• Mortgage rates stay below 5%
• Charlotte-area home sales pick up in February (up 3.6%)
• Clear Springs back to development Mixed-use project one of rare starts across the region at Springfield Town Center in Fort Mill

(Charlotte Business Journal)

• Foreclosures level off in February
• It’s OK to be optimistic

(Inman News)

• Fort Mill to lose 27 teaching jobs,middle school sports to budget cuts
• York County Says: Fort Mill tower owners have 60 days – Claiming that MorningStar Ministries breached an agreement with York County to rehabilitate the former Heritage USA tower

(Fort Mill Times)

• FHA Head: Don’t Raise Down Payments
• FHA Commissioner David Stevens said if the mandatory down payment for an FHA loan is raised from 3.5 percent to 5 percent, the organization will probably insure 300,000 fewer homes every year.
• Future Foreclosures Could Hamper Housing
• A second wave of foreclosures could hit the market this year, which could negatively affect an otherwise stabilizing housing market.
• Mortgage Rates Remain Steady
• For the second week in a row, average rates for 30-year mortgages stayed below 5 percent.
• Home Equity Loans Available Again

(Realtor.com)

The mood seems to be positive, negative, and contradicting but I would say leaning more positive. Your thoughts?Random Posts:

• 5045 Suwarrow Cir Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Will Freightliner Move to South Carolina?
• Tega Cay, SC Home For Sale 1883 Chestnut Hill
• Fort Mill Real Estate-Mortgage Market Update March 28 2008
• New Home Buyer Or Seller Web Resource From NAR

• Fort Mill Home Owners Can Use More Economic Good News
• Why are Mortgage Rates Rising?
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update July 11 2008
• Mortgage Rates for Tega Cay Remain Low!
• Warning Positive Home Sales News Maybe Dangerous To Your Health!

Here is what their website says about their new Sugar Creek Garden Center:

Sugar Creek Garden Center will be a garden center with an atmosphere like a botanical garden and will offer inspirational ideas in a project-based retail operation catering to today’s homeowner demographic. In addition to offering high quality and unique varieties of plants,  Sugar Creek Garden Center will offer outdoor living and landscape projects, gardening tools and accessories, gifts, birding items, and houseplants.  Sugar Creek Garden Center will also have a design center, knowledgeable staff and exceptional customer service. Sugar Creek Garden Center will be a family oriented garden center hosting seasonal and educational events for children and adults.

Construction began last October.

The rain has slowed progress but you can now see a greenhouse standing. Sugar Creek Garden Center is now hiring. For more information, contact George or Jan at george.wallace@SugarCreekGardenCenter.com or call them at 803-802-2600. Visit their website for progress pictures, newsletters, blog, and apply online. www.sugarcreekgardencenter.comRandom Posts:

• Open House Weekend Feb 14th Tega Cay And Baxter
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update May 30 2008
• Home For Sale 1210 Shadow Bend Tega Cay New Price!
• Fort Mill And Tega Cay Real Estate – RENTAL PROPERTY WANTED!
• NAR Forecast Existing Homes Sales to Trend Up in 2008

• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008
• Fort Mill Continues To Show Support for Burn Victim Connor McKemey
• Fort Mill Schools District Name 2 New Elementary Schools
• Tega Cay Still Celebrates 4th of July and Birthday In 2009
• MOMS Club Pre-School Fair Friday Jan 8 at 9:30 Steele Creek Library

The new bill:

* Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.

* Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

Here is Tom Kunz, President and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate with more information on the Extended 2009 – 2010 home buyers tax credit.

More information on the the extended home buyers tax credit:

First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 and current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight qualify for the credit.

To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000. The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by tw0 additional factors:

1. The price of the home.

2. The buyer’s income.

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

Buyer Income

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

Some buyers may still be eligible for the credit if their income is over the limits. The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written contract to purchase a home is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close. The extended 2009 home buyers tax credit info is from National Association of REALTORS®.

Click for more information about the The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009.

Call Carmen for more details.

www.HomesFortMill.comRandom Posts:

• Tega Cay Residents Want Your Help Relocating And Closing The Dog Park
• Fort Mill Real Estate-Mortgage Market Update March 28 2008
• Where To Let The Dogs Out in Tega Cay?
• Is The Fort Mill School Bond A Slam Dunk Yes?
• Is Tega Cay A Weekend Rental Home Community?

• How Will The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Help Fort Mill Home Sales
• Take Advantage of the Federal Home Buyer Tax Credit Before It’s Too Late.
• Tega Cay Real Estate Home Sales Comparison April 2009
• Fort Mill Real Estate Home Sales Comparison April 2009
• Tega Cay Real Estate Home Sales Comparison May 2009

Why the change? Our Fort Mill, York County area is on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. Some local Realtors® on both sides of the border don’t always list homes and properties for sale in both Multiple Listing services that are available in our area. Carmen Miller’s home search tool now searches for information available on both the Carolina Multiple Listing Service and the Piedmont Multiple Listing Service. Not all local home search tools get data from both services.

Other important features include:

• Map search
• Search by address, MLS number, City, County, etc
• Save searched properties
• Email you on new listed properties
• Search for homes for sales, rent, foreclosure, etc
• Home Valuation
• Mortgage Calculator
• And more…..

