Our "Motorboat" Had A Big Weekend!

After declaring in this post that everyone should've concentrated on having great time on and around Independence Day, we decided to carry it on into the weekend, too.  

On Saturday night, Rockbridge threw a huge celebration party, complete with DJ, BBQ, jerk chicken, tons of sides, and a pool and pool deck slammed with friendly folks.  

As you can see from the pics above, the kids had a great time. I think at any one time the line to the diving board was seven to 10 deep. It's the most folks I've ever seen at the pool, by far. In fact, the pic above doesn't do the crowd justice, as the pool curves around to the right where most folks are hanging out.

As you can see too, Finley was as patriotic as her mommy could get her! The "Motorboat" (yes, that's what I call her right now because of the way she kicks in the water), had a HUGE time. Notice the juice resting, feet crossed, a bucket of cheerios, and that smile. We had such a good time, I think FJ hit her bed around 10 that night. Worth. It.

According to my Twitter and Facebook feeds, it looks like a big time was had by everyone this weekend. For Jennifer, Finley, and me, it was no different! Well done, Rockbridge.

As fun as last week was, I'm drooling for Monday so we can get back to the work routine.

How Many Solo Cups Have You Held ??

The Party Vessel Is Actually A Measuring Apparatus

Although we've had a pretty productive few days, I'm confident this unusually looong holiday week will continue to feel like a few more Saturdays in a row. Since so many folks are at the beach, lake, or in a pool, I'm aware the amount of eyeballs of this little blog will decrease.

Knowing this is an off week, and to continue with the holiday spirit, I want to take an opportunity to relay some useless information. From the moment you notice it, however, it's kinda gonna be kinda useful moving forward.

If you haven't paid attention yet, take a sec to look at the pic above. There ya go!

I got this useless tidbit from Facebook a few weeks ago, but held the pic in my phone until now. Of the thousands of SOLO cups I've been around, I'm not sure any of my friends are aware the lines actually serve a purpose. 

Two thoughts come to mind: 1) Who knew?... Duh  2) Dead simple clever.

Have A Happy & Prideful 4th of July!!!

Have A Good Independence Day, Or Miss The Point
In the morning, we'll all wake up to competing and polarizing television stations, watching nasty venom and lava ooze from our 42" flatty's.   Let's face it, it's just what we do.  

While passion is important, and healthy infighting has its place, be sure and take a good look around you on July 4th.   To be sure, I'm well aware that a good political battle is an important part of the American experience.  That said, I'm also aware we're Americans first, and for a day this should be cause for coast to coast celebration.

Whether you're on a South Carolina beach watching fighter jets fly overhead, or sitting on your kids kickboard in a crystal blue pool with a Bud Light Lime sitting four feet away, recognize and inhale the day as a pretty good one.  I know I will.

Happy Independence Day, everyone!!!

FJ

Celebrating July 4th in Columbia, SC

Since July 4 falls on a Wednesday this year, many of us are confused as to which weekend we should celebrate our nations birthdate.  Some, in fact, are utilizing this as an opportunity to have two holiday weekends.  After all, living in South Carolina, that means a lot of beach time.  Perfect!

Converseley, some of our clients cleverly chose the upcoming week to close on their new homes.  With that, we're celebrating "The 4th" by doing some good ole' American commerce. 

The homes in the pics above are scheduled to close Monday, Thursday, and Friday, respectively.   If you think about it, these buyers and sellers are pretty smart, as the new owners of Lord Neslon Ct., Florawood Drive, and Delano Drive get to take advantage of this unusual week to move into their new homes. 

Just as a point of information, and so CMLS recognizes I'm not false advertising, Lord Nelson Ct. and Florawood are not my listings.  We represent the buyers on both.  It also may be interesting to some readers that Florawood has been on the market since May of 2007.   You just never know!!!

I can't imagine a better way to celebrate our nations freedom than doing a little business.  After all, we're helping hard working tax paying folks acquire private property, so they can enjoy the American dream. 

What a great week!

The "SOLD" Sign Often Means Pressure

Some people pay attention to real estate, and some don't.  That said, you may be the type that pays attention to the real estate signs that dot downtown Columbia.  If you do, you may have noticed we've put together a nice little run of listings that enjoy the coveted red lettered, "Pending Contract" or "SOLD" sign riders.  You may have noticed, too, that we love signs!

To list a few, the pics above are Delano Dr., Martha's Glen, N. King's Grant Dr. and Churchill Circle. 

What many don't understand, is often times the marketing process isn't the most difficult facet of the job.  Sometimes, it's the "contract to close" part of the sales process that takes the most creativity, tact, finesse, and work.   For instance, two of the homes in the pics above have potentially sticky moisture issues, but a very quick closing date.  One has an easement issue, which is a legal problem.  Further still, one of the homes above didn't appraise, falling $50,000+ short.  UGGH!  Some of these issues may not seem like big whoops, but considering the super fast closing dates, of eight total buyers/sellers involved, four face the possibility of being homeless.  You can imagine the pressure.

How do we deal with these situations?  Well, we just do.   The one that came up "short" was a terrible problem for the buyer and seller, for different reasons.  After writing a letter appealing the original appraisal, the VP brass of the bank agreed to allow a 2nd appraisal.  Since I was confident in our product, knew the neighborhood, and most of all, ravenously competitive about making it work, I gave the bank my CC# to pay for the 2nd appraisal.  

Thank goodness this was, "in compliance" as all lenders are different.  As a nice gesture, the lender agreed to pick up the tab if the 2nd appraisal came in 10% higher than the first.   BoOM.   We'll be closing in two weeks, and the sellers are now fiercely looking for a home to rent in order to make it happen.

