Columbia, SC is the Place to Buy in 2016!

Columbia, SC is in the Bargain Belt!

TRULIA recently posted an article, "Housing in 2016", that identified COLUMBIA, SC as being in Markets to Watch in 2016.    This area was included in the

Trulia Reports:  Columbia, SC is in the Bargain Belt!

the "Bargain Belt" of affordable housing.   Columbia, SC was #7 in a national survey of markets that have strong potential for growth.

Key components of the analysis included: strong job growth, high affordability, high number of inbound searches and a large share of millennials.   For the full and informative article, CLICK HERE for 2016 Housing Predictions.

Columbia is a GREAT place to live.   We also have pleasant year-round weather, highly rated school districts, fun recreational opportunities and Lake Murray and a vibrant downtown area.

Ready to move or have questions?  Contact Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007.   I am a life-long Columbia area resident.

(Trulia information and graphic used with permission of Trulia).



Mel Coker
Realtor, ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO, MilRES
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants - Chapin, SC
(803) 318-2007
Columbia & Lake Murray MLS search: http://mel.bestlakemurrayhomes.com
Lake Murray Blog:  www.LakeMurrayBlog.com

Live Happy in Greater Columbia, SC

Do you live in an UNHAPPY CITY?  The U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research just released a study with a listing of the unhappiest metro areas with a population of over one million.   Weather is a big factor in being happy and many of the 10 unhappiest areas have really cold and hard winters.  Another factor for stress in the unhappiest cities are high housing costs.  Some of the cities have severe economic struggles and are losing population.

The Top Ten Unhappiest Metro Areas:

"Top of Rock Cropped" by Dschwen - English Wikipedia.  Used with permission

1. New York, NY
2. Pittsburgh, PA
3. Louisville, KY
4. Milwaukee, WI
5. Detroit, MI
6. Indianapolis, IN
7. St. Louis, MO
8. Las Vegas, NV
9. Buffalo, NY
10. Philadelphia, PA



Mel's suggestion for a HAPPY PLACE TO LIVE:  Greater Columbia, SC

Home on Lake Murray

Friendly people, reasonable home values and taxes, nice weather with mild winters (usually NO snow), highly rated school districts, good employment opportunities, exciting recreational opportunities, beautiful Lake Murray, fun retirement living.

Ready to move?  Contact MEL COKER.
Mel Coker - Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, e-PRO
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
Columbia & Lake Murray MLS Search

New Columbia, SC Real Estate Website

BuyAColumbiaHome.com

Mel Coker's newest web domain to reach out to Home Buyers and Relocation prospects:
BuyAColumbiaHome.com

Please take a quick look at my 5 page website.  Thank you.

Screen Shot of Mel Coker's New Website

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

Buying Your First Home in Columbia, SC

STOP PAYING THE RENT MONSTER!
Call Mel Coker to buy your First home.
NOW is the time to buy with lower prices, excellent inventory of homes and LOW mortgage interest rates.

Mel Coker IS your Columbia, SC real estate buyer's agent for first-time home buyers (and relocation, new homes, all homes!)    Mel can assist with homes in Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Lake Murray and Northeast Columbia.

Let Mel Coker Help YOU Slay The Rent Monster!  Buy A Home NOW.

Mel Coker
Realtor - RE/MAX Metro Associates
Professional Designations: CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, e-PRO
(803) 223-6214 
Columbia, SC Real Estate Website

 

Eagles Rest at Lake Murray - Mel's Featured Community

Eagles Rest at Lake Murray

Just a couple of minutes from Lake Murray, you’ll find Eagles Rest at Lake Murray’s beautiful traditional and garden homes in a tranquil, wooded setting.  The community is located near Ballentine and between Irmo and Chapin, South Carolina.  You may buy a "spec" home or build your home with custom features that you desire.

Single family base home prices are in the range of approximately $210,000 and $270,000.  Garden (patio) homes feature base prices in the range of $217,000 and $240,000.   Currently, spec homes are available in the price range of $258,000 to $359,593.   Shumaker Homes is the builder in this community.  Family owned and operated since 1965, the Shumaker family has built a reputation as an innovative industry leader by building quality, personalized homes throughout South Carolina.

For amenities, the community will feature a pool, cabana, and walking trails.  Of course, the community is just minutes away from beautiful Lake Murray and nearby marinas and public boat launch sites.   The community is served by the highly-rated Lexington School District 5 schools: Lake Murray Elementary, Chapin Middle and Chapin High.

