10 Tombee Ct. is Coming To Market...

Kings Grant

This home will be on the market soon. It has four bedrooms with a very large master. My favorite features are probably the awesome portico and manicured backyard. It backs up to the walking trail, which is rare and a big asset. Yet to be determined price, will be around $629,900-$639,000. Odds are, it will be sold before it technically hits the market. Call or email fjones@cbunited.com if you would like a showing...

BOOST!

I received this email today from the National Association of Realtors. In short, most feel that if we can assist borrowers in their quest to refinance, that it will help boost the overall economy. FJ

Tell the Senate that the Economic Stimulus Package Must Contain Relief for Homeowners

Dear Franklin,

The much needed and welcome economic stimulus package is now in the hands of the U.S. Senate. But the Senate must include new loan limits on FHA and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. America's housing market needs this help.

NAR wants a stimulus package that will be good for America’s home owners now and for future homeowners to come. Take Action and make your position known. Tell Senators DeMint and Graham that including these new loan limits must be included in the economic package

What's At Stake:By increasing the loan limits, borrowers will see immediate relief with new liquidity in the mortgage market and the nation will see an additional 300,000 home sales. NAR also knows that with an increase in the FHA limit that an additional 138,000 Americans will purchase and 200,000 families refinance their homes safely and affordably

Jan. 28, 2008

>>Today's New Listings...

New To The Market...

Wheeler Hill Home Hits the Market Today...

This 2-3 year old Charleston style home sports hardwoods, high-smooth ceilings, recessed lighting, 9 ft. doors and an open floor plan. All four bedrooms have their own private baths, with granite countertops. Combine the open plan with the double decks, it makes for a great home for entertaining.

Of course, being in Wheeler Hill, this home is 5 minutes to anything downtown.

$449,900.00

Blowout...

Obama Wins SC!

January 27, 2008 Filed Under The Shot Written by The Shot

With 0% in, and after the polls have been closed for only 1 minute, the AP has projected Barack Obama the winner of the SC Primary

January 25, 2008

>>Today's New Listings...

January 23 &24, 2008

>>Yesterday's/Today's New Listings...

January 22, 2008

>>Today's New Listings...

Six Neighborhoods on Lockdown? Maybe...

Cottontown, Heathwood, Hollywood/Rose Hill, Shandon, Sherwood Forest, Wales Garden; Progress serves you well. I hope City Council will too...

Let's refresh... A few weeks ago, the Planning Commission thought it would be wise to make it such that it should take 50%+1 of a particular neighborhood, to move toward a "historical designation." Most folks thought this was a fair at best, uncomfy at worst and all together not awful plan.

Marc Mylott, the City Zoning Administrator, is going to publicly defy this plan Wednesday at 10a.m. (every one's attendance encouraged). Mr. Mylott, is going to argue that he has a better way. He may argue that it should be up to City Council, solely. He may argue that it should only take 50%+1, of whoever attends a particular neighborhood meeting in a school gym. Who knows? Whatever his argument, I'm going to try to attend.

I think Mr. Mylott is worried that, under the plan that's on the table, Shandon is unattainable. With Shandon sporting 1,600+ homes, he's afraid he won't be able to attain the necessary 800+ signatures. Apparently, he's going to attempt to control your shutters a different way.

Before a property rights debate begins, should someone suggest that since our neighborhoods are "Associations," that we dare bring up the idea of HOA fees? Should each association begin collecting fees related to square footage, property footage or how many bedrooms a house contains? Hmmm.... Of course, I'm not advocating an HOA fee, but I would think the notion would raise a few eyebrows.

There is no perfect answer that will please everyone. However, I'm going to be pretty peeved if I have to submit a plan, to paint our dang shutters black.

January 21, 2008

>>Today's New Listings...

Black, White and Red All Over...

What is Black, White and Red All Over? This Week, South Carolina...

Now that the Republicans have had their day in South Carolina's sun (uh, rain), it's time for the Democrats to roll into town. The main difference between the two primaries (other than the voters they will be catering to) is that, unlike the GOP's race, this one features three (errr...2.5) candidates.

There are 3 distinct differences between the candidates; 1) Barack Obama is a male, person of color. 2) Hillary is a white woman and the wife of a former President. 3) John Edwards was born in an upstate mill, and he is P-I-S-S-E-D about it!

Look for this race to get very nasty. Since many feel Obama must win here, Hill-Bill will be putting on a full court press. Throw in that Edwards was born in Seneca, and won S.C. in the last go-round, makes for a hum-doozy of a week to come.

January 17, 2008

>>Today's New Listings...

Columbia Should Take the High Road...

Seriously...

Does anyone realize that when we visit Richland County for tax business, that we are feeding parking meters that belong to the City of Columbia? WUT!?

