Mel's Columbia, SC Real Estate Blog

Hilton Head Island Real Estate - Time to Invest?

2008-04-30T08:30:00.013-04:00

NOW may be the time to buy that 2nd home or investment property at the Beach!

My wife and I have owned a condo at Hilton Head Island for approximately 12 years and have been very satisfied with our getaway at a lovely beach destination. We do our own rental program and our rental income has been very good. Our condo is located at Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort. The resort is an oceanfront resort and our condo has an excellent ocean view. The resort has excellent amenities including an oceanfront pool and a nice tennis complex.

Mel & Barbara's Hilton Head Island condo rental

Mel's HiltonHead Island website

Now is a great time to buy as prices have not been lower than in the last 3-5 several years. Inventory is plentiful and sellers are ready to negotiate prices. For example, prices at our resort, start in the low $100s for a one bedroom condo. Also available: 1 bedroom oceanfront and oceanview, 2 bedroom oceanfront and oceanview and 2 bedroom "tennis" villas.

Click here for sample listings

My Hilton Head Island real estate buddies, Johnny & Mary Hiers, are available for real estate consultation for ANY real estate on Hilton Head Island (or off island such as Bluffton and Sun City). We have personally found Hilton Head Island to be a wonderfully relaxing beach getaway destination! Call Johnny at (800) 717-7886 or visit his website at: http://www.thehiersteam.com/ . Be sure to let Johnny know that Mel Coker sent you.

Hilton Head Island MLS access

If you have questions about my experience with beach investment ownership or wish to investigate other areas (such as Myrtle Beach), please call Mel Coker at: (803) 749-5800.

Community Spotlight - Belmont Townes

2008-04-28T22:12:00.007-04:00

I recently visited Belmont Townes in the West Columbia area. Belmont Townes is a new and very nice townhome community with a short commute to Lexington or Columbia.

These homes are affordable and quality built by Hallmark Homes. Homes are currently priced between $116,500 and $120,000. It's SMART to buy your own home rather than pay rent!

Belmont Townes is conveniently located about half way between Lexington and downtown Columbia. Also located within 7 minutes of Blemont Townes: 2 Interstates (I-26 and I-20), Lexington Pavilion (includes Target), Lexington Medical Center, Congaree Vista, Wal-Mart Supercenter, and Columbia Metropolitan Airport. This great community has a great location!

Features include: dual owner's suites with private baths and closets, study/office, gas fireplace, 9 foot smooth ceilings on main level, and a private patio. A very reasonable $45 per month regime fee includes all of your landscaping maintenance. These new townhomes are energy efficient too.

BUY a Belmont Townes home and SAVE (build equity with significant tax benefits), SAVE (gasoline) and SAVE (electric bills).

Call Mel Coker NOW for a free and no-obligation tour of Belmont Townes. You'll be impressed! If you decide to BUY with Mel Coker as your buyer's representative (free representation), I will provide a $200 Lowe's shopping certificate at closing. Call Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007, or if you stop by Belmont Townes, please be sure to tell Jordan Hammond that Realtor Mel Coker sent you out.

Belmont Townes: Site Plan Floor Plan

Mel's Columbia, SC real estate

First Time Homebuyer Guide from Mel Coker

Mel Coker's Websites

2008-04-12T12:11:00.006-04:00

A Recap of Mel Coker's Websites!

I've been writing my own HTML and owning my own domains since September 1995. That's almost the frontier days of the Internet. My websites have won recognition from various Realtor magazines, including a feature in REALTOR magazine in April 2000. Also, my real estate websites have led to 210 Internet related real estate closings. THANK YOU to my Internet referred clients!

Columbia Real Estate:

Mel's Primary Columbia, SC real estate website - launched in January 1998

Click here for Mel Coker's RE/MAX website - HomeFinder MLS search feature

MelCoker.com * Meet Mel Coker Virtual Tour * About Mel Coker * All Real Estate Agents Are Not The Same

Columbia, SC:

Columbia "A to Z" * Lake Murray * Columbia weather * Mel's Home Page (great links and Internet search features) * Fort Jackson

Vacations:

We own a rental condo at Hilton Head Island and can offer assistance and suggestions for other vacations including Myrtle Beach and Cancun. Just contact us!

