November's Most Popular Houses from Across The Country

If your like us, we love seeing incredible homes. Here is the most popular homes from across the country from the Wall Street Journal.

A Great Video About Home Sales from October

Watch this video from NAR about home sales in October. There are no flashing lights, graphics or stunts. Just good old fashion info.

Interesting Video from the TODAY Show about the Real Estate Market, Check it out!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Realty Times - Five Great Things about Homeownership

Realty Times - Five Great Things about Homeownership

What's the Best Day to List a Home?

Here is a little nugget on why we do what we do. As described in REALTOR Magazine.

What's the Best Day to List a Home?

No Regrets About Homeownership

Despite the ups and downs of the housing market, most homeowners, including those who are underwater on their mortgages, don’t regret their decision to own a home. In a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders, three out of four Americans believe that homeownership is the best long-term investment and is worth the risk. Some 95 percent say they are happy with the decision to own a home. That sentiment is also strong among homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) believe owning a home is worth the risk of the ups and downs of the housing market, and 83 percent of say they are happy with their decision to own a home. Four out of five homeowners overall (80 percent) say they would advise a friend or family member to buy a home, while slightly fewer (78 percent) underwater homeowners would do the same. Only 19 percent of underwater homeowners believe homeownership is too risky.

Pumpkin Picking 2011

We want to thank everyone who came out to our 2nd Annual Pumpkin Picking in the Park. We had a great time with past, current, and future clients. We would like to thank our sponsors: Bill Tindall with Allstate, James Fleshman with Foundation Mortgage, Bryan Yelton with Atlantic Air Conditioning and Ed Bogs Law Firm. We enjoy events that the community can get involved in, plus we gave away 4 pallets of FREE pumpkins. Check out our slide show on Flickr.

 

 

Annual Pumpkin Pickin in the Park

As usual we have a great time, with refreshments, socializing, jump castles and free pumpkins. The park is on Old Knight Parkway, behind the VA. See what a great time we had last year, below....

Changing With Technology, As Usual!

In our quest to learn better techniques for our marketing. We have invested thousands upon thousands of dollars into camera gear and programs to make your home look better. Now we don't alter the photos, i.e. adding grass, fixing bad spots. What we do is called bracketing. It's a complicated and technical process that takes pictures of your home at different exposures to make one great picture. You know like when the sky is really blue, but the shadows on the house make it look funny? So when you try to make the shadows go away but in turn the blue sky turns white. Well, this takes the best traits of three photos and blends them together as only the eye can see. I don't care how good the camera makers get, there is no way to recreate the eye. Take a look at our previous photo and the new one.

Before

After

This is absolutely incredible.

Another Happy Client

Hear What Mary Lane's Client Has To Say About Her Buying Experience

Shandon Through Pictures

We are embarking on a new project with in our team. We are going to be photo blogging several neighborhoods downtown to give locals and "out of towners" a snapshot of each unique neighborhood Columbia has to offer. Eventually, we will compile this into an interactive display on our website. But We couldn't wait that long to share these photos. More photos will be added to each section as time progresses.

5 Points in Pictures

If your from Columbia or have lived here for longer than a month, you are aware of the area called 5 Points. 5 Points is a very neat and eclectic area of downtown Columbia. It is a mix of great night life, good food and great music. 5 points has a youth feel to it since it is with-in walking distance to USC. But is beautifully situated between Shandon, University Hill, USC and Wales Garden. 5 Points has a little bit of everything for everyone. Go out and enjoy and enjoy our pictures below.

Governor Haley Signs SC Point of Sale Reform

We are getting one step closer to getting point of sale tax back under control. Hopefully this will be the start of people buying: investment; commerical; and second homes in South Carolina.

Monthly Indicators for July 2011

If your a statistics person you will enjoy this link. The linked summary will let you exactly whats going on in the South Carolina market without all of the news headline making hype. Just straight numbers. As always if you need anything or have any questions just let us know.

Fed Official: Housing Market ‘Severely’ Out of Balance

Fed Official: Housing Market ‘Severely’ Out of Balance

Foreclosed Home Owners Take Out Revenge on Properties

Foreclosed Home Owners Take Out Revenge on Properties

Here is a great article on what not to do if you are being foreclosed on.

