Congratulations to Spring Valley High School. They have become yet another Columbia, SC school to be recognized for excellence. Spring Valley was recognized by USA Today as the recipient of the 2007-2008 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement. Only one high school per state is given this award in recognition of their commitment to students and leadership in AP participation and performance. Spring Valley will receive a $1,000 grant from the Siemens foundation.  So, once again congratulations to Spring Valley High School for their award. Keep up the great work! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________This message brought to you by www.jlboney.com. 03/02/2008

One of the advantages of being a South Carolina licensing instructor is my acute awareness of real estate laws and their looming impact on a real estate transaction.Earlier today, I received an email from Nick Kremydas. Nick is an attorney (the QUIET ELECTED OFFICIAL in the video) and the Chief Executive Officer of the South Carolina Association of Realtors . Nick was alerting me to the verdict in the Watters v. Terminix South Carolina Court of Appeals case.Timothy J. Watters purchased a home in April 1997.  At the time of Mr. Watters' closing, Terminix issued a clear termite report with acceptable moisture levels for the subject property. Within that same termite report, Terminix encouraged Mr. Watters to hire a qualified building inspector to evaluate the structural integrity of the h... 02/29/2008

 The Carolina Classic Home and Garden Show is right around the corner. It will be held at the state fair grounds March 14th through the 16th. Enjoy exhibits, seminars, displays, door prizes, and much more. For more info please visit the HBA website. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________This message brought to you by jlboney.com, your Columbia, SC real estate resource. 02/25/2008

While recovering from a bout with Infectious Bacterial Bronchitis, I only had enough energy to drink some juice, respond to some emails and watch some television.During last night's television watching session, I came across the fifth episode in Season 2 of My First Home on TLC. This was my first time hearing about the show.(Side Note: Am I the only one that is always the last to know about things? Please let me know that I'm not the only one in that boat.) Anyway..........Unlike some shows that depict the real estate process as seeing only three homes, making an offer on one and getting it to closing without issue, My First Home presents realistic home buying experiences.From getting insight on the buyers' motivation, to home shopping and price negotiations, to waiting for the inspecti... 02/17/2008

 February 12, IHOP is giving away free pancakes to benefit The Palmetto Health Children's Hospital Capital Campaign. Stop by the IHOP at 2567 North Rd from 7 am to 10 pm to receive a free short stack of IHOP's signature buttermilk pancakes. Guests will be asked to donate the money that they would have spent on the pancakes, or more, to the Palmetto Health Chidren's Hospital Capital Campaign. So, come on out, support a good cause, and have some pancakes. IHOP's national pancake day is designed to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. For more info visit ihoppancakeday.com.         _______________________________________________________________________________________________________- This message brought to you by jlboney.com.   02/10/2008

  Do you know a real estate agent's legal obligations to you? Do you really know the difference between a Customer and a Client? Do you know the difference between Single, Designated and Disclosed Dual Agency? Do you know what type of agency is better for you? If you are unsure about the answers to these questions, you might want to read my six-part series on South Carolina Agency laws.     In Part One, I expressed the importance of discussing agency relationships with real estate licensees (agents) and agreeing on your business relationship.In Part Two, I wrote about the difference between being a Customer and a Client.Part Three discussed the importance of some sellers and all home buyers becoming Clients.Part Four stated my fiduciary duties to you as a real estate consumer. Part Five... 02/10/2008

On Monday 2-11 the Northeast Columbia Epcon Community will host its second in a series of two presales events.Several great Phase I Homesites remain.Where:  Woodcreek Farms Country ClubWhen:   2-11, pmWhat:    Information about the new Epcon Community (special incentives)Why:     To get informed about the only single-story condo community in Northeast ColumbiaWho:     Anyone should come who is looking for a maintenance free lifestyle.This is the final chance to attend an event in February.  All other meetings will be by appointment. 02/08/2008

