The Andrea Reynolds Team

Home Price Changes by State

2012-02-10T13:10:00.000-05:00

Home Price Changes by State
This is a great blog post check it out.

13 Copperfield Ct

2012-01-27T10:46:00.001-05:00

If you have seen this home before you need to come see it again. This 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,200sqft traditional Hampton Leas home has recently been updated with: new hardwoods throughout the downstairs; new carpet upstairs; tile in the bathroom & laundry room; & fresh paint throughout. This home also boasts: formal living & dining rooms; a large family room; a large eat-in kitchen, solid surface counters, update appliances, an island, pantry & plenty of cabinet space. Upstairs are three large bedrooms including the oversized master suite with private bath, double vanities, & a walk-in closet. This home also has an unfinished third floor that could give that additional space for a fourth bedroom, work out or rec room.

173 Preston Green

2012-01-27T10:33:00.001-05:00

173 Preston Green, a set on Flickr.

Come live in this incredibly maintained 3 bed, 3 bath, 1,661sqft Preston Green home. This four year old home feels more like 1 year old when you walk in the door with it's beautiful laminate hardwoods and crisp paint. This home boasts: two master suites, one upstairs and one down, with walk-in closets, double vanities and tons of space; a spacious kitchen with natural cabinets, beautiful dark Formica, finished off with updated black appliances; a large family room with sliding glass door that leads you out to your entertaining patio and privately fenced back yard. Don't miss the attic storage space or the spacious one car garage. This home is like new and ready for you. Come make it yours before someone else does.

Why Hasn't Someone Sued Zillow, Yet?

2012-01-03T20:02:00.000-05:00

So, I was working on Zillow tonight "claiming my listings". Yeah, people don't know all of the little detail stuff we have to do. We have to go into most sites and make sure they are putting our contact information next to our listings. If not "Jane Smith" can pop up next to it and answer any questions the perspective buyer may have. I am not sure how that is fair, but it is. Oh, and did I tell you it was a big pain in the butt?
Anyways, that is not why they need to be sued. As I was "claiming" them, I was noticing the websites "Zestimate". You know the price where Zillow says what it thinks your home is worth. Every single listing was "Zestimated" under what we have them priced at. Now we understand that actual market value is based on what a buyer is willing to pay. However, we pride ourselves on being good at it. Heck we had a 94.57% list to sell percentage in 2011 based on 54 closed listings. To put it in perspective, the entire MLS has a list to sell percentage of like 82%.
All that aside, as a Seller, I would be angry that some website based out of who knows where, is "Zestimating" my home under my listing price. It's hard enough to sell a house in this market, let alone close to what you are asking, without a website putting their two cents in there and telling a perspective buyer that my home is over priced. And believe me Buyers look. To get a home priced correctly there is a lot of science, research, skill, knowledge and a little bit of luck that goes into it. I know Zillow will say, "oh, its based off of tax records, comparable sales, etc". But to get a true value of a home you need a local professional, that knows the area, neighborhoods, streets and homes. Often times when we go to list a home, we know the comps personally and have been in them, so we can speak intelligently! I don't see how some pimpled faced computer nerd in California can write a program that will ever replace Us.

November's Most Popular Houses from Across The Country

2011-12-06T09:52:00.000-05:00

If your like us, we love seeing incredible homes. Here is the most popular homes from across the country from the Wall Street Journal.

A Great Video About Home Sales from October

2011-12-05T10:28:00.001-05:00

Watch this video from NAR about home sales in October. There are no flashing lights, graphics or stunts. Just good old fashion info.

Interesting Video from the TODAY Show about the Real Estate Market, Check it out!

2011-12-01T11:16:00.000-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Realty Times - Five Great Things about Homeownership

2011-11-09T10:59:00.000-05:00

Realty Times - Five Great Things about Homeownership

What's the Best Day to List a Home?

2011-10-19T15:57:00.001-04:00

Here is a little nugget on why we do what we do. As described in REALTOR Magazine.

What's the Best Day to List a Home?

No Regrets About Homeownership

2011-10-19T10:45:00.001-04:00

Despite the ups and downs of the housing market, most homeowners, including those who are underwater on their mortgages, don’t regret their decision to own a home. In a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders, three out of four Americans believe that homeownership is the best long-term investment and is worth the risk. Some 95 percent say they are happy with the decision to own a home. That sentiment is also strong among homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) believe owning a home is worth the risk of the ups and downs of the housing market, and 83 percent of say they are happy with their decision to own a home. Four out of five homeowners overall (80 percent) say they would advise a friend or family member to buy a home, while slightly fewer (78 percent) underwater homeowners would do the same. Only 19 percent of underwater homeowners believe homeownership is too risky.

Pumpkin Picking 2011

2011-10-12T10:52:00.000-04:00

We want to thank everyone who came out to our 2nd Annual Pumpkin Picking in the Park. We had a great time with past, current, and future clients. We would like to thank our sponsors: Bill Tindall with Allstate, James Fleshman with Foundation Mortgage, Bryan Yelton with Atlantic Air Conditioning and Ed Bogs Law Firm. We enjoy events that the community can get involved in, plus we gave away 4 pallets of FREE pumpkins. Check out our slide show on Flickr.

Annual Pumpkin Pickin in the Park

2011-09-26T11:36:00.002-04:00

As usual we have a great time, with refreshments, socializing, jump castles and free pumpkins. The park is on Old Knight Parkway, behind the VA. See what a great time we had last year, below....

Changing With Technology, As Usual!

2011-09-23T15:35:00.000-04:00

In our quest to learn better techniques for our marketing. We have invested thousands upon thousands of dollars into camera gear and programs to make your home look better. Now we don't alter the photos, i.e. adding grass, fixing bad spots. What we do is called bracketing. It's a complicated and technical process that takes pictures of your home at different exposures to make one great picture. You know like when the sky is really blue, but the shadows on the house make it look funny? So when you try to make the shadows go away but in turn the blue sky turns white. Well, this takes the best traits of three photos and blends them together as only the eye can see. I don't care how good the camera makers get, there is no way to recreate the eye. Take a look at our previous photo and the new one.

