Starbucks Downsizes, And It's Ok..

My Real Estate Business Owes A Lot To Starbucks.

New Realtors often ask me, "How did 'you' get started?" I often respond, "I went to Starbucks." When they look at me puzzled I continue, "Then I would go to another Starbucks..." When they squint their eyes for more, I explain...."That's where the people are!" I watch the light bulb go off, almost every time...

Today, I received no less than 10 emails/Texts (so far), alerting me that our beloved Starbucks Coffee Company will be closing 600 stores, and cutting 12,000 jobs. Even I have to admit, that 1 Five Shot Venti Americano = 1 Gallon of Gas in America...

Every time I received another alert, I had to just shake my head, and show my phone to whoever was in the car with me. Of course, I had a Starbucks product in my cup holder, as we proceeded with our daily real estate "chores."

Of late, there are only a handful of phenomenons out there, that can boast that they have affected a generation, or created an entirely new "segment" of our culture. Tiger, Google, Crocks, FaceBook, RedBull, UnderArmour come to mind. Of course, Starbucks is in this group.

Howard Schultz created his vision of a "3rd place," for Americans to go between home and work. Apparently, he just built too many of them for today's economy to handle. Kudos to the company for sipping some pride, and adjusting accordingly such that it can survive for the longer haul. Apparently, some of the stores are so close together, that they are cannibalizing each other. The company deserves even more props for choosing to close stores, instead of "watering down" the product that made it great.

I know it's expensive. I know too, that Starbucks has created a meeting place for people all over Columbia, SC. The only local Starbucks store that may take a hit in my mind is the one across from Target, on Garners Ferry. All of the other stores in Columbia seem very healthy. I know I will be at one of them tomorrow.

P.S. As I was typing this, Starbucks.com emailed me that, "Your Rewards Are Here. Now Come and Get Them." NICE!!! 5 Shot, Iced Venti Americano, or Venti Coffee!?? Hmmmmmmm....Decisions.....

Columbia Sales Down / Team Franklin Sales Up

The text below, is what we all read in The State Newspaper yesterday. While I'm not disputing any facts, I want everyone to know that we are going strong. Read on... FJ

Columbia Home Sales Plunge 23 Percent
Market has way to go before bottoming out , industry observers say
By KRISTY EPPLEY RUPON - krupon@thestate.com
Home sales were bleak in the Columbia area and throughout South Carolina in May, a time when the selling season should be in full bloom.

All I have to say, is that in the "down year" of 2007, we closed 48 homes. This year, we have closed on 20 something houses. Further, we have nine sales (all listings) on our whiteboard, that are waiting to close. Whatever is going on in the world, we must be doing something right. Thank you for all of your support, and keep the referrals coming!

Carolina Ambassadors Beach Up...

Carolina Travels Cool....
I've been told a few times by my road game buddies that, "Carolina travels ugly." Well buddy, we don't beach ugly. We beach bad ass!

Look at these Gamecock travelers flex and pose on Sullivan's Island. I mean, these dudes are so cool, they should be recruiting or something. Why aren't we using them???

I know they're not perfect ambassodors. The kid on the left w/ the barrel torso, seems to be easily distracted. Dude in the middle seems to be experiencing some sort of premature celebration, or is having some sort of conniption fit. Either way, no one else cares about what dude is yelling at. Is he scared of something? Who knows....

Anyway, I'm glad these guys decided to take a picture of themselves. They're proof that Carolina travels cool...

Columbia's Newest Listings...

>> Columbia's New Listings June 9 - 23, 2008

This Dude Is STILL Rich...$613 Million

Wow! And a Big Performance Bonus, Too...

Too often, we hear about athlete's falling into financial and social destruction. It's a rare thing when we hear of a former professional sports star, make it to the big time, in something other than sports. Apparently this former Cowboy great can hustle in business, like he did on the football field. FJ

Daily Real Estate News | June 17, 2008
Former NFL Player Sells Brokerage

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach has sold his commercial real estate brokerage to Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. for $613 million, plus $114 million in potential performance bonuses.

Dallas-based Staubach is one of the nation's largest independent real estate brokerage firms, helping clients find office, industrial, and retail space. The company has more than 70 offices in North America and about 1,600 employees. The company will now operate under the Jones Lang LaSalle brand — except for Staubach Retail Services or Cypress and Staubach's investment development business, which were not part of the transaction.

Chicago-based Jones Lang has annual revenue of $2.65 billion and more than 170 offices worldwide.

The 66-year-old Staubach stepped down last year as CEO but remained chairman of the company he founded in 1977 as part of a larger management reorganization and recapitalization. He will join the Jones Lang board as executive chairman, Americas.

Source: The Associated Press (06/16/08)

Newest Listing in King's Grant

2 Fenwick Hall Ct. - King's Grant Hits Market
As you can see from the pictures, this home may have it all. This stately 4 BR/3.5 bath home, has a room for everything in it's 3906 sq/ft.

2 Fenwick Hall features many large living areas/rooms, a large master w/ a HUGE master bath and closet. The home has hardwoods, heavy mouldings, dramatic 2 story stack-stone fireplace, built-in's, skylights w/ remote shades, an open eat-in kitchen with granite penninsula bar and a new built-in booth, for breakfast and homework. It also sports a guest room, with a private exit to the covered back screened deck.

This corner lot also has a private backyard, which is a premium in King's Grant.

Please call, email, text or tell a friend about this fabulous home, in Columbia's most popular new home neighborhood. The home is offered for $699,900.

New Listing on Whittaker, Hits Market

Home Hits Market on One of Columbia's Popular Streets...
Caroline and I just put this cute Whittaker Drive home, on the market. It features 3 bedrooms, hardwoods, smooth ceilings and ceramic tile counter tops in the kitchen. It also sports a screened porch, large backyard and a cute wired detached storage building.

Call, text or email to see this move in ready home, on popular Whittaker Drive. It is offered for $224,900.