First Time Home Buyers! Buying NOW Has Advantages!

Yes, Virginia! If you are ABLE, READY and WILLING.....

NOW....is a good time to make a SMART, GREAT purchase for your first home.

Don't be deceived by the NATIONAL MARKET! All real estate is LOCAL!

Would you believe that home values in metropolitan Columbia are STABLE?


Yes, Virginia! The real estate sky is not falling in our area. What does that mean?

If you wait for prices and interest rates to drop......THEY MIGHT NOT!



Higher Interest Rates+Higher Prices+Limited Financing=REDUCTION!

A reduction in your ability to afford your first home!

Plus, there are TWO additional tax benefits to purchasing a home.....NOW!


1. Do you remember the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006?

This signed legislation will allow 2008 and 2009 homebuyers to deduct premiums paid for mortgage insurance - which typically is required when homebuyers purchase a home with less than a 20% down payment.

This new insurance premium deduction will only apply to mortgage insurance contracts issued in 2008 and 2009 and is only available to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income does not exceed $110,000 ($55,000 for married taxpayers filing separately).

For more information about H.R. 6111 (look in Act 419-Code 163-6050H) , contact your CPA or tax attorney.


2. Have you heard about Housing Stimulus Bill (H.R. 3221)?

As a first-time home buyer, this Congressional Act could give you a $7,500 tax credit for your residential purchase between NOW and June 30, 2009.

CLICK HERE for more information about H.R. 3221.

If you are ready for your FREE, NO OBLIGATION First-Time Home Buyer Assessment... please feel free to give David Patterson a call at (803) 772-5858 or email David at blogger@davidpatterson.net

10 Neighborhoods With Homes for Sale in Columbia SC That Should Be Considered

Don't believe everything on television and in print media. Columbia SC has experienced stability in their real estate values. Don't believe me?

Click This Link to read the November 2008 Edition of the Greater Columbia Economic Quarterly Review!

For those of you that are STILL attempting to sell your home......

I have experienced a significant amount of traffic on my website and blogs over the last few weeks. Some inquiries are from ABLE, READY and WILLING home buyers that are in the market for their next home.

Will your home be the next to sell?
Can I help with that process? Ooops...Sorry about that digression!

Anyway..........

Here are 10 of the Most Popular Neighborhoods with homes for sale throughout Columbia SC.

Please Note -- Crime Statistics, demographics and other common questions about a neighborhood did NOT have an impact on these rankings.

These are the ten neighborhoods that have been researched on a consistent basis at
http://www.davidpatterson.net/ and http://www.thepattersonfiles.info/

Click each link to preview current Homes for Sale in that neighborhood.

1. Lake Carolina

2. The Summit (click here for The Summit Homeowners Association)

3. Woodlake

4. Turtle Creek - Brick Homes for Sale in Northeast Columbia SC under $180,000

5. Chestnut Hill Plantation (Chestnut HOA)

6. Ashley Place

7. The Highlands (search #1) (search #2)

8. Palmetto Place (Governed by the Covenants & Bylaws of the Lansdowne Community)
CLICK HERE FOR 405 Sawtooth Lane and other Palmetto Place FEATURED HOMES.

9. Ashley Ridge

10. Indigo Springs

For more information about any of these neighborhoods, feel free to contact me at blogger@davidpatterson.net

Rule #1 - It’s Not Your Home Anymore!

Contribution from Linsey Planeta, Broker & Real Estate Coach

Belterra Fine Homes - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Phone: 949.939.2514 / linsey@ocrealestatevoice.com

www.ocrealestatevoice.com

If you are getting ready to sell, or you’ve already tried without success, it’s time to look at your home with fresh eyes. Better yet, not your eyes at all.

As soon as you decide to sell your home, you must change the way you view it.

It is no longer just the place you live. Your home has become a commodity that you are trying to sell quickly and for the highest amount that the market will bear.

I can hear some of you already, ‘But I have to live here and feel at home in the meantime‘ or ‘Everyone already says that my home shows beautifully.’

I know, I know. Trust me. I get it and I’ve heard it but believe me when I tell you, it’s the seller that says, ‘Tell me what I need to do‘ that will meet with success.