Ready to learn more, visit the community or buy in Eagles Rest?  Be sure to contact Mel Coker, your Irmo/Chapin area Realtor.  Call me at (803) 318-2007 or email: melcoker@remax.net.  When you use Mel Coker as your Buyer's Agent in Eagles Rest to buy a home, I will provide you with a $500 Lowe's gift certificate at closing.  You may also call the on-site Realtor, Macy Long, and mention Mel Coker as your Realtor of choice.  Call Macy at (803) 319-8875.

Eagles Rest at Lake Murray  |  Lake Murray  |  Lake Murray Blog  |  MelCoker.com

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

10 Tips To Sell Your Home in a Buyer's Market

HOME SELLING 101: Columbia, SC

Selling in a buyer's market, with an oversupply of homes and/or falling home values, does not occur often, but certainly presents challenges. My top ten tips listed here should help you and most tips are applicable in any home selling environment.

1. Prepare Yourself for Market Conditions
2. Make a Good First Impression
3. Prepare Your Home for Showing
4. Hire an inspector
5. Make repairs
6. Special touches inside the home
7. Select the Best Selling Agent
8. Set a Competitive Price
9. Offer a Home Warranty
10. Be Flexible and patient
11. Contact Mel Coker - Columbia's Internet Realtor!

Click Here for my Home Selling Tips webpage with all of the tips above more fully explained. I also have a link (with my membership in the Lowe's Realtors Benefits group) to allow you to receive a 10% off coupon at Lowe's.

Ready to discuss selling your home? Call Mel Coker at (803) 749-5800. I will be happy to discuss my marketing plan and very competitive commission structure. Mel Coker is the exclusive CyberStars Realtor for Columbia, South Carolina real estate.

CLICK for Columbia, SC real estate

Never a Better Time for First-time Homebuyers!

NOW is the time to buy your first home!
Why pay rent and buy a property for someone else? People that buy homes have more wealth - that's a fact. When you're a homeowner, you build equity (net worth) and enjoy substantial tax benefits. Plus, you will have pride of owning your own home!

There are several INCREDIBLE reasons to buy a home NOW! Call or email Mel Coker when you're ready to buy.

1.) $8000 Federal Tax Credit - When you're a first-time homebuyer (not owned a home within the past 3 years) you will get $8000 credit when you file your next federal tax return. That's $8000 FREE! This credit runs out soon... you have to close on your home on or before November 30, 2009.
Click Here for more information
My Previous Blog on First-time Homebuyer Program

2.) GREAT FOUNDATIONS Mortgage Program from Homeowner's Mortgage

This program will match your payment to purchase a home. It's more FREE money, but, only only limited funds are available for the program. ACT NOW! Quick Details: available to first-time homebuyers; can be used for downpayment and/or closing costs; income limitaitons apply; maximum match not to exceed $10,000; program is limited in time due to funds allocated by government.

The program matches your down payment at a 5:1 ratio. Example: you put down $2000 and this program will match that with $10,000! Click Here for more program information

For more information, you must contact Mike Wetzel at Homeowner's Mortgage. Tell Mike that you are working with Mel Coker at RE/MAX. Call Mike at: (803) 609-3177 or email: mwetzel@homeownersmtg.com

3.) LOW Mortgage rates - mortgage interest rates are near historical lows! You save big money because you pay a lower interest rate. Call Mel Coker for a referral to an excellent mortgage professional.

4.) Home prices have moderated - Home prices have moderated or in some cases decreased in the Greater Columbia area. In most cases, you will have more negotiating power due to an abundance of inventory.

Ready to BUY a home in Greater Columbia? Contact Mel Coker, your Columbia Realtor:

Office: (803) 749-5800

Internet: MelCoker.com

email: melcoker@remax.net

Columbia, SC Real Estate

June is almost over! It was a GREAT month with 5 real estate closings scheduled. In between, I was able to get off to Cancun for a one week vacation.

Watch for my Columbia real estate update in July. I'll provide a detailed snapshot of Columbia area real estate activity with what's happening with the number of closings and average prices. Watch for it by the end of July.

Know of someone needing to buy or sell in Columbia? Be sure to contact or have them contact Mel Coker. I'm commited to old-time values in real estate service using the latest technologies.

MelCoker.com

Columbia, SC Real Estate

Lake Murray

Mel's Lake Murray Blog

Columbia's Old Timey Realtor, Mel Coker (with Barbara)

Retirement Move?

Consider friendly Columbia, South Carolina for your retirement!
The Greater Columbia area is a great place to live for retirement. You will find friendly people, a reasonable cost of living, reasonable property taxes and favorable state tax structure and tax breaks, nice weather and an abundance of things to do.



