Beautiful Downtown Home Is For Sale.

WaccamawfrontWaccamawkitchenMonday we put this stellar listing on the market. Located in the Wales Garden/Shandon area of downtown Columbia, 216 S. Waccamaw Avenue is a sleek, sharp home filled with premium everything.

There are so many features in this home we had to condense the remarks/description in order to adhere to MLS limits. While my words don’t do it justice, here ya go;
Extraordinary home is completely renovated, replete w/top-of-the-line materials & design. Features HWs, high ceilings, recessed lighting, moldings, plantation shutters, & designer elements. Both formals, plus office & greatroom. Kitchen includes custom cabinets, granite, 9-piece Jenn-Aire collection, pantry, bar area, & island w/prep sink; opens to breakfast room. Immense owner’s suite w/double vanity, jacuzzi tub, & huge walk-in. Large BRs up open to a central area. Greatroom flows onto a stunning vaulted screen porch, w/deck & patio adjacent, overlooking lush fenced bkyd. Perfect flow for entertaining. Updates in 2006 include electrical, plumbing, central vac, sprinkler, arch shingles, Rinnai, & more. Come see this 29205 stunner! Whew! In short, 216 S. Waccamaw has it all. I mean…even the crape myrtles that surround the house are top shelf!

If you or anyone you know would like to know more about 216 S. Waccamaw, please call 803-447-8683 or email fjones@cbunited.com . As you know from previous post we’re always only a few blocks away. Further still, this house is obviously a pleasure to show.

Thank you!

Franklin

Intown Move-In Ready Charmer For Sale

PinewoodA few days ago we put 1727 Pinewood Drive on the market. Given it’s the week of July 4th, readers of this blog will likely have the jump as the listing is just now hitting the syndicated websites like Zillow and Realtor.com.

As you can tell from the pic/link, 1727 Pinewood is a good snapshot of Wales Garden / Hollywood-Rose Hill / Shandon area architecture. What makes this home different than others in the area? Answer; It’s been completely updated. Granite slab, new appliances, and a true master bath are a few examples that come to mind.

One of the best features of this property is the location. On a corner lot, 1727 Pinewood is only steps away from arguably the most popular ‘playground’ park in 29205!

If you’d like more information or to schedule a showing of this 2,500 square foot downtown home, please call 803-758-1669 or email fjones@cbunited.com. As you know, one of us is never more than a few minutes away.

Thank you!

Franklin

100 Closings Year To Date: May 15, 2013

FuldaOn July 27, 2012 I wrote this post about our team closing 100 real estate sides year to date (remember, there are 2 sides to every deal). At the time Amanda, team manager Amy Cartin, and I were stunned at the number of transactions and the pace. Fast forward to 2013.

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013 I’m proud and incredibly humbled to report that we closed our 100th side of the year.

While I was with my friends/sellers at an event tonight I asked them,  “Hey since y’all are #100, can I swipe a pic from Facebook and throw it on the blog?”  “Of course, send me a link,” they answered.  HA!   When I saw the pic above I thought I’d have some fun, but may end up switching out the pic above for a photo of the house itself.   We’ll see!

Last year seemed like such a big deal that we had a party to celebrate. If you remember, we booked The Oyster Bar and invited all of our 2012 clients, referral sources, lender partners, and closing attorneys to dine and drink on us, thanking them for helping us hit the first 100 so quickly. It was a big time! Well, seems as though we’ve picked up the tempo again.

While I’m not sure of everything that closed on Wednesday (it was either nine or 12 depending on how Coldwell Banker booked three of the buyer sides), I do know that 2600 Heyward St. in Shandon was at 9:30AM. At 11 we all met on Devine Street to close both sides of 11 Copperfield Court, which is in The Hamptons (Amanda had the seller, I had the buyer). At 12:30 Amy and I traveled to another law firm and closed 3 Worchester Ct. (also in The Hamptons). There ya go…100 for the year.

