Columbia South Carolina    Great news and something we already knew here in Columbia SC.   "While home prices have fallen recently in the Midlands, Columbia is among 25 metro areas nationwide in great shape to rebound from the poor real estate market, Smart Money, the monthly personal finance magazine from The Wall Street Journal has concluded" Overall Columbia South Carolina is a smart place to place you money in Real Estate investments. And it looks like the rebound is already underway for the Columbia SC markets. "Columbia's 27.9 percent average home-price growth between 2002 and 2007 was under the U.S. average of 40.5 percent, the magazine reported" We don't boom but we don't bust either! "Columbia SC was among the cities with the smallest chance for prices to fall in the next two... 01/09/2009

January 9 - January 15, 2008If you would like to receive this list every week via email, click here. www.hugerstreet.com Friday, January 9. Community Gallery Reception: Skate and Create. Community Gallery Reception: Skate and Create displays artwork and skateboards altered with unique and original art created by a variety of artists, skate enthusiasts and skaters. Live music, light refreshments and a cash bar are available. Visit the Columbia Museum of Art for more information. Friday, January 9. Free Fridays at the Zoo! Start the New Year with a free trip to the Zoo. Each Friday during the months of January and February residents of Richland and Lexington counties will receive free admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. To qualify for free admission, Richland and Lexington county res... 01/08/2009

    INTRODUCTION: The Power of One ------------------------------------------- Monday, January 19 @ 10am BUILDING VALIDITY & POSITIONING ---------------------------------------  Tuesday, January 20 @ 8:30am PROSPECTING ------------------------------------------------------------------ Thursday, January 22 @ 10am MARKETING --------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, January 26 @ 10am LEVERAGING A POWERFUL CONTACT DATABASE ---------------------------- Tuesday, January 27 @ 10am WORKING WITH METS ---------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, January 29 @ 10am FARMING ------------------------------------------------------------------------  Monday, February 2 @ 10am OPEN HOUSES ---------------------------------------------------------... 01/07/2009

If you have been following my blog over the last four-plus months, you are aware of my life-long love for FOOTBALL!!! While watching last Sunday's NFL Wild Card games, I experienced some inspiring moments by watching two very successful NFL players.  Their career approaches and results can be used as living examples of the ingredients necessary for success in 2009.  PASSION + PERSISTENCE = PRODUCTION     PASSION - If you can find a more passionate player than Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, please let me know. (We can have that debate in a separate post.) Ray exemplifies PASSION on the football field. In every workout......During every speech....On every play........... In every game.....Ray IS PASSION! Whether you like him or not, you cannot deny his self-sacrificing love for THE GA... 01/06/2009

First and foremost, I want to wish all of you that are reading this post a HEALTHY, HAPPY and PROSPEROUS 2009. When I started this Online Social Networking journey on November 1, 2007, I didn't even know I was starting an Online Social Networking journey.I was simply setting a goal for myself. GOAL: David Patterson will have an improved WEB PRESENCE by January 1, 2009. Did I achieve that goal? ABSOLUTELY!!!! Now...I can't say that I've experienced OODLES AND OODLES of business flowing through my Gateway T-Series monitor from the Information Superhighway. However, if you GOOGLE "DAVID COLUMBIA", I am on PAGE ONE! How many people can truthfully make that pronouncement? 2009 Patterson Lesson #1: If people can't consistently find you on PAGE ONE of specific and most used Search Engine queri... 01/04/2009

 With all the websites available to consumers today, it's easy to research most any topic you choose. When it comes time to list a house on the market for sale, there are plenty of options out there for you to take a look at on line. Zillow is one of the more popular as is Realtor.com. However, there is still substitute to good old fashioned professional help.  When studying the MLS to price a house for the current market, just for the fun of it, I usually check Zillow for their Zestimate of the property. I have yet to see a single Zestimate that is in line with fair market value for the areas that I research. In fact, I have yet to see a single Zestimate that was not below fair market value and in most cases by several thousand dollars. One of the last houses that I listed there was a ... 01/03/2009

