Posts made by author 'Bonnie Wicks'

If you've ever stacked firewood neatly along the side of your home or tucked extra lumber near the garage, it probably felt practical—even responsible.

But here's the part most homeowners don't realize:

That stack of wood can quietly become an open invitation to termites.

The Problem Isn't the Wood—It's the Location

Termites don't appear out of nowhere. They're already in the soil around your home, constantly searching for a food source.

And untreated wood?
That's exactly what they're looking for.

When wood is stacked directly on the ground and close to your home,...

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This week, I found myself dealing with something I never expected—a squirrel stuck in our gutter.

What started as a simple situation turned into taking apart part of what had just been sealed up, trying to figure out how to help the squirrel… and realizing how easily something small can turn into a much bigger issue around a home.

And it made me think of a conversation I had with a client not long ago.

At one point, they had solar panels installed, and a squirrel found its way underneath them. It built a nest, created damage to the roof, and over time that turned into a hole.

What surprised them most wasn't just the damage—it was that their insurance would not cover the repair.

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Charleston Has a Hockey Culture — and It's Surprisingly Good

When people think about Charleston, South Carolina, they usually picture beaches, boats, and shrimp and grits.

Hockey probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind.

But for Terry and me, some of our favorite nights in the Charleston area happen inside the arena watching the South Carolina Stingrays take the ice.

We've been season ticket holders for several years, and it has become one of our favorite local traditions.

The Energy Inside the Arena

If you've never been to a Stingrays game, the fir...

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One of the most common questions I hear from buyers and sellers is simple:

"How does an appraiser actually determine what a home is worth?"

It's a fair question. In a market filled with online estimates, neighborhood chatter, and recent sales stories, it can feel confusing when a lender sends in an appraiser whose opinion ultimately helps determine whether a sale can move forward.

The truth is that an appraisal is not guesswork. It is a structured evaluation designed to determine the fair market value of a property based on comparable sales and the condition of the home itself.

Understanding how this process works can help both buyers and sellers make better decisions.

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One of the things Terry and I enjoy most about living in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina is how easy it is to find relaxed, welcoming places to eat. You don't always need a big occasion. Sometimes the best evenings are simply grabbing dinner at a favorite local spot and enjoying time together.

Over the years we've found a few casual restaurants in Mount Pleasant that we keep coming back to.

Melvin's Barbecue

If you've lived around Charleston for any length of time, you've probably heard of Melvin's BBQ. It's a long-time Lowcountry favorite, and the pulled pork never disappoints.

Terry and I still enjoy stopping by when we're craving classic barbecue. The smoky flavor and...

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