The National Realtors Association® says that 84% of home buyers search for homes on the web. HomesFortMill.com now has more home search power to aid you in your Fort Mill Home search quest. Remember the internet is a good place to start but if you want qualified resources please contact Fort Mill Realtor® Carmen Miller.

Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed on the search tool.

Call me for questions or showings.

www.HomesFortMill.comRandom Posts:

• Come to the Tega Cay City Council Meeting about the Dog Park
• Tega Cay News Update – Who is Tega Cay’s Chris Larsen?
• 846 Brooksmill Drive Tega Cay Home For Sale
• 7535 Thorn Creek LN Tega Cay Home For Sale
• 17 Ways To Get Home Buyers Into Your Home

• Looking For Foreclosures in Fort Mill SC?
• Fort Mill Real Estate Home Sales Comparison May 2009
• Get Free Unlimited Local Property Searches At HomesFortMill.com
• Fort Mill SC Home Sales Comparison 4th Quarter 2008
• Fort Mill SC Home Sales Comparison September 2008

Are you a high school football fan? Fort Mill High School and Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill start their 2009 football season in August 2009.  Carmen Miller Realtor® is a proud supporter of the Fort Mill School athletic program. Here are the 2009 high school football schedules for both Fort Mill HS varsity football teams:

Fort Mill High School 2009 Varsity Football Schedule
Aug. 29 – Chesterfield High School -  Home -  7:30PM
Sep. 05 – Lancaster High School – Away -  7:30PM
Sep. 12 – Broome High School – Away   7:30PM
Sep. 19 – South Pointe High School – Home – 7:30PM
Sep. 26 – Rock Hill High School – Away – 7:30PM
Oct. 03 – Boiling Springs High School – Away – 7:30PM
Oct. 10 -  Clover High School – Clover – Clover – 7:30PM
Oct. 17 – York Comprehensive High – Away – 7:30PM
Oct. 24 – Gaffney High School – Away – 7:30PM
Oct. 31 – Northwestern High School – Home – 7:30PM
Nov. 07 – Nation Ford High School – Home – 7:30PM

A link to the Fort Mill High School Athletic Page for update schedules.

Nation Ford High School 2009 Varsity Football Schedule

Aug 21 – Forestview – Away – 7:30
Aug 2 – Great Falls – Away – 7:30
Sept  4 – Rock Hill – Home – 7:30
Sept 11 – Lewisville – Home – 7:30
Sept 18 – Chesnee – Away – 7:30
Sept 25 – Open
Oct   2 – Lancaster – Home – 7:30
Oct   9 – Northwestern – Away – 7:30
Oct  16 – Gaffney – Home – 7:30
Oct  23 – Clover – Home – 7:30
Oct  30 – York – Away – 7:30
Nov   6 – Fort Mill – Home – 7:30

A link to the Nation Ford High School Athletic Page for updated schedules.

Random Posts:

• Fort Mill Gold Hill Elementary Enrollment Freeze Update
• 1716 Bentgrass LN Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Open House Weekend Feb 14th Tega Cay And Baxter
• What is a Good Credit Score?
• Fort Mill Home Values Still Strong

• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Jan 29 2009
• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Jan 22 2009
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Feb 19 2009
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Feb 12 2009

It’s back to school time and Century 21® First Choice in Fort Mill, SC. is sponsoring a “School Supplies Give-A-Way”.

The “School Supplies Give-A-Way” is Monday, August 17 from 7am -1pm at the Fort Mill Century 21® First Choice office at the corner of Hwy 160 and Gold Hill (206 Rockmont Dr. Fort Mill, SC 29708). We are giving away school supply starter packs to children in our Fort Mill community!

To receive a bag, mom or dad or adult just need to look for the ad in the Fort Mill Times this Wednesday, tear it out and bring the ad along with the school aged children by the Century 21® office between the hours of 7a – 1p to pick up their “school supplies starter kit”.  Hurry in – quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last.

Tell your friends and neighbors that may need a bit of help getting ready for August 19th – the First day of School!

Thanks for your time! If you don’t need a supply bag, just swing by and say hello! We would love to see you!

A link to see the Century 21® First Choice Staff .

Click to download the School Supplies Give A Way ad.

Random Posts:

• Fort Mill Lacrosse Club Adds a Girls Team
• Domain Name Change for Carmen Miller’s Real Estate Blog
• Home For Sale 1228 Shadow Bend Tega Cay, SC
• New Home Sales Begin at Lake Ridge in Tega Cay by Toll Brothers
• Changes To Lake Ridge At Tega Cay Help Keep New Home Community Moving Forward

• Mortgage Rates Supply and Demand
• Fort Mill High School And Nation Ford High School Football Schedules 2009
• Life @ Home Newsletter August 2007
• 5045 Suwarrow Cir Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Back To School Time For Fort Mill and Tega Cay is August 20th 2008

• 1450 Finsbury- Lake Shore- 12:00- 2:00
• 2301 Pine Run- Lake Shore 2:00 – 4:00
• 12092 Spinnaker- Tega Cay- 12:00 – 2:00
• 2713 Park Ridge- Rock Hill- 12:00 = 2:00
• 16006 Hamilton Forest- Hamilton Place- 2:00 – 4:00

1450 Finsbury Ln., Tega Cay, SC 29708 $459,900

Open House Saturday June 20, 2009 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM

• Single Family
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 2 Full, 1 Half
• Square Feet: 3,100

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS BACKYARD PARADISE! No other home in the area will have this unique personal vacation spot. Custom Salt Water pool with rock waterfall, hot tub, heated and beautifully landscaped. Home has granite in kitchen and all baths, wrought iron dual stair cases, stacked stone fireplace, study, both formals, large mstr suite and too many other upgrades to list!