Movie Night at Emily Douglas Park - How to Train Your Dragon

If you didn't come out this past Friday for Movie Night in the Park, then you missed a great time, great friends and a great movie. This was the second time we have hosted this in as many months. The weather was great and so was the turn out. We had over 100 people show up. We will be having this the last Friday of the month for the next three months. Check in often for times and what we will be watching. Take a look at our pictures below.

What are Those Crazy Digital Squares Everywhere? QR Codes

You may have been seeing these crazy black and white digital squares popping up.

They are like a bar code that comes on everything you buy, but a little different. You use these codes to get places fast. Hence the name "QR Code" or "Quick Response Code". (Here is the long definition from Wikipedia)If you have a smart phone with a camera i.e. blackberry, iPhone, droid etc. All you have to do is down load a QR reader program* (many already come loaded with an app), then open the program when you want to use it, then take a picture of the code and it will do whatever the creator of that code wants it do. For example it could...

1) Send you a text back with some sort of message

2) Take you to a website

3) Give you an email address

4) It could import someones contact info into your phone

5) It could import an event into your calendar

6) It could take you to a place on a Google Map

7) It could take you to a Pay Pal buy link

8) It could take you to a social media account (i.e. facebook, twitter, blogspot etc.)

9) It could play a YouTube video

10) Or take you to an iTunes link.

However, in real estate they are beginning to make an entrance on Yard Signs. That way if your driving by you can click a picture and be on your way. Instead of getting out to get a flyer or fumbling for a pen to write down the agents number. It's just a way to make your life easier.

Here are a couple of programs you can download for free on most smart phones...

1)Optiscan

2) I-Nigma

3) Quick Mark

4) Barcode Scanner

5) Kaywa Reader

6) Nokia

7) Google Xzing

8) Snapmaze

9)Neo Reader

10) Jaxo Systems

11) Oko Tag

12) Blackberry Messenger

13) Upcode

Keeping Up With Generation Y & X Through Yard Signs

Here's a little bit of knowledge in case your ever on Jeopardy, according to the National Association of REALTORS, 11% people find their homes from a yard sign*. You also may or may not know this but the biggest generation buying homes right now is Gen Y and X. The main thing you need to know about them is they want everything when they want it and they don't want to talk to an actual person until they want to. So to make sure our signs are useful and to ensure people use them we have rolled out an additional multi-media rider that will be attached to our yard signs shortly. Check it out...

A couple of cool things about this sign...

1) You text that specific number and it will return you 6-8 color photos and information regarding the price, beds, baths, sqft and anything else we can squeeze into 160 characters. It will also send us their contact info so we can follow up with them.

2) You can also scan the bigger of two QR codes and go the same place but quicker.

3) If people are more comfortable going to the website to see the pictures they can do that by typing in our web address or scanning the smaller of the two QR codes.

4) Now there are 7 ways to contact us off of our sign.

1) The Agent Text Rider (the little sign that goes on top with agents cell phone number)

2) The Team Number on our yard signs

3) Our email address on our yard signs

4) Our Text Info on Text Riders

5) The QR Code for the Property

6) The QR Code for our Website

7) And the shorter easier to remember website address.

If Gen Y and Gen X want it easy, by gosh we have made it easy. It's not easy to sell homes, but we make sure that your home does and will have every advantage possible when buyers are looking. If you are looking for an innovative team with fresh ideas...We're right here!

*NAR "How Buyers Find Homes 2010".

How Much Do you Charge?

As many of you know, REALTORS eat what we kill. Meaning, if we don't go out and get the business we won't be eating that day, or actually in about a month. So we are a very motivated breed that rely on listing appointments and making connections to get business.
When we get a listing appointment, we prepare to make sure we get the house. We have a "fancy dancy" power point, examples of this and of that. But really the only thing "most" sellers want to know is how much are you going to cost me? See, that's the wrong question to ask. You should ask your agent how they are going to save you money. Now I don't know what Jane Smith with ABC Realty charges, but I'm sure we are with in the same range. Sure you can get some real estate agents to charge less or more depending on the services they offer. But can they save you money?
Take this home for example... We had the listing on "Main St". The buyer did their inspections and found about $7,500 worth of repairs. I.e. termite damage, rotten wood, broken windows and a "bad" HVAC. Now in the buyers mind these were legitimate repairs that he wanted addressed or taken off the price.
Well, by the end of the day, I had that same repair list down to $1,800 in repairs. The HVAC was not bad, it had some rust on the outside, but that doesn't mean the inside parts were bad. (This is a case of a bad inspector). The termite damage was actually under bond with a different company, so we had them to fix it. The termite company that inspected the home said a bathroom floor had to be torn out, for $3,600. When in reality, I had our (licensed and bonded) termite company come out and do it for $1,200. See when you do the volume of business our team does, you get to see the work and product of many vendors. We don't use the expensive or crappy vendors and we are very loyal to the good ones. Since we give them so much business, they treat us and our clients right.
So, the moral to the story is, you can save money on the front end when listing your home. You can hire a "discount" agent, or you can hire a team that is professional and knowledgeable and not only gets your home sold but saves you money in the process.

