JL's Columbia SC Real Estate Blog: July 2009

Condos for Sale in Columbia, SC - The Village at Sandhill

Have you decided that maybe a house itself is not the right place for you to call home and you're now looking at condos for sale in Columbia, SC? Maybe you should take a look at the Promenade in the Village at Sandhill. If you are looking for a high end condo, then you really don't need to go any further.

 Located within the Village at Sandhill, Northeast Columbia's premiere shopping experience, these luxurious condos really have it all. Hardwood floor, stainless steel appliances, open floor plans, and granite counter tops. Not to mention the location above the shops and restaurants throughout this wonderful outdoor mall. Imagine all the excitement you could want right out your front door in an ambitious live, work, and play atmosphere.

 The Village at Sandhill is located at the corner of Two Notch and Clemson Road in Northeast Columbia and boasts just about everything you could want for a shopping, dinning, and entertainment experience.

 With clothing stores like Joseph A. Banks and Ann Taylor's Loft and restaurants like Arizona's and Red Bowl Asian Bistro, the Village at Sandhill would be a wonderful and exciting place to live for anyone who truly desires to live in the thick of things. There is also a theater and an indoor sports complex as well as several specialty shops. And should you decide to do a little decorating, there's also a Home Depot and a Kirkland's Homes as well.

 Your new home would have all the luxuries of a fully furnished, top of the line condo with all the bells and whistles. So if you're looking for condos for sale in Columbia, SC then you really need to consider the Promenade in the Village at Sandhill. Condos start and $189,000 and there is currently a pending contract on one for over $900,000.

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Columbia, SC Homes for Sale in Wellington

 Looking for homes for sale in Columbia, SC, then Wellington maybe the place for you. Wellington is a small, brick community tucked away just off of Clemson Road across the street from the Clemson Road Post Office. It's charming, mature trees give it and inviting and established feeling and provide shade for the curving roads and wonderful homes in Wellington.

 Wellington is only minute off of exit 22 on I-77 and just a few short miles straight down Clemson Road from the Village at Sandhill. It's hard to beat that for location and it's one of the few truly established communities in the area as the majority of the communities in the area are new construction. Also if you are relocating to Fort Jackson, you will be happy to know that Wellington on Northeast Columbia, SC is only about 15 to 20 minutes from the fort.

 With green areas and a tree lined buffer between that community and the hustle and bustle of Clemson Road, Wellington has a feel all it's own. It's also easy to forget once inside the nieghborhood that you are so close to all the shopping, dinning, and activities right at your fingertips in Northeast Columbia, SC.

Current Market Activity in Wellington

There are currently 9 homes for sale in Wellington starting at $188,000 up to $249,900.

4 homes have closed in the past 6 months.

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 If you're looking for your new home and you like the Northeast Columbia, SC area and all it has to offer, then maybe you should stop by Wellington. It might just feel a lot like home for you and yours.

  New Homes for Sale in Northeast Columbia, SC - Landon Place

 Looking for New homes for sale in Northeast Columbia, SC, then I suggest you consider taking a look at Landon Place. Located on Longreen Parkway just minute off of exit 22 from I-77, Landon Place is also only a short drive up the interstate from Fort Jackson and just next to Longleaf Middle School. It's also only minutes away from shopping, dinning at the Village at Sandhill and all the conveniences that Northeast Columbia, SC has to offer.

 Landon Place offers several wonderful and open floor plans that come with many option as to the appearance of your new home. With options like all brick side, brick front, stone accents, and double porches available on some homes, there's a plan for everyone. Homes in Landon Place start in the high 100's and range from 2,300 square feet to just over 3,500 square feet and are available with up to 5 bedroom and 3 and a half baths.

 Landon Place has been moving well since it broke ground last year and continues to do so today. In fact Mungo Homes is currently in their last phase of this great community, so time is running out to get a brand new home here.

