Lexington, SC Home under $100,000

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ACTION: Go Make Something Happen!

My favorite action film of all time is Forrest Gump. When I tell people this, they laugh and then look puzzled. However, if you really watch this popular film beyond its clever form of entertainment, you'll find this powerful message: Forrest Gump is all about action! Whether he was running from bullies, crossing racial barriers in Alabama or saving his buddies' lives in Viet Nam, Forrest didn't hesitate to act. He didn't over-think, overanalyze, procrastinate, or form a committee to gather more data. He trusted his instincts and he acted! I believe this is the stronger message of this popular film: A simple man has a wonderful life because he took action. What will you do today to be more "Gump-like"?

My hope is that you will Go Make Something Happen!

Short Sales information, Columbia Homes

Short Sale in Columbia, SC by Edwin Gerace

What is a Short Sale and can it save my house? This is in no way something you want to gamble with. You need a professional that knows Short Sales and is an expert in the area. Edwin Gerace is that agent. When days and weeks count, you don't need to risk your largest financial asset with an agent that is not knowledgeable in short sales.

For short sale assistance and other options to consider first before you should consider a short sale contact. There are other options besides than a short sale in the Columbia, SC so that you can stop foreclosure! There is Loan Modifications, and many others.

Edwin Gerace has access to a Loss Mitigation Specialist here locally that works on your behalf to help you through this banking process and decide what is the best path for you. If it is the Short Sale process she will help you and get from point A to Point B. Here is why that is vital. Imagine you going to the front of the bank and talking with the hostess, that is you. Edwin Gerace's friend has relationships with bankers and goes through the drive through and knows what to ask for and has the documents they want and require so that you don't have to wait any longer than you should. Does that sound easy? It is is and can save valuable time.

Listing your house with Real Estate Agent or Broker that knows about short sales. In many cases you may be able to sell your house before your foreclosure is final. Email Edwin Gerace for information

The other option that few consider is to rent your house. In many cases you may get a considerable down payment and perhaps a little more than your actual mortgage. If you need assistance to rent your house consult a property manager and notify your lender.

If you have considered all the alternatives to foreclosure, then a short sale may be the best possibility to move on with your life with the least amount of damage. You win, the bank wins. Your house gets sold; the bank gets a new mortgage. Feel Free to visit my website for more information.

However, in many cases your house may get sold for less than the amount owed, and then the bank can come after you for the difference. Some banks ask for that the remaining funds that were not satisfied to be paid over time or some times they 1099 the seller too.

Earlier this week, mortgage giant Fannie Mae said homeowners who stop making payments and then send their keys back to lenders months later will not be able to get another mortgage through that firm for five years. Freddie Mac also is going after walk-away borrowers, mortgage lenders say. Neighbors of the people who walk way are already being punished by lower home values due to the foreclosure. "People should hang in there as long as they can, ask for help and try to work with their lender,"

If you are going to consider a short sale to prevent foreclosure in the Columbia SC area, consider a company that understands how and has the contacts with a team of professionals that are properly trained to get a short sale completed.

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foreclosure help, SC, Columbia Homes for Sale, Edwin Gerace, Short Sale, Short Sale Assistance, Short Sale Expert, Realtor, Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors

About Lexington, SC Lexington, SC Homes For Sale Lake Murray, Irmo Homes for Sale West Columbia Homes For Sale

About Edwin Contact Us Curb Appeal List Closing costs - loans Closing costs - Ins. Free Home Valuation Find A Home! How Escrow Works BLOG Search MLS Newsletter South Carolina Facts Realtor Referal About Lexington About Lake Murray About Irmo LINKS Realtor Ethics Kids Eat Free Why a Realtor Real Estate Info Community Links Homes for Sale About Chapin / Ballentine About Forest Acres Heathwood Area Lake Murray Irmo Homes Lake Murray Lexington Homes Lexington Homes Rosewood Area Homes Irmo / St Andrews Homes West Columbia Homes North East Homes Golf Page Dave Ramsey Lexington Town of Lexington Lexington County Lexington Cities Lexington Zip Codes Lexington Neighborhoods Utilities Lexington County Data Richland County Data About Edwin Gerace Medium Sales Price Community Grant Seminar American Town TheZoo Things to Do Lake Level SCDOT-Traffic Columbia Attractions Sporting Events Travel to Columbia Columbia Events Area Events Famously Hot Lexington County Info Lexington Chamber South Carolina Realtors Columbia Realtors Russell & Jeffcoat Home Buyer Seminar Press Release Just Lexington Home Buyer Closing Costs First Time Buyers For Buyers Press Release Selling Your Home Our Featured Homes Home Applying for a Loan Bi-Weekly Mortgage Your Buying Power Neighborhood Prices Staging Your House 9 Steps to Owning Site Map ARM Calc Fixed Rate Mtg Calc 15 vs 30 Year Mtg Calc Mtg Tax Savings Calc Mortgage Qualifier Calc Required Income Calc Maximum Mortgage Calc Refi Interest Savings Calc Refi Breakeven Calc Mortgage Calculators The Kitchen Ethics in Real Estate Home Appreciation Home Price Index My Blog

