Another South Carolina BEST!

Yes, Yahoo Travel ranked the SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FLAG AS BEST IN ALL OF THE 50 UNITED STATES!

South Carolina State Flag - Ranked Best Flag for a Great State!

Where does your state rank in the flag ranking?  CLICK HERE for the Yahoo Travel list.

Our state flag has existed in similar form since 1775.  The present design dates from 1861.  The flag is blue with a crescent moon and the state tree, the Palmetto.  Click here for more information on the South Carolina State Flag.

So, ready to move to South Carolina (preferably Lake Murray, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Columbia) to unfurl your South Carolina state flag in fine weather and around lots of friendly people?  Contact Mel Coker, a life-long Columbia area resident, to buy your new home.

Mel Coker
Realtor - RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
Search MLS for Columbia, Lake Murray, Irmo, Chapin, Lexington

Home Renovation Projects

Considering a HOME RENOVATION PROJECT?   You should view and utilize Houzz.com !

As a Realtor, I am a member and used Houzz.com to get ideas (and used the IdeaBook feature) to plan my new home gym.  This project began in October 2014 with an expected completion in early December 2014.  I turned a blah walkout basement storage room into a nice home gym.   No excuses now for not working out!

CLICK HERE to see my Houzz.com HOME GYM project


Mel Coker
Realtor - RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Selling Lake Murray, Columbia, Chapin, Lexington, Irmo
(803) 318-2007
Search Columbia & Lake Murray MLS

Mel Coker, RE/MAX Realtor Featured on Houzz

Checklist for South Carolina Relocation

South Carolina... A Great Place to Live.

The Checklist:  Print PDF version

Mel Coker
Realtor - Chapin, SC
MLS Search

Irmo Home For Sale

NEW Listing: 146 Stonemont Drive in Irmo

This is a really nice home near great Lexington District 5 schools and Lake Murray.  The home is in excellent condition with a number of updates and has 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms.  The home is priced right to sell at $205,000.

For complete information, CLICK to view my virtual tour.

 

For Sale in the Irmo area

To see this home OR any other home, contact:

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
SEARCH Irmo, Lake Murray and Columbia homes

Most Patriotic State? South Carolina.

Want to live in the MOST patriotic state?
MOVE NOW to SOUTH CAROLINA.

Yes, it's true.  The real estate website, Movoto, performed a study to find the most patriotic states and the least patriotic states.  Interesting stuff.   SOUTH CAROLINA came out #1 !!!  Of course, we knew that here in South Carolina.

We have the largest Army basic training installation in the USA at Fort Jackson, the Marine Corps Parris Island, Shaw Air Force Base and a number of other important military installations.  The Congressional Medal of Honor Museum is even located in South Carolina!  A high number of military retirees choose to live in South Carolina.   Friendly South Carolina is the America-loving winner!

TOP TEN MOST PATRIOTIC STATES: (notice that 6/10 states are in the South?)

1. SOUTH CAROLINA
   
2. Maine
3. North Carolina
4. Wyoming
5. Virginia
6. Florida
7. Georgia
8. Alaska
9. Alabama
10. Arizona

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH THE COLUMBIA / LAKE MURRAY MLS 
Read about the Military presence in South Carolina

Interesting, a while back, I read a study that also ranked South Carolina as one of the most friendly and well mannered states.  What are you waiting on?
CLICK HERE TO STUDY THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Least Patriotic States: (California absolutely worst) (no Southern states listed!)

1. California
2. Minnesota
3. Rhode Island
4. Vermont
5. Hawaii
6. Michigan
7. New Jersey
8. Kansas
9. Connecticut
10. Oregon

 Want to  move?  I can help.  Contact Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007.  
I am a life-long Columbia area resident.  I know Columbia real estate... and, Lake Murray, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, West Columbia, Cayce and other surrounding areas.   If you are ready to escape one of the 10 least patriotic states, contact me and allow me to serve as your buyer's agent and I will provide a $500 Lowe's gift card at closing when you mention this article to me during our home hunting time.

Mel Coker is located at the "star"

Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, MilRES
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
MelCoker.com

REMAX 2.0 Personal Real Estate App

It's here now from Mel Coker - your Columbia and Lake Murray Realtor:
The updated RE/MAX real estate app.  It's FREE and it's state-of-the-art COOL!

