April 28, 2009: Let's see if I can find you something to do in downtown Greenville SC this weekend! Leading Ladies is at the Greenville Little Theatre. Italian-American Reconciliation is at the Warehouse Theatre. Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is at the Peace Center. Wanna sing, Friday Night Dinners and Karaoke is at the Greenville Shrine Club. Gaither Homecoming at the Bi-Lo Center tonight. The Gun and Knife show will be at the Carolina First Center. Check out French Fables at the Greenville Symphony. And, as always the ever popular Main St. Jazz will be going on starting at 5:30 just outside Remax. Take care and have a wonderful weekend! April, 21, 2009: April 19, 2009 April 15, 2009: April 14, 2009: April 12, 2009: Happy Easter! April 10, 2009: April 9, 2009: April 8, 2009: April 7, 2009: Holy Week April 2, 2009: April 1, 2009:
Good morning! Been a while. Had 14 showings on Sunday with one buyer then 4 with another! Whew, it's good though. My Florida buyers finally got their home sold and are ready to buy. The other buyer is a nice fellow coming down from Detroit.
It's been a while since we've looked at new listings in the Greenville SC MLS, so let's jump in. For the last 5 days we had:
230 New Listings
239 Price Changes
71 Sold
48 Expired
792 Pending (way up)
So at a glance, yep I'd say things are really picking up. I see three new listings in popular Autumn Trace that would probably be worth a look. There is a pretty little 3/2 close to Greenville Country Club in Chanticleer. About 2100 sq. ft. listed at $397,500. If you are checking realtor web sites sometimes you will see a listing come up as new that really is not. I see one in Cobblestone that was withdrawn then relisted. Listing agents do this if a mls number is getting old. Makes it look like a new listing. Two up in Forrester Oaks, nice neighborhood, good schools, small lots. Looks like there is a flip out close to Furman that's been updated, 30 year old ranch. New listing in Gilder Creek Farm. This Simpsonville neighborhood sold very fast and was popular due to the location off Woodruff Rd. Three out in Neely Farm probably worth a look.
Do you know it got in the 90's this past weekend? Too hot too early! Cooled back down today. Hey, off to show, hope you have a great day!
April 24, 2009:
Gosh, can't believe I haven't posted all week. Man it's getting busy. I've been enjoying the weather. Sunny and 70's, how wonderful. Downtown alive was going on last night and there was a big crowd there.
corner of main and coffee last night
Folks, High School Sports are great! Got to photograph the Wade Hampton-Greenville High Girls Soccer Game last night. If you would like to see some more Greenville Sports Photos click here. Got a busy day, hope you have a good one! 
Hey! I was downtown this past Friday for some downtown jazz and bumped into an old friend of mine, Rob Young. He does auto dealership advertising. His company is Creative Car Ads. The reason I mention this is he has a couple of offices in downtown Greenville. He took me to his W. North St. Office. It's a great example of the renovations in the downtown Greenville area. Rob bought the building and completely reworked the interior. Just a great example of the development that has occurred through the years in our beautiful downtown.
April 17, 2009:
Good morning! Looks like we are going to have a nice weekend! Should be mid 70's. I was out showing with a very nice lady from Vermont yesterday. Let me tell you, she was loving the temps. flowers and all the birds chirping. She's ready to come down now! Just want to mention something real quick then we'll move on to weekend happenings. I have built some FSBO pages here. Of course you know I am an exclusive buyers agent and don't list any homes so I am offering a way to for sale by owners to advertise their home. It gives me a chance to see more of the market....you too. Let me know if you are interested, I've got some great ideas.
So let's check the Greenville SC Calendar of events for this weekend. Of course Downtown Jazz should be kicking off right outside my office at 5:30. The God Committee is playing at Centre Stage. A Soldier's Tale is being performed by our Greenville Symphony. Koko Taylor and Her Blues Machine is at the Peace Center. If you want to head to downtown Greer, you can check out Passport to Decadence, a feast from over 15 countries.
Hey, did you know the Greenville Drive has cranked up?? They will be playing the Greensboro Grasshoppers this weekend. Return of The Street Fighter is at West End Movies, starring Sonny Chiba! And yes, the one and only, beloved Larry the Cable Guy is at the Bi-Lo center this weekend! Call me at 864-335-8490 if you want to know what a Bi-Lo is? Greenville's little secret... :-) Have a great weekend, maybe I'll see you around somewhere!
Bunny says Get to Downtown Greenville!