2301 Pine Run Tega Cay, SC 29708 -319,900

Open House Saturday June 20, 2009 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

• Single Family
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 3
• Square Feet: 2,600

Beautifully maintained, Lillian Floyd home! Bright and sunny large kitchen with Corian counters, 42′ cabinetry, wonderful open floorplan with room for all! Guest suite and full bath on main, generous master suite on second level, with two additional bedrooms and bonus room. Huge level corner cul-de-sac lot. Beautiful neutral colors, wired for surround sound, full sprinkler system.

12092 Spinnaker DR Tega Cay, SC 29708 Heron Harbor – $257,600

Open House Saturday June 20, 2009 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM

• Single-Family
• Total Heated SqFt: 1700 – 2100
• Bedrooms: 4
• Baths : 2 full, 1 half

Better than new, extensively remodeled home. New flooring throughout, beautiful hardwoods, slate and custom tile. New appliances, gorgeous master bath with whirlpool tub and seamless glass shower, designer fixtures and lighting. Custom built entertainment center, surround sound in great room, redesigned wrought iron staircase. Backyard has been completely landscaped, partial fencing.

2713 Park Ridge Blvd., Rock Hill, SC 29732 – $310,000

Open House Saturday June 20, 2009 12:00 Noon to 2:00PM

• Single Family Home
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 5 Full
• Square Feet: 3,595

Home has all the bells and whistles! Granite, hardwood flooring, five full bathrooms, two huge living areas on second level that can be bedrooms, bonus , or media spaces! Beautiful stone fireplace, study w/French doors, large master suite. Don’t miss a wonderful opportunity!

16006 Hamilton Forest, Fort Mill, SC 29708 – $349,900

Open House Saturday 20, 2009 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 2 Full, 1 Half
• Acres: 1
• Square Feet: 2,844

The home is nestled on one acre of quiet beauty. Offering new appliances in kitchen, corian counters, hardwood flooring, brick accent fireplace, formal dining, large master suite, generous bedrooms, and a huge downstairs rec. room that can be an additional bedroom, den, or play room. Back yard offers a custom brick outdoor fireplace.

Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.

Call me with questions.

Random Posts:

• Why are Mortgage Rates Rising?
• Clover, Fort Mill, Tega Cay SC unofficial Election Results – November 7, 2007
• How Will The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Help Fort Mill Home Sales
• Fort Mill – Indian Land SC Welcomes Titanium Holdings and 300 Jobs
• Tega Cay, SC Home For Sale 1883 Chestnut Hill

• Tega Cay Real Estate – Saturday Open House Extravaganza June 27 2009
• 2713 Park Ridge Blvd Rock Hill Home For Sale
• 1832 Chestnut Hill Tega Cay Home For Sale
• 846 Brooksmill Drive Tega Cay Home For Sale
• 612 Sunfish Tega Cay Townhouse For Sale

If you look at ChefHerb Production’s website, Herb says he is a certified Chef with over 20 years experience as an executive chef for large hotels and restaurants. He has a passion for southern cuisine especially BBQ pork, ribs, brisket, and chicken. Besides catering, Herb enters several area BBQ contests and teaches cooking classes.

Carmen and I went to the Fort Mill BBQ Company’s new restaurant last week and enjoyed the food and hospitality. The restaurant is located in the Stockbridge Commons shopping center where Lowe’s Foods is located at the corner of Highway 160 and Gold Hill Rd. they took the spot that used to be Sonny’s Dutch Mill Restaurant.When we walked in for lunch, the restaurant was busy and Bob greeted us with a warm welcome at the door. The restaurant is full of color and historical pictures of Fort Mill. The most predominate picture was a picture of the old barn that was located at the same corner that now is the shopping center. Bob explained part of the restaurants design concept is to feature Fort Mill.

A banner promoting a logo contest was hanging on a wall showing the logo winner and 2nd place winner. Bob’s wife is the principal of Nations Ford High school and they asked the Nations Ford HS art class to hold a contest to make the best logo for the Fort Mill BBQ Company. Bob also explained as he pointed to a wall that the winners of the all u eat BBQ challenge will be featured on the wall along with kids color drawings done while they eat. The restaurant has a large colorful menu board with many items to choice from.

