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

Friday, December 30, 2011

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year 2012 - from Mel Coker in Columbia, SC!

Barbara and I are bringing in the New Year in Surfside Beach (SC), but, we will be back to Columbia on Monday to watch the Gamecocks play Nebraska in the Capital One bowl on ESPN.

Top New Year's Resolutions
  1. Get Fit - Start working out / work out more
  2. Save Money / More Responsible with Cash
  3. Spend more and better family time
  4. Quit smoking
  5. Volunteer for community service
  6. Eat better - less or no fried food and plenty of fruits/vegetables
  7. Lose weight - Yes, Americans are typically too overweight
  8. Better work/life balance
  9. Get organized
  10. Read more
Got your resolutions figured out for 2012?  I've set personal, health/exercise and real estate business goals.

Mel Coker

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Merry Christmas!

A belated Merry Christmas!  We were in Cancun for a vacation and arrived back in the USA just two days before Christmas, so I got behind a bit with my blogging.  We had a very nice Christmas and I hope you and your family have had a nice Christmas season as well.



Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!



Barbara and Mel in Cancun - Dec. 20, 2011


Mel, Barbara and Kelly - Christmas Day 2011

Please keep following my blog in the New Year... 2012!   Good stuff is on the way such as real estate reports, new home communities, Columbia news and events, energy savings ideas, an upcoming Mel Coker client/friend event, Lake Murray news and events, vacation ideas and much more.




Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 318-2007
email
 

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Lake Murray: Visit Mel Coker's Lake Murray Website and Blog

What's there... always cool and interesting Lake Murray information.

At the Lake Murray blog NOW:
CLICK:  LakeMurrayBlog.com
Lake Murray's Birthday!  (81 years old)
Virtual Neighborhoods
Lake Murray Scenes
Lake Murray Access Home for Sale near Chapin (with pool)
Lake Murray Restaurants


At the Lake Murray website NOW:
CLICK: LakeMurray-SC.com
The best Lake Murray information including: Dreher Shoals Dam history, Walk the Dam, Lake Murray-s B-25 Bomber, Lake Murray Restaurants, Lake Murray fishing, boating safety, Purple Martins at Lake Murray, P-Nut man at the dam, Lake Murray weather and more


Lake Murray - South Carolina's Awesome Lake!

Mel Coker
Columbia and Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
Mel Coker's email
Columbia Real Estate
Columbia MLS Search

Columbia, SC Real Estate

Need a Professional Realtor for Greater Columbia?
Contact Mel Coker - A life-long resident of the Columbia area
CLICK for my brochure


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the Coker family in Columbia, South Carolina!

I did some reading today on the orgins of Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Thanksgiving Day began as a tradition at the end of the harvest season to express thanks for one's material possessions and spiritual blessings.


The first recorded Thanksgiving ceremony took place on September 8, 1565, when 600 Spanish settlers, under the leadership of explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed at St. Augustine, Florida, and immediately held a Mass of Thanksgiving (with a feast and celebration) for safe delivery to the New World.  In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.


 As President, on October 3, 1789, George Washington made a proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America.  Thanksgiving Day has been a holiday in the United States since 1863.

The History of Thanksgiving: The History Channel

Mel Coker

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Start a NEW Neighborhood!

I started a new neighborhood this past week and you can too!   I started an online virtual neighborhood for the area where we live.  It's a new internet technology available at http://www.nextdoor.com/ .   Unfortunately, you can't visit my neighborhood because it's private and only available by invitation to those that acutally live in the neighborhood that I defined by property boundaries.

Want to be civic minded and a "good neighbor"?  Start your own NextDoor.com neighborhood for your subdivision or neighborhood area.  It's easy.  I did it this week and got the word out by distributing flyers (available through the website), sending emails to folks I already knew and mailing a few postcards.  The whole thing is FREE and there are free resources to help you get started.  It will take time to build up the neighborhood, but, the first step is to just get started.
www.nextdoor.com/new

Here is an aerial view of my new neighborhood and color representations of those that have registered:


My "NextDoor.com" Virtual Neighborhood near Chapin, SC

Watch the video that explains NextDoor.com

There are 105 homes in our neighborhood and already I've seen at least two examples of people communicating and discovering new friends just down the street or across a lake cove as neighbors.  At a minimum, this is a great neighborhood directory, but it can be much more: post service/business recommendations, post news/events and post items for sale or give-away, etc.

