Russell & Jeffcoat News

Realty Times - Five Great Things about Homeownership

2011-11-07T14:17:00.000-05:00

Realty Times - Five Great Things about Homeownership

410 ABBEYDALE WAY

2011-09-21T16:06:00.000-04:00

Timely Information

2011-07-20T14:54:00.001-04:00

Contributed by Sally Newell
Lexington East BIC

Why you should pull the tax records when working with a seller or buyer!
Seller: perhaps they are being taxed at too high a rate and you can give them the information they need to go to the county and appeal.
Seller and buyer: Check to see if any of the property is taxed at an agricultural rate which could mean there might be roll back taxes owed when sold ( can be negotiated between seller and buyer, but need to know up front for contract purposes , knowledge and disclosure).
Seller and buyer: If the tax assessment is higher than the sales price, the bank may figure the taxes on the higher amount ( assessment rather than the sales price) and this can throw the debt ratio off for the buyer and the closing can be called off as late as the day of the closing.
Point of Sale
The property taxes after the sale of a property will be figured on the sales price or what the county deems the value is. ie: If a property is sold for less than the value the county thinks it should be, it does not mean the taxes will be refigured at that lower sales price if lower than the assessment. So point of sale doesn't apply if the assessment is higher than the sales price unless you can get the county to change it with comps and appraisal. If you pull the records and think this could be the case, get to work on it asap so you don't run into this after contract and just before the closing. You will have to have good documentations to get them to look at a change.If the buyer really got a great buy, they will not change the assessment on that basis.

Institute 2.0 A New Tool for Our Agents

2011-06-20T11:17:00.003-04:00

We are in the process of rolling out Institute 2.0 and Our World a new training tool for our agents. Look for more details soon!

Need Help Getting Your Home Ready to Show?

2011-04-13T14:24:00.002-04:00

HGTV gives you the Dos and Don'ts of Staging http://ow.ly/4zzNr

Prediction of a Housing Shortage

2011-04-04T09:51:00.001-04:00

Daily Real Estate News March 31, 2011 Housing Shortage on the Horizon? Mike Castleman, founder and CEO of Metrostudy, which tracks real-time data of the country’s inventory of new homes, says a housing shortage is looming that will soon will create a huge surge in demand for new homes. As such, now is the time to buy, he says.In the 41 cities Metrostudy covers, 78,000 houses are either vacant and for sale, or under construction — that is less than a quarter of the new homes that fell in that category during the housing boom in 2006 and way below the level of a decade ago. "If we had anything like normal levels of buying, those houses would sell in 2½ months," says Castleman. "We'd see an incredible shortage. And that's where we're heading."The historic drop in new construction mixed with the decline in housing prices is laying the foundation for a dramatic recovery in residential real estate, Castleman told CNN. Castleman expects home owners soon will start returning, which will drive up prices in many markets later this year. While demand remains low for new construction, he expects that to change. He foresees the recovery following a similar path as previous ones: A severe housing shortage will drive a big increase in demand. “We'll get a big surge in demand and the drywall companies will take a long time to ramp up, and it will take years to get new lots approved,” he predicts. “Buyers will show up looking for a house in a subdivision, and all the houses will be sold. The builders will tell them it will take six months to deliver a house." But they’ll want the house so bad that they’ll “bid the prices up."

Congratulations!

2011-03-23T17:05:00.001-04:00

Dream Home Wish List

2011-02-24T14:07:00.002-05:00

Carla Hill's article in Realty Times.

There are millions of homes for sale across the country. How do you know which is the right one for you?

The key to getting just the right fit is to develop a wish list. From the lifestyle you want to live to the style of home that best fits your needs, a wish list is a great way for you and your real estate agent to be clear on your objectives.

1. Fixer-upper vs. Move-in ready: Many buyers look at homeownership as a way to make their mark on a property. They are confident in their renovating skills, or are eager to hone them. Part of the appeal may also be that many fixer-upper homes cost considerably less than comparables which are move-in ready. Be sure to sit down and consider what you want homeownership to mean for you.

2. Location: Are you needing to be near public transportation, rail lines, and subways? Keep in mind that in larger metro areas, close proximity to transit can send prices sky high. You'll also want to think about entertainment, restaurants, and night life. Is it important to be near the hustle and bustle, or away from it?

3. Schools: It's no secret. The quality of various public and private schools range widely. Be sure to research school districts before starting your home search.

4. Architectural Style: Some people are drawn to the clean lines and light and bright spaces of a modern design, while others enjoy the cozy charm of a Victorian home. Leaf through magazines, do searches online, and read up in architectural books to decide on what style of home best fits your aesthetic.

5. Upgrades: Are you geared towards granite? Do you marvel at marble? There are certain upgrades that buyers covet. Make a list of what upgrades you would most like to see in your dream home. This can include professional-grade appliances, luxury tiles, or energy efficient upgrades.

6. Interior Styling: If you have allergies, then you may abhor carpet. And while replacing flooring isn't a budget breaker for some, it can be for others. Interior stylings can be changed, but time and money are always a factor. By having in mind the type of interior you most desire, you can cut out homes that will be too much work.

7. Great Yard Expectations: For some buyers, the perfect yard is one that requires zero maintenance (hello, condo owners). For others, however, the ideal yard is large, private, and landscaped. Be sure to contemplate on what best fits your lifestyle.

