Lexington SC Homes For Sale

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Lake Murray Condo for Sale, Lexington SC

What is IN and What is COOL

Classic Neutral Colors

Deep gray browns, gray blues, muted beige, and chalky white have been touted particularly popular shades. Remember, if you are prepping your home for a sale stick with the neutrals and try to stay away from bright colors. Paint can be a relatively inexpensive home improvement that will refresh any home


Backyard Gardens

First Lady Michelle Obama led the way in 2009 when she installed one at the White House and the trend continues in 2010.



Made in America
Support your local retailers and try and purchase products made in America. Purchasing these products supports employment, job growth and in the end benefits the economy for everyone.


DIY
With the economy still shifting, homeowners are doing more and more projects on their own to keep the costs down

Green Building

The hot topic at the water cooler is Green Buildingin and cost vs reward.  Some say greenhouse gases are dooming our grandkids to a future of drought and flooding. Skeptics argue that climate change is inevitable and beyond the scope of anything we humans do. While the truth is likely somewhere in between, most people agree that sensible conservation and practical oversight is probably a healthy approach –and the efforts we make today will put energy-saving dollars in our pockets tomorrow. That’s one reason most of us practice some sort of conservation effort; recycling trash, reducing our use of paper, or heating our swimming pools with solar panels. It’s also the reason why NAR built the first LEED-certified* green building in Washington, DC. NAR believes REALTORS® need to be on the leading edge of social concerns—which is also why they developed NAR’s Green Designation for today’s real estate professionals—and why they closely monitor all legislation regarding environmental issues. I have earned the Green Designation myself because I believe it’s important to be at the forefront of this movement. As green issues take a more prominent place in social discourse, we take justifiable pride in our industry’s commitment to the environment.


Yes, I think the idea of “going green” started to gain momentum before the housing downturn hit. Today, a lot of Las Vegas buyers—and most investors—are pretty focused on opportunistic purchases like REOs and short sales. As things start to improve, real estate consumers will turn their attention back toward “green,”  Bob Hamrick said. 

The effort to highly competitive has caused the slowed down the green effort, but I expect today’s move toward green construction will become the standard for the future. The new CityCenter in Las Vegas, which is really an extraordinary resort destination, was designed and built to conserve energy and preserve natural resources. It’s just a more responsible approach to building, and I think that signals a growing trend. Getting our agents green-certified and knowledgeable is certainly a place to start, Bob Hamrick said.  

*LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a benchmark building standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council.




Results are based on 451 completed surveys returned from building professionals in 48 states: 64.5% of respondents design or build green homes; 35.5% do not; 92% of all respondents work in new single-family detached, 24% also design or build new single-family attached, and 24% are active in multifamily markets.


Compared with market conditions three years ago, only 7% of respondents described their markets as growing, 9% as about the same, 13% reported a 5% drop, 18% said their market was down 5%–10%, 17% reported a 10%–20% drop, and 36% reported a decline of more than 20%.

 
Green building is looking toward putting all the pieces of the puzzle together with the creation of a smart grid and connected home is expected to grow in 2010 as utilities continue to make upgrades to the grid for more effective generation, storage and distribution of power, and as smart-grid manufacturers develop custom and web-based display panels that show real-time home energy use, says the Earth Advantage Institute.  The same is true in the commercial sector. Case-in-point: Networking equipment giant Cisco rolled out the first Smart Connected Building solution in July last year, which will interconnect and enable building systems such as heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC), lighting, electrical, security, and renewables over the IP network.
Cisco also projects that the smart-grid communications infrastructure will reach $20 billion a year over the next five years.  The Earth Advantage Institute also predicts energy labeling for homes and office buildings. The non-profit organization says this will make it easier to perform a building-to-building or home-to-home comparison, but a publicly available score on the multiple listing service could push building owners to make needed energy improvements.


There are many different approaches to green building--in site design and development, in sourcing materials and in methods for energy and water efficiency. Throw in a client's geography and budget and everything can change.  We need to look at the whole-house approach and emphasizing what you need to do from start to finish--whether you're remodeling a home or building from the ground up. You'll learn how to make the National Green Building Standard work for you.

Email Edwin to know about the Green Built homes in Columbia, SC  Email me Green Built Homes. 

Free Home Buyer Seminar Nov and Dec

PRESS RELEASE

Columbia, SC – November 9, 2009 - FREE homebuyer seminar will discover the Home Buying Process from beginning to end.

Seminar to include these three important steps. First step is Home Buying process and explain the changes in the Tax Credit and the how to buy a home. Second, step the mortgage process, and the potential FREE GRANT MONEY.
Third step would be the closing process in buying home.