Our Hilton Head Island condo * Hilton Head Island * Myrtle Beach * Best Caribbean.info

Mel Coker starts CFL / Energy Savings Initiative

2008-04-02T19:50:00.009-04:00

Use Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Bulbs to Save Money and Help the Environment!

I have started a local/national energy savings initiative involving compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. CFL bulbs save money on electric utility bills and are good for the environment. It will also help reduce our energy dependency on other countries and on fossil fuels.

Benefits of using ENERGY STAR CFL BULBS:

Use 66-80% LESS energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light, and last up to 10 times longer
Save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb’s lifetime
Generate 70 percent less heat, so they’re safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.

I have personally replaced 14 old fashioned standard incandescent bulbs in my home with new technology CFL's. A 60 watt incandescent bulb can be replaced with a 13 watt CFL. I bought about 3 dozen bulbs at Sam's. Wal-Mart also has great prices on these bulbs in multi-packs.

Recently, I started the first “One Billion Bulbs” group in South Carolina. The One Billion Bulbs initiative has a worldwide goal of replacing one billion standard incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Join myOne Billion Bulbs group to learn more about CFL energy savings and register your light bulb replacements. It's FREE! Group reporting encourages participation!

Sign-up today to record your energy savings and let’s compete with North Carolina and Georgia. Both states have much higher levels of membership and recorded savings. North Carolina has 14 "One Billion Bulbs" groups; 106 members and 1215 bulb replacements. Georgia has 10 groups; 104 members and 2924 bulb replacements. South Carolina ONLY has 3 groups (mine is one of these and the first in the state); 5 members and 32 bulb replacements. Please help by signing up in my group.

Anyone (from Richland, Lexington, Saluda and Newberry counties) that signs up in my group through December 25th is automatically eligible for a drawing in December for 2 $25 dinner certificates to be given away.

Mel's One Billion Bulbs Group - Click to sign-up free

Learn more: Mel's CFL web page * Press release to media for Mel's CFL Initiative

Another Lake Murray update

2008-03-16T22:07:00.015-04:00

Lake Murray is one of the nicest and most popular lakes in the Southeast.

It IS South Carolina's most popular lake. When completed in 1930 , Lake Murray was the largest power reservoir and Dreher Shoals Dam the largest earthen dam in the world. For more Lake Murray information, check out my Lake Murray website at: http://www.lakemurray-sc.com/ (check lake levels, weather, fishing license information, order a Lake Murray poster suitable for framing)

Upcoming Lake Murray events:

March 20th - Taste of Lake Murray - call NOW for tickets
July 5th - July 4th Fireworks Spectacular on the lake
August 14-17 - Forrest Wood Cup - the biggest prize money ($1 million to the winner) fishing tournament in the world will be at Lake Murray

The Lake Murray water level is now at the near "full" mark. Today the water level is 357.7. The normal late spring and summer water level is approximately 358 feet above sea level. Check the water level, get weather reports and more from my Lake Murray website. Now is a great time to plan a Lake Murray guided fishing trip. Contact Captain Buddy at Sunrise Fishing Service. Visit his website or call 319-8722 and tell Captain Buddy that Mel Coker sent you over.

Want to live in a community with Lake Murray acccess? I currently have 3 beautiful homes for sale on the North side of Lake Murray with lake access. One is a home in Wexford on the Lake with a community boat ramp (near Irmo). I also have TWO new homes for sale in Night Harbor subdivision (near Chapin). Both of these all brick homes have a boat slip already paid for by the Builder in the community marina. Check out my website for more details and cool virtual tours. Contact Mel Coker to buy or sell ANY Columbia area real estate.

America's Most Sinful Cities?

2008-03-02T23:59:00.005-05:00

I recently read an "interesting" special report from Forbes.com titled "America's Most Sinful Cities." The FORBES editorial and research staff used the seven deadly sins from the Bible as a basis for their study (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride).

Click here for the entire report

Forbes defined their "own" criteria for the seven categories and for most, only researched the top 40-50 largest city areas (Metropolitan Statistical Area).

The Top Five Most Sinful Cities (my cumulative ranking from the 7 "sinful" sub-categories):

1. Memphis, TN
2. San Antonio, TX
3. Detroit, MI
4. Seattle, WA
5. Salt Lake City, UT

Others topping the list: San Jose, CA; San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; New Orleans, LA

Columbia, SC was not in the MSA top 50 cities, so was not included in any sub-category rankings. Columbia is a GREAT place to live!

