U.S. Home Prices Decline for Eighth Straight Month

U.S. home prices, including distressed sales, fell 7.5 percent in March from a year ago, marking the eighth straight month of home price declines, according to CoreLogic. This follows a 5.8 percent annual decline in February. Excluding distressed sales, home prices slipped 0.96 percent in March. Of the 100 markets surveyed, 92 posted year-over-year declines in home prices.

Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest depreciation rates were Idaho, Arizona, Michigan, Florida and Illinois. Meanwhile, West Virginia, North Dakota, New York, Alaska and Maine had the highest appreciation.

Of course, all markets are really "local" and market conditions vary from one city to another.  In a  future post, I will provide a detailed analysis of Greater Columbia real estate market conditions.

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

Cool Panoramic Pictures!

Coolest & Best Value Digital Camera - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V
I just bought a new camera for my real estate business and websites that I own and operate.  It's the amazing Sony DSC-HX5V.  I got it at a great price (only $229) from Amazon.  This camera does wide angle really well (for my home interior shots) and an amazing job on automated sweep panoramas (no "stitching" in separate software) .  It also has many other cool features at an incredible price.

Check out my first sweep panorama - taken at our Lake Murray home:

Lake Murray - Panoramic Shot with Sony DSC-HX5V

Want one?  Buy Your Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD


More cool pictures coming soon!

Ready to Move to Columbia, SC?

Columbia, SC...
A Great Place to Live!   Snow really is rare in Columbia (although we had 5-6 inches last Sunday).





Columbia, SC Real Estate

Contact Mel Coker

(803) 388-8011

RE/MAX Metro Associates

All offices are independently owned & operated

Columbia, SC

SNOW today at Lake Murray and in Columbia

A BIG Snow Day in the Greater Columbia area and Lake Murray

Mel Coker at Lake Murray measuring snowfall

Snow started around midnight last night and continued all morning until about mid-day today.    Late this morning, my wife and I went out for some pictures at our home on Lake Murray.  It was beautiful!   I measured the snow and found an accumulation of about 5 inches.   Snow continued to fall for awhile afterwards.  

Snow is almost rare in the Greater Columbia area, so this is a big event: all schools were closed, most government offices closed, many businesses closed and lots of fender benders on the roadways.

ALL Snow Pictures in Picasa web album

SNOW at Lake Murray: Monday, January 10, 2010
(click on picture for larger image size)

Please DRIVE CAREFULLY

in the Greater Columbia area over the next few days. 

Melting snow will freeze to create dangerous driving conditions!

Mel Coker

Columbia & Lake Murray Realtor

RE/MAX Metro Associates

(803) 388-8011

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Mel Coker in Columbia, South Carolina!

Mel & Barbara at Brookgreen Gardens

2010 was a very good year for me in Columbia real estate sales.  I had 30 closings in 2010.  That's a 30.4% increase from 2009.   Soon, I will post several blog articles on my analysis of real estate activity in the Greater Columbia area.  Watch for these articles soon.

In 2011, I will be promoting NEW home sales.  New homes offer excellent value and builders have become much more competitive with pricing and built-in amenities.   Already for 2011, I have 4 new homes closed or under contract for closing.   Watch for more information coming soon.

In 2011, I will continue to post articles about Columbia area real estate, Lake Murray, home improvement, energy savings ideas, Columbia happenings and much more.   If you want to get my articles as they are posted, please email me and ask for a FREE subscription to my blog and you will get my posts immediately by email.

Barbara and I greatly enjoy vacationing and I will post some articles about our Surfside Beach rental and other vacation ideas, including our favorite destination: Cancun.   Now may be the right time for you to consider buying a beach vacation/rental home.  If so, I know the right contacts, so give me a call.   Congratulations to my buddy, Steve Borden, on the acquisition of his new Myrtle Beach property last year!

My Lake Murray websites are popular with Lake Murray residents, visitors and those interested in Lake Murray real estate.  I will continue to post items of current interest in my Lake Murray blog.
Lake Murray Website
Lake Murray Blog

Please have a safe and healthy New Year.   Call me for any Greater Columbia area real estate need that you may have.

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
All offices are independently owned & operated
(803) 223-6214
email
Internet

Dropbox: Recommended by Mel Coker



Mel Coker uses Dropbox!

