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Columbia, SC Real Estate News

By Chip Jefferson
(Gibbs Realty and Auction Company)
The level of crime is not acceptable, Mayor Bob Coble said. "We are declaring war on crime." There are some good and bad here in the new report from the Columbia Police Department. Overall we are still in better shape than most major citys across the country. But here are the quoted facts. Columbia City Crime Overall crime in the city is up 8% to date this year, compared with last year. Violent crime Homicide: down 23 percent Rape: up 42 percent Commercial armed robbery: up 63 percent Individual armed robbery: up 7 percent Commercial strong-arm robbery: down 41 percent Individual strong arm-robbery: up 9 percent Carjacking: up 180 percent Aggravated assault: up 3 percent Property crime Commercial burglary: up 17 percent Residential burglary: up 4 percent Autobreaking: up 23 percent Lar...
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By Mark Ilderton
(1st Choice Mortgage)
  An overview of the loan process Make no mistake, there's a lot involved in getting a mortgage loan. You wouldn't be here on our website if you could fill out a one-page application and get the best loan for you funded the same day. What we do is most of the heavy lifting for you, so you can concentrate on what's important -- preparing to move into your new home, saving money, or making plans for your home equity line of credit. There are four main steps involved in getting a loan. You'll see that we've made your part in them as easy as possible, and we do all the work! That's what we're here for. Step one: determine how much you can borrow This is a function of a couple things. How much of a monthly payment can you afford? And given your unique credit and employment history, income an...
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By Epcon Communities Epcon Columbia
(Epcon Columbia, SC)
Grand Opening Event Columbia's Hottest Property Peach Grove Villas A Maintenance Free Community Gated, Single Story, Luxury Living NE Columbia, Just outside of Woodcreek Farms Announces the Opening of their Models: Saturday November 8th at 1 pm and Sunday November 9th at 1 pm. For more information visit: www.PGVEvent.com or www.PeachGroveVillas.com or call 803-223-9545 See you there!
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By Christopher Pike, 803.727.7800
(Keller Williams® Realty)
The Christopher Pike I'm talking about is not the Star Trek Captain or the author.  This Christopher Pike moved to the Columbia, South Carolina area from Florida with his wife in 2006. They recently had their first child and they cannot think of a better place to raise a family! Christopher is a military veteran and comes from a military family. He understands first hand how stressful moving can be. Christopher believes in the values that were instilled in him as a Soldier and he carries them with him everyday as a referral agent: · Loyalty · Duty · Respect · Selfless Service · Integrity · Honor · Personal Courage As a SELLER, you deserve an agent who delivers exceptional service during the course of selling your home. Marketing skills, knowledge of how to find qualified buyers, and co...
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By Terry Edwards
(Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Corp.)
Columbia, SC   The National Association Of Realtors reported today that monthly existing home sales were up for the first time in nearly 3 years.  The September increase was the largest monthly rise since July 2003. I would like to see what percentage of these sales were foreclosures.  Some of my buyers seem to think that foreclosures represent the best value, but I've been in several foreclosed properties around Columbia the past few months and some of them are no prize. Some are obviously over priced and many are just plainly undesirable.  When a house has been vacant for a few months conditions go from bad to worse.  What started as a small leak around the chimney has now destroyed a large section of ceiling and the floor below is starting to rot. Nevertheless, good deals abound for ...
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By Clint Hammond
(Mortgage Network, Inc)
Considering the volatility and uncertainty we're up against and considering the doom and gloom that's unavoidable if you "have television" or "see newspapers" or "leave your home on occasion", let's look back to President Calvin Coolidge. Closed Mouth Cal has some of the greatest quotes in history if you're into that sort of thing obviously. Personally, I draw a lot from reading what people much smarter than me have said. I know it's cliche or sort of "rah rah" type stuff that most people don't put a lot of stock in, but at times certain quotes do hit the mark. This, in my opinion, is one of those quotes and has been a source of inspiration for me personally for a long time. Just thought I would share for those of you that haven't heard this one.   "Nothing in the world can take the pla...