There was a lot of hands on service for a order as you come in restaurant. I asked Herb’s wife why they decided to open their restaurant in this tough economy. She said their catering business has been doing well and their customers urged them to open a local restaurant.  Besides good cooking, the group did a great job making us and everyone else in the restaurant feel welcome. Herb, Bob, and family, we wish you good luck and we are glad to have you as a great restaurant choice in Fort Mill.Random Posts:

• Rock Hill And Fort Mill Temporarily Ease Water Restrictions
• Get out and Vote Today Especially in Tega Cay SC
• Tega Cay Home For Sale Open House November 2 2008
• Fort Mill Home Owners Can Use More Economic Good News
• HomesFortMill.com Adds Obeo Virtual Tours Viewer

• Two New Hospitals in Fort Mill?
• Fort Mill Schools Freeze Enrollment?
• Sugar Creek Garden Center Opening Soon in Fort Mill
• Fort Mill Schools District Name 2 New Elementary Schools
• Fort Mill High School And Nation Ford High School Football Schedules 2009

Night picture of Downtown Charlotte

The 2008 city to city migration numbers are not as strong as 2007 but people are still relocating and the Charlotte Metro (includes Fort Mill SC) area is ranked 3rd according to a Forbes article.

Local Tega Cay friends recently pointed out a story to us that Lauren Sherman at Forbes published an article at the end of March titled “Ten Cities Where Americans Are Relocating”. The Forbes article ranked Charlotte 3rd most popular. I reported in March Charlotte Ranked the 7th fastest growing cities. So whats the difference?

We both used the US Census Bureau’s March 19th 2008 data. Forbes compared the 2008 population estimates to the previous year’s data to see which areas had grown the most, percentage-wise and so did I.  The difference is the Forbes article focused on cities over a million in population.

When you focus on cities over the million in populations the top ten 2008 fastest growing cities are:

1. Raleigh-Cary, NC
2. Austin-Round Rock, TX
3. Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
4. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
6. San Antonio, TX
7. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
8. New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA
9. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
10. Denver-Aurora, CO

The Charlotte metro are includes Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, Rock Hill, all of York County SC. Of course I am somewhat biased but if you’re looking  for some of the best areas to live within the Charlotte metro area I would recommend the Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie area.

If you are considering to relocate to the Charlotte area, contact Carmen for more information about the Fort Mill SC area which is just a few miles south of Charlotte.

Random Posts:

• Chase halts Wholesale Lending!
• Concerns Mayor Has Own Agenda
• 612 Snuggles Fort Mill Home For Sale
• Tega Cay Real Estate 943 Cove Point Home For Sale
• Fort Mill Schools Freeze Enrollment?

• Charlotte Metro Including York County SC Is Ranked The 7th Fastest-Growing Area.
• Fort Mill SC Rank 6 Out Of Ten Fastest Growing Metros
• Charlotte Metro – Fort Mill Ranked in Top 100 Cheapest Places To Live
• Charlotte NC Voted Best Place To Live
• Charlotte NC Ranked 9th Most Miserable City?

Here is a list of positive headlines I wanted to share with you:

Wells Fargo expects record 1Q profit report by the Charlotte Business Journal.

Wells Fargo: Is This The Play On The Real Estate Recovery?
Wells Fargo’s big upside earnings surprise… report by CNBC.

Retailers see signs of optimism despite 2.1% sales drop report by the GlobeSt.com.

Obama sees “glimmers of hope” in economy report by Reuters.

Stimulus Aid Being Doled Out, Slowly report by the Washington Post.

Closer to home in Fort Mill SC:

Charlotte housing data shows monthly gains report by the Charlotte Business Journal.

Fort Mill’s Plaza Fiesta adding tenants report by the Rock Hill Herald.

Glass Half Empty? No! Half Full! – reported by the ScoopMill.com.

And to end my list, bravo to a really happy and most likely positive Fort Mill resident:

$1 million Powerball ticket sold in Fort Mill reported by the Rock Hill Herald.

Random Posts:

• Lake Wylie At Full Pond?
• Tega Cay Home Sales Comparison October 2008
• Looking For Foreclosures in Fort Mill SC?
• 17 Ways To Get Home Buyers Into Your Home
• Tega Cay Now In Stage 1 Water Restrictions April 2009

• Friday Fort Mill Real Estate Headline Recap March 12 2010
• Warning Positive Home Sales News Maybe Dangerous To Your Health!
• Charlotte MSA Exiting Homes Sales Are Only Down 4.4% for October 2008
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Feb 26 2009
• Fort Mill Home Values Still Strong

The Stock Market was up Thursday but why? Many speculated the G20 conference proposal for heavier global bank regulation helped the market. What maybe the postive market trigger last Thursday was the FASB accounting rule change on how financial institutions value their assets. What does this have to do with the Fort Mill home market? Hold on let me explain.

Thursday FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) changed the market to market accounting rule that allows banks and other financial institutions more leeway on setting the value of their assets rather than valuing the assets at current market prices.  The market seemed to like this news.

You may recall last year many banks had to value their mortgage backed securities at unpredicted lows and record huge book value losses because the market value of some mortgage baked securities were considered toxic and had little value. Banks had no choice but to book their mortgage backed securities at a loss even though their particular asset may not have been “toxic”. 

I have been looking for a sign that some action, policy change, or event will help trigger a positive turnaround. Nothing I have seen or heard at this point has been the A-HA! The FASB market to market valuation policy change feels like an A-HA to me! The policy change goes into effect next quarter but it has plenty of criticism too. But I suspect the change to the market to market accounting rule will reduce the reported bank losses, which will:

• Boost more confidence in the market and banks,
• Eventually lead to more lending.
• Help to boost business, create jobs and eventually more home buyers in the Fort Mill market.

Is this an A-Ha for you too?