This seems pretty odd. If anyone wants to discuss their tax bill, or even pay their taxes to their local government, we have to pay another local government to do it? Of course, we all know what's next: parking ticket.

In short, to pay or appeal our county taxes, we have to pay the city's meter an entrance fee. Then many times, we pay an exit fee (parking ticket). Does Columbia really have to make coin on the backs of good citizens that are doing, of all things...TAX BUSINESS? Really?

Hotsheet - Jan. 16, 2008

>>Today's New Listings

It's Our Turn... Republicans First

The Michigan primaries are over. Now, earth rotates it's attention to The Palmetto State. The Republicans are up first, as the primary is set for this Saturday.

Now that the GOP has three different winners in four contests, the field is wide open. Some say this is fun for America to watch, while others say that this is awful for the GOP. Nevertheless, like real estate, all politics is clearly local.

Early on, Rudy was clearly winning in South Carolina. Now, we have two/three candidates fighting to prove who is more Christian (Huckabee/Thompson/Romney), one cotastrophe specialist (Rudy), one military vote sponge and Iraq occupier (McCain) and one who is most about business and economic progress (Romney). Yeesh... What a mess! Either way, I hope our state can make the most of the spotlight, as the political world is here.

Whichever candidate you're for, and if Republican, just make sure to VOTE on Saturday...

Hotsheet - Jan 15, 2008

>> Today's New Listings

Oscar's...or Oscar?

Is the entertainment industry plucking the geese that lay their golden eggs? I don't know who's right or wrong over on the west side, but this thing has been going on so long, that I've found that I can just go do something else.

Whatever the theory, we will be right back in front of the tube checking out CSI-Sumter or Law and Order Parking Garage Unit (or whatever spinoff is next), as soon as they figure out their differences.

Get it together people. We can only take so much Presidential spin, and football season only has three games left...

January 14, 2007

Hotsheet - 1/14/07

Click on "Hotsheet - 1/14/07" to get to the listings. When you click on the home, the listing sheet should pop up.

Remember, these are not my listings. They are today's new listings (some are re-list's) from downtown, to Blythewood to beyond Hopkins, which are listed by price, from highest to lowest. Today, 32 hit the market...

As of today, 1502 Wyndham may be the coolest house in Columbia's market.

Call or email us if you would like know more about, or see any of these properties...

THE HOTSHEET; The New Columbia Real Estate Binnoculars...

Search New Listings Like REALTORS...

On MLS, we have something called the "Hotsheet." The Hotsheet shows what has been put on the market every day. It is a pretty good tool, and I try to utilize it to its full potential when I list a house (If you are a Seller of mine, you already know this).

Below is the Hotsheet of new listings for intown Columbia, from 01/07/08 - 01/11/08. I may update this every night, so that you can keep up with whats new to the market. If I can make this work, you will know what is new to the market faster than other buyers, and many Realtors...

Please note, these are not (some of them may be) my listings. These are Columbia intown listings, that any one of 2,300 Realtors have listed...

Hotsheet 01/07/08 - 01/11/08.

BofA is Buying Countrywide

Some are calling Bank of America's purchase of Countrywide a "non-government bailout". In any other market, this deal would probably be halted in the halls of Congress, in the name of "anti-trust." Either way, Bank of America is now the nations largest mortgage supplier, far and away...

P.S. BofA's online banking is awesome...

$420 Million Dollars... Million!!!; There Must Be A Better Way...

The Job Pays $400,000. Look at all of this money...

Republican Candidates Raised: On Hand
Romney $62,829,069 $9,216,517
Giuliani $47,253,521 $16,649,826
McCain $32,124,785 $3,488,628
Thompson $12,828,111 $7,121,744
Paul $8,268,453 $5,443,667
Brownback $4,235,333 $94,654
Tancredo $3,538,244 $110,079
Huckabee $2,345,798 $651,301
Hunter $1,890,873 $132,742
Keyes $22,768 $12,629
Total Republican $175,336,955 $42,921,787

Democrats Candidates Raised: On Hand
Clinton $90,935,788 $50,463,013
Obama $80,256,427 $36,087,191
Edwards $30,329,152 $12,397,048
Richardson $18,699,937 $5,821,588
Dodd $13,598,152 $3,874,874
Biden $8,215,739 $1,886,340
Kucinich $2,130,200 $327,094
Gravel $379,795 $17,526
Total Dem $244,545,190 $110,874,674


Totals $419,882,145 $153,796,461

1820 W. Buchanan is Leaving The Market...

This is an artist's rendering (paint job via photoshop) of the home...

After having enjoyed the label "Pending Contract" three times, the Franklin Jones sign is coming down and this house is leaving the market.

Over two years ago, this house received an appraisal of $290,000. It is now on the market for $249,900. It is the one listing that I have not been able to "shake." I even sold the house that shares the backyard, back border for a record price in seven days about two months ago. I think it closed at over $170./ft.