Before

After

This is absolutely incredible.

Another Happy Client

2011-09-15T17:55:00.002-04:00

Hear What Mary Lane's Client Has To Say About Her Buying Experience

Shandon Through Pictures

2011-09-14T09:35:00.000-04:00

We are embarking on a new project with in our team. We are going to be photo blogging several neighborhoods downtown to give locals and "out of towners" a snapshot of each unique neighborhood Columbia has to offer. Eventually, we will compile this into an interactive display on our website. But We couldn't wait that long to share these photos. More photos will be added to each section as time progresses.

5 Points in Pictures

2011-09-12T13:27:00.000-04:00

If your from Columbia or have lived here for longer than a month, you are aware of the area called 5 Points. 5 Points is a very neat and eclectic area of downtown Columbia. It is a mix of great night life, good food and great music. 5 points has a youth feel to it since it is with-in walking distance to USC. But is beautifully situated between Shandon, University Hill, USC and Wales Garden. 5 Points has a little bit of everything for everyone. Go out and enjoy and enjoy our pictures below.

Governor Haley Signs SC Point of Sale Reform

2011-09-08T15:27:00.000-04:00

We are getting one step closer to getting point of sale tax back under control. Hopefully this will be the start of people buying: investment; commerical; and second homes in South Carolina.

Monthly Indicators for July 2011

2011-09-08T14:54:00.004-04:00

If your a statistics person you will enjoy this link. The linked summary will let you exactly whats going on in the South Carolina market without all of the news headline making hype. Just straight numbers. As always if you need anything or have any questions just let us know.

Fed Official: Housing Market ‘Severely’ Out of Balance

2011-09-06T15:01:00.001-04:00

Fed Official: Housing Market ‘Severely’ Out of Balance

Foreclosed Home Owners Take Out Revenge on Properties

2011-08-31T15:39:00.000-04:00

Foreclosed Home Owners Take Out Revenge on Properties

Here is a great article on what not to do if you are being foreclosed on.

Movie Night at Emily Douglas Park - How to Train Your Dragon

2011-08-01T10:03:00.003-04:00

If you didn't come out this past Friday for Movie Night in the Park, then you missed a great time, great friends and a great movie. This was the second time we have hosted this in as many months. The weather was great and so was the turn out. We had over 100 people show up. We will be having this the last Friday of the month for the next three months. Check in often for times and what we will be watching. Take a look at our pictures below.

What are Those Crazy Digital Squares Everywhere? QR Codes

2011-07-08T15:08:00.003-04:00

You may have been seeing these crazy black and white digital squares popping up.

They are like a bar code that comes on everything you buy, but a little different. You use these codes to get places fast. Hence the name "QR Code" or "Quick Response Code". (Here is the long definition from Wikipedia)If you have a smart phone with a camera i.e. blackberry, iPhone, droid etc. All you have to do is down load a QR reader program* (many already come loaded with an app), then open the program when you want to use it, then take a picture of the code and it will do whatever the creator of that code wants it do. For example it could...

1) Send you a text back with some sort of message

2) Take you to a website

3) Give you an email address

4) It could import someones contact info into your phone

5) It could import an event into your calendar

6) It could take you to a place on a Google Map

7) It could take you to a Pay Pal buy link

8) It could take you to a social media account (i.e. facebook, twitter, blogspot etc.)

9) It could play a YouTube video

10) Or take you to an iTunes link.

However, in real estate they are beginning to make an entrance on Yard Signs. That way if your driving by you can click a picture and be on your way. Instead of getting out to get a flyer or fumbling for a pen to write down the agents number. It's just a way to make your life easier.

Here are a couple of programs you can download for free on most smart phones...

1)Optiscan

2) I-Nigma

3) Quick Mark

4) Barcode Scanner

5) Kaywa Reader

6) Nokia

7) Google Xzing

8) Snapmaze

9)Neo Reader

10) Jaxo Systems

11) Oko Tag

12) Blackberry Messenger

13) Upcode

Keeping Up With Generation Y & X Through Yard Signs

2011-07-08T14:14:00.004-04:00

Here's a little bit of knowledge in case your ever on Jeopardy, according to the National Association of REALTORS, 11% people find their homes from a yard sign*. You also may or may not know this but the biggest generation buying homes right now is Gen Y and X. The main thing you need to know about them is they want everything when they want it and they don't want to talk to an actual person until they want to. So to make sure our signs are useful and to ensure people use them we have rolled out an additional multi-media rider that will be attached to our yard signs shortly. Check it out...

A couple of cool things about this sign...

1) You text that specific number and it will return you 6-8 color photos and information regarding the price, beds, baths, sqft and anything else we can squeeze into 160 characters. It will also send us their contact info so we can follow up with them.

2) You can also scan the bigger of two QR codes and go the same place but quicker.

3) If people are more comfortable going to the website to see the pictures they can do that by typing in our web address or scanning the smaller of the two QR codes.

4) Now there are 7 ways to contact us off of our sign.

1) The Agent Text Rider (the little sign that goes on top with agents cell phone number)

2) The Team Number on our yard signs

3) Our email address on our yard signs

4) Our Text Info on Text Riders

5) The QR Code for the Property

6) The QR Code for our Website

7) And the shorter easier to remember website address.

If Gen Y and Gen X want it easy, by gosh we have made it easy. It's not easy to sell homes, but we make sure that your home does and will have every advantage possible when buyers are looking. If you are looking for an innovative team with fresh ideas...We're right here!

*NAR "How Buyers Find Homes 2010".

How Much Do you Charge?

