(3 min 48 sec read)

As we enter the first week of the school year, I thought it would be a good idea remind the earth that A.C. Flora High School is the current home of the Class-AAAA Carlisle Cup.

What is the Carlisle Cup, you ask? Well, here’s a video that explains it in about 45 seconds. This page explains, in depth, the rules and point system (click and scroll). A state championship, for example is 100 points, and a state runner-up is equal to 80 points. The points are tallied at the end of the year, and a champion is announced.

Truth told, I think it’s quite an accomplishment for Flora to continue to rank as high as it does. The building is somewhere between 60-70 years old, and what the school was built to “reduce school crowding,” is now landlocked by in the middle of a small/medium municipality called Forest Acres, SC that is branded as, “A City Apart.”  (pop. 10,000)

Flora competes at the highest level, annually. As you can see from this page, Flora was 2nd overall and 1st Place for traditional public schools. Bishop England, a private Catholic based school in Daniel Island in Charleston, SC edged Flora a year ago.

I have two A’ha moments as it relates for Flora. 1) When our oldest daughter, Finley, was about eight years old, I walked her into the gym while she was attending the annual Falcon Cheer Camp. Well, I felt like I saw just about every person I attended college with and all sorts of other friends. It was everyone that I was about to see tailgating at USC games in just a few weeks. I was taken aback, and when you grow up in Anderson, SC and attend T. L. Hanna High School, and enjoyed the experience and knows what parental support looks like, you know what you’re looking at.

2) Two springs ago, I sat next to Flora’s athletic director, Michelle Yeater, while attending the Flora girls soccer match (against Bishop England). Before the whistle blew, I leaned over to Michelle and said, “Hey coach. You have a lot of these games and a lot of state championships under your tenure. I mean…C’mon? What’s this all about?” In less than two seconds she responded, “It’s these coaches, man.” I raised my eyebrows and raised my hands with palms up with a gesture of, “well, there ya go…”

All this to say, I’m so impressed that I had to type about. The commitment of the student-athletes, parents, and coaches is at Flora, and it shows up.

This is an awesome award for the school and the communities that support A.C. Flora High School. I’ve written many times and said it out loud 1,000, “Nothing is more important to a homes value tha the schools. Don’t hate the pun here, but schools are A+, #1 driver as it pertains to a home’s value.

Thanks for the read and let’s keep it up as we go for more of those championship games!!!

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

Check out 1729 Glenwood Road in Forest Hills Neighborhood!

1729 Glenwood Road is 1,877 sq. ft. with 3 BR & 2 Full Baths. As you can see from the pics and link, this is a good looking, all-brick bungalow style home enjoys everything you would expect from a Downtown Columbia home at this price point. How ’bout that closed in sunporch!?

Glenwood Road is located smack between anything Downtown Columbia and super popular Forest Acres, both of which are only minutes away, depending on which direction you turn onto the Forest Drive corridor. This property is zoned for younger students to apply for the opportunity to attend Brockman Elementary, a Montessori teaching method school, and multi-award winning, and athletic behemoth, A.C. Flora High School ! #GoFalcons!

If you or anyone you know would like to know more about this new listing, please contact Elizabeth Laffitte @ 803-960-8736 or email ELaffitte@TheNeighborhoodRE.com. Elizabeth and I drive by Glenwood Road almost daily, and as you can also tell by the images, this home is a pleasure to show!

1729 Glenwood is offered for $350,000.

Thank you!!

Franklin Jones

Last week was busy in 29206 as two of our awesome listings hit the closing table.

1. 4701 Kilbourne Rd. – Lake Katharine Neighborhood – This good looking, all-brick ranch style home took a minute to sell, but in the end we got it done. I had all intentions of listing at $625,000, but after touring the house with the seller and comparing it to a few of the competitors, we bumped the price up the $675K. In this market, we’re trained not to “go for it” unless the seller isn’t in any sort of hurry. That said, after some months of patience, this 3 BR/3 Bath – 2,500 sq.ft. home fetched a closing price of $650,000.

As some of you read on a previous post, this house procured one of the largest Open House crowds that I’ve experienced in a while. That said, the seller hung with our pricing hunch, and she did all of the things to get it sold.

2. 1907 Parrish Drive. – Olde Park Neighborhood in Forest Acres. This is a newer home and lived like it. The minimal decor and clean color scheme emphasized the size of the rooms and overall cleanliness of the interior. Our listing on Parrish Dr. enjoyed competition within the small neighborhood, two of which sold to Open Door, which offered a sizable discount off of their original asking price.

