RISMEDIA, May 20, 2010—Nationwide housing starts rose 5.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 672,000 units in April 2010 as the deadline for an important home buyer tax incentive arrived, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department.

“While some of the starts activity noted in the report reflected homes for which buyers had just signed a contract at the tail-end of the tax credit program, the rest was probably tied to builders replenishing their inventories in preparation for the post-tax credit era,” said Bob Jones, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “That said, builders are maintaining a cautious attitude with regard to new building as the economy and housing markets slowly recover.”

“The government’s latest numbers indicate that production of new single-family homes got a substantial boost in April as the tax credit program wrapped up and builders worked to resupply their depleted inventories,” agreed NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “As our latest surveys have indicated, builders are anticipating that factors such as low mortgage rates, attractive prices and the recovering employment market will replace the tax credit as incentives to buy. Meanwhile, the drop-off in building permits in April indicates that builders are working down the inventory of permits pulled in the previous month and taking care not to get ahead of the market. Builders also continue facing difficulty in obtaining project financing, which will limit the pace of a housing recovery.”

Single-family housing starts surged 10.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000 units in April, the strongest rate since August of 2008. Meanwhile, multifamily starts posted an 18.6% decline to a 79,000-unit rate, offsetting a big gain posted by that sector in the previous month.

Permit issuance, which can be an indicator of future building activity, declined 11.5% overall to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 606,000 units in April. This reflected a 10.7% decline to a 484,000-unit rate on the single-family side and a 14.7% decline to a 122,000-unit rate on the multifamily side.

Three out of four regions posted solid gains in new housing production in April. Combined single- and multifamily starts rose 23.9% in the Northeast, 16.7% in the Midwest and 7% in the South. The West registered a 13.3% decline.

Conversely, permit issuance was down in three out of four regions in April. The Northeast posted a 7.4% decline, the South registered a 14.3% decline and the West posted a 16% decline. Permit issuance remained unchanged from the previous month in the Midwest.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org

This article was published online in Rismedia.com’s information feed. It contains some great ‘Nuggets” for any seller considering investing dollars to enhance their home.

RISMEDIA, April 17, 2010—HouseMaster, a home inspection organization, urges homeowners to be proactive in making energy-efficient home renovations in order to receive the rebates outlined in President Obama’s new “Home Star Retrofit Rebate” program, recently introduced in Congress. If passed, the proposed $6 billion program could reduce energy costs for middle-class families by hundreds of dollars a year.

HouseMaster provides the following easy check-ups every homeowner can do to optimize the energy efficiency of their home:

Windows and Doors

Holes in windows and doors allow conditioned air to leak from your home and allow outdoor air to infiltrate, which can tax your heating and cooling systems and raise your energy bills. Caulk around windows and doors where there are gaps. Also caulk areas where plumbing lines or electrical wiring extend to the exterior of the home.

Floor and Wall Insulation

Insulation acts as a barrier to heat movement and helps keep any home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter—all while using less energy. Making sure insulation is used at potential gaps such as around an attic stairway or over the attic access door is important as well.

Shedding a Little Light on a Simple Solution

By replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents, you can use up to 75% less energy on lighting alone. A wide assortment of CFLs is now available for almost any type fixture found in a home.

Appliances and HVAC Systems

Your major household appliances are a good place to focus on to make your home more eco-friendly. Start by changing the filters of your HVAC systems regularly and consider upgrading older appliances to take advantage of newer, more efficient designs.

Buy a Programmable Thermostat

This energy-saving step can have a positive and noticeable impact right away. Programmable thermostats are fairly easy to install and once they are set up a homeowner can adjust them as the weather changes. For every degree that a thermostat is set back, you may realize a savings between 1-3% on your heating or cooling bills.

For my clients here in the Charleston area, following these guidelines not only increases their “buyer appeal” but sets them apart from the rest of the “inventory pool” in this market. It also gives us something to market that helps buyers make a decision. So consider these steps to help make your home Memorable and hire a Realtor. We really do make a difference.

