Greater Columbia, Chapin, Irmo, Lexington and Lake Murray.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

OPEN HOUSE - Night Harbor at Lake Murray

Open House this Sunday, November 2nd
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Night Harbor at Lake Murray

I'm having an Open House at 2 NEW all brick homes in Night Harbor subdivision at Lake Murray. These homes, quality built by Lexington Development and Builders, are priced to sell quickly!

Directions: I-26 West to Chapin (exit 91); turn left on Columbia Avenue towards Chapin; at stoplight (at U.S. Highway 76), continue straight onto Amicks Ferry Road; continue approximately 6 miles; turn left on Green Meadow Drive; left on Night Harbor Drive; left on Daymark Drive.

The builder has already paid the initial fee for a boat slip for each home in the Night Harbor community marina. This is a great deal for a Lake Murray access home. In addition to the marina in Night Harbor subdivision, there are tennis courts, a clubhouse and boat ramp.

Each home has custom features including: 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, beautiful hardwoods (foyer, formal dining, great room and study, heavy wood trim, gas fireplaces, screened porch and much more. Generous allowances will allow you to pick your carpets, lighting fixtures and appliances.












More information on these homes:
221 Daymark Drive - $351,850
309 Lighthouse Lane - $356,450

Interested in living at Lake Murray at at reasonable price? Please be sure to stop by my OPEN HOUSE this Sunday, November 2nd (1:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
Mel Coker - Columbia, SC Realtor

Click here for more Lake Murray information

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Columbia Parade of Homes

The Columbia Parade of Homes is underway now at Saluda River Club. The 24th annual Parade of Homes runs through November 2nd at this exciting new community in Lexington, South Carolina. If you're looking to buy a new home or get ideas for building a new home or for decorating ideas, you need to make sure you get out to view these 6 custom built homes. Builders featured in the 2008 include: Baudo & Associates Home Builders, Capital Construction, Carolina Custom Homes, Dunbar Builders, Vesta Builders and Zeigler Home Builders.

The Parade is open daily through November 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Tickets are $7 each and are available at the event. Directions: Take I-20 West to Exit 61, Hwy. 378. Turn toward Lexington. Take an immediate right on Corley Mill Road. The entrance to Saluda River Club is located 1.5 miles down Corley Mill Road on the right hand side. GPS address location: 644 Corely Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072

Visit the parade (before it's gone) for new home construction techniques and home decoration ideas. You will enjoy seeing custom kitchens, outdoor patio areas, green construction ideas, custom media rooms, the best in smart home technology and energy efficiency and much more. ALL of the homes are very nice and have unique features. My favorite home was The Briarwood, built by Baudo & Associates Home Builders. Be sure to check out the smart home technology and the large home theater with stadium seating. The home is so special it's already SOLD! Mr. Baudo can build you another one like this.












The Saluda River Club is Lexington’s newest community. I have been to this community twice now and IT IS my personal favorite new home community in all of the Columbia area. I live at Lake Muray (for the past 5 years). IF I did not live at Lake Murray, I'd want to live at Saluda River Club! I'll do another blog by the end of the year just on Saluda River Club. It's one of the most beautiful places in Columbia along the banks of the Saluda River.










MORE INFORMATION:

Ready to buy or sell a home in Columbia, South Carolina? Contact Mel Coker at RE/MAX Metro Associates: Call (803) 749-5800 or visit my website or email.
Upcoming blogs: Fire Safety Month, Great Lexington Restaurant, Mel's Preferred HVAC contractor, Saluda River Club and much more!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Featured Home Community - Eagles Rest

EAGLES REST... beautiful traditional homes built near Lake Murray and between Chapin and Irmo, South Carolina. The developers have devoted 25% of the land in this community to common use preservation. This community features 16 estate lots, 32 garden homes and 167 single-family homes. There are sidewalks and walking paths in the neighborhood and a community pool will be built in 2010.

The all brick garden homes start in the 220s and go to the 290s. You will have the opportunity to upgrade to a wide array of various options in your custom-built home if you so desire. One very popular custom feature is the Florida room with fireplace. These homes are built by Shumaker Homes, family owned and operated in Columbia since 1965.








The single-family homes have a typical price range from the 220s to the high 300s. You may choose a home from an existing "spec" model home or build "your" home with the features you desire. You will enjoy the Shumaker commitment to building the highest quality architecturally designed and constructed new homes.










Another option is to buy an estate size lot (in the 70s) and select your builder to build a custom home.

This community is just minutes to Lake Murray, which is the water playground for central South Carolina. You're also only minutes to the highly rated schools of Lexington District 5 (Lake Murray Elementary, Chapin Middle and Chapin High). Also nearby are excellent medical facilities, parks, shopping and dining in Irmo and downtown Columbia.
Click here for more Columbia area information.