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Real Estate
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011

Monday, November 14, 2011

Best Mortgage Calculator

My wife and I have a 15-year mortgage.  As of this month, we have made 103 payments.   Now, we're wanting to make a few periodic payments to pay off our mortgage early (not a higher monthly payment from here on out, but probably 2 fairly large pre-payments over the next year.  How will this impact our mortgage amortization schedule?

Using the following link, this is easy to calculate with the great extra payment mortgage calculator at Mortgage-X.com .  The calculator lets you determine monthly mortgage payments (basic amortization schedule), find out how your monthly, yearly, or one-time pre-payments influence the loan term and the interest paid over the life of the loan, and see complete amortization schedules.  This is really cool!



Use it and mark it as a "Favorite".  You will likely want to come back to this great amortization calculator!

Over the past 8 1/2 years we have not made any pre-payments.  But, by making my anticipated 2 large prepayments over the next year, I will save $15,499 in interest charges and pay off my loan 4 years and 2 months earlier!   Use this calculator in helping make smart financial decisions!

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC real estate
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 223-6214

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

CHAPIN, SC HOME FOR SALE - Lake Murray Access

NEW LISTING!
All Brick Home with Lake Murray Access (Chapin, SC)

CLICK HERE for more information

I've just listed for sale a beautiful home in Magnolia Key subdivision with easy Lake Murray access.   This wonderfully maintained all brick home has 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms.  Other features include: gleaming hardwood floors in the foyer, great room, formal dining room and kitchen; kitchen has granite counters and gas stove cooktop and a breakfast area; central vac and much more.  This home is priced right at $325,000.  Call Mel Coker today for an appointment to see this home.



Enjoy the beautiful backyard oasis from the large (11'x15') screened porch or deck.   The focal point of the backyard is the 16' x 32' in-ground pool.  It's a wonderful home retreat for family fun.



Lake Murray - South Carolina's Beautiful Lake!
Easily enjoy LAKE MURRAY while living in this home - the community has a private boat ramp for homeowners only and there is boat storage in the community.  Just 3 minutes away is the Timberlake Marina with reasonably price boat slip availability.   Also, at this same location is Lake Murray's only golf course, Timberlake Country Club.

Lake Murray was named to the list of "Ten Best Places to Live and Boat" by Boating Magazine earlier this year.  I personally can endorse this as I live on Lake Murray myself in the Chapin area.  Lake Murray living is great!   Visit my Lake Murray website for more information.

Need more information or wish to schedule an appointment?  Call Mel Coker at (803) 388-8011 or visit my virtual tour for this home.


Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
Columbia / Lake Murray Real Estate

Saturday, November 5, 2011

October 2011 National Housing Report

National Housing Report
A New Blog Series from Mel Coker - Columbia, SC Realtor

The September 2011 RE/MAX National Housing Report, a survey of housing data from 53 metropolitan areas, shows that the number of home sales were 7.6% higher than September 2010.  However,
home prices continued a slight downward trend, falling 3.3% from last year.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT

Click on link above to read this two page summary report

Back from a Cruise to The Bahamas

I've gotten behind on my blogging with a recent flurry of real estate activity and just getting back from a fun cruise to The Bahamas!   First a quick cruise report...

Barbara - Nassau, The Bahamas
We left Friday, October 28th for a 5 night cruise to The Bahamas on the Carnival Fantasy.  Although the weather was not great, we still had a fun time.   We have two future cruises scheduled: one in late January and another for October 2012 (also during Halloween).   Interested in going?  If so, please email and I will provide the details.   I've gotten excited recently about cruising with two future booked cruises, I've added my own cruising blog.  Check it out here:  http://www.cruisingcentral.blogspot.com/  .  I have some really cool cruise links too.

