Columbia’s Newest Hotsheet; April 12 – May 2, 2010

Buyers Need To Be Prudent About Ticking Tax Credit
As a Realtor I’d love it if the federal government would extend the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit again. I wouldn’t be honest if I reported otherwise. Having said this, I’m encouraging my buyers to be very cautious as they make their purchasing decisions.

Since it doesn’t look like the tax credit will be extended, I’m witnessing first time home buyers in a desperate frenzy to put a contract on almost anything they can find. After all, most of these buyers are young and have never received an $8,000 check in their lives.

I’m simply writing this post to remind my friends that signing up for a mortgage just to get a check may not be the most prudent action. To be sure, if the right home has been located and there’s a good feeling, then go for it. However, if it doesn’t ‘feel’ right and you’re only throwing a contract on something for an $8,000 check, then you may want to step back a few paces and take a look at the bigger picture.

Good for my friends and clients that have taken advantage of the tax credit. Good for the those too, that recognize receiving an $8,000 check or credit may not trump the 30 year commitment that comes with it, if you can’t comfortably make the monthly obligation.

Hopefully South Carolina will follow the lead of other states and introduce and/or expand a state home buyer credit. Presently we have the Palmetto Heroes Program, which is available to qualifying teachers and emergency first responders.

Richland Co. Closed Transactions; April 1 – 22, 2010

Both Candidates Bring Out Big Vote Counts
Columbia’s residents went to the polls Tuesday and elected Steve Benjamin as the new mayor of the ‘Famously Hot’ city. Congratulations to Steve and all of the folks who worked on his campaign. I certainly hope he has a great tenure as our mayor.

I would be doing Kirkman Finlay a major disservice if I didn’t extend him a congratulatory shout out. Kirkman and his campaign worked their tail bones off. My wife and I watched it with our own eyes as we live in Shandon, the “battleground” as the two vied for former Morrison voters.

Kirkman actually did more than work hard. He motivated a faction of folks that I haven’t seen as political activists before. I don’t know if Facebook has relaxed folk’s political comfort level or if they felt a certain despise for Benjamin but for whatever reason a lot of my friends were fired up about this election. Kirkman will get credit for this.

Good for both of these guys. Obvious congrats to Steve and Kirkman just needs to remember that in a larger scope, some endeavors provide a win…even in loss.

(2 pics above provided by http://www.thestate.com/ )

https://teamfranklin.com/338/

This Saturday The Junior League of Columbia unveils Columbia’s newest fundraising event.
‘Touch A Truck’ is a kid friendly event that has enjoyed incredible success across the United States.

https://teamfranklin.com/340/