INSPIRATION: Emotionalize Your Leadership Style!

The word 'emotionalize' means: To make emotional; to stir; to move. Are you using your entire toolbox of emotions to lead others?
Remember the 4 traits that Pat Summitt, Steven Spielberg, and Rudolph Giuliani possess.
1. They laugh & have fun with their teammates;
2. They are openly compassionate;
3. They are not afraid to cry with their teammates;
4. They deliver tough, constructive feedback everyday to cause their people to reach their potential.

This is a good roadmap to help us emotionally connect with others and make them "feel" something. The BEST leaders are excellent at emotionally connecting with their coworkers, members, and customers. How bout you?

RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS

RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS

Position Statement

The Home Builders Association has long been a strong advocate for increased home safety. The Association has supported numerous building codes that minimize the risk of residential fires and accidents in the home – hard-wired smoke alarms, arc-fault receptacles, firewall separation, etc. These new safety items have given consumers a strong return on their dollars invested. New homes today are by far the safest home ever constructed!

Residential fire sprinklers are not new. They have been around for many years. However, only a handful of home owners have chosen to install them in their homes. As in any aspect of life, one has to weight the risks versus the cost of added protection. Consumers have resoundingly voted against installing residential fire sprinklers – less than 1% of all new homes - because the cost greatly outweighs the benefits. For those consumers who want the maximum protection, fire sprinklers are available in the market. However, the choice should be left to an individual, not the government!

The Home Builders Association defends the right for any homeowner to install a fire sprinkler. Our industry would be happy to install a fire sprinkler system for any consumer that wants one in their new or existing homes. However, since the consumer pays for the system and has to deal with the consequences of installing a fire sprinkler system, the consumer should have a choice of installing or not installing fire sprinklers.

The General Assembly spoke very clearly on the residential fire sprinkler issue two years ago when they overwhelmingly voted to provide a local/state incentive package for voluntary installation of fire sprinklers. The General Assembly felt that consumer choice was the best public policy and we agree!

Question
1-Who is going to pay for the additional expenses that are given to the home owner for the sprinkler system?
2- Sprinkler Contractors, are they going to warrant the sprinklers in a starter home due to malfunctions?
3-Why not giving tax incentives for homes having sprinklers?

About Lexington, SC Lexington, SC Homes For Sale Lake Murray, Irmo Homes for Sale West Columbia Homes For SaleAbout Edwin Contact Us Curb Appeal List Closing costs - loans Closing costs - Ins. Free Home Valuation Find A Home! How Escrow Works BLOG Search MLS Newsletter South Carolina Facts Realtor Referal About Lexington About Lake Murray About Irmo LINKS Realtor Ethics Kids Eat Free Why a Realtor Real Estate Info Community Links Homes for Sale About Chapin / Ballentine About Forest Acres Heathwood Area Lake Murray Irmo Homes Lake Murray Lexington Homes Lexington Homes Rosewood Area Homes Irmo / St Andrews Homes West Columbia Homes North East Homes Golf Page Dave Ramsey Lexington Town of Lexington Lexington County Lexington Cities Lexington Zip Codes Lexington Neighborhoods Utilities Lexington County Data Richland County Data About Edwin Gerace Medium Sales Price Community Grant Seminar American Town TheZoo Things to Do Lake Level SCDOT-Traffic Columbia Attractions Sporting Events Travel to Columbia Columbia Events Area Events Famously Hot Lexington County Info Lexington Chamber South Carolina Realtors Columbia Realtors Russell & Jeffcoat Home Buyer Seminar Press Release Just Lexington Home Buyer Closing Costs First Time Buyers For Buyers Press Release Selling Your Home Our Featured Homes Home Applying for a Loan Bi-Weekly Mortgage Your Buying Power Neighborhood Prices Staging Your House 9 Steps to Owning Site Map ARM Calc Fixed Rate Mtg Calc 15 vs 30 Year Mtg Calc Mtg Tax Savings Calc Mortgage Qualifier Calc Required Income Calc Maximum Mortgage Calc Refi Interest Savings Calc Refi Breakeven Calc Mortgage Calculators The Kitchen Ethics in Real Estate Home Appreciation Home Price Index My Blog

