Wanna See Something Really Scary? - 08/31/10 08:15 AM

No not the zombies wandering the world looking brains to devour!
I am talking about the latest real estate market reports for Western upstate South Carolina!
While there are some positive signs and the reports have great news for buyers, for anyone looking to sell a home, tract of land or lot or even a commercial property in Upstate South Carolina must be warned about the reality of the real estate market.
Just to prepare you for what you will see consider this example of what you will see:
Currently, we are looking at 52 months of inventory for homes … (0 comments)

Upstate South Carolina Real Estate News 8-30-2010 - 08/30/10 12:11 PM
Explains the difference and tries to clear any confusion from using my website to search real estate for sale in Upstate South Carolina. Read more at What is the Difference Between Silver Star Listings and Search All Listings on My Website
Anderson County is a proud sponsor of The Miss Anderson County and The Miss Teen Anderson County Pageants. I am sure many people will be excited about the opportunity that this pageant will provide for the young ladies of Anderson County. Learn more at Miss Anderson County Pageant
Yes it is almost time again for the South Carolina Apple Festival … (0 comments)

Upstate South Carolina Earns National Recognition - 08/20/10 07:39 AM
I am sure some die hard Gamecock fans are not going to be impressed by this news but since it is positive news for the Upstate I wanted to share something good about Clemson. According to U.S. News & World Report’s annual guide to “America’s Best Colleges", Clemson University ranks 23rd among public institutions in the nation!
Also, Clemson is ranked 12th among all national doctoral universities, both public and private, for its commitment to undergraduate teaching. And they said that Clemson is identified as a top school in a number of categories this year: Writing in the Disciplines, Learning Communities … (2 comments)

Good Deer Hunting in South Carolina This Year According to DNR - 08/20/10 07:35 AM
I am sure that someone will be offended that I am talking about deer hunting, and while I do not hunt, some people are really into hunting in Upstate South Carolina. Plus, many people do not realize the economic impact of deer hunting for South Carolina. Did you know that deer hunting generates about $200 million in retail sales for South Carolina’s economy annually?
The much-anticipated start of the 2010 deer season is just around the corner, and South Carolina’s deer population is healthy and the season outlook is good according to the South Carolina DNR.                Anderson County is one … (2 comments)

The Proposed Change for 123 and How Will It Affect Pickens County - 08/20/10 07:31 AM
Did you know that about the new air quality regulations imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency could have on the Pickens County’s growth? These proposed changes will hold U.S. 123 to the same standards as interstate highways and while I am a strong proponent for protecting the environment, especially since we are so blessed with nature's beauty in Upstate South Carolina, I am going to have to admit I can see the reason some may be opposed to this change.
And if you are interested, there is going to be a meeting held 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 24 at the Farm … (2 comments)

Do You Want to Know Where to Get the Truth? - 08/19/10 05:42 PM
So yesterday, after a long day, I found this story about how Moody's and Economy.com about how 22 U.S. cities are at risk of slipping back into recession. And Anderson is one the list. I had spent all day responding to comments to a hot blog entry that was actually featured on ActiveRain.com, writing a follow-up article, getting the many other blogs and websites I use up to date with scheduled posts, etc etc. So even though this topic makes for great fodder to write about the local politicians and show my total and utter disdain for politicians, I decided to … (0 comments)

Interesting Numbers on New Residential Construction in July 2010 - 08/19/10 11:44 AM
The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau released data earlier this week on new residential construction in July 2010.  Permits for new housing units declined 3.1 percent in July.  Housing starts increased 1.7 percent, consistent with private­ sector expectations of a 2.0 percent increase. 
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said “Today’s data show that new housing activity appears to be stabilizing in the wake of the expiration of the home buyer tax credit. However, a healthy economy requires not only a robust housing sector but strong employment and incomes, and President Obama remains committed to developing policies that encourage job creation and broad … (4 comments)

Fannie Predicts Housing Will Remain Flat - 08/19/10 11:42 AM
Earlier this week Fannie Mae released the August 2010 Economic Outlook and it had some good news and some bad. They are saying that the uncertainty in the economy has produced lower expectations for economic growth and a slower-than-normal recovery.
They are predicting 2.5 percent growth in the second half of 2010, with some pickup expected in 2011. Real estate, so important to the economy and a central component to the recovery, is expected to be flat for the remainder of the year due to a greater than expected number of sales being pulled forward into the second quarter. The … (1 comments)

