Yard Cocks Bring It Big Today... 2wice.

Keeping in the spirit of Gamecock baseball, I'm going to shut down this blog quickly tonight. After all, USC's pitching staff shut down Kent State and Arkansas in uber-nasty fashion all day and night.  Even further, the entire Midlands community was shut down as we all watched or listened to the games in complete awe, collectively. 

Well done, and thank you, Michael Roth and Jordan Montgomery.
This may be a bold statement, but Mr. Michael Roth may be one of the Top 2 most celebrated student athletes in the history of Gamecock Nation.

What a day for the University of South Carolina, and Columbia, S.C.  Absolutely outstanding...

On This One, The Pic Is The Headline...

The other day I was surfing around our Coldwell Banker corporate intranet site that affiliates get to take advantage of. The site, www.coldwellbankerworks.com, has tons of content like form documents, a lead management system, logos, and all sorts of good stuff. As you can see, "CBWorks" also shows sales performance for each professional to review.

What you're looking at in the pic above is how Amanda Payne and I rank in relation to all other Realtors within the Coldwell Banker brand from January 1, 2012 - May 31, 2012. Credit due, Team Manager Amy Ackerman Cartin holds our business model together. 

The four rows in the graph are Total Closed Volume, Total Units Closed, Listings Units (Sellers), and Selling Units (Buyers), respectively. It's over the top. It's overwhelming. It's humbling.

We've posted some pretty good numbers for a while now, and are proud of what we do. That said, the reason I snapped this pic is that I'm not sure we'll ever see this level of craziness again.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to anyone who's helped us attain the numbers above. If you know us, you know how we hustle and grind every single day for our clients. The graph above is an incredibly rewarding snapshot of how hard we get after it.

For years I've touted having "The best real estate network in South Carolina, bar none." It's not just a salesman(y) tagline. 

Production and statistics notwithstanding, I wouldn't be true to our brand if I didn't bring this blog post home by asking for your business. With that, I'm sure you know what's next. You got it, and here it goes... If you or anyone you know is thinking of buying or selling real estate in Columbia, SC, please call or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com. After all, hard work and referrals are the lifeblood of any sales industry.

Thank you!!!!!!!

FJ

This Father's Day Was So Well Done...

This Father's Day was a fun, easy going day, full of some of my favorite things. First, we watched a couple of good political shows, then Dr. Estep give a good lesson to all the Christian dads out there. After that, we headed to Cafe' Caturra for a late lunch. Obviously being so close to a Starbucks, you know what came next.

After opening a house for an investor on Sylvan Dr. in Forest Acres, we cruised to King's Grant to remove a lockbox from the front door of 35 W. Tombee. Driving around the loop, we put a fresh red and white "SOLD" sign on the house at N. King's Grant Drive, then headed home.

After watching some U.S. Open, and realizing Tiger was out of it, a short nap was clearly in order.  Then, the best stuff...

Since a photo is the first thing you see when you click on this blog, you may be wondering why in the world I'm wearing an apron. That said and truth told, I don't know any fellas that mess with an apron, including me. That's fine, 'cause here's the thing: the apron in the pic is part of my Father's Day gift, and is now one of my favorite things!

Like most of you, we've done a ton of grilling lately. A few weeks ago, I mentioned to Jennifer it might be kinda fun to get a Starbucks, barrista-style apron from somewhere (yes, she looked at me like I was a complete d.a.). Well, knowing that I love my job and that I feel at home in a pinstripe suit, Jennifer and Finley cleverly stopped me in my tracks with this gray, chalk, pinstripe... apron. 

Thank you, Jennifer & Finley, for this fun and thoughtful Father's Day gift. We had a great day together, and I'm all about my new pinstripes. Unlike the steaks in the pic, this Father's Day was very well done.

BOOM!! Look What You Just Found...

Extremely Rare Waterfront... For Sale @ Forest Acres
When most folks think of lakes and ponds in downtown Columbia, usually Lake Katherine and Forest Lake come to mind. There are a few other smaller ponds, like Cary Lake, which are visible from N. Trenholm Rd. Then there are the "secret ponds." Not secret as in, "Shhhh!!," but rather just not well known. For instance, not many people know there's a pond in Heathwood, between Devine St. and Kipling. Most don't know about the fishin' hole in the pic above, either.

We put this home on the market a few days ago. You really need to see the pics on this one, as you won't believe all you can get in the $300,000's. Seriously, here's a short list. You'll notice a few items that differentiate it from almost everything out there that's not $500,000+:  polished kitchen with granite slab and stainless package (including ice maker and compactor), three large living areas, a huge owner's suite complete with luxury bath and walk-in closet, 4th bedroom suite on opposite side of the home (ideal for in-laws or guests), wide circular drive, a huge party deck, saline pool, an outdoor shower, solid fencing and safety gates, and a large/fully fenced plush backyard. Further still, neighbors include soaring ducks, waddling geese, bass, bream, a bunch of finchy/roadrunner looking birds, and a blue heron (yes... the Litchfield/Pawleys type). I'm tellin' ya!

Here's the kicker: Satchel Ford/Crayton/Flora. BOOM.

Let me paint a picture: you wake up around 6:30ish, or whenever. Looking out the master window, you check to see where the ducks are. Who cares... but it's still so cool. After about 5 minutes of Morning Joe and Mika, you take your Starbucks and step in the pool to play with your kid, or ponder whatever it is you ponder. When it's time to get going, you casually step under the outdoor shower... soap, razor, and all. Humor me, and think about that for a few seconds. You just had the morning no one else can have.
Later that afternoon, you plop back in the pool, or load the canoe with the kid and pooch. Paddling around the pond while the grill is set on "Low," you might even get a line wet and catch a few fish... cocktail in tow. Know anyone else that can do this every day, 5 minutes from everything? Just sayin...
Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think. If you or anyone you know would like to visit this awesome home, please call or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com .   Like many of our listings, it's a pleasure to show. Who knows, maybe we can go fishin' while we're there. Why not?

