Ready to Escape the Cold & Snow? Move to Columbia, SC.

Tired of long, cold, snowy winters?
Consider Columbia, South Carolina.
(Including Lake Murray, Lexington, Chapin, Irmo)

Greater Columbia is Friendly.  We have a reasonable cost of living.   Excellent values in home prices and reasonable home taxes.  And, we have nice weather and typically snow-free winters.  Ready?

Contact Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007.

RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC
CLICK HERE for Internet MLS Search
       

500 Closings!

Yesterday, I closed my 500th transaction during my 15 years in real estate!

Thank you to my buyer client, Joe Hodges, for purchasing an investment property in the Chapin area.  This was his 4th real estate closing with me and my 500th closing overall since I entered the real estate business in 1998.  Joe received an appropriate gift at closing for being number 500.  It was a pleasure to close this transaction with my recommended closing attorney, H. Thomas Anderson.   I don't have exact numbers on this, but, I'm sure he has closed at least 1/2 of these 500 transactions.

Mel Coker, Joe Hodges, Tom Anderson at Closing

The sales volume for these 500 transactions is $83.4 Million.    As the chart below shows, the highest number of closed transactions has been in the following areas: St. Andrews/Irmo/Chapin, Lexington and Northeast Columbia and Lake Murray waterfront.

When you're ready to BUY or SELL in Greater Columbia, contact MEL COKER.  Mention "500 closings BLOG" and when you close with Mel Coker as your Realtor, you will receive a $250 LOWES GIFT CARD at closing (offer expires 12/31/2013).

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia, South Carolina
(803) 223-6214
Internet - Columbia Real Estate

500 Columbia, SC Real Estate Closings

Coming Soon: Mel Coker's 500th Real Estate Closing

Very soon, I will have my 500th Columbia (S.C.) real estate closing.
That's 500 closings since 1998 covering Columbia, Northeast Columbia, Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Chapin, Prosperity, Saluda, Elgin and Lake Murray.  I've enjoyed helping many families and individuals buy and sell in the Greater Columbia area.  And, I'm looking forward to an improving economy and helping many more clients buy, sell and relocate.

My 500 closings represent an average of over 33 closings per year and a total sales volume in excess of $83 Million.  During these 15 years, I have only worked at two Columbia real estate firms.  For the past 11 1/2 years, I have been associated with the world leader in Real Estate sales - RE/MAX.  In 2006, I was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame for sales volume leadership.

My 500th real estate closing client will receive a special gift package in recognition of this special milestone.  Will it be you?    When you're ready to BUY or SELL in Greater Columbia, contact Mel Coker.

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia Real Estate Website
Columbia MLS Search
(803) 223-6214 office
Mel Coker's email

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

For Sale in Irmo - Heatherstone Subdivision

For Sale in Irmo: great home, convenient location, excellent schools and priced to SELL!

128 Wenlock Circle; Irmo, SC
Three bedrooms, two bathooms and a one car garage makes this home a nice "move-up" home or a wonderful home for a first-time homebuyer. NOW is a great time to buy a home. First-time homebuyers get an excellent deal with the NEW and really incredible tax break (think $8000 gift from the Federal government). Call Mel Coker for more details.

This home has wood laminate flooring in all living areas and bedrooms. The spacious kitchen also has an island. There is a deck and large fenced backyard to enjoy outdoor time. The master bathroom has a garden tub and double vanity. The community is adjacent to the Northwest YMCA. This home has "Priced-Right" pricing at $130,000. Call Mel Coker for a mortgage referral to learn how low your payments would be for this home.

SPECIAL Bonuses: includes 2-10 home warranty, refrigerator, washing machine and dryer.

Housing Stimulus Bonus from Mel Coker on this home: Ask for your homebuying stimulus from Mel Coker (at contract signing or prior to closing) and receive a $250 Lowe's giftcard after closing.

For more information: Call Mel Coker (803) 318-2007
Click here to view Online Virtual Tour
Click here for Mel's Animoto Tour




Mel Coker - Columbia, SC Realtor

For Sale in Irmo - Nursery Road

NEW Home for Sale Listing from Mel Coker:
6636 Nursery Road in Columbia (Irmo area)

This beautiful home has 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. The master bedroom is downstairs and two bedrooms are upstairs. A bonus room downstairs is used now as an office, but, it could be a libary or have another use. The home square footage is approximately 1830. This home is priced right at $163,900.