More information:
FIVE Things to Consider for Where to Live
Columbia, SC "A to Z"
Columbia Blog
Lake Murray
Lake Murray Blog


Contact Mel Coker when you're ready to move to Columbia, SC:
email: melcoker@remax.net
Telephone: (803) 749-5800
Internet: Mel Coker's Columbia Real Estate website

Call Mel Coker to Buy or Sell!

MelCoker.com

Search Columbia MLS

Watch my "Connecting To Clients" Slideshow

Incredible First-time Home Buyer Incentive!

Opportunity of a lifetime for first-time homebuyers?
YES!

NOW is a Great time to buy a home for anyone... and, now especially so for first-time homebuyers.

Reasons to BUY your home: Build equity (increase net worth)... deduct mortgage interest and property taxes on federal and state tax returns... lots of home inventory... LOW interest rates... prices in general have slowed or remain steady.

The biggest reason... Congress has enacted a NEW law to encourage home ownership for first-time home buyers with $8000 on the table.

Quick Facts About NEW Law Provisions for First-time Homebuyers:

• The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only. The law defines "first-time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
• The maximum credit amount is $8,000.
• The credit DOES NOT have to be repaid! This is a FREE $8000 gift from the American taxpayers for buying a home under the provisions of the law.
• Only homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 are eligible..
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
• Home buyers must use the residence as a principal residence for at least three years or face recapture of the tax credit amount. Certain exceptions apply.
• The fact that the credit is refundable means that the home buyer credit can be claimed even if the taxpayer has little or no federal income tax liability to offset. Typically this involves the government sending the taxpayer a check for a portion or even all of the amount of the refundable tax credit.

More information:

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit - National Association of Home Builders

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Summary - National Association of Realtors

In Columbia (SC), contact Mel Coker to get started with buying your first home!

I have created a special website: First-time Homebuyers Guide

This covers home-buying benefits and 9 steps to buying your first home. I have also created a RENT vs. BUY comparison that shows the huge savings when you BUY a home. CLICK HERE for the rent vs. buy comparison

Home Buying = Wealth Building!

Ready to BUY a home in Columbia, South Carolina? Contact Mel Coker.

Columbia, South Carolina Real Estate

Call (803) 749-5800

NEW Listing - Patio Home near Lexington Medical Center

NEW LISTING: Patio home for sale near Lexington Medical Center
221 Saluda Woods Place; West Columbia SC

WOW! This patio home is less than 1 mile to Lexington Medical Center. The home is convenient to everything and within minutes to: Interstates 26 and 20, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, downtown Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Riverbanks Zoo and Lake Murray.

This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is in excellent condition. It makes a perfect home for a first-time homebuyer, or a single professional, or a young married couple, or a retired couple. If you're a first-time homebuyer, you will be eligible for the fantastic $8000 tax credit. That's $8000 in FREE money! Click here for more information.

The home has an open floor plan and there is a small backyard with privacy fencing. The home has "Priced Right" market analysis pricing at $106,900.

To set an appointment to see this home, contact Mel Coker:

Telephone: (803) 749-5800

email: melcoker@remax.net

SPRING Special: BUY this home (with a closing by May 30th) with Mel Coker as your Realtor and receive a 4 day, 3 night vacation at Mel's Hilton Head Island Villa.

For more information, view one or all of these really cool online virtual tours created by Mel Coker:

Virtual Tour at ColumbiaSouthCarolina.com

Virtual Tour at Animoto.com

Virtual Tour at RE/MAX

Virtual Tour at RealBird

Nobody Sells More Real Estate Than RE/MAX!

The 2008 numbers are in...

Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX!

In 2008, for comparisons by total United States transactions and transaction sides per U.S. agent, RE/MAX leads the way. For total transactions, RE/MAX leads the nearest competitor by 26.2%. For transaction sides per agent, RE/MAX leads the nearest competitor by 31.8%. Another comparison also shows that RE/MAX agents have more professional Realtor designations than their competitors.

Choose RE/MAX when you want the best in experience, professionalism, use of technology and results.

In Columbia, when you're ready to buy or sell, choose Mel Coker.

In 2008, Mel had 32 closings and 33 transaction sides for a transaction volume of $6.9 million. Mel holds the following professional Realtor designations: CRS, ABR, GRI, and SRES. Also, Mel is the exclusive CyberStars Realtor for Columbia, SC. Mel is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame. Click here to learn more about Mel Coker.

Mel Coker

"Above the Crowd Service"

RE/MAX Metro Associates * Columbia, SC

(803) 318-2007

email: melcoker@remax.net

Click on the chart below for full size version:

RE/MAX vs. The Industry in 2008

Mel Coker, Columbia, SC Realtor

Ready to Buy or Sell in Columbia, SC?
Contact Mel Coker

Click to learn more...
All About Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Real Estate
MelCoker.com
MelCoker.info
Search Columbia MLS
All Real Estate Agents Are Not The Same

Call Mel Coker: (803) 749-5800 office or (803) 318-2007 cell
Mel's Contact Form

Mortgage Rates at Historic Lows!

