Zillow

Zillow... Good Stuff, but be careful with some of the data.
I am listed as a featured Realtor at Zillow.  Zillow.com is an online real estate service that provides valuable tools and information.  Just be careful with how you view and use the information. 

It is good for overall market conditions reports to a degree.  And, they have their Zestimate feature where you enter your home address and based on a number of factors, Zillow comes up with a market price for your home.  Of course, they have never seen your home or condition and can't take into consideration many other home/market factors.  It's just a starting point.  When you're really ready to sell, contact Mel Coker.  Also, they have available a really cool app for iPhones.

I have just analyzed three current listings of mine to check actual asking price to Zestimate.  One was very slightly under the current asking price; one was slightly over the current asking price and one listing had a Zillow Zestimate under about 23% (this was a really bad price estimate evaluation).  Anyway, it's information. 

Try your home address on Zillow (just type it in the box at the top of the page, then click on "See Home Info" and then scroll down to Zestimate.)






I also feature all of my listings on Zillow:

Most Expensive Homes in South...

Get this widget

More South Carolina homes for sale

Mel Coker
http://www.melcoker.com/
http://www.greatcolumbiaschomes.com/

Mel's List of TOP TEN iPHONE APPS

Mel's Top Ten iPhone Apps

I've finally gotten into smartphone technology!  After some investigation, I bought an iPhone 3Gs a few weeks ago.  It's an AWESOME phone!  How did I live without it?

Over the past few weeks I've discovered a number of really cool and useful iPhone apps.  Many were found on various lists of Best iPhone apps.  So, here is my list of BEST FREE iPHONE APPS.

1. Google Mobile - Search Google, Gmail, GOOG-411, and much more.
2. Google Earth - on your iPhone fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain & more.
3. Pandora - personalized radio playing only the music you like.
4. TripIt - start with a free account at http://www.tripit.com/ and your travels are pushed to your iPhone.
5. AccuWeather - The best weather online now on the iPhone.
6. Yelp - Connect easily with local businesses - read reviews and make your own reviews.
7. USA Today - lastest news, sports, financial, weather and more.
8. Zillow - real estate tools and information with a GPS assist.
9. SaveBenjis - check your iPhone before you buy to get the best deal. (oops... it's 99 cents!)
10. WebMD - check your symptoms, treatment information, first aid essentials and more. 

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

Tired of HIGH Real Estate Taxes?

Tired of high real estate taxes?
You may want to consider South Carolina.

A recently released study by the Tax Foundation ranked all states by Median Property Taxes Paid on Homes.  The top 10 states with highest real estate taxes:
1.) New Jersey (3.3 times higher than the U.S. median), 2.) Connecticut, 3.) New Hampshire, 4.) New York, 5.) Rhode Island, 6.) Massachusetts, 7.) Illinois, 8.) Vermont, 9.) Wisconsin, 10.) California (1.5 times higher than the U.S. median).

In South Carolina, real estate property taxes on owner occupied homes are reasonable.  In fact, our state ranks 6th lowest.  Other taxes are reasonable in South Carolina and there are tax breaks for senior citizens on real estate taxes and income.

Click to view the Tax Foundation Tax Data

CLICK HERE: Why Taxes Matter



“We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”

—Winston Churchill
 
Columbia, SC real estate
Call Mel Coker to buy a home in the Columbia, SC area (Lexington, Chapin, Lake Murray, Irmo)
(803) 223-6214

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

Timeshares - Need to Sell, Buy or Rent?

Timeshares... Need to Sell, Buy or Rent?
I can assist you with this too.  It's real estate, so I can help!

With my affiliation with Timeshares Only, I can help people wishing to sell, buy or rent a timeshare.  Timeshares Only is the world’s largest timeshare resale marketplace. Through cooperative advertising, Timeshares Only makes it possible for timeshare buyers, sellers and renters to connect around the World.

Want to get started?  Call me, or, click on the link below to fill out a form and you will be contacted by Timeshares Only.
CLICK HERE to sell, buy or rent a timeshare

I recently had a client of mine sign-up with Timeshares Only to sell their timeshare in Williamsburg, Virgina.  They have been satisfied with the service and marketing provided by Timeshares Only.
Click here to check out their timeshare for sale (or rent) in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Mel's Timeshare Page - Sell, Buy or Rent

South Carolina State Fair: Coming Soon!

The 2009 South Carolina State Fair opens in Columbia on October 14th (at 3:00 p.m.) and runs through October 25th.  Opening Day features $1 admission for everyone!  Each October, people of all ages come to Columbia to participate in the South Carolina State Fair, one of the TOP 50 Fairs in the United States. Exhibits as well as livestock competitions and entertainment draw both rural and urban crowds.

CLICK HERE to visit the South Carolina State Fair website 

Location: 1200 Rosewood Drive; Columbia SC 29201 (near Williams Brice Stadium - Home of the South Carolina Gamecocks)

This year, the Grandstand entertainment includes: TobyMac, David Cook, The Charlie Daniels Band, Nat & Alex Wolff, Michael W. Smith & Steven Curtis Chapman, Montgomery Gentry, Eric Benet with MaryLiz, and Shag-A-Fair with the Fantastic Shakers.  Click here for the entertianment schedule and prices.

The State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina, an eleemosynary institution owned and controlled by life members, is responsible for the establishment of the South Carolina State Fair.  Much of the proceeds are provided to charitable organizations throughout the state.

Visit the South Carolina State Fair and enjoy: carnival rides, FOOD!, entertainment, commercial exhibitors, agricultural and livestock exhibits and much more.
Fun at the Fair - YouTube!

Get this widget!

Clif Mims.com