So what do you need to do?

Step 1: Stop going to your friends for advice. People often hang with people that have similar taste. That doesn’t mean you and your friends necessarily have the taste that will appeal to the broadest spectrum of buyers.

Step 2: Pay Attention to An Agent's Advice. They are working with consumers every day. They know what turns a buyer off and what is most appealing. Caution - we wary of the agent that says that it’s all just great and they wouldn’t change a thing.

Step 3: Change Your Mindset. If you are looking for your home to sell, understand the market conditions, competing properties and the inventory. You vying for buyer attention. You must be willing to let go of the personal things!

Step 4: Do the Work. Whether it means painting, removing wallpaper, cleaning up the clutter or removing bulky furniture, get to it. As soon as you start having a mental argument with your agent about the necessity of ripping down this expensive, decorator wallpaper - stop yourself and remember that you won’t be living here shortly anyway. Appeal to the greatest number of buyers - this is the goal!

Step 5: Hire A Professional. The best results and return on investment are from a full staging company, but if cash is not available hire them for a consultation. You are trying to create the emotional appeal that makes a buyer feel a sense of urgency about writing an offer. This is what a good stager is best at and this is what you are hiring them for.

Palmetto Place Price Reductions - Homes for Sale in Northeast Columbia SC

Nestled in a remote location of Northeast Columbia SC, Palmetto Place is a subdivision within the Lansdowne Community and is within five minutes of the Village at Sandhill and Summit Parkway Middle School. This community features tennis and basketball courts, a small lake, a swimming pool and a children's playground.

No matter your taste, the communities within Lansdowne has something for you including...

FEATURED PROPERTY -- 405 Sawtooth Lane -- $175,000!

This true four bedroom home has upgraded amenities that include His & Her Walk-in closets, double vanity sinks, a garden tub and separate shower in the Master Suite; laundry room and custom wood plantation blinds throughout the interior; finished garage and full sod coverage with a fenced backyard in and around the exterior and hardwoods in the formal dining room & foyer area.



--- CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES OF 405 SAWTOOTH LANE ---


Call David at (803) 772-5858 to Schedule Your Showing Appointment!


-- CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PALMETTO PLACE HOMES ---

Do You Want to Sell Your Home? Price It Ahead of The Market!

With the 2008 Presidential Election and the holidays quickly approaching, the Columbia SC real estate market has plenty of homes for sale. As a matter of fact, current market conditions have motivated me to post a series of "Trouble Selling Your Home" articles on my blogs. Topics have included:

1. Having Trouble Selling Your Home?
2. Having Trouble Selling Your Home? - Part Two!
3. Why Aren't Buyers Coming to See Your Home?

Unfortunately, one challenge of some current homeowners that hasn't been addressed at The Patterson Files is mindset. Why do I know this to be true? Just look at the questions that are posed by some homeowners. For example, one of my favorite real estate bloggers is Linsey Planeta from http://www.ocrealestatevoice.com/

I subscribe to her http://www.whydidntmyhomesell.com/ blog. When I opened my inbox on today, I received a copy of her most recent post entitled "The Biggest Mistake to Make in Pricing Your Home". This post was based upon the following question that was posed by a current homeowner:

"If you really want to move a house in today's market what is reasonable to ask over fair market value?" - Karen from Rockford

There are sellers that are still insistent on obtaining maximum (or above) price for their home.

Well, Karen from Rockford! I have some serious questions for you!

1. Do you NEED to sell your home in the next sixty (60) days? If YES, then here are some other questions that will go to the heart of your current situation.

2. Do you NEED to sell your home for the maximum price? or do you NEED to sell your home?

3. Do you NEED to sell your home for the maximum price under current market conditions.................... or do you NEED to sell PERIOD?

These seem like simple questions that border on the word DUPLICATION.

For those of you that are having trouble selling your home, I assure you! They are NOT!

They are not the same question unless your actions, motivation and mindset about selling your home are on one accord and are conducive to meeting your current real estate NEEDS.

