"Yes, the school system matters." That was a quote from a reader of the Wall Street Journal blog. When shopping or selling a home, my buyers and sellers always ask me questions about the importance and quality of the school district. They also make comments similiar to these quotes that were also made on the wsj.ocm blog: "We have young children and are self-described childhood education junkies. The school district will be our number one consideration for the location of our next home." "Schools were the top factor in determining where to buy our last house...The cost difference between the increased taxes and mortgage payments was balanced against the cost of tuition in a private school. Getting into the top school district...was worth (the) extra in what we were willing to spend." "... 05/11/2008

Forgive me in advance if I don't paint the proper picture for this story. I'm a real estate agent and mathematician. I AM NOT A WRITER!While watching the 10pm WACH newscast on this evening, I was introduced to the story of Kevin Adams. I was really touched by his story and had to submit this entry into my blog before retiring for the night.Kevin is a young man that was born with cerebral palsy which has him relying on a wheelchair for most of his mobility. During today's special event, the operative word in that previous sentence is MOST!  Kevin WALKED to the podium and received the Governor's Citizenship Award from Gov. Mark Sanford. The award is a wonderful event in young Kevin's life. Walking to receive it puts him one step closer to making his dreams and goals a reality.Kevin's Dad.... 04/21/2008

(Editor's Note: This is posted in the spirit of being involved in Rebecca Levinson's game of TAG.) While preparing for the unveiling of MY SECRET, I came across an email from my Broker-in-Charge (BIC). She was sharing with me an exchange of emails between herself and one of my clients. From personal experience, clients contact the BIC mainly to complain about the activities of their agents. I can admit when I'm wrong. Here's an actual UNEDITED testimonial from a past client................. Ma'am, I would like to thank your organization for the opportunity to buy our first home with you, above all I would like to say that our realtor David Patterson help us and really made us feel that we could depend on someone in the most difficult process of a life time which is to purchase a home, h... 04/19/2008

Top Producer 8i Training Class!As Top Producer's Sales Representative covering North Carolina and South Carolina; I offer FREE training sessions on a regular basis.  Get your first look at Top Producer 8i! This class is open to all agents and assistants!!!                                                                                                                            April 7, 2008    Columbia, South Carolina Hampton InnHarbison Boulevard/101 Woodcross DriveColumbia, SC   29212*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Topics to be covered in the class include the following:Agent Set Up Contact Entry Action Plans (follow-up campaigns) Listing and Closing Plans Mass Email/Mail Out Customer Web pages CMA's and Buyer Presentations Community and School Reports Question and Answer Sess... 04/02/2008

                        Real IDHomeland Security grants an extension that Gov. Mark Sanford didn't ask for. Under protest and disapproval Mark Sanford refused to comply sighting the cost far outweighs the benefits or Real ID. The Governor's stand was cheered by many that fear the Real ID and the invasion of there privacy. But airport official was bracing them selves for long security lines and the US District courts were flooded with inquires from Attorneys concerned they wouldn't get access o the Federal courts.At some point someone has to draw a line in the sand Sanford wrote Chertoff. And Mark Adams director of the SC DMV said the Palmetto state is already close to the compliance with Real ID. SC already has Overt and Covert security features.This will not be the end of this debate a... 04/01/2008

Greenhill Parish 418 Upland Trail RoadThis lovely 3300sqft 3 bedroom 2 and a half bath home located in Greenhill Parish just off of Spears Creek Church RD in Northeast Columbia is a must see. With hardwood floors, granite counter-tops, molding in the living-room, great-room, and dinning-room, this one has all the upgrades. Stop by the open-house today Sunday, March 30, 2008 and see this one for yourself.$439,900 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________This message brought to you by www.jlboney.com. For all your Columbia, SC real estate needs, please log onto www.jlboney.comor call JL Boney, III at 803-730-9601.   03/30/2008

Stephen Darnell | Asset Realty Inc. | stephendarnellrealtor@gmail.com | 803-609-6676 124 Castle Vale, Irmo, SC 3 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $129,000 Year Built 1988 Sq Footage 1,400 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Totally New House! New architectural shingles, new pella double-hung windows, new carpet, fresh paint, deck ++ much more. This 3 bdrm/2ba home is nestled in a quaint neighborhood and is framed by flowering trees on a cul-de-sac street. This house has "curb appeal". Loads of attic space! Possible 4% assumable loan(partial) for those who qualify via SC Housing. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Hardwood floor Family room Dining room Refrigerator... 03/29/2008

