All this talk since July 30th has first time buyers excited about the IRS handing money over to taxpayers - but is it as good as it seems? Perhaps.  However, there is a loan involved that you’ll have to pay back to the IRS.

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Columbia, South Carolina usually doesn’t feel the effects of hurricanes…other than a little rain, maybe some wind and the increase in revenue due to those moving inland while their coastal homes are fighting a ‘cane.

However after living here nearly a decade, I have noticed that when hurricanes are predicted to make landfall anywhere near either North or South Carolina’s coast line, many of us rush to the stores to get supplies.  Read the rest…

For a fun twist on having a “dog” and a beer at the ballpark, the Columbia Blowfish Baseball team is inviting fans to bring their own dogs.  “Bark to the Park” will be taking place on July 6th, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. at Capital City Stadium.  The Blowfish will be playing the Florence Redwolves.

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Water damage only happens to those who have a tree fall through the roof or those living in the path of a flood or hurricane, right?  Not always.  

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I thought I’d take a quick look at what has been happening in the Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Lexington, Ballentine, Blythewood (and so on) markets.  Our Multiple Listing Service covers areas as far northwest as Newberry, as far west as Aiken, South Carolina and southeast to Orangeburg.  In that coverage area, during the first quarter of this year (January - April 2008), we had 19,035 residential houses available for sale.  At that time last year, 18,782 properties were for sale. Read the rest…

Happy Birthday America!

Are you looking for something fun to do on Independence Day?  There are all sorts of activities from on land and on water around Lake Murray.

If you’re a boater, be sure to register your boat for the boat parade which will take place at noon on July 4th.  The more patriotic, the better!  Register here. Hurry, registration ends on June 25th! Read the rest…

One of the home’s major sources of power usage is the water heater.  It sits idly by, waiting for us to ask for hot water.  As it waits for hours and sometimes days, it must keep the water hot inside.  That process of heating eats up wattage and we pay for it in our power bills.  However, there is a solution for this “energy hog”. Read the rest…

I’m giggling here, as the news of living debt free isn’t news, but rather it is a “SPECIAL REPORT” in the eyes of the media. I was listening to Dave Ramsey today, where he highlighted an article published about the merits of living without credit cards. In a nutshell, those who live without revolving debt have larger savings accounts and watch their spending much more closely.

Companies such as McDonalds have been using debt against us as a way to boost their bottom line. Read the rest…

Think the “housing crisis” is all doom and gloom for everyone? Apparently not for some, according to an article from CNN/Money. Just a few years ago, clients moving to South Carolina from those six markets mentioned in the article couldn’t believe the low prices and slow appreciation rate in the Columbia, South Carolina marketplace. However, those who moved away from those areas now can REALLY appreciate the slow but steady growth we consistently have here in the Midlands. Read the rest…

For those of you who have read this blog for a while, you know I think the whole concept of having some sort of meltdown or crisis in the real estate economy is a bunch of “hooey”.  Perhaps I’m a bit spoiled, here in Columbia, South Carolina where the market is basically insulated from any wild swings in property values.  However, for those that are convinced we are in crisis mode, this video is just for you.

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