Depending upon the Absorption Rate and popularity of your neighborhood, you might be disappointed by the maximum price that buyers are willing to pay for your home.

You must price your home ahead of the market!

What does that mean? If you don't price your home in a way that positions yours to be the next in line to sell, then you might be chasing the market instead of pricing the market in your favor for a quick sale.

Let me allow Joshua Hanoud with Tropic Shores Realty in Spring Hill, FL to explain the risk of not pricing ahead of the market.

"The risk that you take by pricing above market value is that the market throughout most of the country is still trending downward, and if you are not the next home to sell, yours will be worth less next month. Market value is market value. It's not set by you, your realtor, or anybody else other than the buyer who is willing to put cash down on the table and slide it all over your way in exchange for your keys."

I know you might not want to hear these statements. However, if you were sick, you'd want the doctor to tell you ASAP! Well......In my mind, it's no different with my real estate clients. Therefore, paraphrasing The Shawshank Redemption...

It's time to GET TO SELLING or GET TO STAYING! The choice is yours.

When Considering South Carolina Retirement Plans...Don't Forget Columbia SC!

While responding to general real estate questions from customers and the general public on Trulia.com, Roy from Ingleside asked the following question:

My wife and I are retiring in less than a year and are considering South Carolina…We live in the Chicago area now and are tired of the cold. We are looking for something under $200,000, near golf, boating and shopping. From what I have read, SC has low property taxes which is important to us. Which area around Columbia sc would be the best place for a retired couple to live?

What is my response? Peach Grove Villas could be a good option.


Unlike any other condo community in Northeast Columbia, Peach Grove Villas is an Epcon Community of ranch condos with private two car garages, sunrooms and floor plans from 1327-1927 square feet. The homes all feature stone and hardy plank exteriors and the community offers a clubhouse, fitness center and pool.

The first homes will be ready for occupancy in late summer or early fall of 2008 and Peach Grove Villas. Three of the four floor plans are one story homes and they are all built in the clustered "pinwheel" concept. This concept ensures all homes in the same building have front doors that face in different directions. This, along with the quality materials, provide the same comfort, style and character of larger, single-family homes all in a no maintenance, care-free lifestyle.

For more information about this or any other Epcon community, please feel free to give my friend Dan Elmaleh a call! He can give you more details! Dan can be reached at (803) 223-9545 or (704) 608-7621.

Irmo Homes For Sale - Ricefield Plantation Could Be A "Best Kept Secret"

Looking for communities w/cookie cutter homes & small lots?







Then, Ricefield Plantation is not the neighborhood for you.





Priced from the $260s, Ricefield Plantation is a custom neighborhood with homes constructed by such builders as Rice Planter Homes.

These homes are within two miles of Ballentine Elementary School in the Lexington/Richland Five School District.

The mission of School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, an educational community unified by an uncompromising commitment to excellence and strengthened in diversity, is to ensure that each student fulfills his or her potential and excels in a changing world by instilling integrity and virtue, stimulating critical and creative thinking, developing effective communicators and problem solvers, and fostering superior achievement and life long learning.

Most Irmo, South Carolina real estate, which includes Ricefield Plantation, is within minutes of Harbison Boulevard.

The Harbison Boulevard area, anchored by the 800,000 square foot Columbiana Centre shopping mall, is one of fastest growing retail center in Metropolitan Columbia, South Carolina.
The stores along Harbison Boulevard include many national restaurants and retailers such as Books-a-Million and Marshall's. Do you want to see a movie? Harbison offers The Carmike and Columbiana Grand Cinemas.

My featured listing is a 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath home has an open and bright floor plan with hardwoods throughout the kitchen and living areas. The kitchen has Solid Surface Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances and cabinets galore.

This home can be yours for $254,900.

Here are some other available listings.........

4 Bedrooms - 3.5 Bathrooms - 3199 Square Feet for $319,000

4 Bedrooms - 2.5 Bathrooms - 2831 Square Feet for $268,945 (all brick)

Please feel free to call me at (803) 960-5231 for your showing appointments.

If you like reading this type of information, SUBSCRIBE to this blog.

Do You Really Want to Submit a Low Ball Offer?

