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

Friday, April 17, 2009

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:
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.
Call (803) 749-5800

Monday, April 6, 2009

Lake Murray Boating Season Starts

Boating Season is about to start on Lake Murray!


Warm weather brings an increased level of boating traffic on Lake Murray. Are you ready for fun? Is your boat equipped for safety? Do you know boating basics and laws for operating a boat safely?

Nationally, over 69% of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those who drowned, over 89% of the victims were not wearing a life jacket. Over 83% of the boaters who drowned were using boats less than 26 feet in length. Consistent with previous years, 75% of reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.


Did you know? Only 7 states have a higher number of boats registered than South Carolina? South Carolina's Number of Deaths per 100,000 Registered Boats is lower than the national average? (2.3 vs. 5.3)

Links for more South Carolina Boating information:
The Handbook of South Carolina Boating Laws and Responsibilities
South Carolina Online Boating Safety Course and Exam
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Boating in South Carolina
Check a Watercraft/Motor Status


Check the weather:
Lake Murray Weather Station
Mel Coker's Columbia Weather Page

Boating Safety:
Lake Murray Power Squadron Boat Smart Course
National Safe Boating Council
Safe Boating Campaign
Boating Safety - U.S. Coast Guard
FloatPlan Central
2007 Boating Accident Statistics (read this!)


Columbia, SC Weather

Columbia, SC WEATHER is covered at ColumbiaSouthCarolina.com!
Click here for Mel's weather page
I've got multiple links for coverage by: AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, Intellicast, WIS-TV, National Weather Service and more. A Weather video link is also always available.



Wednesday, April 1, 2009

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
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: