Solarize South Carolina

You know, we have friends who installed solar panels on their home a few years ago.  It's a century+ old home in North Columbia.  It took them LOTS of fighting with public service, SCE&G, lots of research but eventually, they got what they wanted and were allowed to install the system.  It was a long process and involved a good bit of heartache, but they were passionate about it and it ended up paying off.  I hope that James' efforts will make solar energy production and use more accessible to everyone. We should all have choices and if an environmentally responsible choice is possible, we should be able to make it easily. Check out this article:
 http://www.thestate.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article36092907.html

Restoration of the Arcade Building

I was so excited to read this article today. The Arcade building is beautiful and has been overlooked by Columbia.  My accountant's office is located in the Arcade and I must admit, it's rather depressing when I go there because there are so many empty suites. You can almost imagine what it must have looked like back in the day with the hustle and bustle of shopping and dining in this new concept building.  I grew up hearing stories about this mysterious "Underground Columbia" too. That would be so cool to have it open back up, although I wonder about fire code, egress, etc.  We shall see...

So, what is title insurance?

Title insurance is an interesting and necessary part of the real estate equation.  When a buyer gets a loan for a home, the lender is going to REQUIRE that the buyer purchase a lender's policy of title insurance.  This means the purchaser buys the policy to protect the lender's interest in the property.  But what about the buyer's interest?  

Well, thankfully, one can also purchase an owner's policy at the same time.  This is a nominal one-time fee that is collected and built in to the closing.  But, is it required?  No.  The buyer chooses whether he wants to buy it.  But if he doesn't, he's quite simply crazy.  The people of Rock Hill and York County were pretty thankful they had owner's coverage when the Catawbas came a-knocking at the door.  Of course, this is one of the most extreme examples that we've seen in this state but there are lots of other, more common situations that do occur.

For instance, that title insurance will protect the homeowner in the event that "one day" it's discovered that there was an old mortgage that wasn't satisfied, or that a deed was forged, or that a seller's mistress signed the deed rather than Mrs. Seller.  This insurance protects your interest in that property and represents you in the event of any legal action.  In short, it can be the best nominal one-time fee you can buy!

Insurance Explained

Not only is having insurance a good idea, if you're getting a mortgage, it's required.  A lender doesn't want to loan you all that money without knowing that the house is insured.  So, what does this insurance do for you?  It covers you in the event of something catastrophic such as a tree falling on the house, fire, someone crashes their car into your house, etc.  But, it can also cover you for theft or if someone is injured on your property.  So, don't forget to insure that engagement ring!

Homeowner's Insurance is not the same thing as a home warranty.  Sometimes people get confused here.  A warranty covers "working parts" of your house like the hvac system, water heater, dishwasher, etc.  This is a one year policy that can be issued at the time of closing. It's not uncommon for sellers to provide this for the buyer.  But you can also issue a warranty on your current home even if you bought it a while ago.  Each year, the warranty company will offer you a renewal.  This can be great piece of mind because all of these working parts are aging, and if you buy an older home to begin with, it could be a lifesaver.  If it's July 4th weekend and your air conditioning goes out, it's nice to have someone come fix it for a $50 deductible rather than a typical service call fee and parts and labor...trust me.

So, where do you get homeowner's insurance?  Most of our clients start with whomever has their cars insured.  Insurance companies offer discounts the more policies you have with them.  But don't stop there.  Shop around.  You can do it by phone, with no obligation and you just might find someone else can make you a better deal.  You'll probably call the "big guys" but don't forget about the independent agents.  Often, they can shop more insurance carriers and really beat the big guys. Happy quote hunting!

Home Inspectors: A Love-Hate Relationship

It's like the old cliche..."you can't live with 'em, you can't shoot 'em." Home inspections are a pivotal part of the real estate transaction.  They are helpful, necessary and I highly recommend them.  But, all home inspectors are not created equal. The love-hate is that the inspection can be so important and educational for the buyer, which is how it's intended.  But, I have encountered some who come into the picture with some kind of weird imaginary chip on the shoulder, like his sole purpose is to scare the willies out of the buyer & have them run away in terror.

Many people don't realize, but home inspectors in SC are licensed and are subject to the Residential Builders Commission. They have a set of standards of practice that they are to follow.  This is a key point because, unfortunately, many inspectors don't follow these standards of practice.  In fact, I've had some tell me to my face that they know they are breaking the rules and they don't care.  For instance, a home inspector IS NOT supposed to walk on the roof of a house.  Why do you think this is?  Well, for one, he's not a licensed roofer.  If he falls off the roof and is injured, think the seller & his insurance company are going to be happy?  What if he falls and breaks his neck?  What if he damages the seller's roof while he's tromping around up there?  You see the point, I'm sure.