The sellers of this home previously lived in a much older home in the Wales Garden / Hollywood / Rose Hill area of Columbia, and enjoyed the fresh living opportunities that a new home provides. After a successful and happy career teaching at The Moore School of Business, the sellers packed their bags for Europe to begin their new lives in France!

Parrish Drive is 4 BR/3.5 Bath – 3,422 sq.ft. and closed for $750,000.

Elizabeth Laffitte ran point on this listing, and was an ideal guide for our clients during their journey that began in 29205, and later extended to Olde Park in Forest Acres.

As you can see it was a great week!!

Let us know if we can help you or anyone you know buy, sell, or begin building your real estate portfolio!

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

-6 min 47 second read.

Last Friday, I was to present the Kinsey Black Jones Award at Hammond School. My oldest daughter asked if she could attend, as she has sat or stood beside me, depending on who’s presenting.

For context, this is an annual award that is given to the most deserving graduating senior that would like to become a teacher. Over the years, this “scholarship” has become an endowment which Hammond suggested we create, which was funded by Jim & Theresa Black, Jeffrey & Stephanie Black, Jim (Papa) Black, and Jennifer and me.

This year, as we were standing in the hall waiting for to event to begin, Finley looked up at me and said, “You know I wrote a speech in case you ever make me do it.” I said, “I’d never make you do it. You know that, right?” She went on, “I know. I’m just letting you know that I wrote a speech.” We stood there a few seconds, “My teacher (or guidance counselor…I can’t remember which she said) said it was really good.” We stood there a few more seconds and I said, “Can I see it?” Finley handed me her phone, and what I was really doing was checking how long it may be, as I didn’t want to insult our hosts.

After a minute or so of pondering I made a decision and approached Mrs. Carolyn Stoddard, who along with Mahalie Moore seemed to be in charge of where I’m supposed to be. Sight unseen, she gave me permission to let Finley fly with what she prepared.

Finley has been thinking about this for years. Many times, as Kinsey’s name is brought up around Finley’s friends, they often ask her questions, and she covered it in her talk at Hammond.

Finley has been attending this ceremony for years now, and she sees it as a story-telling opportunity, and it is a stage with a microphone, and today, the kids she’s known all of her life are now Juniors and Seniors, sitting amongst their parents. She saw this as a time and a place to tell some of the story through her lens. That said, I made the decision to let it be this year as she only has one more year before she graduates, and who knows where her journey will take her.

Whether you read her speech or see the video on Facebook, I need to do what we’re really there to do. CONGRATULATIONS TO PIPER CARTER & MAHALIE MOORE for being recognized as the recipients of the Kinsey Black Jones Memorial Scholarship. I don’t know Piper, but I’ve heard around town how awesome she is! On the flip side, I’ve known Mahalie since she was born, and am big fans and friends of her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Little does Mahalie know that their Great-Great Grandfathers were brothers – Dexter & Clarence Brown of Anderson, SC, making Mahalie & Finley cousins. 🙂

All that said, here’s what she wrote. As you can see, it was typed on her phone which means almost zero structure or punctuation, and while that would make older generations cringe, this is how it rolls these days…

“i obviously never got to meet kinsey, but i am up here today because of the impact she left on my dad. through the things ive heard from a variety of people, kinsey was such a kind person; those actions reflected on my dad; and im sure some of you have seen him waving at people who are not even looking; because i see him wave at basically air all the time, he also waves at dogs and deer, because of the friendly person he is; he wants everyone to feel loved and also for people to feel like a somebody; he always makes a friend wherever he goes and most of the time when we go places, him making a friend isnt even all that necessary because 9 times out of 10 hes going to know everyone in the room. im glad kinsey could shape him into the social person he is; even if we are still there talking to people after the event ended 45 minutes ago; and im glad she was apart of the reason he is the way he is today. i get asked quite alot if my mom is dead and if my mom (jennifer) is my step mom, or i get asked how did i cope my mom dying while i was so young, but then i explain she was my dads late wife. i dont think i have ever finished telling the story and someone not be in pure shock or in tears. i didnt know kinsey but i know she left an impact on so many people and especially alot of the people im closest with today, so i know she was a good person based on the way her life reflected on them. as most of you know kinsey died pregnant and no gender was ever revealed. ive been told that my dad wanted at least 1 boy or always saw himself having boys; and he ended up having 3 girls, even my childhood dog was a girl. ive always felt a little guilty about us all being girls even though we cant help it but my dad being a girl dad was the best gift God could have given me. my dad is loved in every room he walks in and even my friends get sad when they come over and he isnt home. as i said before i never got to meet kinsey but i will forever appreciate her because she gave me another family, the blacks, that i couldnt imagine life without and because she gave me my bestfriend, my role model, a life mentor, and most importantly, my dad. i know that kinsey shaped so many peoples lives and she will always be cherished, mourned, and especially appreciated for making people who they are today.”

