Amanda and I End Year w/ Big Listing

True to our efforts and label, it looks like our 2011 will end with a huge bang, as Amanda and I are set to put this beauty on the market late Wednesday afternoon. Sporting five bedrooms and loads of living space, this home is sure to turn some heads.

One would expect a home of this stature, while gracing the corner of street names like Canterbury and Cambridge, to be somewhere across the pond in Wales or Scotland. Conveniently, however, this manor sits overlooking a gentle hill, in the historic downtown and picturesque Forest Hills neighborhood.

Stay tuned for links and pics. This house if full of charm, rooms, and blowing out the WOW factor from the curb.

Old Columbia Homes Can Punish Wi-Fi

If you know me (or Jennifer), or have read this blog a few times, you're probably aware that before we were married, I purchased a house in the first block of Shandon. It's old, brick, and has a deep footprint, to say the least. Well, it's so long, and has so many bricks, and so many walls filled with concrete and plaster, that our WiFi coverage doesn't extend from back to front. As you can imagine, it's been a constant battle.

Today, we set out to change this problem with a quick trip to BestBuy. As we were all set to purchase another 'booster,' or 'extender,' the salesperson sold me on the supposed fail safe product in the pic above. Given it's an Apple product, I had no problem paying for a product we'd have complete confidence in. Fast forward to 1:44AM, and we're back to a six or seven year old Linksys. Ugh.

To be fair, I'm confident the Apple router is experiencing "User Error." That said, thank you for bearing with me while we mess with technical difficulties.

I'll be back at the office tomorrow with no problems, and hopefully by tomorrow night, our old box of bricks will be glowing with new WiFi.

Thank you! FJ.

Nick Rolls Out New Habitat/Realtor Tag

New Design To Grace Car Trunks of REALTORS
The pic above is the president of the South Carolina Association of Realtors, Nick Kremydas, holding up what is sure to be known as "The Realtor Tag." The current version of the tag looks about the same but focuses more on beneficiary of the funds, Habitat For Humanity, instead of the professional organization supporting the cause.

I currently have the more subtle "Realtor/Habitat" flair screwed to my trunk. That said, I'm not sure the new one is for me. I like it well enough, but I'm not sure it hits on the label we try to project. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the new tag may be one step over the salesman(y) line, as opposed to the current "supportive" notion, which I very much prefer. It's a little hard to explain behind a keyboard, but I think you get what I'm trying to say.

At the time of renewal, I'm not sure which tag I'll go with. I do know, however, in the name of sales, and in the effort to fetch the most dollars for a great cause, the association wants to design the most popular tag possible.

Hmmmm, this fleeting thought may have just sold one more tag. We'll see....

Location...Location...Persistence...

Homes In Heathwood & Shandon Fetch Contracts

After a long real estate journey, as of today, the two homes in the pics above are finally Under Contract. One is my listing, and one is not. Nevertheless, there are two "sides" to every real estate transaction, and both have specific merits and challenges.

If you live in downtown Columbia, SC, you're sure to know the top picture as it sits handsomely atop the crossroads of Adger and Berkeley, looking down a Heathwood hill. Pretty cool spot, to be sure. When the flags are blowing, it looks not too unlike my visual of Appomattox Courthouse. That may be a stretch, but you get the idea. Given the location and topography of the lot, it stands tall from the street and is recognizeable by most everyone. All this considered, it's sort of a statement/landmark house.

The second pic above is the cool house in Shandon with the slammin' kitchen. Sloan St. is a very short street off of Burney, which not many folks know about. The buyers of this home endured the everlasting conundrum of; "Do we buy a little more house in Rosewood, or pay a little more to live in Shandon." The couple chose the latter. For Sloan's sake, I'm glad they did!!!

Once again, I hope I'm not jinxing these sales by typing about them. That said, I think it's nice to share some of what's going on in the market, that most of the public doesn't know about.

As a bonus to everyone involved, both properties enjoy "clean" (non-contingent) contracts.

Next up? Inspections!

Downtown Columbia's MLS Closings

Columbia's Transactions: Nov. 16 - Dec. 15, 2011

Productive Day w/ Adolescent Kindness

Today was a crazy busy day, and may actually go down as the largest volume day of 2011. I'm not sure of this, but assume it has to be close. This morning, we closed 27 Davant Place in King's Grant, where we represented the buyer and seller (I'll post about this in a few days). At 4:30 this afternoon, we closed a house on Rockwood, which is behind "VA" in 29209.

Nice production numbers and hard work aside, the most memorable part of the day was when about eight of us discussed the note above. The note was written by one of the children of the sellers of "Rockwood,"and found by the child's mom on a shelf in a bathroom medicine cabinet. I mean...how cool (a little bittersweet) is that?

In the hectic hustle of moving one's life (stuff) on a truck, and perform the necessary business side of a real estate transaction, we sometimes forget about what's going on in the heads of the little ones. Should we care? It's a case by case thing, but obviously matters on some level. After all, life happens and moving is part of it. This said, before Jennifer and I had our little girl, Finley, I wouldn't have thought toooOOOoo much about it. Well, for me, it's a clearer picture now.

In all it was a good day. A few "sides" closed, lots of happy people, and a little note to make us all think a little bit.

Southern Charmer Hits Market - 29209

18 Dandridge Ct. = "Southern Living" Curb Appeal

Last week I posted about a house coming to the market in the 29209 area of Columbia. As planned, it hit the market Monday afternoon, and is now ready to go. I showed it Friday to a buyer client of mine, and we were there over an hour. Who knows what will happen with that particular family, but any visit over an hour is always a good sign. Oddly, we presented an offer on behalf of another couple on the house across the street this afternooon.