Guest Contribution from Rebecca D. Levinson
Corporate Blooger/Community Leader
Connect2Agent - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Phone: 888.513.7860 / rebecca@connect2agent.com



Are you considering making a "low-ball" offer to purchase your dream home? Any offer that is more than 10% off the asking price can be considered a low-ball offer. By sending a low-ball offer to a seller, you might be presenting yourself to sellers a someone that is not serious about buying their home.

Even in this market, homeowners do not like to waste time with "wannabe" home buyers with offers that are more than 10% off the listing price. Hence, you could impact your negotiating power with a seller.

There are many reasons why this is the case. Even though a real estate transaction is a business transaction, many sellers have personal feelings invested in the sale of their house. Their home has become like a welcoming friend, and so a low-ball offer can feel like a personal insult.

Some sellers cannot afford to sell for much less than what they are asking for their house. If the price of the house is in line with the current market values, they will not be in a position--nor will they be willing--to accept your offer.

The best way to make an offer on a house is to choose the right local real estate professional to assist you with home prices in the market.

(David's Note: For the full version of this article, click here)

Part-Time Job Opportunity in Columbia SC at Keller Williams Realty

Associates of Keller Williams Realty in Columbia SC are now accepting resumes and cover letters for a new part-time job opportunity with potential growth into a full-time Management position.

Job Title - Marketing Coordinator

+ Function as a Liaison for a Real Estate Agency Representation Group

+ Prepare/Distribute Marketing Materials

+ Conduct Customer Surveys/Interviews

+ Perform Data Entry & Reporting

+ Handle Inbound Telephone Calls


Please email your cover letter and resume to jobsat684@yahoo.com or deliver the aforementioned to 4400 Saint Andrews Road in Columbia SC.

PLEASE NOTE: Keller Williams Associates are committed to keeping their telephone lines open for current and future clients. Therefore, please make any and all contact through email.

Thanks for your cooperation!

Turtle Creek - Homes for Sale in Northeast Columbia SC

Turtle Creek is one of the few all-brick communities in Columbia real estate that is priced under $185,000. This community is within five minutes of the Village at Sandhill and Summit Parkway Middle School.




-- CLICK HERE TO SEARCH TURTLE CREEK HOMES FOR SALE --

Turtle Creek offers well landscaped sidewalks and walking trails with homes that sit on lots ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 acres.

This featured home has bamboo flooring, granite countertops and upgraded lighting. If you like homes that offer plenty of natural light and minimum maintenance, then Turtle Creek has your next home.

If you like reading this type of information, SUBSCRIBE to this blog.

Milford Park - Homes for Sale in Irmo / Ballentine

Milford Park in Irmo/Ballentine offers roomy, traditional homes with spacious backyards. You’ll love the tree-lined streets, sidewalks and community recreation area with pool, cabana and a play area for your children.

Milford Park is within minutes of Ballentine Elementary School in the Lexington/Richland Five School District and the Harbison Boulevard.

The Harbison Boulevard area, anchored by the 800,000 square foot Columbiana Centre shopping mall, is one of fastest growing retail center in Metropolitan Columbia, South Carolina.

The stores along Harbison Boulevard include many national restaurants and retailers such as Books-a-Million and Marshall's. Do you want to see a movie? Harbison offers The Carmike and Columbiana Grand Cinemas.

This immaculate Milford Park home has a generous offering of hardwood floors and four bedrooms with the Master Suite on the lower level. The second level offers a huge loft to be used as an office or play area for your children.

If you are interested in this neighborhood, then CLICK HERE TO VIEW HOMES FOR SALE IN MILFORD PARK!

Are You Relocating to Columbia SC? Here Is Some Area Information!

In the never ending effort to post useful information on the Internet, I have created some pages on my blogs and websites that can be used as a resource for finding…….

Columbia SC Area School Districts

Columbia SC Employers and Job Opportunities

Columbia SC Movie Theaters and Showtimes


If you would like for me to post additional information about Columbia, please CLICK THIS LINK and share your recommendation. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Keller Williams Columbia South Carolina Broker Needs Your Help

One of the goals of ThePattersonFiles and my website ( http://www.davidpatterson.net/ ) is to provide information that is important to my readers (YES…That would be you!)

