Colony Ridge Grand Opening an Essex Community

Essex held a Grand Opening Celebration that allowed local Real Estate Agents to tour The Summerlin which is the Model home and the community. Hudson's Smokehouse in Lexington catered the luncheon and the food was fabulous.



Essex will open the first phase of Colony Ridge with a total of 25 home sites, to date 6 sites are under contract. The base price starts in the high $170's for a 1809 square foot home up to a base price in the $230's and square footage to 3, 436.



If you desire more information on this wonderful Essex Community please contact me at 803-600-6000. Please visit http://dondiphelps.posterous.com/ to view a few photos.

Summer Yard Maintenance

In the summer you should mow regularly and raise your mower's height to prevent cutting too short. After seven days of no rain, water soil to soak down 5 to 6 inches this will help keep your yard from dying.

First-Time Home Buyer

Credit for you and your family!

* The tax credit is for first-time buyers

* The tax credit does not have to be repaid

* The tax credit is equal to 10% of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000

* The credit is available for homes purchased on or after 1/1/2009 and before 12/1/12009

* Single taxpayers with incomes up to $ 75,000 and married couples with incomes up to
$ 150,000 qualify for the full tax credit

Call Dondi Phelps at 803-600-6000 for a no obligation consultation to determine if you qualify!

Todays Market

People ask me about the market today and I must tell them that interest rates are very low and the pricing of homes has never been more favorable. The problem is most people do not have a down payment or they have blemishes on their credit report. I am currently assisting 3 to 5 Buyer Clients with clearing up issues that are preventing home ownership. If you have any questions or would like additional information on how to clean your credit e-mail me and together we will work to get you into your new home.

Selling Your Home in Todays Environment

Weather your home is on the market currently or you are thinking of selling your home. You might want to read on. Getting to know a few things about the current selling conditions in the Columbia area may help you obtain an offer and get you to closing.

As an agent in the business for almost nine years in the Columbia area, I have been extremely fortunate to see some excellent selling conditions. Most Sellers in our area have seen homes sell in less than four months in combination with offers at almost full asking price, no matter what the condition of the property.

Now Sellers are experiencing more showings, which means more cleaning. No showings for months which might make one wonder where the Buyers are at this time. Or you may just not know what to believe about the current market conditions and the entire process.

Working with Buyers allows a REALTOR, like myself, to listen to my Buyers and pass that information on to help my Sellers. In the past six months Buyers want a home that is new, just like new or exactly what the Buyer envisions as the right home for them. What does this mean for you the Seller? Well it means you stand a better chance of Selling your home when you:

1. Paint your home in a neutral color. This means remove the wallpaper.

2. Replace that worn out carpet or offer an incentive.

3. Get your home inspected prior to showing off its assets.

4. Price it to sell!!!!!

I can not say enough about number four. Ask your agent to run a search for homes within $10,000 if you are below $200,000; and $25,000 if you are above. Then, you will see how many options are available to the Buyer. The Buyer may or may not select your home to view out of hundreds currently on the market.

Remember this does not include any homes listed by the owner and not in the MLS.

If you have additional questions or you would like to talk about selling your home contact me at Dondi@SCRealty.net.