Barbara Newton, REALTOR®
Agent Owner, The AgentOwned Realty Co.

sites, friendliness, lodging, restaurants and shopping. The Holy City was beaten out by Florence, Italy which holds the No. 2 spot and Sydney, Australia, which tops the list as world’s best city.

In the United States, the Holy City has been floating near the top of luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler's annual Reader's Choice Awards since 1993. For the past three years, Charleston has held the No. 2 spot. This year, however, Charleston has taken over the top spot and is now nationally known as the No. 1 tourist destination in America.

In addition to Charleston getting top honors, Kiawah Island was voted into the No. 3 spot on "America's Top 10 Islands" list. Cnngo. has the exciting news - read it here.

You can take a look at the Reader's Choice Awards in its entirety here. There was some nice reporting in the Post and Courier on the award, as well as having some reactions from local tourism organizations.

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Charleston, SC is a GREAT place to live! This beautiful city charms so many people who come to visit. Steeped in history, Charleston is also complimented with modern day necessities such as state of the art medical facilities, and a top notch college in the center of the city. The breathtaking vistas of the "Lowcountry", magnificent gardens, multiple beaches, world renown resorts, and our famous hospitality beckons our guests to return time and time again; so much so, many of us decide to make it our home.

Our warm climate allows for year round outdoor actvities - golf, tennis boating, fishing - you name it. For those of you who don't already know, we have plenty of spectator sports as well. We have a minor league baseball team and hockey team, an A-league soccer team, and championship level college basketball and high school athletics. As host of the annual Family Circle women's tennis tournament, we give the sport's highest ranked competitors and their fans a chance to fall in love with Charleston, too. Golf tournament fans have enjoyed some of the world's best at Kiawah Island's magnificent Ocean Course, which has played host to the 2007 Senior PGA Championship, the 2003 World Cup, and the 1991 Ryder Cup.

If you’ve made the decision to move here, or if you are a current resident whose changing needs means selling your current home and buying another, it’s important to choose an experienced REALTOR® to help you in the transition. I’ve been a real estate agent since 1978, and have worked in multiple facets of the real estate industry which has given me a broad knowledge base to utilize in assisting my clients. If you want more details of my career, click on the “About Me & AgentOwned” button, but this web site is about helping YOU. So, I hope you find the pages of this web site to be enjoyable, and they will provide you with helpful information. Please email or call me if I can answer questions or help you in any way.

Interested in buying? You've come to the right place! If you are looking for your first home, it’s an exciting time, and you probably have lots of questions…ask them all! I am happy to spend all the time needed to help you understand the process of moving toward home ownership; including the mortgage process. Owning a home is a wonderful first step in moving toward a more secure future.

If you are ready for another home to accommodate an expanding family, or to make that "move up" you've been working so hard to achieve, I can help you find you the perfect home. There are many charming homes close to the city (inside 526) that may suit your needs, or a wide assortment of brand new homes in the various suburbs.

Thinking in terms of a second home or a place to retire? I can provide you with information about the different areas to consider for your new home, based on your interests and budget. You might enjoy a downtown Charleston home or city loft; where you will be within walking distance to fine dining, art galleries, cultural events, expansive harbor views, and historic surroundings. Or, maybe it’s a golf or country club community you desire, with all it's amenities and socializing opportunities. These can be found easily in the suburbs of West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, Daniel Island, James Island, Summerville, Goose Creek and other surrounding areas. Perhaps you are finally going to buy that house or condo at the beach you’ve always wanted; where you can soak up the sun, feel those wonderful sea breezes, and entertain like never before! Charleston residents are fortunate to have many public and private beach areas; Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, and Edisto Beach. Homes are also available on a wonderful freshwater lake, Lake Moultrie, which is within an hour's drive of Charleston. As, I said, this area truly has so many options for any lifestyle you choose. So, Start your property search NOW, by clicking here.
If you need real time mortgage loan rates, to plan you housing budget please click here.

Thinking of selling? In spite of what you’ve heard, or experienced in the past, selling a home does not have to cause sleepless nights. Discussing the market with you, and presenting you with an organized plan for proper pricing, marketing, preparation of the property, and all the details of selling real estate is my job; and I enjoy doing it well. Having an experienced REALTOR to handle all the paperwork, provide secure showings, and assure a smooth closing reduces so much stress! If you need to explore the options available through short sale programs, I can help you with information to aid you in your decision, and am experienced in dealing with the short sale process.

Relocating? The AgentOwned Realty Co. has access to unparalled relocation programs and can assist you whether you are moving TO Charleston, or you are moving FROM Charleston, to any part of the world. I am a proud member of Active Rain, the largest online network of real estate professionals in the world.

Relocating is a life changing event for most people. It is exciting to think about a whole new life in a whole new place, but can be a little scary at the same time. There are so many communities and neighborhoods, trying to determine the area that will be the best fit for you and your family can be a challenge. As an Agent/Owner of The AgentOwned Realty Co., I am a member of a real estate group dedicated to educating you about our market, and familiarizing you with the entire area in and around Charleston; from the beautiful beaches and marsh views to the newest neighborhoods and the historical downtown properties.

What you may want most is information about the things YOU really need, in order to make that most important decision - "where to move". Some of the things that I will be happy to provide you....

Private and confidential phone consultation and assessments before the move, or while making the decision to move
Research on special needs for you or your family
Orientation on the different areas
Information on area hotels and restaurants
Resources for info on area schools, transportation, mortgage loans, and insurance
Demographic and cost of living info for various areas in and around Charleston
Things to do, places to see, and where to have fun
"Real time" information about current homes for sale or rent, and new listings as they come on the market

Please feel free to email or call me for information about any of your real estate needs.