As In Politics… All Real Estate Is Local.

PalmettoPushPinWhile browsing around the Internets I noticed that noted political (and fellow) blogger, FitsNews.com, posted about the nation’s housing market.   To throw in a disclaimer: I can’t endorse or dispute his stats.  That said, I can report from experience that… as in politics, all real estate is local.

Here’s what’s going on locally.  Coldwell Banker-Midtown’s sales board has run out of room once again. Amanda and I have closed a good amount of homes this year and have a lot of transactions “Pending Contract.”  Taking the local theme further,  we have four families renting at 42 Magnolia and one renting a home in Forest Hills, all of which are waiting on their perfect home to come to market.  What I’m getting at is the downtown Columbia, SC may be a small local real estate fishbowl, but it’s the bowl we’re in…and it’s kinda full.

While I’m not sure what the post is conveying, I’m fine with giving him the benefit of the doubt enough to ‘re-post’ his post.

Thank you!  FJ

“More On Housing “Recovery”

EXISTING HOME SALES SLIP … BUT THAT’S NOT THE REAL PROBLEM

Three weeks ago we did a post discussing the softness of the so-called housing “recovery” – focusing in particular on the stagnation of mortgage applications. More recently, we wrote about efforts by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama to “stimulate” the market by approving loans to people who cannot afford them.

Which in case anybody forgot is exactly what started the current recession we are “recovering” from …

Anyway … according to data released this week from the National Association of Realtors sales of previously occupied homes dipped to 4.92 million last month from 4.95 million in February. And while that number is much higher than last year’s number, only 30 percent of those sales were to first-time buyers.

That’s well below the norm … and a bad sign for the sustainability of this market’s “recovery.”

In fact we can’t wait to hear Tyler Durden’s take on all of this over at Zero Hedge (yes, that Tyler Durden).

Wait, you’re not hip to the greatest site on the internet? Click here …

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Starbucks Buzz @ Downtown Columbia

StarbucksWoodhillStarbucksDriveThruThis morning I found myself in an impromptu meeting with a national rep from Starbucks. If you know me, or are a regular reader of this blog you’re fully aware of a few of my traits. 1) I have no problem striking up conversation with complete strangers at any time. 2) I sop up information like a Swiffer Mop. 3) I love Starbucks.

Not that you care anything about my characteristics… I learned today that the Starbucks at Woodhill Mall (Target location) will be moving its Barristas a few doors down to the former Qdoba Mexican Grill location. Why? Please welcome your new downtown Columbia, SC ‘Drive Thru’ Starbucks Coffee! WoOHoO!

Turns out Drive Thru opportunities open a whole ‘nother profit center for Starbucks (duh), and the retail giant is pouncing on the former Qdoba corner. Makes sense to me!

If this info has been published before and is old news, please excuse the post. That said, the info was news to me so I’m going with it. I asked her, “Is this happening? Can I blog/tweet about it?” She responded, “It’s done. Probably in the fall of 2013.” There ya go.

Further still, after discussing about real estate opportunities in the vicinity of the other Columbia, SC Starbucks locations, we talked at length about one of the other stores making a change. Whoa…

Stay tuned. I’m all over this one…

FJ

Newest Listings @ Downtown Columbia

hotsheetThis edition of The HotSheet has some good new listings, and some that you may have seen before. The homes you may recognize have either been re-listed with a new asking price, or have been sold before and “turning over” again. One example of this is the home in The Preserve with the red roof. Killer house, btw!

The list includes homes ranging from $150,000 – $1,000,000 in the downtown Columbia, SC zip codes of 29201, 29204, 29205, 29206, and 29209.

As you know, if you or anyone you know would like more information or to view any of these homes, please call 803-758-1669 or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com

Thank you!

FJ

Listing Alert: ‘Worchester’ Coming Soon!

WorchesterTrue to form I want my clients and readers of this blog to be ahead of the curve. That said, keep an eye out for a pretty awesome home to enter Columbia’s real estate market in the next coming days.

3 Worchester Court is nestled in a fun cul-de-sac within the popular “Hamptons” neighborhood in 29209. As you can see, “Worchester’s” front facade has a ton of pop from the street and features three stories and five full bedrooms. The exterior is made of hardi-board (hardiplank) and the interior is full of good stuff like a granite slab kitchen.

This house has a stellar screened porch with tile floor, and adjacent open air deck that overlooks a nice backyard with full playset. To the right of the home is an awesome storage building that contains a separate panel box electrical system. It’s cool.