Columbia Epcon Community: VIP Future Resident Party What:  Northeast Columbia Epcon Community Informational EventWhy:  Learn about the Northeast Columbia Epcon Community and get great information about the most unique community in NE Columbia. When:    Tuesday, April 8, 2008Where:   The Woodlands ClubhouseFor more information call Dan at 803-223-9545, email Dan@PeachGroveVillas.comor visit: http://www.pgvevent.com/ Special offers and information at the event.       03/28/2008

We've all heard the old sayings "Two heads are better than one" and "many hands make light work."  In fact, given the choice, most of us would probably prefer working with a group of people, who are all are dedicated towards reaching the same goal, then trying to tackle a task all by ourselves.  Teamwork, in most scenarios, just makes sense!  It allows individuals the opportunity to be more productive, more efficient, and more effective, which in turn produces higher quality results!Today's real estate market shows a direct correlation with our society's demand for professionals to specialize in a particular field.  When you have a broken bone you want to see a bone specialist, when you need financial advice you seek out a financial specialist, and when our clients need to buy or sell r... 03/26/2008

Tour of Homes in Columbia South Carolina Tour Of Homes April 19,20,26,27 May 3&4 Wow what great stuff on the agenda for April. I love going to the tour of homes. Its a great time to see what all the local builders are doing and the trends of our Industry. I will see you there! Columbia's largest open house of new homes is the annual TOUR OF HOMES sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia. If you are planning on attending, make sure to pick up your free TOUR OF HOMES plan book that list each participant, gives home elevations and floor plans, provides information on each feature community, and supplies a map of the TOUR locations. Thirty-five builders will present sixty-nine houses this year. Participating builders are Avant-Garde Builders, B & B Master Builders, Bau... 03/25/2008

According to Bank of America, The No Money Down Doctor Loan makes home buying easier. The No Money Down Doctor Loan is ideal for healthcare professionals who are paying off medical school expenses, investing in a practice, have limited savings or simply prefer to keep their money in other financial vehicles. All that's required is a consumer or Premier Banking® relationship* with Bank of America. No Money Down Doctor Loan features: +          Up to 100% financing available +          No private mortgage insurance (PMI) +          Loan amounts up to $1,000,000 +          Fixed & adjustable rates and fixed & adjustable rate interest-only1 mortgages available +          Eligible professions include actively practicing:   Medical residents, existing or newly licensed Medical Doctors (MD) D... 03/25/2008

According to the State paper today and the South Carolina Realtors Association report. Columbia SC-area home sales continued to fall in the first two months of 2008, but declines elsewhere were steeper, the South Carolina Realtors reported Thursday. The report, which included both January and February numbers, showed typical sales prices were 3 percent lower in January than they were in January 2007, but rose 6 percent in February. Statewide, prices fell about 5 percent in January, and rose 1 percent in February. The number of homes sold fell 7 percent in January and 9 percent in February in the Columbia area. Statewide, the declines were 21 percent for January and 19 percent for February. I know other areas are having much larger home sales dropped. What a great time to be a buyer and ... 03/21/2008

This is the latest listing to be sold by JL Boney, III of Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors, in Northeast Columbia SC. The market has begun to pick up and there is currently a flurry of activity. Now is a great time to begin searching for a home or to list your current house on the market for sale. If you are interested in any aspect of Columbia, SC real estate, please do not hesitate to contact me for a no hassle, no obligation, free consultation. I will be glad to provide you with market statistics, a free CMA on your current house, or a free list of homes for sale in the area of your choice. The Columbia, SC real estate market is alive and well. From Northeast Columbia to Irmo and Lexington houses are listing and selling. For more information, please contact me or visit my website.JL Bon... 03/19/2008

Looks as if we may have some rain for the traditional flow of green beer and good eats in five points downtown Columbia. But this probably wont deter or slow the annual festival much. Over 30,000 people are expected to attend. Also on the calendar is the annual Home and Garden show. Lots of well known speakers and seminars on gardening. Many displays on home products that keeps us up on the latest gadgets for our home. Columbia is a thriving market with lots to do. Come enjoy some of Columbia SC. www.lauraslexingtonhomes.com and www.lauraslexingtonsc.com     03/13/2008