Here is a link to my cool Animoto Cruise Video:




Mel and Barbara in Nassau, The Bahamas
Breakfast at Sea!
 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

OPEN HOUSE: Lost Creek Patio Homes (October 12, 2011)

Breakfast Open House: Lost Creek Patio Homes (Columbia, SC)
Wednesday, October 12th from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Stop by to see two beautiful homes in this very popular patio home community in the Irmo area.  Located off Lost Creek Drive near Harbison State Forest, this community is convenient to shopping, medical facilities, Lake Murray and downtown Columbia.   All homes in the community are brick construction and have private backyards.

Directions:  exit 102B from I-26 to end of Lake Murray Blvd (East); right onto Broad River Road; left at Lost Creek Drive (2nd traffic light); continue to entrance to Lost Creek Patio Homes on left.

Your Realtor hosts, Mel Coker and Suzanne Haygood, will be at their Lost Creek Patio Home listings serving doughnuts, danish, coffee and orange juice on Wednesday morning (Oct. 12) from 9:00 to 10:30.   Please stop by to see these nice homes.  NOW is the time to buy with incredibly LOW mortgage interest rates.

406 Patio Drive in Lost Creek Patio Homes Community
401 Patio Place  -  MLS#296614
2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
app. 1500 square feet; 1 car garage
$133,800
Agent: Suzanne Haygood  -  EXIT Real Estate Consultants

406 Patio Drive - MLS#293204
2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
app. 2257 square feet; 2 car garage
$169,000
Agent: Mel Coker  -  RE/MAX Metro Associates
Co-host: Randy Brown - Mortgage Options (803) 732-5787
Virtual Tour


Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia, SC Real Estate
(803) 388-8011

#1 on the Internet!

BEST of the Internet

Top Ten United States Websites:
  1. Google.com
  2. Facebook.com
  3. Yahoo.com
  4. YouTube.com
  5. Amazon.com
  6. Wikipedia.com
  7. Twitter.com
  8. Blogger.com
  9. eBay.com
  10. Craigslist.org
Top Five Real Estate
  1. Realtor.com
  2. Zillow.com
  3. Trulia.com
  4. Homes.com
  5. REMAX.com
Top National Residential
  1. REMAX.com
Top Columbia, SC Real Estate
  1. ColumbiaSouthCarolina.us
  2. MelCoker.com
Mel owns a number of real estate related domains, plus has a presence at many other sites including, remax.com, realtor.com, trulia.com, zillow.com, realbird.com, realtytimes.com and others.
CLICK HERE to see Mel Coker's Columbia, SC real estate websites



rankings by analysis and opinion


Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 223-6214

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Why use a REALTOR in a Real Estate Transaction?

  
All real estate agents ARE NOT the same!

Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84 percent of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.


Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

Last year, a large independent real estate company in the Greater Columbia area dropped out of the Realtor organization.  With this dubious move, all agents in their company instantly became real estate sales agents rather than professional Realtors.   Obviously this was done as a measure to allow agents that don't sell many homes to "save" money.  Maybe these agents should not be in the real estate field if they cannot afford this one important "expense" to be in the real estate business.  Yes, it does cost individual agents some money to be a member of the National Association of Realtors - but, there are many benefits to the agent and their clients.  First for consumers, an obligation by a Professional Realtor to follow a strict Code of Ethics.   There is more, including: more professional training opportunties, more Internet presence as a benefit for listing marketing, and,  support of important national and local political issues that support homeownership (Washington politicians are always thinking of stupid ideas that will hurt home ownership). 
 
When you work with a Greater Columbia, SC real estate sales agent, make sure that agent is listed as a Professional Realtor at Realtor.com.   Check your "sales agent"  out to be sure they are a Professional Realtor!
 
Mel Coker IS a professional Realtor!  Mel is a member of the National Association of Realtors, South Carolina Association of Realtors and Central Carolina Realtors Association.  Mel Coker believes in ongoing professional education and holds the following important real estate designations:  CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES and e-PRO.
 