I need to thank Wilson Co. (97), Frazier Wilson (not related, I don’t think) (98), Drew and Tori Mobley (99), and John Eric and Barbie Fulda (100) for making Wednesday happen.

As you know Amanda, Amy, Thomas, and I love our jobs and try to make all of our clients proud. That said, we have a ton of work to do including procuring offers for anxious sellers and finding the right home for buyers. Good grief typing this makes me want to unplug this laptop and head to Midtown!

I wouldn’t be a good REALTOR if I didn’t include a call to action…so here goes! If you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate in the Midlands, or would like a comparative market analysis or simply discuss options, please call 803-758-1669 or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com .

As Amanda texted me in July of last year, “Here’s to the next 1,000!”

Thank you for being the best real estate network in South Carolina.

FJ

Inventory Is Moving In The Midlands…

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Mackays6CopperfieldWhittakerWhile I obviously post about real estate all the time, every now and then I like to break it down to a super local level. While MLS rules won’t let me report everything that’s closed, I can surely post what’s going on within our team. After all, every homeowner likes to know what’s going on in their neighborhood. Enter the pics above.

While we presently have a few dozen seller sides Pending Contract, 3215 Blossom St., 3 Worchester Court, 3812 Macgregor, 6 Mackays Point in King’s Grant, 11 Copperfield Ct., 1326 Whittaker Dr. are a good collection/snapshot of what’s happening in the downtown Columbia, SC real estate market. What am I getting at? If a home is in “move-in ready” condition and sports a fair asking price, you may want to start packing your stuff.

This all said, if you or anyone you know is thinking of selling please call 803-758-1669 or email fjones@cbunited.com. We’d love to provide you or any potential seller with a comparative market analysis. It’s what we do!

Thank you!

FJ

3714 Blossom St. – 29205.

Blossom3714Blossom3714livingBlossom3714denTake a look at 3714 Blossom Street.  This downtown, move-in ready home sports 2612 square feet, 3 or 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths and located in one of Columbia’s most popular downtown neighborhoods.

While I’d love to describe features like hardwoods, tall ceilings, stone slab countertops, heavy stainless appliances, and designer colors/finishes, the photos set a scene better than I can convey from this keyboard. Check out the living spaces and the black doors & floors!  In short, ‘Blossom’ is a classic Shandon charmer that’s replete with modern amenities.

3714 Blossom is a slick/polished home and the location is even better. To give you a quick visual, everything that Devine St. offers is on one side, and Whole Foods and everything at Cross Hill Market is on the other.  Primo.

If you or anyone you know would like to see this charming and stellar Shandon home please call 803-758-1669 or email fjones@cbunited.com.  As I’ve typed in former posts, “Blossom” is a pleasure to show and one of us is always only a few minutes away.

Thank you!

Franklin

Believe SOME Of The Hype. It’s True…

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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

The Best Job In The World; Finley’s Daddy

FinleyKiteFinleyKite2FinleyKite1While friends and readers of this blog know how addicted I am to my job, I love hanging out with family. After all, I have a gorgeous wife who happens to be a perfect mother to our precious little girl.

Tuesday night I got home around 7ish, which thanks to daylight savings time gave me the chance to spend a little outdoor time with our Finley.

The pics above are of Finley and me flying a kite for the first time.

In case you didn’t know, Hand Middle School’s walking track, in Shandon, makes for an ideal kite flying experience. The open air field is prime real estate for running around like a fool with a thin string attached to a $5.00 kite.

While I have an iPhone video, I’m a little embarrassed about all the panting in the background. As far as the actual kite flying goes, I had forgotten how much sprinting was involved. After all, I’m not sure I’ve flown one in over 30 years.

Notwithstanding a bunch of air gasping, Finley and I had a HUGE time together.

What a fun night.

FJ

Modern Home @ Shandon Is For Sale.