The home is located adjacent to Nursery Road Elementary School. So, if you have elementary aged children, you will have great convenience for school days. The school district is the highly rated Lexington School District 5. The back yard also backs to a schoolground play area and is fenced.

Talk about location... less than 4 miles to beautiful Lake Murray and only minutes to great Irmo area shopping, dining and Columbiana Centre mall.



To learn more about this home or to schedule an appointment, contact Mel Coker. Call (803) 749-5800 or toll-free (888) 528-2258 and ask for Mel Coker.


Check out the cool online tours for this home!
Mel's Real Estate tour page
RealBird tour page
Mel's "Walk-about" YouTube Video (available in HD!)
Animoto Tour
Mel's RE/MAX tour

CyberStars Realtor Summit

I attended my first CyberStars Summit this past week in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was THE best real estate seminar or conference I've ever attended (and I have been attending various real estate classes/seminars for 10 years)! I joined CyberStars in late 2007 and this was the first annual summit that I was able to attend. It really was awesome. There was a tremendous amount of learning and positive attitude about the real estate and housing industry. Real estate still should be your first and most important investment strategy!


The Cyberstars, founded by Allen Hainge with 4 original members, has grown to include approximately 200 real estate agents from the United States, Australia, Bahamas and Canada. It's a very exclusive group of real estate agents. There are only 3 Cyberstar Realtors in South Carolina and I am the only Columbia area member. Each CyberStars member agent must:

• be a leading sales associate in his or her marketplace
• have a demonstrated commitment to the use of technology and a custom website
• share real estate technology ideas and strategies with other CyberStars

The end result: better client service, more productivity, knowledge sharing and more fun!

CLICK HERE to see the CyberStars lineup





It was amazing to be in a large room with top real estate agents sharing real estate and business technology and ideas in a very fast-paced learning environment. Every agent in the room had a laptop PC. It was awesome to see over 110 PCs in one room!



Over time, I will be sharing some strategies and tips that I have learned. I have already implemented a few (example: click to see my Columbia Buyer's Guide in Issuu ebook format) and more will come. Watch my blog for exciting CyberStars idea implementations from Mel Coker.


Mel Coker with CyberStars President & Founder, Allen Hainge



Mel Coker
About Mel Coker

RE/MAX Metro Associates
CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, Cyberstars Member

Search Columbia SC homes for sale

CLICK HERE to subscribe to my blog - it's FREE & easy!

2009 Real Estate off to a Great Start!

Mel's first 2009 home sale!

Congratulations to Steve & Rebecca Sansonetti for purchasing a home in Lexington's Wellesley subdivision. This beautiful new home was built by Shumaker Homes. The Sansonettis's got a great deal on this beautiful new home and are going to get a LOW mortgage rate (4.5% or lower). NOW really is a great time to buy a home! I even temporarily named the waterfall in the community "Sansonetti Falls."

The most exciting "deal" in this new home is that the home is a Green Certified home. The home is built for energy efficiency and comfort. The community too is a great deal... great location, great schools and great amenities. Want to know more about this community and prices? Call Mel Coker.

I had "blogged" about this wonderful community back in August 2008. Click here to read my blog.

Shumaker Homes - Wellesley

Wellesley Subdivision

Environments for Living Certified Green Program

When you're ready to buy a home in Wellesley or ANY OTHER home community in Lexington, Irmo, Columbia, Chapin, Blythewood or at Lake Murray, be sure to contact Mel Coker at RE/MA Metro Associates.

Call (803) 318-2007

Mel's Columbia SC real estate website

Search Columbia (SC) MLS

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

How to Buy Your First Columbia Home

Ready to Buy Your First Home in Columbia, South Carolina? Your first step should be to contact Mel Coker.

Mel is a life-long Columbia area resident and really enjoys working with first time homebuyers and relocation clients. NOW is a great time to buy a home with moderating prices, excellent inventory of homes and mortgage interest rates at record low levels. Mortgage rates have recently been below 5% for a 30-year fixed rate!