It's Important to Use a Lender and REALTOR who Communicate!

It's very important to use a lender and a REALTOR who communicate. The this more to buying and selling a home than just signing some paper and packing all of your stuff up. Especially, if you are buying before selling or buying another home. Often times Mortgage Lenders may use a bridge loan or they may cash out Refi your first home to give you enough money to put down on your second one. It's very imperative that there is open communication. Take this for an example. You buy a home before selling yours. Your lender does an equity line on your first one to give you the down payment for the second one. Well when you go to sell your first one, you might be a little negative (i.e. bringing money to closing) because you used all your equity. But in reality your not negative, you've just already spent your money. So, using the above example, if the REALTOR knew what was going on, they could also explain why you are bringing money, rather than you being mad.
People just want to know the big picture, and often times when we are all doing our little parts (i.e. mortgages, contracts, inspections etc) to get you in your next house, you can't see the big picture. So next time you go to buy or sell, ask your REALTOR for recommendations and try to use people who work well together!!!!

Bailing on Mortgage Not a Good Idea

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Bailing on Mortgage Not a Good Idea

Just Sold!!!!!

Just Sold

6106 Hampton Leas - Hampton Leas

5418 Pinestraw - Forest Acres


1339 Sinkler - Lake Katherine

Postponed!!!!

Just Listed 5 Properties TODAY!

Just Listed March 4th!

Check out these 5 great listings that we just put out there for sale. From Downtown to Spring Valley we got you covered. As always let us know if you want to see one or if you need help selling yours.

(click on house image to go to it's listing page)

3910 Yale Avenue - Sherwood Forest

4 beds, 2 bath, 1,700 sqft

$239,900

2730 Marling Rd - Midland Terrace

3 Bed, 1 Bath, 1,015sqft

$115,000

208 East Springs Rd - Spring Valley

5 Bed, 3.5 Bath, 2,900sqft

$250,000.00

2329 Blossom Street - Shandon

3 bed, 2.5 Bath, 2,000 sqft

$290,000.00

330 S Ravenel (Duplex) - Rosewood

3 /1 & 1/1

$139,900.00

Agent Luncheon in the Hamptons Tomorrow!

Come have lunch at 101 Sundowne Place tomorrow with us. It will be from 11:30am - 1pm. Come preview this great home and have some great Zoe's while your there.

Then make the short trip to 720 Chimney Hill for some great desserts!

These open house are open to all people who are interested in purchasing and selling these homes (i.e. agents). If you are not a licensed REALTOR please just RSVP so that We can make sure we save you some food.

Just Sold!

Just Sold 2.28.2011

Mary Lane just handed over the keys to the new buyers of 1002 Indigo Ave. There is no better feeling than helping some achieve the goal of homeownership.

JT's clients just dotted the last "I" and crossed their last "T".
They no longer own this Plymouth Rock home.

Under Contract!

Under Contract with Buyers Representation!

Andrea just ratified the contract for 421 Ravenel in Shandon

Mary-Lane just got 4601 Datura under contract as well.

Sure the market stinks, but that doesn't mean deals can't happen. You just need a real estate team that can work harder and smarter to find you the deals and get you the price you want. Let us know if we can help.

Under Contract in Forest Acres!

Mary Lane team just put this Forest Acres beauty under contract for one of our buyers. Let us know if your ready to buy or sell something!

Under Contract!

Here's a big boy that just went under contract last night! 229 Sailing Club Drive in Lake Carolina. We actually sold this to the buyers about a year ago. Things are really starting to pick up. Contact us if you need your home sold.

Lunch and a Great House!