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By Melissa Breeland
(Residential Mortgage of SC)
For sale by Susan Wade of the class of '64.  A single cemetery plot in prestigious Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia, S. C.  It is in a section where cremation remains may be placed as well, as that seems to be what a lot of people are deciding to do these days.  It is square 95, of lot 54, grave #3.  Rebecca Horne in the office at Elmwood said she would be happy to show anyone where the property is.  The value of this plot is $2,145.  Please e-mail me at SVW1946@aol.com, or call 843-884-9920. http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/products/3418.aspx http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/SC/RI.html#RAR1B8GWU Among the notables interred in this historic c. 1854 cemetery are: Milledge Luke Bonham (1813-1890) who fought in both the Seminole uprising in 1836 and the Mexican War, was a member of the SC...
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By Terry Edwards
(Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Corp.)
Columbia SC   Once again the Cayce/West Columbia Jaycees are sponsoring a power packed, super charged haunted house. The action kicks off every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 from now through November 1st.  Be sure to take along a warm jacket because you will have to stand in line outside for a few minutes. The Hall Of Horrors is located at 1153 Walter Price Street, across from the Cayce City Hall.  Admission is $10/person. www.hallofhorrors.com/index3.html Terry Edwards    www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
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By Terry Edwards
(Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Corp.)
Columbia, SC   The Dillard's department store located in Columbia Place Mall is closing the first week of November and the Sears store at East Pointe Plaza on Garners Ferry Road will close in January 2009.  This is a troubling sign for retailers and a strong statement of the status of our economy. Sears moved into the building on Garners Ferry in 2005 after Wal Mart vacated and built their new location across the street.  It was plain to see by the parking lot traffic that Sears was not attracting any where near the volume of customers that Wal Mart did.  I had to wonder why they stayed open beyond 2006.  Along with the Wal Mart defection from East Pointe Plaza was the loss of Radio Shack, Friedman's Jewelers, Box Office Mail Center and Food Lion. It will be interesting to see what Phil...
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By Chip Jefferson
(Gibbs Realty and Auction Company)
Columbia South Carolina Real Estate. DOWN! I am sad to say but I knew we wouldn't keep on with our heads in the sand and not be touched. Overall the statistics released aren't that bad considering that there are significant growth in our area. I would venture to say that alot of this is a result of the recent turmoil in the marketplace. And consumer reluctance to move forward with home purchases. From The state "The housing slump that has become a full-fledged financial crisis has finally hit Columbia's SC home prices, which saw a significant decline in September, the SC Realtors trade group reported Tuesday. "And industry data shows the Midlands SC is poised to see foreclosures rise." "Home sales dropped 8.4 percent in the Columbia SC area in September, compared with the same month las...
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In a previous post, I discussed the FHA 100% Stipulation on residential resales. After yesterday's events, I have some more goodies to share with you on the possible pitfalls of obtaining FHA Financing.  I received a call from a loan officer about a closing that was being delayed (AT BEST). Ironically, both buyer and seller are unrepresented! The buyer decides to obtain FHA financing on a home in a rural suburb of Columbia SC. For the most part, the transaction has proceeded without much drama. THEN................THE OTHER SHOE DROPS! The property possesses a well that is used as a water source for the home. During the FHA Appraisal, the inspector discovers a public water line and makes a key determination. It is feasible for the home to be connected to public water. Hence, the followi...
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By Terry Edwards
(Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Corp.)
Columbia SC   The University of South Carolina baseball season opener against Duquesne is scheduled for Feb. 21, which starts a three-game weekend series. The Gamecocks will play 11 of their first 12 games at home in the new ball park.  That includes a visit by Clemson and a three-game series against West Coast power house Long Beach State. Approximately 6,400 chair-back seats are being installed, with a total capacity of 9,000 fans.  In addition there will be a picnic terrace down the left-field line. Aa expanded concession stand menu will be available along with portable setups on the plaza and concourses. To get the crowd revved up a state-of-the-art video scoreboard built by Daktronics will stand 86 feet above the field. The scoreboard measures 47 feet high and 44 feet wide, with a ...