So, it's important to find a home inspector who knows the rules and is committed to following them, for his own and everyone else's safety.  It's equally important to use an inspector who knows his boundaries.  He's not a structural engineer, so he shouldn't make comments or judgments as if he were. The purpose of this inspection is to check the house overall for dangerous conditions, broken or non-functional components and anything that just doesn't work.  If there is a concern about how a breaker is wired, then the inspector recommends that it be followed up by a licensed electrician.  If there's an active leak under a bathroom, he'll defer to a licensed plumber.

What a home inspection is NOT is a time to seek out and focus on every imperfection that the house may have.  There is no perfect house, even if you have it custom built and you're on site everyday during construction.  They all have their blemishes. The home inspection's purpose is not to supply a cosmetic wish list for the seller to deal with. Cosmetic or minor issues are most often pointed out simply for the buyer's information. It's also not a time for a home inspector to convince the purchaser not to buy.  Nor is it a time for the buyer to talk himself out of the house.  It's intended to give the house an overall check up so that everyone knows what going on with that house.

Do we find things that need repair?  Sure we do.  Almost every time.  Do we panic?  Rarely, because most everything that an inspector finds is fixable. Do contractors who do this kind of work need weeks and weeks to complete it?  No.  They can rip out an entire bathroom floor, repair it, retile and be gone in a day. I think sometimes when we don't  know how to do something ourselves, we perceive that it must be super complicated and time-consuming.  But rest assured, to the people who do this kind of work everyday, it's a piece of cake.  Do we ever find serious problems like foundation movement?  Sure we do.  But guess what?  There are people who fix that stuff too. 

Once received, the agent (me) will review the inspection report with the buyer(s) and help determine which, if any, items need to be addressed by the seller.  Does the seller have to do what is requested? Nope.  He can tell the buyer to go jump in the lake (again, very rare).  What usually happens is that we negotiate, if needed, to come to an agreement on repairs and who is going to make them.  After all, the seller wants to sell and the buyer wants to buy. 

I believe in the importance of home inspections.  It can be the best money a buyer spends. But I am picky about the inspectors I recommend.  Ultimately, the choice is the buyer's, of course. We can provide a list of inspectors, however, that former clients have used with positive results.

Saluda Chase Open House

From time to time, we agents will host what we call an "Agent's Open House."  The idea is to get other agents into our listings so that they 1) are aware of the listing and 2) to get valuable feedback from our colleagues.  This feedback can help us and our sellers "see" issues with condition, price, asthetics, etc. that maybe we didn't see previously.

Since we agents are pretty much on the go all the time, we typically serve lunch so that agents can stop by, give us their opinions and grab a bite...after all, we've all gotta eat.

After making it through negotiations and inspections, the deal on one of my sweetest friend's house fell apart because of the buyer's inability to obtain financing like he thought.  This is the biggest bummer a seller, and an agent for that matter, can experience.  So, today, we hosted an agent's open house to get our fellow agents in the house and to see if any of them might have a potential buyer.  We had 14 agents stop by and one even brought a buyer client with her.  Having this many agents preview at one time was a huge success!

The house is fantastic.  It's a split floorplan, which provides awesome privacy for the master suite. The kitchen has been updated with gleaming granite counters, handsome cherry finish cabinetry and features a ceramic tile floor.  Other features include a bonus room, screened porch, fireplace, big backyard.  All of the agents who attended today had nothing but compliments for the house.  Take a look and if you, or someone you know might be a good fit for this house, please contact us to arrange a showing!

$188,000

 

Earnest money? Who's Ernest?

Sometimes we find that purchasers, when preparing to buy, focus heavily on putting aside money for their down payment that they forget about (or don't know about) other up-front monies that they will need.  The first one in the process is "earnest money."

When you write an offer with your agent (me) you'll also need to write a check called an earnest money deposit.  As its name implies, the purpose of this check is to demonstrate to the seller that your offer is "in earnest." You see, this deposit does a few things.  First, to show the seller that you are serious.  So serious, in fact, that you are willing to put that money on the line and forfeit it to the seller should you breach your contract.  Second, it also serves as a deposit on your side of the equation.  What I mean is that when we go to closing, this  money is credited back to you.  