In today’s interesting Real Estate Market, buyers have more homes to examine when they are in the “search mode” than ever before. Inventories are high and the selection for buyers is greater than ever. Now as a seller, just reverse the role for a minute and put on “buyer shoes”. Let’s suppose that you are looking to make a purchase and you have read that a home is “updated”. You go in to see this fine home but when you actually walk though the door, you notice small things that seem to be not just right. So you say that one word most dreaded by a seller: “NEXT”.

This is not to say that some sellers have great skills in Do It Yourself projects but they still do not do this for a living. It might be a prudent thought to spend a few more dollars and accomplish two things. Have the job done properly the first time and avoid hearing that one phrase all Do It Yourselfer’s dread most. Oops.

This excellent article written by Taylor Mueller appeared in the Rismedia.com news feed this morning and it is a very good read.

RISMEDIA, April 1, 2010—When it comes time to remodel, many homeowners think “do-it-yourself” or DIY is the smartest and most cost effective way to get the job done. And while popular TV shows on HGTV and publications at the home improvement store boast the ease of such projects, Jeff Brecko, vice president of Aurora Custom Remodeling, advises homeowners to take an in-depth look at their project and consider all options before tackling such a large undertaking.

“DIY projects can be great if you are taking on a small project, but when remodeling major portions of a home, such as a kitchen or bathroom, there are many structural and design elements that need to be considered,” said Brecko, who also serves as the 2010 chair of the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Remodeler’s Council. “Essentially, there are five aspects that must be considered when deciding whether to hire a professional remodeler versus doing the project yourself. Those aspects include design, quality, time, money and warranty.”

Brecko said the design aspect of a remodeling project is paramount to its success. A professional remodeler can take a homeowner’s idea and transform it into reality with an addition or renovation. The years of experience a homeowner gets when they hire a professional remodeler will make the project better and this expertise is invaluable in designing a project to fit within an existing structure and budget.

Quality is the next facet a homeowner must look at when remodeling. The quality of a professional remodeling job will be far superior to that which a homeowner will receive if this is their first time remodeling, Brecko said. Professionals are able to guarantee better subcontractors at better prices with better leverage. Though a homeowner may find excellent subcontractors by contacting friends who have remodeled, checking references and calling past clients, they are unlikely to secure the pricing and warranty a professional remodeler will command.

Everyone knows time is money, and that is especially true when it comes to remodeling. A professional remodeler will ensure the project stays on time and within budget by perfecting the plans before the job begins, creating a thorough scope of work, hiring the qualified subcontractors and vendors ahead of time and properly supervising the quality of work. If it is necessary for a client to move out of their home during the renovation, a professional remodeler can save them extended rental costs by maintaining a deliberate pace of construction according to a pre-planned construction schedule.

“Many remodeling projects become the victim of the best intentions,” Brecko said. “A professional remodeler will employ systems to ensure that the project stays on schedule to protect not only their bottom line, but more importantly, their reputation.”

The last aspect Brecko recommends considering on a remodeling project is the warranty that comes with a professional company. When homeowners hire a professional, they are buying a service more than a product. A professionally managed job will have quality built in and will require less maintenance and fewer warranty calls on products.

“When you hire a professional remodeling team, you can expect motivated individuals who desire your complete satisfaction,” Brecko said. “Homeowners deserve to have someone working on their home who has experience, knowledge and the wherewithal to back up their work and reputation.”

When you are considering a major project around the house, remember to contact your Realtor. We have over the years built wonderful relationships with contractors and can help you find a good fit for any job you may be considering. Realtors really can make a Difference.

As the deadline approaches for this wonderful opportunity to use the purchase of a home to produce a credit to help offset your tax liability, these 4 questions are in the forefront of potential buyers. Rismedia.com published this article online today assembled from information set out by the National Association of Home Builders.

RISMEDIA, March 29, 2010—As the April 15 deadline to file 2009 federal tax returns approaches, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is providing answers to some of the questions home buyers are most frequently asking about the home buyer tax credit.