Welcome Kassie Moore / Instant Blog Winners

2008-03-02T09:28:00.013-05:00

Welcome Kassie Moore

My new assistant, Kassie Moore, started on Monday, February 25th. Kassie is from the Columbia area and graduated from Dutch Fork High School and Clemson University. She has held her South Carolina real estate license since June 2007. She will be working with all phases of my business, including: buyers, listings, prospect and client follow-up, and listings follow-up.

Instant Blog Winners!

Please keep reading my blog for the best in Columbia area information, Columbia real estate information, home maintenance tips and much more. Periodically, I'll also give away prizes!

Get all of my new blogs almost immediately with a FREE subscription to my Blog Feedburner subscription. Click here!

The winners... (Must call or email prior to April 21st to claim your prize. Stop by my office to pick up prize)

Mini Maglite: Alan Yong, Mary Hardison

Kobalt Ratchet Screwdriver Set: Mike & Linda Milliff, Scott & Stephanie Bledsoe

Columbia Coupon Book - Restaurants, etc.: Ron & Carol White, Joe & Laura Fadeley

Why contact Mel Coker to buy or sell a home or property in the Columbia, South Carolina area?

Click here. (read about my referral program and client drawing this year)

To buy or sell, talk to Mel. 803-318-2007

Columbia, SC real estate

Lake Murray - Taste of Lake Murray / Fourth of July Fireworks

2008-02-29T15:02:00.007-05:00

Coming March 20th...

Taste of Lake Murray

The biggest event on Lake Murray each summer is the spectacular fireworks show during the Fourth of July celebration. It's the largest fireworks display in South Carolina! Of course, money is needed each year to fund this event. The Capital City/Lake Murray Country (CCLMC) Visitor's Center is the promotional sponsor of the fireworks show and the fund raising event for this - The Taste of Lake Murray. I have been a member of CCLMC for a number of years because they are a great tourism sponsor for Lake Murray and the Greater Columbia area.

The 2008 Taste of Lake Murray will be held on March 20, 2008 at the Radisson Hotel Columbia & Conference Center at 7 pm. The Taste of Lake Murray is the primary fund raising event for the 4th of July fireworks show. Enjoy live music from the Showmen, purchase unique auction items and sample specialty dishes from 14 area restaurants at the 2008 Taste of Lake Murray.

Participating Restaurants: Blue Marlin, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Catch 22, Columbo’s, Dam Bar & Grill, Dupre-Dukes Signature Catering, Foxfire Grill, O’Charley’s of Lexington, Rusty Anchor, Spinner's Resort & Marina, Three Bean Net Cafe’.

Get your tickets today before it's a sell-out again! Tickets are $55 per person. Purchase tickets online or call (803) 781-5940.

Click here for the Taste of Lake Murray website.

The July 4th fireworks celebration on Lake Murray is scheduled for Saturday, July 5, 2008. The Lake Murray Visitor's Center is located in the historic Lorick Plantation House on S.C. Highway 6 just north of the Dreher Shoals Dam (2184 North Lake Drive).

Click here for Mel Coker's Lake Murray website

Buying or Selling a home in Columbia, SC?

2008-02-21T22:00:00.007-05:00

NOW is a great time to BUY a home in Columbia, South Carolina! Home inventory is very good for resale and new homes... Interest rates are great! I'm off to a great start in 2008 with 5 sales already. When you're ready to buy or sell a home in the Greater Columbia, SC area, be sure to contact Mel Coker. I'll provide "Above the Crowd" service!

Besides a commitment to a high level of professional and friendly service, I'm introducing several new programs this year! Two are announced here now and a military relocation program will be posted here very soon.

If you buy or sell a home this year with Mel Coker as your Columbia Realtor, I will enter you into a drawing for a very special Thomas Kinkade framed art print. Based on the famous Biltmore House in Asheville (NC), Elegant Evening at Biltmore is a November 2007 release by Thomas Kinkade. I've had this limited edition print (24x36) framed beautifully. Everyone that buys or sells a home or property with me is automatically entered into a drawing that I will conduct by random selection in late December 2008. Click here to learn about this incredible limited edition Thomas Kinkade print.