I can't type through this keyboard how intense some of these transactions can be.  Not knowing if a sale is going to happen can be an incredibly stressful feeling for any family.  The pressure is overwhelming, and we can feel it from our clients.

Getting back to the seeing all the red "Pending Contract" and "Under Contract" sign riders, all is not as it seems.   Don't get me wrong, when Amanda, Amy, or I put the rider on the sign it's a great feeling.  That said, sometimes the challenges and pressure ahead is much more difficult than the marketing process projects.

While some think we're pretty good at marketing, it may be the "contract to close" part of the transaction we excel the most.  After all, it's June, and we're closing in on 100 transactions for 2012.  I can't verify, but I'm pretty sure this isn't because of our snazzy photos, "status updates," blog posts, or tweets.

Thank you!  FJ

Helmet Models Spotted In Shandon.

Of course, the day after I put the latest blog post on Facebook describing how we don't ride bikes as often as we should...we ride bikes.

Truth is, if it's 80ish degrees, and live in Shandon with a little time before dinner, it's kinda criminal not to take a stroll or cruise around the neighborhood on a bike.   After all, it's one of the reasons we live here, and part of being a Shandon'ista.   With all the huge shady oaks, wide streets populated with sidewalks on both sides, and located adjacent to everything on Devine Street and Five Points, Shandon is tailor made for walkers, runners, and bikes.

It's so popular, in fact, that I know a lot of folks who drive/park at Hand Middle School just so they can walk around and enjoy the sights and charm of Shandon.   When I lived on Atascadero, I did the same thing.   To come clean, I did it partially for marketing purposes, and to get as familiar and knowledgeable as possible about a neighborhood I could do a lot of business.  Maybe it worked???

Just fyi, Jennifer doesn't know I took the first pic above.  We'll see how long it takes her to realize it's there, and/or if she lets me keep it up.  I just couldn't resist putting such a fun shot of our little snack break.  More accurately, I've prolly never seen better looking girls in biking bonnets. 
Somehow, Jennifer can even make a bike helmet look good.   Finley, on the other hand, may need that helmet to keep me from squeezin' all that cuteness to freaking pieces!

No, I don't wear a helmet.  Waaaah, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...........

The porch they're sitting on is an awesome house in the 3400 block of Blossom St. we closed a few weeks ago (Cavanaughs old house!).   True to form, while we were snacking on Goldfish the new owner, and awesome client, ran up on us and gave a tour of what they've done to their new home.  Nice!!

As you can tell, it was a pretty great evening in Shandon - Columbia, SC.

Only A Few Miles Away, Rockbridge Fits

For a while now, I've been debating on whether to join a local social organization, or "club."  Years ago, tons of my friends and I belonged to The University Club.  It was awesome, until Mr. Ginn kicked us all out so he could build his vision, Cobblestone Park.  To compensate for the golf loss, I pulled the trigger on The Capital City Club.  It seemed like a nice fit, as it reciprocated with a number of golf courses around the Midlands.  The dues were very reasonable, as back then I qualified as a junior member.

Fast forward a few years.  With a two and a half year old in tow, we may have found the best match for our needs.  Last week, Jennifer and I (and Finley) joined Rockbridge Tennis and Swim Club.  It's kinda awesome.

Hear me out:  As great as Riverbanks Zoo is for our community, it just doesn't seem to draw me out of the house (off the sofa) like I need it to.  Don't get me wrong, Finley loves it.  However, it's Famously Hot in Columbia, and that matters when it comes to a two year old.  EdVenture is a big deal too, and we are members, but I don't see us spending entire summers there.  Further still, living in Shandon is awesome.  We're surrounded by parks and enjoy walking and towing the kiddo behind our bikes.  Again, enter the heat.

Thinking further, given the work load we have going on at CBUR, and given I love being w/ Jen & Finley at night and on the weekends, golf is over for a while.  Enter, Rockbridge.

I should insert here that Jennifer is a much better golfer than I am.  Even so, golf has become a time sponge, and we just can't make it work more than a few times a year.

Rockbridge Club has been around a long time.  Nestled between the fuzzy border line of Forest Acres and Arcadia Lakes, Rockbridge used to have a nine hole golf course and ice skating rink.  Today, Rockbridge is an expansive, lively social experience that focuses on tennis and swimming, big time.

Rockbridge annually produces competitive tennis and swimming teams on a statewide level.  From the moment you enter the clubhouses, you're well aware how serious they are about both activities.  Lessons, camps, tournaments, events and parties ... this place does it up.   After all, notice the two diving/spring boards in the pic.  This isn't just a neighborhood wading tub.

The tennis is as good as it gets in Columbia, SC.  Rockbridge sports five hard courts and five clay.  The topography of the courts is pretty cool.  It's almost like you're playing in the mountains.  Today I let the ball machine wear me out on Court 10, sky high above the others.  The clubhouse feels new and clean and is always staffed.

The pic above is a good snapshot of the pool house but not of the full pool experience.  The pool is huge.  It has lots of decks and chairs, primo landscaping, and the little ones enjoy a nice 1' deep kiddie pool.   There are two lifeguards, the music starts at 5:00PM, and the beer is famously $1.00.

Given the stage our little family is in right now, Rockbridge may be primo perfect for us.  We've been three days in a row now, and we even spent a little while Sunday afternoon in Target gathering a few pool toys for the weeks to come (floaties, goggles, noodles and stuff).

Here's the vision: After banging tennis balls (sweating) for an hour or so, step down to the pool where Finley will screech, "DaDDaaaaay!!!"   BOOM.  That's it.  Totally worth it, and can't wait for the next time.

Thank you, Rockbridge, for having us...