Random Posts:

• Fort Mill SC Home Sales Comparison 4th Quarter 2008
• Is The Fort Mill School Bond A Slam Dunk Yes?
• 60 Million Mixed Use Development Approved For Fort Mill
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update May 23 2008
• Tega Cay Home For Sale Open House November 2 2008

• Why are Mortgage Rates Rising?
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update July 11 2008
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update September 19, 2008
• Fort Mill Mortgage Rates, Is There A Major Mortgage Rate Drop On The Horizon?
• Mortgage Rates Higher, WHY?

shows continued broad based declines in the prices of existing single family homes across the United States, with 13 of the 20 metro areas showing record rates of annual decline, and 14 reporting declines in excess of 10% versus January 2008.

The S&P/Case-Shiller went on to say in their report the January 2009 average home prices across the United States are at similar levels to what they were in late 2003.

The good news is Charlotte and Fort Mill home price decline was in the metro group with less than 10% declines. The Southwest saw home prices fall as much as 35% in Phoenix, 32.5 % in Las Vegas, and closer to home 14.3% in Atlanta.

Is the home price trend slowing? The home price decline for Charlotte and Fort Mill during the period of November 2008 to December 2008 was 2.6%. The decline from December 2008 to January 2009 was lower at 1.2%.

See S&P/Case-Shiller’s January 2009 homes sales index comparison below:

Random Posts:

• Get a MLS Market Report Free
• Fort Mill Real Estate Home Sales Comparison May 2009
• New Price For Tega Cay, SC Home For Sale 1425 Finsbury
• 1425 Finsbury Tega Cay Open House
• Does Tega Cay Need 2 Dog Parks?

• Charlotte MSA Exiting Homes Sales Are Only Down 4.4% for October 2008
• Fort Mill Home Values Still Strong
• Tega Cay Real Estate 1st Half Home Sales Comparisons 2007 To 2008
• Tega Cay-Fort Mill Last 30 Day Home Sales Report Jan 21 2009
• Charlotte Mortgages: FHA Loan Limits see big increase!

logo from Scoopmill.com

There is a new blog in Fort Mill worth mentioning. It’s called ScoopMill.com

tagged as “All the Scoop That’s Fit to Blog”.

The blog is owned by Jane of Fort Mill. Based on the dates of Jane’s blog posts the blog started around the end of January this year. Why did Jane start the Fort Mill based ScoopMill.com? In her words from her website:

She felt that Fort Mill and the surrounding area was in need of a website that would report on local happenings…

Jane’s vision for Scoopmill.com is:

To become the online spot for residents and visitors alike to provide commentary on the goings-on in Fort Mill and the surrounding area.

Jane has been posting articles regularly for the last couple months about Fort Mill events, local businesses, and other news.

I was alerted about her site via Google Alerts (sounds like big brother is watching doesn’t it) when she posted a note about the MOM’s Club in Tega Cay. I contacted Jane to thank her for the MOMS club post. Carmen sponsors the website and I created the website for the MOMS club of Tega Cay. Jane replied and said she was writing a post about foreclosures after seeing Carmen’s foreclosure article. It’s a small world isn’t. That’s why Carmen and I love about Fort Mill. It’s a tight nit, wonderful community we call home.

Carmen will be submitting to the ScoopMill weekly homes sales information for Fort Mill, Indian Land, and Tega Cay SC. See the homes sales information on the Scoop Mill Real Estate page  Going once, Going twice, Sold!.Random Posts:

• Fort Mill School Supplies Give-A-Way At Century 21® First Choice
• Charlotte Metro – Fort Mill Ranked in Top 100 Cheapest Places To Live
• 1016 Palmyra Dr Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Homes More Affordable Than Ever!!!
• Husqvarna Is Bringing 160 New Jobs To The Charlotte Metro

• MOMS Club® of Tega Cay New Web Site
• MOMS Club® of Tega Cay Charity Golf Classic
• MOMS Club Pre-School Fair Friday Jan 8 at 9:30 Steele Creek Library
• Carmensmiller.com Gets A Face Lift
• Tega Cay-Fort Mill Last 30 Day Home Sales Report Jan 21 2009

It not surprising to hear that Fort Mill is ranked in the top ten most affordable suburbs by a recent Business Week Feb 2009 article.

Business Week studied suburbs near the biggest cities in each state to find what the publication considers the best quality of life for your money. They evaluated suburbs on a variety of factors but weighted affordability most heavily. They also considered lifestyle (short commutes, clean air, low crime, good weather, and green space), the quality of schools, and the strength of the local economy. Populations were in the range of not more than 60,000 or less than 5,000.

The Top Ten Suburbs in 2009:

1. Pewaukee, Wisconsin
2. Mill Creek, Washington
3. Brandon, South Dakota
4. Munford, Tennessee
5. East Norriton, Pennsylvania
6. South Weber, Utah
7. Cornelius, North Carolina
8. West Des Moines, Iowa
9. Pataskala, Ohio
10. Fort Mill, South Carolina

Fort Mill South Carolina stats according to Business Week are:

• Best affordable suburb: Fort Mill
• Nearest major city: Charlotte, N.C.
• Population: 9,943
  Median household income: $57,648
• Unemployment rate: 5.6%
• Violent crime index: 93 (“100″ is the national average for violent crime, so “200″ would be twice the national average and “50″ would be half the national average)

Fort Mill, just south of the North Carolina border and 18 miles from downtown Charlotte, is home to the Charlotte Knights’ baseball stadium. About 36% of residents are married with children. The average commute is 22 minutes.

