This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
VOL. 22, ISSUE 3 Winter/Spring 2011


EDITOR Brian Sherman


ASSOCIATE EDITOR Barbara Patrick


EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Stacy E. Domingo


ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Dana Coleman


CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stacy E. Domingo Carey Nikonchuk Barbara Patrick Patra Taylor Brian Sherman


PHOTOGRAPHY Harry “Fly” Taylor Norman LoRusso Brandon Clark


SALES MANAGER Brandon Clark


MEDIA CONSULTANTS Bill Cool Bert Wood


DISTRIBUTION Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million The News Group, Lively Distribution Joy Brown, Mobile Media Direct Mail, In-Room


INTERNET MARKETING George Conklin, Sherman Paggi, Dana Coleman


PUBLISHER Bill Macchio Publisher@MediaServices1.com


DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Carol Collins


OFFICES Merritt Island, Florida Wilmington, North Carolina Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina


CHARLESTON, SC OFFICE P.O. Box 22617 Charleston, SC 29413


INTERNET AND ADVERTISING INFORMATION (800) 433-7396 or (843) 881-1481 Publisher@MediaServices1.com www.MediaServices1.com


Carolina Homes & Interiors is published by Media Services, Inc., PO Box 22617, Charleston, SC 29413. Reproduction electronically or in printed form without the expressed written permission of Media Services, Inc. is strictly prohibited and in violation of U.S. copyright laws. © Copyright 2010 All rights reserved.


6


publisher’s note


painful and many are interesting, but most lead me to believe we are climbing out of the down real estate market. Don’t get me wrong: We’ve got a ways to go, but, from my vantage point, things are moving in the right direction. I can see some of you shaking your head and asking, “What are you seeing or hearing that I’m not?”


A


Banks are now taking a second look at foreclosing on properties. Tey are realizing that it would be better to process a short sale than to foreclose on a property. In many cases, it costs the banks more to maintain and market a property after foreclosure. Because the banks have changed their position a little, homes are now selling somewhat faster.


Another positive element is that sellers are becoming more realistic about pricing their properties. Tey are now more likely to listen to their real estate professional. Again, this means more homes are being sold. And, of course, low interest rates are having a positive effect on the housing industry.


For the most part, the condition of the housing market is a regional issue, and I think the Carolinas is among the healthiest regions in the country. Of course, baby boomers such as Tom and Barbara Arno, who you can read about on the next page, are driving second home and retirement home purchases. But there are other factors that make the Carolinas healthier than most areas of the country. It says a lot when names such as Google, Apple, Boeing, Carnival and a major PGA event make the Carolinas their home. For instance:


• Apple opened a 500,000-square-foot data center in Maiden, North Carolina. It is the largest data center in the country; • Google has opened two new data facilities in the last five years, one in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and the other in Lenoir, North Carolina; • Boeing is in the middle of a massive building program to complete its new 787 aircraft manufacturing plant in North Charleston; • BMW has announced plans to expand its Greenville, South Carolina, plant.


• Carnival Cruise Lines made Charleston, South Carolina, one of its new ports of call for 2010 and beyond. • South Carolina will host a major 2012 PGA event at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course.


It’s obvious that these industry leaders realize that South Carolina and North Carolina are great places to be. We offer a wonderful location, magnificent weather and a retirement-friendly atmosphere. What else could they ask for?


I sincerely hope you are enjoying our magazines and that our print and digital pages will give you a good idea of what the Carolinas are all about. You can visit our digital library of regional magazines, including past issues of Carolina Homes & Interiors and Coastal Million Dollar Homes, and help save some trees along the way, at www.


PointClickRead.com. Enjoy.


Bill Macchio Publisher


www.CarolinaHomesAndInteriors.com | www.WilmingtonBuilders.com | www.RetiringToSC.com


s I start writing my publisher’s note, I am hoping you’ll get something out of the time we spend together, whether it’s online or in print. I can’t help but think of all the stories I hear when I talk to my builder and realtor friends. Some are


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