Melinda Laurens

Originally from Little Rock, Melinda has been selling residential real estate for five decades. She moved to Charleston over 35 years ago, and has been a member of the Million Dollar Club and a Realtor of Distinction for many years. Melinda works throughout Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and the surrounding areas, and is very active in the community, with membership in the Colonial Dames of America and the Junior League of Charleston. She is also a former board member of the Life Management Center (which works with ADD children and adults), the Charleston Day School, and the Epworth Heights Assembly in Michigan. An avid sports enthusiast, Melinda enjoys playing golf and tennis. She lives in the Historic District with her husband, John.

A founding partner of Carriage Properties and a native South Carolinian, Charles is an active College of Charleston alum and a 45-year resident of the city. He has been a leader in luxury real estate for over 30 years, consistently recognized as a multi-million-dollar producer. Charles has closed sales totaling over $1.25 billion, often setting records for the “Top Sale” each year. More recently, in 2020 and again in 2021, Charles represented both buyers and/or sellers, closing over $92 million in transactions each year.

Finishing 2022 ranks as Charles’ personal best, closing around $140 million in luxury sales with an average sales price of over $3.5 million, the highest of any top agent in Metro Charleston. In the Historic District, as well as Metro Charleston, Charles was recognized again in 2022 as the #1 agent. In addition, Charles has been consistently recognized by the Wall Street Journal, ranking in the top 250 luxury agents across the country.

Charles has lived in almost every borough of Downtown Charleston and is an active member of the Historic District community. He supports and participates in numerous civic activities and board level associations with an emphasis on preservation, architecture, and the local arts. With a keen understanding of the value of historic and luxury properties, Charles specializes in assisting discriminating clients who seek the very best in everything, whether buying or selling in the Charleston luxury market.

Visit Charles’ individual website here!

Judy is a founding partner of Carriage Properties, LLC. She lives in the Historic District and has been specializing in luxury properties for more than 30 years. Judy started her real estate career in Dallas, Texas and was a member of the Million Dollar Club before moving to Charleston in 1988. She is active in the Charleston community and is a member of St. Michaels Episcopal Church, the Trident United Way Alexis de Toqueville Society, the Charleston Horticultural Society and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League. Judy is a former board member of the Trident Community College Foundation and the Charleston Horticultural Society. She has been honored with the Realtor of Distinction Award and is knowledgeable in all aspects of buying and selling real estate.

Richard Halsey, a native Charlestonian with a degree in business administration from The Citadel, has been selling residential real estate for more than 25 years. The founder of the Halsey Cannon Boat Yard, Richard is deeply connected to the community in which he lives. His knowledge of real estate and the Lowcountry provide potential clients with necessary information when buying or selling real estate. Richard and his wife, Kay, reside on James Island.

When Lynn visited Charleston for the first time in the spring of 1974, she knew immediately this was where she wanted to live! After officially moving to Charleston in 1978, she associated with a Charleston real estate agency specializing in historic and special properties. Since then, Lynn has owned and restored properties in the Historic District, as well as the Isle of Palms. She is a founding partner of Carriage Properties, LLC. Over the course of Lynn’s career, she has earned the Realtors’ Graduate Designation (GRI), has a Broker’s license, and is a life member of the Board of Realtors Million Dollar Executive Round Table Club (currently CTAR’s Realtor of Distinction).

In addition to real estate, Lynn is active in many community organizations–she is the former president of the Preservation Society of Charleston, has served on numerous committees, and is currently advisor to the Preservation Society’s Board of Directors. She helped organize the fundraising auction in the early days of Spoleto USA and served on the Spoleto Board from 1984 to 1991. She has also been an active supporter of numerous other arts and community-based organizations, including The Exchange Club, which funds initiatives for the prevention of child abuse. Lynn graduated from Austin College in Sherman Texas with a major in history and Spanish.

A native of Charleston, Louise “Weesie” Warren Newton entered the residential real estate profession in 1992. Weesie is a founder of Women Making a Difference, a grant-making organization that provides financial assistance to local organizations that assist women and children. Since its inception in 2002, Women Making a Difference has generated more than $300,000 in grants to Charleston-based charities, and the organization’s momentum continues to grow.

In 2004 Weesie opened Fleet Landing with her husband, Tradd. The restaurant’s maritime-chic interior and unobstructed views of the Charleston Harbor have made it one of the peninsula’s most popular dining spots.

Weesie attended Ashley Hall and the Madeira School. She holds a B.A. in English from Tulane University in New Orleans. She and Tradd have three children.

Bev grew up in Alexandra, Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in nursing.  After an exciting career in open heart surgery, Bev and her family moved to Charleston in 1980. She began her real estate career in 1988, specializing in historic properties and homes on the sea islands. Bev has been active in the Charleston community, serving on the boards of the Gibbes Museum of Art, the Charleston Stage, the College of Charleston, and the MUSC Heart and Vascular Board. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities Degree from MUSC in 2010. She is a member of Grace Episcopal Church. She has also been a member of the Executive Circle of the Charleston Trident Realtors of Distinction.

Justin Marc Thomas, 48, of Charleston, SC, entered into eternal rest on August 31, 2022, after a courageous and fearless battle with ALS.

Justin was born on August 18, 1974, in Roanoke, Virginia, son of Alfred R. Thomas, Jr. and Donna J. Thomas. After he graduated from Roanoke College, he moved to Charleston, SC, where he was a successful real estate broker with Carriage Properties.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alfred R. Thomas, Jr. of Roanoke, VA; and brother, Gregory Matthew Thomas of Roanoke, VA.

Justin is survived by Frederick H. Fowler, Jr., his partner of twenty-two years, of Charleston, SC; mother, Donna J. Thomas of Roanoke, VA; sister, Jill Thomas Sluss (Jeff) of Roanoke, VA; nephews, Levi Sluss and Braeden Sluss of Roanoke, VA; niece, Aurelia Sluss of Roanoke, VA; and his beloved cat Leo.

“JT” was a devoted friend to many. He lived a life filled with joy and humor and had an innate ability to bring people together. He was an avid runner and fitness enthusiast and enjoyed the company of his friends more than anything. Sailing in Charleston harbor was a favorite venue for a perfect afternoon.

Justin’s loving, genuine presence will be greatly missed, and he will be forever treasured.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in support of Justin’s Team at the annual “Walk to Defeat ALS” on November 5, 2022. Donations can be made at this link:

https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/TR/Walks/SouthCarolina?team_id=406604&pg=team&fr_id=15045