In addition to lower mortgage interest rates (and lower house payments), federal tax legislation has been enacted that allows for up to a $7500 tax credit for first time homebuyers. This credit expires June 30, 2009.

Click here for Mel's previous blog about the first-time homebuyer tax credit.

First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit website

If you are paying rent now (in other words, buying an investment property for your landlord), you should make a New Year's resolution to buy your OWN home prior to June 30, 2009. Financially successful people BUY their homes (rather than pay rent).

Contact Mel Coker when you are ready to buy your home in Columbia, SC.

Click Here for Mel's First-time Homebuyer's Guide

Mel's Columbia Real Estate and Relocation Guide

Columbia MLS Search - Update

NEW website from Mel Coker! As an update to my previous blog, I've created a new website focusing on providing MLS search capability to my clients and prospects through my Internet presence.


CLICK HERE to view the new website - GreatColumbiaSChomes.com

NOW is a great time to buy a home! First-time homebuyer tax credit, LOW mortgage rates, great selection of home inventory. Call Mel Coker (803) 749-5800

LATE BREAKING NEWS (11:15 a.m.)... Now really is the time to buy a home! Just heard from Nathan Ballentine that rates TODAY are at 5% or lower! While rates DO change daily, that is the rate today. Rates should stay very low for the short term at least. Call Nathan Ballentine to get mortgage and rates information at: (803) 343-3234 or 206-4199. Then, call Mel Coker to start looking at homes!

Tips to Sell Your Home in a Slow Market

HOME SELLING 101:

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. Homes SELL because they exhibit great VALUE!

1. Prepare yourself for market conditions - Be prepared for fewer showings and longer "days on the market"
2. Make a good first impression - That first few seconds in front of a home can make or break a possible sale
3. Prepare your home for showing - make your home look like Mr. & Mrs. Clean live there
4. Hire an inspector - Very few sellers do it, but, a home pre-inspection may be of great assistance to you in determining what's wrong and what needs to be repaired in your home
5. Make repairs - Make repairs that are profitable or will be necessary for the sale of your home (for example, the Buyer will need to have "clean" heating & air and termite inspections
6. Special touches inside the home - eliminate odors, add seasonal touches or flowers, turn on lights or open blinds for showings, etc.
7. Select the best selling agent - Your choice of a Realtor IS important! Call Mel Coker.
8. Set a competitive price - Your home is in a competition... to SELL! An example... if you have a home to sell at $175,000 (close to the average home price in Columbia), you have 524 other homes for sale within 10% of $175,000 (that's just in the most sought after school district areas too). That's a lot of competition!
9. Offer a home warranty - buyer's agents will typically negotiate for this anyway and a home warranty gives buyers additional confidence in a real estate transaction
10. Be flexible and patient - use feedback and suggestions from your Realtor to make adjustments

Click Here for Mel Coker's Home Selling Tips web page (you can also obtain a Lowes 10% off coupon)

Contact Mel Coker when you're ready to sell your home in the Columbia area. I would be happy to offer a FREE market analysis, answer questions and explain my extensive marketing plan. Your choice of a Realtor IS important!

Internet: www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.com/homes

Telephone: (803) 749-5800

email: melcoker@remax.net

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

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/

Save Money On Home Improvement

Ready to start a Home Improvement Project? I may be able to help! (at least with helping you save some money)

I am an affiliate member of Carolina Wholesale Floors. This company offers excellent products and service out of a very nice showroom in Columbia. You can only get in with a card from a member. I offer, upon request, a FREE admission card to this awesome showroom. On most products, the discount is 40% off of the listed price in the showroom.

Carolina Wholesale Floors has the following products available and on display: carpet, hardwood floors, ceramic and porcelain tile, stone, area rugs, laminate or vinyl.

Call or email Mel Coker for your FREE member referral card. I will mail this to you (or stop by my office). Visit my webpage for more information.

I'm also a member of the Lowe's Realtor Benefits program. As a member, I can offer real benefits to my clients and friends. Visit this webpage to request a FREE 10% off coupon (on up to $5000 with limited exclusions). I can also send you my HGTV/Lowe's email with access to helpful videos and a 10% off coupon. Just send me an email with your name and email address.