Hey it's TAX DAY! Did you get um filed? Are you working on them now? Let's talk about Greenville SC Real Estate Taxes for a minute. Low's the word! That's what I hear from all my clients from all over the country. New Jersey, Florida, California, it doesn't matter, everybody tells me how low they are. Now I'm a bit aggravated because our state legislature had the infinite wisdom to change valuations to point of sale, but don't fret we are trying real hard to get it changed back to every 5 years, how it should be. At any rate folks, they are still low compared to the rest of the country.
Just spoke with a nice fellow from Detroit who is relocating to the area. He was referred from a Remax agent up there. The nice thing about Remax is we have so many offices and agents around the world. If you are looking to relocate you can't work with anyone that sells more real estate than Remax.
Anywho, this fellow is taking a job in the area. Will meet with him end of month..I know he will love it here. May even find the weather a little warmer :-)! I'm wandering a bit. Let's look at taxes for a single family home in Greenville county priced at $199,000. I just went to our Paragon MLS system and chose one at random. This is a 3 bedroom 2 bath home on 1.55 acres. Was built in 2002 and is about 1900 sq. ft. Has a nice in-ground pool. Taxes for 2008...drum roll..... $961.54! How does that compare to your taxes?
Plan a visit, would love to meet you and please have a great day, tax day and all.
Hey, haven't done much Greenville SC blogging lately. Back to work! Let's check into the MLS and see what's happening in Greenville SC Real Estate since last Friday. We had:
153 New Listings
175 Price Changes
44 Sales
61 Expired
729 Pending (up from under 700)
Let's take a look at the sales. I see a nice 4/2 just closed in Adams Run. Was listed at $209,900 and closed at $200,000. Looks like a flip. First listed on 9/12 for $219,900, went under contract on 3-5. Couple of points, and don't freak out. The taxes show $2,777.55 for 2008 but again that's because it's investment or non owner occupied property. Folks, taxes are sharply higher for investment property. Let's compare to another sale in that price range.
Just found one that closed on 3-12 in Pelham Falls for $210,000, taxes on that was $1,413 which would be right for occupied property. Hey come on to Greenville and enjoy a great cost of living...
I just saw a note about sq. footage in one of the comments on a property. Folks, I'd like to write about that a bit. Listing agents try and excuse themselves for errors in sq. footage and other items by using statements like "If sq. footage is important, buyer agent to verify". Well duh, of course sq. footage is important. If someone out there can tell me how to value a house without regard to sq. footage, please call me. I mean, isn't the first thing an appraiser does in measure for sq. footage. Folks we have to have a way to compare. Sq. footage measurements are done in 200 ft. ranges in the Greenville MLS. So if the Sq. ft. finished and heated field shows 2600-2799 then the house is "SUPPOSED" to fall in that range. If it's questionable there are ways to write in the contract to investigate. Use an exclusive buyers agent to help you with that. I'm available! 864-335-8490.
I see a pretty one just closed in one of my favorite Simpsonville neighborhoods, Kingsbridge. Wow, the price was reduced $100,000 before it sold! Must have been slightly high :-). Anyway closed at $141.46 a square which is about right for Kingsbridge. Hadn't looked at Castle Rock lately, so let's run up to north of Greer! Prices have been taking a pounding up there. I wouldn't have wanted to be first to buy in that neighborhood. I always felt like it was pricey for the size home you got. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty but for instance this one has been reduced over $140,000. That's a much bigger % price reduction that Kingsbridge. So what am I saying, folks it's time to buy!!! Buyers market on some really great areas and wonderful homes...
Hey gotta run, hope you have a great day!
Good Friday
Good morning folks, it's time for another highly recommend! My wife and I stopped by one of our favorite restaurants yesterday afternoon for some sushi..Azia! Azia Restaurant is located just off Woodruff Road, close to Greenridge Shopping. If you are pulling out of Greenridge cross Woodruff, go about a block and you will see Azia on the left. What struck us when we first went in was the decor. What keeps us coming back is the service and the food. Now don't think it's all sushi. They call their style "global fusion", many different tastes combined for some wonderful flavors! Peter Lieu is the owner and you will always find him there stopping by to say hello and making sure everything is to your taste. Nice fellow, great restaurant, just changed their sushi menu, stop by and see um, highly recommend! Azia...
Just finished my Pretty Place tour page here. Pretty Place is located just minutes away from Greenville SC in the YMCA Camp Greenville. Folks, if you're looking for a pretty place to get away, please go. Visit my Blue Ridge Mountains Page too for a nice short tour!
Update 2:21pm. Man it's beautiful in downtown Greenville this afternoon. Below is a shot from my office window. Have a great day!
Hey, you asked for it so you got it. Hot list is now located on the front page! Quickly check new or changed listings for your favorite city! Updates once daily, listings drop off after two days. Enjoy!