If you or anyone you know would like to know more about 3 Worchester Court, please call 447-8683 or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com .

“Worchester” will officially hit the market on Monday and will be offered in the $335,000 price range.

Thank you!

FJ

Believe SOME Of The Hype. It’s True…

Rosebank10

Wilmot2725Girardeaufront

ThamesDevereaux4701ShandonFront125LinwoodDevereaux1Adgerfront1CongareeFront1

If you’ve heard or read about an uptick in the real estate market, believe it – a lot of it, anyway.  While we’re not likely to ever see the likes of 2005 again (and that’s OK), homes are fetching contracts in downtown Columbia.

The pics above represent some of our inventory that currently enjoy the coveted “Pending Contract” label.   While I couldn’t put every listing on this post, you get the idea.  Rosebank, Wilmot, Girardeau, Thames, Devereaux, Shandon St, Linwood, Devereaux, Adger, and Congaree are a good snapshot of what’s moving in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.  This quick collection of homes are located within a small geographic proximity of each other which includes The Hamptons, Shandon, Forest Hills, Heathwood, and Wales Garden ranging in price levels of $175,000 – $950,000, respectively.

I don’t want to paint too rosy of a picture here, as the real estate world is far from perfect.  That said, if you’re thinking of putting a move-in ready home on the market, this may be the time to pull the trigger.  To illustrate, we have three families renting at 42 Magnolia and 1 family renting in Forest Hills that are all searching for their perfect four bedroom home in certain school zones.   This glut in the market is a whole ‘nother blog post, but now that I’ve put it out there please call 447-8683 if you know of anything coming to market!

Congratulations to the collection of sellers above.  Hopefully we can turn the “Pending Contract” signs riders into shiny red ones that read “CLOSED!”

FJ

Columbia’s Newest Real Estate HotSheet

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Newest Real Estate Listings In Downtown Columbia, South Carolina
As you know from previous posts, I’m attempting to bring The Hotsheet (ALL the latest listings to hit the market) back to the blog. This is proving to be a work in progress as I want to make it as easy as possible for readers to browse.

Again, I’ll get it right and in time, make it as smooth as possible for everyone. In the meantime, this edition of The Hotsheet includes the new listings in 29204, 29205, 29206, and 29209 from $150,000 – $10,000,000 within the last two weeks. If the site asks for a Username or Name, just type in “Blog,” (or whatever you want) and you will be good to go.

The market looks to be heating up as there are 68 new properties on the list as opposed to 43 on the last HotSheet.

Thank you!

FJ

Mackay’s Pt @ King’s Grant Is For Sale

MacKays1Tuesday afternoon I got a phone call no REALTOR wants to take, and quite frankly, no REALTOR wants to make. I’ll set the stage: The REALTOR’s name that brought the buyer to 6 Mackay’s Point showed up on my ringing phone around 3:30 this afternoon. Knowing we were a little over a week away from closing, and that appraisal and inspections were all clear, I hesitantly answered the phone and immediately said, “Don’t you do it.” Response, “Um, yeah, man.”  Knowing something bad was taking place I walked away from my meeting and said, “NO. WAY.” Response, “Franklin, man. Yeah, I mean…” Deal dead.

Over the years we’ve developed a knack for fixing problems. Once we get a property Under Contract, given our track record, the percentage is pretty high the deal will close. On this one, however, there’s nothing we could do. The once uber excited buyer was offered a job in Myrtle Beach she couldn’t refuse.  That’s that.

Making the call to my Seller was difficult, to say the least. Up to this point it was a smooth transaction and all was clear to close.  The worst part about the whole thing is my Sellers have all but moved out. Ugh.

The good thing is that it’s a great listing in a super hot neighborhood. 6 Mackay’s Point in King’s Grant was only on the market 21 days before fetching a contract. Futher still, it will be the only house for sale in the entire neighborhood under $700,000.   In short, a new buyer that can move quickly will be the beneficiary of all this.

Once again I want to give our clients and readers the jump on what’s going on: In a few days 6 Mackays will hit MLS all the other syndicated websites.  If you or anyone you know would like to know more about the house for sale @ Mackay’s Point in King’s Grant, call 447-8683 or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com .

Thank you!

FJ

PS: In case you’re curious how it played out, my sellers retained the earnest money.