Also, please request my FREE Lowe's Client "Inside-Out" E-Newsletter. Just send me an email with your name and email address. I'll set you up for the FREE monthly email newsletter. This newsletter will contain helpful hints and tips, new and innovative products and projects, and periodic money-saving coupons at Lowe’s. It's FREE and with NO obligation of any kind... be sure to request this!

Ready to buy or sell real estate in Columbia, SC? Be sure to contact Mel Coker.

Click here for Mel's Real Estate website or call (803) 749-5800

NOW is the Time for First-Time Homebuyers!

Opportunity of a lifetime for first-time homebuyers? Maybe so!

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

Reasons to BUY NOW: 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 and now Congress has enacted a law to encourage home ownership for first-time homebuyers (The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008).

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

• The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only. (anyone who has not bought a home for the last three years is eligible)
• The maximum credit amount is $7,500.
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
• The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year period (it's an interest-free loan!).
• The home owner does not have to begin making repayments on the credit until two years after the credit is claimed.
• If or when the home is sold, the remaining credit amount would be due from the profit on the home sale. If there was insufficient profit, then the remaining credit payback would be forgiven. (THIS provision is BIG... it's almost a guarantee or protection that the home value will increase during the period of the tax credit payback)

More information:

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

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

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

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit - About.com

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

Mel Coker's Websites

A Recap of Mel Coker's Websites!

I've been writing my own HTML and owning my own domains since September 1995. That's almost the frontier days of the Internet. My websites have won recognition from various Realtor magazines, including a feature in REALTOR magazine in April 2000. Also, my real estate websites have led to 210 Internet related real estate closings. THANK YOU to my Internet referred clients!

Columbia Real Estate:

Mel's Primary Columbia, SC real estate website - launched in January 1998

Click here for Mel Coker's RE/MAX website - HomeFinder MLS search feature

MelCoker.com * Meet Mel Coker Virtual Tour * About Mel Coker * All Real Estate Agents Are Not The Same

Columbia, SC:

Columbia "A to Z" * Lake Murray * Columbia weather * Mel's Home Page (great links and Internet search features) * Fort Jackson

Vacations:

We own a rental condo at Hilton Head Island and can offer assistance and suggestions for other vacations including Myrtle Beach and Cancun. Just contact us!

Our Hilton Head Island condo * Hilton Head Island * Myrtle Beach * Best Caribbean.info

Buying or Selling a home in Columbia, SC?

NOW is a great time to BUY a home in Columbia, South Carolina! Home inventory is very good for resale and new homes... Interest rates are great! I'm off to a great start in 2008 with 5 sales already. When you're ready to buy or sell a home in the Greater Columbia, SC area, be sure to contact Mel Coker. I'll provide "Above the Crowd" service!


Besides a commitment to a high level of professional and friendly service, I'm introducing several new programs this year! Two are announced here now and a military relocation program will be posted here very soon.


If you buy or sell a home this year with Mel Coker as your Columbia Realtor, I will enter you into a drawing for a very special Thomas Kinkade framed art print. Based on the famous Biltmore House in Asheville (NC), Elegant Evening at Biltmore is a November 2007 release by Thomas Kinkade. I've had this limited edition print (24x36) framed beautifully. Everyone that buys or sells a home or property with me is automatically entered into a drawing that I will conduct by random selection in late December 2008. Click here to learn about this incredible limited edition Thomas Kinkade print.




I LOVE referrals. So, I have started a new referral program effective as of January 1, 2008. If you send me a referral that results in a closing, I will provide you with a Lowe's gift certificate in the amount of $150 (after closing). For a second referral (resulting in a closing) within a rolling 12 month period, I'll provide you with another Lowe's gift certificate in the amount of $250. For a 3rd closed referral within the rolling 12 month period, I'll provide you with a vacation stay of 4 days and 3 nights at our Hilton Head Island condo. This program ends on July 31, 2009. Your 12 month rolling period is protected as long as the first referral is made by 7/31/09. Be sure to remember Mel Coker when you know of someone needing to buy or sell any home or property in the Columbia area. Please call me with the referral in advance of my initial contact or have your friend or relative inform me that you made the referral. Thanks for your referrals!