“NAHB’s website that provides information about the home buyer tax credit, www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com, has received more than 8 million visits,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “We are doing everything we can to make sure home buyers are informed about this outstanding opportunity to benefit from buying a home before it expires April 30.”

Some of the more commonly-asked questions, and the answers, include:

1. How does a home buyer claim the tax credit?

The credit is claimed when the home buyer files or amends their federal income taxes. For qualifying homes purchased in 2009 or 2010, the taxpayer must complete IRS Form 5405 and attach a copy of the settlement statement. In most cases, the settlement statement is a properly executed Form HUD-1.

In circumstances where a HUD-1 is not provided, such as purchasing a mobile home or a newly constructed home, the IRS will accept an executed retail sales contract (mobile homes) or a copy of the certificate of occupancy (new homes).

2. Does the home buyer have to sell their current home in order to qualify for the $6,500 repeat home buyer tax credit?

A home buyer does not need to sell their current home in order to be eligible for the repeat buyer credit. They can continue to own both homes, and rent or use their former home for something else, as long as it no longer serves as their principal residence. The taxpayer is required to use the new home as their principal residence, and live in it for at least 36 months, or they will have to repay the credit.

3. Do married couples both have to meet the eligibility requirements in order to claim the credit, even if they file taxes separately?

Both spouses must fully meet all the eligibility requirements for either the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit or the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit, regardless of if they file joint or separate tax returns. However, if an unmarried couple purchases a home and only one person qualifies, the eligible person may claim the full credit.

4. Do all home purchases need to be completed by April 30, 2010, in order to be eligible for the credit?

There are two exceptions to the April 30 deadline. If the buyer enters into a binding contract by the deadline, they have until June 30, 2010, to complete the purchase. The deadline has been extended a year, to April 30, 2011, for members of the uniformed services, Foreign Service or employees of the intelligence community who have been on qualified extended duty outside the United States for at least 90 days between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010.

While this answers the top four questions, if you have additional questions, please contact your Realtor. We really can make a difference.

With three major events and more other great events scheduled around the big three, this is one of the busiest weekends all year for Charleston, South Carolina.

Let’s begin with the Cooper River Bridge Run/Walk. This event started in 1978 and now is one of the largest 10K races in the World.

A History of The Cooper River Bridge Run

At 10A.M. on Sunday morning, April 2, 1978, the starting gun was fired for the First COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN and the race began. Even at that time it was successful beyond the organizers wildest expectations. Or was it? The first race entry form had this prophetic line just under the race name: “…..destined to become a legend”.

Race director for the inaugural race, Keith Hamilton said that best part of the day for him was standing in the parking lot at Patriots Point after the race started and seeing the bridge covered with humanity. He said they had expected a maximum of 500 runners and that 340 had pre-registered.

As of this morning, we have just over 38,000 runners and walker registered. For complete information about the race please click here to go to the official site for the run.

So next we move to Summerville and the Flowertown Festival. In it’s 38th year this wonderful weekend long festival has more than 200 exhibitors set up and events scheduled for each day.

38th Annual Flowertown Festival…

Consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, the Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival has been a Summerville, South Carolina tradition since 1971. The three-day event features over 200 jury-selected artists from throughout the country who display their work for sale on the beautiful grounds of Azalea Park and on Main Street. Festival attendees also enjoy delicious foods from local restaurants at the Taste of the Town, fun activities and rides for children at the Children’s Jubilee and free admission and parking.

For complete details please click here.

And just when you thought the weekend was winding down you realize that the Annual Lowcountry Cajun Festival is happening on Sunday from noon until six when James Island County Park is transformed into a “Louisiana Treasure” as soon as you pass through the gate.

Celebrate Louisiana living and Charleston charm during the Lowcountry Cajun Festival at James Island County Park. Enjoy a full-day of Zydeco music, Cajun and Creole foods, children’s activities and all around ragin’ Cajun entertainment!