Thank you!

In This Gig, U Never Know What's Next

Below is part of an email from a Buyer to their Realtor today, referring to my awesome Seller.

"You would have been amused, today. Mrs. C called to tell me that she had lost the check for the furniture. Then, she asked me if I had seen her turkey. (she had taken out of the freezer and then couldn't find it). I suggested that perhaps it ran off with the check..."

Mmmmm...Kaaaaayyyy.....

Knowing what all went into this deal, we thought this was good stuff.  You probably "had to be there," but just know this listing had a long bumpy road getting to the closing table, which finally happened Friday night.  Then today, after everything that went on to get this sharp $400,000+ home closed, including moving tons of nice/big furniture, 30 years of life's stuff, and a still unfinished $10,000 bathroom floor rip out, the Seller needed to know if the new Buyer had seen their Butterball. 

Now that I think about it, I may have to take a special trip to Publix or The Fresh Market, and tote a bird to her.

In this job, we deal with every personality type there is, every day.  Perhaps that's what makes the job fun.   Well, hmm, hold on... I might have to think about that one for a sec.  Haha

Thanks for being patient by reading this post, but I needed to put it out there.  I mean, just when you think you've seen it all.....someone loses a turkey.

Sharp Home For Sale @ Lake Katherine

Every now and then, I take a creative liberty and use the term, "cream puff" in the description of a listing.  I'd like to use it more often, but I think it embarrasses some sellers, or at least has them scratching their heads.   The term is usually only used for the sharpest of homes under about 2,000 sq. ft.(ish), when "cute" doesn't seem to fit.   That said, 8 Churchill is a sharp, polished, move-in ready, Lake Katherine...Cream Puff!

What I mean by this, is that everything is updated, well appointed, and just very nicely done.  8 Churchill has hardwoods throughout, two large living areas (pics above), a 2012 style slab counter tops/stainless filled kitchen, shining hardwoods, smooth ceilings, recessed lighting, chandeliers, designer colors, a perfect backyard, and more.  Check out that owner's suite, w/ private bath.   Sweet Suite.

To complete the puff, 8 Churchill is zoned for the wildly popular Brennen Elementary School, and just a curve away from some of Columbia's favorite retail outlets/restaurants, including Trenholm Plaza.   I'd challenge anyone to find a more complete product @ the $200's price level.

If you or anyone you know would like to view this awesome house, please call/text or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com .   It's a pleasure to show.  After all, we can always stop in at Cafe Caturra or Starbucks before or after the showing!

Side Note:  I do get a few jabs about the whole "cream puff" thing.  Get this, though.  I used it to describe the "Flower Box House" on the corner of Forest Dr. and Glenwood.   At the closing, the buyer told everyone the only reason she inquired about the house is b/c she, "Had to see what a cream puff looked like."   Ate it up.

DeepThots @6DollarLogo #Twitterbird

Tweeps @Twitter Tweek Twitterbird Logo...Again. 
Depending on how your brain thumps, you'll either think this post is useless info at worst, or kinda interesting at best.   I like this stuff, and I'm a Tweeter, so you know where I fit.   Either way, here goes.

A few days ago, Twitter unveiled its newest Twitterbird.   Why did they do this?   Well, there's this: "Our new bird grows out of love for ornithology, design within creative constraints, and simple geometry. The bird is crafted purely from three sets of overlapping circles - similar to how your networks, interests and ideas connect and intersect with peers and friends. Whether soaring high above the earth to take in a broad view, or flocking with other birds to achieve a common purpose, a bird in flight is the ultimate representation of freedom, hope and limitless possibility,"  Whoa... That. Is. Deep.

Here's a Cut/Paste of the "Major differences between the new and the old Twitter bird:"
1. The new bird is in a darker shade of blue.
2. The new bird looks upwards, whereas the old bird looked ahead.
3. The wing of the new bird curves upwards instead of downwards.
4. The tuft on the head of the old bird is missing in the new.
5. The new bird looks leaner

More fun facts.  The artist that created the original logo was paid about $6 for the bird, as it was simply purchased from the Internet.  All considered, this was a deal in light of the $35 someone was paid for Nike's iconic swoosh logo. 

Further still, the bird we've known for a few years now (the one with the cool haircut above), is named Larry.  Yes, after that Larry Bird.  Who cares, but who knew???

If you like the dynamics of marketing or branding, or just love Twitter, now you know what's going on!   Candidly, I'm good with all three images.   Twitter has a name and product that speaks (or tweets) for itself.   After all, Twitter has changed our vocabulary, and has the power to start wars and coups.   To bring it to a personal level, before we had a name for my little girl, and before Twitter hit mainstream, I called my wife's belly "The Twitterbird."

The real reason Twitter's logo almost doesn't matter, is because there is no second place.  Coke has Pepsi, Heinz has Hunt's, Prego/Ragu...and on and on.  In short, Twitter could have a blue "T", and it would still be crazy "followed."

Either way, since the folks @ Twitter want to be deep about it...good for them.  I kinda liked the bird we're used to, but they didn't ask me.

Congrats!  Now you know the details @ Twitter's new logo. #Branding  #UselessInfo