HOT LIST is Now Available! Check New or Changed Listings For Past 2 Days!:
Greenville Simpsonville Greer Taylors Mauldin Easley Travelers Rest Spartanburg
April 6, 2009: 
April 3, 2009:
Good morning. Got a busy day today. Two home inspections, showing some Downtown Greenville SC Condos, then thought I might listen to some downtown jazz just outside my office...if it's not raining :-). Let's take a look see at what's happening in Greenville this weekend.
Don Quixote will be at the Peace Center. The Hejaz Shrine Circus is in town. Main Street Jazz is going on if it's not raining. The Greenville Symphony Orchestra is featuring Bravo Brahms. Behold Your King is being presented at Bob Jones University. Plenty to do!
Let's take a quick look at the Greenville MLS over the past 3 days, it's picking up! We had:
191 New Listings
185 Price Changes
104 Sold
139 Expired
683 Pending
Folks, one reason there are so many listings is that we were at the end of a month. Listings normally expire at end of months so the get relisted. I'm checking the new listings now to see anything interesting. Got a new one in Sycamore Ridge listed by Dickens Company. It you want decent lot size you can find it in here. There is a 3/3 newly listed in St. James Place. Great little east side Greenville neighborhood. New listing in popular Spaulding Farm for $575,000. Wow I see one in my opinion way overpriced for the neighborhood in...well I can't say. Might upset the listing agent and company. Don't get me started. I never understand why listing agents take overpriced listings...I don't get it. Well I do really...some listings agent take them knowing they will pick up buyers off the call ins. And some do it knowing good well the owner will eventually reduce the listing. It's a shame for the owner though when they don't get any showings and they don't understand why.
This house is priced at roughly $133/sq. ft. You can buy a good home in a good neighborhood around here for $100 a square. So this is somewhat premium pricing. And it's only a 3/2. Even more this neighborhood has had some pretty strong price pressures over the last 6 months. Watch this one sit and sit and sit. So I thought I'd go check in the Greenville County, SC Courthouse Retrieval System and see what they paid for it. Well, just as I suspected, too much. Now I don't know what happened on this one but I bet it was bought through the builder's agent. I can't say it enough, especially in this market, always use an exclusive buyers agent! Have a great weekend! Have some new pictures of Greenville for you shortly....
Augusta Rd. Home, Greenville SC
Put a home under contract yesterday I thought I'd write about. Our offer was about $25,000 below list. Seller countered, then we countered. We got to within $12,000. Let it sit for a few days then we came back with our final counter. Seller accepted our final counter but changed terms to "as is".
Generally we do an "as is" addenda if a home is to be sold like this. "As is" means the seller will not make any repairs. It changes some requirements in the contract too. It supersedes them. The buyer needs protection though. So in the contract and in the addenda we get the right to walk away within a certain time period. In this case, the seller is giving us 7 days. This allows my buyer to do the necessary inspections to determine if he wants the property. Remember "time is of the essence" in our real estate contract. If checked in the contract the buyer has the right to walk away without penalty for any reason within the inspection period, in our case 7 days. If he does, seller agrees to release escrow. If we go past 7 days then the buyer is accepting the home even if he or she doesn't respond.
Folks, in this market it is so important to have a buyers agent working for you, there is an option on the addenda to take the property without regard to inspections or even termite inspection. Not a good idea! Our inspections are scheduled for tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. Hope all goes well with You...
CESA Soccer Complex is Located in Simpsonville South Carolina
Wow! Can you believe that March is gone? Had a really great closing yesterday with a nice couple who are first time homebuyers. We contracted on a home back in January. Real nice 3 bedroom with a detached 3 car garage/workshop. Get this, for $90,000! Well, after we got into it we found out the seller was in bankruptcy. Let me tell you, I thought this was going to drag on and on and on. Well, we closed it yesterday. Not only are my buyers going to get an $8,000 tax credit on 08's taxes but with the program they got $5,000 of the loan will be forgiven if they hold the home five years. I mean how can you beat that? And got a great house to boot!
So what's up? Greenville SC Real Estate market is picking up. I was in the office yesterday turning in my closing and talking with our bookkeeper and she said 18 were due to come in yesterday. Calls are up which figures because it's spring! By the way, got to do my other passion besides real estate last evening....shot the Greenville High, Christ Church girls soccer game. Greenville edged by 2-1. 
Happy April Fools...don't let anybody get your goat!
Greenville SC Blog June 09 Updates May 09 Updates April 09 Updates March 09 Updates February 09 Updates Jan 09 Updates December 08 Updates Past Real Estate Updates