3 Easy Steps:

1. CLICK - http://getmobile.remax.com/melcoker
2. DOWNLOAD APP
3. Enter "melcoker" when app asks for "agent key"

Get the RE/MAX Search App from Mel Coker

Ready to BUY or RELOCATE?  Contact Mel Coker.  Life-long Columbia area resident.

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants

(803) 318-2007
Columbia & Lake Murray MLS Search

Retirement Location - Columbia, SC

Ready for Retirement?  Planning for Retirement?

Consider Greater Columbia, SC / Lake Murray.

Consumer Reports Magazine recently named South Carolina as one of the current top five places for retirement.   Columbia IS a great place to call home for retirement.

CLICK:  Mel's Columbia Retirement Page

What's GREAT about the Columbia area for retirement?

• Friendly people
• Reasonable home values
• Reasonable cost of living and taxes
• Lake Murray
• Downtown Columbia for shopping, dining and entertainment
• Numerous Parks and Recreation opportunities
• Nice weather!  Mild and typically snow free winters
• Excellent hospitals and medical care facilities
• And, more...

What MOVES You?  Retirement?  Call Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007.

Call Mel Coker. Drive straight to Columbia, SC.

Visit Mel's Websites:
Columbia MLS  |  Mel Coker.com
emailmelcoker@remax.net


Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC

HGTV & RE/MAX The Right Home Sweepstakes

Be sure to enter the RE/MAX & HGTV TheRightHome Contest.
The contest runs thru September 18th and you may have one entry per person, per day.

So, enter the contest now:  #TheRightHome Sweepstakes
Anyone can enter!

Choose Mel Coker for Your Columbia and Lake Murray Realtor

When you're READY to BUY or SELL, remember to call Mel.

Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, e-PRO, MilRES
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
Columbia / Lake Murray MLS Search

Lake Murray On INSTAGRAM

Now I have a LAKE MURRAY INSTAGRAM account...
So, please visit and FOLLOW me.
New listings and fun Lake Murray pictures.

Lake Murray Realtor on Instagram:  Instagram.com/LakeMurrayRealtor

Lake Murray Realtor is on Instagram

Instagram QR Code

Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES e-PRO, MilRES
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007

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

Meet Mel Coker Online - Columbia, SC Real Estate

No, I don't Twit or Tweet, but, I do have a Facebook business page, have EyeJot video email and have two blogs, Instagram and a Youtube Channel.   Additionally, I have several websites for Columbia, Lake Murray and real estate information.  Watch my short video.



Mel Coker
Columbia & Lake Murray Realtor
(803) 318-2007
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Search Lake Murray & Columbia MLS 
Columbia, SC Info  |  Lake Murray Info
MelCoker.comhttp://www.melcoker.com

Contact Columbia & Lake Murray Realtor

Need to contact a professional, friendly and innovative Columbia, SC Realtor?
Contact Mel Coker - a lifelong Columbia area resident and RE/MAX Realtor:


NEWEST & Coolest way to contact Mel - send a video email:

EYEJOT Video email

Telephone:  (803) 318-2007

email:  melcoker@remax.net

Internet:  MelCoker.com

Columbia / Lake Murray MLS Search:  Mel.BestLakeMurrayHomes.com


I would be pleased to assist you with relocation, buying or selling.


Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants - Chapin, SC
Click Here for my Resume'

For Sale: Century Old Home in Williston, SC

Offered For Sale in Williston, SC:
5403 Springfield Road

There's something about a 100 year old home that a new home can't match. Whether you're attracted to the exterior detailing of a turn-of-the-century home or the unique interior features, new houses can't match the charm or the construction styles of an older house. 

This home was constructed sometime between the 1890's and 1905. The home has extensive updates, but retains the charm of a 110 year old home with features like a parlour room, "wavy" glass windows, Tiger Oak trim finishes, heart pine floors and 8 fireplaces. 

This home has been beautifully restored and updated and features 5 large bedrooms in just over 3200 square feet.  The home is convenient to Aiken (SC) and Augusta (GA).

For complete details, visit my online tour or my Animoto video tour. 

Marketed by Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR,GRI,SRES, e-PRO
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants - Chapin, SC
(803) 318-2007
WEBSITE  (MLS Search)
MelCoker.com
 

Recommended Online Mortgage Calculator

Best Online Mortgage Calculator?
The BEST online Mortgage Calculator that I know of is linked below. Pull your mortgage info and enter on this calculator to see where you stand.  You will need to know: your mortgage amount, term of loan, interest rate and initial payment date.  It's easy, so try it out.