 There are currently three homes available in Landon place and there are two under contract with more homes being built. So, if you are in search of new homes for sale in Northeast Columbia, SC, stop by Landon Place and take a look at all it has to offer. From hardwood and tile floors, to the double sided, see through fireplaces available in some homes.

www.jlboney.com

 Foreclosed Homes for Sale in Columbia, SC

While I am well aware of how strange the title sounds, I have actually noticed one community in Columbia, SC that has actually seemed to benefit from the foreclosure market. This community has always carried a decent amount of foreclosed homes for sale, even when the market is hot. The current market has not really affected the amount of foreclosed homes that are available in this particular community, however, it has created a strange little paradox for the market.

  I'm not by any stretch of the imagination saying that foreclosures are a good thing, but the fact of the matter is that they seem to have raised the property values in at least one community. The area in question never really resold all that well, despite being an established community in a great location that's close to shopping, dinning, and the interstate. However, with the words bank owned properties, permanently etched in the hearts and minds of home buyers, ever foreclosure that hits the market seems to get a lot of traffic. As a result, the decent foreclosed homes for sale typically get multiple offers. Then the home sales for higher than the list price and the next home is listed at the new value point.

So why is this community seeing such strange results from the foreclosure market.

1- The media of course. With all the talk about foreclosures and REO's being the best deals on the market, that's where the buyers are headed and that's what they are in search of.

2- Price point. The prices of these homes have always been more affordable than many of the communities in the area. Of course these days price has become more and more important.

3- First time home buyers. It's no secret that these days a lot of the buyers plunging into the market are first time home buyers. The community is in the right price range to take advantage of this.

4- The tax credit. The tax credit has brought quite a few first time home buyers off the fence looking to take advantage of the "free" money and this is good for any community in the right price range for a first time buyer.

5- Location. While it is one of the older communities in the area, it is located in an area of town that has seen a great deal of development. In fact, even in today's economy, the area has continued to grow by leap and bounds. And we all know that nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd.

 While these are just some of the reasons I see being a driving force behind this odd phenomenon, it is happening now regardless of the reason. In the past year 35 homes have closed in the community, and that's more than in years past. There are currently ten more under contract. Six are active at present and there are usually more than that available on the market. Also there has been a decrease in the days on the market for the community. Just another strange circumstance in a very strange market.

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                              Blythewood, SC Homes for Sale in Longcreek Plantation

 If you're looking for homes for sale in Blythewood, SC and you would like to be in one of Columbia's most desired communities, then you need to stop by Longcreek Plantation. Longcreek Plantation is located in Blythewood, SC on Longtown Road just minute from all the conveniences of Northeast Columbia.

 Only minutes off of I-77 and about 15 minutes from the Village at Sandhill, Longcreek Plantation in zoned for Blythewood schools in the Richland two school district. This lovely, quiet community has a lot to offer no matter what you are looking for in a new home. Whether you want a lot on or off the lake to build your dream home or you would like to purchase in or of the several neighborhoods with Longcreek, I'm sure you will be able to find a home that suits your needs.

 If you're not impressed enough that Longcreek Plantation is a great place to search for homes for sale in Blythewood, then why don't why talk about the amenities that this community has to offer. There is an equestrian center, a world class tennis facility, a pool, and a golf course. In fact the Windermere golf course is one of Columbia's premier golf courses and the club house shown above is right on the lake. Oh yeah, did I mention that there's a lake?

 There is a wide variety of prices and home styles in Longcreek Plantation, and there is something for everyone. From lots that start at about $45,000 for a half acre off the lake, to gated communities, to the $799,000 6,000 square foot 4 bedroom, 5 bath home shown in the picture to the left. New homes in the community start out around $230,000 in Deer Creek and move up from there depending on which section of Longcreek you live in. So, if you are looking for homes for sale in Blythewood, SC, stop in and take a look at Longcreek Plantation.

www.jlboney.com

Patio Homes for Sale in Columbia, SC - Ivy Square

 Looking for patio homes for sale in Columbia, SC, then let me suggest that you take a look at Ivy Square by Mungo Homes. Located on Long Green Parkway, a mile off of Clemson road and just minutes from I-77. Ivy Square starts in the low 100's and offers several plans and various elevations for each home plan.