The seminar will host professionals in the home buying process to offer FREE information about the home buying process. There will be professionals in those areas to answer questions about those areas. There will be information about the $8,000 Tax Credit, who qualifies and who is eligible for the new tax credit
Time is still essential come to the seminar to find out why

Free Home Buyer Seminar is being offered in Lexington, West Columbia, Columbia, and Irmo.
This is an informational FREE seminar about the home buying process.
The seminar will be available for groups, civic organizations and others on request.



The schedules for the following seminars are as follows:

November 16, Lexington Library 6:00pm-7:30pm Call Edwin Gerace for details 803-957-5566
November 19, West Columbia Library, 6:00pm -7:30pm Call Jason Compton 803-957-5566
November 23, Lexington Library 6:00pm-7:30pm Call Craig Connelly for details 803-957-5566
November 23, Irmo Library 6:30pm-7:30pm Call Jeff Riley for details 803-467-6440
December 7, Lexington Library 6:00pm-7:30pm Call Edwin Gerace for details 803-957-5566
December 14, Lexington Library 6:00pm-7:30pm Call Craig Connelly for details 803-957-5566

This seminar is FREE but please RSVP is suggested due to the demand.
Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/freehomeseminar
Follow us on FaceBook Home Buyers Seminar
For more information 803-957-5566
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Free Home Buyer Seminar Nov and Dec

PRESS RELEASE

Columbia, SC – November 9, 2009 - FREE homebuyer seminar will discover the Home Buying Process from beginning to end.

Seminar to include these three important steps. First step is Home Buying process and explain the changes in the Tax Credit and the how to buy a home. Second, step the mortgage process, and the potential FREE GRANT MONEY.
Third step would be the closing process in buying home.

The seminar will host professionals in the home buying process to offer FREE information about the home buying process. There will be professionals in those areas to answer questions about those areas. There will be information about the $8,000 Tax Credit, who qualifies and who is eligible for the new tax credit
Time is still essential come to the seminar to find out why

Free Home Buyer Seminar is being offered in Lexington, West Columbia, Columbia, and Irmo.
This is an informational FREE seminar about the home buying process.
The seminar will be available for groups, civic organizations and others on request.



The schedules for the following seminars are as follows:

November 16, Lexington Library 6:00pm-7:30pm Call Edwin Gerace for details 803-957-5566
November 19, West Columbia Library, 6:00pm -7:30pm Call Jason Compton 803-957-5566
November 23, Lexington Library 6:00pm-7:30pm Call Craig Connelly for details 803-957-5566
November 23, Irmo Library 6:30pm-7:30pm Call Jeff Riley for details 803-467-6440
December 7, Lexington Library 6:00pm-7:30pm Call Edwin Gerace for details 803-957-5566
December 14, Lexington Library 6:00pm-7:30pm Call Craig Connelly for details 803-957-5566

This seminar is FREE but please RSVP is suggested due to the demand.
Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/freehomeseminar
Follow us on FaceBook Home Buyers Seminar
For more information 803-957-5566
#####

Doing Good Deed for Military -- Pay it Forward

JUST READ THIS AND IT IS GREAT

SO I PUT IT ON MY BLOG

The Sack Lunches





I put my carry-on in the luggageCompartment and sat down in myAssigned seat. It was going to be aLong flight. 'I'm glad I have aGood book to read. Perhaps I will getA short nap,' I thought.Just before take-off, a line ofSoldiers came down the aisle andFilled all the vacant seats, totallySurrounding me. I decided toStart a conversation.'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.'Petawawa. We'll be there for twoWeeks for special training, and thenWe're being deployed to AfghanistanAfter flying for about an hour, anAnnouncement was made that sackLunches were available for fiveDollars. It would be several hoursBefore we reached the east, and IQuickly decided a lunch would helpPass the time..As I reached for my wallet, IOverheard a soldier ask his buddy if hePlanned to buy lunch.'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. ProbablyWouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base 'His friend agreed.I looked around at the otherSoldiers. None were buying lunch. IWalked to the back of the plane andHanded the flight attendant aFifty dollar bill.'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezedTig htly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was aSoldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'Picking up ten sacks, she headed upThe aisle to where the soldiersWere seated. She stopped at my seatAnd asked, 'Which do you likeBest - beef or chicken?''Chicken,' I replied, wondering whyShe asked. She turned and went toThe front of plane, returning aMinute later with a dinner plate fromFirst class. 'This is your thanks..'After we finished eating, I wentAgain to the back of the plane,Heading for the rest room.A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it.Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.Soon after I returned to my seat, ISaw the Flight Captain coming downThe aisle, looking at the aisleNumbers as he walked, I hoped he wasNot looking for me, but noticed heWas looking at the numbers only onMy side of the plane.When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said,'I want to shake your hand.'Quickly unfastening my seatbelt IStood and took the Captain's hand.With a booming voice he said, 'I wasA soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness INever forgot..' I was embarrassedWhen applause was heard from all ofThe passengers.Later I walked to the front of thePlane so I could stretch my legs.A man who was seated about six rowsIn front of me reached out hisHand, wanting to shake mine. He leftAnother twenty-five dollars in my palm.When we landed I gathered myBelongings and started to deplane.Waiting just inside the airplane doorWas a man who stopped me, putSomething in my shirt pocket, turned,And walked away without saying aWord. Another twenty-five dollars!Upon entering the terminal, I saw theSoldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to themAnd handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time toReach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.God Bless You.'Ten young men left that flightFeeling the love and respect of theirFellow travelers. As I walkedBriskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return.These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could onlyGive them a couple of meals.It seemed so little...A veteran is someone who, at onePoint in his life, wrote a blank checkMade payable to 'The United States ofAmerica ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'That is Honor, and there are way toomany people in this country whono longer understand it.'May God give you the strength andcourage to pass this along toeveryone on your email buddy list....I JUST DID