Best Feature: in addition to a standard feature of allowing extra prepayments starting on a given date, the calculator will also allow for 5 one-time prepayments or annual prepayments. Recommended by Mel Coker!

Mortgage X Extra Payment Calculator

Ready to BUY or SELL in Greater Columbia, SC? (including Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Lake Murray)
Contact Mel Coker at RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
"Voted Best Realtor by Readers of Lake Murray Life Magazine"
(803) 318-2007
Mel's MLS Search website

Select a REALTOR in Columbia, SC

REALTORS® are your community experts.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions we make. A REALTOR® can help guide you through the process.  Not everyone that sells real estate is a REALTOR!

Look for the R.
   



Ready to select a real estate agent for buying, selling or relocation assistance?

Realtor ad - circa 1956

Mel Coker IS a Realtor and has been a professional REALTOR every day of his 16 year career.
Click Here:  Not All Real Estate Agents Are the Same!

Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, e-PRO, MilRES
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
Internet - Columbia/Lake Murray MLS Search
Internet - MelCoker.com
email

Best Cities for Homeownership in South Carolina

A recently released NerdWallet study found 3 Midlands' area communities among the top ten in South Carolina for best places to buy a home. 
Lexington #4  (average price $169,000)
Irmo #5  (average price $129,000)
Oak Grove #10 (part of West Columbia area - average price $128,000)

The study was based on home availability, affordability and growing population.

CLICK HERE for the NerdWallet study.


Need further information about buying anywhere in Greater Columbia?
Contact Mel Coker at

RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants.
Telephone:  (803) 318-2007
email:  melcoker@remax.net
MLS Search
Mel Coker's website

BUYING A Home is The Smart Move!

Paying Rent now?   Probably not best for you financially.

If it seems like rent increases have been unusually high recently, that's because they are.  Recent news reports reflect this:

• A new report from Trulia shows that the perception of rising rents is more than a feeling among renters; it’s a fact.  Trulia analyzed prices in 25 rental markets in the United States and found an average annual increase of 3.9%.   This figure is a huge increase when compared with inflation or income growth. Generally speaking, incomes are not keeping pace with rent increases, putting renters in an even tighter position.
• RealFacts found that rents are up nationwide in 39 of the 41 markets they analyzed.
• Forbes reported reported recently that buying is much more affordable than renting in all of the 100 largest metro areas in the nation. 
• Mortgage lender Freddie Mac, reported that buying is an average of 41% cheaper than renting nationwide.
•  Researcher Reis sees apartment rents rising an average of 3.3% in 2014.
•  An article in THE STATE newspaper in April 2014: "...These are good times for U.S. landlords.  For many tenants, not so much.  With demand for apartments surging, rents are projected to rise for a fifth straight year."

Call Mel Coker To Defeat the Rent Monster:  (803) 318-2007

REASONS TO QUIT PAYING THE RENT MONSTER:

• With a fixed rate mortgage, the largest part of your monthly payment (principal and interest) will NEVER go up.  You're locked in!
• With a down payment, oftentimes your payment to BUY a home is LOWER than a rent payment
• Pride of Ownership!
• Deductions on your tax returns for mortgage interest and property taxes effectively further reduces your monthly housing cost payment
• While rental amounts have continued to go up the past few years, housing prices on average have dropped over the past 5 years or so to make home ownership more affordable
• You build equity with buying a home - stay in an apartment or rental house for any amount of time and you will walk away with ZERO or NOTHING.  As home prices start to increase and you pay down a mortgage balance, you will build equity in your home!  One day you will OWN your home - it's still the American Dream!

 How to Get Started:

It's easy, contact Mel Coker with RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants.  Mel will help you get started with FREE mortgage pre qualification (a VERY important first step).  Then,  Mel, using your home search criteria, will examine the Multiple Listing Service to find appropriate homes and email to you for review.  Then, the fun part - viewing homes to make you a home owner!  Select a home and with Mel's negoiating skills, get the best price for your NEW or resale home.   Mel will assist you with appropriate home inspections and be with you all the way to the closing table.  

You will be proud to own your home home.