I LOVE referrals. So, I have started a new referral program effective as of January 1, 2008. If you send me a referral that results in a closing, I will provide you with a Lowe's gift certificate in the amount of $150 (after closing). For a second referral (resulting in a closing) within a rolling 12 month period, I'll provide you with another Lowe's gift certificate in the amount of $250. For a 3rd closed referral within the rolling 12 month period, I'll provide you with a vacation stay of 4 days and 3 nights at our Hilton Head Island condo. This program ends on July 31, 2009. Your 12 month rolling period is protected as long as the first referral is made by 7/31/09. Be sure to remember Mel Coker when you know of someone needing to buy or sell any home or property in the Columbia area. Please call me with the referral in advance of my initial contact or have your friend or relative inform me that you made the referral. Thanks for your referrals!

To BUY or SELL, Talk to Mel.
http://www.melcoker.com/
(803) 749-5800 office
Real Estate for Columbia, Blythewood, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin and Lake Murray
"All Real Estate Agents Are Not The Same!"

8 Home Organization Tips

2008-02-13T21:41:00.005-05:00

If "getting organized" is on your list of New Year's resolutions, you're not alone. Surveys show that getting organized is right up there with exercising, spending more time with family and paying off debt.

Here is a summary of a recent article from my LowesRealtorBenefits news library. For the complete article in printable format, click here.

8 Home Organization Tips:

Start with a plan... pace yourself
3 Simple Steps... Keep, Discard, Don't Know
Clean out the Closets... maybe a "cleanest closet" award!
De-clutter the kitchen
Tidy up the bathrooms
Organize the laundry area to make laundry day a breeze
Organize your home office
Don't forget the garage!

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE IN PRINTABLE FORMAT

Click here to request a coupon (sent in the mail) for 10% off at Lowes - exclusively from your Realtor, Mel Coker. Also, gain access to the HGTV video library.

Ready to Buy or Sell? Talk to Mel.

Mel Coker, Columbia SC Realtor

Columbia, SC - A Great Place to Live

2008-01-30T22:52:00.000-05:00

Best Cities for Jobs!

Forbes Magazine recently posted information on their website related to Best Cities for Jobs in 2008. Columbia, South Carolina has ranked very well in this study. The top 100 cities are listed and Columbia ranks at #31 (the highest ranked South Carolina city). Other ranked cities in North Carolina and South Carolina: Raleigh, NC #7; Greenville, SC #37; Charlotte, NC #50; Greensboro, NC #66. Rankings for the TOP 100 cities for job growth are based on the following factors: unemployment rates, job growth, income growth, median household income and cost of living for full-year 2006.

Click here to see the rankings

Most Affordable Places to Live!

There is great news for the Irmo area also (my office is located in the Irmo area)! CNNMoney.com ranks Irmo #12 in their study of Best Places to Live / Where Homes are Most Affordable. The really cool fact is that Irmo is the #1 ranked Southern city! The top 11 positions are dominated by cities in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. Irmo is located just minutes from downtown Columbia and only minutes from beautiful Lake Murray.

Click here to see the report

Read to move to Columbia? Ready to buy a home in the Greater Columbia area? To buy or sell, talk to Mel (Coker).

More Columbia area information:

http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.com/

http://www.lakemurray-sc.com/

State of the Real Estate - Columbia, SC

2008-01-21T18:22:00.000-05:00

Mel Coker's Report on Columbia, SC Real Estate for 2007...

Personally, I’d term 2007 a moderately successful year. I closed 43 transactions in 2007 for a sales volume of $8.39 million. I met many new clients last year and 19 came to me through my Internet presence. My 2007 closed transactions covered the following areas: Irmo/Chapin 37%; West Columbia/Lexington 30%; Northeast Columbia/Blythewood 14%; Lake Murray 7%; Downtown Columbia 7%; Other areas 5%. In other words, I cover ALL of the Greater Columbia area.

For ALL Greater Columbia residential sales in 2007, the results were mixed with the nationwide slump finally hitting Columbia especially during the last quarter of 2007. For the year, the number of residential sales was down approximately 4.4% compared to 2006. The median sales price in 2007
($144,000) was up approximately 3.5% compared to 2006. The average sales price in 2007 ($174,139) was up approximately 2.4% compared to 2006. Other market measures showed somewhat negative results. Average “days on market” (DOM) in 2007 was up approximately 9.0% in 2007 and inventory accumulation was up 23.9% in 2007.

