April 24 - May 4, 2008

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South Carolina Beach Time...

This time, it's Surfside/Garden City...

One of the best reasons to live in South Carolina, and Columbia for that matter, is because we are so close to awesome beaches. A beach trip for most of America, is a big deal. For South Carolinians, we can just fill up a laundry basket and be in the ocean, in the same time it takes to do a home inspection.

This time, Jenna and I (and Hairston's) are going to spend the weekend in the Surfside/Garden City area. My late wife's (Kinsey Black Jones) parents have a condo right on the beach, so we are going to hang out, play spades and fish off of the pier.

I haven't been to a beach north of Litchfield in about 7 years (since Kinsey was alive). I think it's going to be pretty cool to be about 2 blocks from the pier. I'll be emailing/texting in the middle of the night with live squid on the line, hoping to catch anything that will tickle my line.

Even though we will be a little north, I'll bet $5 that we will find ourselves at our favorite spots. Somehow, we always find ourselves at Frank's or Louis's. Someone may convince us to hit Gulfstream. It is always good for a great time, with great views.

I have about 12 Pending Contracts on the board. I think we have everyone covered, and ready (or almost ready) to close. I will have my Centro (laptop will be hooked up, of course) on me, at all times. If you need local help, email Amy at aackerman@cbunited.com.

I will be back after a visit in Manning on Sunday...

S.C. is for Teachers; State Makes Money Available to Teachers For Housing

South Carolina Lures Teachers to the State with Generous Housing Assistance.

The State Housing Authority is making $20 million available for home loans to new teachers. The loans carry a 5.9 percent interest rate. The state expects to offer about 175 loans this year.

The program also includes down payment assistance of up to $7,000 for teachers making less than 80 percent of the county's median income, assistance that will be forgiven if they stay in the home for five years.

Teachers can get the loans, which have a maximum between $180,000 and $240,000, from more than 200 lenders around the state.

What a great tool! If you are a new teacher, or know a new (or soon to be) new teacher in South Carolina, we need to set you up for this new loan program. If interested, call or email me. I'll help find you a participating lender...

Columbia, SC Ranks 9th! Nice....

Columbia Ranks Ninth in the Nation for Job Growth
Apr 15, 2008

COLUMBIA, SC - April 15, 2008 - Job growth in the United States has slipped significantly from 1.0% annual growth six months ago, to a 0.4% year-over-year growth according to March 2008 data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even in a time of economic slowdown, many cities are still posting significant job growth.

The top three cities for job growth for the year ending February 2008 were Raleigh, NC (3.9%), Houston, TX (3.4%) and Greenville, SC (2.9%), while Charleston, SC (2.1%) ranked sixth and Columbia, SC (1.9%) ranked ninth in the nation for job growth.

April 14 - 23, 2008

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Are You "Buying It?" Upstate S.C. Markets Itself...

Buying the Upstate
In a new ad campaign, REALTORS and Builders are promoting the strong and steady market of the upstate.

Hmmm... Very interesting. It looks like the upstate is proactivly taking on the media. Although it's not the greatest looking ad campaign ever constructed, at least its something.

Since The State Newspaper is owned by a conglomerate, we are forced to read about the doom and gloom of the nation's real estate market, without enjoying the benefit of more local reporting. Many people will read a national article, and instantly relate it to Columbia's market.

Perhaps Columbia should take a page from Greenville's playbook.

5 Points; Welcome to 2008..

Is the Kenny's Garage Tower Project Good for Columbia?

In case you missed it, the picture above is an architectural rendering of what will be built on the former Kenny's Garage site. Is this is a good thing for 5 Points? Hmmmm....

On the surface, I think it will be a positive addition. I know that some folks may think that it doesn't "fit" with the 5 Points theme of local shops and bars. It will certainly "stick out" among the one and two story structures that make up our beloved signature USC playground. With all of this in mind, I think that the project is an overall gain.

If someone can think of a better idea, bring it. At the moment, this is the "highest and best use" of this piece of real estate.

Congratulations Columbia. 5 Points may experience a private investment project, that is up to speed with this millennium.