8. Old vs. New: Old homes can carry a lot of charm, but they can also require hefty maintenance. New homes are not maintenance free, but they may come with certain warranties from the builder to protect you for a few years down the road.

9. To Garage or Not Garage: Do you want a detached or attached garage? Detached garages are perfect for homeowners who work on noisy or smelly projects. This way the house maintains a distance. Other buyers prefer to have a warm walk from the kitchen to their car each morning. What works best for your lifestyle?

10. Detached or Attached: Single-family detached, condo, or income property? There are many choices when it comes to homes. Condo owners love the ease and convenience of living in a community with extra amenities. Single-family dwellers love the privacy and space their homes provide. And income property owners love having a renter that helps pay part of their mortgage.

It's important to remember that chances are you won't get all of the items on your wish list, but having a solid list written out will help guide you in the right direction during the search for your dream home.

Get in while the Getting’s Good – Why Buyers and Sellers Should Take Advantage of Today’s Real Estate Market

2011-02-16T14:29:00.000-05:00

By Dan Steward RISMEDIA, February 16, 2011—The Case-Shiller Index is one of the country’s most popular ways of measuring the movement of home prices. And in its latest rating, which went out in late December, the verdict was: Prices are down. The Case-Shiller report’s 20-City Composite rating was 0.8% lower than it was one year previously; the first year-on-year decrease since October 2009.
In some markets, sales were the worst ever—as the report noted: “While the composite housing prices are still above their spring 2009 lows, six markets—Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Portland (OR), Seattle and Tampa—hit their lowest levels since home prices started to fall in 2006 and 2007, meaning that average home prices in those markets have fallen beyond the recent lows seen in most other markets in the spring of 2009.” This may make buyers complacent, expecting prices to go down further. And if you’re a seller, your immediate reaction might be to hide under the covers.
But all may not be so negative—in fact, quite the contrary. For one, Case-Shiller numbers, when they come out, have a lag time of several months—the aforementioned batch covers through October. Since then, a lot of positive things have happened. For one, strong consumer holiday-shopping showings boosted big retailers across the country, making it the best shopping season in years. A rising stock market and tax-cut extension has also made folks a little less nervous to open their wallets. And, while unemployment is still a problem, there is some good jobs news as well—initial jobless claims fell to 388,000 for the week ending Dec. 25, down from 422,000 in the prior week (the first time it’s gone below 400,000 since July 2008).
It’s because of reasons like this—increased consumer confidence and slight lessening of fear—that you shouldn’t count on home prices dropping more. Part of it is psychological: If people see the financial and retail markets go up, signaling that the bottom in this particular financial cycle has been reached and things are moving upward, that creates more interest in buying big-ticket items, like homes. It’s normal for a buyer to start rationalizing things this way: If the economy’s starting to improve, this house is going to wind up costing much more at some point. I’d better get in the door now, so I don’t miss the boat.
Yes, there are still plenty of problems. Not just rampant unemployment (despite initial jobless claims numbers), but also a high number of foreclosures, a crowded inventory landscape and mortgage rates that are anything but friendly. But these factors could, ironically, be a sign to buy. For instance, when interest rates go up uniformly over time as they have been, people develop a bite-the-bullet mentality, thinking: “I’d better buy now even though they’re high, because it doesn’t seem like they’re going down any time soon.”
This mentality—of getting in before things move up—is something to think about if you’ve been considering selling. Get your home prepared to sell by having a professional home inspection and fixing major problems that could be impediments to buyer interest. And for buyers: Buying a home is an individual process with many factors at play, so it’s impossible to say that it’s the ideal time for everyone to buy. But for many buyers, a simple saying may very well hold true: Get in while the getting’s good.

R& J Real Estate Announces Partnership with BBB

2011-02-11T09:17:00.001-05:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate has become an accredited partner of the Better Business Bureau of Central South Carolina and Charleston. To be recognized as an accredited partner, a company most adhere to the BBB Standards for Trust as well as represent sound advertising, selling and customer service practices that enhance customer trust and confidence. “BBB Accredited Businesses are companies that meet tough BBB accreditation standards, agree to follow the highest principles of business ethics and voluntary self-regulation, and have a proven record of marketplace honesty and integrity. The BBB of Central South Carolina and Charleston is pleased to report Russell and Jeffcoat as an accredited business and BBB supporter ” stated Jim Camp, President & CEO.

Realty Times - Staging for The Five Senses

2011-01-27T09:31:00.000-05:00

Realty Times - Staging for The Five Senses

Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Announces Builder Services Division | MidlandsBiz

2011-01-27T09:24:00.000-05:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Real Estate Announces Builder Services Division MidlandsBiz

