Jeff Cook Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts by tag - Jeff Cook Careshttps://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/Copyright JeffCookRealEstate.com2022-09-28T00:24:40-07:00tag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:12879Jeff Cook Cares Gives Back to Local Communities with Donations to 45 Charities in 2021- More than $500,000 Donated to Community Initiatives Over Six Years –
SUMMERVILLE, S.C., (February 14, 2022) – The team at Jeff Cook Real Estate spent 2021 not only helping home sellers and buyers, but the local communities it serves as well. Through Jeff Cook Cares, an initiative that sets aside 1 percent of the agency’s commission on each home sold to benefit community programs, 45 local charities received contributions in 2021. Last year proved to be the program’s most charitable year to date, with more than $500,000 donated over the past six years.
In 2021, Jeff Cook Cares hosted a golf tournament to raise money for Chair the Love, an organization that gives wheelchairs to individuals in need; sponsored animal adoptions for Jeff Cook’s birthday “pawty;” hosted Duffels of Hope to provide duffel bags made out of recycled Jeff Cook Real Estate billboards to homeless shelters and communities; donated 500 recycled billboard backpacks filled with supplies to school children in need; contributed to Toys for Tots; donated to local families who found themselves in difficult circumstances during the holiday season; and much more.
“Jeff Cook Cares is an initiative we’re extremely proud of, and we’re thrilled to be able to give back to our communities in meaningful and impactful ways,” said Founder Jeff Cook. “Our donations and events are focused on the well-being of local children and families in need, and we’re hopeful that our contributions empower them and make a difference in their lives.”
Jeff Cook Cares is not a non-profit, but a savings account that accumulates money with each Jeff Cook Real Estate sale, with past contributions going to more than 140 organizations and initiatives — including the Moncks Corner Tornado Relief Efforts, The Fuller Center, Cane Bay High School Band, Closet of Hope, local animal shelters, Cathedral Academy, Down Syndrome Association, Camp Happy Days, and many more. The donations support children and families
To learn more about Jeff Cook Cares, visit<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/about/jeff-cook-cares"> https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/about/jeff-cook-cares</a>.
About Jeff Cook Real Estate
Jeff Cook Real Estate serves the Charlestown, Columbia, Greenville, Rock Hill, Charlotte and Myrtle Beach communities, providing best-in-class real estate services for those buying or selling a home. Their award-winning team walks each client through the real estate transaction process to make it as easy and seamless as possible, managing everything from listings and staging, to marketing and negotiations. As the No. 1 real estate team in the Carolinas, they leverage proprietary software to understand buyers, strategically market your home, and receive top dollar in record time.<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com"> https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com</a> 2022-02-14T14:00:00-07:002022-02-14T12:58:19-07:00Lee Willeytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:9619Jeff Cook Cares: How We Served in 2020<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Jeff_Cook_Cares_2020_Recap.jpg" width="6402" height="4132" />
Jeff Cook Cares is a way for the individuals at Jeff Cook Real Estate to give back to their local community. With 9 locations across the state of South Carolina, Jeff Cook Real Estate has the opportunity to make a positive impact in the cities we’re located in. Over the past 4 years, our company has donated time and money to the causes that mean most to us through Jeff Cook Cares.
With 2020 came new obstacles to overcome. We had big plans for Jeff Cook Cares and found ourselves working from home wondering what to do next. In order to continue serving the community, Jeff Cook Cares had to get creative with how we could engage with the public while still following the health and safety regulations for COVID. Here are some of the ways we continued to give back to the communities surrounding our offices!
COVID Relief
First responders and medical staff were on our hearts so each week we sponsored lunch for hard working first responders and hospital workers in the surrounding area. Focusing on our neighbors was a main point of our mission so we chose local restaurants to support when buying lunch to give back to those working hard in our area. We provided Katie’s Krops and local teachers at Cathedral Academy lunch from small businesses such as Summerville Burrito Co. and Steel City Pizza.
Buy a Home, Give a Home
Buy a Home Give a Home was an initiative we launched in 2019, and in March of 2020 we had been planning for a Golf Tournament to benefit the initiative. The tournament was then pushed to June 2020 to follow the COVID guidelines for events in Charleston. Due to the immense amount of support from the community, Jeff Cook Cares is proud to announce that 7 homes in Peru and Nicaragua are almost complete because of the $70,000 we were able to raise! These homes will provide shelter and hope for the future for homeless families in need.