West Columbia SC Monitoring Rental Homes

YOU MUST READ THIS IF YOU OWN RENTALS IN WEST COLUMBIA, SC OR KNOW SOMEONE THAT DOES.................... I PERSONALLY DONT AGREE WITH TOWNS HAVING RIGHT TO COME INTO RENTAL HOMES TO INSPECT THEM.



STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

CITY OF WEST COLUMBIA
AN ORDINANCE TO REVISE
TITLE 5, CHAPTER 2
TO ADOPT RENTAL HOUSING REGULATIONS

ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY OF WEST COLUMBIA ORDINANCE TITLE FIVE, CHAPTER 2, TO REGULATE RENTAL HOUSING

WHEREAS, the City Council of West Columbia (the “Council”)desires to regulate residential rental properties, the Council finds it necessary to require owners of residential rental property to obtain a permit for the rental property; and

WHEREAS, the Council has found it necessary to monitor infractions including noise offenses, occupancy, alcohol offenses, and disorderly conduct as well as health, zoning, and property maintenance regulations arising at residential rental properties and to provide a coordinated response to neighbors who are adversely affected by repeated offenses on problem residential properties; and

WHEREAS, the Council intends, through the adoption of this ordinance, to provide additional enforcement tools to protect its residents and effectively deal with problem residential rental properties; and

WHEREAS, the Council finds these goals are met by the attached provisions which regulate residential rental housing throughout the City of West Columbia; and

NOW BE IT THEREFORE ORDAINED that Title Five, Chapter 2, of the City of West Columbia Code of Ordinances be amended to include the attached provisions regarding Rental Housing Regulations.

IT IS FURTHER ORDAINED that these provisions shall take effect immediately upon passage.


Done this ____ day of ______________, 2009

ATTEST.




City Clerk Mayor


First Reading:
Public Hearing: _________________
Second Reading:
Rental Housing Regulations

Section 5-2-120 Definitions.

1. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.

(a) Occupant. A “family” as defined by the City of West Columbia Zoning Ordinance.

(b) Owner. Any person, firm, or corporation having a legal or equitable title in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title.

(c) Residential rental unit. That portion of a “dwelling” as defined by the City of West Columbia Zoning Ordinance for which payment or other consideration is being made to an owner, agent, or manager for the use and occupancy of that portion as a living facility, excluding manufactured homes, hotels, motels, medical or long term care facilities, and bed and breakfast establishments. Whenever the words “rental unit” are stated in this Code, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words “or any part thereof.”

(d) Absentee landlord. (a) the owner of residential rental units who are shown as the most-recent property owner(s) on the real property tax notice for the then current year issued by the Richland or Lexington County Treasurer’s Office; and, (b) who resides outside of or, if the rental property is managed by or through a business office, and that business office is outside of Richland or Lexington County; or, (c) whose tax notice is addressed to a post office box regardless of the county of residence of the owner.


Section 5-2-121 Rental permit required.

1. No owner, whether a person, firm or corporation, shall operate any residential rental unit as defined in Section 5-2-120 unless that owner holds a current rental permit issued by the City for the residential rental unit named therein.

2. Permits are not transferable from any owner to another.

3. The permitting year shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31. If a permit fee is required, it must be paid by the 30th of April each year. If a permit fee is required, renewals of permits after April 30 will be assessed a late penalty fee of five percent of the unpaid fee per month. For the year 2010, the permitting period shall be as specified by the Building Official.


Section 5-2-122 Application.

1. Applications to operate residential rental units and for renewal thereof shall be on a form provided by the City of West Columbia.

2. The form shall set forth the owner’s name, address, and telephone number, the residential rental unit address, the name of the person, firm, or corporation responsible for the care and maintenance of the building and additional information as outlined on the application for rental housing.

Section 5-2-123 Property owner and the person in charge.

1. A permit will not be issued to an absentee landlord, unless a person in charge is designated. The person in charge must reside in or have an office within a 30-mile radius of the City and be able to act as the agent for the owner. The Building Official shall be notified in writing if there is a change of owner or person in charge within 14 days of the change.