What's Next: Top Home Trends for 2011-2012

2011-01-13T15:34:00.000-05:00

By Arlene Hirst
When I was a design editor, people were always asking me about trends and what was going to be the next big thing. It's a topic of endless fascination. Editors know a lot—and it's flattering to be considered an expert. But to get the definitive answer to what's coming in the world of fashion and home furnishings, go no further than Li Edelkoort. Dutch-born Edelkoort, 58, is a pre-eminent forecaster. Her Paris-based company, Trend Union, advises clients in the fields of fashion, beauty, automobiles, consumer electronics and interior design. Philips Electronics, Nissan, Virgin, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Estée Lauder, Camper, Donna Karan, Lancome and L'Oréal are among her clients. She's been named one of the "25 Most Influential People in Fashion" by Time magazine.
I had the pleasure of attending her Home 2012 presentation earlier this month. Here's some of what she had to say.
The over-arching theme was Landscaping Interiors.
1. According to Edelkoort, we'll be living closer to the earth. The borders are blurring between landscape architecture, architecture and design. There will be even more integration of the interior with the exterior—they'll blend one into the other.
2. The green roof—tops of buildings planted with greenery— has become an icon of our times. There's now a law in Toronto, that new buildings must have them.
3. We're looking at plants in a new way and finding new ways to contain them. She cites the work of landscape artist, Paula Hayes.
4. Gardens are planted in soft, friendly, lacy colors.
5. Rocks are everywhere in our environment and culture; they're used extensively in landscaping (see above).
6. Water in landscaping is important and so are wood and ceramic.
7. Earth itself is being sculpted.
The Inner Garden
1. In interiors, there will be a return to minimalism and Zen but it won't be as extreme as it was the last time around.
2. Furniture will be lighter: mobility is key. People don't want to eat in the same place every day. They like to be able to move around and perch in the living room with tray tables.
3. Rooms will have less furniture and the furniture will be both modular and portable. There's a need for variation and there will be lots of small pieces.
4. The same thing is true of sleeping; the daybed allows for more places to nap.
5. As for the bedroom, say goodbye to duvets. delkoort predicts that there will be layering of beautiful sheets, blankets and throws. She feels that there's an urgent need for more textiles in the house to add softness.
6. Beautiful pebble colors in upholstery—referring back to her point about rocks.
Modest materials
1. Ceramic, paper and cardboard are humble materials that are coming into wider use. There's a big interest in folding; using paper, then translating it into less fragile materials.
2. Tactility is key. We need it to counteract the technology that's all around us.
3.In interiors, things are folded, cascading, and molded. There will be more faceting on buildings and materials. We'll see a lot of streaming forms.
Timber Land
1. Wood is a mood maker (see "Mad Men"). It will play an enormous role in architectural finishes. Wood wallpaper will be used more like timber. Planking is very important.
2. It's a rough and uncut look. Furniture will be more outdoorsy.
Camping colors will prevail and green will be an important color.
Grass Lands
1. Grass is being used inside as well as outside. It's a new material for the interior. Wood is even woven like grass.
2. Linen and weaving are important; rattan is coming back.
3. There will be lots of weaving, knitting and enrobing.
Embroidery and haberdashery looks are all ongoing. There's also lots of patchwork and recycling, evident in landscaping as well.
New Rural Urbanists
She describes them as a group who want to retreat to the country, but unlike previous generations who wanted to escape from civilization, this group is vitally interested in the world around them and take an activist role.
Local Color
There's a reaction against having things made in far away places. People are bringing production back home with a revival of local craft, which she feels is important to foster. Edelkoort cites Hermes as a great role model; all of its products are still made in France. She stresses the need to find incentives for more people to join the movement.
Urban Grit
There will be industrial grit and heavy metal, industrial glass and lightweight mesh. Heavy metal black kitchens will look real and tough. Rust will be used as a color as much as a material.
Hot House
Colors taken from the tropical rainforest—inspirations will bloom in interiors and fashion. It's an over-the-rainbow narrative. Think Frida Kahlo—go all out with uncoordinated color.
Plus
Animals are still everywhere. This will be their 15th season and each season has had its favorite. Currently it's cats and owls. Next will come birds, then rabbits.

Survey Says...Voicemail is Not Preferred

2010-12-07T11:38:00.004-05:00

It’s Official: We Hate Voice Mail, Survey Finds

By Ned Smith, BusinessNewsDaily Senior Writer

Americans spend more than one billion hours annually on voice mail, according to a new survey. And we hate it. We receive more than 70 billion voice mail messages each year, which has generated a substantial body of anti-voice-mail sentiment. That backlash has been a long time coming; voice mail has been with us for 40 years.

Topping the list of criticisms by users of voice mail is listening to long and rambling messages, cited by 38 percent of those surveyed by market research firm MarketTools.
The second-place irritant, a voice mail sore point for 15 percent of survey respondents, was navigating touch-tone menus in order to access and delete messages. It was closely followed (13 percent) by feeling the need to grab paper and pencil to take notes.
Feeling the need to call the person back bothers 12 percent of users surveyed, with 10 percent saying they couldn’t listen to messages during meetings or in noisy places.
Other reasons identified as causing dissatisfaction with voice mail included “can’t remember the PIN for voice mail,” “difficult to search and find important messages” and “having to listen to long greetings before being able to record a message.”
“Voice mail as we know it is coming to an end,” said Eddie Hold, vice president of connected intelligence at The NPD Group, a market research organization. “Having to dial in and listen to messages is a relatively slow process, especially in an era when instant gratification is demanded.”
Newer methods of communication such as text messaging are faster and more convenient. Users expect the same from voice mail.
“Voice mail has long been an enormous time sink and a source of frustration,” said Igor Jablokov, CEO of survey sponsor Yap, which provides advanced speech transcription services.
Converting voice messages into text, he said, allows users to conveniently access and read their voice messages in a fraction of the time it takes to listen to them.

