Columbia, SC's Updated MLS Hotsheet

Columbia's Newest Real Estate Listings: Jan. 4 - Feb. 8, 2011
As you will see, January usually provides a pretty large number of new listings. One reason is because many Realtors 're-list' homes at this time of year. This practice insures a listing gets a brand new MLS number, and therefore a 'fresh face.' While this strategy is certainly practiced throughout the year, it's compounded exponentially when a new year turns over.

Who knows how effective this is, but if you notice a 'new listing' on this Hotsheet that you've seen before...this is why!

Happy clicking!

2713 Wheat St. Hits Market - Shandon

Block of Wheat & Woodrow Streets: Primo Location
At 2,450 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms and 4 full baths, this home has a lot to offer. Some features include high ceilings, pine hardwood floors, transoms, and tons of storage.

Perhaps the best feature of 2713 Wheat St. is the new luxury owner's suite. This 'master' is complete with a spacious closet & top of the line bath w/subway tile, double vanity, & multi-head seamless glass shower. In short, this suite... is sweet!

Outdoor living here is just as fun. The tiled/paved patio is private and perfect for grilling out. The front porch is waiting for you to rock away the afternoons while waiving to all of the walkers and bikers Shandon is famous for.

As cute and 'classic' as the home presents itself, the 'stars' of 2713 Wheat St. are the new owner's suite and the location. We all know there are some premier locations in Shandon. I'd challenge anyone to find a more fun block than the corner of Woodrow & Wheat. The home is a half block from Hand Middle. Primo.

If you live here you'll be within walking distance of anything in 5 Points or Devine St., and a 5 minute drive to anything downtown.

Call or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com if you or anyone you know would like more information about this classic Shandon home.

Popping String Makes My Teeth Grit

Shop Loyal/Local: Todd & Moore Takes Care Of Us
Outside the everyday hustle and grind (and fun) of the real estate business, there are a couple of things that make me grit my teeth and say, "Really?... Really." One, which drives me bat crazy, is Columbia's red light system. The other, is when I pop my strings.

It's hard enough to find someone that can hit balls when I can go (late), and even more difficult to find an open court with lights. When these logistics are finally worked out, and a good sweat is on the cusp, there's nothing more frustrating (other than rain) than hearing my strings pop. Uggh.

This all said, thank goodness for Todd & Moore. As frustrating as popping strings can be, Columbia players know they can take their wounded weapon to the good people at Todd & Moore. More often than not, we can be hitting balls again by day's end.

I snapped this pic around 9:30 AM. Later that same day, I was bangin' on the Mays Park wall.

"Making It Work" >>> Profit Margins

Below this sentence are two Comments to previous Posts, regarding homes that have procured contracts in downtown Columbia. FJ

Anonymous said...
"$20,000 below the $265,000 sale prince in 2007? Plus commissions?
And I'm sure additional improvements add to that reduction. As you pointed out the house had already been renovated.

That's zip appreciation in 4 years.
Comments? People really need some unvarnished truth about these sales sometimes."

Anonymous said...
"Did the house appreciate from the last sale? That's really what everyone wants to know.
I am a fan of the flower boxes also...always wondered how they're watered. They are really beautiful. Hope the new owners keep them."

While I appreciate the comments, Anonymous and I are experiencing a disconnect. As Anonymous is focused on profit margin and appreciation, my posts are strictly about what's procuring offers and contracts.

More often than not, the demand we get from sellers is more often, "Sell my house!" rather than, "How much can I make?"

Of the four sales I wrote about, they're all completely different situations. One owns their house outright, one is dealing with an illness, one inherited a house, and another got a job transfer to another state. What I'm getting at is that it's not always about profit but what life brings. Quotes like, "Let's cut this house loose, Franklin" or "I've got to stop the bleeding" are not uncommon. This said, all four sales were updated move-in ready homes.

All I meant from my Posts are: if it's move-in ready and has a nice price tag, it has a better shot at procuring the coveted 'offer'. When we procure this offer, the sellers then have a decision to make. "How much money am I making?" is usually not one of the factors.

These days, life's circumstances and "making it work" are trumping the profit margins.

Mighty Google Gets Out Of Real Estate

Google Announces It's Leaving Real Estate

As a guy who thinks that Google can do pretty much anything, it came as a surprise to me that the 'grandaddy of information' is dropping out of real estate.

The move certainly won't disturb anyone's lives or any Realtors' business pratices that I can think of. That said, the real estate feature on Google Maps was quick, easy, and actually pretty cool.

Oh well....

Second Photo Is From Jeff Duncan's (R-SC) Camera
Some folks will pronounce that President Obama's speech to the nation was awesome, and some will say it honked. It doesn't take a political scientist to recognize supporters and haters of any party or political figure.

I think Joe Scarborough probably has it 'most right'. "It was boring." Admittedly, I was only half listening but remember the most memorable line being, "This is our generation's Sputnik moment." He may be right on with this, but I'm pretty sure this metaphor won't be immortalized in any "History of Speeches" books. We'll see.

As charismatic as President Obama can be, it's going to be a tough task to command the public eye anytime House Speaker John Boehner is sitting behind him. The Speaker is as orange as Snookie and constantly weeping. I mean, I've been known to be emotional, but his tan is so orange that sometimes the Speaker looks like a wet kumquat.

All in all, who cares?! If we can 'get it done', Obama and Boehner can give speeches and cry all they want.

"SOLD" Before I Could Blog About 'Em

More 'Modern' Forest Acres Homes Under Contract
Like I wrote last week, if a house is nice and modern inside and has a fair price tag, it has a great shot of procuring an offer/contract. The homes above are two more examples. Both listings above were Under Contract within 2 or 3 days of hitting the market.

The new house at 5500 Sylvan is scheduled to close Friday. It features all the modern amenities like granite slab everywhere, cathedral ceilings, and a swank kitchen & owner's suite that are rarely seen at this price level. Landscaping and black shutters are on the way.

The features of the listing on Briarwood (interior pics above) aren't much different. An open plan, great living space, and a tricked out owner's suite procured an offer in two days.

I feel compelled to mention that both of these Forest Acres homes feed into Satchel Ford Elementary school. As nice as the houses are, this elementary school is a big deal.

Congrats to the sellers and buyers of these two listings. Along with 'The Flower Box House' on Forest Drive, these homes are all priced around $250,000. I knew they wouldn't last long.