Golden Pond Perfection

$147,500

This fantastic Hendrix-built home is available for new owners!  Located in convenient Golden Pond, you are minutes from both I-26 and I-20, Lexington Medical Center, churches, downtown Columbia and the Dutch Square retail area.  Easy commute to both Columbia and Lexington.  

The home sits on a spacious corner lot with mature landscaping and a handsome, recently installed privacy fence in backyard.  The master suite is more than ample with bay window, walk-in closet, and dual vanities in the private bath.  Bedrooms 2 & 3 are located on the other side of the greatroom, creating a split floorplan.  The greatroom has soaring cathedral ceilings, fireplace and gorgeous bamboo floors.  This extends into the dining area which then flows into a large, warm and inviting kitchen.

The bonus room is just that: an added bonus!  This room provides a large casual area for media, home office, playroom, library; the sky's the limit.  This bonus room also makes this home larger than the average homes in the neighborhood. 

Take a look at the virtual tour to get a taste.  If you like what you see, contact us to see it in person, which is truly the best way to appreciate all the fantastic charm of this very well maintained home.

Bringing money to the table

Real estate agents have many goals to achieve for their clients.  But a fundamental one is this:  Make money for the seller.  Unfortunately, in today's market(s) this is becoming quite a challenge.  Just a few years ago, if you'd asked us how many times we had a seller bring money to the table in order to sell his house, we would have counted maybe 1 or 2.  Now, this is becoming more of a reality than an anomaly.

Sellers who don't have tons of equity are having to prepare themselves for the possibility of coming up short.  Is there any silver lining?  Maybe a thin one which is that they will make up for it on the next house that they buy because all sellers are in the same boat right now.  In terms of market conditions that is.  This sounds dismal doesn't it?

I guess what I'm trying to convey is that "it is what it is" right now.  My best friend just accepted a contract on her home in NC.  The market there dictated that she list it at a price that was going to have her coming to the table with $20,000.  She swallowed that bitter pill and moved forward.  You see, for her, it's important to get into another house.  Soon.  Her house that was perfect when she was single, got smaller when she got married.  Now that a baby has arrived, the house has shrunk once again.  But, on the house she wants to buy, the data is suggesting that that seller will also be "paying to sell" his own house.  So, as hard as it is to part with that 20 Grand, she makes it up by buying more house for less money.

We all hope that the markets around the country will get put back together soon.  Like yesterday.  But in the meantime, if you have needs, you simply have to do what you can to satisfy them.  Remember...that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger! 

Live and Learn

Recently, I noticed towards the end of the day that my a/c had been running pretty much all day but the thermostat read 77.  I checked it and it was set to 74.  About an hour later, I found it to read 78. Houston, we have a problem.  Ironic since I just posted about Cool Care not long ago.

Here's what I learned.  The system had iced up.  In our case it was because our filter was clogged.  Lately I've been buying those more expensive filters that say they'll last 3 months.  As soon as I said that to the Cool Care man, he just shook his head.  So, I am back to regular filters each month.  The remedy?  We had to turn the system off completely overnight so it could defrost.  We were told to turn it back on in the morning; if we had cold air coming from the vents, we're ok. 

Thankfully that was the case!  The moral of this story is keep changing those filters each month. If you have warm air coming from the vents, go outside and look around your air unit.  If you see iced up pipes, then you know what you've got going on. 

Want to live at Hogwarts?

I haven't had the opportunity to work with Harry Potter or any other wizards lately, but when that day comes, I know what to show him...click here for an interesting article.

Will the A/C never end?

In "Famously Hot" Columbia, SC, we know air conditioning.  We cannot and will not live without it. It's impossible.  But as the end of August rolls around each year, I find myself wondering if we'll ever be able to turn it off!  As I type this entry, my legs are freezing from the vent in the floor.  Sometimes in the car I realize my cheeks are frozen from the air.  But, see the thing is, you can't turn it down...it would take forever for the system to catch back up again.  Remember, it's August in SC.

So, as fall approaches (we certainly hope so), it makes me think of how hard all these trusty air conditioners have been pushing themselves to the limit since about April.  They are going to be tired when summer finally blows out of town.  So, I think it's probably appropriate to give them a check up.

Cool Care is the hvac company that we have used on our personal homes and for inspections on most of our listings over the years.  Additionally, our clients have consistently given Cool Care the "thumbs up" and then recommend them to their friends.  If you think your poor, tired, hard-working a/c could use a check up, call 803/772-7715.  They will take great care of you and your home.

(This is not an advertisement, just my thoughts.)

Blythewood Beauty

High quality construction in desirable Willow Lake, in Blythewood SC.  Impeccably maintained and move-in ready.  Priced extremely reasonably, so what are you waiting for?  Click here for complete details.

 

Unique property; lots of possibilities

We've got a very interesting property available for purchase.  It's a blue granite home in West Columbia.  Very near Lowe's, Aldi, interstates and downtown.  What's so interesting about that?

It's on 31 acres!  

That's right.  31 acres right in the heart of West Columbia, which means it's a stone's throw to Columbia. 

Helping consumers regain confidence

Anyone who watches the news or reads the paper (there are still a few who do that, I think) knows that we are in a "buyer's market."  What does that really mean?  It means that there is an increased number of homes for sale from which buyers may choose.  It means buyers can be choosy and dictate how the market moves and behaves.  It means that buyers are in a position to have a lot of control, which for a buyer, is a really good thing.