 With options like tile and hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and brick or stone fronts, Ivy Square offers a ton of styles and upgrades that are sure to please. Fences come standard on these lovely homes along with many other options that are upgrades in other communities.

 The H.O.A. dues in Ivy Square are $90 a month. This covers lawn maintenance, a security system in each home, and a pressure washing of the outside of each home once a year. Whether you're in search of your first home or looking to downsize from your current house, these lovely patio homes are wonderful for anyone looking for a low maintenance home.

 Ivy Square is features a great green area with a fountain and park benches in the center of phase one and two of the community and a Gazebo and green area in the center of phase three. Phase three has been available for about 5 months now and has been moving well.

 So if you want a great deal on a brand new patio home for sale in Columbia, SC, then ride out to Northeast Columbia see Ivy Square for yourself. I think you'll be pleased with what you see.

Take exit 22 from I-77 and make a left onto Long Green Parkway. From there Ivy Square is a little less than a mile on the left.

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There are currently 8 homes for sale in Ivy Square that range in price from $119,900 for a 2 bedroom 2 bath 1,216 square foot home to $165,560 for a 3 bedroom 2 and a half bath 1,657 square foot home.

  There are currently five pending contracts and eight homes have closed in the past six months.

  Looking for a home in a great community with tons of amenities, then maybe Lake Carolina in Columbia, SC is just the place you've been looking for. Lake Carolina is located off of Hardscrabble Road, just off of Clemson Road next to Blythewood.

 This stunning community boasts lush green areas, a lake, playgrounds, green areas, a YMCA, walking trails, well manicured walkways and sidewalks, a pool, and even a dog park. Lake Carolina has it all and yet it's still close to I-77 and all that Northeast Columbia has to offer. Only minutes from shopping and dinning in the Village at Sandhill and about 20 minutes from Fort Jackson.

 Lake Carolina in Columbia, SC even has an elementary school within the community. The community offers a large variety of homes for sale as well as a large variety neighborhoods within the community itself. Anything from the Peninsula which is a gated community on the lake to Woodliegh Park which is a smaller vinyl sided community near the YMCA and the dog park.

 Not only are there some wonderful resales available, but there are quite a few new homes being built in all price ranges as well. Everything from costumeconstruction by Berry and Ziegler Builders to tract built homes by Essex Homes and Great Southern Homes. There are even condos in Harborside which is a Charleston style community located just inside the main entrance near the lake and the pool.

  Just in case all the normal amenities are not enough to convince you that Lake Carolina in Columbia, SC is a great place to live, then check out the town center. Located partially in Harborside and across the street near the entrance, the town center itself has a little bit of everything as well. There are restaurants, shops, stores, and even a dentistry office.

  Homes here can run from the low 100's up to a 1.5 million dollar mansion currently available on the lake in the Peninsula. So whether you are looking for a lot to build your dream home, looking to move up, move down, find your first home, or just make a move to Northeast Columbia I suggest you take a look at Lake Carolina. You may find just what you are looking for in a home. You can even buy a building in the town center and live in the loft above it. It could be a true live, work, and play atmosphere.

 www.jlboney.com

 When you have a wife that's a vegetarian, you find plenty of reasons to make your way to the farmer's market for fresh produce. In the end, not only is it good, but it's also good for you. To make things even better, buying from local farmers also helps to stimulate the local economy some and it's normally cheaper than what you would find in the produce section at your local Wal-Mart.

 So, this past Tuesday, my wife sent my Father and myself on a mission to find some green peanuts that she could boil. Well, the first place that came to mind was the local Northeast Columbia Farmer's. Located across from the Village at Sandhill off of Clemson Rd, the Northeast Columbia Farmer's Market is a wonderful place to find not only fruits and vegetables, but several other offering as well.

