The Upstate, one of the most desirable places to live with its southern hospitality and charm, seasonal changes and pleasant year round climate. We're conveniently located to Charlotte, Ashville, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta and Charleston. You too, can live and work in an internationally recognized business and cultural community with a quality of life that is second to none. From small farms to mid-town condominium living; mountain views, golf course communities and lakefront properties; we have it all. If we can help your clients with their relocation, we promise to take good care of them! The Gardner Team Dennis & Yvette Gardner ygardner@homesintheupstate.net 864-706-3669     08/11/2008

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit For aspiring home owners who find their goal stubbornly elusive, newly enacted legislation providing a tax credit of as much as $7,500 for first-time home buyers might just be the opportunity of a lifetime. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 authorizes a $7,500 tax credit for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing homes on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only. The maximum credit amount is $7,500. The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and beforeJuly 1, 2009. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit. The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must b... 08/11/2008

The only on who benefits financially from a rent check is the landlord. Renters never see their monthly payments again, and they can't use any of that money as a tax deduction. Home buyers, on the other hand, spend part of their money every month on a asset they can eventually sell.  The remainder of their monthly outlay pays interest to their lender, which is fully tax deductible in most cases. If you are currently renting - or you're moving and debating whether to rent or buy - take a look at how your housing payment could be put to better use purchasing a home. The real question may be whether you can afford not to buy a home. Stabilize Housing Costs As a renter. You may be subject to a rent increase each time your lease period expires. You can end up paying more and more every year ... 08/11/2008

You put your home on the market and it just didn't sell. This created a lot of stress for you and your family. Perhaps you needed to sell due to a job change, maybe you already bought another home. What you need to do now is assess for yourself what factors caused your home to not sell. Some of the top reasons that homes stay on the market for extended times are:Overpricing the property is the number one reason a home does not sell. A typical neighborhood usually has homes with similar features. Such as, number of bedrooms, bathrooms or lot size. Home buyers will naturally purchase the lower priced homes first. Leaving those similar yet higher priced homes to languish on the market. Your home should be competitively priced with those other homes. That means at or slightly below the comp... 08/11/2008

When I went to the class for blogging, I didn't even know what blogging was. Just then when we were taught what the word meant I had to give it a try. You can have a good day or a bad day and when you set down at your computer and start blogging, you are able to put down what ever you feel like putting down, how you felt, what happened that day. I myself find it relaxing to put how I feel after a stressful day. I will continue to blog because it helps me deal with what's going on in my life. Thank you, Denise ( Assistant ) 08/10/2008

I want to thank my fellow office members at KW in Spartanburg, You are great. I enjoyed doing the walk with ya'll. I'm wanting to let you know as well that I'm planning on walking again in Sept. and would like for ya'll to walk with me again. I might be slower this time but I'm determined to walk again. It gives me hope and to think that someone else out there might have it worse then me. What helps me is by working around ya'll at the office and that itself gives me strength to go on. Thank you, Denise 08/10/2008

Today I've been reading more literature about Real Estate, I eventually want to become a realtor myself along side of my husband. I understand that it takes years to master the whole concept of being a realtor and I feel I have the right attitude. I enjoy working with the public, working on the computer, and managing my day. I enjoy learning from my husband and his co-workers in the office. If anyone has any ideas that they can share with me, I'm up for suggestions. Thank you, Denise 08/10/2008

Today I watched the olympics and noticed they take alot of time through the years to practice for this special event. I would rather be working selling real estate then training day in and day out. To me it seems like it would take a long time to train and that you must stay more focused on that then you would selling real estate. Yeah, I don't mind swimming, walking, playing vollyball but most of the events they are doing would be too much for me.  08/10/2008

Once your purchaser has chosen a house and they would like to make an offer you want to make sure you have certain papers ready for when they come to the office to make an offer.  For example the pre-approval letter from the lender, a Seller's Disclosure, Lead Based Paint Discloser if needed, etc.  Now you write the offer up and have either the listing agent present the offer or if you would like you may present the offer to the seller's.  (This depends on your state laws.)  Remember to explain to your buyer to not take the counter-offer personally, because the seller already has a price in mind that they would like.  The key word is negotiating!  To be continued in Part 4...... Patricia Fisher, REALTOR CRS, GRI, ASR, ABR Keller Williams Realty 864-494-7818 864homes@bellsouth.net www.86... 08/10/2008

When you buy a home, your mortgage lender will require a homeowners insurance policy in order to protect their interest in the home. In most cases, the lending institution owns most of the home during the first years of the home, until the homeowner gains equity. So it only makes sense that lenders want to protect their investment in the home. But this policy protects your investment in the home, as well. It gives you peace of mind that, in the event of a loss, you will be covered in some form or fashion. So you should make sure you get solid coverage from a reputable insurance provider. With that being said, it sure is nice to save money wherever possible. And this goes for insurance policies as well. Here are some of the ways you can lower the overall cost you pay for a homeowners ins... 08/10/2008

Bottom Line Facts:· For the first time home buyer, purchasing a house will be the most expensive, time consuming and thoughtful decision you are ever going to make in your life· Preparation is the key to saving yourself from any unwanted heartache or stress, so even if you are aware of the many intricate details that go into buying a home, reading this article can help you become more aware of the process and mortgage programs to get you started off in the right direction.Get Ready:· Begin to consult with mortgage companies.· Tip #1: There are many houses available on the market but how many are in your budget? Know what you can afford when you speak to mortgage companies so they can quote you financing options that fit with your situation. The amount you can afford will depend mainly o... 08/10/2008