2011-06-06T11:40:00.004-04:00

As many of you know, REALTORS eat what we kill. Meaning, if we don't go out and get the business we won't be eating that day, or actually in about a month. So we are a very motivated breed that rely on listing appointments and making connections to get business.
When we get a listing appointment, we prepare to make sure we get the house. We have a "fancy dancy" power point, examples of this and of that. But really the only thing "most" sellers want to know is how much are you going to cost me? See, that's the wrong question to ask. You should ask your agent how they are going to save you money. Now I don't know what Jane Smith with ABC Realty charges, but I'm sure we are with in the same range. Sure you can get some real estate agents to charge less or more depending on the services they offer. But can they save you money?
Take this home for example... We had the listing on "Main St". The buyer did their inspections and found about $7,500 worth of repairs. I.e. termite damage, rotten wood, broken windows and a "bad" HVAC. Now in the buyers mind these were legitimate repairs that he wanted addressed or taken off the price.
Well, by the end of the day, I had that same repair list down to $1,800 in repairs. The HVAC was not bad, it had some rust on the outside, but that doesn't mean the inside parts were bad. (This is a case of a bad inspector). The termite damage was actually under bond with a different company, so we had them to fix it. The termite company that inspected the home said a bathroom floor had to be torn out, for $3,600. When in reality, I had our (licensed and bonded) termite company come out and do it for $1,200. See when you do the volume of business our team does, you get to see the work and product of many vendors. We don't use the expensive or crappy vendors and we are very loyal to the good ones. Since we give them so much business, they treat us and our clients right.
So, the moral to the story is, you can save money on the front end when listing your home. You can hire a "discount" agent, or you can hire a team that is professional and knowledgeable and not only gets your home sold but saves you money in the process.

It's Important to Use a Lender and REALTOR who Communicate!

2011-05-31T09:37:00.002-04:00

It's very important to use a lender and a REALTOR who communicate. The this more to buying and selling a home than just signing some paper and packing all of your stuff up. Especially, if you are buying before selling or buying another home. Often times Mortgage Lenders may use a bridge loan or they may cash out Refi your first home to give you enough money to put down on your second one. It's very imperative that there is open communication. Take this for an example. You buy a home before selling yours. Your lender does an equity line on your first one to give you the down payment for the second one. Well when you go to sell your first one, you might be a little negative (i.e. bringing money to closing) because you used all your equity. But in reality your not negative, you've just already spent your money. So, using the above example, if the REALTOR knew what was going on, they could also explain why you are bringing money, rather than you being mad.
People just want to know the big picture, and often times when we are all doing our little parts (i.e. mortgages, contracts, inspections etc) to get you in your next house, you can't see the big picture. So next time you go to buy or sell, ask your REALTOR for recommendations and try to use people who work well together!!!!

Bailing on Mortgage Not a Good Idea

2011-05-02T13:36:00.000-04:00

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Bailing on Mortgage Not a Good Idea

Just Sold!!!!!

2011-03-25T18:17:00.004-04:00

Just Sold

6106 Hampton Leas - Hampton Leas

5418 Pinestraw - Forest Acres

1339 Sinkler - Lake Katherine

Postponed!!!!

2011-03-25T17:28:00.000-04:00

Just Listed 5 Properties TODAY!

2011-03-04T10:17:00.005-05:00

Just Listed March 4th!

Check out these 5 great listings that we just put out there for sale. From Downtown to Spring Valley we got you covered. As always let us know if you want to see one or if you need help selling yours.

(click on house image to go to it's listing page)

3910 Yale Avenue - Sherwood Forest

4 beds, 2 bath, 1,700 sqft

$239,900

2730 Marling Rd - Midland Terrace

3 Bed, 1 Bath, 1,015sqft

$115,000

208 East Springs Rd - Spring Valley

5 Bed, 3.5 Bath, 2,900sqft

$250,000.00

2329 Blossom Street - Shandon

3 bed, 2.5 Bath, 2,000 sqft

$290,000.00

330 S Ravenel (Duplex) - Rosewood

3 /1 & 1/1

$139,900.00

Agent Luncheon in the Hamptons Tomorrow!

2011-02-28T14:56:00.003-05:00

Come have lunch at 101 Sundowne Place tomorrow with us. It will be from 11:30am - 1pm. Come preview this great home and have some great Zoe's while your there.

Then make the short trip to 720 Chimney Hill for some great desserts!

These open house are open to all people who are interested in purchasing and selling these homes (i.e. agents). If you are not a licensed REALTOR please just RSVP so that We can make sure we save you some food.

Just Sold!

2011-02-28T14:51:00.003-05:00

Just Sold 2.28.2011

Mary Lane just handed over the keys to the new buyers of 1002 Indigo Ave. There is no better feeling than helping some achieve the goal of homeownership.

JT's clients just dotted the last "I" and crossed their last "T".
They no longer own this Plymouth Rock home.

Under Contract!

2011-02-28T14:42:00.002-05:00

Under Contract with Buyers Representation!

Andrea just ratified the contract for 421 Ravenel in Shandon

Mary-Lane just got 4601 Datura under contract as well.

Sure the market stinks, but that doesn't mean deals can't happen. You just need a real estate team that can work harder and smarter to find you the deals and get you the price you want. Let us know if we can help.

Under Contract in Forest Acres!

2011-02-25T14:45:00.002-05:00

Mary Lane team just put this Forest Acres beauty under contract for one of our buyers. Let us know if your ready to buy or sell something!

Under Contract!

2011-02-24T15:16:00.004-05:00

Here's a big boy that just went under contract last night! 229 Sailing Club Drive in Lake Carolina. We actually sold this to the buyers about a year ago. Things are really starting to pick up. Contact us if you need your home sold.

Lunch and a Great House!

2011-02-23T12:11:00.003-05:00

24 Governors Hill - Lunch Open House

Come join us for lunch and a chance to preview this fabulous house. It's tomorrow (2.24.2011) from 11:30am - 1pm. We will be serving Zoe's Kick'n Chicken Kabobs! Call us if you have any questions.

Under Contract!

2011-02-23T12:03:00.003-05:00

930 S. Bonham is UNDER Contract!

When the Tulips Bloom, the Buyers Come Out!

Tax Breaks You May Need!