Moncks Corner Tornado Relief
In April of 2020, a storm hit an area of Moncks Corner and our company was told of a family in need. Their home was destroyed and Jeff Cook Cares was able to help the family and provide them with everything they would need to rebuild their home. Over 100 volunteers donated their time to come out and help clean the neighborhood where the storm hit the hardest. You can learn more about how Jeff Cook Cares was able to support Pam and her family <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu8BNX4_KzE&t=9s">here</a>! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu8BNX4_KzE&t=9s"><br /></a>
Day of Giving
In May, our company decided to encourage each office to choose the organization or cause they wanted to support in their community. Each of our 9 offices had the opportunity to give back to organizations such as Dorchester Paws, a local family in James Island, Camp Happy Days, Eagle Harbor Boys Ranch, Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, Christ Central Ministries, Pilgrims in Women Shelter, first responders and hospital workers. Overall, Jeff Cook Real Estate offices raised over $6,000 in their efforts during the first annual Day of Giving!
Charleston Animal Society “Pawty”
Each year for Jeff’s birthday, the company sponsors animal adoptions at Charleston Animal Society. 100 dogs and cats found new homes in September! Jeff Cook Real Estate agents and employees spent time meeting the new owners, helping make enrichment toys for the animals, and touring the Charleston Animal Society to kick off the end of the event.
Raise the Roof in Uganda
A new initiative for 2020, Raise the Roof is an effort to support the building of a community center in Mbale, Uganda. The center will be used as a worship center, recreation center for the children and a place to store crops and serve meals to the community. Our company’s goal is to raise $70,000 total by matching $35,000 with Uganda Missions.
Closet of Hope
Closet of Hope is an organization providing clothing, bedding, toys and necessary supplies to children in foster care, kinship programs and adoptive families local to the Charleston area. Jeff Cook Cares donated over 50 backpacks to the children to use for the start of the school year and is currently participating in a toy drive for Christmas!
Christmas Giveback
Each year during the holidays, Jeff Cook Real Estate leadership asks the company if they know anyone in need this holiday season. Last year, Jeff Cook Cares was able to supply a single mother and her children with necessary household items and new shoes and toys for Christmas! Click <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/tis-the-season-for-giving-what-is-jeff-cook-cares/">here</a> to read more about our contributions to the community in 2019!
Although this year presented our community with unique struggles, Jeff Cook Real Estate finds hope in the heart of this community. It’s clear that when we all come together, we can do immeasurably more than we can alone. Our company is proud to continue to serve, give, and sell homes. Thank you for supporting Jeff Cook Cares when you buy or sell with Jeff Cook Real Estate! 2020-12-21T11:29:00-07:002020-12-28T13:24:40-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:7130Tis the Season for Giving - What is Jeff Cook Cares?$334,472 has been given back to the community!
Curious about our new billboard you’ve seen while driving down the road? Here at Jeff Cook Real Estate, we’ve been able to give back to our local community in a monumental way. We’re happy to announce that so far, we have given back $334,472 to the community!
How do we do it?
Since implementing our 1% initiative, it’s easier than ever to give back when you choose to work with Jeff Cook Real Estate. It’s simple; List your home with us, we sell your house, and 1% of our commission is put into an account used specifically for donations and sponsorships. Our donations and sponsorship money goes into investing in the lives of children and families in need within our community.
Jeff Cook Cares hopes to empower and uplift the lives of children in the Charleston area. By partnering with local schools and recreational leagues, we can make a difference in the lives of children and families in need of support. A few of the groups we’ve shown our support to in the past include Cane Bay High School Band, Christ Church, Cathedral Academy, and L.E.A.P. Booster Club. If your child’s group is in need of sponsorships, send us an email at <a href="mailto:sponsorships@jeffcookrealestate.com">sponsorships@jeffcookrealestate.com</a>.
We handpick the organizations we want to support with our Jeff Cook Cares program. These organizations align with our values as a company and we are immensely blessed to be able to work with them. Back in August of 2019, we launched our “Buy a Home, Give a Home” campaign as an opportunity to support <a href="https://fullercenter.org/">The Fuller Center</a> for Housing by funding construction for families in need in Peru.
Part of our core values at Jeff Cook Real Estate include being well-balanced and proactive. We understand the importance of giving back to a community that has supported us and believed in us. A few of the organizations we have worked with in the past include The Fuller Center, <a href="https://cathedralacademy.com/">Cathedral Academy</a>, <a href="https://www.charlestonhope.com/">Charleston Hope</a>, <a href="https://www.charlestonhabitat.org/">Habitat for Humanity</a>, <a href="https://www.charlestonanimalsociety.org/">Charleston Animal Society</a>, and Palmetto Heros.