One question people often ask is "if this doesn't go through, will I lose this money?" The answer most of the time is no.  All contracts are contingent on financing or proof of funds for cash deals. If something happens (you lose your job, for instance) that causes you to be denied financing, you will not lose this money.  However, if you are approved and just change your mind, this is default (breach) and you forfeit this money. Fortunately, in my career, this has only happened enough times for me to count on one hand.

Another common question is "how much earnest money do I have to put up?"  There is no solid answer here.  There are no rules.  You want to offer enough of a deposit to show your seriousness about the property and something that is in proportion to the value of the property.  For example, if you are interested in buying a $300,000 house, the seller is highly unlikely to accept a $500 earnest money deposit.  Why?  If you default, he only stands to recoup $500 after taking his house out of the active listing status while under contract with you. For that priced property, he will want a more sizable deposit to make it worth his while in the event of a breach.  Make sense?

The stewardship of your earnest money is strictly regulated by state government.  Your money must be deposited into a special trust account to be held there until it can be rightfully disbursed. Once your offer is accepted by the other party, agents are required by law to deposit your earnest money into that trust (escrow) account within 48 hours.  It's as safe as being in Gringotts (for all you Harry Potter fans!)

If you have any real estate questions, either of us would be happy to talk with you.  Information is power.

What is a home warranty & what does it do?

Sometimes I mention "home warranty" and people start nodding their heads and they say something like, "oh yes, insurance on my house."  Well, no. It's not a homeowner's insurance policy.  Homeowner's insurance is the big one; covers fire, trees crashing through your roof, someone getting injured on your property, your belongings, etc.  A home warranty is something quite different.

The home warranty is a one year policy that covers the working parts of a house.  Working parts are things like the heating & air system, water heater, dishwasher, swimming pool, electrical system, etc.  They were originally created to give homeowners some coverage for the big ticket items like heating & air but have evolved to cover much more.  Typically, the process goes like this:

• Your water heater malfunctions or quits working.
• You call the warranty company's toll-free number FIRST. Do not call a plumber, or any type of contractor without calling this number first.  You will void the warranty.
• The warranty company authorizes the proper contractor to come to your home.
• You pay that person a deductible, which can be anywhere from $50 to $100, depending on your plan.
• The contractor evaluates the problem and determines if it can be repaired or if it requires replacement.  They report this back to the warranty company who then approves the repair/replacement.

So, as you can see, this type of coverage can be quite valuable to a homeowner, especially someone who has not owned a home before.  As the end of that first year approaches, the warranty company will offer to extend the warranty for you.  You just pay the annual premium and you're all set.  Usually this is no more than $500, depending on the size and age of the house.  I can tell you from experience, if your heating & air dies on July 3rd in South Carolina, you'd much rather write a check for $500 than $2500!  Because when it's 100 degrees and 105% humidity, you're writing a check!

Saluda Chase Charmer

Love the location of Westover Acres but really prefer a  newer house?  Well, you're in luck! 1017 Riverstone Court is in Saluda Chase, a newer neighborhood tucked inside Westover Acres.  Same great location but modern floorplans, newer construction & energy standards as well as today's features.

Fantastic home ready for a new family

 This home sports a split, open floorplan which affords a private master suite with soaker tub and walk-in closet.  The other 2 bedrooms share a full hall bath. The kitchen has been upgraded with beautiful granite countertops, handsome cabinetry and built-ins.  Dine either in the breakfast area of kitchen or the formal dining area. Other features include bonus room, screened porch, fireplace, 2 car garage, cul-de-sac location. Priced at $188,000.  

Contact us right away to arrange a showing.  It's likely the spring market will gobble this one up! 
  

Condo Relief

The condo market can be one fickle little creature.  Some years, condos are hot. Everybody wants one.  Then, it goes cold and nobody will even look at them.  But, over the last few years, something else has been happening to the condo market. Something kind of scary.

Condo complexes or neighborhoods are subject to a lot of scrutiny when it comes to financing.  For someone to obtain an FHA mortgage on a condo, the complex must appear on the "HUD list" which is something the HOA has to apply for and maintain.  This has proven to be problematic in recent years because many HOAs either don't know they are supposed to be doing this, or they do know that their neighborhood no longer qualifies.  And since the majority of people are getting FHA financing these days, this presents a problem

But what about buyers using conventional loan products?  Well, we run into the same problem.  Even the conventional lenders want to follow the same guidelines. So, if the complex has too high a ratio of owner occupants to renters, no dice.  If the complex has too little money in their reserves, or if their insurance is less than $1M, sorry Charlie.  So, as you see, it was becoming an environment that if you owned a condo, you couldn't sell it because no one could buy it. And what happens then if someone can no longer afford their condo...foreclosures go up.  The situation was looking pretty dire.