The battle for bandwidth – what if your site won’t open – unless you pay a mere $1000 a month? - 08/19/10 08:34 AM
If you have not heard about this terrible way that big business is wanting to destroy it's competition, then you must read!
Via Ruthmarie Hicks (Keller Williams Realty):
What if your web site suddenly slowed to a crawl – permanently?  How loyal would your readers be? Remember all the proxy errors we went through on Active Rain last year?  Remember how it impacted your business and how your readership suffered?  What if this sort of “slow lane” became permanent?
While the bloggers and tweets of the world have been sleepwalking, taking for granted  that what they have will always be there, the big … (2 comments)

Some People Are Taking Advantage of the Great Mortgage Rates! - 08/19/10 08:21 AM
The Mortgage Bankers Association just released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending August 13, 2010.  And while the real estate market in South Carolina appears to be getting better, the numbers from MBA tell a different story for the nation. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 13.0 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.  On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 12.4 percent compared with the previous week.
The Refinance Index increased 17.1 percent from the previous week and was the highest Refinance Index observed in the survey since … (2 comments)

A Follow Up to the Hot Issue of Reform for Freddie and Fannie - 08/18/10 06:02 PM
A Follow Up to Important Stuff Happening in Real Estate
Never thought I would have a post featured on ActiveRain or imagine the responses to it. Some responses were wanting to get stuck in the same old political bickering and finger pointing that has hurt America. And some could see that the panel chosen for the Obama Conference on Housing Finance Reform seemed a bit slanted towards hearing from the banks point of view. I did find that Vince Malta did get to represent NAR at the Conference.
But are we to believe what Geithner said about some sort of continued … (0 comments)

Change in Liberty South Carolina - 08/18/10 08:36 AM
I first heard about the Liberty City council passing an ordinance regarding building violations and the city’s policy for condemning and demolishing structures over at At Liberty to Say, and have to say it is a great positive move by the Liberty City Council in my opinion.
We all want to see the value of our homes, land or commercial property increase in Upstate South Carolina. Only logical right? But while you can maintain and improve your property, what can you do if a neighboring property becomes run down? Because do not think that it will not have a negative effect … (4 comments)

How Much Do Foreclosures Affect Prices of Other Homes? - 08/18/10 08:30 AM
MIT released some interesting news about foreclosures and how they affect the prices of homes in the surrounding area. Consider some of these tidbits from the MIT study:
When a house is sold as a foreclosure the value drops 27 percent. When a house is sold after the death of an owner the price drops 5 to 7 percent on average. When an owner declares bankruptcy, the value sinks 3 percent. The value of a home drops by 1 percent, on average, if it is within roughly 250 feet of a foreclosed home. You can read the rest of the MIT … (2 comments)

Do You Love It Loud? - 08/18/10 08:26 AM


This is supposed to be the most expensive home theatre in the world, not sure but those are McIntosh tube amps. They say it cost over $6 million! I mean I love listening to it loud but $6 million dollars? I love it loud, but not that much! But isn't that one of the joys of owning your home? You can turn it up as loud as you want, or as is my situtaion, as loud as you want until your wife comes home!
 
see the original article here
… (1 comments)

JC Grier Drive Belton SC 29627 - 08/18/10 08:21 AM
Sorry this property is no longer available!
So you do not miss out on the hot deals on real estate in Upstate South Carolina, you can have them delivered directly to your email as soon as they hit the market by signing up for a Hot Property Alert!
 

… (2 comments)

Grease is the Word! - 08/17/10 10:12 AM
Grease
August 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29, 2010 Oconee Community Theater

 P.O.Box 291
Seneca, SC 29679
Reservations: (864) 882-7700
Office:            (864) 882-1910
Office Hours: 10-12AM and 2-4PM

By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey Book
Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

Here is Rydell High's senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding "Burger Palace Boys" and their "Pink Ladies"in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head "greaser" Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of … (0 comments)

The Increase in Home Prices Have Slowed Down Nationwide But How Is South Carolina Real Estate Doing? - 08/17/10 08:42 AM
As is often the case, we want to look at both national news about real estate to stay on top of the market and how buyers are going to percieve the market so we are better prepared to deal with unrealistic offers that are not based on real estate market conditions in Upstate South Carolina. CoreLogic, a leading provider of information, analytics and business services, today released its Home Price Index (HPI) which shows that home prices in the U.S. increased in June, the fifth consecutive month showing a year-over-year increase.
And, the CoreLogic HPI is a very useful indicator for … (0 comments)