Here is a link to Business Week’s Fort Mill Stat info:

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/02/0219_affordable_suburbs/41.htm

GreatSchools.net ranks the Fort Mill School District 9 out of 10 with 10 being the best.

The Fort Mill Township includes areas like Baxter Village, the city of Tega Cay, Knights bridge to name a few. To se a list of communities or subdivisions of the Fort Mill area click here =>http://carmensmiller.com/communities/

Here are some other interesting links about Fort Mill South Carolina:

• http://carmensmiller.com/communities/fort-mill/
• http://homesfortmill.com/area-info/fort-mill-sc/
• http://aboutfortmill.com/
• A map of the area http://aboutfortmill.com/fort-mill-maps/

Random Posts:

• 1166 Molokai Tega Cay Home For Sale
• Fort Mill Mortgage Rates, Is There A Major Mortgage Rate Drop On The Horizon?
• Tega Cay Carolina Show Ski Team Starts 2008 Season
• Husqvarna Is Bringing 160 New Jobs To The Charlotte Metro
• Charlotte MSA Exiting Homes Sales Are Only Down 4.4% for October 2008

• Charlotte NC Voted Best Place To Live
• Charlotte Metro Including York County SC Is Ranked The 7th Fastest-Growing Area.
• Charlotte Metro – Fort Mill Ranked in Top 100 Cheapest Places To Live
• How Far is Fort Mill or Tega Cay From Charlotte?
• Top 10 Reasons To Live in Fort Mill, SC.

A group of Tega Cay families called McKemey Strong lead by Scott and Michelle Shirley have teamed up and organized a fundraising effort for Connor McKemey.  (see more on Connor’s story) The first fundraising project is McKemeny Strong wristbands.

The wristbands are in production and are expected to arrive after February 5th. The McKemey Strong team are in the process of setting up wristband sales events and sales locations with local businesses.

A Mckemey Strong website has been created to promote the wristband and future fund raising activities. The website is www.mckemeystrong.com.

Several Tega Cay and Fort Mill families have donated the money to produce the wristbands so all of the wristband sales will go to the Mckemey Medical Trust Fund.

Why did the group pick Mckemey Strong as their theme? And what does McKemey Strong mean to you?

Scott Shirley and Carmen Miller both wrote what Mckemey Strong meant to them. Here are their two versions:

FAITH…. to entrust the most precious gift, a child, to His embrace.  FAITH to know that  prayers count and that He is listening.  FAITH to see the small daily miracles in Connors recovery as a celebration of His love.   To be in awe of the humility and trust the McKemey’s have taught us with their FAITH, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

COURAGE….of a teenage boy fighting to stay strong, to hear his parents voice, to heal and survive.  COURAGE of brothers standing proud, scared and hopeful.  COURAGE of a mother who has lived an unimaginable nightmare and found the strength not only to fight the fight but to encourage others to fight it with her.  COURAGE of a father who with quiet dignity and bravery has served his country and now stands by his son.  Finding a small token of that COURAGE in our own lives, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

HOPE…. shown by every member of the McKemey family as they stand true to their FAITH with COURAGE.  HOPE shown by every person who has visited the Caring Bridge sight eager for updates, HOPE raised with every prayer given.  Learning to HOPE in the worst of times, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

COMMUNITY….a truly amazing effort of so many to come together and do their part.  The McKEMEY COMMUNITY is not just Fort Mill, not just parents of kids that know Connor, not just neighbors who know the family.  It is hundreds of families banding together to lend a hand, give their time, their tears and yes, even their blood.

The McKEMEY COMMUNITY is every child that has prayed an extra prayer, every church that has raised the McKemey’s name for healing and strength, it is people all over the world who have been touched by a family that continues to give back.  A COMMUNITY who has come together to reach out and embrace, to join and give, that is McKEMEY STRONG.

Knowing that life is full of unexpected circumstances, being willing to face them with FAITH, COURAGE, HOPE and to give the gift of COMMUNITY to those in need, that is McKEMEY STRONG……

By Carmen Miller

What does “McKemey Strong” mean to you?  Here’s what it means to me:

I sit by and watch the McKemey family and close friends.  They are so visible.  They are so inspiring.  They are family to us.  They are us.  They are McKemey Strong!!!

Every morning, I go to the YMCA, faithfully working hard to maintain physical fitness so I can live a long healthy life for my two small boys.  I used to see Karin there most every day.  I admire her faithfulness and dedication.  I never realized, watching her perusing her goals, like me, that she and her family would be the focal point of my family’s prayer time.  I am inspired by her strength.  We wish I were McKemey Strong!!!

I have watched as my sons have fallen off of their scooters, bikes, Healies, diving boards, water skis, dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, chairs, tables, countertops, and anything else they can manage to ride and crash.  All of which is expected with two very active boys.  As much as those bumps and bruises hurt our boys, you all know how the blood, bruises and black eyes and tears hurt Mom and Dad even more.  We’re learning to be McKemey Strong!!!

Along comes Connor McKemey…McKemey Strong as a Bear!!!