There are many real estate websites that are not consumer-centric. I have never had a desire to be part of the crowd. I want to be different and one of your valued assets.

Hence, I need your help! Do you have a real estate question that needs an answer? Are you looking for more information on a real estate related topic? Do you have an interested in what it takes for a real estate agent to be successful?

What information would you like to find on my websites and blogs?

At this time, you can find……

1. Columbia SC Homes for Sale
2. The Value of your Current Home
3. South Carolina Real Estate Agency Laws – Your Real Estate Rights!
4. Foreclosure Listings
5. Advice for First Time Home Buyers
6. A Partial List of Neighborhoods with Restrictive Covenants
7. Home Selling Tips
8. Actual Home Buying Experiences
9. Mortgage Resources
10. Real Estate Tax Laws

Please help me with providing you with a great resource for your real estate needs!

CLICK HERE to share your ideas! Your help is greatly appreciated!!

Columbia SC Real Estate Agency Laws – Agency Relationships

This is Part One of a past series of posts that will attempt to perform one of my legal obligations to you. Today…let’s talk about real estate laws and how they impact you.

The South Carolina Real Estate License Law requires real estate licensees (agents) to provide you with a meaningful explanation of Agency Relationships offered by their Company.

When encountering any licensee (whether you meet them at an Open House or a New Construction site such as Lake Carolina) or before you begin to work with a real estate licensee, the licensee should give you an Agency Disclosure Brochure.

It is important for you to know the difference between a Broker-in-Charge and associated licensees. This brochure begins the process of providing a meaningful explanation of agency.

The Broker-in-Charge is the person in charge of a real estate Company. Associated licensees may work only through a Broker-in-Charge. In other words, when you choose to work with any real estate licensee, your business relationship is legally with the Company and not with the associated licensee.

A real estate Company and its associated licensees can provide buyers and sellers valuable real estate services, whether in the form of basic customer services, or through client-level agency representation.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEEN BEING A CUSTOMER & A CLIENT!

In Part Two of this series, I’ll discuss that difference and why you should establish your business relationship with a licensee EARLY in the process.

If you like reading this type of information, SUBSCRIBE to this blog.

Keller Williams Columbia Broker Advises First Time Home Buyers

I am in the final stages of completing an series of articles that will discuss the different phases of buying homes for sale in Columbia SC . This is an attempt to educate first time home buyers about the critical steps in a successful home buying experience. Topics include:

•1. The Chicken or The Egg - Who Should First Time Homebuyers Hire First?

•2. Prequalification v. Preapproval: What's The Difference?

•3. First Time Home Buyer Interviews - Ricki Lake Would Be Proud

•4. MLS! - What Does Soccer Have to Do with Buying a Home?

•5. You Do Know That House Hunters is a Television Show... Don't You?

•6. You Found a House.......How Do You Make It Your Home?

•7. The Yogi Berra Saying That Offers Advice to First Time Home Buyers

If you would like for The Patterson Files to address any other home buying topic, please feel free to email the topic to thepattersonfiles@davidpatterson.net

You Do Know That House Hunters is a Television Show... Don't You?

For those of you that might not have accessed cable television over the last decade, House Hunters has arguably become one of the most popular shows on HGTV. The premise of this show is simple. Home buyers meet with a real estate agent and visit three homes with a commercial or two mixed through their shopping search.

By the time the cameras have returned from the last commercial, the home buyers have picked a home, made an offer, closed escrow on the purchase, moved and remodeled the home.

I’ve had people say to me……………That is so unrealistic! Do most home buyers know that House Hunters is a television show?

Yes. House Hunters is a television show!

However, it is possible to have a similar experience by taking the following steps:

1. Hire a real estate professional that can put the F.A.T. in your home buying experience.
2. With the help of your real estate professional, hire a reputable mortgage professional.
3. Spend time with your real estate professional to conduct a Home Buyer Interview.
4. Allow the real estate professional educate you about the Home Buying Process.