Important Stuff Happening in Real Estate - 08/17/10 08:39 AM
Today, the Obama administration is staging the Conference on the Future of Housing Finance at the Treasury Department. It is going to be moderated by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan in Washington, D.C., is billed as a first step toward housing finance reform. I have my doubts and would bill it as "How Can We Screw Up an Already Screwed Up Housing Market". Geithner has said the Obama administration plans to offer “a comprehensive reform proposal” for the housing finance system including mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by January. Fannie and Freddie … (89 comments)

Retail Sales Data for July 2010 - 08/17/10 08:35 AM

funny picture via
With the news from the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau last week that retail sales rose 0.4 percent following declines in June and May, it shows us that overal economic activity is growing. But it is growing at a slower pace than all of us want.  However, this increase matched the expectations of some private-sector analysts.  Motor vehicle sales rose 1.6 percent in July.  Sales excluding automotive dealers edged up 0.2 percent, also consistent with private-sector expectations. I know it seems like a long time from now, but I am really wondering how Holiday sales will be this … (0 comments)

7 Reasons Not To Mess With Children.... - 08/15/10 10:07 AM
A  little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.  The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said,"When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."
The teacher asked,"What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied,"Then you ask him."
 
 
A   Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom … (4 comments)

The Value of Home Ownership to Society - 08/15/10 10:03 AM
As a REALTOR and proud home owner, I often talk about many of the benefits of owning a home. And I just found some interesting research about the benefits to society in general about home ownership. Even though I keep reading articles about how Freddie & Fannie must be eliminated, I feel very differently because of the disastrous effect it would have not just on the housing market and the economy, but also on the American way of life. The problem is if Fannie, Freddie and the Federal Housing Administration were to stop buying mortgages, it would crater the housing market. … (2 comments)

Cheap Home for Sale in Iva South Carolina $70,000 - 08/15/10 09:57 AM
In real estate, time is of the essence. Sadly you are too late for this wonderful property for sale in Upstate South Carolina. To prevent this from happening in the future, you can get FREE email alerts of the hottest real estate deals sent directly to you at Hot Property Alert
… (5 comments)

Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it. ~ Henry David Thoreau - 08/15/10 09:45 AM

Sure feels like I work 9 days a week sometimes!
But if I did not love what I do, there is no doubt I would not be a REALTOR!
 
… (0 comments)

2nd Annual Tour de La France in Anderson South Carolina - 08/14/10 11:23 AM
On Saturday, September 4, the streets of Downtown Anderson will fill with cyclists of all ages & abilities. The 2010 Tour de La France is sanctioned by the USA Cycling and US Handcycling Associations.
The Tour de la France in Anderson, SC is a criterium and the route is below:
View Anderson Criterium in a larger map For more information or to register for events please visit www.swagger.us

… (0 comments)

The Pink Dress - 08/14/10 09:04 AM
A friend emailed this to me and I thought I would share this story:
There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park. Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat And watched the people go by.
She never tried to speak.She never said a word.
Many people passed by her, but no one would stop.
The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see If the little girl would still be there. Yes, … (5 comments)

South Carolina to Get $143.4 Million to Spare Teacher Jobs - 08/14/10 09:02 AM
Great news was announced this week when State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said that federal funds approved by Congress would likely save more than 2,000 South Carolina teachers from getting pink slips next summer.
South Carolina’s share of more than $10 billion in education aid to states will be about $143.4 million. Congress also approved $16 billion in Medicaid funding that could indirectly assist schools by lessening budget pressure on states that would have been pushed to make additional cuts to school budgets had they not received help.   South Carolina’s K-12 public schools are beginning the new school year with … (0 comments)

Surprise Surprise - 08/14/10 09:01 AM
Private transfer taxes, also known as Private Transfer Fees, are a troubling development in real property law that allows for private parties to impose real estate transfer taxes or fees on the sale of real property. Private transfer taxes are similar to the real estate transfer tax, except that it is a private party that collects the fee upon every single sale of a particular home, rather than a governmental entity.
Not only are REALTORS fighting this but now the government is thinking about stepping in. I almost fell out of my seat when I read that  FHFA is thinking about … (2 comments)