 
 
View Mel's Profile at Realtor.com
 
View a website listing Mel's Internet Presence (it is substantial!)
 
 
Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
All offices are independently owned and operated
(803) 388-8011

Friday, October 7, 2011

Extreme Makeover Home Edition in Columbia, SC?

Extreme Makeover Coming to South Carolina
"Move that bus!!!" may be coming to Columbia, SC very soon!
Due to my Internet marketing for Columbia, SC real estate, I've been contacted by the show producers seeking my help in finding someone whose home deserves an Extreme Makeover.   Ty Pennington and his crew have been all across the map and they are ready to drive that famous bus into central South Carolina.


What does it take to be picked for an Extreme Makeover?
We are in search of deserving families and deserving people - people who have amazing strength of character and who put their own needs aside to help others. Whether it’s a mom, a soldier, a teacher, or a fireman, we think deserving families are families who inspire those around them. In addition, the producers are looking for families whose houses need major alterations or repair- homes that present serious problems for the family and affect the family's quality of life.

ACT Quickly! 
The deadline: for nominations is October 14, 2011. BUT Don’t Delay! Please send story submissions as soon as possible!
CLICK HERE for more information


Mel Coker
Columbia SC Real Estate
(803) 223-6214
RE/MAX Metro Associates

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Change Your Home Air Filters!

Is it time (or past time) for you to change your home HVAC air filters?   I change mine every 3 months and to keep it easy, I change on these dates: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31st.

I've seen dirty filters like this many times
Changing your home air filters may be the easiest and least inexpensive home maintenance chore that YOU can do yourself.  I see way too many dirty air filters in homes that I show to prospective home buyers (some have not been changed in years).  Changing your filter regularly will help in keeping clean air in your home AND protect your HVAC equipment.

I highly recommend buying premium filters. An electrostatic air filter with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of 11 or higher better protects your inside living environment and your HVAC equipment. A MERV number is used to help compare filters. The MERV efficiency rating is the filters ability to capture specific micron sized particles. A higher MERV rating indicates a better performing filter. A typcial $1 fiberglass filter will have a MERV rating of 1 or so.


Mel changing out a NordicPure Filter - EASY!


I buy premium NordicPure filters directly from the manufacturer and SAVE.  These are about 1/2 the price of similar filters in home improvement stores and are shipped FREE.  I change two filters each quarter in my home, so I buy 12 each time I have to re-order.

CLICK HERE to buy NordicPure filters at discount pricing with FREE shipping
TIP: enter 449600 in coupon code field on your first order and receive one FREE filter (offer may expire)




NordicPure filters arrive 6 to a box

Change your home air filters regularly!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Amazon Kindle Fire

Just Announced Today: Amazon's NEW Kindle FIRE!


Available NOW for pre-order.  Just CLICK HERE:
Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi


Ultra-fast web browsing, movies, apps, games, reading, music and more

Shipping starts November 15th - Orders are prioritized on a first come, first served basis.  Order NOW for Christmas gifts!



Read about Amazon Silk web-browsing

  

Mel Coker - Selling White Houses!

OK, there's one White House I can't sell...


Estimated Value $292.5 Million; 132 rooms; large master bedroom; 16 guest rooms; 35 bathrooms; 3 kitchens; 3 elevators; 28 fireplaces; underground bunker and much more on 18 acres



But, I do sell white homes all over Greater Columbia.  See an example below:


Lexington area White Home for sale; 4 bedrooms, 2864 square feet; asking $221,798



Call Mel Coker to buy ANY color home in Greater Columbia.  Call (803) 223-6214

Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, e-PRO




Tuesday, September 27, 2011

New Columbia Homeowners!


Ready to sign closing papers - Notice RE/MAX billboard!


Congratulations to the Collins family on closing on their new home in the Columbia area yesterday!   They relocated from Utah and found their Columbia Realtor, Mel Coker, online.  When you are ready to buy in Columbia, SC, be sure to contact Mel Coker.


