Posts by : Adrianne Anderson

In 2005, my friend Gene Henry and I wanted to have a haunted house. We wanted to create a fun, scary event for locals and donate a portion of the proceeds to a children's charity. The perfect location for our dream was Conway's Lower River Warehouse. Built in 1890 and located on the scenic Riverwalk, it was 8,000 square feet of spooky opportunity. 

Starting a haunted house isn't easy. It especially wasn't easy in a small, conservative rivertown that wasn't sure if they wanted a late night attraction run by two 20 something year olds in city limits. The fun started with the special event application. Since we weren't a parade, outdoor concert or festival, no one with the city knew what to...

While a home’s decorative front doors attract most of the attention, garage doors are often ignored. Available in a variety of materials, finishes and colors similar to those of front doors, garage doors are coming into their own as an important design element. Along with front doors, garage doors create a unified style statement about your home.

Garage door materials fit all budget levels, and choices include steel, fiberglass, wood or aluminum. Glass windows or inserts are custom options. Another option to consider is insulation. Opening and closing garage doors several times each day will decrease your home’s energy-efficiency. Insulation may be the solution. This is especially true f...

It is estimated that 30% of a home’s heat goes out the windows. Is your home long overdue for replacement windows? The first thing you will want to do is assess all the windows in your home to know if it is time to replace some or all of them. As an additional incentive, the energy efficient home improvement credit allows homeowners to take advantage of a tax credit for qualifying home improvements. Here’s what to look for.

Broken glass or damaged window frames can leave space for unwanted and destructive insects such as termites to enter your home. Water seeping in from the outside can also create mold and mildew issues.

Wood rot or water damage on your window frames will not improve a...

Open shelving is as popular as ever given, its versatility and ability to adapt, to any kitchen style. Open shelving offers easy access to frequently used kitchen items. They also provide a place for displaying decorative items such as baskets, plates, and cookbooks that add a pop of personality to your kitchen.

An open-door policy

If you are only planning to include a shelf or two open shelving installation can be a simple DIY project You can choose interesting brackets or corbels made from metal, stone, or wood to finish the look. Directions and videos on how to install shelves are readily available on the web. However, for more advanced projects, you may want to consult with a contra...

While radiant bathroom floors have the appearance of a normal  surface, the real magic starts  below the surface. Radiant heating warms up the floor directly from below the floor’s surface.  Compared to traditional radiators which need to reach 167 degrees Fahrenheit to heat a room, radiant flooring only needs to get to around 84 degrees. The heat travels up through other objects in the room and warms the entire space.

Eliminating slippage and cold spots on radiant bathroom floors are just some of the many benefits.  Reducing moisture and mold growth and as well as being energy efficient are meaningful by products of having a radiant bathroom floor. Unlike other HVAC options, radiant und...

The wisdom of the past informs design in the present. For more than 6,000 years, the Chinese have been practicing the principles of feng shui, a tradition that seeks to bring together opposing forces in the world to create harmony and balance in homes. "Feng shui" translated into English is "wind" and "water" — two basic elements found in nature.

To achieve this harmony, interior designers decorate using the five feng shui elements of wind, water, fire, wood and metal. Each element symbolizes certain desirable qualities that we seek to make our lives fulfilling, such as balance, creativity, vitality and stability. The design begins with a bagua, or a map of a room divided into eight se...

As a local, a few things happen as summer comes to an end. One, the tourist season transfers from families on vacation to golfers and retirees. At the end of August and first few weeks in September, you can almost see the different school calendars across the nation reflected in wait times at restaurants and available parks at public beach accesses. By the end of September, the weather is perfect: mornings and evenings in the 70’s and highs in the mid 80’s. The water is still warm from the summer and often the storms in the Atlantic create some great waves for surfing. 

After Labor Day, our area ramps up with some amazing festivals and we’ll be sending out a schedule on our social media ...

What's going on around the Grand Strand this weekend? There are so many fun things to do, here are just a few of our favorites! Let us know if you'll be checking any out.

3rd Annual Beach & Chili Fest: https://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/.../beach-n-chili-fest

Vintage Market Days: https://vintagemarketdays.com/market/coastal-carolina/

Fall Food Truck Festival in Ocean Isle Beach: https://www.ncbrunswick.com/.../fall-food-truck.../2341/

Southern Palmetto Farms: https://www.southernpalmettofarms.com/

OPEN HOUSE! Join us this Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for an open house at 131 River Country Drive, Conway. This beautiful 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom home is located in River Country, a small, quiet neighborhood situated on Bear Bluff Road, just off Highway 90 and close to Highway 22 and International Drive. Make sure you stop by to see this beautiful home! Adrianne will be hosting and giving away gift certificates to Stella’s Homemade Ice cream and Cakes.