I think that this house is a deal for someone out there. It has a swank new kitchen, great hardwoods and a lot that is almost a football field deep. Even if someone "held" it for a while with renters, it should pop for a profit in the not too distant future.

A home in the Heathwood area, with a Sachelford school zone under $250,000, is a rare product. This house should have "popped"....

N. Tombee Home Coming To Market...

This home is not on MLS yet....

This home on N. Tombee will be coming to market on Friday afternoon. At the moment, the list price looks to be $698,000. I haven't been inside yet, but I think its very nice. At almost 4000 sq.ft., this home sports 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

Let me know via fjones@cbunited.com if you would like to see interior pictures, or would like to take a visit...

From Season To Session... Welcome Back!

Out with the Cocks and Tigers. Here come the mules and the only mammals on earth that can't jump....

We had a great time watching football season this year, and a big time following our Gamecocks (uh, sort of). Now it's time for the "State House Season" to begin. In August, we go around town asking, "Are you ready for football season?" In January, we ask, "Are you ready for session?" Ready or not, the South Carolina legislature is "In Session."

In the morning, the "teams" will start butting heads and cutting deals. Political parties, caucuses and interest groups will go at it like bulls, bears, elephants and mules as they build coalitions and/or gut one another for their claims for attention, personal causes and money.

Will R's prevail? Will D's? Will private schools feel like winners this year? Is this the year the tobacco lobby falls to a higher tax, in the name of a 3 to 1 federal match? Perhaps not. Is '08 the year for small business tax breaks, or tax hikes? If hikes, who's going to get the money? If breaks, who takes the hit? We'll see.

Whether you like big time college football or a downright nasty soap opera, South Carolina's political season is always a doozy.

To be sure, our system is not perfect. However, it is the system that we live under. Having said this, I hope that everyone will get informed and be involved as much as they can. If for nothing else, we will try to find ourselves living in a more perfect South Carolina.

Any Columbia, SC homeowner should take note...

Updated Shandon Homes Can Move...

Thanks To This Closing, We Are Among The Top 10 (Closed Sales), In-Town Realtors for 2007. I Am Humbled and Grateful. I Owe Everything To The Best Real Estate Network In Columbia.....Bar None.

We "closed out" '07 with a bang, when this awesome home on Duncan St closed in late December. At 2700 sq.ft., this house closed at a respectable $444,000. The price/ft. is $164.44. In short, Shandon is standing strong.

This home is one of the nicest "re-do's" that I've seen in all of Shandon. Pretty much everything is immaculate.

This is a great example of, if you have a "move in ready" in-town home, at a respectable price, it will sell.

Congratulations to the Buyer and Seller of this Shandon Stunner...

The Corn Caucus Has Spoken...

"HOLY" HUCK!!! It looks like Chuck Norris can kick butt, after all. I hear Huck may bring Ric Flair out when the campaign hits South Carolina. I guess they think Flair's "Figure 4 leglock" is a little more effective in the south, than a Hollywood roundhouse kick. Nevertheless, it looks like its going to be Mitt vs Huck in a heavyweight fight.

Obama'Rama! Early in 2007, I asked a powerful Democrat, "Who's running the Obama campaign in South Carolina". His answer was interesting..."Obama's not a campaign, He's is a movement." I have to admit, the email made me raise an eyebrow. As of tonight (with a little help from the Bill Richardson campaign), it looks like he may be on to something.

Great Friends + Cool Place = Good Times....

No matter where you are, bringing in the New Year is always great, as long as you are with family and/or friends. We ended '07 and rang in '08 with traditional vittles, big time college football and an overall grand time.

As expected, we arrived in Columbia around 2 o'clock today. Of course, we miss being at the beach. Having said this, we are ecstatic to be back in Columbia. For some reason (thank goodness for anxious buyers and sellers), it is difficult to be away from the midlands for many days at a time.

Jenna, you do a great job as group photographer...

Driving 2+Hours To Sit On The Couch, And Loving It...

In a few hours, the couch will be turned in to a racing saddle...

As expected, we capped off the Holiday Season with a full day of couch sitting. Between eight beachgoers, I estimate that today, we've collectively spent 70+ (the number would be higher, but two visitors had to leave after lunch) on the couch. We have flipped from game to game, all day long. At the moment, Hawaii is receiving their share of an SEC beatdown at the hands of UGA.

Of course, we had to eat. We've "thrown down" all day long on pork tenderloin, hoppin-john and collards, till we are green in the face. All of it was great. If superstition holds true, I should expect to win two or three lotteries this year.

At 10:00 am tomorrow (check out time), the butt sitting abrubtly ends. After we visit Litchfield By The Sea to get our Starbucks, the 2008 horse race that is Columbia's real estate market will begin. I can't wait....