forest acres: SCBT Buying Habersham Bank - 02/19/11 07:53 PM
Columbia SC     South Carolina Bank & Trust announced Friday it has an agreement to take over Habersham Bank of Clarkesville, Ga.  Habersham operates eight locations in six Georgia counties and brings SCBT's network to 83 locations in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.  Habersham Bank has been open for business for 106 years.  
SCBT's financial health has allowed it to be among the first in the nation to pay back its federal bank bailout loan, totaling over $64 million.
SCBT grew by nearly 50 percent last February when it bought Community Bank & Trust of Cornelia - then Georgia's seventh-largest … (0 comments)

forest acres: How To Throw Away $100,000 - 08/24/10 06:56 AM
How To Throw Away $100,000
It's very easy.  Rent a house.  
  Columbia, SC     I was talking with a would-be home buyer the other day and he couldn't commit because of dropping home prices.  He said he was paying $850 per month rent for his house. 
If he rents for 10 years he has thrown away $100,000!

30 year mortgage rates are below 5% today and that same $850/month will buy you a $140,000 house. 
We have no idea what that house will sell for in 10 years but most likely it will not lose $100,000 in value.

View all homes … (10 comments)

forest acres: Introducing The New Bank Of America Doctor Loan - 08/18/10 06:55 AM
Introducing The New Bank Of America Doctor Loan
A new program from Bank of America Home Loans called the Doctor Loan is for licensed, practicing doctors, including dentists and other medical professionals.
This home loan offers significant advantages for these buyers:
as little as 5% down on mortgages up to $850,000 employment start date up to 60 days after the closing is allowed student loan debt is not included in the total debt calculation as always, some restrictions do apply
For more information on these loans contact
Terry Edwards     tedwards@sc.rr.com
www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
 
Shandon     Forest Acres     Old Woodlands     Heathwood    
And all the … (2 comments)

forest acres: Mortgage Rates Drop To Lowest Level of 2010 - 05/13/10 05:47 AM
Mortgage Rates Drop To Lowest Level of 2010
Columbia SC     Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest level of the year, extending the great once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for home buyers. 
The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage dipped to 4.93% this week from 5% a week earlier.   Depending on your credit score, you could purchase a $200,000 home in the Columbia area for around $1,325 per month, including insurance and county taxes.
For more information on attaining your dream home contact
 Terry Edwards           tedwards@sc.rr.com 
www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
 
East Columbia     Lake Katherine     Forest Acres     Shandon     Rosewood     NE Columbia
please add this … (0 comments)

forest acres: Completed Short Sale In Hopkins SC - 03/12/10 09:14 PM
Completed Short Sale In Hopkins SC
Hopkins SC     This nice 4 bedroom home in the Rosecliff neighborhood on Trotter Road just sold.
Here is a great testimonial letter I received from the seller:
Terry Edwards exceeded our expectations and anticipated sidesteps along the way. We were out of state owners of a rental property that was a challenge from the beginning. Terry took everything in stride; repairs, paperwork; short sale documentation. It was all handled via email or fax and we were informed every step of the way. He guided a timely closing to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Terry is … (4 comments)

forest acres: Columbia SC --- Who We Are - 03/09/10 08:58 PM
Columbia SC --- Who We Are
I have been looking over some reports about our city recently and here is what I have learned about who we are and what others think about us.

According to a Forbes.com report of the most affordable cities in the U.S. for 2009, Columbia ranked No. 12 in the bang-for-your-buck column.  This isn't surprising, considering the median home price is just over $150,000.
In an Urban Environment report of 72 cities conducted by the Earth Day Network we landed the No. 1 spot in the nation for parks and recreation opportunities.  Again, this isn't … (3 comments)

forest acres: Commercial Growth Along Garners Ferry Road In Columbia SC - 03/06/10 11:00 PM
Commercial Growth Along Garners Ferry Road In Columbia SC
Columbia SC     The face of the Garners Ferry Road (Hwy 378) area east of Columbia is changing again.  From remodeling entire shopping centers to brand new franchises on both sides of the highway business is bustling.  All the farms and fields are being replaced with asphalt and brick.