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
SEARCH COLUMBIA MLS

Want a NEW PLACE For Your Retirement? Choose Columbia, SC.

Greater Columbia is a great place for retirement!   Surrounding friendly areas include: Lake Murray, Lexington, Irmo and Chapin.

In Columbia and South Carolina, you WILL notice smiling faces and friendly people.  Also, you will find reasonable home values and taxes, nice weather, excellent medical care, year-round golf, a beautiful lake (Lake Murray), and a reasonable cost of living.

Ready to MOVE?  Contact Mel Coker at RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants.  Call (803) 318-2007

Need More Information?  Call Mel or view the resources below:

Moving to South Carolina - A Tax Guide for New Residents

Search Columbia & Lake Murray MLS

Retirement Planning by Mel Coker

What Moves You Brochure

Columbia Info  |  Columbia Blog   |   Lake Murray   |   Lake Murray Blog

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC
(803) 318-2007
email  |   Web  |  Facebook

Essential and MUST HAVE APP for iPad/iPhone

This is an essential and "must have" APP for your iPhone/iPad or Android phone/tablet.
The BEST Real Estate APP is from RE/MAX and Mel Coker.

Looking for Columbia area real estate or real estate anywhere?
Get this app from RE/MAX and be ready when you need instant real estate information.  When you start the app, it instantly finds homes nearby based on your current location.  Or, search by address for a specific home or use home search criteria.  There are many more cool and useful features too.

You can easily connect your app with MEL COKER by entering my AGENT CODE on the pulldown app menu.   Download this app now, while you are thinking about it, and enter my agent code:  04811121.

CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DIRECT LINKS TO THE APPLE APP STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY.

 

 

 

Get This APP Now!

THE ESSENTIAL REAL ESTATE APP FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE/TABLET

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC
(803) 318-2007
Columbia, SC MLS Search

Mel Coker - Lake Murray, Chapin and Columbia Realtor

I am now HERE: RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants in Chapin, SC - but, serving all of Greater Columbia: Lexington, Irmo, Lake Murray, Northeast Columbia

Call (803) 318-2007 or email or visit my website for any Lake Murray or other Greater Columbia real estate information.

Greater Columbia MLS Search

Mel Coker at RE/MAX office in Chapin, SC  - close to Beautiful Lake Murray

New Office Agency for Mel Coker

Breaking News:  Mel's job is all about MOVING and now he has made a MOVE!
Mel is still with RE/MAX, but, now at: RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants in Chapin, SC.

Mel  sells ALL of Columbia, including: downtown Columbia, Lexington, Chapin, Lake Murray, Irmo and Northeast Columbia.  Ready to buy, sell or relocate?  Contact Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007.
SEARCH Lake Murray and Columbia Area homes with Mel's NEW search site:
Best Lake Murray & Columbia Area homes

Social media is ablaze with news of Mel's move...

New Office Facebook Post:

Got the news?   Mel Coker is now at RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants.

Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, e-PRO
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
Search MLS  |  MelCoker.com

Mel's Favorites: Ole Time Meat Market

Mel's FAVORITE PLACES: Ole Timey Meat Market
6352 St. Andrews Road; Columbia 29212

Yes, it's my favorite meat market.  I particularly enjoy the bacon wrapped filet mignon, pork chops and chili.   They have a large selection of meats, fish, vegetables, sauces and marinades.  Stop by Ole Timey Meat Market soon.   They are located on St. Andrews Road just down from Irmo High School.


FACEBOOK: Ole Timey Meat Market: St. Andrews Road

Ole Timey Meat Market: 6352 St. Andrews Road

More favorites coming soon!


Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 318-2007
MelCoker.com   |  Columbia MLS Search

Home Exposed to Heavy Winter Snows? Move to South Carolina.

Want to get away from snow?  Many people do and many choose Greater Columbia, SC.

I had a call yesterday from a couple in New Jersey.   His biggest reason for looking to retire in the South?   Tired of all the snow in New Jersey.  He's ready to check out beautiful Lake Murray.

When you're ready to move to a beautiful place with friendly people and WITHOUT THE SNOW, contact Mel Coker, a life-long Columbia resident and learn about Columbia, Lake Murray, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin and Greater Columbia.

CLICK: My SNOW brochure

Don't let the SNOW get you down... Move to Columbia, SC

 Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
(803) 318-2007
www.MelCoker.com