It’s that time of year, when the calendar flips to August and everyone starts thinking about school. As a child, I hated August because I knew my days of having summertime fun were quickly coming to an end. However, I know all parents love the thought of August (and to send the kids back to school), as it makes their schedules and lives a lot easier!
So, in an homage to back to school time, I thought I’d highlight Lake Carolina Elementary school. Check out what’s going on!
Has the Columbia, South Carolina housing market fully rebounded or is it still in a slump? How does one know when things are improving? According to bankrate.com, there are two key indicators: 1) a decreasing unemployment rate, which shows residents of the area are going to work and companies are confident in their abilities to remain profitable and 2) a decreasing number of properties that remain unsold on market.
Today I found myself amongst a cheering crowd for the housing industry in South Carolina. It was refreshing to be a voice in the choir, instead of the odd man out when talking about real estate in the Midlands. Yes, it’s true. Things have slowed down, but we haven’t come to a screeching halt as portrayed in the popular media. Unfortunately, many of us are focused on what’s happening nationally and somehow have come to the conclusion that if it’s going on in Michigan, Florida or California, then it must be happening here.Read the rest…
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…
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.
Okay, maybe it isn’t that melodramatic, but you should prepare yourself mentally and sometimes emotionally for selling your home.
While those of us in South Carolina (especially the Columbia marketplace) aren’t experiencing some of the roller coaster emotions that others in this nation are, it is still a good idea to know what you are about to enter into before putting that “For Sale” sign in the yard.
For many of us in Columbia, South Carolina, we are thinking of the spring early. Since we aren’t locked indoors due to snow, cold or other inclement weather, those of us in South Carolina get to enjoy a temperate climate (and the potential to work year round on construction projects). The question remains, though…do YOU have what it takes to live in a construction zone? Read the rest…
As the latest stimulus package is winding its way through Congress right now, more details are coming out. In addtion to taxpayers getting up to $1,200 in checks, there’s also a part of the plan that will temporarily raise the conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This package targets major metro areas with high housing costs.
With a median price of around $140,000, Columbia, South Carolina is nowhere near the ceiling for either program. However, the programs will allow the new limit to be 125% of the median price range. No matter how you slice it, this plan is great news for buyers and those of us in the real estate industry.
It is absolutely amazing the stories and headlines that have been in the press lately. They are screaming about the economy heading into a recession and are finding new and innovative ways to help out ‘the common man’. Granted, the Columbia, South Carolina economy is doing very well, thank you…but who am I to turn down free money like this?
When the Fed announced they were cutting their rate to loan money to banks, I knew those of us In South Carolina were about to get a huge gift from good old Uncle Sam. Shortly after, I started seeing rates of 5.5% for a 30 year, fixed mortgage. But is this too good to be true? Could it last? What could it mean to the larger economic picture? Read the rest…
Today I found myself amongst a cheering crowd for the housing industry in South Carolina. It was refreshing to be a voice in the choir, instead of the odd man out when talking about real estate in the Midlands. Yes, it’s true. Things have slowed down, but we haven’t come to a screeching halt as portrayed in the popular media. Unfortunately, many of us are focused on what’s happening nationally and somehow have come to the conclusion that if it’s going on in Michigan, Florida or California, then it must be happening here. 
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. 
Okay, maybe it isn’t that melodramatic, but you should prepare yourself mentally and sometimes emotionally for selling your home. 
For many of us in Columbia, South Carolina, we are thinking of the spring early. Since we aren’t locked indoors due to snow, cold or other inclement weather, those of us in South Carolina get to enjoy a temperate climate (and the potential to work year round on construction projects). The question remains, though…do YOU have what it takes to live in a construction zone? 
It is absolutely amazing the stories and headlines that have been in the press lately. They are screaming about the economy heading into a recession and are finding new and innovative ways to help out ‘the common man’. Granted, the Columbia, South Carolina economy is doing very well, thank you…but who am I to turn down free money like this?