On Monday we put this stately, all brick Shandon home on the market. 125 Shandon Street sports 2,734 sq. feet, 4 bedrooms/2.5 baths, and enjoys all the amenities you’d expect in 2013.

As you can see from the links and pics above, this listing features shining hardwoods, smooth ceilings, nice molding, lots of living areas, large owner’s suite with awesome bath, and a “crows nest” 3rd floor perfect for an extra playroom (Wii room) or office.

The kitchen is supreme. Loads of heavy granite slab is embedded and surrounded by top shelf stainless steel appliances. Seriously, take a look at the BOOMIN’ range and fridge! Yes, that’s an ‘8 banger’ gas powered range. In all, I think it’s an eight piece stainless appliance collection. Nice…

Off the large screened in porch is a Charleston style courtyard area that’s as maintenance free as one could want. It’s charming, clever, and makes for easy living!

Nestled between Monroe and Heyward St., 125 Shandon Street is located in the heart of Shandon. As most of you know, Shandon is famous for the walkers, runners, and bikers, and this property is smack in the middle of it all. As you know, too, Shandon is adjacent to everything Devine St., Rosewood, and 5 Points has to offer. In short, this house is within walking distance to a lot of shopping, eating, and drinking, and five minutes drive time to anything downtown Columbia.

Please call 803-447-8683 or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com if you’d like to schedule a showing. Like most of our listings it’s a pleasure to show and we’re almost always only a few minutes away.

Thank you!

FJ

Open Plan & Stellar Kitchen @ Shandon

While we’ve probably added five or six properties to Columbia’s marketplace this week, perhaps the most well known of them all is Shandon’s 3215 Blossom St. Readers may not know the listing from the pics above, but once the link is clicked, most will immediately recognize the house.

3215 Blossom Street is classic Shandon with loads of modern amenities. As most of you know, “Blossom” is only on street from and parallels the shopping outlets, eateries, and bars of Columbia’s, “Devine Street Corridor.”

The house is completely updated and sports a killer, granite slab filled, eat-in kitchen. Again, as you can see from the pics it features an open floor plan from front to back, which looks cool, and is primo for entertaining. There’s a large deck overlooking a large, level backyard. The front sun room is perfect for watching all the runners, walkers, and bikers Shandon is known for.

Over the years I’ve picked up info about individual houses in Shandon. An interesting detail about this particular house is the space the driveway leads into was built as a ‘motorcycle garage.’ Whether the new owner has a motorcycle, golf cart (popular in Shandon these days!), or scooter, this space is an ultra convenient (attached) storage facility.

If you or anyone you know would like to view this classic Shandon home, please call or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com . It’s a pleasure to show, and we’re always within five minutes of the house.

Thank you!

FJ

Snapshot of Inventory Under Contract

When folks ask me, “How’s the market?”, I give a conscious effort not to answer with a good ole’, “GREAT!”, or “Couldn’t be better!”  If you know me, you know full well that being salesman(y) is something I try to avoid.

Could I spin a huge spool of good news and awesomeness within a few sentences? Absolutely, but it’s just not me. After all, Amanda and I have a lot of active listings and a lot of work ahead of us to get them sold.

This all said, the blog gives me the opportunity to project a snapshot of what’s going on. The pics above are some examples of our listings “Under Contract” that you may otherwise not know about. A couple of interesting dynamics about the homes above: 1) They reflect different price levels ($249,000, $289,000, $389,000, $699,000) and 2) All four represent very different neighborhoods within downtown Columbia.

Circle Drive (Forest Acres), Somerton (King’s Grant), Blossom Street (Shandon), and Lincoln Street(Elmwood Park) are all at different stages of their respective due diligence periods. Appraisals and inspections have been ordered on a couple, while the other two haven’t navigated very far through the process. Even so, they’re Pending Contract, and that’s a good thing.

In sum, inventory is moving and I thought you might like a quick read of what’s going on in a few downtown Columbia, SC neighborhoods.

Thank you!  FJ