For a few popular areas of Columbia:

Irmo/Dutch Fork areas: Closings UP 1.6%; Avg. price UP 4.1%; Avg. DOM UP 13.5%; Inventory Accumlation UP 35.1%
Lexington areas: Closings UP 7.4%; Avg. price UP 4.7%; Avg. DOM UP 19.4%; Inventory Accumlation UP 10.6%
Northeast Columbia areas: Closings DOWN 12.8%; Avg. price up 5.1%; Avg. DOM UP 7.8%; Inventory Accumlation UP 60.5%

Another interesting statistic that I examined was new home sales in 2007. For the year, new home sales were essentially the same as in 2006 (up less than 1.0%). During the first nine months in 2007, new home sales were running 4.2% ahead of 2006. However, during the last 3 months of 2007, new home sales were down 9.3% compared to the same period in 2006. NOW is the time to buy a new home with good inventory and special pricing incentives from a number of builders. Call Mel Coker.

The “average” real estate sales agent (I can’t call them Realtors, because not all sales agents are actually Realtors), sold about 6 homes in 2007. So, the “average” real estate sales agent doesn’t sell too many homes. If an agent is in the top 5% of Columbia area sales agents, this equals at least 37 (app.) closed transactions during 2007.

CLICK HERE to read the full report on a web page.

My cool accomplishments last year included:
1) induction into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame (January 2007), 2) membership in the CyberStars group, and, 3) the start of my Blog (September 2007). I’m looking forward to a great year in real estate for 2008! Please keep reading my blog.

My website Subscribe to my blog (free by email) Read the full report

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor

District 5 Schools Named Palmetto Gold and Silver Program Winners!

2008-01-13T13:07:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to six schools in Lexington/Richland School District Five for being named Palmetto Gold or Silver schools for 2007-2008! These schools have earned cash awards and recognition for high levels of academic achievement. Only 235 schools in South Carolina received awards. School District 5 of Richland and Lexington Counties consistently ranks among the top school districts in the State of South Carolina.

The winning schools are: Ballentine Elementary, Lake Murray Elementary, Oak Pointe Elementary, CrossRoads Middle, Dutch Fork High and Chapin High. Cash award amounts ranged from $7,483 to $43,555.

The awards program was created by the Education Accountability Act of 1998. Award criteria were developed by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC). The EOC's award criteria were based on the absolute and improvement ratings assigned to each school on the 2006 report cards.

School District 5 website

School District 5 Career Fair 2008 - February 2nd

S.C. Department of Education

Another great news story: Check out Lt. A.J. Bormann, a 1999 graduate of Irmo High School, serving in Iraq.

http://www.lex5.k12.sc.us/popup_info.cfm?hpphoto=54

Ready to buy a home in the School District 5 area? Click here to Contact Mel Coker.

Community Spotlight - Orchard Pointe

2008-01-07T23:17:00.000-05:00

Orchard Pointe is a new residential development in a great Lexington location. It's on the Columbia side of Lexington on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. Highway 378 and I-20. The builders in Orchard Pointe are some of Columbia's best homebuilders. Nearby: great Lexington District 1 schools, new Target and Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Lowe's, many nice restaurants, downtown Lexington and downtown Columbia, and Lake Murray.

There will be 18 executive Courtyard homes. These homes will typically be priced from the mid 250's to the low 300's. The minimum square footage is 1800. Only 41 single family homes will be available. These will typically range from the low 300's to $400,000. These custom homes will be at least 2300 square feet (most 2500-3000 square feet).

There are great community amenities in this intimate and tree friendly neighborhood. You will enjoy sidewalks throughout the community, a large swimming pool and cabana with a covered patio area.

I would be pleased to assist you with buying a home in Orchard Pointe (marketed by Ridgeway Marketing Group). When you use Mel Coker as your Realtor for free buyer representation, I will provide a $300 Lowe's shopping certificate at closing. Ready to visit? Call Mel Coker (803) 318-2007 or be sure to mention to the on-site agents (John or Sam) that Mel Coker sent you out through the "Blog".

NOW is the time to buy in Greater Columbia, SC!

Mel Coker

Click Here for a FREE subscription to my BLOG updates by email!