Thank you for having us, Hammond School! I’ve cried more in that building than any other, and somehow it’s out of happiness and gratitude. Hammond is a place where joy thrives!

Go ‘Hawks!

Love,

Franklin Jones

3 Min. 52 Second Read – 

WHAT A WEEKEND!!!

While many saw where the A.C. Flora Boys Tennis Team won their 2nd straight 4A State Championship, I had the opportunity to be right in the middle of the action.

And. It. Was. Awesome!

My Flora tennis journey began a couple of years ago when our Finley was a part of the J.V. team. It was a fun team to be around and, if you know me, I kinda get into my girl’s athletics.

Fast forward a few – If you told me some years ago that I’d be Richland One certified (I call it bona fide) and riding the school bus to schools like River Bluff and Chapin with a bunch of high school and middle school kids, with a giant cooler full of Chic-Fil-A sandwiches beside me Ida thought you be CRAAAAY!!

Some of my good friends may be wondering, “I mean…Franklin sure is into this. Can he play freakin’ tennis? Is he any good?” Well, in my bias, not particularly. I can hit a thousand balls back just fine. That said, I relate to the kids easily, and I can tell that I’m easily approachable.

Don’t worry y’all.. I don’t teach technique! Also, apparently, I’m loud.

The matches were fun to watch. Singles courts 3-5 were over pretty quickly, respectively, and our doubles team was an absolute buzzsaw on Saturday. As the morning progressed, our #1 & #2 Singles matches were doozies. That said, even though the overall match was over, and Flora had earned the State Championship trophy, our boys hung tough to secure two more victories for a 6-0 final.

Guess what!? Even though every kid was chomping to get to the Championship Lacrosse game across town (The Flora LAX experience prolly deserves a post, itself), the Flora student population that swelled as the matches went on, stayed until Jude secured his final volley winner, and blasted a ball over the crowd’s heads in victory. It was great!

Let me let this sink in – The Flora Boys finished the season at 27-0, defeated all of their 5A opponents, and all of the Charter & Private schools, including schools from North Carolina. To further the resume, they defeated the Lower State representatives 6-0 to win the championship…Again.

BIG THANK YOU! to Flora Athletics and the team for having me. It was fun working with the JV squad and then joining the big dogs as the playoffs progressed.

I also need to shout out to Amy Martin, Paige Haas, and Debbie Blair for allowing me to join them as we roamed the fences together this year.

This is for another blog post, but Amy Martin has really put together a winning culture at Flora tennis, and is the Queen Bee of an elite High School sports program.

Now that I’ve typed that last sentence, it reminds me to shout that A.C. Flora is currently the home of the Girls & Boys State Championship Tennis Programs, simultaneously.

If you’re reading this and have girls that enjoy playing competitive tennis and are thinking of being a part of the program, if they aren’t already gearing up for the fall season, now is the time to start hitting!!! Coach Lindsay Creech, get ready! 🙂

Thank you and GO FALCONS!!!

Franklin Jones

– 4 min 46 seconds read..

Some of you may have seen Jennifer’s video on FB & IG of one of our twins scoring her penalty kick to finish out a game and hard fought weekend tournament. What I didn’t continue to type was that her goal and hug was also likely their last act as a member of any club soccer team.

Not because of money as much as time, and then the cost of time..

You may be asking “Why?” or “Dude, who cares?” Well, that’s the thing. You may care because you may have the same dilemma many Downtown Columbia families face as it pertains to youth soccer.

Here’s how it goes:

Early years: Your kid is cute and part of a team called the Scrunchies, Pink Ninjas, or Stars (insert creativity here). You and your family meet others at Owens Field around 8 or 9AM on Saturday. For an hour, most of the kids on the team try hard and get in a little clump of youthful humanity and start kicking at a bouncing, round, spherical object. Family fun for all!

A few years later: Your kid seems to be processing the sport, and “gets” what’s going on.

A year or two later: Your little player likes the sport and can tell some of the teammates don’t want to be there. Middle school & high school soccer are a few years away, but you don’t really know how good your kid is. Not because the bar is high, but because the same bar is starting to get low as kids progress and regress. Your kid doesn’t seem to be elite, but he or she can ‘hang’ and do their job on the field.

