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.

South Carolina = Sweet Tea = Vodka?

South Carolina Co. Is About To Hit The Big Time...
Firefly Vodka is distilled on Wadmalaw Island, which is about 30 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. The company has developed the newest craze in the spirits industry; Sweet Tea Vodka.

Apparently, this Sweet Tea Vodka is an outright hit. I have been asked no less than 15 times if I've heard of it. This stuff has created a buzz, (in more ways that one) that most new companies dream of. I don't know this for sure, but someone told me that most stores are thirsting badly for more, as Green's has bought Firefly's entire inventory.

Red Bull sales may take a hit this tailgating season, as Firefly will have this product in Cockaboose's and under fraternity tents.

If the rest of the nation would fall in love with Sweet Tea, this stuff could be the biggest South Carolina craze since Hootie...

6 Point Comfort/King's Grant = CLOSED

Setting The Pace, in KG
We put this beautiful home in King's Grant under contract, before the sign went in the yard. It closed on June 5, at $188.00/ft. Both Buyers and Sellers, are happy as little pigs in the sunshine.

We were flattered to contribute to the home values of KG, again....

Leon Lott for Richland County, SC...

Remember to go VOTE for LEON LOTT tomorrow!

Tomorrow, given the system in South Carolina, you must make a decision to vote in the Republican, or Democratic Primary. Since there aren't many contested races on the Republican side this go' round, I encourage everyone to vote on the Democratic side tomorrow. This will enable you to vote for Sheriff Lott.

I know this will be difficult for some of you. However, given that Lindsey Graham (whether you're for him, or not) is going to win in a landslide, it would be prudent for you to cross party lines to vote for Leon. He's a friend of mine, a good family man and a pretty dang good sheriff.

Get out there and vote for Leon tomorrow!!!

Columbia's Newest Listing's...

>>Columiba's New Listings...May 25 - June 8

Kings Grant Home For Sale; Columbia, SC...

Home For Sale On S. Kings Grant Dr.

This home boasts 3214 sq/ft, with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. It's on the corner of S. Kings Grant Dr. and Trimblestone, facing the main "drag."

It features an open plan, granite countertops and blonde hardwoods. I apologize for the blurry picture. It was taken from a camera phone, that was in a hurry!

Call or email if you want to see inside. The house is offered for $545,900....

It Is Done...

Obama Crosses Finish Line; South Carolina Picks The Winner Again...
Now that the great states of Montana and S. Dakota have voted, there are no more states left. It is done. Senator Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee to take on Senator McCain this fall. Didn't we already know this months ago?

Senator Clinton is staring in the face of history. This must now be an incredible bitterweet feeling for her. Do you remember our school history books, where the 40 something portraits of Presidents took up both pages? The pages usually had a blue background, with each Presidents head inside an ornate, oval frame. Well, imagine being the only woman on that page. What an awesome feeling it must be for her, but now so awful. Timing can be a terrible thing to one, while a wonderful thing to another...

On the flip side, history continues to stare at Sen. Obama. Timing, combined with a speech has done this. One speech. One speech at the Democratic National Convention four years ago, propelled this man to the forefront of American politics.

Being so close to making history, I know that Hillary is dying inside. One speech, four years ago propelled a man to national prominence. At the time, Obama was supposed to help John Kerry to the White House. Tonight, it looks like that speech may have made a President.

As Hillary accepts that she will not be the big winner, Obama may be finding his picture in an oval, on the blue pages of our kids history books...

Kings Grant Listing Is Under Contract...

This home in King's Grant is Under Contract Pending Inspections. Hope everything goes well!!!!!!!!!!!