Urban legend has it that on a yearly basis we the public swallow roughly eight spiders while we sleep. Is that true?  I myself do not believe that because Spiders can feel you breathing and get scared off from you breathing. It is more likely that you would consume more spider parts in just what you eat on a daily basis in such as fruits and vegetables. Who out there agrees or disagrees? Thank you, Ron 08/10/2008

Good Morning Everyone, I hope everyone is enjoying there Sunday morning. I know I am. Being a realtor makes some of us look toward the future all the time but sometimes it never turns out that way. But when it doesn't we need to pick ourselves up and charge through the tough times. I myself is facing a rough time right now with my wife being sick with cancer in all but I will not let that get me down. She's staying positive with all of this and therefore she's keeping me positive. I want to thank all my KW family that has supported us in their thoughts and prayers. Thank you, Ron 08/10/2008

Real estate investors seeking property in Spartanburg, SC are encouraged to give us a call! Whether you are seeking a quality Realtor to work with, an investment partner, foreclosures, multi-family units or if you'd just like to chat and learn more about Simpsonville, Van West Enterprises, LLC will be happy to help you! Whether you are looking to flip a property or buy and hold, we'd love to speak with you about your objectives. Speak with Van West Enterprises, LLC for all of your real estate investment property needs in Spartanburg, SC! Call or email us today! 08/09/2008

Real estate investors seeking property in Spartanburg, SC are encouraged to give us a call! Whether you are seeking a quality Realtor to work with, an investment partner, foreclosures, multi-family units or if you'd just like to chat and learn more about Simpsonville, Van West Enterprises, LLC will be happy to help you! Whether you are looking to flip a property or buy and hold, we'd love to speak with you about your objectives. Speak with Van West Enterprises, LLC for all of your real estate investment property needs in Spartanburg, SC! Call or email us today! 08/09/2008

Well, Here I was, busy as a Bee today, (and just drove back from Nashville, Tennessee) all hyped up about creating my third blog since I became a new member and classfied as a "Newbie". Took some time to read several blogs and then put some extra effort into creating what I thought was a worth while posting. After finishing up and adding my signature and completing the final steps, I clicked the "send" button and it dissapeared with an ERROR message popping up. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think now I will compose and print these in a word document and then copy and paste.... Geeeez, that is soooo frustrating!!!! PS I'll try and re-compose my blog for another day. (on Word) Sincerely & Wanting to pound my computer, Nance Burdette, Keller Williams Realty, Spartanburg 864-580-9604 www.N... 08/09/2008

The role of an agent on duty at a subdivision can be very lonely these days.  I start my day by placing all of my signs in their appropriate places to let the public know that I am on duty. I then make sure the model house is in order for the potential home buyers. I then go and check all of the spec homes to make sure they are ready for showing.  It then becomes a waiting game.   Cars enter and exit the subdivision at random all day. I wait and wait and nobody ever stops. You eventually learn which cars actually live in the subdivision and which are just riding through. It makes you wonder.  Do they not see the signs? Are they afraid of an agent? Or is it a just signs of our slowing economy? I better go for now.. A car just drove by that I don't recognize.  It may be a potential buyer.... 08/09/2008

I can't believe that it is almost time for school to start again. School registration was on Thursday at Florence Chapel Middle School in Duncan, South Carolina. My husband and I registered our son for 7th grade. We were very surprised at the great organizational process of the school. It was totally painless.  All except the fact that the baby is starting "middle school"  and to add insult to injury, he wants to play football. We all are very nervous about that adventure, but I am sure he will be fine (fingers crossed).  Where does the time go?? Here is to all the parents out there... Let's say a prayer for our students and teachers as we all start a new adventure this year.  Here is to a great year!! Have a great day!! Ginger Ryals Keller Williams Realty Spartanburg www.gingerryals.yo... 08/09/2008

Let ‘s see what is it meant by link baiting in terms of a definition. Unless, you understand the term in depth, you will never know what to do about it and how to use it. Link bait is termed as the ‘capture attention' trigger that is designed to collect links from other pages and hence promote the web page you are ‘link baiting'.In other words, the link bait is that ‘attractive' content, which tempts others to take a peak and provide links to it.. As you build up your ‘collection' of links to your web site, your organic search popularity increases as does the traffic at your website. Anything that increased traffic to your web site is good, actually great and should be included as part of your overall SEO stratagem.There are a few basics that would make a link bait effective:1. Be up-to... 08/09/2008

  The Upstate is another name for the northwest corner of South Carolina situated in the foothills of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. In the UpState, it seems city and country living become one. Beautifully serene, the picturesque landscape is complemented by an impressive array of metropolitan conveniences. The Upstate is well-suited to a variety of outdoor activities. Our many lakes, parks, rivers and mountains provide endless opportunities - boating, fishing, picnicking, swimming, camping, and home to more than 80 golf courses. Golf is one of the best reasons to visit the Upcountry. Easily accessible, the Upstate offers an un-crowded alternative with golf courses designed by renowned architects such as Jack Nicklaus, George Cobb, Gary Player, Willard Byrd and Tom Jackson. Gent... 08/09/2008