To BUY or SELL, Talk to Mel.
http://www.melcoker.com/
(803) 749-5800 office
Real Estate for Columbia, Blythewood, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin and Lake Murray
"All Real Estate Agents Are Not The Same!"

State of the Real Estate - Columbia, SC

Mel Coker's Report on Columbia, SC Real Estate for 2007...

Personally, I’d term 2007 a moderately successful year. I closed 43 transactions in 2007 for a sales volume of $8.39 million. I met many new clients last year and 19 came to me through my Internet presence. My 2007 closed transactions covered the following areas: Irmo/Chapin 37%; West Columbia/Lexington 30%; Northeast Columbia/Blythewood 14%; Lake Murray 7%; Downtown Columbia 7%; Other areas 5%. In other words, I cover ALL of the Greater Columbia area.

For ALL Greater Columbia residential sales in 2007, the results were mixed with the nationwide slump finally hitting Columbia especially during the last quarter of 2007. For the year, the number of residential sales was down approximately 4.4% compared to 2006. The median sales price in 2007
($144,000) was up approximately 3.5% compared to 2006. The average sales price in 2007 ($174,139) was up approximately 2.4% compared to 2006. Other market measures showed somewhat negative results. Average “days on market” (DOM) in 2007 was up approximately 9.0% in 2007 and inventory accumulation was up 23.9% in 2007.

For a few popular areas of Columbia:

• Irmo/Dutch Fork areas: Closings UP 1.6%; Avg. price UP 4.1%; Avg. DOM UP 13.5%; Inventory Accumlation UP 35.1%
• Lexington areas: Closings UP 7.4%; Avg. price UP 4.7%; Avg. DOM UP 19.4%; Inventory Accumlation UP 10.6%
• Northeast Columbia areas: Closings DOWN 12.8%; Avg. price up 5.1%; Avg. DOM UP 7.8%; Inventory Accumlation UP 60.5%

Another interesting statistic that I examined was new home sales in 2007. For the year, new home sales were essentially the same as in 2006 (up less than 1.0%). During the first nine months in 2007, new home sales were running 4.2% ahead of 2006. However, during the last 3 months of 2007, new home sales were down 9.3% compared to the same period in 2006. NOW is the time to buy a new home with good inventory and special pricing incentives from a number of builders. Call Mel Coker.

The “average” real estate sales agent (I can’t call them Realtors, because not all sales agents are actually Realtors), sold about 6 homes in 2007. So, the “average” real estate sales agent doesn’t sell too many homes. If an agent is in the top 5% of Columbia area sales agents, this equals at least 37 (app.) closed transactions during 2007.

CLICK HERE to read the full report on a web page.

My cool accomplishments last year included:
1) induction into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame (January 2007), 2) membership in the CyberStars group, and, 3) the start of my Blog (September 2007). I’m looking forward to a great year in real estate for 2008! Please keep reading my blog.

My website Subscribe to my blog (free by email) Read the full report

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor

Community Spotlight - Orchard Pointe

Orchard Pointe is a new residential development in a great Lexington location. It's on the Columbia side of Lexington on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. Highway 378 and I-20. The builders in Orchard Pointe are some of Columbia's best homebuilders. Nearby: great Lexington District 1 schools, new Target and Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Lowe's, many nice restaurants, downtown Lexington and downtown Columbia, and Lake Murray.

There will be 18 executive Courtyard homes. These homes will typically be priced from the mid 250's to the low 300's. The minimum square footage is 1800. Only 41 single family homes will be available. These will typically range from the low 300's to $400,000. These custom homes will be at least 2300 square feet (most 2500-3000 square feet).

There are great community amenities in this intimate and tree friendly neighborhood. You will enjoy sidewalks throughout the community, a large swimming pool and cabana with a covered patio area.

I would be pleased to assist you with buying a home in Orchard Pointe (marketed by Ridgeway Marketing Group). When you use Mel Coker as your Realtor for free buyer representation, I will provide a $300 Lowe's shopping certificate at closing. Ready to visit? Call Mel Coker (803) 318-2007 or be sure to mention to the on-site agents (John or Sam) that Mel Coker sent you out through the "Blog".

NOW is the time to buy in Greater Columbia, SC!

Mel Coker

Click Here for a FREE subscription to my BLOG updates by email!