Two industry leaders partner together, Lexington SC

Lexington School District 1 and Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors Partnered together to provide benifits to all employees at the District.

Columbia, SC: Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors and The Real Estate Advantage Program have partnered with Lexington School District 1 to offer an affinity program. This affinity program offers all employees of Lexington School District 1 an opportunity to earn money back when buying or selling a home. In addition to the program, employees are made aware of the federal grant monies that are available when purchasing a home.

After beginning to offer the Real Estate Advantage Program, two teachers from Lexington 1 enrolled in the program and received their cash rebate at the closing on their new home.

This program is available to all employees of Lexington 1 and their immediate family. For more information call Edwin Gerace 803-609-7653.

Lynwood L. Duke
Director of Career Development/Public Relations
1022 Calhoun Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Negotiating Tips for Buyers and Sellers

NEGOTIATING TIPS

FOR BUYER AND SELLERS

Rule #1:
Do not go back and forth between the Buyer and Seller more than 2 times in negotiating. The 1st round is about the home and getting it sold or bought. The 2nd round it is about money. The 3rd round it becomes about who wins and becomes personal. The end result becomes lost in the negotiating.

Rule #2:
Buyers and sellers must not dislike each other. You must make sure that the agents and the buyers and sellers don't talk about each other. Focus on the putting the deal together.

Rule #3:
Stay focused on the goal of completing the sale. Keep emotions, personality, and personalities away from the transaction. Stay relaxed, cool, calm and collected. Don't let the negotiations and concessions interrupt the goal of the transaction.

Rule #4:
People believe what is in writing. Everything that is negotiated or discussed be put in writing so that there will be no uncertainties. Verbal uncertainties can not be upheld in any court. When things are put in writing make sure they are written with zero grey area, because "Error falls on the Scribner".

Rule #5: When you negotiate concessions make it a two street. If you want something, give something in return. This goes back to Rule #3 and #5. Negotiating can be sometimes considered a team sport. When both sides do some give and take, it makes the negotiating more successful.

Rule #6:
Never respond to negotiating or offers to quickly. This can come off as eager, and anxious. Make all decisions and negotiating done in the time frame of the contract but don't make it seem that is was not cut and dry and simple. Eagerness can make you look weak.

Rule #7:
Never brag or gloat about the terms in the contract or disclose material facts to anyone prior to the closing. This can hinder future negotiating of concessions. Clients are less likely to work with others when they think they received the short end of the deal.

Rule #8:
When you work on a contract and hit a bump in the road or a wall, stop and work the other terms of the contract. You can not try to fix multiple issues at same time. Negotiate through the entire contract and then come back to the bump and focus on one singular issue. It is easier to solve one task at a time.

Rule #9:
Do not loose trust with the buyers,sellers and the agents. Trust can carry allot of weight. When trust is lost, buyers and sellers second guess all negotiating and concessions.


Rule #10:
Never disclose that you have any time pressure. This is a sign of weakness. Work the transaction as if time is not an issue. If you use time as part of negotiations, you say to the other person that you will do what ever needed to get it done in the time frame that you need.


All these rules work don't work all the time. Some of the rules work all the time.

These are not set in stone, but have worked in the past over the last 10 years in the Real Estate Business. For more information contact Edwin Gerace mail@609sold.com or http://www.edwingerace.com/ or follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/edwingerace

Lexington County South Carolina Home Buyer Assistance Program

Lexington Community Development
Accepting Applications
for the Homeownership Assistance Program

Lexington County is accepting applications for its new Homebuyer Assistance Program. Funding for the program is provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Assistance will be provided in the amount of $5,000 on a first-come/first-served basis for eligible applicants.

