January 29, 2008
FSBO, Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, prices, problems, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina
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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 two-part video is just for you.
Part One:
Be sure to click “read the rest” to see part two of this fascinating report!
Read the rest…
January 28, 2008
FSBO, Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, cow lady, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, prices, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina
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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.
Read the rest…
January 27, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, cow lady, home, home owner, house, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, maintenance, problems, real estate, realtor, repair, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina, things to do
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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…
January 25, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, government, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, prices, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina
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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.
Read the rest…
January 24, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, credit, event, first time, first time buyer, government, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, law, lexington, mortgage, real estate, realtor, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina
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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?
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January 23, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, prices, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina
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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…
January 21, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, cow lady, environment, home, home owner, house, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, maintenance, real estate, realtor, repair, russell, sc, south carolina, things to do
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Where most of the country calls winter weather for Columbia, South Carolina a heat wave by their standards, we’re having what WE call a cold snap. Since we are more concerned with finding cool air in the hot summers of South Carolina, we may have forgotten all about preparing our homes for winter. So, when does one prepare for winter? Is it ever too late? Well, if you’re feeling a chill in the air, it’s a good time to think about winterizing your home to reduce your heating bills. Read the rest…
January 7, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, cow lady, event, fun, holiday, home, home owner, house, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, maintenance, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina
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I found myself on New Year’s Day purging all the excess “stuff” we moved into our new place two and a half years ago. This “stuff” happened to be boxes of unknown items that were the last to be packed at the old house. You know, the “I’ll deal with it later” method of packing.
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December 6, 2007
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, bank of america, blythewood, bofa, buyer, buying, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, law, lexington, prices, problems, real estate, realtor, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina
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Please forgive the pun, but for once homeowners in Columbia, South Carolina now can breathe a little easier. Announcing a five year freeze on mortages with “teaser” rates, President Bush unveiled a plan today that keeps rates locked in for those who need it most. Read the rest…
December 5, 2007
FSBO, Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, ballentine, blythewood, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, credit, first time, first time buyer, home, home owner, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, mortgage, open house, prices, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina
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What exactly is the current situation in the Columbia or also known as the Midlands, South Carolina housing market? I researched the period of November 1 - November 30th to see where we stand as a marketplace. I have looked at the entire market, from Columbia to Irmo, Chapin and Lexington, Blythewood to Newberry County to Kershaw County to Aiken and Orangeburg.
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