7 Tips for Home Trends to Watch

2008-01-07T21:44:00.000-05:00

Fads come and go, but, trends may last for years. Check out my 7 tips to make your remodeling projects pay back over time. The tips also apply to buying a new home. When you're ready to sell or buy your new home, call Mel Coker.

7 Home Trends Summary (click here for the full article)

Take a cure from high-end homes - living spaces like mud rooms and home offices are "in"; formal living rooms are not.
Stick with your style. Experts agree that your remodeling projects should reflect
the style of your home.
Kitchen updates - The kitchen is the heart of the home!
Go green - bamboo floors, Energy Star appliances and lighting products, etc.
Go outside - Outdoor living spaces, outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, etc.
Technology in the home - smart homes, smart thermostats, etc.
Artisan color trends - natural, homespun, restful colors

CLICK > The complete Article: Home Trends To Watch * Free Kitchen Planner * Artisan color trends

Click for Mel's 10% Off Coupon from Lowe's (complete the online form to request your free coupon to be sent by mail)

Happy New Year!

2007-12-29T13:21:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year - 2008! Get out your new calendars, remember to write 2008 for all dates AND be sure to make some new year's resolutions! Enjoy your black-eyed peas, hog jowls, hoppin' john and ham and collard greens on New Year's Day.

I've compiled Mel Coker's TOP 10 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS based on my extensive research (not necessarily my personal resolutions):

Lose weight
Get in better physical shape
Spend more quality time with family and friends
Reduce or eliminate debt
Set a budget and/or reduce expenses
Quit smoking
Learn something new / develop a new talent or skill
Drink less alcohol / quit drinking
Find a better job
Get better organized

Tips for making (and completing) effective New Year's Resolutions: set only 1-3 realistic goals; write down your goals; take baby steps (break goals into tasks with deadlines); go public (tell others about your goals); track your progress; reward yourself; if you slip up, recommit!

Great links:

Hoppin' John

Blackeyed Peas and Collard Greens

USA.gov New Year's Resolutions and and helpful links

Wikipedia New Year's Day

Fun Facts and Figures from the Goals Guy

101 Resolutions

Tips for Making New Year's Resolutions: MyGoals.com * eHow.com * For Kids & Teenagers

Please keep reading my blog in 2008... I'll have interesting blogs on Columbia real estate, Columbia stuff, cool vacations, prize give-aways and much more.

Click here for a FREE subscription to immediate blog updates thru my FeedBurner.

Mel Coker

http://www.melcoker.com/

Chapin Girls Basketball Wins Holiday Tournament!

2007-12-29T12:31:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the Chapin High School girls varsity basketball team for winning the Newberry Classic basketball tournament this past week at Newberry High School. My daughter, Kelly, plays guard on the team. Game victories included: 60-32 over Woodruff on Wednesday; 47-32 over Clinton on Thursday; and, 59-25 over Newberry in the championship game on Friday night.

Grace Kemp (from Chapin) was the tournament MVP and on the all-tournament team along with Layla Neal. Team members (and tournament scoring totals above 20 points): Grace Kemp (35), Ashlee Wilson (33); Amy Lepper (26); Layla Neal (25); Kelly Coker (23); Kelli Carr; Savannah Frick; Becca Gilligan; Haleigh Hipp; Noel Holmes; Lauren Lorick; Stephanie Moose.

The team is coached by Mark Shelley and the team record now stands at 10-3. The Chapin Lady Eagles played in the first round of the state 3A playoffs last season and hope to advance further this season in the state playoffs. Go Lady Eagles!

Click here for Chapin Lady Eagles schedule and results

Another team pic

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T15:47:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from the Coker family in Chapin, South Carolina!

We hope you will have a wonderful Christmas day and we offer the very best wishes for a new year in 2008.

Interesting Christmas links:
The Real Story - a new website from the Bible Society
Christmas Story Quiz - 25 questions
Christmas Worldwide
Nativity Art
Top 25 Christmas Songs - ASCAP
Top Selling Christmas Albums

Please keep watching my blog in 2008 for interesting blogs and some cool stuff!

Mel Coker

Online Shopping!

2007-12-09T21:44:00.000-05:00

I've recently done some of my Christmas shopping online. I was able to get great pricing and FREE shipping at Amazon.com . With over 7 Internet domains, I am an authorized affiliate for some of the biggest names in online shopping including: Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Carnival Cruises, Dell, GoDaddy, Kodak Gallery, Sony, Staples, Zappos and more.

www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.com/shop

Also, check out my Best Deals at Amazon Store - Click Here!