 The Northeast Columbia, SC real estate market has remained strong. This is despite all the negative attention the housing market has received in the local and national media. Our sales are down somewhat however, they are not down by much.  For the month of January 165 houses were sold in Northeast Columbia. This is down from 188 sold last year in the same time period. But compared to the problems in California and some other parts of the nation, I'd say we are hanging in there just fine. 2005 and 2006 were both record setting years for Columbia, SC real estate, so, the fact that were are only down by 23 houses in a time when the market is supposed to be so horrible is not so bad. So, if you are thinking about selling your house now is actually not a bad time to enter the market. With b... 02/07/2008

What:  Northeast Columbia Epcon Community Informational EventWhy:  Learn about the Northeast Columbia Epcon Community and get great information about the most unique community in NE Columbia. When:    Thursday, February 7, 2008  Monday, February 11, 2008Where:  2/7/08: WildeWood Clubhouse  2/11/2008: Woodcreek Farms Clubhouse For more information call Dan at 803-223-9545or visit: http://www.PGVEvent.comSpecial offers and information at the event.Food will be served. 02/05/2008

 Northeast Columbia continues to grow. The Honda dealership off the Killian Rd exit and the new comedy house are just a couple of the new businesses in the area. I myself attended the comedy house to see John pP Morgan the other night and had a great time. The new location is great. It's bigger and better than ever. I also attended a chamber of commerce event at the Honda place a few weeks ago, and it is also quite impressive. The Village at Sandhills continues to grow and expand and it appears that this will not stop anytime soon. With all the development in the area, we are going strong in the Northeast. There are also many new home communities scattered throughout the area. This is a fantastic side of town to call home. I have lived here for several years and I have watched it grow a... 02/04/2008

Next Monday will mark the beginning of a new series at The Patterson Files. On February 11, The Patterson Files will be discussing the different phases of the home buying process. This is an attempt to educate first time home buyers about steps towards a successful home buying experience. Topics will include: •1.       The Chicken or The Egg - Who Should First Time Homebuyers Hire First? •2.       Prequalification v. Preapproval: What's The Difference? •3.       First Time Home Buyer Interviews - Ricki Lake Would Be Proud •4.       MLS! - What Does Soccer Have to Do with Buying a Home? •5.       You Do Know That House Hunters is a Television Show... Don't You? •6.       You Found a House.......How Do You Make It Your Home? •7.       The Yogi Berra Saying That Offers Advice to First Time... 02/03/2008

The Earth Road Condos is a new gated maintenance-free Epcon Community in the heart of the growing area of Northeast Columbia.  Just outside of Woodcreek Farms, this Epcon Community offers excellent quality, award winning design features, a private Clubhouse, fitness center and pool all for prices starting in the 190s.   As with any Epcon Community, privacy and lifestyle are of the utmost importance. That is why each building has no front door that faces the same direction as the attached homes.Sitting on 20 acres The Villas on Earth Road will consist of 100 ranch condos just 1.5 miles from the new Village at Sandhill mall and about 1.5 miles from I-20 with convenient access to both Exit 80 and Exit 82. Each elegantly appointed home has its own private two car garage and comes with grani... 02/03/2008

As Top Producer's Sales Representative covering North Carolina and South Carolina; I offer FREE training sessions on a regular basis. This class is open to all agents and assistants!!!February 25, 2008                                Columbia, SC (10:00am-1:00pm)                           Hampton Inn Columbia 101 Woodcross DriveColumbia, SC  29212                                 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Topics to be covered in the class include the following:Agent Set Up Contact Entry Action Plans (follow-up campaigns) Listing and Closing Plans Mass Email/Mail Out Customer Web pages CMA's and Buyer Presentations Community and School Reports Question and Answer Session Product Overviews (Top Producer Websites & IDX) Intro. to Top Producer 8i  Please call me at 704-351-4029 or email... 02/03/2008