Signing Closing Papers with Attorney Tom Anderson



Call Mel Coker at (803) 388-8011.

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Real Estate
RE/MAX Metro Associates

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Mel Knows Columbia Real Estate

I saw this t-shirt in Cancun, Mexico week before last... of course, I had to buy it.
CLICK for my Animoto Video for our vacation




But, I do know something about Columbia (SC) real estate, AND, Lake Murray, Irmo, Chapin, Lexington and Northeast Columbia.  When you need to relocate and buy in the Greater Columbia area, call Mel Coker.



Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
Columbia Real Estate

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Home Ownership

More pictures and video from the National Association of Realtors Home Ownership Matters Bus Rally at the South Carolina Association of Realtors office in Columbia on Monday, September 19th.

Your vote matters next November 2012 - Congress is looking to reduce and/or eliminate various provisions of law that will hurt home ownership.   The housing market has suffered long enough.  We do not need more interference from the White House and Congress.  The housing recovery is KEY to an economic recovery.

Mel Coker attends the NAR Home Ownership Bus Rally in Columbia, SC on September 19th





Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Lake Murray

I know it and many other people know it... Lake Murray is a great place to live. Now, BOATING Magazine has placed Lake Murray in their recent list of 10 Best Places To Live and Boat.

Barbara and I have lived on Lake Murray for 9 years and we love Lake Murray living.
For up-to-date Lake Murray information, visit my two websites:
Lake Murray, SC
Lake Murray Blog

Mel's Lake Murray Video (ends with a splash!)
Lake Murray Animoto Tour
Lake Murray Guide in eBook format

Ready to BUY a home on Lake Murray?  Call Mel Coker!

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Lake Murray Realtor
(803) 388-8011

Click to enlarge or print

South Carolina is a GREAT Place For Business

South Carolina was named by Development Counsellors International as the third best state in the United State for business development.  A survey of corporate executives were surveyed and named South Carolina third behind Texas and North Carolina.   States named at the bottom with least favorable business climates were California, New York and Illinois.  

http://sccommerce.com//ceos-site-consultants-prospects/business-success/why-boeing-chose-sc
South Carolina has been known for many years to have a pro-business climate.

When you're ready to assist your employees with a relocation to the Greater Columbia area, contact  Mel Coker at RE/MAX Metro Associates.  melcoker@remax.net
  

Monday, September 19, 2011

Home Ownership Matters

I attended the National Association of Realtors Home Ownership Matters Bus Stop today in Columbia.  It was co-sponsored by the S.C. Association of Realtors.    Studies show that home ownership has a significant impact on net worth, educational achievement, civic participation, health and overall quality of life.  67% of American households are owner-occupied.  America is a nation of home owners.


Mel Coker at NAR Home Ownership Bus Tour Stop in Columbia on September 19, 2011

More important FACTS:  home owners’ net worth is typically 31 to 46 times that of renters; housing accounts for more than 15% of the national Gross Domestic Product; home owners pay 80% to 90% of federal income taxes.    An improvement in the housing market is critical to business and job growth in our economy.

Yet, home ownership is under assault by some kooks in Congress.   Some want to eliminate or reduce deduction of mortgage interest (something in place for almost 100 years); there are proposals for higher down payment requirements (as high as 20% down); some want to change FHA borrowing standards and there are provisions in place to place additional capital gains taxes on certain individuals starting in 2013 for real estate transactions (believe it or not, this is in the health care bill).   As a REALTOR member, I support the National Association of Realtors as they monitor and stay in touch with members of Congress related to important  housing and real estate issues.

You too need to be informed and know issues as the upcoming elections approach in 2012.   We need change in Washington!  Know the issues and vote!

Home Ownership Matters Links:
Home Ownership Matters - HouseLogic
The Field Guide to the Benefits of Home Ownership

Mel Coker
(above opinions are personal opinions of Mel Coker)
RE/MAX Metro Associates

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Mel Coker's Columbia Real Estate Facebook Business Page

I've opened a FACEBOOK Business Page for Columbia & Lake Murray Real Estate. 