Middle of your last year of recreational soccer, and talk of “next year” among parents on the sideline, and in the family car on the way home from games: Your child is pissed and doesn’t really care to be there because many on the team don’t want to be there either, or they aren’t grasping the sport yet.

All this is OK, until you and your child start to wonder…

What’s next? Where do you go to find the next level? Do we know? Is there anywhere? Does my kid even qualify?

Yes. If you live in 29204, 29205, 29206, or on the Downtown side of I-77 of 29209, you can travel 30-45 minutes during rush hour traffic, and spend around $1,000-$3,000. To be clear, our opportunity is somewhat amplified, as Jen and I were blessed with twins, so we are $2,000-$5,000.

All this to say, if your kid wants to continue on a soccer journey, what does a resident of Downtown Columbia, SC do?

In the bigger picture, here’s what’s most concerning. A.C. Flora is home to the reigning girls 4A State Championship soccer team, and the boys made it to the Upper State Finals. In 2025, the Dreher H.S. girls played Flora for the Upper State Championship (these schools are three miles from each other, and both are considered to be Downtown Columbia, SC high schools), and the private schools compete as well, recently collecting multiple State Championships, respectfully.

All this to say, there is a gap between a solid YMCA recreational soccer program and the next step, and the Downtown parents don’t know what to do.

I’m reminded of a conversation as I was standing in a cul-de-sac at a Halloween Party when Jennifer and I were trying to decide what to do next as it pertains to opportunities at United FC, Congaree Rapid FC, Soda City FC, and SOAR. I was standing in a group and said something to the effect of, “I don’t see us doing that.” One of the dads standing about a foot from my face, looked me straight in the eyes, and responded empathically, “Franklin, you don’t have a choice.”

A month or so later another dad and I were talking at a school oyster roast about the subject and his quote was, “It’s not sustainable for us.” To paraphrase: ‘I live in Downtown Columbia, South Carolina. My children cannot play youth soccer, as it is not a sustainable option for our family.’

Do you know how perplexing and frustrating this is for a dad of three, a former soccer player, and a REALTOR that is on the front line representing potential buyers in Downtown Columbia, SC?

It’s just too far to drive during rush hour traffic, sit there in the car, and cruise back. It’s a three hour tour, at least twice a week for practice.

Now that the last game has happened, and at the time of me typing this post, my kiddos will be headed towards the 7th grade, and will be eligible and could potentially play for A.C. Flora/Crayton’s JV or B-Team (if they make the team). What I’m getting at, is that we made it through the transition, but won’t have soccer in the fall to feed into the 2027 school spring sport.

Why am I writing this? Not to bitch and moan, but to potentially procure a solution. That said, understanding that there are different ownership groups of these local soccer clubs and all of the factors that come in to play, does anyone have an epiphany that I can take up a chain somewhere and present it? I’ve spoken to a few folks and I’ve emailed the new president and CEO of the YMCA-Columbia, SC.

I feel like there is a collaboration opportunity somewhere, and all someone needs to do is speak up enough to at least try. There must be some sort of step system, or bridge program whereby one of these clubs can partner with the YMCA, and their lease of Owens Field, or some hybrid that finds the win/win goal so I don’t have to tell the next parents with the 10-old, “_____, you don’t have a choice…”

If anyone has a great thought or has made some headway with this please ring or shoot me a text at 803-447-8683 or email Franklin@TheNeighborhoodRE.com .

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

It’s going to be a busy weekend for many awesome causes around the Midlands. Two that are close to my world are The Jonathan Bankhead Smash Cancer Memorial Tennis Tournament, and The Junior League of Columbia’s 2nd Annual Pickleball Tournament!

Event 1 – Jonathan Bankhead was a great husband, dad, and was loved by many residents of the Midlands and the state of South Carolina. Jonathan was a big, gentle giant type of human and also a superb athlete. His wife, Vanessa, is loved by many and is one of the most popular teachers I’ve come across as a dad of three.

Vanessa and their children have chosen to honor Jonathan by generously hosting this tennis tournament that has already raised almost $200,000 in its first five years of existence. As you can see from the graphic above, the tournament is this coming weekend, and the deadline to register is tonight. Please find a tennis partner and join almost 200 other tennis players at The Rockbridge Club in Forest Acres, SC!

Event A – Another fun event that’s near and dear to my heart is The Junior League of Columbia’s 2nd Annual Pickleball Tournament!

As many readers are aware, The Junior League of Columbia has been my philanthropy of choice over the years, and I’m happy that they have embraced Pickleball as a FUNdraiser!