 You can also find some wonderful deals on all sorts of other wonderful delights. There's one stand that offers home made Artisan Bread and various other types of baked goods. Cookies, brownies, Blondies, and several other pastries.

 And if you think it may be time to spruce up the yard a bit, or you just like to find a great deal on some plants and flowers, well there are a few vendors who have you covered there as well. I saw Butterfly Bushes for $3 a piece and various Annuals for as little as 10 cents a piece. If you have ever purchased a lot of plant life from your local Home Depot, then you know how expensive it can be and how good a deal these truly are for  gardeners.

 There are even stands set up that sell eggs from local farms as well as milk. It's hard to beat that for freshness. Imagine being able to buy milk and eggs from across town rather than across the country.

 There is even a stand where Mr. Trapp sells his own home made grits. We all know what a delicosy that is here in the South, so you can get some right here at the farmer's marker from a guy who grows his own corn and then mills them into grits. They've got it all right here in our own backyard.

 So if you find yourself in need of some locally grown produce, home made pastries, or flowers, then I suggest you get yourself down to the Northeast Columbia, SC Farmer's Market across from the Village at Sandhill.

 The Farmer's Market is open now from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Come out and see what you can find.

www.jlboney.com

 I'll be the first to admit that when I click on a new comment for one of my posts and see a guy trying to sell Air Jordan's, it doesn't irritate me a little. Sometimes AR beats me to the punch and the comment is magically removed from my post and other times I manually remove it. Either way, we have seen a significant increase in these comment here in the past few weeks. I had about 20 posts hit just last week, and another this morning.

 The fact of the matter is that I have noticed one similarity in all of these. The comments are not coming from someone who is logged into AR. This means that the post has been found somewhere, by something or someone. If they can find it, so can consumers.

 I had a local businessman tell me years ago that he used fair weather friends to gage how good he was doing. Once those guys started to disappear and he was left only with his true friends, then he knew times were getting tough. However, when he had would be friends rolling out of the woodwork and dying to hangout, then the good times were on a roll.

 Frankly, if you use this same thought process when it comes to spam and the amount of it infecting our network here, then with all do respect spam's not such a bad thing. The spammers have become our fairweather friends and as long as the Google Juice flows freely here, then they will be right by our side. The second they disappear, the we may have a problem.

  The thing is I figure the more people that can find our posts the better, and if every once and a while it happens to be one of our little friends, then so be it. Who knows how many potential clients find our posts for every one of those spammers that attack them. So, as I type this there is a spammer out there diligently typing away on one or more of our consumer posts, and I say let the good times roll. As soon as they disappear, then we might be in for some tough times ahead in the battle for search engine placement.

www.jlboney.com

 One of the first things I advise potential home buyers to do when searching for a home is to speak with a lender. This will help someone searching for a future home know where they need to start looking and what they can expect to get within their price range. If you're a first time home buyer, then chances are you will learn a lot from your talk with the lender.

 The next thing that I advise buyers on, is that just because you can be approved for a certain amount, doesn't mean you should spend that amount. In fact, you should never buy at the top of your range.

 It's very easy to get excited about the search for a new home, and I consider myself lucky to be in a career that affords me the right to see people experience that excitement. However, sometimes you to think rationally and your price range is the first place you can start that process. If you can be approved for $200,000, then you should think seriously about looking at homes in a lower price range and see what you come up with.

 Who knows, you may find a home that works just fine and costs $20,000 to $30,000 less than your top range. When you buy at the very top of your price range, you run the risk of being what people call house poor. That means you can afford your house, but not much else. So, what if your car breaks down or you have an emergency? It's always best to give yourself a little cushion in case you need it. You may never have a problem, but it's better to have it and not need it, than it is to need it and not have it.

www.jlboney.com