Tax notices are issued in the fall and should be arriving in your mailbox in the coming months. Taxes are due in January. If you haven’t already, there’s still time to update your home as a primary residence so you can qualify for the lower tax rate of 4%. Also, in the event you are 65 or older, totally disabled or totally blind, you qualify for an additional tax reduction via the Homestead Exemption. 

To apply for primary residence, you’ll need to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration to match your South Carolina address. You’ll also need to provide a copy of your most recently filed tax returns. Please don’t wait to make this update! Typically, your property taxes fo...

How do you approach a conversation with your parents about estate planning? For sure, you don't want to nag or become a nuisance, creating suspicions about your motives. By being open and honest about your concerns, you can allay their fears that this is only about interest in their money. Talk about the opportunities they wish they had as children that they'd want their kids and grandkids to have — the stories or lessons they wan t their heirs to hear and advice about finances they want to pass down.

Your parents understand their estate, so during your chat, ask them whether they have a list of names and contact information for doctors, attorneys, financial planners and accountants, ins...

It will be on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm for an open house at 145 Dots Court in Conway. This beautiful 4 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom home sits on an acre with NO HOA. You'll love the many upgrades the home is outfitted with. Located just a couple of miles from Highway 22, you have an easy drive to area beaches and are just 7 miles from Downtown Conway! Luke will be hosting.

Click here to know more!

It will be held this Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm for an open house at 5810 Crestwood Drive in Myrtle Beach. Creekfront estate with direct Intracoastal Waterway access available in Socastee. Make sure you stop in and see this gorgeous home! Adrianne will be hosting.

Click here for more info!

Whether you like to take long weekend trips to nearby locations or go on longer international adventures, travel is a high priority for many people. But while you're away, your empty home can attract unwelcome attention. Here are a few ways you can protect your home while you travel:

Make it look like someone is home

One of the most effective ways to deter burglars is to make it appear like someone is home. Leave on a light or two or set up timers for lights, or use a smart home system to control lights, TVs and appliances.

Ask someone to check on your home

Friends and neighbors are a useful resource for protecting your home while you're away. They can collect your mail, water your pl...

Kitchen appliances make your space function, but what happens if you need to replace them? How do you choose the best appliances for your kitchen? Here is a closer look at the major appliance purchases you might make and how to choose what you place in your kitchen.

Stove and oven

There are many options for stoves and ovens in your kitchen. Some designs split them as a wall oven or a cooktop, or you can get a combination range. If your home has natural gas, you can consider that option, though there is a push to eliminate natural gas appliances in the future. Electricity gives you the option of a standard or convection oven, like a large air fryer. You can have an electric cooktop or in...

What features are most important when purchasing a soaking tub? Having an outdoor tub in your garden or a large bathtub inside your home can do wonders for your well-being. But there are many different types of soaking tubs, so you'll want to choose what works best in your home. Here are some options to consider:

Freestanding tub

A popular trend in bathroom design now is a freestanding tub separate from a walk-in shower. This gives you flexibility and freedom to choose the design and placement that work for your bathroom. It also allows you to have a deeper tub so as to maximize soaking comfort.

Japanese-style soaking tub

Japanese soaking tubs are also often freestanding but tend to b...

Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, tax credits are available for making homes more energy efficient, using clean energy sources and retrofitting heating and cooling systems.

The energy-efficient home improvement credit has been raised to $1,200 from the $500 lifetime credit for installing new doors, windows, skylights, insulation and heat pumps. This credit equals 30% of the qualified expenditures you make, including home energy audits, building envelope components, and insulation or air sealing materials.

Home energy audits

The audit must include an inspection of your dwelling, including condominiums, used as your primary residence. You can use the credit for approximately 30%...

As a part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, replacing your furnace with a new heat pump can qualify you for rebates and tax credits that significantly reduce your costs. But even if you're looking for other types of heating and cooling for your home, when you need a new furnace, it's important to know your options. Here are some things you should consider before buying a new system:

Consider efficiency

The Inflation Reduction Act provides rebates and credits for the newest, most efficient heat pumps. Heat pumps are measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. The higher the number, the more efficient the system. Of course, a heat pump may not be the best solution fo...

Join us Saturday July 22, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm for an open house at 131 River Country Drive, Conway. This beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is located in River Country, a small, quiet neighborhood situated on Bear Bluff Road, just off Highway 90 and close to Highway 22 and International Drive. Make sure you stop by to see this beautiful home!

Click here for more info on 131 River Country Drive!

A sunroom is a wonderful space to enjoy the beauty of nature while still being protected from the elements. Maximizing this extra living space will be necessary for your comfort and enjoyment. Here are some tips on how to decorate a sunroom.

Choose comfortable furniture

Your sunroom should be a comfortable space to relax and enjoy the view. Choose comfortable furniture, such as plush sofas and chairs with soft cushions. Your room will be protected from the elements, so you don't have to select outdoor furniture unless you prefer it.

Add plants

Sunrooms are a perfect place for plants, as they provide natural light and warmth. Add potted plants, hanging plants or even a small garden t...