November marks return of surge in home sales

November was no turkey when it came to residential real estate sales. In fact, it marked the return of something the industry hasn't seen in quite a while: a sense of urgency among buyers.

Purchasers moved to close on homes to take advantage of a $8,000 federal tax credit, originally set to expire at the end of last month. The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors said home closings for the region surged 80 percent last month to 783, nearly double the number from last November. The tax credit (recently extended until the spring) for first-time buyers fueled the surge, with an assist from rock-bottom mortgage interest rates.

Windward side

General Electric, the world's largest wind-turbine maker, "is quite interested" in Clemson University's offshore wind-turbine lab in North Charleston, CEO Jeff Immelt said Tuesday. But he stopped short of saying whether the company plans to build a plant nearby, as some have speculated. "We just need to see how (the turbine test facility) evolves," Immelt said at an Upstate energy symposium. Clemson's Restoration Institute was recently picked as the site of a $98 million test lab for large offshore wind turbines.

Curtain call

Southeast Cinema Entertainment, which recently opened the 16-screen movie megaplex at Citadel Mall, said it plans to gut the former AMC Northwoods 8 theater at Northwoods Mall and convert it to a 13-screen cinema with stadium seating. Southeast Cinema hopes to open by May.

Medical makeover

East Cooper Regional Medical Center will have a shorter name and a fresh logo when its new 140-bed hospital opens in Mount Pleasant next spring. The health care provider is dropping "regional" from its moniker and has unveiled a new logo. The changes are being coordinated with East Cooper Regional's relocation next year, culminating in the April 1 patient transfer from the existing 104-bed hospital to a larger facility being built nearby.

Tourist gems

Eight hotels and 11 restaurants in the Charleston area picked up AAA Four Diamond awards for quality and service. The John Rutledge House Inn in Charleston is the reigning veteran in South Carolina with 21 years as a Four Diamond-rated lodging.

Meet and greet

Decision-makers from Boeing wrapped up a two-day trip to the area to fill contact lists with local contractors and suppliers who could help build its new 787 assembly plant in North Charleston. The first of two informational sessions Tuesday drew nearly 3,000 construction workers. The next day, Boeing discussed business opportunities with the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council.