2011-02-22T11:18:00.002-05:00

Here's an article on tax breaks you may miss. Click Here.

10 Home Renovations That Don't Necessarily Add Value

2011-02-21T10:39:00.001-05:00

Check out this article by Fred Fletcher on how some renovations may not add some value. Click here for the article.

Spring Fling

2011-02-17T17:29:00.003-05:00

What do you think would be a good give away at a spring carnival? (Nothing usual, no frisbees, magnets or footballs)

Save Money on Your Homeowners Insurance!

2011-02-17T11:45:00.002-05:00

Here is a great article from Jay McDonald with Bankrate, Inc. about 10 hidden savings you can get on your homeowners insurance. Click here to read the article.

It's Been Busy! All of These Are Under Contract!

2011-02-16T15:07:00.006-05:00

When you treat "Real Estate" like a "Profession" and not a part time job, sales happen. You need an agent that is just as committed to selling your home for top dollar as you are. Your agent needs to be accessible, a good negotiator, professional, intelligent and well versed in all the different ways to make a home sell. The real estate market changes daily.

You just need The Andrea Reynolds Team!

Check out these great homes that we have put under contract in the past two weeks!

4433 Briarwood Drive

(Our Buyer)

12 Trafalgar Ct. - Under Contract in 6 days

(Our Seller)

6106 Hampton Leas Lane

(Our Seller)

1339 Sinkler Rd.

(Our Seller)

101 Wood Ride Lane - Under Contract in 2 days
(Our Seller)

5418 Pinestraw.

(Our Seller)

9 School Yard Ct.

(Our Buyer)

DEAL of THE WEEK 2.14.2011

2011-02-15T14:54:00.004-05:00

DEAL of The Week - This is a 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,129sqft home. There is some damage to the bathroom floor and it could use some updating. However, fixed up it should rent between $700 and $800 a month. Need to invest some money or have extra cash on hand? This is your home. Contact Brad for details on investment properties.

Real Estate Red Flags!

2011-02-10T16:08:00.001-05:00

Is that next forclosure or distressed property really a sweet deal? Here is an article to see if it is.

Deal of the Week!

2011-02-10T15:39:00.005-05:00

Calling all investors! I am going to start posting deals of the week on our blog and facebook accounts. Some of these homes are going to need some love, but hopefully with a little bit of cash, you will have a cash flow cow on your hands. I will post the price and the general location, if you wanna see it then you will have to contact us. Happy hunting.

This is a 3 bed, 1 bath, 1,075 sq ft ranch style home. It appears to have good bone but it needs some cosmetic work. It's on the Southeast part of town and close to the Fort. They are asking $30,500.00 and with a couple of bucks you can have this thing back in rental condition. Typical rent for a home this size and in this location should be between $650 and $800. Call me and we will take a look today. Brad.

There are Forclosures All Around Us!

2011-02-10T15:33:00.002-05:00

Here is an article from CNN Money. The fastest growing forclosure rates in the country sourround our market. The article goes on to say that Spartanburg, Savannah, Myrtle Beach and Charlotte have some of the highest rates in the country. Who would have known? Here's the full article.

"Prime Time" Pads!

2011-02-10T15:28:00.003-05:00

Here is a great article about Deon "Prime Time" Sanders homes for sale. I tell you what, if you think your 2,000sqft home is spacious, trying "cramming" into this 29,000 sq ft, 13 bath, 3 dining room property. Here's the full article.

How To Prepare Your Home For Sale!

2011-02-08T13:52:00.002-05:00

This is a great article on how to prepare your home for sale. It's one of the best I have seen. Click here to go the article.

Coming To The Market This Friday!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-08T12:20:00.002-05:00

12 Trafalgar Ct

Located in Hampton Leas this 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,650sqft home

is going on the market this friday (2.11.2011). Let us know if you

want a private showing.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Home Ownership Offers Plenty of Tax Benefits

2011-02-07T12:18:00.000-05:00

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Home Ownership Offers Plenty of Tax Benefits

6 House Repairs to Tackle

2011-02-07T09:45:00.001-05:00

Here's a great article from Yahoo! on six repairs you should stay on top of. Click here for the story. Enjoy!

101 Sundowne Place for Sale in Columbia

2011-02-04T11:10:00.000-05:00

JUST LISTED.

Housing Supply Outlook from December 2010

2011-01-26T16:40:00.002-05:00

Here is the housing supply outlook from South Carolina Association of REALTORS for December of 2010. If you are a charts and graphs person like me, Brad, then this is right up your ally. Take a look at where the housing market it through this file.

The Skinny for 2010

2011-01-25T11:26:00.004-05:00

This is some great info about how SC did in 2010. Let us know if you have any questions.

Just Listed in Governors Hill

2011-01-20T18:46:00.003-05:00

Just Listed

24 Governors Hill

Behind on Your Mortgage Payments?

2011-01-20T18:34:00.005-05:00

Here is a website for residents of South Carolina behind on their mortgage.

The ART Team, Teams up with DocuSign

2011-01-18T16:44:00.003-05:00

Has your REALTOR ever sent your a form to initial, date and send back. Yeah it sounds easy enough, until you realize that your printers out of ink, you just ran out of paper, you can't get the document to scan. Then finally you wait until tomorrow to send it back to your agent and then they tell you forgot a spot. It's frustrating, we know. It's equally frustrating on our end.
So with the world being so "instant gratification" and not being able to wait 10 mins to get a document back. We have hired the services of "Docusign". This revolutionary company has made initialling and signing documents as easy as a click of the mouse. Here is a video that explains it all.

Hopefully, by using this system will we be more efficient so that we can spend more time with our clients in getting their homes sold.

No McMansions for Millennials

2011-01-18T16:34:00.003-05:00

Here's a great article on how the housing market is going to change as the Baby Boomers start fading out to the Gen Y's in buying homes. Click here for the whole article.