So What Do You Do When the Unthinkable Happens? - 08/14/10 08:54 AM
I know it may be hard to believe but mortgage rates have broken records by dropping to even lower rates! On Thursday, Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, and the fixed-rate mortgages reached record lows for this survey. The 30-year fixed-rate survey began in 1971. 
30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.44 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending August 12, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.49 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.29 percent.
15-year FRM this week averaged a record low of 3.92 percent with … (2 comments)

$97 Million For South Carolina But Is It Being Spent Correctly? - 08/13/10 08:02 AM
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce just announced  that it had received $97,459,490 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds from the U.S. Department of Labor. The funding came about after the agency made changes to state Unemployment Insurance law that will make benefits applicable to more people, including part-time workers and those who quit work for compelling family reasons.
South Carolina qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. To qualify for the UI Modernization Act incentive payments the state had to adopt three new provisions in state unemployment insurance law as well as apply … (0 comments)

Are Home Prices Slowly Creeping Up? - 08/13/10 08:00 AM
I saw this article over at CNN that seemed to miss the whole point by taking a negative slant towards NAR's recently released survey about Median Home Prices.
The median price of a single-family home rose 1.5% to $176,900 in the second quarter of 2010 and somehow the fact that prices did not drop was interpreted as bad news. Sure this is not the rise we all want to see, but more of a reflection of the market, and the economy in general. At least it was an increase and not a decrease!
Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR said “Prices … (6 comments)

Great News for Anderson School District 5 - 08/12/10 08:41 AM
Anderson County School District Five has been awarded a $999,741 federal grant to help improve their teaching of American history. The grant was announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan under the Teaching American History grant program.
The Teaching American History program aims to enhance teachers' understanding of American history through intensive professional development, including study trips to historic sites and mentoring with professional historians and other experts.
Anderson School District 5 will be required to partner with organizations that have broad knowledge of American history, such as libraries, museums, nonprofit historical or humanities organizations, and higher education institutions.  History … (0 comments)

Downtown Anderson South Carolina May Seen Even More Dynamic Renewal - 08/12/10 08:39 AM
The Anderson City Council members approved a design contract with RSCT Architecture and Design at a meeting Monday for a greenspace in downtown Anderson! Of course, nothing is free and if it were not for a grant from Piedmont Natural Gas of $35,000 then we might not be able to look at having a downtown green space. RSCT’s draft includes an outdoor amphitheater with grass seating, water features, a “monumental” stairway and areas overlooking the site.
The possibilities are endless for downtown Anderson, and all we have to do is look at downtown Greenville to see that a revitalized downtown is … (0 comments)

More Positive News for South Carolina Real Estate - 08/12/10 08:38 AM
Recently, Business Facilities announced that they are awarding South Carolina the Gold Deal of the Year award!
Look at some of the rankings for South Carolina:
Number 1 for Economic Growth Potential!
Number 4 for Best Business Climate!
Number 9 for Alternative Energy Industry Leaders!
Number 2 for Wind Energy Manufacturing Leaders!
The key metric for their 2010 Rankings Report is growth and without a doubt, South Carolina is ready for growth! One of the factors that helped Business Facilities to choose South Carolina was the big economic development news that Boeing is locating a huge facility here. And while that … (0 comments)

Things I Learned in South Carolina - 08/12/10 08:36 AM
A Facebook friend posted this funny list and you know I love the funny stuff so I "Facelifted" it!
1) A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road. 2) There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in SC. 3) There are 10,000 types of spiders, and all 10,000 of them live in SC. 4) If it grows, it'll stick ya. If it crawls, it'll bite cha. 5) "Onced" and "Twiced" are words. 6) It is not a shopping cart, it's a buggy. 7) "Jaw-P?" means, "Did y'all go to the bathroom?" … (2 comments)

How the Great Recession Has Changed Life in Upstate South Carolina - 08/11/10 11:39 AM
There is no doubt that the economy is on everyone's mind and I just found an interesting article about how attitudes have changed. Consider some of the findings from this survey:
55% of the U.S. labor force has experienced some work-related hardship — maybe it was unemployment, a cut in pay, a reduction in hours or an involuntary move to part-time work. We all know someone that has been affected! The average American household's wealth has shrunk by an estimated 20% Men have lost many more jobs than women. Education level is a definite factor! Those with a high school diploma … (2 comments)