Full-bellied fun is what this festival is all about as local and regional chefs cook up a variety of mouth-watering foods. Savor the tastes of the South with authentic Cajun and Creole faire. Non-stop music throughout the day will keep your hips swingin’ and your toes tappin’.

For more information about the 17th annual event, please click here.

So on this Palm Sunday weekend, don’t sit home thinking “what can I do?”. Enjoy one or all of these great events that help to make Charleston, South Carolina such a wonderful place to live.

In this wonderful article written by Jean Patterson and published in Rismedia, Staging takes on a new light. Before we had often thought of staging a home meant that if the house was empty, furniture and accessories were brought in and the home was “staged” to show. Here, Jean goes on to help explain how you can Stage your home using your things to improve your Buyer Appeal on that ever so important first impression.

RISMEDIA, March 19, 2010—(MCT)

Want to sell your home? Get out the bucket, mop and Mr. Clean. The key to making a positive first impression is simple, said Sandra Rinomato, host of HGTV’s popular “Property Virgins” show.

“Get it clean, clean, clean,” said Rinomato. “If your house isn’t clean, it instantly sends up negative thoughts that the home is not well maintained. If your house is spotless, you’re ahead of the game,” she said.

But don’t stop there, advised Rinomato. To increase your chances of making a sale, “stage” the house to make it as attractive as possible. Until recently, “Staging meant pulling out all the stops—setting the dining table with your best china and crystal, arranging flowers, lighting candles,” she said. “Now we take the minimalist approach. Basically, you want to strip the house to its bare essentials, depersonalize it so potential buyers can superimpose themselves and their lifestyle on the house.”

Rinomato offered the following tips for staging a home:

1. Visit model homes and examine shelter magazines for inexpensive decorating ideas. Always keep in mind you are not decorating for yourself but for the general public.

2. Start with the outside. Give the house a fresh coat of paint, add shiny hardware to the front door and plant a few flowers to send a subliminal message the house is loved and well cared for.

3. Declutter every room to make it look larger. Get rid of family pictures, trophies and knickknacks. Closets and drawers should be no more than 30% full.

4. Invest in eco-friendly but bright lights. Open the drapes or remove them completely. “Light, bright rooms give the impression this is a happy place—and everyone wants to move into a happy place,” said Rinomato.

5. Feature only a few pieces of furniture with mainstream appeal. Pull pieces away from walls to make rooms look bigger.

6. Make sure a room’s primary use is obvious. A bedroom should look like a bedroom, not an office, hobby center or gym.

7. Bedrooms and kitchens are difficult to stage because they are in daily use, but make the effort. Clear everything off the counters and nightstands, roll up the rugs and hide the laundry hamper. Buff the cabinets with car wax and clean under the sinks. Invest in pristine white bed linens and towels.

8. Minimize the “pet effect.” Remove food bowls and litter boxes to the utility room. Deodorize thoroughly.

9. Organize the utility room and garage. Hang up the bicycles, roll up the hose. Renting a storage locker is worth the cost if it helps you sell faster and for a higher price.

10. Once your house is staged, invite your friends or Realtor over and walk them through to get an objective opinion.

By following these simple steps you will transform your home into a very Buyer Friendly experience. And always remember that first impressions really do make a difference. Be the home that is memorable and your home will sell faster. And that is a good thing.

When you have decided on the scope of work to be done to update your home, the next step is to find a reliable, dependable, honest and caring contractor.

And while that might seem like a huge task, the first person you might consider asking for advise is your Realtor. Oh, you don’t have a Realtor yet? Oh my, well then that is your first step. Find a really good one and keep them close. Feel free to call me at 843-330-8300.

We, as Realtors, do every day what you might do only a few times in your life. We help Clients buy and sell property. And in the course of doing that job, we encounter all aspects of ways to “skin the Real Estate Cat”. I have used three or four really great contractors who have done multiple jobs for past Clients. I select the one or two of them that seem to be a good fit for the work needed to be done. Then I introduce them to my Clients and schedule a meeting. At this meeting, the home owner has the time to show the contractor their home and talk about the work they feel might be important to do to update the house. This is a great happening because with your Realtor there and the contractor in the house at the same time, we can point out small things that you as the home owner might have overlooked and incorporate them into the scope of work. We might also be able to point out that while some of the items you are considering are great, they might not produce the marketability you wish and can be deleted from the scope of work.