To all the girls I've loved before........... :-) ----- This is dedicated to you!DATELINE BLYTHEWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA..............Two teens have been expelled from a Richland County (South Carolina) School District Two Institution.Why? They brought guns to school! - NOPE!UHHHHHHH...........They brought drugs to school! -- NOPE!Let's see...........How about they started a fight or a gang war at school? --- NOPE! NOPE! NOPE!These two teens were expelled for KISSING ON THE SCHOOL BUS. School officials stated that the two teens were being removed from school for "sexual misconduct."Here is the definition of Criminal Sexual Conduct in South Carolina:16-3-652. Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree: The individual engages in sexual battery with the victim and if any one or more of the fo... 01/30/2008

 is that all the Commentators couldn't say enough good about the people of South Carolina and how warm and welcoming they had been.Those of us who live and work here know that we are in one of the best kept secrets in the country.  It always amuses me to work with out of towners - some of whom really thought they were having to move to the "boondocks" when they got transferred to SC.  After spending a day or so here,  they are delighted at the quality of life they are finding.   May I tell you a little bit about "my little corner of the world"?Columbia is the Capital City of South Carolina. As the largest city in the state, Columbia is at the heart of a four-county region, known as the Midlands of SC,  projected to grow to more than 625,000 people by the year 2010. It's one of the hotte... 01/29/2008

After averaging one sale a week during preconstruciton, the NE Columbia Epcon Community (Earth Road Condos) has reached its April 30 goal of 10 homes sold before the end of January.  Today we have announced our price increase away from preconstruction pricing.  Of course, customers we have already made contact with will have a few weeks to lock things in at the new prices.  Realtors we have previously spoken with will also have a week to register any new clients with us. For existing potential buyers, the price increase will take place on February 18th (President's day). 01/29/2008

  Milford Park in Irmo/Ballentine offers roomy, traditional homes with spacious backyards. You'll love the tree-lined streets, sidewalks and community recreation area with pool, cabana and a play area for your children. Milford Park is within minutes of Ballentine Elementary School in the Lexington/Richland Five School District and the Harbison Boulevard. The Harbison Boulevard area, anchored by the 800,000 square foot Columbiana Centre shopping mall, is one of fastest growing retail center in Metropolitan Columbia, South Carolina. The stores along Harbison Boulevard include many national restaurants and retailers such as Books-a-Million and Marshall's. Do you want to see a movie? Harbison offers The Carmike and Columbiana Grand Cinemas.Some of the immaculate Milford Park homes have gl... 01/28/2008

From the author of The Patterson Files While listening to some James Morrision, I received this email:From :"Internal Revenue Service"  [+] SUBJECT: 2007 Fiscal Activity (Tax Refund)Internal Revenue Service      United States Department of the TreasuryAfter the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we havedetermined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $129.72.Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 3-9 days in order toprocess it.A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons.For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.To access your tax refund, please click hereBest Regards, Tax Refund DeparmentInternal Revenue ServiceNeedless to say..........THIS IS PROBABLY A SCAM!!!!!!Filter to SPAMBOX Alerts.........BE ON... 01/25/2008

 If you are unfamiliar with the Brookhaven community, it is located on Long Green Parkway just off of Clemson Rd in Northeast Columbia. The homes range from about $99,900 to just over $200,000. They are vinyl sided and you have the option for a brick front. With a wide variety of options and elevations, Brookhaven has something for everyone. And when I say that I like this community so much that I would live here myself, I mean it, because I actually do.   This is one community in Northeast Columbia, SC where you can still get a lot of house for your money. It's close to shopping, with The Village at Sandhills less than ten minutes away and with the Killian's Crossing development currently underway and bringing in more business, I'm sure that shopping will be even closer soon. Brookhave... 01/25/2008

In 1965, Bob Russell announced the opening of Bob Russell Realty and Abb Jeffcoat, Jr. became a member of the Russell Realty Team. Over 40 years later, Russell and Jeffcoat has become the largest listing and selling real estate company in metropolitan Columbia, South Carolina.Russell and Jeffcoat is also recognized as one of the leading independent residential real estate firms in the Southeast Region of the United States.Below is a commercial released by Russell and Jeffcoat  01/25/2008