3,429 sq. ft.
$349,990

5401 Clairmont Lane
5 Bedroom, 3 Baths
3 Car Garage
3,448 sq. ft.
$339,990

Directions: I-26 to Ashley Phosphate Road to Dorchester Road. Right on Dorchester Road, go 3 miles, left into Cedar Grove. Or, I-26 to Hwy 78 to Ladson Road. Take Ladson Road to the end, left on Dorchester Road. Go 3 miles make right into Cedar Grove.

Contact: Chris Eller
Carolina One New Homes
(843) 343-3359
CEller@CarolinaOnePlus.com

Local Eats

Galloway Family Home's neighborhood Cedar Grove is located in North Charleston near shopping, entertainment and dining.

Today we'll focus on a nearby pizza hot spot for those of you looking for weekend plans - Steel City Pizza!

Just down the road from Cedar Grove is Steel City Pizza - found at 8600 Dorchester Rd. Steel City Pizza is owned by Pittsburgh natives (hence the name) who brought their passion for pizza to the Lowcountry.   A quote from the owners on their website states it simply; "Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, we were highly influenced by the passion for food and the ethnic and regional diversity of our hometown, as well as, the entire Northeast.  Our desire is to bring this quality, diversity, and passion  for food to your neighborhood and to your friends and family."

Pizzas are cooked in a stone hearth cooking chamber and feature such specialty toppings as "Meatball Parmesan", "Butch's BBQ Chicken", "Mega Meaty", and "Ultimate White".

To find out more about eating in, deliver and catering - as well as the many options other than pizza, visit their website at www.steelcitypizza.com.