Since it's a little late, I'm going to cut/paste the description about the house from the websites. I think you'll get the idea...

"With its 'Southern Living' curb appeal, this home is replete with top-shelf design and materials.Shining hardwoods, recessed and designer lighting, smooth ceilings, and loads of living spaces. Eat-in kitchen is complete with granite slab, Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances, stacked-drawer dishwasher, sitting area, & breakfast bar island. Tremendous owner's suite includes private bath w/double vanity, jetted tub, and a vast walk-in closet. Bedroom 2 provides dual master possibilities. Vast closet space upstairs. Home is ideal for entertaining on all levels, as the kitchen opens to a vaulted den and expansive deck system. Spring time foliage looks like The Masters & the front porch of this Southern belle is ready to grace your next Holiday card."

Please call or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com if you have any questions about 18 Dandridge. As you can tell from the link and "remarks," this is a sharp home.

Thank you! FJ

Ready To Get Back At It. #CabinFever!!

Since I've pretty much been asleep since December 2, I decided to grow my first beard, and have the pic above to show for it. Well...that was fun.

Tomorrow, Jennifer will drive my immobile self to Dr. Willcox's office, where, we hope he'll grant driving privileges. Over the past week, I've been taken aback about how helpless I've been without the ability to drive. As great, cool, and helpful as technology is one still has to eat, do baby chores, and overall get stuff done. In short, my car hasn't been 'crunk up' in over a week, and I'm ready to get back in the saddle at Coldwell Banker-Midtown.

Last night I took a shot and went to a "Toy's For Tots" event, and an awesome 40th birthday party at The Inn at USC. While I can stand, but not sit, I pretty much stood with my back to the wall all night. We had a big time at both parties, and glad we went.

Now that I think about it, I'm more than ready to bust outta here as I think we have a few closings this week, and two listings waiting to be set up. With that, I'm going to pop a few vitamins and a fish oil pill in about 30 seconds. Gotta mend!!

Nite!

Cool House To Hit Market On Monday!

Next week we'll be putting this super handsome, updated home on the market in 29209. In the meantime, here are a few tidbits: Corner lot, large formal dining w/ fireplace, granite slab filled kitchen w/ first class appliances (Sub-Zero, for instance) & keeping/sitting area, large new den with vaulted ceilings, a new owners suite complete with a crazy large master bath, and a deck system ready for all the BBQ's and oyster roasts you can have.

Stay tuned for a link!

No Driving/Doc's Orders, & This Stuff

In case you've noticed a stall in my online action, it's because I've been down and out via a little surgery last Friday. Again, it's really no big whoop, but it does have me immobile for about a week.

Being home bound is not an easy thing. Most of me very much wants to suck it up and 'get on with the world,' but my brain (and wife) would rather 'get this right,' and not have to do it again.

When the docs and nurses informed me I wouldn't be able to drive for a while, I thought to myself, "This is gonna honk, but OK..." After all, anyone that has a new cavern in their backside is sure to be sore. Yes, I'm hurting and moving makes it worse, but it's just not that. The bigger picture, and what I didn't realize, is that the meds I'm taking work. I mean...THEY WORK, and can understand why patients shouldn't drive or make big decisions while consuming them.

I don't know squat about drugs or medication, but I can type with all authority that these pain meds are effective. Further, I was reminded early in this venture to "Stay ahead of the pain." That's certainly a big deal, to be sure.

I'm on the uptick now, and hope to be in the office within a day or two. In the meantime, thank you for contacting amandaqpayne@live.com and aackerman@cbunited.com for anything at all.

Thank you!

Downtown Columbia's MLS Hotsheet

Columbia's Newest Real Estate Listings: November 2011.
Given Jennifer has been such an awesome nurse this weekend, she might be a tinch offended that I'm up right now. She may be even more mifffed that I'm in any sort of typing position... and I understand. That said, I didn't want a boring post about a surgery (the last one) being "out there" too long. Further, I didn't want a lot of time to pass before our fun "HotSheet" got too stale.

I didn't take much time to skim the listings, but seem to remember a nice variety of homes that hit the market.

Night, night! #gottahealquickly

#Occupy Palmetto Baptist. Here I Come!

No Drama Intended...Just A Scheduling Heads Up
Friday at noon, I have the distinct displeasure of arriving at Palmetto Baptist Hospital. It's no HUUUGE whoop, but tomorrow I'm finally (hopefully) getting rid of a pesky cyst. If you know me well, you're aware that I've been messing with this thing for almost 20 years. Awful!

Tomorrow, Dr. Hugh Wilcox and his team will knock me out and Doc will put the scalpel to me. In short, I'm about to go through a pretty uncomfy experience. I'm typing about this simply to inform folks that I'm going to be on major pain meds for a couple of days, and immobile (can't drive at all) for almost a week. Grody visual: For a month or so, I'm gonna have a hole in my back an iPhone could fit in. :(

I strategically nestled the surgery between Thanksgiving and Christmas, thinking most folks would be focused on things other than real estate. Conversely, my seemingly clever thoughts backfired, as we are super hot pouring listings in and working about a dozen Pending Contracts. #BUSY!

Enter... "Teamwork." Amandaqpayne@live.com and aackerman@cbunited.com have everything covered, all the way around. As we all sit less than four feet from each other, they both know everything...about everything. What I'm getting at is.....for the next couple of days, you'll get a much quicker response by contacting Amy or Amanda directly with any thoughts, requests, or inquires.

Thank you for understanding, and for reading about a less than pleasurable subject. I'll be back next week a new person!

PS: I'm due to post a HotSheet, and will get it out in a day or two. Thank you!