Your Perfect Home

2010-12-07T11:38:00.001-05:00

New Commercial "Your Perfect Home" released. Check it out. http://ow.ly/3ljpr

Realty Times - Going Gaga and Greyful Dead Represent Latest Paint Trends

2010-10-28T11:07:00.001-04:00

Realty Times - Going Gaga and Greyful Dead Represent Latest Paint Trends

Real Estate Careers Considered One of the Top Careers for the Future

2010-10-28T11:03:00.002-04:00

October 28, 2010 By Debra Jones

Unemployment is the top concern of many Americans right now. Finding a career that can offer more than just an income; people want to find a career that can offer a future. With so many industries shipping jobs overseas to save money, there are a number of career paths that are not expected to fare well in the coming years. This adds a completely new twist when people are looking for a solid career choice. According to a report by CareerPlanner.com, careers in real estate are among the best jobs for the future.

Real estate is considered to be a safe career choice in an unsettled economy. Although the housing market has taken some hits in the last few years, it is beginning to stabilize and experts anticipate a lot of growth in the next 5 to 10 years. Increasing business will require more professionals who have earned their real estate license.

A career in real estate is one that is safe from outsourcing. If you make a living as a real estate salesperson or broker, you will never lose your job because they have shipped your job to another country.

Not only is real estate one of the top careers of the future, it is also one of the easiest and most affordable career paths to get started in. The requirements will vary by state but generally, if you are at least 18 years old, a high school graduate, and have no undisclosed criminal history, then you are eligible.

The real estate course hours needed is also different depending on what state you live in. Some states require as little as 45 hours of real estate training while other states require more than 200 hours. No matter how many hours are necessary, the availability of online real estate schools makes completing them a breeze. The course work and exams are accessible 24/7.

The cost of getting a real estate license in any state will cost much less than a single semester of college courses. In fact, most of the time getting your real estate license will cost less than a single college course. Real estate is one of the very few career paths that will allow you to recoup the cost for your education and licensing in your first paycheck.

If you are looking for a career with amazing income-generating potential and unlimited possibilities for the future then look no further than a career in real estate

Neighbors Are Still Talking Over the Fence

2010-10-15T11:40:00.000-04:00

Broderick Perkins discusses the results of a survey on how neighbors communicate with each other.

Realty Times - Most Neighbors Still Connect the Old Fashioned Way

Canfor Southern Pine Expands its Camden Facility | MidlandsBiz

2010-10-13T12:24:00.000-04:00

Midlands Biz article on An Expansion in Camden.

Canfor Southern Pine Expands its Camden Facility | MidlandsBiz

Congratulations Agents of the Week

2010-10-04T15:43:00.000-04:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors via #constantcontact

Where to Buy a Home for Less Than $800 a Month - US News and World Report

2010-10-04T15:30:00.002-04:00

US News and World Report features Columbia, SC as one of the top ten places.

Where to Buy a Home for Less Than $800 a Month - US News and World Report

Realty Times - Tools for New Homeowners

2010-09-29T10:40:00.000-04:00

Realty Times - Tools for New Homeowners

Realty Times - Agency Relationships Need to Be Clear

2010-09-28T15:39:00.000-04:00

Realty Times - Agency Relationships Need to Be Clear

Agents Earn CFSS Designation

2010-09-28T14:59:00.003-04:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors understands the importance of expertise when working with Foreclosed Properties. Agents involved in these transactions must have a good understanding of the complete process from delinquency in payments to Foreclosure. Along with this process, it is necessary to have knowledge in bank owned properties, short sales, on both the listing and buying side of the transaction. In order to ensure our agents have this expertise and knowledge, Russell & Jeffcoat Academy created the Certified Foreclosure and Short Sales Specialist designation course. The CFSS designation ensures our clients that the agents are well versed in working with their clients in these type of transactions. If you are interested in purchasing a foreclosed or bank owned property, you can rest assured that you will be represented by a professional when you work with a CFSS designated Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors agent. The following R&J agents have completed the requirements and training to earn their designation.

Tom Ashburn - Forest Acres

Ann Milligan - Lexington East

Phil Jenkins-Corporate

Heather Homa- Lexington West

Heather Fairchild - Lexington West

Barbara Robinson - Columbia East

Jeff Riley-Irmo

Camille DuBois- Pontiac

Bryant Herring-St. Andrews

Linda Clyburn- Camden

Felicia Brown - Forest Acres

Michelle Sligh-Irmo

Renee Culler- Columbia East

To contact one of our specialists, visit www.russellandjeffcoat.com

Brand New Listing!

2010-09-24T11:54:00.001-04:00

Take a look at 412 Misty Glen Circle in Irmo, SC

http://www.russellandjeffcoat.com/PropertyDetail.aspx?id=d8851779-af0d-4ce0-ab02-0db683296969

Who Is Saying It is Time To Buy a Home? EVERYONE!

2010-09-21T08:52:00.001-04:00

Who Is Saying It is Time To Buy a Home? EVERYONE!

Great Blog Post from KCM this morning.