This shopping center was already standing when I moved to Columbia in 1967.  The only tenant still here from back then is the Leesburg branch of the Post Office, where the flag is waving.  The entire strip is getting a new facade and has needed … (2 comments)

forest acres: Lake Katherine Area of Columbia SC - 03/05/10 11:46 PM
Lake Katherine Area of Columbia SC
In the early 1900s Lake Katherine was a vacation spot with a few weekend cottages on dirt roads scattered along the banks.  By the 1950s the City of Columbia had expanded to the largest in-town lake and brick ranch homes were being built by the hundreds.  The Lake Katherine neighborhood is defined by Beltline Boulevard (the old trolley line), Forest Drive, Trenholm Road, I-77 and Fort Jackson Boulevard.   MAP
Today the Lake Katherine area is one of the most desirable neighborhoods inside the Columbia city limits for families with some of the highest rated schools … (0 comments)

forest acres: Senate Finance Committee Pursues Lower Home Tax Rate - 02/23/10 07:15 PM

Senate Finance Committee Pursues Lower Home Tax Rate
COLUMBIA, S.C.   A state Senate Finance subcommittee will soon take up legislation that would let homeowners pay the lower, owner-occupied tax rate on two homes.  Residents currently pay a higher tax rate for property they own but don't live in full-time.  But the opportunity to actually use either of the proposed bills requires that certain conditions be met.
Bill No. 1 would allow homeowners having difficulty selling their home to continue paying property taxes on the vacant home and their new home at the current homeowner rate.
Bill No. 2 would maintain … (2 comments)

forest acres: Snow In Normally Sunny Columbia SC - 02/15/10 02:44 AM
Snow In Normally Sunny SC
Columbia, SC     About every 5 to 7 years it seems the arctic jet stream dips down our way with some moisture in it and blankets the normally temperate area.  Columbia, the state capitol, was laid out in the late 1700s for its central location to allow access to all the residents.  Mostly the snow line only dips into a few counties in the NW corner of the state where the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains are found.  This past weekend we got to join in the fun, also.

The best thing about snow in Columbia is that … (4 comments)

forest acres: Homes For Sale in The Knollwood Neighborhood of Columbia SC - 01/13/10 09:44 PM
Homes For Sale in The Knollwood Neighborhood of Columbia SC
Columbia SC     The Knollwood area was built in the 1960s and 70s behind the Veterans Hospital in southeast Columbia.   Almost every home in the neighborhood is a brick ranch with a large yard. 
The following photos are of homes currently for sale.

These mostly updated homes range from 3 to 5 bedrooms and have 1600 to 2700 square feet of heated space.
This area is in the Richland One school district and is zoned for some of the top rated schools in the district. 
Located just off  I-77 at Exit 9 (Garners Ferry … (3 comments)

forest acres: Household Debt Drops By Record Amount - 12/10/09 05:54 AM
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board announced that household debt had its biggest ever decline in the third quarter, down 2.5% with mortgage debt falling 3.5% and credit card debt falling 3.25%.

 
 
It was the fifth consecutive quarterly decline in U.S. household debt, the Fed notes. At the same time, the difference between assets and liabilities, households' net worth, rose 5% to $53.4 trillion, the second consecutive quarter of expansion.
It looks like some stabilization is finally taking hold.  The economic picture for 2010 is looking better all the time.
 
 
 
Terry Edwards     Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors
(6 comments)

forest acres: Buying A Home In Columbia SC? I've Got An App For That - 11/24/09 09:40 PM
Columbia SC

Whether you are looking to purchase a starter home in the suburbs, an intown property or a foreclosure in the Columbia, SC area you can find them right here.  
          http://www.featuredcolumbiahomes.com/Home_20_Search.html
Terry Edwards     Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors
tedwards@sc.rr.com    
The Hamptons     Melrose Heights     Shandon     Rosewood     Forest Acres     Arcadia Lakes    The Pines
and all the great neighborhoods that make up our city
Please bookmark this page for future updates
(0 comments)

