closeout: Even in tough market, Fantastic Pricing Still Leads to Contracts! - 06/19/09 08:52 AM
The old adage, "Pricing it right, sells" is still a favorite in my book. This past year has seen slow condominium sales in the Columbia, SC market. I am sure I am not alone in this.
One of my clients, The Gates at Williams Brice (www.thegatesatwb.com) understood this concept. The Gates is a luxury condominium project that completed construction in July 2007 with a total of 158 units. Within the first year, the developer was able to successfully pay off the mortgage debt. The initial price point was $220K-$260K.
By January of this year, we had 42 remaining units. In order to … (3 comments)

closeout: Time is of the essence---Living Proof! - 06/12/09 05:54 AM
For the past few weeks, I've been blogging about a promotion currently being offered by one of my clients, The Gates at Williams Brice. www.thegatesatwb.com  The initial average pricing on this project was about $230K per condominium. Since we are nearly sold out, the developer decided to reduce average pricing to $158K--plus offer UNBELIEVABLE incentives in an effort to close out the project quickly. The incentives include up to $10K off the reduced price AND up to 6% in additional incentives for the buyer per lender approval. By the time you consider all of the incentives and reductions, it's nearly over $85,000! 
The traffic to the site as well as contracts … (2 comments)

closeout: Who Moved MY Real Estate Market??? - 06/08/09 08:53 AM
The title of this post plays on the popular book by Spencer Johnson, named "Who Moved My Cheese." It is essentially about 2 mice and two miniature humans who everyday go to the same spot for cheese. Eventually the cheese dwindles, and it is the mice who have planned ahead by searching for a new source of cheese. The term "IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE, YOU BECOME EXTINCT" comes from the book, and can easily be applied towards our current and recent real estate market. In my local market of Columbia, SC the number of licensed active real estate practitioners have … (3 comments)

closeout: Close the Deal: First Time Homebuyer Credit can be MORE POWERFUL than you think..... - 06/04/09 02:47 AM
A vast majority of agents can appreciate the virtue and benefits of the $8000 tax credit. In fact, my team's business has increased substantially as a result of this government program. I've recently discovered that it can be even more powerful to the eyes of the buyer if a GREAT deal is found and then applied in conjunction with the tax credit. It is a matter of how it is presented to the buyer in order to close the deal.
 
Case in point--One of my clients is The Gates at Williams Brice in Columbia, SC (www.thegatesatwb.com). It is a new luxury condominium development that is … (2 comments)

closeout: What is going on with the Columbia, SC condo market??? - 06/02/09 02:49 AM
I got a call from an appraiser this past weekend asking me this very question, as she was working on appraising a condo in downtown Columbia. More specifically, the question was "Why are the values going down?" My answer was simple: Supply and Demand. In the last several years, the downtown Columbia area has seen an explosion of new construction and renovation condo projects. Initially, sales were good, despite some prices exceeding $250/sqft. A popular target market was game day fans---seasonal visitors for a handful of football games a year. Then, the market began to fall, auctions were held, and sales seemed to have dried up. Here we are in the 2nd quarter … (1 comments)

closeout: MAJOR DEVELOPER CLOSEOUT--COLUMBIA, SC-- 5% CoBroke! - 05/26/09 05:07 AM
Originally 158 units. 27 units left for this event. Downtown Columbia, SC, near University of South Carolina and Fort Jackson. Gated. Pool. 24 Hour Gym. TV LOUNGE. Granite. Tile. More, much more.   
Final units to be sold at DRASTICALLY REDUCED, INVESTOR prices. UNMATCHED PRICING FOR NEW LUXURY CONDOS IN THE COLUMBIA MARKET! Great for first time buyers, gameday fans, and anyone looking to buy in-town and close to USC. New pricing to be released prior to June 13th.  Join us onsite from noon to 5pm on this day to contract your unit.
Look here before you buy!  No contracts will be accepted until 6/13. Visit our office onsite … (0 comments)