<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/meet-the-sell-squad/">Our team</a> is a group of dedicated, knowledgeable real estate experts who not only care about assisting you with your housing needs but find joy in giving back. As <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/who-is-jeff-cook/">Jeff Cook</a> says, “It’s impossible to be mad, stressed or angry while also being grateful”. Consider making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than us this Christmas season!2019-11-21T09:36:00-07:002021-01-22T12:51:44-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6002What Does Our Buy A Home, Give A Home Campaign Mean?!The Jeff Cook Real Estate Team has had great success and is continuing to enjoy increasing growth in the Carolinas. One of the core values of the company has always been “To stay humble and check your ego at the door”. Staying humble means to never take for granted the success you’re given in this world, to continue to always do your best and to be grateful. We are thankful to God for all He has given us!
Our success has enabled us to establish and fund <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/tis-the-season-for-giving-what-is-jeff-cook-cares/">Jeff Cook Cares</a>, a One Percent for Good program that we established in 2016. Jeff Cook Cares has partnered with <a href="https://fullercenter.org/">The Fuller Center for Housing</a>, to build housing for those that are homeless and living in poverty.
The Fuller Center for Housing was founded in 2005 by Millard and Linda Fuller, who also founded Habitat for Humanity in 1976. The Fuller Center for Housing is dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. The way our collaboration works is that each time someone buys a house, the individual agents can donate a portion of their earnings to Jeff Cook Cares, and then Jeff Cook Real Estate will match that donation.
These combined donations have been going to a Global Build project in La Florida, Peru, which is a small migrant area two and a half hours south of Lima. People move to La Florida from the mountains to try to find work as day laborers. Most of the dwellings they live in are made of reed panels with dirt floors, which don’t provide many shelters from the elements. The Fuller Center brings in teams of volunteers who construct simple brick houses of about 650 square feet in partnership with the local people, who perform some sweat equity. Each house provides the first permanent housing the Peruvian families have ever known. We are thrilled to report that our first house built with The Fuller Center has been completed. Melissa and her two children have just moved in and are no longer homeless. You can see a picture of the happy family below.
The Jeff Cook Real Estate team is a group of dedicated, knowledgeable real estate experts who can help you with your housing needs but who also do not forget to give to the greater good of the world. A part of each transaction you complete with us, helps to provide a home for a family in need. Call 855-Hey-Jeff to join in this great program. And remember, as <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/who-is-jeff-cook/">Jeff Cook</a> says, “ It’s impossible to be mad, stressed or angry and also be grateful”. Give thanks to God above for the roof over your head tonight!
<img data-cke-saved-src="https://ucarecdn.com/a44d9cc7-bb4e-435e-adb7-662a40f53d76/" src="https://ucarecdn.com/a44d9cc7-bb4e-435e-adb7-662a40f53d76/" />2019-08-12T07:17:00-07:002021-01-22T09:44:15-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:5973What You Need To Know When Buying a Fixer UpperWhen it comes to looking for a new home, you need to consider an array of vital things. It is important to plan out exactly what you’re looking for your new home to offer. This can vary depending on your budget, the location, and how move-in ready the home is. It is important to first establish the condition you’re looking for the home to be in. Are you looking for something completely move-in ready, due to a time crunch? Or, are you looking for a fixer-upper, that you can craft into your own dream home? Both of these have many pros and cons, which is why it is a decision that should be weighed before starting your home shopping. An important element of this is time and budget! It is essential that you set a specific budget before debating which route you will take, and it is also important to consider how much time you will have before needing to be completely settled in the new home. If you do decide the fixer-upper route is right for you, it is important to prepare for this type of purchase! Fixing up your own home is a great option, but you should be aware of the road ahead of you before committing to it. Here are some important things to keep in mind when in the market for a fixer-upper.
Make sure you are ready to take note of the house’s condition in its entirety. You need to be able to assess just how much time, money, and effort will need to go into making this home yours.
Be on the look-out for the condition of:
Structure/Foundation
Kitchen
Bathroom
Flooring
Basement
Roofing
Attic
HVAC system
Plumbing
Windows
Another important thing is to have a home inspector come and check the home out before you make any decisions. The home inspector can assess where the home needs immediate fixing, aside from the visual assumptions you can make yourself. He or she can help you estimate how much money you will need to spend fixing vital elements of the home such as the electrical, plumbing, foundation, sewer-line, gas-line, and any potential pest problems the house may have. Having a building inspector check the home before buying it is crucial! Without a proper inspection, you could potentially be purchasing a home with way more issues than you originally bargained for.
With these tips, you will be able to see how much work your fixer-upper needs and decide if there are any areas that are viable. The beauty of a fixer-upper is that it allows you to create your dream home, without having to build from scratch. You can completely remove the previous owner’s touch from the home, and make it your own. This is what attracts many people to a fixer-upper, as it allows for the new owners to feel that it is something that is uniquely theirs and that they are not living in someone else’s home.
