Off to Litchfield for New Years...

Well, now that the Christmas travels are over, we decided to hit some extra asphalt...to the South Carolina sand.

SC Is Growing: Maybe We'll Pick Up a Congressional Seat In a Few Years...

Census estimates State ranks 10th in growth

Migration helps S.C. add 77,601 residents in year

By JAMES T. HAMMOND - jhammond@thestate.com

Migration, particularly from the Northeast, has helped boost South Carolina’s growth rate to one of the highest in the nation.

South Carolina ranked No. 10 among the 50 states in rate of population growth in the past year, growing 1.8 percent with 77,601 residents added between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Thursday.
South Carolina’s population has grown by 9.9 percent, or 395,893 people, since the 2000 Census, and 68 percent of the growth is due to migration into the state, according to the population estimates.

The state now has more than 4.4 million residents, according to the new estimates. The State

COUCH (Errr...Bowl) SEASON...

Above is a map of where "Bowl Season" will be taking place. Please note that the Palmetto State, is geographically surrounded by bowl game host states.

Wouldn't it be nice if South Carolina could get in this mix?

King's Grant; Columbia's "Strongest" Neighborhood in '07

The Columbia neighborhood that hasn't missed a beat.

So far this year, 17 homes have closed in King's Grant. The average price is $584,204.00. The average price/ft. is a strong $167.22. My biggest listing in KG is one of the "boat drivers", closing at $179.21/ft. It is the 2nd highest price sold in 2007, at $650,000. Compare with the list below...
Heathwood - $148.67
Shandon - $147.24
Lake Katherine - $140.88
Wales Garden - $149.05

Keep in mind, that these older neighborhood boundaries are not as easily defined as a gated ones. Therefore, there is some "border junk" that may need to be considered. I simply did a quick search of what neighborhoods the listing agents labeled their listings.

I should mention too, that it is not a perfect market in KG. Houses are staying on the market a little longer than usual. One reason for this is that Sellers set their price too high in the beginning, to "see what will happen."

At the moment, there are 3 houses on the market in KG, and 2 are "Pending Contract." In my view, two of them (both patio homes on Oakman) are "aggressivly priced." At the moment, I know of four (maybe 5) "secret houses" that will sell if I bring a buyer.

I realize that new, gated neighborhoods aren't for everyone (I live in Shandon). I just thought it may be interesting to folks what Columbia's leading neighborhood is getting for their homes.

Congrats King's Grant!

CONGRATS CAROLINE AND WALKS!!!

The Real Team has watched, eaten and laughed with Caroline and her pregnancy for 9 months. Tuesday was finally her day, as her son finally joined the world. Congratulations to Caroline, Walks, The Suggs and Millikens.

I hope William likes Mr. Friendly's, Starbucks and showing houses.... :-)

FJ

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

William Arthur Milliken!
Sweet baby William was born right before 6pm weighing in at 7lbs 2oz and 19 inches long! Mommy and baby are doing great! Daddy, grandparents, aunts and uncles are all so excited and so glad William is finally here!! He is just adorable and so very loved!

Cockominium Hits Ebay

One of our buddies has put his Stadium Villiage Loft on ebay. The "Reserve" is set for $415,000 and the "Buy It Now" is $469,000.

There is also a furnished price that you can see by clicking the link. Happy Bidding!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270197002778

NEW ERA FOR USC

Sorensen stepping down

USC leader considering other posts at university
By JAMES T. HAMMOND - jhammond@thestate.com

Every Little Bit Helps...

2008 Mileage Allowances

The mileage business allowance increases from 48.5 cents to 50.5 cents per mile. Charitable deductions for the use of a car will remain at 14 cents per mile driven. The rates will apply for mileage on or after January 1, 2008.

McDonalds Tops List. Coldwell Banker #1 Real Estate Brand; #12 Franchise Brand Overall...

Below is the list of the Top 15 Franchise Brands. Although it is very interesting, keep in mind that these are "franchise" brands. Brands like Coke, Pepsi, Bud, Chevy and Starbucks are all corporate owned, not franchise opportunities....

Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS (my company) is the largest franchise within the entire brand. We are (CBUR) also one of the Top 10 real estate brokerages in the world.

Has anyone ever heard of #3 on this list??? FJ

Coldwell Banker Ranked #1 Real Estate Brand
11/27/2007
The 2007 Franchise Times Top 200 issue came out and Coldwell Banker is again the number one ranked real estate brand for the eighth year in a row. The brand is 12th overall.*
Below falls the top 15:

McDonald's
7-11
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
KFC
Ace Hardware
Burger King
Subway
Pizza Hut
Wendy's
Circle K Convenience Stores
Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites
COLDWELL BANKER
Hilton
Taco Bell Corp.
Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts

Cola's Best Organization; Cola's Best Party... Great Job JLC!

One Of The Most Fun Branding Pieces I've Ever Done.... Is That Ice In a Wine Cup?

JLC Holiday Market Co-Chair Linda Ferrante. Great Job! Dress and bow-tie by LaRoque...

Gorgeous Friend & Client, and Gorgeous Wife...

3/4 of the Real Team. Where's Amy???

Once again, The Junior League of Columbia showed their stuff at this years Holiday Market Preview Party. A grand time was had by all, as leading women in our community kicked off one of Columbia's most successful fundraisers. Great job, JLC. In my bias, you are the best philanthopic organization in the midlands.

If you are ready, willing and able, I encourage any of you to offer your time, talents and treasures to The Junior League. This group can magnify anything into great works....

Scroll for Santa... :-)

HO, HO, HO !!!

This sweet baby is not loving on FJ Santa at the JLC's Holiday Market this year.

Our Neighborhood, My Deed!

OK. I spent 5 hours with the City of Columbia Planning Commission tonight. Good grief....

Yes, we were there from 5:15 to 10:00pm tonight. After some specific parcels were voted on, they finally took up the measure of the "Interim Measures for Community Character Protection." After all was said and done (many times), they finally decided (I think) to give individual neighborhoods 90 days to get 50% + 1 of the residents, to decide if they want to participate in the measures. Wales Garden is immune from this, as they have already qualified themselves to move to the next step of "character protection." When all is said and done, they may regret it.

One major contention from moving this motion forward, is that it seems that only a handful of residents shouldn't speak for an entire neighborhood. The glaring example is Shandon. It seems that maybe 20-30ish folks attend the meetings four times a annually, to discuss the issues of a neighborhood of 1,600. Obviously, there is a concern here.

The bigger issue in my mind, is property rights. I can tell you, that if a person has purchased a home in Shandon (or any other downtown neighborhood, for that matter), they may very much regret such a purchase, if some of the talked about measures become city ordinance.

Someone is bound to ask the question, "Do I own my property, or does the neighborhood?"

We all strive for a more perfect Columbia. Having said this, there must be a better way than painting incredibly broad stripes on such a pinstripe situation. Some would argue the contrary, but the nuts and bolts of it is, that the property owner...owns the property.

"Our Neighborhood, My Deed!"