24 Governors Hill - Lunch Open House

Come join us for lunch and a chance to preview this fabulous house. It's tomorrow (2.24.2011) from 11:30am - 1pm. We will be serving Zoe's Kick'n Chicken Kabobs! Call us if you have any questions.

Under Contract!

930 S. Bonham is UNDER Contract!

When the Tulips Bloom, the Buyers Come Out!

Tax Breaks You May Need!

Here's an article on tax breaks you may miss. Click Here.

10 Home Renovations That Don't Necessarily Add Value

Check out this article by Fred Fletcher on how some renovations may not add some value. Click here for the article.

Spring Fling

What do you think would be a good give away at a spring carnival? (Nothing usual, no frisbees, magnets or footballs)

Save Money on Your Homeowners Insurance!

Here is a great article from Jay McDonald with Bankrate, Inc. about 10 hidden savings you can get on your homeowners insurance. Click here to read the article.

It's Been Busy! All of These Are Under Contract!

When you treat "Real Estate" like a "Profession" and not a part time job, sales happen. You need an agent that is just as committed to selling your home for top dollar as you are. Your agent needs to be accessible, a good negotiator, professional, intelligent and well versed in all the different ways to make a home sell. The real estate market changes daily.

You just need The Andrea Reynolds Team!

Check out these great homes that we have put under contract in the past two weeks!

4433 Briarwood Drive

(Our Buyer)

12 Trafalgar Ct. - Under Contract in 6 days

(Our Seller)

6106 Hampton Leas Lane

(Our Seller)

1339 Sinkler Rd.

(Our Seller)

101 Wood Ride Lane - Under Contract in 2 days
(Our Seller)

5418 Pinestraw.

(Our Seller)

9 School Yard Ct.

(Our Buyer)

DEAL of THE WEEK 2.14.2011

DEAL of The Week - This is a 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,129sqft home. There is some damage to the bathroom floor and it could use some updating. However, fixed up it should rent between $700 and $800 a month. Need to invest some money or have extra cash on hand? This is your home. Contact Brad for details on investment properties.

Real Estate Red Flags!

Is that next forclosure or distressed property really a sweet deal? Here is an article to see if it is.

Deal of the Week!

Calling all investors! I am going to start posting deals of the week on our blog and facebook accounts. Some of these homes are going to need some love, but hopefully with a little bit of cash, you will have a cash flow cow on your hands. I will post the price and the general location, if you wanna see it then you will have to contact us. Happy hunting.

This is a 3 bed, 1 bath, 1,075 sq ft ranch style home. It appears to have good bone but it needs some cosmetic work. It's on the Southeast part of town and close to the Fort. They are asking $30,500.00 and with a couple of bucks you can have this thing back in rental condition. Typical rent for a home this size and in this location should be between $650 and $800. Call me and we will take a look today. Brad.

There are Forclosures All Around Us!

Here is an article from CNN Money. The fastest growing forclosure rates in the country sourround our market. The article goes on to say that Spartanburg, Savannah, Myrtle Beach and Charlotte have some of the highest rates in the country. Who would have known? Here's the full article.

"Prime Time" Pads!

Here is a great article about Deon "Prime Time" Sanders homes for sale. I tell you what, if you think your 2,000sqft home is spacious, trying "cramming" into this 29,000 sq ft, 13 bath, 3 dining room property. Here's the full article.

How To Prepare Your Home For Sale!

This is a great article on how to prepare your home for sale. It's one of the best I have seen. Click here to go the article.

Coming To The Market This Friday!!!!!!!!!!

12 Trafalgar Ct

Located in Hampton Leas this 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,650sqft home

is going on the market this friday (2.11.2011). Let us know if you

want a private showing.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Home Ownership Offers Plenty of Tax Benefits

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Home Ownership Offers Plenty of Tax Benefits

6 House Repairs to Tackle

Here's a great article from Yahoo! on six repairs you should stay on top of. Click here for the story. Enjoy!

101 Sundowne Place for Sale in Columbia

JUST LISTED.

Housing Supply Outlook from December 2010

Here is the housing supply outlook from South Carolina Association of REALTORS for December of 2010. If you are a charts and graphs person like me, Brad, then this is right up your ally. Take a look at where the housing market it through this file.

The Skinny for 2010

This is some great info about how SC did in 2010. Let us know if you have any questions.

Just Listed in Governors Hill

Just Listed

24 Governors Hill