Viji Sashikant's (activeincolumbia) Blog

Happy New Year, folks... Earlier today, at Publix, I waved to my friend at the Pharmacy. Are you going to bed by 10:00? I asked. Of course, she said, aren't you? We are the same age, so I guess we are done partying. Done with forced gaiety and a determination to have a fabulous time. Saw the fire...

The 4th public Solar Council meeting was held last Friday, December 5th, at the Green Quad in the USC campus. This was the 4th one this year, the first 3 were in Charleston, Florence and Greenville. It was heartening to see so many attending in spite of it being a working day. There were several ...

The year is winding down. Its been a long year and paradoxically, a short one. Its been a long one because I have travelled so much. 2 trips to India and 2 grand-babies. Columbia was also affected in this market and home sales were down, though sales picked up considerably in August, September an...

I picked up my home phone when it rang and a recorded announcement said that they had made several attempts to contact me regarding an important matter concerning my vehicle and that this would be my last chance before they closed the file. It went on to say: Press 1 to talk to an associate and P...

Suddenly, there are scores of buyers. But resale homes are not selling. Unless they have been priced really really lower than market value. Why? Because builders are giving such fabulous deals! No... I am not griping against builders. I'm all for deals - buyers are the winners. If I were to buy t...

Have you noticed how everyone talks of foreclosures? For Buyers, its the deal of a lifetime, a way to make a quick buck. Agents boast of how they are experts on foreclosures and can get the Buyer that deal. And short sales? What great opportunities! There are classes on short sales - I'm surprise...

Really cute 4-year old home ideal for a young family in The Summit, a desirable community in Northeast Columbia. Great school district and close to Fort Jackson, shopping and the interstates. Community: Swimming pool, play areas. Plus points: Large Great Room, really big Master Bedroom, and cute...

Once in a while, you come across buyers and it breaks your heart to see how little they have and how happy and eager they are to get a home. Today, I met a young couple - both are deaf and mute. Plus Joe (fictitious name) has a kidney problem because he has to go for dialysis! The very word frigh...

Why is it that CA is always 1st in everything? Can't be the weather - we have great weather here in SC too. I just read a news item on Ecogeek that 9 Sam's Clubs in CA are offering solar systems to their customers! Apparently, they have kiosks set up to give information on the systems and install...

My home office faces north and though there is a big window and a door with glass on its upper half, I had to have lights on all day long even in summer (I work a lot from my home office). And though my living room faces south, the tall trees in the front yard made it dark espcially in the summer...