2 - January 8, 2008If you would like to receive this list every week via email, click here. Friday, January 2-Wednesday, January 7. One Day You'll Understand.During the Klaus Barbie trial of 1987, a French businessman uncovers the truth about his family's actions during the Holocaust; a meditation on loss, memory, identity and family legacy, directed by acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Amos Gitaï and starring Jeanne Moreau. In French with English subtitles. Visit Nickelodeon Theatre for more information and show times. Friday, January 2. Friday Night Out.Drop your child at Plex Indoor Sports (Sandhill) for FNO (Friday Night Out) this Friday. The theme this Friday is New Year Dreams! Kids will make cards showing what they look forward to in the upcoming year. Your child will enjoy dinner, ga... 01/02/2009

 For any of you out there that are currently thinking listing your house, but you really do not want it to sell, here are some simple steps to follow. I'm sure that if you go along with this program you'll be able to avoid the sell of your house any time in the near future. These are tried and truth methods for decreasing your chances of receiving an offer, so be sure you bookmark this for future reference in order to ruin your chances of successfully marketing your home.  1- Over price! Under no circumstance should you price your house for fair market value. This is the first and most crucial step in your pursuit of failure. And when I say over price, I mean shoot for the Moon. Make sure that you are the highest priced per square footage in the community. The rest of those suckers who ... 12/30/2008

Columbia,SC     Here is a quick look at what $150,000 will get you in the greater Columbia, SC area.  This model home in the Jacob's Creek community in NE Columbia is practically being given away.  It has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths and a 2 car garage.  There is a master suite upstairs and down, plus stainless appliances in the kitchen and a fully sodded lawn with irrigation system!     This patio home in SE Columbia has a Master BR & 2nd BR downstairs and a 3rd BR upstairs. There is a huge walk in closet, double vanity, and garden tub in the Master Bath. The Great Room & Master bedroom feature cathedral ceilings. This home also has a gas FP, Plantation Shutters and upgraded appliances. The kitchen has a Dishwasher, Disposal, Refrigerator, Microwave-Above the Stove and a Self Cleaing, Solid ... 12/29/2008

Escrow To finalize the sale of a home a neutral, third party (the escrow holder, a.k.a. escrow agent or Attorney) is engaged to assure the transaction will close properly and on time. The escrow holder insures that all terms and conditions of the seller's and buyer's agreement are met prior to the sale being finalized, including receiving funds and documents, completing required forms, and obtaining the release documents for any loans or liens that have been paid off with the transaction, assuring you clear title to your property before the purchase price is fully paid. The documentation the escrow holder may be collecting includes: Loan documents Tax statements Fire and other insurance policies Title insurance policies Terms of sale and any seller-assisted financing Requests for paymen... 12/27/2008

December 26 - January 1, 2008If you would like to receive this list every week via email, click here. Through Thursday, January 15. "Christmas on the Potomac" Card Exhibit. The 2008 card exhibit, "Christmas on the Potomac," will feature Christmas cards from US presidents, from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush. Cards from University President Harris Pastides and, if available, US President-elect Barack Obama and Governor Mark Sanford,will also be on display. The cards are from the university library collections. Visit USC Library for more information. Friday, December 26-Saturday, December 27. Christmas in Hopelands. Each year the City of Aiken spreads holiday joy with a night-time journey though Hopelands Gardens lit by over 100,000 lights magically arranged in dazzling sculptures of th... 12/24/2008

 While conducting my Sunday Afternoon blog reading, I noticed a disturbing trend. Erica Ramus and Gail Tassey had submitted almost identical blog posts in reference to today's telephone activity. It made me a little nervous. Do we have a rising trend of potential home buyers using an old strategy to enter and purchase homes OR is this just coincidental? OR.......EVEN WORSE............Could this be a SAFETY WARNING of future criminal activity? Whatever the case...we should sit by the fireplace and chat about Rules of Engagement. Let's get something out of the way immediately! Attention Potential Home Buyers! When you call a real estate agent and ask them to meet somewhere, that's not the safest request for us to fulfill. If your family member receive a call from someone saying..."I know ... 12/21/2008

    "Breathtaking Historic Victorian" More Photos » $415,400.00   Acquire Realty       Laura Jefferson Email Laura   Phone: 803-233-7178 Cell: 803-206-4131 Fax: 803-753-4773           Details Address: 2311 PARK STREET Type: Residential Style: 2 Story Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Size: 2,760 sq. ft. Lot Type: Rectangular Year Built: 1910 "Craftsman" MLS®: 233727   Description Breathtaking Historic Victorian almost 100 years old. Appliance Allowance - $4800. Beautiful Millwork, Hardwood Floors, and a Butler's Pantry. All Fireplaces are plumbed for Gas Logs. Large Rooms, Screened Porch, and Patios everwhere! Archways, and a window seat in the bay window. Tall White Privacy Fence along sides and in back yard. A Slate Roof, Wonderful Front Porch, Great Neighbors and Gaslight sidewalks make this ... 12/19/2008