The Top Agents of the Week

2010-09-17T16:57:00.001-04:00

Congratulations
to the
R&J Agents of the Week

Each week you will receive this email on the Agents of the Week. The order of the branches and agents will rotate each week. You will also be able to see the Agents of the Week on the R&J Facebook page and on the Real Estate News Blog on russellandjeffcoat.com

Northeast
Agent of the Week

Lamar Story

Chapin
Agent of the Week

Karen Grafton

St. Andrews
Agent of the Week

Phil Gibson

Metro
Agent of the Week

Ginger Carnes

Top Team
of the Week

The Stallings Team

Forest Acres

Agent of the Week

Helen Lewis

Lexington West
Agent of the Week

Heather Fairchild

Corporate
Agent of the Week

The DuRant Team

Pontiac
Agent of the Week

Becky Haas

Irmo
Agent of the Week

P.J. Tompkins

Sumter
Agent of the Week

Mary Braaten

Blythewood
Agent of the Week

Desiree Merriweather

Lexington East
Agent of the Week

Randy Martin

Columbia East
Agent of the Week

Christy Cole

Camden
Agent of the Week

Philip Reames

R&J You Tube Channel

2010-09-17T16:52:00.002-04:00

Take a look at our You Tube channel. Over a 1000 videos of properties for sale in the Midlands.

Now is a Great Time to Buy a Home!

2010-09-08T09:40:00.002-04:00

Just released this morning! Bob Russell tells us why now is a great time to buy a home. Take a look at our new commercial and tell us what you think.

http://ow.ly/2B5ex

Congratulations to this Week's Top Producers

2010-09-03T11:30:00.007-04:00

Lexington East: Doug Leonard

Blythewood: Penny Broach

Sumter: Meredith Dean

Irmo: Phillip Jenkins

Pontiac: Veronica Legette

Corporate: Emily Lewis

Lexington West: Donna Zeigler

Forest Acres: Penelope Gardner

Metro: Ginger Carnes

Top Team: The DuRant

Chapin: Vicki Brooks

St. Andrews: Roger Hinson

Northeast :April Hiscock

Camden: Jo Montgomery

Columbia East:Eunice Beard

Main Street Marketplace

2010-09-02T13:53:00.000-04:00

The City Center Partnership presents the fall Main Street Marketplace, kicking off this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Boyd Plaza. The open-air market features fresh produce; baked goods; specialty gifts; art; photography; books; and handmade crafts. There is no charge for admission. Boyd Plaza is located in front of the Columbia Museum of Art at the corner of Main and Hampton Streets.

Hitting the wall

2010-09-02T13:51:00.000-04:00

by Julia Edwards, Tribune Newspapers

There's nothing like the start of a new school year, when we sift through the old and bring in more of the new, to remind us just how much stuff we've accumulated. And how little space we have to store it.

Tennis rackets, power saws, stilettos and DVD collections create dead weight in the house when stuffed in boxes until they're needed.

It may seem counterintuitive, but the easiest way to surmount the stuff is to display it for all to see. Garage storage walls, media centers and closet organizers hang what you need most often in front of your eye. And creating a wall for storage forces you to decide what you really need.

The idea of hanging your most-needed belongings is touted by the professionals. Closet consultants can be contracted to visit your home, help you decide what stuff you need most and design creative shelving in place of store-all junk drawers. For 8 feet of space, California Closets on average charges $4,000 for a media center, $2,000 for a garage and $1,000 for a closet from consultation to installation.

But if you're looking to bring your stuff out of the box and onto the wall for a price you can swallow, look no further than — the box. Stores like Lowe's, Home Depot and Ikea sell DIY kits that include everything you need to be your own closet consultant, priced between $200 and $1,200.

When money gets tight, DIY projects gain appeal and those that help organize are especially cost-effective.

Carmen De La Paz, carpenter and guest judge on HGTV's upcoming "All American Handyman" series, said storage shelves are a huge trend for those looking to do some of their own handiwork.

"If you aren't organized in the home, and you can't find what you're looking for, you'll have to buy it again," De La Paz says. "If you can go back and find it, you're more cost effective in the way you organize your whole home: food, clothes, tools, even bathroom supplies."

Even more gratifying than cutting costs is the sense of empowerment a DIY project can bring. An amateur carpenter holding his or her first power tool can have what De La Paz describes as the "I did that" feeling.

Getting started

With help from De La Paz, here are guidelines for those installing storage wall units themselves:

Before you start: Measure your space. Then measure again. Make sure to take into account base boards when calculating how deep a unit will jut into the room.

HGTV Article on How to Impress Buyers with Focused Remodeling

2010-09-02T11:40:00.002-04:00

Smart updates will make your home more memorable to buyers, increasing the chances of a successful sale. Courtesy of HGTV.com

These days, high housing inventory make it a buyers' market. But if you're a seller, don't despair. There are a variety of renovations that can help make your home stand out. Many buyers look at numerous homes when shopping for a house; so enhancing your home to make it more memorable is vital and increases the chances of a successful sale.

Clearing clutter, taking down personal photos, applying a fresh coat of paint, making minor repairs, and keeping a pleasant aroma are all basic techniques to make your home more appealing. But there are a few other creative enhancements you can do to impress buyers without emptying your wallet. The results not only attract more attention, but also paint a picture of a well-cared-for home.

While not everyone has the same taste in housing, buyers typically are attracted to larger kitchens, extra storage space, light and bright rooms and open floor plans. Special finishing touches on a home can be the needed incentive to generate an offer.