Did You Know that Loans from USDA Requires Septic Inspection When Buying a Home? - 08/11/10 10:53 AM
Got a really informative email from Jodi Poore at Prime Lending about USDA loans and I felt that I should share this:
When will a septic inspection be required?
 ALL USDA loans require septic inspections no matter if it is owner occupied , rental, fannie mae owned, etc.   
 FHA requires septic inspections usually if the house is vacant or if the underwriter feels justification to request.  Which means if the home inspection or appraisal notes that they would recommend a licensed plumber to inspect. 
 How should the septic inspection be prepared?
 All septic inspections must be completed in writing on … (2 comments)

A List of the 8 Cities with the Ugliest Guys - 08/10/10 08:34 AM
As if you needed another reason to proclaim that Upstate South Carolina is one of the greatest places to live,
Consider this list of the Eight Cities with the Ugliest Guys:
Houston Texas Philadelphia Pennsylvania Detroit Michigan Mobile Alabama & Huntington W Virgina (tie) Greensboro N Carolina Miami Florida Hagerstown Maryland El Paso Texas Please don't be angry at the messenger, especially since I have never won any beauty contests!
I just thought this was an interesting list.
… (8 comments)

As Creepy as You Might Think They Are, We Need Bats - 08/10/10 08:33 AM
I know some people will envision vampires, or the huge bat on that episode of Gilligan's Island, but the truth is bats are a very important part of our ecosystem. And when the S.C. Department of Natural Resources recently announced that White-Nose Syndrome, a fungus that has decimated bats in the Northeast, may reach South Carolina by 2011, it is not good news. Just like the bees that are facing unnaturally high numbers of deaths, bats are also facing some tough times. And it is not good for you and me. Even if they do look like flying rats, they are … (6 comments)

I Never Thought I Would Like a Tax or Fee From the Government - 08/10/10 08:19 AM
The Department of Homeland Security today announced that it will begin collecting fees on travelers from Visa Waiver countries to fund a global marketing and promotion campaign aimed at increasing the number of international visitors to the United States. Beginning on September 8, 2010, travelers will be charged a $14 fee when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization. A portion of the fee will go toward funding the Corporation for Travel Promotion, created by the 2009 Travel Promotion Act.
Travel and tourism is the top services export for the United States totaling $120 billion and supporting more than one … (3 comments)

Advice for Anyone Selling a Home in Upstate South Carolina - 08/09/10 08:46 AM
I am always talking about understanding market conditions in Upstate SC all the time but that is just one factor to understand when selling your home. Another important consideration is understanding buyers! Did you know:
Home Buyers on average: Number of weeks searched: 12 Number of homes seen: 12 The Buyers are:
First-time buyers: 47% Repeat buyers: 53% The Buyer's Ages are:
Median age of first-time buyers: 30 Median age of repeat buyers: 48 After Seeing a Home on the Internet, a Buyer will:
Drive by or view a home: 77% Walked through a home viewed online: 61% Found agent … (2 comments)

Youth/Adult Dove Hunt in Pendleton South Carolina - 08/09/10 08:44 AM
If you are interested, I just found out that the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Clemson University's Research Farm Services will sponsor a youth/adult dove hunt on the opening day of mourning dove season Saturday, Sept. 4.
This is a one-time hunt, and the field will only be open for this opening-day hunt. The field is located near Pendleton in Anderson County at the Simpson Agriculture Station. I am wondering if I will be able to hear it from my house because I live pretty close as a crow flies to the place they are having the dove hunt. For … (0 comments)

Good News for Distressed Homeowners in South Carolina - 08/08/10 08:55 AM
Earlier this week, officials at the US Department of Treasury approved the proposal of the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority for administration and distribution of $138 million to help the state’s “hardest hit” homeowners. South Carolina can now join nine other states that are economically distressed and be able to offer help to homeowners facing the possibility of foreclosure due to circumstances beyond their control.
This just the first step in a long process that means the money will not be available immediately!. First SC State Housing must complete the development and implementation of policies and procedures for … (2 comments)

Do Not Forget about the Triple Crown Watercross on Hartwell Lake August 14-15, 2010 - 08/07/10 09:46 AM
It has been several months since I wrote about the Triple Crown Water Cross on lake hartwell. So just a friendly reminder that the Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance is putting on the the Triple Crown Watercross, a personal watercraft racing tour! It is scheduled August 14-15, 2010.
This two day event will consist of personal watercrafts battling handle bar to handle bar on the lake’s typically quiet waters. The event will bring competitors one step closer in determining who will become the next national winner of the UWP-IJSBA Watercross National Championship. Lake Hartwell's proximity to major cities such as Atlanta, Greenville … (0 comments)