The deadline to register is also tonight! If tennis isn’t quite your thing (yet), I’m sure you (along with tens of millions of Americans) will love playing pickleball! Over 60 people have already signed up, so hurry up and join the fun with JLC!

The event is being held at the new $million+ pickleball facility in Cayce @ 1500 Dunbar Road. This facility is ready for first-class pickleball and has already hosted many tournaments. Sporting 14 brand-new courts, it’s probably the predominant pickleball venue in the Midlands.

Pick your tournament and get out there and play and/or support these events! I’ve attended both, and I can tell you with authority whether you’re participating or just there for support, they are both a great time!!

I plan to attend both!

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

One of the most frequently asked questions I’m getting these days is, “Do you know what’s going on behind QT?” While I thought word was on the street some years ago, I suppose since there has been almost no action, it’s been out of sight, out of mind.

Fast forward to Spring of 2026, things are happening big time.

When I posted the image above a couple of years ago, the REALTOR facilitating the deal was quick to call me and explain that the hotel and restaurant weren’t on the immediate plan. That said, they are on the rendering. There will also be a new traffic light at the QT & Ft. Jackson Blvd.

So the answer is, construction has begun on the 260 apartment units behind the QT at Exit 10 of I-77 & Fort Jackson Blvd.

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

Some may remember when I posted about the new pickleball lines that are now painted on one of the tennis courts at Mays Park in Heathwood, on the corners of Trenholm Rd. Dean’s Lane, and Saramont Rd.

Apparently, I jumped the net…

When I posted about what I thought was a new opportunity to play pickle, I never imagined that nets weren’t going to be installed, nor provided. I immediately called my new buddy at City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Department that helped me navigate the awful and embarrassing situation at Owens Field.

When I called about the lack of nets, the answer was, “Mays Park is unmanned, and therefore portable nets aren’t a good option.” I totally understood and reminded him that I was not complaining, and asking as a solutions based inquirer. That said, I did explain my line of thinking, which is, “either there is pickleball, or there’s not.” He agreed, so much so, that he finished my sentence with me.

Fast forward to about a week ago. One of my twins and I were on our way back from one of her playdates and she noticed a net. We stopped to explore, and took the photo above. The next weekday, I asked about the new net and after some back and forth the answer I was looking for came down to, “if you would like to place another net there, please do Mr. Jones. We partner with members of the community all of the time. It is more about whether you are comfortable with offering your net for use. We don’t take any responsibility for whatever damage that may occur. Thank you for the offer!”

This past weekend, while our twins were glamping at Windy Gap Church Camp with busloads of Young Life friends and our oldest was measuring UV rays around the Midlands, I had the privilege of assisting with the A.C. Flora J.V. Boys tennis team.

The team, parents, Head JV Coach Debbie Blair, and I arrived at Lexington County Tennis Complex around 8:15 on Saturday and Sunday mornings for two long days of solid tennis.

A.C. Flora ended up as Finalists which, given the circumstances, is something to be proud of for two reasons.

1: For this particular event, our team played with seven players, the minimum needed to compete in each match without forfeiting a court. In plain speak, that means every player had to compete in every match, while the other teams had the luxury of subs, should they be needed. Our fellas showed teamwork, sportsmanship, and grit.

2: This Invitational Tournament was loaded with 5A schools, and Flora (4A) went 3-0 before taking an L in the finals to a 5A school with a JV squad so large in numbers, they entered two teams in the tournament, one in each flight. In short, they had at least double the amount of Flora.

The Varsity Boys team made an upstate swing, led by program director Amy Martin and assistant coach Paige Haas, successfully competing against Riverside, T.L. Hanna, and D.W. Daniel, improving Flora’s record to 17-0, respectively.

While the varsity was doing impressive things this weekend, the JV was in Lexington doing some work, as well.

As most of you know, Columbia, SC entered 90-degree heat levels this weekend, and I sneezed more in the last two days than I have in months! That all said, it was a fun experience for everyone, and I was proud to wear my Falcon swag and stand with the fellas while they played hard and represented Flora well!

Thank you!

Franklin Jones

*Side Note – During a long layover between matches on Saturday, one of the dads and I rolled down to give City Limits BBQ a try. The whole experience was awesome. The line was long and filled with nice people from all over the Midlands, the venue was interesting and fun, and the food was excellent, of course. We got ours to go, and I hid in a corner of the LCTC complex, so as not to embarrass myself woofing down a pile of brisket like a golden retriever. Highly recommend!