Well, today I was talking to one of my lender friends. He and I had previously had this gloom and doom conversation about the condo situation.  He shared my concerns. Well, now, he's found a loan program that will allow a buyer, who intends to be an owner occupant, to purchase a condo regardless of the owner/renter ratio. This is huge, because that's usually the part of the equation that hangs everyone up.  This is really good news for condo owners and purchasers.  And, just in the nick of time. I'm meeting with a client tomorrow who I sold a condo several years ago.  He's ready to move on to something bigger, so this is really good news.

Anyone in the market for a cool condo near the Zoo?

Two signs the Spring Market is upon us!

  
As soon as these happy little faces start showing up in our gardens and our yards, we know spring is finally here.  With the warmer weather, blooming shrub & trees and fragrant blossoms comes that spring real estate fever. We'll begin seeing cars slowly cruising neighborhoods, increased visitors on our websites and more inquiries.  

Bring it!  We are ready for you buyers. Interest rates are still at historic and unbelievable lows. We have a healthy inventory with lots of great choices. Let the spring fever grip you and help you take advantage of these opportunities!

Wexford on the Lake

Stately, brick 3-story home on large corner lot. Luxurious master suite, formal rooms, two bonus rooms, large kitchen, inground pool and screened porch. 

$375,000

 Fresh paint throughout, side entry garage with new floor surface, lake access neighborhood.

Seller's Market?

I admit it.  I don't always see trends until they are obvious.  Dottie, on the other hand, almost has real estate clairvoyance.  A week of so ago, she casually mentioned to me that the market seems to be turning toward a seller's market and various sources are predicting that we're moving toward a shortage of available homes.

Since then, I've been thinking about this and realized that she's right.  As usual.  Very subtly, sellers are gaining more power and control in the transaction.  Depending on where you are, sellers have been getting beat up pretty badly over the course of the last 6 years or so.  Buyers developed a sense of control that they wielded mightily.  Low offers, walking away from a counter, requesting outlandish concessions and expecting sellers to bow down and kiss their feet for the privilege of selling their house way below market or for less than they paid for it.

But...

lately, sellers are standing firm and it's the buyers who are starting to take a little whipping.  Buyers who have been waiting for rates to go lower (really?  is that possible?), buyers who have been offer-hopping trying to get steals, and buyers who have simply been slow to act may soon find themselves in a much different position.  Why is that?  Well, a few reasons.

First, in the past, a family who needed or wanted to move up quite often ended up in new construction because it's less expensive than existing homes.  Existing homes appreciate over time, you see.  When the recession came along, builders were going bankrupt right and left.  There simply aren't as many of them out there anymore.  The majority of new construction today is being built by the big companies that were able to weather the storm.And, viola, not as much new construction for existing homeowners to compete with .

Second, many people who wanted to sell their homes but couldn't for one reason or another went the route of that show, "Love it or List it."  You improve your kitchen, update the baths, add a screened porch, put it new flooring and all of a sudden you realize you no longer NEED to sell your house and can stay put. This certainly takes the pressure off someone who thought they had to sell when they realize they are ok where they are.  So, what this results in is less and less homes coming on the market, thus creating shortage of inventory.  Of the ones who went this route and decided they still wanted to sell are now in a position to say, "No. I'm not having a fire sale on my house.  Thank you for playing. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

I actually hate to hear people in any sales profession say "Now's the time to buy.  Now's the time to sell."  Someone is always buying and someone is always selling.  You can't have one without the other.  However, buyers who have been waiting around should sit up and take notice.  Keep your eye on the ball because the game is changing.  Interest rates have been low to help people sell, not to help people buy. That's going to change as the shortage grows. Wait too long and you'll wake up realizing that the tables have turned and the sellers have all the power.

Lake Carolina for two different budgets

We've got two wonderful homes available in N.E. Columbia's Lake Carolina.

Located in Centennial $140,000

This is one of those homes where you feel like you could eat off the kitchen floor!  Neat and tidy is an understatement.  Features include`4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, fantastic master suite, bonus loft area, laminate floors, upgraded appliances, fenced backyard with deck, sprinkler system and house is located on a corner lot.