In my opinion, you should take these four steps BEFORE GETTING INTO THE CAR AND LOOKING AT HOMES.

These steps will save you time, frustration and $4 a gallon of wasted gasoline.

Having Trouble With Selling Your Home?

Guest Contribution from Patricia Kennedy, Author
The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate
Evers & Company - Washington, DC
Phone: 202.464.8400 / housepat@mac.com





A few years ago, I was approached to be the third agent for a stately colonial on upper 16th Street. The first two agents had the distinction of being the guys who ranked number 1 and 2 in dollar volume in DC. I'm nowhere close.

I reviewed the prior listing information. The price didn't look bad. Neither agent had made the place particularly easy to show - I hadn't been inside during either listing period. Then, when I got inside, I quickly figured it out.



The owners had been in the Foreign Service for decades and had lived and worked all over the planet. There was some amazing art work on every surface in the house - floors, tables and walls. In the living room, on the first wall you saw upon entering the house, they displayed a huge collection of ceremonial masks. They were beautiful, but awfully distracting, and some of them (the ones made to ward off burglars) were probably a little menacing to buyers crossing the threshold.


Then there were paintings and sculpture that was just distracting. Also, I imagined that the owners were reluctant to allow a lock box on the door of their little domestic museum.

So, my advice was to pack up almost all of the artwork and put it into storage. They did. They painted the living room and refinished the floors on the lower level.

I listed the house without any price reduction. Within a week, we had a ratified contract.

Now, sometimes it really is a price that's too high, but once in a while it's the ceremonial masks!

Columbia SC Home Values Aren't Determined By The National Media

During my last post, I announced the ability for my readers to preview homes for sale in Columbia SC, homes for sale in Irmo and homes for sale in Lexington SC.

Now is the time for my second announcement regarding the enhancements to The Patterson Files.

In my opinion, all visitors to my blog should know the value of their home. Hence, I have added the ability for you to stay up-to-date on the value of your home.

Please feel free to visit RealEstateInTheMidlands.info for area home values and home values throughout the country.

If you ever have any questions about homes for sale or Midlands Home Values, please feel free to send me an email at cma@davidpatterson.net or give me a call at (803) 960-5231.

Columbia SC Homes for Sale and Irmo Homes for Sale

Attention Future Home Buyers!

By popular demand, I have added the ability for you to preview Columbia SC homes and Lexington SC homes for sale at The Patterson Files. What did you say? You want to search homes for sale in Irmo? Well..........you will be able to search for these homes at The Patterson Files!

If you ever have any questions about any listing that peak your interest, please feel free to send me an email at cmls@davidpatterson.net or give me a call at (803) 960-5231.

Happy Home Searching!!!

Real Estate Broker David Patterson Joins Keller Williams Realty

For those of you that frequent this site, you might have noticed an extended absence from posting to my blog. I apologize for my neglect. However, you know how moving from one place to another can be time consuming and physically draining. Yes……..I’ve been moving……moving to another company.

On Friday, May 2, 2008, I left my corner office at the Forest Acres branch of Russell & Jeffcoat to join the future real estate leader in Columbia, SC. Keller Williams has welcomed me with open arms and I look forward to the next phase of my real estate career.

Since joining Keller Williams, I’ve made several calls that have required an introduction of my company. Most of the initial responses to my introduction have been “Keller Who?” Well….If you don’t know about Keller Williams, you will know soon. In the meantime, let me give you a brief synopsis of Keller Williams Realty.

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is an international real estate company with more than 780 offices located across the United States and Canada. The company began franchising in 1991 and, following years of phenomenal growth and success, has become one of the five largest United States based residential real estate firms in North America.

The Keller Williams International Mission Statement is to build careers worth having, businesses worth owning and lives worth living. Our vision is to be the company of choice for a new generation of professional real estate agents and brokerage owners.

The Keller Williams Columbia Market Center has about 70+ agents and has just moved into a new, spacious brick building at 4400 Saint Andrews Road. If you would like more information about my new company, why we should be representing you in the purchase and sale of your home or interested in starting a career with Keller Williams and/or Patterson Group, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you soon!