When Life Gives You Lemons Squeeze Them in Life's Eyes - 08/07/10 09:44 AM
Recently, the Wall Street Journal published an article about the problems with today's housing market and the economy. And while they were talking about the housing market on a national scale, the high levels of inventory in Upstate South Carolina is also a problem!
Consider this information from the June 2010 Western Upstate South Carolina Housing Supply Outlook:
In June 2009, there were 3,792 homes for sale compared to 4,873 in June 2010
In June 2009, there was 17.9 months of Inventory compared to 20.6 in June 2010
The average Days on Market in June 2009 was 145 compared to 157 … (4 comments)

The 29th Annual Spring Water Festival in Williamston South Carolina - 08/07/10 09:43 AM
 Don't Miss The 29th Annual Spring Water Festival!

Friday, August 27 - 6 p.m. - 10 p.m Saturday, August 28 - 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

  Mineral Spring Park
Williamston, SC
State Hwy. 20 just off I-85 between Anderson and Greenville, SC

Arts & Crafts  Health Fair  Live Music  Gospel music showcase
Free Children's Activities Amusement Rides
Spring Water 5K Run  1 Mile Fun Run
Antique Car Show  Ride&Bike Show  Food  Exhibits Souvenirs  

50 plus Crafters - 40 + Display Vendors - 14 Food Vendors
Live Bands - 17+ Gospel groups … (0 comments)

Are the Rumors About the Underwater Mortgage Write Off True? - 08/07/10 09:42 AM
I just wrote about the rumors about the Obama administration is about to order government-controlled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive a portion of the mortgage debt of millions of Americans who owe more than what their homes are worth. And no sooner than I had written about it, I saw reports in the WSJ that the rumors are untrue.
Then I read other real estate bloggers write about Obama's Christmas in August and saw other sources that said the rumors were untrue. And the viewpoints from some of the replies were similar to mine that this was not … (2 comments)

In a Rush Getting School Supplies This Weekend? - 08/06/10 06:47 PM

I am sure everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off grabbing school supplies since it is the tax free weekend in South Carolina. I hope your children are not going to ride this bus to school!
… (1 comments)

Want to See Progress in Anderson South Carolina? - 08/06/10 05:05 PM
I just read an interesting article that anyone that drives down Murray Avenue as much as I do will find interesting. For a long long time the plot of land at the intersection of Murray and Franklin has been sitting with a sign promising future development but nothing has happened yet.
View Larger Map Well, finally, we may see some work. But a big IF is between what that land is today and what that land could be and that is happening at Monday's City Council Meeting. I sure hope that residents of the city will  attend and let the City … (0 comments)

Ha Ha - 08/06/10 03:59 PM

Countrywide Financial Corp. agreed to pay $600 million to settle shareholder lawsuits in the largest payout so far from the mortgage meltdown. read the rest here
… (2 comments)

You Get a Cookie! - 08/06/10 08:40 AM

Tuesday, the National Association of Realtors® announced that their Pending Home Sales Index which should give everyone some insight into the national housing market. And I am sad to say that it declined 2.6 percent to 75.7 based on contracts signed in June from an upwardly revised level of 77.7 in May, and is 18.6 percent below June 2009 when it was 93.0. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months. Pending home sales in the South rose 3.7 percent to an index of 85.8, but are 13.3 percent … (2 comments)

Interesting Housing Statistics for South Carolina - 08/06/10 08:39 AM
According to Census Bureau data released on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, the national homeownership rate in the second quarter 2010 was at 66.9 percent. Since reaching its peak in the second quarter of 2004 when it was 69.2 percent, the national homeownership rate has been slowly falling. Today’s rate is the same as the homeownership rate in the fourth quarter of 1999.
South Carolina is second highest for homeowneship at 75.4 percent. However, South Carolina's homeownership level peaked prior to the year 2000 and has not reached the same level since.
In the second quarter of 2010, the national homeowner vacancy … (0 comments)

Schools in Upstate South Carolina Receive Ratings - 08/06/10 08:37 AM
Earlier this week, the South Carolina Department of Education released data shwoing that more South Carolina schools met all of their 2010 annual goals under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Anderson County School District Two was one of just three districts in the state to claim a 100 percent compliance for “Adequate Yearly Progress” (AYP) in 2010, according to figures released Monday by the S.C. Department of Education.
Anderson School District 2