Berkeley  $224,900

This is a dynamite home, also located on a corner.  Features include a recently remodeled kitchen with granite, breakfast nook, computer desk & tons of cabinets, 2-story greatroom with fireplace, master on main level, 5 bedrooms in total, formal dining room, and patio with pergola.  Side entry garage, fenced backyard and a nice storage building.

Both homes are move-in ready and bargain priced.  Home prices are on the move...UP.  So, strike while the iron is hot!

 

Harbison Area $120,000

This little cutie is ready for new owners.  Seller is the original owner and has maintained this house meticulously.  Actually, that's an understatement.  Clean, neat, in awesome condition.  Features include master suite with private bath with his & hers closets, open greatroom & dining, cathedral ceilings, eat-in kitchen with walk-in pantry, 2-car garage and large, partially fenced lot.  

Glenridge is located within the Lexington/Richland school district #5 and is part of the Harbison community.  Harbison amenities include walking trails, fishing pond, recreation center with indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, weight room, tennis, classes and community events.  Harbison Blvd & Columbiana Centre mall is very close by, in fact, you could walk or bike over using the walking trails and never have to cross a street.  Call for an appointment to see this great deal. Click here for photos and a virtual tour.

New agent at EXIT Agape

It is with great pleasure that we announce the addition of Lewie Truesdale to the EXIT Agape team!  Lewie has over 30 years of experience in the Columbia real estate market.  He primarily specializes in commercial real estate but also works with residential clients.  As soon as we heard that Lewie had returned to Columbia, we snatched him up. 

 You can reach Lewie at the office 803-454-3504 or cell 803-262-6820 or by email LewisTruesdale88@gmail.com.

Where in the World is Kelley Crimmins Hunt?

No need to panic everyone!  Our loan officer extraordinaire has simple changed companies.   Starkey Mortgage has opened a Columbia location and were lucky enough to get Kelley to come on board as their branch manager.  But, fancy title aside, she's still making loans and helping us help others achieve the American Dream of owning their own home.

Those of you who have worked with Kelley in the past already know that she's got years of experience, she stays on top of all aspects of your loan as it's in progress and she goes the extra mile to get you the best terms.  I like to tell people that because of her experience and her diligence, she knows "more than one way to skin the cat!" And, if you want to buy now but aren't in a position to do so, she'll say so.  She'll even go further to advise you on what you should do to get yourself ready.  

So...
if you need :

• To refinance your house
• To use your VA eligibility
• Special financing for nurses, police officers, firefighters, teachers, veterans
• Down payment assistance
• Special rural housing loans

then, this is the lady you need to call!

You can find Kelley at Starkey Mortgage, 803-261-7077, Kelley@StarkeyMtg.com.  Tell her Dottie & Elizabeth sent you!

Wexford on the Lake

What a gorgeous, stately home!  This brick home features three levels of simple elegance and style. The main level is made for living...prepare your signature dishes in the large eat-in kitchen which features an island.  Set up your laptop at the built-in desk to look up recipes online!  Serve dinner guests in the formal dining room.  The formal living room would make a great place for a piano, if you're not the formal type person. The family room is warm and comfortable, featuring bookcases that flank the fireplace. From this room, head on out to the screened porch that overlooks the gorgeous inground pool and spa.  The backyard is quite large and privacy fenced so kids and pets will be safe. 

Wexford on the Lake     $375,000

Upstairs on level two you'll find the master suite and prepare to be impressed!  The bath has custom tile work, whirlpool tub, separate shower, and dual vanities.  Of course, there is a super-size walk-in closet.  Bedrooms 2 and 3 are also located on this level.  On level three, there is a 4th bedroom with private bath and a bonus loft area.  Could be an excellent teen suite, or child's room with playroom area.  There is an additional bonus room over the garage, so there is plenty of space for the whole family to spread out!

The house is located on a large corner lot with mature landscaping.   Wexford on the Lake is located on Lake Murray and offers lake access to homeowners.  Experience the lake lifestyle while still being convenient to Irmo, Ballentine and the Lake Murray Dam.  Entertainment, dining, shopping, schools and recreation areas are within minutes of this home.  Doesn't this sound great to you?

What's going on today?

The summer proved to be quite busy.  In real estate, that's good thing.  Our Columbia market has been so sluggish over the last year and a half, that we needed to get some energy shot into our economy.  As we were all doing all the usual summer activities...beach trips, July 4th celebrations, day camps, Bible school, swimming lessons... there were also buyers actively out and looking at homes.  And, buying them.