I've also got a webpage up that lists all Columbia area shopping malls and shopping areas with links to their websites: www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.com/shopping.html

Community Spotlight - Stoney Pointe / Turkey Pointe

2007-12-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

TWO Chapin communities are in the spotlight this time... Stoney Pointe & Turkey Pointe. Turkey Pointe is in Chapin, located just behind the Food Lion shopping area, and Stoney Pointe is located across the road from Chapin Elementary School and adjacent to the shores of Lake Murray.

Both communites currently have NEW homes being built by local builder Rymarc Homes. The motto of Rymarc Homes is "Making the American Dream Affordable." In both Stoney Pointe and Turkey Pointe this is certainly the case. All homes are "build" jobs which allow for a homebuyer to build with base features which are very nice or upgrade with a very nice list of amenities. Both communities feature about 19 floor plans with prices in the $115,000 to $160,000 range. Stoney Pointe features a community center with swimming pool and playground area and a community pond for fishing and a walking trail around the pond.

SPECIAL DEALS... in December only: write a build contract and get $10,000 off all floor plans in Stoney Pointe or Turkey Pointe AND $2150 paid by the Seller towards closing costs. These incentives available only with the use of the approved lender (NVR Mortgage) or cash. Your Realtor, Mel Coker, will also provide a $300 Lowe's shopping certificate with his buyer representation (incentive at closing).

NOW is a great time to buy a NEW home.... Incredible builder incentives, a special incentive when Mel Coker represents you in buying a home and really low mortgage rates. I f you are renting a home, NOW is the time to OWN your home. Call Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007 to discuss these communities or to make an appointment. email

BuyNowBuildNowColumbia!

Top 10 Things To Do in Columbia

2007-11-28T10:26:00.000-05:00

I've lived in Columbia all of my life and I enjoy getting around Columbia to see the interesting places in our beautiful city. So, I've developed my own Top TEN Things to Do in Columbia list. If you are new to the Columbia area or if you have lived here for many years, you may want to check out my list. Maybe you'll want to print the list and get out soon to check out my top ten. Have comments on my list or wish to share thoughts and experiences on your visits to the places on my list? Share them with a comment on my blog!

Please note that more detail, pictures and attraction website links are available on my TOP TEN website.

Mel's TOP TEN Things to Do in Columbia, South Carolina:

Visit Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Visit South Carolina State House
Learn about the Palmetto State at the South Carolina State Museum
Visit Another Interesting Museum - choices here or visit them all, including Museum of Art, EdVenture, and more
Visit Historic Homes - more choices... Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion, South Carolina Governor's Mansion and more
Experience Lake Murray
Visit a National Park just outside of Columbia - Congaree National Park
Attend a Sports Event - more choices!
Visit a Local Park - many great choices here including: Three Rivers Greenway, Finaly Park, Riverfront Park, Saluda Shoals Park and many more
Day Trip! we're in the geographic center of the state so it's easy to get off for a day or two to another interesting place

Just recently, my wife and I visited (after joining) the historic homes of Historic Columbia Foundation (#5). We had a wonderful tour. Now is a great time to visit the historic Columbia homes with the Christmas decorations. Our pictures: #1 #2 #3 #4

Get out soon and get to know Columbia better with visits to some or all of the places and attractions on my list above. Please let me know what you think.

More information: http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.com/todo.html

Chapin Girls Basketball Tournament

2007-11-15T18:04:00.000-05:00

The MelCoker.com CLAW CLASSIC basketball tournament will be held November 19th-21st at Chapin High School. Some games will be played at Chapin Middle School. There will be eight area girls varsity teams competing.

High schools included in the tournament are:Batesburg-Leesville * Chapin * Hammond * Heathwood Hall * Irmo * Lugoff-Elgin * Newberry * White Knoll

The Chapin Lady Eagles is the host team and Mel Coker, your RE/MAX Realtor, is the tournament Platinum Sponsor. Other sponsors include: Brandi Companies (Pitt Stop & Burger King); Moore Orthopaedic; Wallick Construction Southeast; State Representative Nathan Ballentine; Crosby Livingston, DMD; Custom Pizza; Flight Deck Restaurant; and, Mid State Roofing.