2. The property owner and/or the person in charge shall maintain all residential rental units under their control in compliance with the City codes and is responsible for providing access for the purpose of making inspections necessary to ensure compliance with the City’s ordinances and accepting legal notices or service of process with respect to the rental unit.

3. For every residential rental unit, the owner or person in charge shall be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the common areas of the dwelling and responding to service requests and emergency needs, including entry into units where an emergency appears to exist. Such person or persons shall be situated close enough to the dwelling as to be able to service tenant and emergency calls with reasonable dispatch. The owner shall advise the tenants individually of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of such owner and/or person in charge.

4. Rental property owner(s) and/or the responsible person in charge, if applicable, shall be solely responsible for insuring compliance with all zoning, nuisance and property maintenance codes. Failure to abate violations after notice shall result in enforcement action against the rental property owner(s) or responsible person in charge if applicable. The City, in addition to or in lieu of issuing a uniform ordinance summons for a violation of this ordinance, may pursue any other remedy permitted by law. The filing of an appeal shall not act as a stay of the City’s right to pursue any other remedies as permitted by law.

Section 5-2-124 Acknowledgement of applicable codes.

The rental property owner(s) and/ or responsible person in charge, if applicable, shall be required at the time of registration to sign a form acknowledging the existence and access to city codes applicable to the rental and maintenance of residential properties and their responsibilities related to said code sections.

Section 5-2-125 Notice procedure.

Notices of violation to registered rental property owner(s) or the responsible person in charge, if applicable, shall be:

(a) In writing and include a description of the property.
(b) Include a descriptive statement of the violation and required corrective action.
(c) State the compliance and applicable appeal period.
(d) Be delivered personally or by first-class mail to the rental property owner(s) or responsible person in charge, if applicable, at the last address furnished as part of the registration process.
(e) The city may elect but is not required to provide supplemental notice by e-mail and/ or facsimile.

Section 5-2-126 Reduction in notice requirements.

The standard notice, appeal and compliance periods stated in all property maintenance codes adopted by the city, including the International Property Maintenance Code, shall be reduced to seven (7) days for registered rental properties. The only exception to this provision shall apply to notices of condemnation proceedings.
Section 5-2-127 Inspections.

The City reserves the right to inspect rental units. Nothing in this section shall preclude the inspection of dwellings.

(a) Basis for inspections. Inspections may be made to obtain and maintain compliance with the standards of this article based upon one of the following:

(1) A complaint received by the building department or forwarded to the building department by another city department, indicating that there is a potential violation of the standards or the provisions of any ordinance adopted by the city;
(2) An observation by the building department or forwarded to the building department by another city department of a violation of the standards or the provisions of any ordinance adopted by the city;
(3) A report or observation of a dwelling unit that is unoccupied and unsecured or a dwelling that is damaged by fire;
(4) The registration, re-registration, and certification of a rental unit as required by this article;
(5) The need to determine compliance with a notice or an order issued by the City;
(6) An observed condition or condition reasonably believed to exist deemed dangerous to human life or public welfare;
(7) Requirements of law where a dwelling is to be demolished by the City or where ownership is to be transferred to the city.

(b) Inspection procedures.

(1) If a basis for inspection is established under subsection (a) of this section, the owner and/or responsible person in charge will be notified in writing by the building department of the desired time and place of the inspection.
(2) In the event that the alleged violation appears to be a clear and imminent threat to human life, safety or public welfare as determined by the building department, the owner and/or responsible person in charge will be contacted to schedule an immediate inspection. If code violations are found to exist, immediate compliance with adopted building, property maintenance, zoning or other applicable codes, will be required.
(3) If the alleged violation is not a clear and imminent threat to human life, safety or public welfare, the owner will have seven (7) calendar days to correct such violation unless otherwise authorized in writing by the city, after which a reinspection or written verification from owner and/or responsible person in charge and complaining party that the violation has been corrected, will be required.

Section 5-2-128 Permit and inspection fees.

The license permit fee, if any, and any fees for inspections shall be set by City Council by ordinance as required by S.C. Code Ann. § 6-1-330. If a permit fee is required, registered property owners shall be billed annually based on registration information on file with the city as of December 31. No reductions in billed fees shall be made as a result of the failure of a property owner or responsible person in charge to update information as required by this chapter.

Section 5-2-129 Penalty.

Violation of this article shall be unlawful and an offense punishable pursuant to the general penalty provision of the Code of Ordinances of the City of West Columbia.

Section 5-2-130 Severability.