Rates continue to hover in the 3's, which still blows my mind every day!  Buyers and sellers are coming together so that job transfers can move forward, downsizing can occur, moving up into the bigger house can occur.  In short, our market is moving and that's good for us all.

So, what's up right now?  Dottie & I have some really great homes listed and I thought I'd share a few of them.  Even if you're not in the market for a new home right now, you may work with someone who's thinking about it, your cousin may be planning a wedding soon, a friend might be contemplating making a change.  You never know who you know who is ready!  One thing is for sure...we are ready for them.  We appreciate your referrals and your business.  When you need us, we're here.

502 Ivy Green Lane, Irmo SC

 

This is a 3 bedroom patio home in the Ivy Green neighborhood in Irmo.  The master suite is on the main level and features a walk-in closet & private bath.  Bedroom 2 is on the front of the house, allowing for privacy and separation from the master.  Bedroom 3 is upstairs, making it very private.  The great room features a vaulted ceiling, open dining area and access to patio and courtyard sized backyard.  The backyard is privacy fenced.  Just enough room to plant flowers or maybe some vegetables but not enough to require lots of work!  The kitchen is galley style with a open window into the great room so it doesn't feel separate from the rest of the house and all the goings-on.  As you can see from the photo, it does have a one car garage that also contains a storage closet and pegboard for organizing.  A great buy at $119,900.

104 Marabou Drive, West Columbia SC

 This is a great home located in convenient Westover Acres.  It has had many upgrades and improvements such as custom tile in kitchen, refaced cabinetry, updated lighting, updated bathrooms, new windows, gleaming hardwood floors, Corian countertops and smooth ceilings.  Features include a formal dining room, large great room with fireplace, breakfast nook, pantry, bonus room over garage and large laundry room.  All bedrooms are upstairs and are very spacious.  The master suite features a handsomely updated bath and shower, and a walk-in closet with organizers.  The sellers had the home professionally decorated by a local designer.  Colors are stylish and will appeal to just about everyone!  Outside, you'll enjoy a large stamped concrete patio (perfect place for a hot tub!), a detached garage/workshop with electricity and fenced yard.  This beautiful all-brick home is a steal at $199,900.

2806 Pickett Street, Columbia SC

 Historic Melrose Heights!  If you love old house charm but also enjoy modern conveniences, this is the house for you.  Renovated to the hilt and ready to move right in.  The house features 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, new custom designed laundry room, granite counters, updated kitchen, ceramic tile, stainless appliances and maple cabinetry, a beautiful formal dining room with transoms & built-in corner cabinet, living room with gas fireplace and wonderful built-ins,and  hardwood floors. It's fabulous on the outside too!  Fantastic front porch, fenced newly sodded backyard, patio, and detached 3 car garage.  I know, a 3 car garage downtown??  Yes, it's true.  Garage has 3 car bays, serves as an excellent workshop and has electricity.  And, as another super bonus, the seller installed closed cell insulation underneath the house, so energy efficiency is much better than you'd expect in an older home.  So much to brag about on this great house.  Modestly priced at $259,900.  

These are just a few of the quality homes we have available.  Please remember, we are a full service brokerage and a full service realtor team.  We'll take you from Lexington to Blythewood...whatever meets your needs and gets you where you want to be.  Give us a call or shoot us an email if you'd like to start talking about the Columbia market and what we can do for you.

Until next time...

They don't build them like they used to!

It's true.  "They" don't build them like they used to.  (You know how "they" are.) Think about it for a minute.  Appliances are built to be disposable, no one even knows what a fountain pen is anymore, houses are made of plastic and cars have bumpers made of styrofoam. And, when you're lucky enough to come across something from the good ol' days, you want to seize the opportunity, right?

Well, take a look at this:

5923 N. Trenholm Road

   This is a classic Forest Acres brick ranch.  What does that mean to you?  It means all four sides are brick, the floors (except kitchen, den & baths) are hardwood, the rooms are large, it has a formal dining room & formal living room, an enormous kitchen and it's on a nice, large lot.  This particular home has been owned by ONE OWNER and has been meticulously maintained. Add your personal colors and designs and it's move-in ready.  

And, remember I said it's in Forest Acres?  That means you will be only minutes from Trenholm Plaza, fine dining, casual dining, churches and temples, Forest Lake Country Club, downtown Columbia and Fort Jackson.  Some of Columbia's nicest restaurants are in this area, as well as unique and fine clothing stores.  Everything is right at your fingertips!

Want to know more?  Please contact us and we'll answer all your questions.  We can be reached at 803/454-3504, or Webbers@DottieWebber.com.