Top 5: First Impressions Matter

2011-01-07T10:31:00.004-05:00

We get asked all the time by sellers, what improvements can I make to my home that I will see a return on? This article does a fantastic job of breaking down the top 5 repairs/improvements and the return you can expect to have on them click here

Just Listed on 12/9/10

2010-12-09T11:27:00.003-05:00

229 Sailing Club Drive

This beautiful 5 bed, 4.5 bath, 4,300sqft home is in Lake Carolina - Summerlin By the Lake

Click Here for More info.

245 Gusty Lane

This total remolded home is ready for you. It boasts 3 bed, 2 baths and 1,200sqft.

Click here for more info.

One of the Best Homes in Columbia!!!!

2010-12-03T11:18:00.002-05:00

4635 Datura Rd

This is one of the best homes in Columbia. Click here for more information.

Under Contract!!

2010-11-23T15:49:00.002-05:00

We just put these two listings under contract.

Who ever says stuff isn't selling...they must be using someone else.

2404 Park St

We just put this home under contract with our own buyer. You know why? Because we cultivate our own leads, there is no time off on this team. If the phone rings it will be answered, because your home depends on it.

201 Evian Place
It took us 63 days to put this beauty under contract.
The average in the MLS right now is 104.

The reasons why were better than the aveage...
1) We price them correctly! (not to high, not to low)
2) We take awesome pictures! (you gotta have a good product)
3) Were aggressive! (we don't wait around on the phone to ring we make stuff happen).

Just Listed!

2010-11-23T15:38:00.002-05:00

1002 Indigo Avenue - The Avenues

Just Listed

Call us for your private viewing today.

For more info on this house click here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-23T15:33:00.001-05:00

We hope you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Houses of the Rich and Famous - Tech Addition.

2010-11-16T10:30:00.002-05:00

From time to time we will put up houses of the rich and famous. Here is an article from Yahoo! about the famous Tech peoples homes. Click here for the article.

Americans are Downsizing, Thats a first!

2010-11-16T10:13:00.003-05:00

Check out this article about how the average home size is shrinking and what builders are doing away with to increase "livablity" in a smaller space. Click here for the article.

Pumpkin Carving Contest 2010

2010-11-03T17:49:00.003-04:00

The Winner of the 1st "A.R.T." Pumpkin Carving Contest

1st Runner Up

3rd Place

4th Place

Thanks to everyone who participated in our 1st Annual Contest. These are some really good carving jobs.

Irmo/Columbia Near the Lake, but not a "Lake Price"!

2010-10-22T09:38:00.002-04:00

107 Blue Church Rd Just Listed!

Just Listed 10.15.10

2010-10-15T11:30:00.004-04:00

5418 Pinestraw

Click Here to go to it's listing page.

175 Hulon Greene #10

Click Here for more info on this retirement condo.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!

2010-10-14T14:13:00.002-04:00

Check out this article about how the camera your Agent uses makes a difference in your home selling price. Of course, we use the best and it gets us the results. One disclaimer on this article is, it is based out of Long Island, New York. They said with lower end homes it doesn't matter what camera you use. However, they consider $300k their lower end, which is towards our higher end. Just take that into consideration when you look at their graph.

Here is the link.

Amazing Celebrity Homes for Sale!

2010-10-06T09:28:00.002-04:00

Now, I know these homes don't compare to homes here in our market. But I think its always fun to see what houses sell for in certian places. Click here to see some neat houses and some not so neat prices.

2010-10-05T12:26:00.001-04:00

I am testing out Ping.FM. It's a free website that you can blog once and it will paste to all of your social networking pages.

Agent Drop In (Aka You Can Come Too!)

2010-10-05T11:43:00.001-04:00

Come one, come all, come see this incredible lake front home in Longcreek. We will be here (5 Tateswood Ct) until 1:30pm. But if you come bring your check books, because you are going to fall in love!) See you shortly.

Click Here to See More of This Home.

10 Things Your Contractor Wont Tell You!

2010-10-05T09:09:00.004-04:00

I read this article this morning on Yahoo! Take a look and if you ever need a recommendation of a good contractor let us know. Click Here to go to the article. Have a great day!

2511 Monroe - Just Sold

2010-10-04T17:04:00.003-04:00

Just Sold! Go meet your new neighbors at 2511 Monroe Street in the heart of Shandon! Thanks to all of the neighbors for sending all of your friends and family members to look at it. It only took 62 days to sell it.

Things That Don't Add Value to Your Home!

2010-10-04T10:16:00.003-04:00

Check out this article by Investopedia and carried on Yahoo! News. It has some useful hints. Click Here.

An Amazing 1st Annual Pumpkin Pickin

2010-10-03T20:26:00.006-04:00

Thanks to all of our amazing clients, friends, families and future clients for coming out today. We had an amazing turn out. We had a inflatable slide, Cromers popcorn, refreshments and ofcourse FREE PUMPKINS. Don't forget everyone to take pictures of your pumpkins once you carve them and either email it to us or post it on our facebook wall for a chance to win $50. The winner will be decided after Halloween. Thanks again everyone and we look forward to next year.

Under Contract!

2010-09-27T12:18:00.004-04:00

We have great news. We just got our own listing under contract in Hampton Trace. 410 Hampton Trace Lane went under contract Friday 9.24.2010. Currenlty we sell about 15% of our own listings, compared to the 1% national REALTOR average. It just goes to prove, that if you market correctly, cultivate and scrub your leads in a proven system, you can move homes!

Pumpkin Picken' This Sunday!

2010-09-27T12:12:00.004-04:00

Come out to Woodland Park this Sunday (10.3.2010) from 3pm - 5:30pm. We will have FREE* pumpkins, FREE jump castles, FREE Refreshments and FREE Socializing with your neighbors. We just want to thank all of our clients, friends and families for a great selling season. We could not have had another record breaking year with out them. So this is a little way to say thanks. See you then!!!!!

**(Limited Numbers Available)

Just Listed 9.24.2010

2010-09-24T12:42:00.007-04:00

Just Listed!

Get'em While They're HOTT!