Who would ever think we’d have to help our little pumpkin fight for his life.  This doesn’t happen to us.  That’s the kind of thing that happens to someone else, somewhere else.  And yet, as a community, we watch this family, the McKemey’s.  They have been given a challenge the likes of which NONE of us could understand.  Everyday, they find a way to move forward.  They have altered their lifestyle, their schedules, and their living arraignments, everything they have come to know as a family.  THIS is McKemey Strong!!!

I read the Caring Bridge pages, I watch the news, I look for a chance-sighting of one of the Mckemey family members, I talk to friends, I go to the blood drive, I pray with my wife and little boys, I donate anyway I can.  I realize how fragile our lives and families are and realize that no matter what, this is what really matters…Family…Friends…Faith…McKemey Strong!!!

This family and our own Connor have endured so much.  They are worthy of our support and love.  I am honored to have been touched and inspired by this family.  Dearest Connor, Karin, George, Tripp and Quinn, though I have never met any of you or your family, I am so inspired and encouraged by you and you are so close to all of us every minute of every day.  I suppose it must be hard to understand that we love you so.  You must know by now that if you as much as raise your hand, we will be there for you with whatever you need.  We wish we were McKemey Strong!!!

Thank you, McKemey Family, for the inspiration, lessons, love, faith and strength you have brought to our families.  God is using you all in a way you could never understand or we could explain.

I wish we all could be McKemey Strong as a Bear!!!

With much love,

Your friends and neighbors,

The Shirley Family;

Scott, Michelle, Noah and Blake

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Support for the McKemey family and Connor continues to grow in the Tega Cay and Fort Mill community. And in some cases beyond our fair township borders. Many local citizens talk about Connor daily. For some the daily news or updates on his condition is a daily priority.

Let me back up a bit and if you haven’t heard of the tragic McKemey storey here is a brief recap. Just before Christmas, Connor McKemey, 13, suffered second and third degree burns over 85 percent of his body and is currently in critical condition at the Joseph M. Still burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. Connor has undergone several surgeries and faces many more. Connor’s mother Karin suffered serious burns while trying to help Connor after an explosion in their outdoor fireplace.

The interesting thing about this story is the overwhelming support from friends and the community. In fact support has surfaced beyond the borders of Fort Mill. Last week the Gold Hill Middle school girls and boys basketball teams (Connor’s school) played a game at Dutchman Creek Middle school in Rock Hill. Both our basketball teams were surprised and touched by the Dutchman’s Creek’s presentation of a check for the Mckemey medical fund. The students at this Rock Hill school raised over $1100.

There are several fund raisers and blood drives planned for the “Crusade for Connor” In fact there is a “Crusader for Connor” t-shirt that can be purchased from Thunder Athletics or at Gold Hill Middle school or Fort Mill HS. Proceeds will be donated to the McKemey Medical Fund.

Info on the McKemey Medical Fund
Make donations by check and payable to the “McKemey Medical Fund” and mail to the following address:
Sodoma Law, P.C.
1336 Harding Place
Charlotte, NC 28204
Phone: (704) 442-0000
You can also donate at any Bank of America branch.

Other events or donation avenues include:

Dinner for the family

Dream Dinners on Hwy 160 established an account for the family.

Blood Drives

There are three scheduled blood drives for Connor:

1. The first is on January 19th at the Fort Mill YMCA.
2. The second is on the 24th at the Tega Cay Fire Station.
3. Finally, the blood mobile will be at the lacrosse jamboree on January 31st.

Bunko

One of the Lake Shore in Tega Cay Women’s Bunko groups is planning a Bunko game to support Connor on Jan 27th at 7pm at the Tega Cay Glennon Center.

McKemey Lacrosse Jamboree

Connor is a huge lacrosse player.  As the result of Connor’s love for lacrosse, key people from his lacrosse family have come together to create the McKemey Lacrosse Jamboree. This event will be 12 hours of non-stop lacrosse. All proceeds will be going to the McKemey Family Trust Fund.
Where: Fort Mill HS Fields
When: Saturday, January 31, 2009 9AM to 9 PM
Who: This event is open to the entire community. No prior lacrosse experience required.
Cost: $40 per player in advance $50 per player day of event
Player Registration (required): All players may signup via our website: www.mckemeylaxjamboree.org. Or you can register on site the day of the event.
Banner Sponsorship: $500. And the event organizers need event volunteers. Click to look or download a a PDF .

I have also heard talk about a golf fund raising tournament. And I am sure there is more I may have missed. If so use the comment section below to post more fund raising events.

If you are interested in following Connor’s progress and future event announcement, Reid Lancaster created and maintains a Caring Bridge website for Connor. The site has had more than 59,000 visits so far. Visit the site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mckemey. You may aslo leave a donation online at the Caring Bridge site.

And of course our prayers and thoughts are with the Mckemey family daily. Keep up the good work  Tega Cay, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill supporters.Random Posts:

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• Post Red Ribbons For Connor McKemey’s Homecoming
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In a December 2008 announcement from the S.C. Department of Commerce

Titanium Holdings, Inc. has selected a headquarters location in Fort Mill, S.C. that will accommodate its explosive growth and the strategic expansion it is implementing to meet industry demand. Titanium Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Titanium Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of homeowner contacting and consulting services.