According to the state, just three of the state’s school districts made AYP, compared to none last year. Seventy districts fell short by missing 1-5 goals, … (0 comments)

If You Don't Have to Pay for a Home, Why Wouldn't You Buy One? - 08/05/10 04:34 PM
An interesting blog by James Pethokoukis at Reuters talks about some wild wild stuff. Check out this excerpt:
Rumors are running wild from Washington to Wall Street that the Obama administration is about to order government-controlled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive a portion of the mortgage debt of millions of Americans who owe more than what their homes are worth.
Now if this is true, and you have been making your payments but you are not going to get some of your mortgage debt just magically removed, then how pissed will you be?
And is this just a … (1 comments)

Controverial Road Project in Anderson South Carolina - 08/05/10 12:08 PM
Last night I saw some highlights on the news about the road being built in Anderson to connect Hwy 81 and Clemson Boulevard. It seems, and probably rightly so, that anyone that is going to have this road built adjacent to their property is upset.
But can we blame anyone for feeling this way? If it was happening in my back yard, I would be upset. And before I bought I researched what is behind me, to the side etc etc. On the other hand, considering the congestion on some of the roads this project is supposed to eliminate, is the … (0 comments)

Pet Project's Wag 'n Brag Pet Photography Contest - 08/05/10 10:22 AM
I had a friend on Facebook share this with me and it sounded like a pretty fun and interesting event in Anderson so I thought I would try to help spread the word about it.
The Anderson Arts is having the 2nd Annual Pet Exhibition soon and it will feature a Wag 'n Brag Pet Photography Contest!
The photography contest is open to everyone. ELIGIBILITYOpen to everyone. If under 18, parental consent is required....ORIGINAL WORKPhotographs must be original, NOT copies of of someone else's work. The Anderson Arts Center reserves the right to reject any works not meeting eligibility requirements, or … (0 comments)

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." - Amelia Earhart - 08/05/10 08:33 AM
It may seem so simple that it should be obvious but it is true. If you are going to do something, the best way to do it is to....Do It
One way that a person can buy a home and that is by taking the simple but time tested steps that so many happy home owners have taken in the past:
Determine Your Budget & Get Pre-Approved Find a Buyers Agent Make Offer Of course it is slightly more complicated than that! But determining your budget and talking with a lender is really the first step unless you already have the … (5 comments)

South Carolina is one of the Top 10 Pro Business States - 08/05/10 08:32 AM
I am sure that most of the media will ignore this story since it not about one of the politicians in SC sneaking off to Argentina or making a racist comment but it is true:
South Carolina is a Pro Business State
Geoeconomist and corporate relocation expert Dr. Ronald R. Pollina just released the Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2010: The Great American Job Purge and it states that SC is once again showing the world that we are ready for economic development!
The study evaluates and ranks states based on 31 factors including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, … (0 comments)

Should Incentives for Owning a Home Be Stopped? - 08/04/10 09:23 AM
Not Just No But Heck No!
Why so many people seem determined to change the American Dream from owning a home to renting one is starting to really pick up momentum in some circles. Consider the Op-Ed piece that former Treasury Sec. Hank Paulson wrote last week in the Washington Post.
Now Paulson's Op-Ed piece is more about correcting the problems with Freddie & Fannie than it is about the push I talked about in my blog about the movement to make owning a home less desirable. He does mention the mortgage interest deduction and implies that it somehow caused the … (0 comments)

How to Find an Alternative to Foreclosure in Upstate South Carolina - 08/03/10 05:02 PM
I just read that Fannie Mae has announced the launch of a new consumer education Web site that outlines the choices available to homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage payments, and provides guidance on how they can contact and work with their mortgage company to find solutions. If you are facing problems with your mortgage then please please I beg you to check out this website!
KnowYourOptions.com
This online resource, which offers reliable and easy-to-understand information in both English and Spanish, expands on Fannie Mae's ongoing efforts to help struggling borrowers find alternatives to foreclosure.
Key features of KnowYourOptions.com … (0 comments)