forest acres: DOW 10,000 We Barely Knew Ye - 10/16/09 12:36 PM
DOW 10,000 We Barely Knew Ye
That didn't last long.  Bank of America posted a $1 billion third-quarter loss due to delinquent credit card and mortgage payments.
GE reported weaker-than-expected quarterly revenue which was disappointing after such strong reports by some other companies earlier in the week.
Closing at 9,996 is not a bad way to end the week, though.  More earnings reports are on tap for next week and any good data should move us back higher.  This has been a tremendous rebound from the first week of March when the DOW slipped below 7,000.  Hopefully everyone's IRA and 401K holdings are looking much better than … (7 comments)

forest acres: Homes For Sale In Melrose Heights, Columbia SC - 10/09/09 12:42 AM
Columbia SC                                         Homes For Sale In Melrose Heights
UPDATE  Melrose Heights in Columbia has been called one of the best neighborhoods in the country
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14205477
 

Melrose Heights is an in town community consisting of mainly Carpenter and Bungalow style homes on tree lined streets.  Located just off Millwood Avenue it is only 5 minutes away from the heart of downtown Columbia and The Vista.
So far this year 6 homes have sold in Melrose Heights ranging in price from $140K to $416K.
Here is a sample of homes currently for sale in the neighborhood.




(0 comments)

forest acres: Patio Home In Columbia SC For Only $75,500 - 10/08/09 09:26 PM
Columbia SC           Patio Home at 110 Londonberry Circle In Columbia SC For Only $75,500
This move-in ready 2 bedroom/2 bath patio home off Broad River Road was just listed for sale.  The current owners have made the following recent upgrades.
Tile flooring in the kitchen and entryway New dishwasher, smooth top range and microwave oven Mannington wood laminate flooring in the dining room and living room Gas log fireplace Sodded back yard




This beautiful home is located just minutes away from shopping, restaurants and I-26 & I-20.
Terry Edwards          tedwards@sc.rr.com
Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors     www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
Rosewood   Shandon   Forest Acres   … (1 comments)

forest acres: The 5 Different Valuations Of Your Home - 10/06/09 05:14 AM
Columbia SC                             The 5 Different Valuations Of Your Home
This is a short graphic tutorial of how your home's value is attained
Your View

 
 

A Buyer's View

 
 

A Lender's View

 
 

An Appraiser's View

 
 

Richland County Tax Assessor's View

Terry Edwards     Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors
www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
Shandon     Rosewood     Forest Acres     Arcadia Lakes     Hopkins

 
(2 comments)

forest acres: Foreclosed And Bank Owned Homes In Columbia SC - 09/22/09 08:10 AM
Foreclosed And Bank Owned Homes In Columbia SC
This is a sample of the homes currently for sale in Columbia that are being sold in As-Is condition by various banks. 
 
This 4 bedroom home in an established neighborhood near the VA Hospital is only $129,900


 This 4 year old 3 bedroom home has a fireplace and high ceilings for $129,900
 

This brick home on a large lot has a formal living room and dining room for only $109,900 !
Contact me for additional information on these homes or for a complete list of foreclosed and bank owned properties in … (4 comments)

forest acres: How Columbia SC Rolled, Part II - 08/05/09 07:23 AM
Columbia SC  
Within two decades of General Sherman's march through town the Columbia Street Railway Company was formed in 1882.  The first trolley cars were hand-crafted from the ground up featuring hand-milled oak woodwork and solid brass hardware and were pulled by horses.
Ten years later, in 1892 the Columbia Electric Street Railway, Light and Power Company was formed and within a year electric streetcars were rolling in Columbia.  These electric streetcars were the main source of revenue for the company and soon the houses along the streetcar routes had power delivered to them.

These trolleys helped the suburbs … (2 comments)

forest acres: Sun Printing Opens In West Columbia - 03/03/09 06:05 PM
Columbia SC     Sun Printing has opened a $6 million printing facility on Dreher Road in West Columbia that's expected to add up to 50 jobs by year's end.
The Orangeburg-based printer has six locations in the United States and Mexico and has expanded into the 20,000-square-foot printing facility.  This comes as good news for local residents that have watched the unemployment rate shoot up above 7% this year.
Terry Edwards     Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors
www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com
West Columbia   Cayce   Shandon   Rosewood   Forest Acres
(0 comments)