 Dropbox: Great for File Backup and Anywhere Access 
Dropbox is software that syncs your files online and across your computers.  It's EASY and FREE (up to 2 GB).  Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they'll be instantly available on any of your other computers that also have Dropbox installed.  Because copies of your files are stored on Dropbox's secure servers, you can also access them from any computer or mobile device using the Dropbox website.

With Dropbox, your files are always in sync.  Let's say you're editing a document in the Dropbox folder at home. As soon as you press Save, Dropbox will sync this file to all your other computers and mobile devices instantly and automatically. It's as if you saved the document to all of your computers. This gives you the freedom to work anywhere and always have the files you need.

Dropbox lets you share files easily.  You can easily share entire folders or photo albums with Dropbox. Simply put the folders you want to share in your Dropbox, and invite people to them. You can also send people links to specific files within your Dropbox. This makes Dropbox perfect for team projects.

With Dropbox, online backup is automatic.  Any file you put into your Dropbox folder is automatically backed up to our servers. Even if your computer has a melt-down, your files are safe on Dropbox and can be restored at any time. While our free 2GB account is perfect for backing up your documents, we offer larger accounts (up to 100GB) for backing up your music and video collections.

My important files are always installed in my Dropbox folder.  Then I have access to my Dropbox files  on my home PC, work PC and my laptop travel PC.   I can also access these files on my iPhone.  I use Dropbox all the time.  If you don't do any backup of critical and important files or if you need files access from multiple PCs, you should install Dropbox now.
Get Dropbox Now - with an extra 250 MB of storage

As I said previously, Dropbox is FREE for up to 2 gigabytes of storage.  There are reasonable cost plans for more storage  (Great if you have lots of photo and music files to backup).  CLICK HERE and get 250 MB of free account storage (2.25 GB) because of your referral from Mel Coker.


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

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July from Mel & Barbara Coker
at Lake Murray, SC!

We wish you a happy and safe July 4th Celebration today.  We also want to thank all military personnel serving around the world in service to the United States of America.   The United States of America is 234 years old today!

(from Wikipedia):
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.[4][5] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4th, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence.

July 4th Links:
Independence Day - USA.gov
Declaration of Independence
Patriotic Melodies
4th of July Facts - National Geographic
Wikipedia

July 4, 2010

at Lake Murray

Mel Coker
http://www.melcoker.com/
Columbia, SC Real Estate

It's Time To BUY A Home!

Columbia, SC real estate

NOW is the time to BUY a home in the Columbia, SC area.  Great Reasons: Stabilized (or lower) prices; LOW mortgage rates, excellent inventory and the Federal Tax Credit.  Add in pride of ownership and the importance of equity accumulation for your net worth and you'll know that NOW is the time to buy a home!

Call Mel Coker to buy your Columbia area home.  Call (803) 388-8011

Mel's ISSUU eBooks

eBooks by Mel Coker

I've published several eBooks at issuu.com.  Take a look at some of my books!

Mast General Store Coming to Columbia, SC!

This week, officials of Mast General Store announced that the company will open a new location at the former location of Lourie's Clothing store in downtown Columbia.  No opening date has been set, but, it will probably be 2011 or 2012.  The historic Lourie's building will have to undergo extensive renovation.

Mast General Store is a combination outdoor outfitter and old-fashioned country store.  I visited the original Mast General Store many years ago in the mountains of Valle Crucis, North Carolina.  It is indeed a wonderful store that carries a little bit of everything.  The original Mast General Store opened in Valle Crucis in 1883 and is still operating at that location.  This location was named to the National Register of Historic Places as one of the finest remaining examples of an old country general store.

Mast General Store has other locations in Boone, Asheville, Waynesville, Hendersonville (all in NC); Greenville (SC); and Knoxville (TN).   Welcome to Columbia, SC!

Mast General Store website

Schools information posted on Columbia SC listings by Mel Coker

Another EDGE in Columbia SC Real Estate by Mel Coker...

GreatSchools information

I have now started to place GreatSchools.net school grades on all listing pages that I post on my Virtual Tour website.  It's a GREAT benefit to potential buyers and it's an extra marketing tool for sellers too.   As Columbia's exclusive CyberStars Realtor, I always look to provide the highest level of service to my clients and Internet prospects.

