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 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?
Read the rest…
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 23, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, buyer, buying, chapin, columbia, cow lady, first time, first time buyer, history, home, house, housing market, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, seller, selling, south carolina
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Here’s a snippet from a press release issued today:
During today’s Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Awards Breakfast ceremony, Kathy Smith was recognized for her sales achievements in 2007. Read the rest…
January 14, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, cow lady, event, fun, holiday, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, nightlife, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina, things to do
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Do you love Lake Murray? Want a way to enjoy the fun of South Carolina’s music and cuisine…all while raising money for a good cause? Well, then, the Taste of Lake Murray is an event for you!
An annual fundraiser for the fireworks spectacular that takes place on the shores of the lake to commemorate Independence Day on July 4th, the Taste of Lake Murray kickstarts the fundraising season.
Read the rest…
January 10, 2008
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, cow lady, environment, event, fun, green, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, real estate, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina, things to do, vacation
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Riverbanks Zoo & Garden not only serves to protect rare and endangered wildlife and wild places, but also safeguards a number of South Carolina’s significant historical landmarks. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973, Riverbanks’ 170-acre site has a deep-rooted history dating back to the early 1800s with South Carolina’s textile industry and the Civil War. Today visitors can view structural remains that reveal this rich past from several vantage points within the Zoo & Garden in addition to feeding the Giraffes and interacting with the animals at Riverbanks farm.
And now I’m about to give you a lesser-known secret regarding Riverbanks Zoo. I know a way you can get in for F-R-E-E.
Read the rest…
December 8, 2007
ECHL, Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, chapin, columbia, event, fun, hockey, inferno, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, lexington, nightlife, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina, things to do
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Yes, it’s true. Columbia’s ECHL Ice Hockey team, the Columbia Inferno have totally gone to the dogs. Literally.
On Saturday, December 8th, the Inferno will be hosting the Florida Everblades at the Carolina Coliseum. Blaze the mascot won’t be the only dog in the house, however.
Read the rest…
December 7, 2007
Lake Murray, Midlands, Richland, activity, ballentine, blythewood, columbia, cow lady, event, irmo, jeffcoat, kathy smith, law, lexington, problems, realtor, relo, relocation, russell, sc, south carolina, things to do
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All right, so maybe we won’t be seeing the headline that ALL dogs are banned as a companion in Columbia, South Carolina right away. However, if the current Breed Specific Legislation that is being worked on currently in Richland County goes through as planned, it could become a reality for some dog owners of specific breeds identified as having “vicious” tendencies. I was shocked to see in the recent Richland County Council minutes that Councilwoman Valerie Hutchinson is working on such laws as I write this. As many of you know, I am passionate about animals and especially the rights to have a canine companion. Read the rest…