The provisions of this article are severable and if by section, sentence, clause, part, or provision thereof shall be held illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision of the court shall not affect or impair the remaining sections, sentences, clauses, parts, or provisions of this article. It is hereby declared that the intent of the council is that this article would have been adopted as if such illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional section, sentence, clause, part, or provision had not been included herein.

CONNECTION: Make Connections Count!

CONNECTION: Make Connections Count!
Great leaders care deeply about people and make it their mission to find new and different ways to connect with them. Showing a deeper interest in those you hope to influence will make you memorable and effective.

Three things that can help you:
1. Learn family and personal facts (i.e.hometown, children's names and birthdays, grandchildren, service anniversaries, citizenship day, etc.)
2. Learn 'Firsts & Favorites' (first car, first concert, favorite restaurant, favorite charity, etc.)
3. Remember the tattoo on everyone's forehead: KNOW ME - ACCEPT ME - MAKE ME FEEL SPECIAL. Honor that tattoo and you will Make Connections Count!


2010 is HERE………… Is it 20-10 or 2,010?
Coming into 2010, there are many people trying to decipher all the data that is being reported regarding the housing industry. Due to the information highway, we have and use and some times abuse, data is being thrown at us at a high rate. The main goal is to try to bring clarity to a market that has been clouded with confusion for the last Three to four years.

We must not allow the truth to overshadow the facts. What do I mean by that? Let me give you an example. The housing market is better than it was, that is a fact.
But the truth is that home prices in many areas (NOT ALL) are still falling and will continue to fall for a period of time.
Many people except when they hear that the market is doing better that implies we are back to 2005-2007. News Flash….. That is not the case and will not be the case for many years. Prices in many markets are being adjusted. For example, a wise Realtor/Manager told me about equity and people saying that they lost value of their home. That is a misconception, they got their equity early (Prepaid).

Prices must still be adjusted in order for buyers to be able to afford the home. Proof of that is that the government is still subsidizing home purchases by artificially keeping interest rates low and offering tax credits to both first-time and move-up buyers. The good news is that those programs are creating a market for people looking to sell their home now. The bad news is that they will not last forever. The question that begs to be answered is what happens when interest rates rise (the government program that has kept them low ends on March 30) and the tax credit expires (April 30)? It is my belief that, when these inducements fade, so will demand. What will happen in June is the real question, what will banks and the governments do to keep this market moving.

Pricing has always been about supply and demand. The current housing market is no different.

If you are considering selling your house, put it on the market NOW to take advantage of the increased demand before the aforementioned government incentives that created it disappear. And please don’t wait for the distressed properties to come to market.

Edwin Gerace

About Lexington, SC Lexington, SC Homes For Sale Lake Murray, Irmo Homes for Sale West Columbia Homes For Sale


About Edwin Contact Us Curb Appeal List Closing costs - loans Closing costs - Ins. Free Home Valuation Find A Home! How Escrow Works BLOG Search MLS Newsletter South Carolina Facts Realtor Referal About Lexington About Lake Murray About Irmo LINKS Realtor Ethics Kids Eat Free Why a Realtor Real Estate Info Community Links Homes for Sale About Chapin / Ballentine About Forest Acres Heathwood Area Lake Murray Irmo Homes Lake Murray Lexington Homes Lexington Homes Rosewood Area Homes Irmo / St Andrews Homes West Columbia Homes North East Homes Golf Page Dave Ramsey Lexington Town of Lexington Lexington County Lexington Cities Lexington Zip Codes Lexington Neighborhoods Utilities Lexington County Data Richland County Data About Edwin Gerace Medium Sales Price Community Grant Seminar American Town TheZoo Things to Do Lake Level SCDOT-Traffic Columbia Attractions Sporting Events Travel to Columbia Columbia Events Area Events Famously Hot Lexington County Info Lexington Chamber South Carolina Realtors Columbia Realtors Russell & Jeffcoat Home Buyer Seminar Press Release Just Lexington Home Buyer Closing Costs First Time Buyers For Buyers Press Release Selling Your Home Our Featured Homes Home Applying for a Loan Bi-Weekly Mortgage Your Buying Power Neighborhood Prices Staging Your House 9 Steps to Owning Site Map ARM Calc Fixed Rate Mtg Calc 15 vs 30 Year Mtg Calc Mtg Tax Savings Calc Mortgage Qualifier Calc Required Income Calc Maximum Mortgage Calc Refi Interest Savings Calc Refi Breakeven Calc Mortgage Calculators The Kitchen Ethics in Real Estate Home Appreciation Home Price Index My Blog