(Click on Address to Go to Their Listing Page)

15 Gray Heron Ct
$599,000.00

313 Indigo Springs

$250,000

732 Veterans Road

$169,000

Just Sold

2010-09-13T13:01:00.003-04:00

Just Sold Last Week!

8 Quinby Place - Hampton Woods

10 Kensington Court - Hampton Woods

608 Dulaney Bend - Berkley Lake Carolina

10 Risky Home Improvements

2010-08-16T09:08:00.001-04:00

Here is an article that I read on Yahoo! Finance. It has some good points, if your thinking of doing some upgrades to your home. Click Here to read the article.

You Thought Your Floors Were Uneven!

2010-05-13T11:36:00.000-04:00

Check out the Bioscleave House.

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/garden/20080403_DESTINY_FEATURE/index.html

Segway Tour of Austin Tx.

2010-05-13T10:15:00.003-04:00

In March, while at our Prudential National Convention, we took at Segway tour of Austin, Tx. If you have never been on a Segway before it is cool, cool invention. It really shows how advanced our society is coming. We are trying to figure out a way to show clients properties on Segways with out killing anyone or getting sued. jk.

Lane Quinn (Mary Lane's Mom), Andrea Reynolds, Matt Reynolds (Andrea's Husband), Erin Quinn (Mary Lane's Sister), Brad Allen, Mary-Lane Sloan

Just Sold 5.10 - 5.14.2010

2010-05-13T09:53:00.005-04:00

What a great week. We have closed on 5 properties this week. That puts our total count for the year around 35 properties. Not a bad start to a great year. Check out the houses we sold.

621 Chimney Hill - Andrea Reynolds

Sold with Buyers Representation

442 Hampton Trace Lane - Andrea Reynolds

Our listing that we sold in 7 days.

442 Hampton Trace Lane - Jenny Burden

Sold with Buyers Representation

219 Plantation Parkway - Mary Lane Sloan

Sold with Buyers Representation

A Prudential Listing

2351 Wesley - Mary Lane Sloan

Sold with Buyers Representation

A Prudential Listing

528 Chimney Hill Coming to the Market

2010-05-13T09:21:00.001-04:00

Check out this great new house that is going on the market tomorrow. Check back tomorrow to see the price and all the details. (Click on the picture to be taken to it's album.)

How Do Courthouse Foreclosure Auctions Work? | eHow.com

2010-04-05T09:44:00.000-04:00

How Do Courthouse Foreclosure Auctions Work? | eHow.com

How to Play Kickball for Adults (with pictures) - wikiHow

2010-02-26T09:16:00.000-05:00

How to Play Kickball for Adults (with pictures) - wikiHow

The Unfair Tax!

2010-02-10T09:28:00.004-05:00

Wonder what everyone is talk about with the point of sale tax? Here is a website that is run by the SC REALTORS Association, http://www.itsjustnotfair.org/.

In the website they discuss the issues and how it is hurting our economy. Take look when you get a second.

We don't list houses, We sell them!

2010-02-09T09:43:00.011-05:00

"We don't list houses, We sell them!" That's one of the many motto's of our team. If we can sell your home without our sign ever hitting the ground we are just as happy as if 100 people drive by and see it. Why you ask? Because it's not about us its about getting you top dollar in the fastest possible time frame. Let me explain.

Listing a house is what lazy agents do. They fill out the paper work, they put a sign in the yard, they put a lock box on and they put it on the MLS and they pray. (If you have been reading our blog for a bit its the Five "P" approach) They expect someone will come along and buy it. They know the home may be over priced, they know the wall paper in the half bath is horrible and the mauve carpet and mirrored ceiling in the master are putrid. But they figure "it is what

it is" and the house will sell eventually. (Yeah with several price reductions)

Selling a home is what we do. It's not easy to tell a new mother to take down all the pictures of her child on the fridge, or that mural your grandmother painted in the dining room is awful, or that your house smells like cat and dog, or that the house is not decorated very well. But you know what? It's the hard stuff that sells homes. Of course both the "listing" house and the "selling" house will go on the MLS and REALTOR.com, but one person can only buy one house and who's do you think will win? The mirrored ceiling or the clean, bright, well decorated one?

It's the little hard stuff that makes a difference and fortunately we are well prepared to hurt your feelings in a good way. Why? Because you want your home sold, not listed!

The Five "P"s

2010-02-02T13:26:00.003-05:00

This "ain't" your Daddy's or Grand Daddy's real estate market anymore. Days are long gone from when the "old school" agents marketing plan would work. You don't know about the Five P's? Maybe your last REALTOR used it and you just didn't know there was anything else. When an old school agent would list a house they would follow the Five P's... Put in the MLS, Put on a lock box, Put a sign in the ground, Place an Ad in the newspaper, and pray it would sell.
We wish selling a home was that easy. We have a 65 item check list just to get it on the MLS and associated websites. Your home would: go on over 25 websites (REALTOR.com, Trulia, Google, You Tube, etc); get a virtual tour; get staged; get over 50 photos taken; a custom marketing plan for 6 months. It takes us a full week to prepare for it to go on the MLS. I guess you can call our marketing plan "The 500 P's".

4 Signs that Your Home is Overpriced!

2009-10-14T13:38:00.003-04:00

It's no secret that the housing market continues to struggle throughout much of the country. Although the first-time home buyer tax credit has certainly given the market a healthy boost, there is still a glut of unsold inventory out there -- and as of right now, the tax credit is set to expire on December 1.
What does that mean for you, the sorry soul who's trying to sell your home? It means you'll have to make sure the price is right in this highly competitive, price-driven market. Unlike the good old days, homebuyers are no longer choosing homes based on emotion. In this tough economy, they're looking for the best deal. If your house has been sitting on the market for three or more tortuous months, your asking price may be to blame. Here are four tell-tale signs that it's time to slash that listing price.