 

The mission of GreatSchools is to improve K-12 education by inspiring parents to get involved.  The GreatSchools.net website allows visitors to access school data, expert advice, articles, and community content.  GreatSchools.net profiles more than 90,000 public elementary, middle and high schools in the United States. Charter schools, magnet schools, year-round schools, and some continuation and alternative schools are included as well.  GreatSchools.net includes basic information on some private schools as well.

 

Take a look at my first listing that I have posted this information:

Lexington SC all brick home for sale

In this particular case, Pleasant Hill Elementary had an 8; Pleasant Hill Middle had a 10 and Lexington High had a 10 score. 

 

Please remember that I can assist you with ANY home for sale in the Greater Columbia area.  Contact Mel Coker to buy your Columbia area home, or to get your home SOLD!

 

Mel Coker

(803) 388-8011 (My Google Voice number)
Columbia, SC Real Estate

Community Spotlight - Hampton Forest

Community Spotlight - Hampton Forest in Columbia, SC!


Discover what In-town living really means at Hampton Forest, an Inspired Communities new homes neighborhood. I visited this community recently and was really impressed! The community features bungalow style 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes priced from the $120s.


Deluxe standard home features are numerous and include: upgraded molding and cabinetry, Energy Star appliances, smooth ceilings, architectural shingles, covered front porches, backyard privacy fence, and much more. Additionally, the community features Green Building with NAHB Green Building Certification.


The community features include: sidewalks and lush tree lined streets, commuity pool with outdoor fireplace and cabana, and a 16 seat surround sound wide-screen theater room.




Residents living in this new home community enjoy convenient access to: USC School of Medicine, VA Hospital, University of South Carolina campus, downtown Columbia, Five Points, and Interstates 77 and 26.


The community is located near Interstate 77 and Garners Ferry Road (U.S. Highway 378). Go East on Garners Ferry Road and turn right on Greenlawn Road. Hampton Forest is just 1/4 mile on the right. If you visit, be sure to tell Frances Limehouse that Realtor Mel Coker sent you out.


NOW is the time to buy your new Columbia home. Interest rates are near historical lows and you may be eligible for the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit. Call Mel Coker, your Columbia Realtor, to see any home at Hampton Forest. With Mel Coker as your buyer's representative, I will offer a $300 Lowes shopping gift card at closing for any home bought in this wonderful community.

Call Mel Coker for more information, or to schedule a showing appointment: (803) 318-2007 or email: melcoker@remax.net

Call Mel Coker to Buy or Sell!

MelCoker.com

Search Columbia MLS

Watch my "Connecting To Clients" Slideshow

Columbia, SC Real Estate

Columbia, SC Real Estate:

Mel's Real Estate Website

MelCoker.com

All Real Estate Agents Are Not The Same

Search Columbia, SC Real Estate

School Bells Ring!

Columbia, SC schools start this week...
Schools have started in the Greater Columbia area this week. Please be sure to drive carefully in the vicinity of schools and school buses. Slow down and observe lower speed limits near schools (the cops are watching) and remember to NOT pass a stopped school bus.

I have a "School Districts Links" page at my Columbia "A to Z" website with Columbia area school district links and much more. Click Here to visit.

On this web page you will find the following informational links:

• Columbia area public school districts
• Columbia area private schools
• S.C. Department of Education links
• "Cool" Homework assistance/Other educational links
• Links to "529 Plan" info, including the S.C. Future Scholar
  College Savings Plan, and South Carolian LIFE and HOPE scholarship programs

UPROMISE COLLEGE SAVINGS

If you're a parent of a child (especially very young child), you SHOULD investigate UPROMISE. Very simply, this FREE program turns your everyday spending into college savings for your child or children. Hundreds of companies (Amazon, Sears, Best Buy, Exxon, CVS, Publix, Piggly Wiggly and many more) will contribute to your FREE account when you make a purchase (some only with online purchases). Earn by registering your credit cards and grocery cards in your free online account or by shopping online. You can also get others registered in your account (like grandparents or others without their own children using Upromise) to help accumulate money for your child's college account. NOW is a great time to sign-up as UPROMISE has a $100,000 College Dream Sweepstakes effective through September 30, 2008. Visit my schools web page and click on UPROMISE to get started.

Ready to BUY or SELL a home in Columbia, SC?
Call (803) 749-5800 or email Mel Coker
Visit Mel Coker's Columbia Real Estate website