All fixer-uppers are unique and require a careful individual assessment before purchasing. Although buying a fixer-upper can be a bold step, with the proper knowledge and preparation, you can ensure that the process of making it your own is achievable. A fixer-upper can be a cheaper alternative to buying a move-in ready home, and with the proper time, budget, and planning, it can be a satisfying choice. Fixing up your home can leave you with a lifetime of memories that fill your home and make it all the more special to live in.2019-01-17T14:24:00-07:002020-12-18T11:21:32-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6055Coming Together After Hurricane Matthew<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Jeff_Cook_Cares_Relief.jpg" alt="Jeff Cook Cares Relief Effort" width="1200" height="800" />
Last year, the state of South Carolina was dealing with the aftermath of what was called a “1,000 year flood” that closed roads, damaged dams, and ruined a countless number of homes. In such a short amount of recovery time, residents are dealing with that same damage again, almost immediately after putting homes back together from the flood. Hurricane Matthew tore through the Lowcountry last week, leaving a path of devastation. Trees fell left and right, landing on homes, vehicles, power lines, roads. Many residents are still without power, three days after the eye of the storm hit Charleston.
Sunday morning saw damage assessment and the sound of chainsaws as homeowners begin to clean up what was left behind from Hurricane Matthew. Neighbors are coming together to provide care and food for each other. Businesses are hard at work making their buildings safe again to provide their services for the Lowcountry. Restaurants are working off special menus to ensure locals are fed and employees are paid while they wait on food delivery trucks.
Thankfully, Jeff Cook Cares! Here at Jeff Cook Real Estate, we have banded together to help with storm cleanup. On Monday we worked with four families around the Lowcountry. Three homes were flooded and one had a tree come through the roof. Our team and volunteers came out with chainsaws and toted debris to the curbs for pickup. Remember, town officials, are asking that you please not burn yard debris. South Carolina’s Forestry Commission has put a statewide burn ban in effect.
We returned out to the streets Tuesday and helped the neighborhood of Park Hill Retreat at Northwood Estates get back on their feet. These folks have lost everything, just after recently renovating their homes from last year’s flood. We helped demo flooring and cut drenched drywall while also helping homeowners sort through belongings that could be salvaged and items that needed to be left by the curb for debris pickup. It was a very eye-opening experience seeing some of the worst damage that Hurricane Matthew has caused. Our hearts hurt for the residents of Park Hill. We have started a campaign to help #RebuildParkHill. You can find our plan at www.RebuildParkHill.com.
Lots of people are wanting to help rebuild after this crisis, but not everyone has good in their hearts. Beware of scams! Governor Nikki Haley has mentioned an email hack that began before the storm had even left the area. <a href="https://www.fema.gov/">FEMA</a> has warned residents to be wary of anyone asking for money and to make sure you ask to see official badges and IDs. Lots of wanna-be contractors are walking the streets looking at the damage and offering low prices for repairs. The estimates seem great in a rush to put your home back together, but take a moment to research the company, ask for their business license, and a few references.
Structural damage
Don’t forget to report your damage to FEMA. The Tri-County governments are surveying the area to file claims. Below is the contact information for each county.
Dorchester County: 843-832-0393, <a href="mailto:gisadmin@dorchestercounty.net">gisadmin@dorchestercounty.net</a>
North Charleston: 843-740-2569, 843-740-2564, 843-740-2533, 843-740-2562, 843-740-2506<a href="https://goo.gl/jnXxPu"><br /></a>
Summerville: 843-871-6000
We have been hearing of many other companies stepping in to help the Lowcountry after Hurricane Matthew and have worked to compile a list for you. If you know of anyone helping out in this time of need, please let us know so we can add them.
Contractors
Charleston Roofing and Exteriors offers free quotes: 843-203-2555
Preferred Home Services will be waiving their $79.50 diagnostic fee for homeowners who agree to repairs. 843-405-2503
Cleanup Assistance
Berkeley County: Helping Hands volunteers 800-451-1954
SCDHEC is waiving testing fees for private wells. 803-898-4312
USAA is donating $500 to customers who lost groceries due to power outages, without having to file a homeowner’s insurance claim.
Without Power?
Many area gyms are opening their facilities to the community for hot showers. Just bring a towel and photo ID.
Summerville YMCA
Planet Fitness Charleston
Want to Volunteer or Donate?
Jeff Cook Real Estate One Percent For Good - www.RebuildParkHill.com
We want to extend a HUGE thank you to Governor Haley for her swift actions to keep South Carolinians out of the path of the storm, to police, fire, EMS, and first responders who left family at home to keep the streets safe, and to the linemen who waded in deep water to get the power back on for us. We are forever grateful. 2016-10-12T07:35:00-07:002022-09-28T00:24:40-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cook