Once this initial meeting is over, the contractor should prepare a written estimate detailing the scope of work and all costs. He should also make available to you other clients he has done work for in the past as references. Do Not consider anyone who is not willing to put what they are going to do in writing and who hedges on giving you references.

Also check out and make sure that they are licensed in your county to do the work on your home. Ask them about pulling permits and is that cost included in the written estimate. Also ask them about add-on’s and how they are billed. For example let’s suppose that you have chosen a particular type of granite for your counter tops and when you go to select the piece you want, you see another color that would be better for your kitchen and bathrooms. And it is more expensive. Know ahead of time how this is going to affect your costs. It’s like agreeing to disagree before you get started and it is just good, common sense.

Again, the involvement of your Realtor in this phase is a good thing. So, get it in writing, call the references, check out how overages are billed and then sit back and relax. Let the professionals do what they do best. Then you can enjoy the new upgrades and with the billing from the contractor you can prove that you really spent that extra money to help give your home more value and also help it sell faster.

Many homeowners are wrestling with this issue today. They find themselves in a position where there is more competition for the buyer’s dollar on the market than ever before. Owning a home that is somewhat dated, many sellers know that to sell their home faster, updating must be considered. So where should they invest their upgrade dollars to see the most desired benefit?

The two areas of a house that will produce the best results in it’s marketability are the kitchen and the bathrooms. One of the best ways to see what your competition has to offer is to view similar homes for sale in your area with your Realtor. Put on your Buyer’s Hat and see what other Buyers will see before they see your home. When you have been in four or five homes, then go back home and view your home with the same “eye” you just used to look at the “competition”.

This great article was written by Amy Hoak and appeared in the Rismedia feed for today.

5 Popular Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades

RISMEDIA, March 15, 2010—(MCT)—Instead of playing the trade-up game, more homeowners are staying in their homes, upgrading kitchens and baths and building additions to accommodate their needs instead of moving into a bigger house, but there are also some early signs of an improving real estate market, according to a new survey of architecture firms.

More architects say they’re seeing demand for and inquiries about home-remodeling projects, including kitchen and bath upgrades and home additions. And an increasing percentage of architects say business conditions in the first-time buyer and affordable home market also improved in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with the fourth quarter a year earlier, according to the American Institute of Architects’ Home Design Trends Survey. The survey of 500 residential architecture firms is conducted each quarter.

A net 28% of architects responding to the survey said they’re seeing greater interest among homeowners for kitchen and bath remodels, up from -16% a year ago, and a net 21% said demand for additions and alterations is improving, versus -14% a year ago. The survey figures are computed as the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement in business conditions minus those reporting a decrease.

Meanwhile, a net -4% of the architects surveyed said the market for homes for first-time buyers is improving, up from -65% a year earlier. A net -31% said the market for move-up homes is improving, compared with -71% a year ago.

“It’s still too early to think the residential market has fully recovered, but there are two encouraging signs—overall business conditions are far better than they were a year ago at this time, and we are seeing improvement in those housing sectors that need to lead a broader improvement in the housing market: remodeling and alterations of existing homes, and at the entry-level of the new construction market,” said Kermit Baker, chief economist of the American Institute of Architects.

Baker said homeowners are making improvements thoughtfully, not banking on recouping the entire cost at resale or over-improving with upscale features as they might have several years ago. And projects are typically smaller in scope these days. “The mentality is evolving that bigger isn’t better for my home, from an investment perspective,” Baker said.

As for first-time home buyers, Baker said that conditions are likely improving due to the first-time home buyer tax credit, low mortgage rates and the ability of these first-timers to buy a home without having to sell an existing home first.