Are you using Trulia?

In the world of real estate, there are myriad websites and services that claim to have the ear of every consumer in the world.  I too am a consumer and know that they all don't have me.  What about you? Do you routinely use real estate sites?  For searching when you're contemplating making a move, or to learn about the economy, for information about your neighborhood and property values, for homeowner tips and help?

Trulia is one site that is becoming increasingly more well-known not only amongst real estate professionals, but consumers as well.  Have you ever visited or used it?  So far, I am liking what I'm seeing.  But, since the purpose of our website is to provide our clients with a meaningful place to go online for information, I'd really love to know your thoughts.  Also, while we're at it, Dottie & I would like to hear what you'd like to see on our site, what can we improve or add for you?  

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Smart Investing

Military personnel often find themselves in unique situations, to say the least.  One of our longtime clients is preparing to deploy.  I think most of us imagine that our troops would be preparing their uniforms, other clothing, personal photos, books, iPods, etc. to take along.  But our client included one other component...an investment for the future.

Keeping an eye on the market, we became aware of a repossessed home located not far from his inlaws' home.  Like most foreclosures, it needs a good bit of cosmetic work, some repairs, new flooring and some updates as per one's personal tastes.  But, the bones are good.  It's a 4 bedroom all-brick home on an acre.  It's not been vandalized. And here's the real kicker...It's $33,000!  With an additional investment of even just $50,000, he's got a brick home on a nice big lot, close to family, where he and his wife can start their family and it will still be priced way below market.  That's just smart investing, plain and simple.

This is the time for consumers to let go of the fear.  The market isn't an unstable, volatile time bomb, as many have been led to believe. There are amazing opportunities for buyers that just need to be grabbed.  Interest rates are so low, it's hard to even believe.  Inventory is high and it includes all facets:  condos, move-in ready homes, investment homes, future rental properties, patio homes.  It's all there and buyer clients can score big time.  But, you have to let go of the fear and seize the day.

Sellers:  don't put your heads in the oven just yet!  It's true that your home may have lost some value over the last few years of our economy's decline.  But, remember that if you accept a realistic price (today's price) for your home, you will make it up on the buying side, for all the reasons discussed above.  The process will work for you too.  

It's a confusing time in America, but each day we are all working through it together.  If you have questions about your home or about buying real estate, we are happy to talk with you.  Take advantage of our experience and we'll help you take advantage of today's unique opportunities.

Positive Changes

For the last year, I have have worked for a beautiful, custom, new-homes development.  While it was a very positive experience, being limited to only working with buyers specific to that neighborhood was a bit restrictive.  So, I've returned to my roots at RE/MAX and couldn't be happier about it.  My entire career has been filled with variety, diversity and friendships.  I'm pleased to be back in my "element" and am looking forward to continuing to serve our existing clients and all of their quality referrals.

In addition, I am entering into the education arena.  I will be teaching at the Real Estate School for Success.  I will be involved in the initial training required for one to be eligible for a provisional real estate license, as well as the continuing education required for that license to become permanent.  I am very excited about the opportunity to be instrumental in training quality licensees for South Carolina.

Positive Vote at State House today

Some good news from the State House today, but we've learned not to hold our breath.  The House voted 60-45 to approve 2nd reading of property tax reform. This is the third time the House has voted to repeal Point-of-Sale taxation.  Now, back to the Senate we go. 

Parade of Homes is Back

The Greater Columbia Home Builders' Association is bringing back the popular Parade of Homes for 2011. This year's event will take place in The Peninsula. The Peninsula is Lake Carolina's only gated community. The Parade features new homes that have been professionally decorated and landscaped and are open for the public to tour. And, yes...they are for sale as well.

Lake Carolina is located in Northeast Columbia and features a 200 acre freshwater lake with 6 miles of shoreline. Amenities include a Town Center, swimming pools, lake access, a YMCA within the community and Richland 2 schools. The Parade homes will be open from May 7-22 from 11:00am-8:00 pm.

If you're actively in the market for a new home in the Northeast, let me know and I'll be happy to accompany you to the Parade to tour these homes with you. As you can imagine, they will be decked out with all the latest bells and whistles and will most likely be in high demand.

SC Realtors continue the fight to right this wrong

Since enacting "Point of Sale" legislation, South Carolina Realtors have been actively and passionately rallying and lobbying our leaders to reform.  When this was passed into law, it all seemed to make sense on paper, but the reality has been a disaster.  We desperately need our legislature to repeal this "reform" but politics keeps getting in the way and the South Carolina taxpayers are suffering because of it.  Additionally, at a time when recruiting business and industry to our state is critical, we are being passed over because of this unfair tax.

In this historic economy, the last thing we need are taxes that eliminate jobs and prevent new businesses from opening in South Carolina. Unfortunately local governments now have the right through this "Point of Sale" law to increase property taxes on homes, land and businesses when they are sold. Because of this unfair tax, some companies have said they will not relocate or open new businesses in South Carolina. Our state has lost hundreds of millions in economic investment and that means businesses are taking their jobs to other states.  This is truly a tragic state of affairs.  

If you want to learn more and want to join our efforts to protect South Carolina's future of jobs and corporate investment, visit the SC Realtors' Facebook page and "like" it.  All of us need to join together to help right the wrongs and get South Carolina's workers, our economy and our future back to work!