  "Downtown Bungalow" More Photos »   Acquire Realty       Laura Jefferson Email Laura   Phone: 803-233-7178 Cell: 803-206-4131 Fax: 803-753-4773   Details Address: 5301 ASHLEY STREET Type: Residential Style: Single Story Development Level: Built Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Size: 1,380 sq. ft. Lot Type: Rectangular Year Built: 2008 MLS®: 234373   Description New construction in town, light and bright open floor plan. Elegant smooth high ceilings. Hardwoods in great room & kitchen. Fireplace in great room with entertainment niche. Bar, granite countertops in kitchen, stainless steel appliances installed. Tile in baths & a oversized laundry room. Upgraded lighting package. Beautiful decorators colors. Corner lot. Large front porch & rear deck. Great downtown living! MLS® $139,900 New Constr... 12/19/2008

  More Photos »   Acquire Realty       Laura Jefferson Email Laura   Phone: 803-233-7178 Cell: 803-206-4131 Fax: 803-753-4773 Details Address: 3133 MAKEWAY DRIVE Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Garage: Single, Attached Basement: Yes, Partial Size: 1,840 sq. ft. " additional 951sq.ft.basement" Lot Type: Rectangular Year Built: 1952 Taxes: $862.00 (2008) MLS®: 234307   Description Wonderful and huge home in Earlwood. Below appraisal and a must see.Not included in the heated square footage this home brings an additional 951 square feet in the basement and a 212 square feet of a great sunroom and much more. A professional landscaped back yard, the lot is a huge with .98 acres. Original hardwood floors throughout, a five zoned irrigation system, separate offic... 12/19/2008

This just in from the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce: As odd as that may seem, South Carolina is stacking up very well in this new emerging industry.  Of the several different types of alternative energy, solar energy is receiving a good ole South Carolina welcome.  Due to the versatility, reliability, and the availability of tax credits, solar energy is no longer the "feel good" environmental alternative, but a fiscally responsible choice for all homeowners, businessowners, government agencies, manufacturing andc ommercial sectors of our local economy. Traditionally, populous states like California, Colorado, New Jersey, and Florida have led the nation in solar energy installations.  This is in part due to the high utility cost that customers must face in tho;sestates.  South Car... 12/19/2008

Columbia South Carolina's weekly top 10 to do December 19 - December 25, 2008If you would like to receive this list every week via email, click here. Friday, December 19-Wednesday, December 24. Eye to the East: The Turner Collection of Chinese Art. The exhibition Eye to the East offers visitors an in-depth understanding of Chinese art. Dr. Turner's collection is exceptional in that it covers a broad historical span with excellent examples from many periods. The approximately 70 works in the exhibition range from rare painted ceramics and bronzes of Neolithic times, to superb ceramics, vessels, tomb figures and Buddhist sculpture from the Golden Age of China, the Tang dynasty (618-907). Beautiful works from almost every intervening period are also included. Dr. Turner's donation to the C... 12/18/2008

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge that won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. -Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. -The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. -The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. -The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. -Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching,  Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. -The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. -Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the ... 12/18/2008

Just a "food for thought" item for the end of my day.....   "There has never yet been a man in our history who has led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering." - President Theodore Roosevelt   12/16/2008

Well, it was every bit as significant as we all thought it would be. Earlier in the day a lot of "bond friendly news" had little to no impact on our benchmark FNMA 4.5% bond. Housing starts and building permits for November came in as the lowest ever recorded. Pimco, the world's largest bond fund, said it's buying Mortgage Backed Securities in a huge way, more than they have in over 18 years. All of this should have seen our MBS prices gaining, and therefore dropping interest rates but trading was somewhat subdued by the looming Fed announcement at 2:15pm this afternoon. When the FOMC Press Release hit, it took everyone completely by surprise as they cut rates "1%-.75%" as they would have it floating in the 0%-.25% range rather than a set figure. Remember, Wall Street was looking for a ... 12/16/2008