Titanium Holdings has leased 42,000 square foot of space in the former HSBC Edgewater Office Park building near the intersection of U.S. 521 and S.C. 160 in Indian Land SC. Over the next five years, the company plans to bring up to 300 new jobs to the area to support all of its divisions.

On Jul 28, 2008 Titanium Holdings, Inc. announced that Patrick Carey had joined the company as CEO. Carey was executive vice president of Default & Retention Operations for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Fort Mill. So it would seem Patrick Carey could be the reason why Titanium Holdings selected Fort Mill for their office location. Sadly Wells Fargo announced recently they will lay off an undisclosed amount of their 1600 people work force at the Fort Mill location.

I could not find any information on the timing of the office opening or hiring.

More info on Titanium Solutions – Titanium Solutions was founded in 1999, Titanium is an industry leader in homeowner contact and consulting. The company partners with top mortgage servicers to re-establish communication with homeowners using its nationwide network of real estate professionals, known as Home Retention Consultants (HRCs). The goal of Titanium is to compassionately and confidentially reach out to homeowners and educate them on all of their financial options. Titanium also provides additional products and services aimed at assisting servicers, investors, insurers and counseling agencies.

SC Department of Commerce Press release linkRandom Posts:

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Fall in Tega Cay SC is full of color. I decided to walk around parts of Tega Cay with a camera and found many stunning colorful shots. It was amazing how the leave colors changed the landscape. Many of the fall photos were taken just walking the miles of Tega Cay’s walking trails and the main Tega Cay drive which is the main street on the Lake Wylie peninsula portion of Tega Cay. While I was walking I saw many Tega Cay residents walking around with cameras on the same mission to capture the beautiful fall colors. I posted more fall photos on the http://seetegacay.com website too. Enjoy!

[Show as slideshow]

• Lake Wylie At Full Pond?
• It’s Property Tax Time in York County SC – Fort Mill, Tega Cay Raise Millage Rates
• Tips To Get A Mortgage Loan in Charlotte And Fort Mill
• Fort Mill Real Estate Mortgage Market Update April 11, 2008
• Thursday Foreclosure Update Fort Mill – York Co SC Area Feb 19 2009

• Fall is Showing It’s Color in Tega Cay and Lake Wylie SC
• Carmen Miller Launches New See Tega Cay Website
• New Home Sales Begin at Lake Ridge in Tega Cay by Toll Brothers
• A Lake Wylie Sunset in Tega Cay SC
• Tega Cay News Update – Who is Tega Cay’s Chris Larsen?

Fort Mill schools begin August 20, 2008. Many of you have been asking questions about an update to the elementary school enrollment freeze. Here is what is mentioned on the Fort Mill School District website:

The Fort Mill School District is now reviewing its elementary attendance areas to prepare for the opening of Sugar Creek Elementary and Pleasant Knoll Elementary in 2009. The process will take into account a number of considerations including enrollment, building capacity, demographics, transportation issues, transitions between schools, keeping neighborhoods together and creating an easily understood plan. A public meeting will be held in September to unveil reassignment options.

In the July school construction update both Sugar Creek and Pleasant Knoll elementary schools under construction are still on schedule to open August 2009.

If you are looking for specific information like the school calendar, bus routes. bus schedules, registration information, contact information and more, there is a parent information page on the Fort Mill school website.

Click to go to “parent Information page“.

You can download the 2008-2009 school calendar by clicking here.

For the bus route and information page click here.

The Bus or transportation dept phone number is (803)802-1998

If you need more information about a specific Fort Mill school like:

Fort Mill Elementary School
Gold Hill Elementary School
Orchard Park Elementary School
Riverview Elementary School
Springfield Elementary School
Fort Mill Middle School
Gold Hill Middle School
Springfield Middle School
Fort Mill High School
Nation Ford High School
Fort Mill Academy

Each school has a website. Click here for the district individual school web page. Then you can select the school website you wish to naviagte to.

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Jenny said local residents are using YouTube to post videos for entertainment, make political statements, and business. She did a YouTube search for Tega Cay and came up with more than 15 real estate videos. Of course Carmen has all of her home for sale videos posted on YouTube so Jenny called Carmen for an interview and printed the following quote:

Carmen Miller, with Century 21 First Choice, uses YouTube to appeal to “Generation Y,” she said.
“We figured that over 80 percent of home buyers use the Internet and the big buyer pool coming in is 30 and under,” Miller said. “So we tried to think the way they think.”

By the way, Carmen hates it when I post things like this about her. With her continued success she’ll just have to put up with my blog posts about her.

Internet marketing is very important these days. The internet communicates to several age groups. We just launched two new websites to help promote our area called aboutfortmill.com and seetegacay.com. The two new websites are focused more on information about the towns, people and news and less about real estate.

We also have future plans to produce more and better quality videos about our area. So stayed tune for more internet “tube” stuff.

Jenny, thanks for the article quote. To see Jenny’s article click to go to the Fort Mill Times article.Random Posts:

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• Here’s The Scoop Fort Mill at Scoopfortmill.com
• Are Blogs Better Than Static Websites?
• Domain Name Change for Carmen Miller’s Real Estate Blog
• Fort Mill, Tega Cay Real Estate Goes Video!
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