  First time home buyers are always looking for help in understanding the home buying process. Wouldn't be nice to have a television show that represents the real estate transaction in a realistic light? Well....TLC could have another hit show on their hands..     My First Home brings the lives of first time home buyers to the television screen. Unlike some shows that depict the real estate process as seeing only three homes, making an offer on one and getting it to closing without issue, My First Home offers a more detailed, realistic perspective of the first time home buying experience by filming first time home buyer disappointments, anxieties and successes.. From previewing homes to picking out the perfect house, to waiting through escrow, to the final exchange of keys, My First Hom... 03/10/2008

 Congradulations to Lake Carolina Elementary in Northeast Columbia. The Richland 2 school has been named as one of the four elementary schools winners of the 2008 Carolina First Palmetto's Finest competition.  The award was given March 3rd at Columbia's Koger Center. Schools had to progress through an intensive application process requiring self-evaluation, peer review, and on-site examination. When all was said and done, Lake Carolina elementary was left standing as one of the finest. So, to all the teachers, faculty, students, and parents, congratulations once again for your award._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________This message brought to you by www.jlboney.com. 03/09/2008

If you do not know by now, the United States Postal Service will be adjusting their prices for First-Class, Standard, Package and other types of mailing services.On May 12, 2008, a First-Class Mail stamp will cost you $.42 (a one-cent increase). That's the bad news.Here's the good news...............As long as your purchase them before the May 12 postage increase, you can use the Forever Stamp as proper postage for an one ounce First-Class letter without having to add a one-cent stamp to the letter.The United States Postal Services is reporting a 5 billion unit supply of Forever Stamps. You should be able to find these stamps at Post Offices, Contract Postal Units, consignment locations, Automated Postage Centers, stamp vending machines, and at The Postal Store®.My advice to you! Unless... 03/07/2008

Preston Young, was selected Realtor of the Year for 2008 by the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors (GCAR) for his outstanding service to the association, the real estate industry and the community.Young served as 2007 President-Elect of the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors and Secretary of the South Carolina Association of Reltors Executive Committee. "He is an example of the next generation of Realtor that's committed to their community, their family, their business. It's that spirit of giving that I've seen from Preston that I think deserves a lot of respect and one of the reasons I look up to him." said Nick Kremydas, SCAR Chief Executive Officer. "He exemplifies what good leadership should be. It's not about getting credit or getting an award. It's about being selfless... 03/04/2008

Price Class0-2Bedrm3Bedrm4+BedrmSF Total0-1Bedrm2Bedrm3+BedrmCondo TotalTotal UnitsPrice Class0-2Bedrm3Bedrm4+BedrmSF Total0-1Bedrm2Bedrm3+BedrmCondo TotalTotal Units29,999 or Under 00110000130,000 - 39,999 00000000040,000 - 49,999 01010000150,000 - 59,999 00000000060,000 - 69,999 02020000270,000 - 79,999 01010000180,000 - 89,999 06060011790,000 - 99,999 030300003100,000 - 119,999 110314000014120,000 - 139,999 017825000025140,000 - 159,999 061218000018160,000 - 179,999 17614000014180,000 - 199,999 035800008200,000 - 249,999 061117000017250,000 - 299,999 001212000012300,000 - 399,999 02810000010400,000 - 499,999 004400004500,000 - 749,999 012300003750,000 - 999,999 0011000011,000,000 and Over 000000000Total Units: 265731400011141Total $: (x1000) 2869367172732692600858527011Median $: (x10... 03/02/2008

 Richland 2 is currently considering whether or not Blythewood High and Ridgeview will be able to handle explosive enrollment before a new school comes on-line in 2011. It's a question being pondered by board members who received a briefing on the cost to expand the two schools last week. The current figure estimate a cost of $12 million for Blythewood High School and $14 million for Ridgeview for additions of approximately 38,000 square feet to each school. Projections show both schools facing the possibility of 2,500 students by 2011. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________This message brought to you by www.jlboney.com.   03/02/2008