Americans are expected to spend $217 billion on remodeling in 2009. Here are five areas where homeowners may spend some of their remodeling money to add the "wow" factor to their home.

Go green. Energy-efficient products and household goods are attractive to buyers. Renovations or replacements that help make the house more energy efficient are popular. Things such as better insulation, replacing old windows, caulking, and adding skylights can increase value.
Crown molding and wider baseboards. Some homeowners are shy about experimenting with this, especially if they live in a small home, but it can be very attractive in any size home. The measly baseboard that builders often use in tract homes doesn't draw attention. Adding a wider baseboard and a fresh coat of paint makes the room come to life. Also, framing windows and doors helps complete the look of a room.
Textured paint. Faux finishes, accented walls, or even just a little fresh paint on them makes a lasting impression. Choose colors and textures wisely. Don't get carried away with a color you love (e.g. purple walls). You want your home to appeal to the masses. You can always paint your new home purple - and then change it when it comes time to sell it!
Improved flooring. Wood, tile and new carpet can be a showstopper. But if the flooring is chipped, torn, or dirty, you'll get the opposite reaction from buyers. They'll think your home hasn't been cared for properly which could result in a lower offer - or no sale at all.
Add a deck. It's a nice feature in a yard and many buyers are happy to purchase a home that already has a deck so that they don't have to take on that project.

4 Types Of Home Renovation: Which Ones Boost Value?

2010-08-16T10:12:00.000-04:00

4 Types Of Home Renovation: Which Ones Boost Value?

Where’s the Beef in Innovation?

2010-08-02T09:13:00.001-04:00

We live in times where the truth is a hard thing to find. Journalists present opinion as fact, making it difficult to distinguish between the front page and the editorial page. A journalists’ list-serv was exposed recently for sharing tips on how to present stories to influence a particular outcome. Whatever your politics are, this should be disturbing because we rely on the media for facts we don’t have time to research ourselves.

The same disconnect occurs in the real estate business. Our industry’s own “news arbiters” face the same challenge, I suppose, of generating revenue, so they respond by being provocative and positioning themselves as the hotbeds of innovation and bad boys of real estate.
They make judgments about which companies are the most innovative in real estate, based either on “pay to play” sponsorship dollars, or whoever touts the cool new business model. What they often fail to consider, however, is who is actually doing the business.

Creative marketing is one thing, but too often, reality is something else entirely. Actual results are what truly matter. We should be searching behind the Wizard of Oz curtain to ask, “Where’s the beef?”

When one highly-touted “model of the future” company claims to have 24 average transaction sides per agent – a goal anyone would want to emulate – and in fact did 32 sides in total in the first half of 2010 and is ranked about 75th in the market per the MLS, what’s with that? Certain companies are highlighted in every real estate media outlet, yet no one seems to ask how much business they are actually doing relative to their competitors.

Yes, we should respect new ideas and new forms of competition, but we also must balance hype with results. Accurate statistics paint a true picture of who is doing what relative to whom, how they are improving or declining compared to the market, and the kinds of customers they are serving. That is why – in this age of transparency – numbers reported to real estate news sources must be submitted correctly and validated appropriately so that we can identify the emperors with no clothes.

At LeadingRE, we talk a lot about numbers and performance because they matter. We put a high value on innovation, with our own “Most Innovative Brokerage” award, but to even qualify, the company has to be a market leader within its footprint, regardless of size. Ideas without execution and marketing without monetization are meaningless.

So let’s pay attention to what’s behind the curtain to see whether ideas are producing results. Talk is cheap. Results require hard work, tenacity and staying power. Regardless of size or business model, the true verdict must rely on how well high standards of performance are generating growth, profitability and market leadership.
Posted By: Pam O’Connor

Realtor Supports Alzheimer’s Association

2010-07-21T10:08:00.001-04:00

Russell & Jefffcoat Realtors’ sales associate Gray Farnsworth participated in “A Ride to Remember.” The event was a “fundraising ride” for the The South Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The ride began in Newberry and ended in Mt. Pleasant. Farnsworth began the ride on Saturday the 17th of July and completed the 177.39 mile ride on Sunday the 18th.
“I personally don’t know anyone with Alzheimer’s,” stated Farnsworth, “but what I do know is that while mortality rates have declined with other deadly diseases, the mortality rate for Alzheimer’s has increased by 46%. ” A “Ride to Remember” is a pledge-based fundraising event, so all riders raise funds to support their endeavor for the cause. The next “Ride to Remember” is currently in the planning stage.

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Welcome New Sales Associates

2010-07-20T15:41:00.003-04:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors is proud to announce the following sales associates have joined the company. Ginger Lee has joined the Forest Acres Branch, Megan Robinson has joined the Metro Branch and O. Johnson James has joined the Columbia East Branch.

Russell & Jeffcoat Announces New Sales Agents

2010-07-12T15:29:00.000-04:00

Columbia, SC: Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors is proud to announce the following agents have joined the company: Bill Bird has joined the Chapin Branch, Cyndi Bossart has joined the Blythewood Branch, Craig Johnson has joined the Camden Branch and Camile DuBois has joined the Pontiac Branch.

