The following was transcribed from a Facebook live video on 9/16/22.

Happy Friday, friends. Roni Haskell here in the heart of downtown Summerville. So, I am adjacent to the visitor center. And the reason that I am today is because, here in Summerville, it's known as the official birthplace of sweet tea. So, we live deep in the rich history of the low country, and we have flowers by the acre and sweet tea by the gallon. There is history on every corner, and we are loving living here in South Carolina. I love that I get to introduce friends and incoming buyers to this area on a weekly basis. So, we have the Sweet Tea Festival this weekend coming up. It is going to be right here in Summerville. And there is a sweet tea trail, lots of our favorite restaurants in the area are having different recipes, and you can even download a bingo card where you can participate in your favorite different recipes throughout the Summerville area.

                                    So, lots of activity here in Summerville. Most of the tea comes from the Charleston Tea Plantation, which is still a working tea plantation. It is down on Wadmalaw Island just a short drive from here. So, lots of great activities. Lots of rich history here in Summerville that you should be a part of. If you're not already familiar with activities, reach out to me, leave a comment down below, I'll tune you into anything that you might need to know of. On a different matter, this is the fifth day that I am wearing the same black dress. So, this week I have been getting the chance to raise money alongside of other working professional women here in Summerville. We've been together raising money for the Dorchester Habitat for Humanity. And by wearing the same black dress each week, what we're doing is trying to bring awareness to the fact that many women live in poverty. And sometimes they have to make the decision of whether they want to put food on the table, pay their housing bill, or buy a working wardrobe.

                                    So, we have styled our dresses differently each week. And in fact, this morning I put it on, and I thought, "I'm done. I am tapped out. I have no idea what I'm going to style this with." So, that just brings awareness to the fact that these women really are challenged with having to use a very limited amount of funds to buy a wardrobe. And a lot of these women are professionals. Something to know that Habitat for Humanity. So, an average rental rate for low income is 1200 here in Dorchester County. So, the Habitat for Humanity is able to build houses. These women have to put in, and it's not just for women and children. The housing is not. But that largely is who lives in these habitat houses.

                                    So, just to know that the women do have to put back in a lot of working hours into building the home, and they do have a mortgage that's based on what their income can support afterwards. So, it's a wonderful charity. And I'm raising money all through the weekend to continue to benefit this charity. So to date, not including today, but as of last night, I guess I should say, when we calculated it up last, the women that are participating here in Summerville have raised $12,000 for the Habitat for Humanity. If you can find it in your heart and in your wallet and in your weekly accounting to put into this charity, I would love to. And we will share a link down below exactly how you can do that. It's through Facebook, and they do not keep any of the proceeds or fees associated with processing or credit cards. So, make a payment through there to be able to put into this.

                                    So, here's a market update for our area. So, I'm talking specifically about the Charleston region, but some of this is really relevant to a national locale, as well, because the federal government continues to raise rates. In fact, we are looking at upwards of a 1% rate increase coming very soon. At a minimum, it's going to be a three quarter rate increase. What they're trying to do is control spending. They left the rates at historic lows far too long. It benefited many people and benefited a ton of buyers that were in the marketplace, but it also left us with an economy short on inventory. It made those of us that were selling property gain a lot of equity, but what it inevitably did is create a market that was not sustainable. So, we are seeing a correction in that market, and the federal government will continue to raise those rates.

                                    And it is on the short horizon for doing it again. So, if you're in the market to buy, do it. If you're looking in the market to sell your home and reap great benefits, do that, as well. Reach out to me if I can ever be of assistance. Now is a great time to rent, buy. Not rent. Let's take that back. We're going to invest, right? We're going to build wealth in real estate. We are not wasting our money on rent, where it is a great time to invest. It is a great time still to buy. Get in before the rates increase anymore. And it's a great time still to sell. There is more and more inventory on the market, but the days on the market are still short, which has created still a great seller's market. So, let's talk. If you are interested in the Charleston region, I'll be glad to help, and I am available this weekend. Make sure to leave a comment, follow me on social media, and I'll be glad to be your resource for all things real estate related. Have a wonderful weekend.