Want to tour or buy a home in Eagles Rest? Please be sure to contact Mel Coker. I have experience with selling many new homes and homes built by Shumaker Homes. When you have Mel Coker as your buyer's agent, you get professional representation, friendly service and a SPECIAL BONUS! With Mel Coker as your buyer's agent for a home in Eagles Rest, you will receive a $500 Lowe's gift certificate at closing! It's EASY... call or email Mel Coker for more information:
melcoker@remax.net
Toll-free: 888-528-2258 or office: (803) 749-5800 (ask for Mel Coker)

Click here for Mel Coker's exclusive Buying Guide for Columbia Real Estate.

Columbia, SC real estate: www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.com/homes
Lake Murray: http://www.lakemurray-sc.com/

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Lake Murray Home Sales Update

What's happening with Lake Murray home sales?
The summary answer is: number of sales down somewhat, prices are stable overall, lots of current inventory with an especially large number of million dollar homes for sale.

I analyzed home sales over the current year and past 2 years (sales through September 30th of each year). Significant findings:

  • Number of sales down 18.9%
  • Average and median prices UP slightly 4.87% - 6.0%
  • Avg. Days on Market for closed transactions has remained stable over the 3 years at around 100 days
  • The Avg. $ per square foot for closed transactions has remained stable over the 3 years at around $188 to $193 per square foot

Regarding "average" prices, a property with a significantly better home and/or lot will demand a much higher price than average.

For current homes for sale at Lake Murray:

  • Lots of inventory (208)
  • Average "asking" prices somewhat higher than past year's actual closed results

Another interesting fact: There are currently 38 homes for sale over $1 million. In each of the past 2 years, there were only 3 sales per year of million dollar homes. So, lots of these homes will not sell or will be on the market for a long-time. Certainly, there should be real buying opportunities with these homes!

For my complete Lake Murray home sales analysis in PDF format, CLICK HERE.

When you are ready to complete a Lake Murray real estate transaction, be sure to contact Mel Coker. I can assist you with buying an existing home or waterfront lot. Also, I offer the best marketing program to get your home sold in this very competitive market, along with a very competitive commission rate.

Watch for my Columbia real estate sales report coming soon.


Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI
(803) 749-5800
www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.com/homes
http://www.lakemurray-sc.com/

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Myrtle Beach Vacation

A REAL DEAL to visit Myrtle Beach
(from Columbia Realtor Mel Coker)!

My wife and I are owners of a timeshare unit at the highly rated Marriott's Ocean Watch Villas at Grande Dunes resort. This resort is one of the highest rated resorts in all of the Mrytle Beach area. Click here to read TripAdvisor reviews.


Location... Great!
Located in the quiet end of Myrtle Beach, the resort is located on a beautiful stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach. Nearby are: Coastal Grand Mall, Carolina Opry, Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, numerous popular restaurants, and much more. There are over 100 golf courses within a short drive of the resort. Marriott’s Ocean Watch Villas is one of Marriott Vacation Club’s top golf resorts and offers the very best in Myrtle Beach timeshare. It's also an easy drive from Columbia (SC) with S.C. Highway 22 connecting off U.S. Highway 501 and going almost directly into the resort.

Resort Amenities... Great! The star attraction, of course, is the Atlantic Ocean. There are three adult pools, two children's pools and a children's club. Adults can enjoy the state-of-the-art fitness center or take advantage of secluded whirlpool spas placed throughout the resort.

Villa Amenities... Great! Your luxurious condo includes: Spacious two bedroom, two bathroom villa, approximately 1,156 square feet, with washer and dryer; A private balcony with an ocean or garden view; Full service kitchen includes refrigerator, oven and dishwasher; Master suite features a king size bed and private bath with oversized soaking tub and separate shower; Guest suite includes two queen size beds; Flat screen TVs are in both bedrooms and the living area.




With Marriott Timeshare ownership, you can experience the peace of mind that comes from owning beautiful, spacious resort vacations every year for the rest of your life.
Enjoy spacious villas * Avoid "vacation inflation" * Pass It On (it's a deeded property) * Go When You Want flexibility * Spend What You Want with Pricing Flexibility * Flexibility to Exchange for other Exciting Vacation Destinations


Ready for the REAL DEAL? Normally, Marriott offers a Special 4 day, 3 night Preview Package at a great rate (Only $199 from 10/1 to 5/15 in Marriott approved accommodations or $299 for travel between 5/16 and 9/30). It gets even better if you contact Mel Coker directly to arrange your VERY SPECIAL PREVIEW PACKAGE. With my relationship with Marriott, I can offer a 4 day and 3 night package for only $99 any time and you will stay in the villas. This is a really great deal!


Fall and early Winter are a GREAT time to visit Myrtle Beach!
To set up your Ocean Watch at Grande Dunes Preview Package,
call Mel Coker (803) 749-5800
email Mel Coker at melcoker@remax.net


There are limited eligibility requirements, including: Attendance at a 90-minute timeshare presentation is required. Program is for couples or individuals with an annual income of $75,000 or more.