For the most part, kitchens are being upgraded with practical improvements and features to make the space more usable. “A lot of the upscale stuff, like double appliances—two dishwashers or two refrigerators—or over-the-top appliances seem to have disappeared,” Baker said.

The five most popular kitchen products and features, according to the survey include:
-Recycling center, a designated place to put cans, papers, etc., which could be in the form of a nook or even part of the lower cabinetry
-Larger pantry space
-Renewable flooring materials
-Renewable counter top materials
-Computer area/recharging stations, dedicated to such tasks as recharging laptops, cell phones and PDAs.

The same desire for practicality and less glitz can be found in the bathroom. People are moving away from steam showers and towel-warming drawers and racks, and instead focusing on features that will help them better control their utility costs, Baker said.

The five most popular bathroom products and features include:

-Water-saving toilets
-Radiant heated floors
-Accessibility/universal design, or features that are adaptable and allow homeowners to age in place
-LED lighting
-Door-less showers.

The next step is to find the right contractor to do this work (when you decide the scope of work for your home). That will be part of Tomorrow’s topic.

So if you list now, and your home is in need of a little “update love” you have a better idea of where to best spend your dollars. And should you decide to wait until the market is stronger, it might be a worthy thought to upgrade now and enjoy those upgrades while the market strengthens.

Spend a Day on “the Edge of America”

Once a year, Folly Beach is transformed into a day long PARTY. This event has it all starting with a 5K run in the morning and migrating to a street festival (All of Center Street is closed and filled with Vendor, a Bandstand, Local Tents like Save the Light and so much more). There is live music from 10:00 AM until dark. Dancing in the streets and on the beach. In other words, it is a GREAT PARTY and one you should make sure is on your calendar.

This year, the Sea and Sand Festival is set for Saturday, April 17th, 2010.

The Annual Sea and Sand Festival is held each April in Folly Beach, SC. This year’s festival has been expanded to celebrate our 20th year. We will again have a concert on the Beach featuring Gary Roland and the Landsharks Band at 6:00 pm with a Jimmy Buffet Tribute. Parrot Heads are welcome!!

The event features the Folly Beach Art Guild, local artist, artisans, musicians and food and beverages by local restaurants as Center Street is transformed into a market and carnival from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

This is a family event with a climbing wall, pony rides, jugglers, face painting, jump castle, and children’s art. Bring the family for the fun. Activities start at 8:00 am with a 5k fun run, skate and walk. The festival ends at sunset on front beach with dancing in the sand.

This event is sponsored by the Folly Association of Business and the City of Folly Beach. Proceeds will go to support local charitable causes.

For information and to see more about each event please click here.

Parking is always a challenge so please plan ahead, go early, have patience and enjoy a GREAT Funky Folly Experience. See you there.

Each Spring, I volunteer as a Senior Docent with the Historic Charleston Foundation to help them with their Annual Garden and Home Tour. This year, I was fortunate to be assigned to 47 Gibbes Street in Historic Charleston; the home of Holly Herrick. Holly is the author of Charleston Chef’s Table Cookbook. She has also written “Southern Farmers Market Cookbook” and many fine articles about food and cooking published just about everywhere.

For this tour, to be held on March 20th (from 2-5) and again on March 23rd (from 2-5) the folks touring this home will have a chance to meet the author and purchase a signed copy of the cookbook to take with them as a great memory of Charleston.

“THE CHARLESTON CHEF’S TABLE: EXTRAORDINARY RECIPES FROM THE HEART OF THE OLD SOUTH”

Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef and acclaimed food writer Holly Herrick’s second book is published by Three Forks Press on December 22, 2009. Titled “Charleston Chef’s Table: Extraordinary Recipes From the Heart of the Old South,” Herrick’s latest work is an epicurean love letter to the city she calls home. Profiling over 60 of Charleston’s top restaurants and including recipes from each, Herrick’s discerning eye and palate lead readers on a tour of the city and how its culinary history continues to inform the eateries there today. “Charleston is a magical place for many reasons,” Herrick says, “but its food is a definite highlight. I wanted to give everyone a taste of what it’s like to live—and eat—here.”