Columbia’s Newest Real Estate Listings

hotsheetNewest Listings For Sale @ Downtown Columbia, SC

As you know from previous posts, I’m attempting to bring The Hotsheet (the latest listings to hit the market) back to the blog.  This is proving to be a work in progress as I want to make it as easy as possible for readers to browse.

Here’s the thing.  Rules of the industry make it such that I can’t blast all of the listings on this blog, as it gives the perception they’re all mine.  While all I’ve ever done is use The Hotsheet as a reporting mechanism, this blog is obviously a marketing medium.

Again, ‘putting them all out there’ gives the general public the perception that all the listings are mine.  This isn’t the case, obviously, but I still have to deal with it.  Further, the term ‘medium’ is being intensly dissected in large form by REALTOR Associations around the country.  It’s touchy.  For example, if I want to “Tweet” someone elses cool new listing, do I need to attach the listing agents name to the Tweet?  I dunno, and I’m not sure they do either.

I’ll get it right and in time, make it as smooth as possible for everyone. In the meantime, this edition of The Hotsheet includes the new listings in 29204, 29205, 29206, and 29209 from $150,000 – $10,000,000 within the last two weeks.  If the site asks for a Username or Name, just type in “Blog,” (or whatever you want) and you will be good to go.   Looks like there are 43 new properties on the list.

Thank you!

FJ

Different Look: The “HotSheet” Is Back!

SpotlightDowntown Columbia, SC’s Newest Listings: February 1-14, 2013
For almost four years, as many of you know, I regularly posted what I deemed “The HotSheet” on this blog.  If you’re new to the site, “The HotSheet” was a collection of the newest listings to hit the downtown Columbia, SC real estate market.

Turns out, however, I was breaking some rule within our local MLS board.  Something that has to do with the direct feed and how I was projecting it to the public via a public blog. Apparently the direct feed is for individual buyer clients only, and not the public at large. I don’t see what the big whoop was but “OK.”  Either way, I shut it down.

After months of blogging without the benefit of my most popular subject matter, “The HotSheet” is back!  Given the info must come from my company’s feed and not directly from MLS, The HotSheet has a different look and feel.  That said, I’m now in full compliance.

The link is a list of the newest listings to the Columbia market in 29201, 29204, 29205, 29206, and 29209, between $150,000 and $1 Fafillion.  I’ll add areas, zip codes, design, and functionality as we move forward.  Baby steps.

I have to admit, without being able to use The Hotsheet as an informative post, blogging has become more difficult.  As you can imagine, coming up with subject matter every other day is no easy task.  That said, I think we’re back!

If you or anyone you know would like more info about any of Columbia’s newest listings, please call 803-758-1669 or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com .

Happy clicking, and feel free to share!

Thank you!

FJ

Primo Location @ King’s Grant For Sale

A few days ago we put 6 Mackay’s Point on the market in King’s Grant. While most of you know my affection for King’s Grant, I’m going to change things up a little and post a few points in list form.

1) The house itself: “6 Mackay’s” sports over 3,500 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. As you can see from the pics and link, features include hardwoods, vaulted ceilings, granite slab/stainless filled kitchen. A formal living area of the house has been cleverly turned into a private den, just off the owner’s suite.

The “double FROG” is AWESOME and ready for and combo of Wii’s, PlayStations, studio, and/or office. Outdoors has an elevated, large screened porch and over-sized deck.

2) Location of Mackay’s Point: If you know King’s Grant or follow this blog, you’re aware that the streets are geographically in alphabetical order. That said, given this street begins with an “M” means that any other cul de sac traffic travels ‘the other way’ to exit the neighborhood. For example, folks that live on Foot Point or Fenwick tend to use N. King’s Grant Drive, whereas residents on Somerton and Ravenwing enter and exit via S. King’s Grant. In short, this may be the quietest cul de sac in all of King’s Grant.

While Cotton Hope may be home the the biggest homes in KG, Mackay’s Point is arguably the primo ‘spot.’

3) The neighborhood itself: At present, King’s Grant is effectively SOLD OUT. There are two homes listed above $750,000, and two Under Contract in the $400,000’s. The only other homes for sale are “Mackay’s” and a home on Otranto, which is listed in the $600,000’s.

A few years ago there were 18 homes on the market in King’s Grant. Yikes! This made me nervous, to be sure. No longer. King’s Grant is a hot product and I expect the traffic at 6 Mackays to be very high.

If you or anyone you know is interested in living in a community with five tennis courts, uber popular pool, walking trails, clubhouse, and security gate, please call 447-8683 or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com .

Thank you!

FJ