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By JL Boney, III, Columbia, SC Real Estate
(Coldwell Banker)
   In the chaos of today's economy, it is rare that we are treated to any good news or hear of any signs of improvement. It seems that anything we hear is how the sky will soon fall, and how there is nothing we can do about it. Even the slivers of good news that manage to slip through the cracks and make it to public view, are reported with a grain of salt and cynicism as if we should not get our hopes up.  However, despite all the bad news out there and the doom on the horizon, I have noticed something shifting to the forefront of business of late. While major national companies are reporting record lows as far as income and sales, I know several local mom and pop type stores that are reporting record highs in sales. And it's all across the board. Anything from a hand made jewelry stor...
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By Chip Jefferson
(Gibbs Realty and Auction Company)
Columbia South Carolina Foreclosures       There are many great deals out there that are not on      the Columbia SC MLS. Most of my investors only send      these quick sale property's out to agents and other      investors. They are usually quick to enter and leave      the market place.   If you are looking to purchase that once in a life time deal on a Columbia South Carolina foreclosure then you have to be able to get this information quickly and be able to make quick decisions. I have several investor and bank property's that come to me every week. Most of them are at 60% to 70% of the true loan and market value. Some need work but alot of them are move in ready. I have an appraisal up front on all of these homes for your review. If you are in the market for this type of deal then...
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By Terry Edwards
(Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Corp.)
I just read about a Long Island, NY family that thought they got a good deal when they found a rental house for $1,000 a month - until the owner showed up and asked what they were doing there. Police arrested Gregory Garvin on Wednesday for posing as a real estate agent and renting out the vacant house in Roosevelt. Garvin was charged with grand larceny and fraud.  Garvin also collected a $1,000 security deposit from the couple. The family was living in the house about two weeks when the real owner showed up. I would have liked to have heard that conversation! Terry Edwards     www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
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By Chip Jefferson
(Gibbs Realty and Auction Company)
Selling Lexington SC Real Estate. The Right Selling Price Affects Your Bottom Line When you're selling your Lexington SC home, the price you set is a critical factor in the return you'll receive. That's why you need a professional evaluation from an experienced Realtor. This person can provide you with an honest assessment of your home, based on several factors including: Market conditions Condition of your home Repairs or improvements Time frame In real estate terms, market value is the price at which a particular house, in its current condition, will sell within 30 to 90 days. If the price of your home is too high, several things could happen: Limits buyers. Potential buyers may not view your home, because it would be out of their buying range. Limits showings. Other salespeople may ...
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By Clint Hammond
(Mortgage Network, Inc)
Been awhile since I got a new post up here, crazy week of work can do that to you. Volatile is becoming an overused term anymore but I swear that's being redefined every week. This week was no exception. The Dow has been on wicked roller coaster and closed the weekend down, after trading in a 567point range, losing 127points on the day to close at 8,852 while the S&P shed 5 points to close at 940. The NASDAQ also finished 6 points on the red side of the line to close at 1,711. Switching focus this week on the Mortgage side of things, we're now going to focus on the FNMA 6% bond as our best indicator of where rates are headed. After a big jump early yesterday on the heels of worse than expected Consumer Sentiment (shocking, people aren't "positive" about things right now....) as well a d...
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By Terry Edwards
(Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Corp.)
Columbia, SC   I had given up on these marigolds ever flowering back in August.  The plants were healthy but they had produced zero flower buds.   For some reason they were waiting on mid-October to bloom.               We had some tremendous tomatoes in June and July. No offense intended to the grocers, but their tomatoes can't touch the flavor of home-garden Better Boys. Now here we are on October 18th and we'll harvest again in a couple of weeks. What a great place to live!   Terry Edwards www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
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By Terry Edwards
(Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Corp.)
Columbia, SC   This past week homeowners in the Heathwood neighborhood of Columbia voted to prohibit the demolition of homes built prior to the 1960s.  The zoning change is known as Interim Measures For Community Protection.  However, approval can still be made for demolition when granted by Columbia's development review commission. The Heathwood area includes homes located between Kilbourne Road, Devine Street, Devereaux and Adger Road. City Council will next vote on the measure at the zoning hearing on November 19th. Terry Edwards      www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
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