Ready to BUY a home? Ready to refinance?

NOW is the time.

30 year mortgage rates are at historic lows. Now really is the time to buy a home. When you're ready to buy a home in the Columbia area, be sure to contact Mel Coker.

Rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have been in the high 4's to low 5's. These rates can make a big difference in the amount you pay monthly for your home. Or, you may now be able to buy "more" home.

Below is a summary sheet from Nathan Ballentine at Wells Fargo/Wachovia explaining the current mortgage rate situation. When you're ready to get a new mortgage or refinance, be sure to call Nathan Ballentine at (803) 343-3234.

Click on the image below for the full size document.

New Lake Murray listing

For Sale on Lake Murray
I've got a brand new listing for sale on Lake Murray! My clients have had the interior completely repainted. The home is beautiful inside. With a mostly brick exterior (some stucco on the front), the home is virtually maintenance free on the outside. On 149 feet of Lake Murray water frontage, there is a nice dock and boat lift. From the deck, the westerly view offers beautiful sunsets.

This beautiful home is approximately 3300 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms. The master bedroom is downstairs and there is a second master bedroom upstairs. Both bedrooms upstairs on the back side feature balconies overlooking Lake Murray. Hardwoods are downstairs except in the master bedroom. The kitchen is very spacious with lots of cabinets. There is another room... A bonus room (oftentimes called a FROG in this market). This room works great for a media room, exercise room or game room. In fact, the pool table in the room stays with the home as a bonus.

This home is located at 49 Bay Court in Plantation Pointes Subdivision in Newberry County. The home is priced to sell at $512,500.

For complete details and more pictures, visit my virtual tour websites:
Mel's Lake Murray home listing webpage
Mel's RealBird listing page

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year - 2009! Get out your new calendars, remember to write 2009 for all dates AND be sure to make some new year's resolutions! Enjoy your black-eyed peas, hog jowls, hoppin' john and ham and collard greens on New Year's Day.

Click Here for Top New Year's Resolutions & Solutions from Amazon (Voted #1 by customers is "Lose Weight").

I've compiled Mel Coker's TOP 10 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS based on my extensive research (not necessarily my personal resolutions):

1. Lose weight
2. Get in better physical shape
3. Spend more quality time with family and friends
4. Reduce or eliminate debt
5. Set a budget and/or reduce expenses
6. Quit smoking
7. Learn something new / develop a new talent or skill
8. Drink less alcohol / quit drinking
9. Find a better job (or, in these times, find a job)
10. Get better organized

Tips for making (and completing) effective New Year's Resolutions: set only 1-3 realistic goals; write down your goals; take baby steps (break goals into tasks with deadlines); go public (tell others about your goals); track your progress; reward yourself; if you slip up, recommit!

Great links:

Hoppin' John

Blackeyed Peas and Collard Greens

USA.gov New Year's Resolutions and and helpful links

Wikipedia New Year's Day

Fun Facts and Figures from the Goals Guy

101 Resolutions

Tips for Making New Year's Resolutions: MyGoals.com * eHow.com * For Kids & Teenagers

Please keep reading my blog in 2009... I'll have interesting blogs on Columbia real estate, Columbia stuff, cool vacations, prize give-aways and much more.

Click here for a FREE subscription to immediate blog updates thru my FeedBurner.

Mel Coker

MelCoker.com MelCoker.info

NEW Columbia MLS Search Feature from Mel Coker

Ready to buy a home in Columbia, SC?
NOW is a great time to buy a home! There is lots of inventory, prices are reasonable and mortgage interest rates are near record lows. This past week, 30-year fixed rates were under 5.5%. For first-time home buyers, you can take advantage of the new Federal Tax Law Benefit for first-time homebuyers. Click here for more first-time homebuyer information.


Click here for mortgage professionals recommended by Mel Coker.

Want to do a little searching on the Internet yourself? I've got a brand new MLS search feature. My MLS search page allows you to search by selected home features and/or price or by address or by zip code or by MLS. Other "advanced" search features (click on Advanced Search) allow for searches by more search criteria, school area and much more.

Click Here to Search the Columbia MLS.


When you're ready to buy a home in the Columbia area, please contact Mel Coker. I look forward to assisting you.

Click here for Mel Coker's Homebuyer Guide.

Mel Coker
www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.com/homes
(803) 749-5800

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/