Please take a quick peek when you have a chance.  CLICK HERE to visit my Facebook business page and I would appreciate it very much if you will click the button on the page to "LIKE" my page.  Everyone that does this from Richland or Lexington counties in South Carolina will be in a contest to be eligible to win one of two $25 Longhorn Steakhouse gift cards (ends October 31, 2011).







Thank you.

Mel Coker
http://www.melcoker.com/
http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.us/
http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.us/

Saturday, September 17, 2011

New Columbia Real Estate Website

Grand Opening Today:  www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.us
Just opening today is a NEW Columbia, S.C. real estate website that I have built over the past few days.  This new website is in addition to several websites that I have owned and maintained for many years.

This new website has many features and an easy-to-use "Search Properties" feature.  The "Quick Search" and "Search Properties" are both accessible from the front page of my new website.  Use this feature to search for homes in Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Lexington, Northeast Columbia and at Lake Murray.  If you want me to customize a homes search for you, please call or email and provide me with your home search criteria.  I am a life-long Columbia resident and can use my experience to provide you with the best listings matching your needs.  Ready to buy or relocate?  Call Mel Coker today!


Mel Coker's new website:  http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.us/

CLICK HERE to visit my new Columbia real estate website:  http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.us/

Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011

Friday, September 16, 2011

Mel Coker, Columbia, SC Realtor


Call Mel Coker (803) 388-8011

Mel sells Columbia real estate, including: Lake Murray, downtown Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Lexington and Northeast Columbia.  NOW is the time to buy: lower home prices, excellent NEW home deals, LOW mortgage interest rates.


Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates



Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Mexico Vacation: Our 19th trip

We're back home this week from our 19th Mexico vacation last week.  This time, it was our 3rd stay in Playa del Carmen.   We had a great vacation... fun and safe.   Our Chapin next-door neighbors even accompanied us for this trip.  Playa del Carmen is a rapidly growing resort destination about 45 minutes South of Cancun.


On the beach between The Royal Haciendas Resort and Playa del Carmen

Ready to snorkel at Akumal beach
On this trip, we were really busy with fun side excursions, including: a cave snorkeling trip; a snorkeling trip to Akumal to see tortugas (turtles) and stingrays; day trip to Cancun; trip to see the Mayan ruins at Coba; a trip into Tulum pueblo to eat and shop; and fun shopping in Playa del Carmen and Cancun.   After getting a car rental at the Cancun airport, I drove approximately 480 miles in the Mayan Riviera.

We really like our Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Tulum vacations.  If you have questions, or wish to get my suggestions, please feel free to contact me.   We're looking at a return trip in February 2012.  Join us!

CLICK HERE for my Animoto Video Slideshow

Coba's Main Pyramid: Nohoch Mul is 138 feet tall (a very steep climb!)

Watch the video:



 
 
Mel Coker
Columbia Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
 

Sunday, September 11, 2011

In Memory: September 11

On this day, I pause to remember the innocent victims that died 10 years ago today during these despicable attacks in our country. 

On this morning 10 years ago today, 19 terrorists from the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets.  The hijackers intentionally crashed two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City; both towers collapsed within two hours.  Hijackers crashed the third plane, American Airlines Flight 77,  into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth jet, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take control before it could reach the hijacker's intended target in Washington, D.C.  Nearly 3,000 died in the attacks.


National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
9/11 Interactive Timeline
The September 11 Digital Archive
September 11 Attacks - Wikipedia
National 9/11 Memorial and Museum - Wikipedia
Understanding 9/11 - A Television News Archive
Front Pages - September 12, 2001
THE STATE Newspaper (Columbia, SC) Remembers 9/11


My Favorite DVD to recap 9/11 Events:
National Geographic: Inside 9/11 (Commemorative Edition)



Our Visit to New York City in 2001 - Barbara on Brooklyn Bridge

 

View of World Trade Center from Statue of Liberty