Russell & Jeffcoat Supports Salvation Army

2010-07-12T15:21:00.000-04:00

Columbia, SC: Fourteen area children will have their wish come true this summer thanks to Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors agents and staff. Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors partnered with the Salvation Army to raise funds to send these children to summer camp. For the neediest children in Columbia, these simple joys may seem unattainable, but with the help of local partners such as Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, the Salvation Army can help these children enjoy the experience of summer camp.

“We asked our fourteen branch offices to consider donating money to support this mission and the results were incredible. Through donations from our agents and staff, The Salvation Army will send fourteen children to camp this summer.” stated Ron Roe, CEO of Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors. “This summer will give these fourteen children an experience that will enhance their lives. I challenge the entire real estate community to send more children to camp this summer by donating to The Salvation Army of Columbia.”
Abb Jeffcoat presented the funds to Major Richard L. Jones, the area coordinator for the Salvation Army of Columbia. Major Jones commented, “Without the support of people like you we could not do what we do for the underprivileged Columbia children. We are so grateful.”

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Holds Designation Course

2010-07-12T15:19:00.000-04:00

Columbia, SC: The Certified Foreclosure and Short Sale Specialist (CFSS) designation course developed by the Russell & Jeffcoat Academy was held recently at the South Carolina Realtors Association. The purpose of the course was to educate Russell & Jeffcoat sales professionals on the procedures for both processes. In order to earn the CFSS designation pre-requisites must be met including documented closed transactions involving both of these types of properties. “Listing or selling foreclosed properties or properties with a seller in a short sale situation present a significant set of challenges for real estate professionals. This designation was developed to educate Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors sales professionals on the procedures and in doing so they will be equipped to represent their buyers or sellers in these situations.” said Dan Pater, Director of Training for Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors.

Toys for Haiti

2010-06-25T13:56:00.005-04:00

Columbia, SC: Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors recently announced “Toys for Haiti” drive. The Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors 14 branches in the Midlands and Sumter will be accepting new and gently used toys to be sent to the children of Haiti. “I recently watched a news report from Haiti where a young boy had cut up a water bottle and made it into a toy truck.” said Ron Roe, CEO of Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors. “Due to the overwhelming loss to most families in Haiti, I felt Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors should do a toy drive for these children. We have had such great response and requests from the public and civic groups to participate; we decided to open it up to anyone who would like to donate.” Soccer balls, dolls, baseballs and many other toys have already been donated. The toy drive will last through the end of February. For more information you may contact Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Corporate Office at 779-6000.

Heather Fairchild Joins Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors

2010-06-25T13:56:00.004-04:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors is pleased to announce that Heather Fairchild has joined their Lexington West branch. Heather began her real estate career in 2003 and is now a licensed Broker. Having been trained under one of North America’s leading real estate coaching and training groups, The Mike Ferry Organization, Heather specializes as both a listing agent as well as a buyer’s agent. Throughout her real estate career, Heather has worked with new developments and also has experience in working with real estate investors. She is involved in numerous community organizations such as Sertoma Club, Columbia Jaycees, Young Professionals Society and the National Association of Home Builders. “We are really proud to have Heather join our Lexington West Branch,” stated Bill Ammermann, Broker in Charge. “Her expertise in many different areas of the real estate business will be a benefit to us all.”

Russell & Jeffcoat Announces the Marketing of Rosewood Hills

2010-06-25T13:55:00.004-04:00

Columbia, SC: Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors is pleased to announce the marketing of Rosewood Hills. Jennifer McBroom and Brian South of the Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Metro Branch will be managing the team of agents representing the community. Rosewood Hills is located in downtown Columbia and offers one and two-story homes with a range of sizes, floor plans and available options. The exteriors of the home consist of hardi-board with architectural shingles. Other features include nine foot ceilings, rear garages and screened porches. The homes also offer LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Energy Star certified homes. The New Urbanism design of Rosewood Hills offers streets with wide sidewalks, parks and green space for the community. Tommy Carter, Broker in Charge of the Metro Branch stated “Rosewood Hills offers homebuyers an opportunity to live downtown, minutes from Williams-Brice Stadium and Five Points at an affordable price. We are really pleased to have this opportunity.”

Located within walking distance of Williams-Brice Stadium, Rosewood Hills is perfect for USC Gamecock fans.

Russell & Jeffcoat Announces Marketing of Eve's Garden

2010-06-25T13:55:00.003-04:00

Columbia, SC: Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors is pleased to announce the marketing of Eve’s Garden in Camden. Eve’s Garden is a new home community developed by Hurricane Builders. The community offers spacious large lots, in a quiet neighborhood, close to historical downtown Camden. Hurricane Builders is featuring all of their floor plans in Eve’s Garden. The floor plans offer exterior stone accents, granite countertops in the kitchen and baths, hardwood floors, architectural shingles, and sprinkler systems in the landscaped yards. These features are standard on all Hurricane Homes.
Bill Sinnett, VP of Operations for Hurricane Builders and sales agent for Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors stated “Hurricane Builders is pleased to offer homes in the Camden area. Eve’s Garden is a wonderful option for home buyers. It qualifies for 100% Rural Housing Financing. The financing offer, along with low Kershaw county taxes makes this an excellent option for homebuyers.”

2010-06-25T13:54:00.000-04:00

Columbia, SC: Ron Roe, CEO of Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors recently attended the National Association of Home Builders International Builders Show in Las Vegas. The event which hosts approximately 55,000 builders, real estate professionals, remodelers and other members of the home building industry was a four day event offering educational presentations on design trends, energy retrofitting, marketing, housing tax credits and more than 175 other topics.