For More information and or to receive an information and informational brochure contact Edwin Gerace via email at mail@609sold.com

Funding for the Homeownership Assistance Program is Provided by HUD’s HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME). HOME is the largest Federal block grant to State and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. HOME provides formula grants to states and local governments. The funds are used, often in partnership with local nonprofit groups, to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.

For More information and or to receive an information and informational brochure contact Edwin Gerace via email at mail@609sold.com

General eligibility requirements to receive assistance for this new program are:
The home must be located within Lexington County.
The home must be occupied as the primary residence of the applicant.
The home must meet, at a minimum, Section 8 Housing Quality Standards (HQS). A Lexington County Building Inspector will assess the home to determine compliance with quality standards. If corrective work is required, all work to address HQS violations must be completed prior to the closing date. Down payment assistance funds cannot be used for minor repairs or to correct violations.
Homes purchased with assistance through this program must meet the HUD Single Family Mortgage Limits under 203 (b) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)). The County’s maximum purchase price for a home is currently $144,584 for a single-family dwelling (95% of the median area’s purchase). Homes that exceed this cost are not eligible for assistance through this program.
An appraisal must be done on the subject home/property. The home must appraise for at least the value of the purchase price.
Homes selected for purchase must be built after 1978.

For More information and or to receive an information and informational brochure contact Edwin Gerace via email at mail@609sold.com


The Homeownership Assistance Program is administered through the County of Lexington’s Community Development Department. The program provides funding to eligible first-time homebuyers to assist with down payment and/or closing costs. A first-time homebuyer is defined as one who does not presently own a home or land, nor has previously owned a home or land with in the last three (3) years. At the time of application to the Community Development Department, an applicant also cannot have an existing purchase contract on a home.

For More information and or to receive an information and informational brochure contact Edwin Gerace via email at mail@609sold.com

Real Estate in The Midlands

I am a realtor with over 10 years of experience and what I am seeing in the real estate market now is something very interesting and complex. What I am seeing is a abundant amount of errors in the economy that have caused so major corrections to occur in real estate. The flaw in that is that the correction needed can not be implemented with out some changes with out some financing adjustments. That is where the rubber hits the road.



There is an abundant supply of homes in some areas to include Lexington, Chapin/Ballentine, Forest Acres, Irmo, Lake Murray area, and other parts of Lexington County and Richland County. I have wrote several posts on my blog about South Carolina Market Conditions, HUD's attempt to help Home Buyers, News about Real Estate in South Carolina and other topics on Real Estate in 2009, but the question is still asked of me daily is " Are Houses Selling?" or "What is going to happen to House values?"



Edwin's opinion and only his is that there must be some corrections made and some team work with banks and other financial institutions for anything to happen in a timely manor.



Step 1 is to keep Mortgage Rates under 6% and there be no Large swing in rates. With swings in rates you get people refinancing but that last time I checked only helped bankers and appraisers and didn't build houses or sell houses.

Step 2 is for it to be mandatory for banks to work with Realtors,sellers,buyers and all other parties in a timely manor on short sales. The process currently is bogged down and is perceived as a nightmare to get involved in. So potential buyers are leaving the people that need the help the most.

Step 3 halt all foreclosures if home is occupied and mandate the bank work with local Realtors to create a short sale opportunity for primary residential buyers. This people in homes not on streets. This keeps banks working for solutions. Cause when banks foreclose, homeowner is out and the bank fire sales the home. The net effect is the same except putting someone out on the street.

Step 4 New construction that is out in the market place, make some type of incentive or work with other local builders to finish the homes. This way banks can sell finished products. The typical homeowner is not real interested in buying a 1/2 finished house. Secondly there is a slim to none chance of getting a loan to finish the house for the consumer. So the net effect of doing nothing with these homes is that the neighbor home values fall, the condition of 1/2 done house gets worse and banks loose more money. Fix the house sell it for below market. The net effect with this is a builder with no job gets work, bank gets house sold, the neighbors don't loose thousands.

Step 5 Banks to have systems in place to lend money. The model that worked 2 years ago about lending money to anyone that had a pluse and no downpayment and apprasials for what ever value the consumer wanted doesnt work now and we see it has huge side effects. The current model is not the answer either with tightening the credit requirments, large down payments which actually is scaring buyers is not the answer. We might need to find a banking policy model from 8-10 years ago that worked with people that had credit issues, but was willing to work to get the loan done but was fair to all parties including banks and consumers.