Improvements to the Jocassee Hydroelectric Station - 08/03/10 04:25 PM
Duke Energy is planning some serious work on the Jocassee Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Station. It will receive two new turbines for units 1 and 2 this fall, upgrading the station and increasing capacity by 50 megawatts.
The turbines, being manufactured by Voith Hydro in York, Pa., represent state-of-the-art design for greater efficiency. Following a seven-day trek, the first turbine will arrive near Salem on Aug. 9. The second turbine is expected to arrive at this location in early September.
Each turbine is about 23 feet in diameter and weighs almost 150 tons! They will be transported via interstate highways on 20-axle, dual-lane … (0 comments)

Grants for Upstate South Carolina Communities to Improve Water & Sewer - 08/03/10 04:02 PM
The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that approximately $14.5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been awarded to several Upstate South Carolina communities. And the good news is that Central and Walhalla are getting some pretty big grants to help improve their infrastructure!
The projects receiving grants were selected through a statewide competitive process.  Communities receiving CDBG funding are required to provide at least 10 percent matching funds. 
All grants awarded through the CDBG program must meet at least one of three objectives:
Benefit low and moderate income persons. Aid in the prevention or elimination of … (0 comments)

More Good Economic News But How Will it Affect Upstate South Carolina Real Estate? - 08/03/10 11:54 AM
The Institute for Supply Management just reported that economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the 12th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 15th consecutive month!
Just look at some of the good news in the ISM report:
Manufacturers' inventories grew for the first time following three consecutive months of contraction ISM's Employment Index registered 58.6 percent in July, which is 0.8 percentage point higher than the 57.8 percent reported in June. This is the eighth consecutive month of growth in manufacturing employment. ISM's Production Index registered 57 percent in July. An index above 51 … (0 comments)

Full Recovery Will Not Happen Overnight - 08/02/10 12:33 PM
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis released the first estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2010 last week.  Real GDP grew 2.4 percent at an annual rate in the second quarter, following a gain of 3.7 percent in the first quarter.  The annual revision to the national accounts increased the total fall in real GDP during the recession from 3.7 percent to 4.1 percent.  The economy has grown 3.2 percent from a year ago.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is quoted as saying “Full recovery will not happen overnight"
Which given the slow pace … (0 comments)

Comedian James Gregory Returns to the Civic Center of Anderson South Carolina - 08/02/10 11:45 AM
Great news for anyone that needs a laugh and who doesn't?
Comedian James Gregory returns to the Civic Center of Anderson on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010, at 8 p.m., and tickets are on sale now.
 
Tickets are available at the Civic Center offices Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  The Civic Center accepts cash, Visa and MasterCard.  Checks are not accepted.  All sales are final. Advance tickets are $27.50 each, plus service charges.
 
Tickets are also available through TicketMaster  or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
 
Reserve a table of eight and save $20!
 
Orders in increments of eight … (0 comments)

Spittoono In Clemson South Carolina - 08/01/10 01:32 PM
It is almost time again for the Spittoono Festival in Clemson SC. This year it is being held August 19-21 at the National Guard Armory in Clemson.
ALL proceeds go to charity. There is NO ADMISSION! If you want to come down and listen to the free music all evening and not buy a thing, that's fine unlike may other festivals! Coolers are not allowed on the festival grounds, however, so you might wanna buy a coke or beer or something. Blankets, lawn chairs, Harleys, children and dogs are welcome. The T-shirts are FABULOUS if you want to buy one (again, … (0 comments)

Foreclosure for Sale in Easley South Carolina - 08/01/10 10:50 AM
In real estate, time is of the essence. Sadly you are too late for this wonderful home. And you would get sick to your stomach to find out how great a deal you missed........
 
To prevent this from happening in the future, you can get FREE email alerts of the hottest real estate deals sent directly to you at Hot Property Alert
… (1 comments)

Indexes, Surveys, Psychics, Opinions, Half Truths, Educated Guesses, Theories and More - 08/01/10 10:15 AM
Hind sight is always going to be 20/20 and every one is entitled to their opinions. And I like seeing the varied opinions on the national real estate market. Just this week FISERV, a Wisconsin-based information technology firm  released an analysis of home price trends in more than 375 U.S. markets based on their Fiserv Case-Shiller Indexes. They own and create their indexes from data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
FISERV stated that in the first quarter of 2010, U.S. single-family home prices rose an average of 2 percent over the same time period of one year ago. And … (4 comments)

 
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Mark Brian

Mark Brian Upstate South Carolina REALTOR

Anderson, SC

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Silver Star Real Estate LLC

Address: 2315 N Main Street, Suite 224, Anderson, SC, 29621

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