1. No one is stopping by for a look.Your house has been on the market for a month or two, and showings have been scarce to none. Wait a second, do you hear that? Ah yes, it's the sound of warning bells ringing. If buyers are not even taking the time to look at your house, it's pretty sure sign that the price is too high.Of course, you may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean that there's no interest in your home. While you've had no actual showings, that brochure box by your "For Sale" sign is empty and your online listing has received hundreds of hits. If that's the case, this only proves that there is interest in your home, but something is keeping buyers from scheduling a showing. What's holding them back? You got it -- your absurdly high asking price.

2. You've had plenty of showings but no offers.So, your home has attracted a handful of showings since it's been on the market, but you still haven't gotten an offer. Of course, the Pepto-Bismol pink shower in the master bathroom or the turquoise blue carpet in the living room could be to blame. Poor design and color choices can certainly scare away potential buyers. But if your home is tastefully decorated and updated, it's more likely that your price needs to come down. Some experts say if you've had 10 showings without an offer, your home is probably overpriced.

3. Buyers shower your home in criticism.You've had plenty of showings, but your REALTOR has noticed that prospective buyers make the same negative comments about your home time and again. For example, they may continually complain that your house is plagued with a pungent odor reminiscent of wet dog and rotten tomatoes. Or perhaps they all point out that the 1970s-themed kitchen, complete with pea green appliances, is a little outdated.Be sure to ask your realtor to notify you of any negative feedback from buyers. While some of the comments may be difficult to hear, a little constructive criticism may help you sell your home in the long run. Remember, there's no room for hurt feelings in home-selling.It may turn out that other homes in your neighborhood have remodeled, modern kitchens and a more inviting smell. If this is the case, you'll either need to freshen up your home, give your kitchen a makeover or (you guessed it) cut your asking price. After all, if the price is right, prospective home buyers may decide they can live with a pea-green dishwasher - or buy a new one.

4. You have the highest priced home on the blockLet's say comparable homes in your area are priced much lower than yours. Houston, we have a problem. If your house is the most expensive three-bedroom, two-bath, 10-year old home in your zip code, it's probably going to be the last one to sell.Ask your realtor for regular updates on home prices in your area. He or she can show you the closing price on homes similar in size and age to yours and notify you when comparable homes drop their prices. This will help you decide if it's time for you to drop you price, as well. So, after picking up on some of these warning signs, you finally give in and drop your price. But you still haven't received an offer. What's the deal? You probably haven't cut your price enough.
Realtors say if you're going to lower your price, don't do it in small increments. After all, there's really no difference between $225,000 and $224,900. Buyers won't fall for that. If you're going to slash your price, you'll have to lower it by at least $5,000 for buyers to take notice.

Amy Bell, Investopedia.com

Do you have one lurking in your backyard?

2009-08-25T09:42:00.003-04:00

Have you ever looked a home or, do you see one or two metal tubes extending from the ground in your yard? Then there are good odds that there is an under ground storage tank buried on the property. Not let me say it's an easy yet expensive problem to over come. I have had quotes from $1,200 to $2,000 to either fill or remove the tank.

However, there are some unknowns that may creep up and make the ordeal a lot more expensive. So here are some questions to ask if you are going to have one removed/filled.

What do you fill the tank with? - From my experience when they fill a tank, they cut the caps off and suck out the remaining oil/water and fill it through the same hole. If they are going to use sand which is acceptable then they need to cut the entire length of the tank to ensure an even spread. If they are going to use a sludge (cement mixture) then it is OK to use the same holes that are there, because the sludge will get to every open space.

How much does it cost if the tank is leaking? - Obviously they can not know if the tank is or has been leaking unless they take it out. Recently I had a tank removed and the tank was leaking. They charged me $85 per 55 gallon bucket of contaminated soil. I had to end up getting 6 barrels filled and hauled off. A cost that my clients were not expecting to pay.

Is it better to fill it or remove it? - It actually cost my clients less to have it removed than filled. As far as I know there is nothing wrong with filling and leaving it. Just remember that if you fill it with sludge and then you have to remove it, then you will be removing and solid barrel of cement. You will not be able to build over it, if you ever decide to do an addition. I would think that removing it would be better if you can. Sure you might have some different looking soil in the yard for a bit but you won't have a solid barrel of cement to deal with down the road.

Variables - There are several factors that go into a price to get a tank removed. Here are some...
1) Can they get their vacuum truck (the size of a garbage truck), to the area or close to it?
2) Are there any obstructions around the tank? i.e. trees, decks, patios, HVAC units.
3) How full is the tank? They will suck out all of the oil but they have to pay by the gallon to have it recycled.
4) How large the tank is. Obviously the larger the more expensive.
5) What you want to fill it with. Sand or Sludge?

An underground storage tank is one of those things that you just inherit with an older house. Fortunately for those people buying homes with FHA or VA loans, the government requires the seller to remove them. For the rest of us it's all part of the fun negotiation process. Keep in mind its quick(takes about a day) and simple, it just cost a little money.

Let us know if you have any questions or if you need the name and number of a good under ground tank specialist.

This entry was written by Brad and all misspellings and lack of grammatical structure are a direct reflection of his intelligence not the "Teams".

Open House today...Come join us for lunch and dessert.

2009-06-18T10:20:00.005-04:00

Come join us for lunch and dessert today at these two great homes from 11:30-1pm.

5623 Sylvan Drive

4662 Pamlico Circle

Come Have Lunch on Us at 149 Shannondale Ct

2009-06-16T09:27:00.003-04:00

Come have lunch on us today and to see this incredible home. We will be there from 11:30am - 1pm. Everyone is welcome, clients, agents and neighbors.

2009-06-15T17:17:00.004-04:00

We are now on Twitter. Check us out and stay in touch with whats going on in the Real Estate world more often. Click here to go to our site.

The # of Showings Do Not = Sales

2009-05-01T09:19:00.002-04:00

We have a listing that is baffling us. It has been on the market 6 months, its been shown 69 times. No agent has said it is over priced, in bad condition, or in need of repair. I have no idea of why it hasn't sold. Of course, we could drop the price, but is that really a service to our client when the comps are saying it is already under priced and in relatively great condition.