2010-06-25T13:53:00.000-04:00

Columbia, SC: Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Chapin Branch supports the Oliver Gospel Mission by fundraising efforts and volunteer efforts. In March of 2009, Shelly Sims an agent in the Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Chapin Branch began spearheading the effort to support this charity. The kick off event was a “Charity Sale” raising $1000. Since that first effort, the agents of the Chapin Branch have raised over $6000 to help support the goals of the Oliver Gospel Mission.
Russell & Jeffcoat Chapin Branch agents volunteered their time and service to distribute boxes to the areas homeless families as well as serving food at the mission. Chip Daniels, Broker in Charge said “I am really proud of the hard work and dedication that our Chapin agents have shown towards this cause.”

Russell & Jeffcoat Welcomes New Sales Associates

2010-06-25T12:17:00.002-04:00

Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors is proud to welcome new sales associates to several of their 14 branch locations. Deborah Stratton joins the Columbia East Branch, Mark Wright joins the Blythewood Branch, Charles Jefferson and Julia Easterlin join the Chapin Branch, Patrick Godwin joins the St. Andrews Branch, Carolyn Russell joins the Lexington East Branch and Sandra Hughes joins the DuRant Team at the Corporate Office. Ron Roe, CEO of Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors said “We are very pleased to have these experienced professionals join our team. They will be an asset to our company as well as to their branch offices.”

Lexington Russell & Jeffcoat Participates in Meals on Wheels

2010-06-25T12:17:00.001-04:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors Lexington East Branch participated in the Season of Suppers™ Pets in Need Campaign benefiting pets of Senior Resources' Meals On Wheels clients. Many of the homebound seniors who receive the Meals on Wheels service have pets in their homes. In more instances than you might imagine, these pets are the only family the senior has. The donated pet food will be carried by the Meals on Wheels volunteers to their senior clients who have a need for their furry friends.
"It was wonderful to see the generosity of the Russell and Jeffcoat agents," said Melissa Sprouse Browne, co-owner of the Real Estate School of SC and member of the Senior Resources Board of Directors. "I barely had enough room to fit into the driver's seat, with all the bags of dog and cat food the agents donated. I'm so excited to deliver these donations to the Meals on Wheels clients."

Russell & Jeffcoat's New Agent Training

2010-06-25T12:16:00.000-04:00

Forest Acres, SC: Russell and Jeffcoat Academy will hold its first new agent training course of 2010 beginning January 11th. The two week course will be held at the training center in Forest Acres and will offer new agents post licensing requirements as well as extensive training in the fundamentals of real estate. Dan Pater, Director of Training for Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors and Ruth Marcus, Lead Instructor for Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors will be teaching this course.

HUD 1 Settlement Seminar

2010-06-25T12:14:00.000-04:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Academy is holding a seminar on the changes to the HUD 1 Settlement Statement. Effective January 1, 2010 HUD requires all closings to utilize the new HUD 1 Settlement Statement. “Due to the significant changes in the new HUD-1, we knew it was imperative to have our sales agents trained on this topic.” stated Dan Pater, Director of Training for Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors. The seminar scheduled for January 15th will be presented in partnership with Harvey, Casterline and Vallini.

Independently owned and operated since 1965, Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc. is the largest listing and selling real estate company in the Midlands, operating 14 offices with over 600 sales associates and staff. Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc. is also recognized as one of the leading residential real estate firms in the Southeast region of the United States and is ranked 59th among the nation’s 80,000 real estate companies by RIS Media’s 2008 Power Broker Report. Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors' primary goal is to provide high quality services to its customers and rewarding careers for its agents. For more information on Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc. visit www.russellandjeffcoat.com.

Russell & Jeffcoat Academy Located in Forest Acres

2010-06-25T12:13:00.000-04:00

Russell & Jeffcoat Academy opened its doors in early 2009 and has built an impressive resume of courses, seminars and workshops offered to Russell & Jeffcoat agents. The offerings covered a broad range of topics aimed at insuring that company agents maintained an edge on the competition. Real Estate Fundamentals, Orientation to R&J Workshop, and First Year Post Licensing courses were offered to agents getting started in the real estate business. All Russell & Jeffcoat agents were eligible to attend Principles of Business Management Workshop, Zip Forms Training, Advanced XMLS Seminar, Producing a Professional CMA Seminar, Green Homes Seminar, Custom Build Job Seminar, HUD Foreclosure Seminar, Foreclosures, Short Sales and Auction Seminar Valuation Seminar, Down Payment Assistance Programs Seminar, Social Networking Seminar, Advances in Internet Marketing Seminar, Revised Prospecting Workshop Microsoft Publisher Class, and the Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE). Russell & Jeffcoat agents that met the specific requirements were eligible to attend the Lake Murray Specialist Designation course.

“2010 promises to be an even more impressive year for the Academy as it introduces seminars that deal with new and timely topics in real estate, and offers new Russell & Jeffcoat real estate designation courses involving managing short sales and foreclosure transactions, working with investors, working with military clients, and handling new home sales.” stated Dan Pater, Director of Training. “The Academy will also launch a multi-week business enhancement course designed to boost agent productivity similar to many national programs. It should be an exciting year.”