Port Royal, SC voted Top 10 America's Coolest Small Towns

Budget Travel's readers voted on America's Coolest Small Towns (announced on CBS's Early Show on April 15)and Port Royal, SC was voted in the Top 10!

And, you may ask, "Well, what were qualifications to become one of America's Coolest Small Towns?" Here's what they looked for...

...population of less than 10,000
...town must be on an upswing and beginning to draw attention AND new residents because of...
...quality of life!
...arts and restaurant scene!
...proximity to nature!
...edgy - think avant-garde galleries not country stores!

Lucky for you Cora Bett Thomas Realty has amazing listings in Port Royal, SC! Click here a take a look!

Click here for Budget Travel's full story on America's Coolest Small Towns.

30-Year Fixed Rates Fall to Record Low!

If you were ever wondering when the best time to buy was, ponder no more! THE TIME TO BUY IS NOW!

30-year fixed rates have reached a record low at 4.78%!

Contact Cora Bett Thomas Realty TODAY to find your perfect home. Visit us in Savannah, GA (912 233 6000), Bluffton / Hilton Head Island, SC (843 757 6002) and Beaufort, SC (843 525 1100) or www.CoraBettThomas.com where you can search for homes on THREE MLS's!

CLICK to read the entire article in The Washington Post!

Cora Bett Thomas Realty Wins Recognition in Luxury Real Estate Marketing Contest

- Recognition earned for First Place - Websites in international marketing contest -

Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates earned distinction in the Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection® Marketing Contest, held in conjunction with the Luxury Portfolio Workshop, March 25-26 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale.

The award-winning internet eBlast in the website category was chosen based on professionalism of design, effectiveness in addressing the luxury audience and overall presentation. Cora Bett Thomas Realty was given the award at the Luxury Portfolio Awards Luncheon, where the network’s achievement awards were presented.

“The companies affiliated with Luxury Portfolio are renowned for their expertise in marketing luxury homes,” notes Paul Boomsma, president of Luxury Portfolio. “To earn distinction among this group is a significant honor, and I salute Cora Bett Thomas Realty for their achievement.”

Launched in 2005, Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection® has grown to include over 15,000 of the world’s most remarkable properties and attracts over 1.2 million high-net-worth visitors a year. The first to promote luxury properties in multiple languages and currencies, Luxury Portfolio is unmatched in the global arena, with members in 17 countries and website visitors from over 200 countries every month. The site’s total inventory of available properties exceeds $35 billion. Please visit http://corabettthomas.luxuryportfolio.com/cobranded.cfm for luxury homes and luxury homes for sale throughout the world.

For more information about Cora Bett Thomas Realty, please visit www.CoraBettThomas.com.

Jumbo Loan Ceiling Up!

This is great news so it's worth repeating! The ceiling for jumbo loans is UP from $417,000 to $625,500 according to the March 21, 2009 article by Kenneth R. Harney in The Washington Post.

To read the full article click here!

Leaders in Luxury Real Estate JOIN Forces

Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates dominates the luxury residential and commercial real estate market along the Georgia and South Carolina coast, with offices based in Savannah, Ga. and Bluffton and Beaufort, S.C. Founder and CEO, Cora Bett Thomas is proud to announce the merger with another preeminent luxury firm, Town & Country Real Estate, which is located in Beaufort, SC., “the crown jewel of the sea islands.” Combining their expertise and services, under the leadership of Cora Bett Thomas, the companies will operate as Cora Bett Thomas and Associates.

Town & Country Real Estate was founded in 1995 and covers Beaufort, Fripp Island, Harbor Island, Beaufort County, and in many of the surrounding areas of the South Carolina Lowcountry offering residential, land, and resort real estate sales as well as vacation, commercial and investment opportunities.

Cora Bett Thomas Realty and Town & Country’s merger comes at a time when many are departing the real estate industry. Thomas believes this is the opportunity for the real estate profession and real agents to embrace even higher professional standards and deeper levels of education. A superior level of customer service has always been of upmost importance to both firms. Continuing in that tradition and through the strong international affiliations of Cora Bett Thomas Realty, such as London based Mayfair International, and Who's who in Luxury Real Estate, The Board of Regents, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, and Luxury Portfolio, among others, will continue to attract an elite clientele to the Lowcountry.

“Town & Country Real Estate has long been known for its excellence in serving the needs of Buyers and Sellers in the unique Lowcountry market,” said Cora Bett Thomas. "We are thrilled about the integration of both of our outstanding firms. This positions Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates as the dominant residential and commercial real estate firm along the Creative Coast of Georgia and South Carolina - with profound expertise, service levels, and integrity that simply cannot be matched by any other company."

Cora Bett Thomas Realty remains on the cutting edge of technology and fully recognizes the powerful role the Internet plays in today’s real estate transactions. CoraBettThomas.com promotes listings in all price points to nearly 1000 other websites worldwide. With this merger, Town and Country clients will now benefit from the global exposure that CoraBettThomas.com provides Buyers and Sellers. “Today, more than ever,” says Thomas, “it is critical to search for Buyers in all parts of the world, not just locally. Our strategic partnerships provide this extraordinary opportunity.“

“This is an exciting time to become a part of Cora Bett Thomas Realty & Associates,” said Matt McAlhaney, an owner of Town & Country Real Estate. “Cora Bett Thomas Realty’s professionalism, operations, technology infrastructure and entrepreneurial force are an ideal match to our rich history and the unyielding tradition of quality that has served our loyal customers for so long."

McAlhaney added, “There is no better equipped agency to assist Sellers and Buyers in meeting the demands of today’s challenging market and our decision to join this powerhouse of a company illustrates our ongoing commitment to maintaining a competitive edge and to serving the needs of our community.”

Bill Anderson, an owner of Town & Country Real Estate concluded, “Our clients and our sales associates will all benefit from the synergy generated by this merger.”