The Book

“The Charleston Chef’s Table” follows the publication of Herrick’s first book, “Southern Farmers Market Cookbook” (Gibbs Smith), a guide to farmers’ markets throughout the Southern U.S., which featured over 75 recipes utilizing locally grown produce. “South Carolina was, of course, a part of my first book, and since I’ve lived in and love Charleston and its unique history—particularly its culinary history, I wanted to showcase the city and show others what’s so special about the food here,” Herrick explains.

The 208-page “Charleston Chef’s Table” is laid out to highlight Herrick’s picks of the most interesting restaurants in the city, including a signature recipe from each, as well as full-color photographs of the spaces and the food they serve. As a trained chef and a longtime Charleston resident who’s worked as a food writer for a numerous local, regional, and national publications, Herrick brought her expertise and her culinary knowledge to the writing process, including details on the city’s 300-year history, which she sprinkles throughout. She highlights everything from roadside dives to upscale eateries, with styles as diverse as Southern to Chinese, with the cumulative effect being one of showing how and why Charleston has become a dining mecca.

The Recipes

The recipes included in “The Charleston Chef’s Table” are signature dishes from the array of restaurants Herrick highlights. They allow readers the opportunity to re-create special meals in their own home and a chance to savor a little bit of Charleston in the process. Consider Bertha’s Kitchen’s secret recipe for fried chicken or Virginia’s on King’s silky, sweet version of She-Crab Soup just to whet your appetite, and that’s just for starters. Top it off with Trattoria Lucca’s Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnudi with House-Made Italian Duck Sausage and Grandma Volpe’s Tomato Ragu and Ocean Room Prime’s Tatar Tots and Caviar, and you’ve got a meal made in Charleston heaven. And, there is so much more.

The Author

Originally from New England, Herrick got her start as a writer at Boston College, where she majored in journalism and communication and graduated cum laude in 1987. Upon graduating, Herrick worked in advertising sales for Ziff-Davis and relocated to Minneapolis with her husband. In 1990, she began attending cooking classes and more seriously poring through cooking magazine, stoking her growing love for work in the kitchen. When she had the opportunity to meet Julia Child at a food and wine festival, she asked the legendary chef the best way to get credentials to become a food writer. Child told her to “get to Le Cordon Bleu.”

Taking Child’s advice, Herrick attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, receiving Le Grande Diplome in pastry and cuisine and graduating fourth in her class. Herrick went on to complete a stage at Fauchon in Paris under celebrated Pastry Chef Pierre Hermé and Chef de Cuisine Christian Garreau, and worked in Fauchon’s catering kitchen and Restaurant 30.

After returning to Minneapolis, Herrick worked as a line cook and pastry consultant at Azur and D’Amico Cucina restaurants, and taught at local cooking schools Crocus Hill and Byerly’s. In addition, she planned and led culinary tours in Paris and South Central France, and began regularly contributing to magazines such as Cooking Pleasures and Minnesota Monthly.

Relocating to Charleston in 2000, Herrick began working as a staff writer and restaurant critic for the city’s only daily newspaper, The Post and Courier, for which she won the award for “Best Newspaper Series, Special Sections, and Special Projects” from the American Association of Food Journalists in 2006. Herrick also began freelancing in 2006 and has since written for numerous publications, including Low Country Living, Southern Living, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, and Graffiti, among others. Her first book, “Southern Farmers Market Cookbook,” was published in spring 2009. Now a Charleston resident for nearly 10 years, Herrick’s love affair with her adopted home continues. She lives there with her chocolate cocker spaniel, Tann Mann, and her tortoise-shell cat, Chutney. When she’s not working, she can be found on the tennis court and, of course, enjoying Charleston’s myriad restaurants.

The Details

“The Charleston Chef’s Table,” by Holly Herrick (ISBN 978-0-7627-5010-8, $24.95, hardcover), is published by Three Forks Press and is available December 22, 2009. For more information, please visit www.hollyherrick.com or www.globepequot.com.