I'm excited to be the Title Sponsor! Please come out and enjoy a few games and support these girls. They have really worked hard in all of their practices! You'll enjoy the games!

Games start on Monday and Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. For a complete schedule with locations and times, please visit the tournament website:

http://www.chapin-sc.us

Click here for the Tournament press release.

Community Spotlight - SpringHaven

2007-11-13T22:55:00.000-05:00

My community spotlight this time is SpringHaven in the St. Andrews area of Columbia, SC. Springhaven is a gated garden home (patio home) community in a great location near Irmo, Interstates 26 and 20, Lake Murray and downtown Columbia.

New homes feature open floor plans, most with downstairs master bedroom suites, garages, backyard privacy fencing, and a host of available update options. The reasonable monthly HOA fee ($93) covers security monitoring, front yard maintenance, annual power washing and entrance and common area maintenance. These homes are built by Mungo Homes, a Columbia builder since 1954. Mungo Homes holds the Master Builder Certification. Homes are low maintenance vinyl construction with brick fronts available. Homes sites may be chosen to build from a choice of available plans or choose an existing "spec" home.

This community has been very popular with retirees. The community is quiet and peaceful with the entire front area of the community walled. It's convenient to great shopping, Columbiana Centre Mall, dining, hospitals and medical offices.

Closed home sales in this community have ranged in price from $125,095 to $160,000. Current homes for sale range in price from $119,900 to $139,990. The average home price is approximately $139,600. Home sizes range from about 1100 square feet to 1657 square feet (2-3 bedrooms).

For more information or for emailed home listings from this community or to set an appointment to see SpringHaven garden homes, please contact your Columbia Realtor, Mel Coker. Call Mel toll-free at 888-528-2258. Click here to visit Mel's Columbia Real Estate website.

Veterans Day

2007-11-07T15:48:00.000-05:00

Veterans Day is coming... November 11th. This federal holiday was initially known as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1917. The holiday officially began in 1926 and in 1954 the holiday name was changed to Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to United States national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. PLEASE BE SURE TO THANK A VETERAN FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY!

The City of Columbia will observe the annual Veterans Day Parade on November 12th in downtown Columbia (moved to the 12th since the 11th is on a Sunday). This parade is one of the largest Veterans Day parades in the United States.

I've created a webpage with information for the Veterans Day parade and to honor our veterans. Please check the page out as it contains other information such as: Veterans Day links, pictures from our Memorial Park in Columbia, SC and the name of America's most decorated soldier from ANY international/foreign war (HINT: it's not Alvin York or Audie Murphy and he WAS born in South Carolina!).

CLICK HERE for the Veterans Day website from Mel Coker.

The Home of Tomorrow

2007-11-04T22:32:00.000-05:00

The home of the future, at least looking out to 2015, will be somewhat different than new homes being built today according to research by the National Association of Home Builders. While overall home size has been increasing over the years, from about 1500 square feet in 1973 to 2459 square feet in 2006, the home of 2015 will probably average about 2400 square feet.

A summary of other home changes for new homes: higher ceilings, popular now in new homes, are here to stay; upscale amenities will become more common; formal living rooms will shrink or disapper, while family rooms will get larger; recessed lighting and bold colors will be more common; demand for energy-efficient appliances, HVAC equipment and windows will increase and structured wiring and multi-line phone systems will be standard in most homes.

Outdoor kitchens and second master bedroom suites will become more common in luxury homes.

What will an average new home cost in 2015? I did an analysis of current homes for sale in the Columbia area (as of November 4, 2007): The average home size is 2459 s.f. for 242 new homes for sale in my analysis (all with min. 2 1/2 baths and 2 car garage minimum). The prices ranged from $151,990 to $725,000. The average price is $260,541 with an average price per square foot of $105.95 (this includes the lot). Construction costs can vary greatly depending on construction quality, materials and amenities (and the lot price too). So, going forward, if Columbia new home prices appreciate over the next 8 years at 3.5% per year, the average home of the future will cost about $334,848 (in 2015).

For your home of TODAY, please be sure to contact your Columbia Realtor, Mel Coker. I can show you ANY home, new or resale, for sale in the Greater Columbia area. Call Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007 or visit Mel's website: http://www.melcoker.com/