So moral to the story is, showings do not equal a sales. Last week we put a home on the market and the first person who saw it bought it. Then we have had another house on the market a year and been shown 76 times. After a little bit of research I would say that we average about 15 showings per listing, that we sell. I am not sure how that stacks up to other agents, but it sounds pretty solid to me. Let me know what you think, leave a response below.

The A.R.T. Awarded in Las Vegas

2009-05-01T09:15:00.003-04:00

Top 1% of Agents World Wide for Prudential and all of Real Estate agents.

Viva Las Vegas....Prudential Convention Here We Come!

2009-03-23T11:18:00.005-04:00

Andrea and I will be traveling to Las Vegas at the end of this week to be recognized at the Prudential Real Estate national convention. We will be awarded with the Chairman's Circle Platinum and the PREA 100 awards. We have had a hard long year, and in the process we have sold some homes, thanks to our Clients and Team Members.

So if you need us we will be gone from Sunday to Wednesday, but the team phone and team members will be in town if you need anything. Have a great week and lets hope I don't lose all of my money.

Productive Week in Columbia, SC!

2009-03-13T09:01:00.009-04:00

Although the market may be "soft". It is hard to believe it on our end. Yes, we do put on more listings than we have closings per week, right now. But what the national media doesn't understand is people have to move, and Columbia, SC is no different. As the "stimulus package" kicks in ( I won't go there) and the scared buyers come out of their shells you will start to see listing starting to sell. So, until then we have to be patient, and act as if any offer could be our highest and best. I promise to our current, past and future clients; I am not working 12 hour days for no reason. We are putting in the time and energy to try and get your home sold. No matter what our facebook pages say.

_____________________________________________

Recent "Under Contracts"

2725 Mills Ave - Druid Hills

Asking Price $159,000

___________________________________________________________________

129 Hampton's Grant Ct

Asking Price $450,000
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New to the Market

6810 Longbrook - Forest Acres

Asking Price $235,000

Virtual Tour = http://www.artvirtualtours.com/6810longbrooke.html

Come live in this 3 bed, 2 bath, 2,200sqft contemporary ranch home, located in beautiful Forest Acres. This home boasts: formal living and dining rooms with tall ceilings; a large family room with built-in TV nook and fireplace; a large eat-in kitchen with updated appliances and tons of cabinet space; the spacious master suite has a large bathroom with separate whirlpool tub, a stand up shower, and a large walk-in closet. Outside you will find a large level backyard, workshop, shed and a huge screened in porch. This home a modern home in a convenient location.
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7509 Edgewater - Springwood Lakes

Asking - $139,900

Virtual Tour = http://www.artvirtualtours.com/7509Edgewater.html

This beautiful 3 bed, 2 bath, 2,000sqft ranch style home is located in quiet Springwood Lakes. This home boast; large formal living and dining rooms, a spacious kitchen, a huge great room with fireplace and built-ins, and a massive screened in porch that overlooks the large well feed in-ground pool. There are hardwoods located under most of the carpet in the house. Conveniently located near 1-77, 1-20 and Sandhills, this house won't last long.

Listing Friday!!!! Kings Grant, The Gates at Quail Hollow, Heathwood, and Cedar Terrace.

2009-03-09T10:01:00.009-04:00

Friday was a huge day for our team. We listed almost 2.5 million dollars worth of homes. It really shows the versitality of our team. The houses range from $118k to $1.1 Million. Take a look below to see their descriptions and Virtual Tours. As always you can go to our website, www.theandreareynoldsteam.com , to see more information on these listing and anyothers in we have listed.

411 N. Kings Grant

Finally a home worth a million dollars! Come live in luxury in this traditional Kings Grant mansion. This 1 year old 6,000 sqft, 5 bed, 4.5 bath home boasts: a grand foyer; a formal living and dining room with high ceilings, hardwoods and thick moldings; a large family room with built-ins and a fireplace; a large eat-in kitchen with granite, an island, state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, a computer nook and a bar. The huge master suite has a walk-in closet, stand up shower, whirlpool tub and double vanities. Upstairs are 4 bedrooms; one with a large media room, one with a sitting room; and a frog. Outside are a three-car garage, deck with gas hook ups, and a large easily maintainable yard.

31 Deer Haven Ct

Come live the luxurious life in this Gates at Quail Hollow Mansion. This contemporary 6100sqft, 4 bed, 4.5 bath home is an entertainers dream. This home boasts: a formal living room, dining room, and office/library; a master suite on the first floor with his/her walk-in closets, separate shower, whirlpool tub, & double vanity; an eat-in state of the art kitchen with unique granite & stainless appliances; the family room has 12+ inch cawford ceilings, fireplace and built-ins; upstairs are three large bedrooms with baths; a huge game room with built-in bar; a 10+ person media room. Outside are a patio, a screened-in porch and two verandas over looking a well-manicured backyard.

4012 MacGregor

Come live in this charming Heathwood home. This beautiful 3 or 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2600sqft home has oodles of character and charm. This home boasts: formal living and dining rooms with a built-in china hutch and bookcases, hardwoods, and high ceilings; an updated kitchen with newer appliances, custom cabinets and computer nook; a large family room with a wet bar and half bath. Downstairs you will find another large living area or it could be a 4th bedroom and a walk-in unfinished utility basement. Outside, this home has beautiful front and back yards, a large deck, screened-in porch/greenhouse, portico, an oversized workshop, and a blueberry grove. This home is the epitome of Columbia Charm.

1200 Cedar Terrace

This 3 bed, 1 full and 2 half bath ranch style home is conveniently located in quiet neighborhood of Cedar Terrace. This home boasts: a large living room with hardwood floors, a wood burning fireplace and a big picture window; a formal dining room with hardwood floors and high ceilings; a large eat-in kitchen with tons of cabinet and storage room. Each of the three bedrooms are over sized and two have half baths. Outside is a large fenced in backyard with a patio and fire pit. With such a great location this home won’t last long.