I saw a post on Toys For Joy’s Facebook wall today that they are in need of more toys. Toys For Joy is a Fort Mill SC Toy drive program by Kelly Lavallee. November 29th and 30th are registration days for recipients  to receive toys and Kelly’s post indicates she is seeing heavy registration of children needing  assistance for Christmas Toys this year.

The Toy distribution day is Sat., Dec. 10, 2011: 9-11am at LifePointe Christian Church on 2266 Deerfield Dr. Fort Mill, SC 29715.  On  the 10th, not only do parents receive the gifts for children, but parents and children also enjoy free food and refreshments! Kids enjoy a visit from the Chick-fil-A cow, bounce house fun, face painting, Christmas crafts and more!

Toys For Joy NEEDS Toy Sponsors and Volunteers for distribution day set up and the event. For more informtion go to Toys For Joy Website or email at ToysForJoyFM@yahoo.com.

The following are “Angel” pick up points and toy drop off points:

1. Chick-fil-A Baxter:
Address: 1600 Hwy 160, Fort Mill SC, 29708
Phone: (803) 578-4030 (Closed on Sundays)

2. Del Taco, Rock Hill:
Address: 2476 Cherry Rd., Rock Hill, SC
Phone: (803) 980-7151

3. Lifepointe Christian Church:
(Beside Knights’ Stadium in Fort Mill.)
Address: 2266 Deerfield Dr., Fort Mill, SC 29715
Phone:  (803) 802-8500

4. USA Tire and Auto Care:
Address: 100 Fort Mill Square.  Just off Doby’s Bridge Road/Tom Hall St.
Phone: (803) 548-2055

Local Fort Mill Chef Herb aka Herb Tesh along with the help of Bob Bowman opened up a new BBQ restaurant last week. It’s called Fort Mill BBQ Company.

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.

Connor McKemey is coming home to Tega Cay. Reid Lancaster who created and maintains Connor’s CaringBridge website has suggested posting red ribbons along the route to Connor’s home. See Reid’s May 3rd CaringBridge Journal request to local Tega Cay residents:

If you live in Tega Cay or Fort Mill, especially along Gold Hill Road or Shoreline Parkway we need your help. I want to give Connor a special welcome when he drives into town. It would be great for Connor to see many red ribbons on mailboxes, fences and businesses as he drives home. If you own a business or attend a church on Gold Hill, a message to Connor on your sign would be wonderful. His exact time of arrival is impossible to determine, so putting ribbons out and signs up Monday afternoon and Tuesday would be terrific!!!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Reid

What is one of the most important things to do when buying a home? Visualize were your furniture will go in each room. Well… yes that is part of the processes but more importantly hire a professional to do a home inspection.

So even if you manage to find the perfect home a good home inspection can help you understand exactly what’s not so perfect about the home you’re going to buy. That’s a good thing. Because when you’re buying a home you’re also buying all of the home’s problems too.

You’re making a large investment in the property and it’s nice to understand exactly what you’re buying. A structural problem or a heating and air condition system that isn’t functioning properly can be expensive to fix. So conducting a series of thorough inspections is a lot like buying an insurance policy against future expenses or knowing more about what you are buying into. Keep in mind, however, that home inspections are not a warranty or guarantee of the home.

What is a typical home inspection like? A home inspection typically includes an examination of the heating and central air conditioning systems, interior plumbing, electrical systems, the roof, attic, visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, foundations, and basements.

A typical home inspection will take about 2 to 4 hours depending on the type of home; an unoccupied one story home on a concrete slab will take about 2 hours, where an occupied two story home on a crawlspace foundation will take about 4 hours to complete.

Although the home inspection report should include detailed descriptions and color digital pictures of any defects in the home, it is best if you are able to attend the inspection for a review and discussion of the findings. You, your agent, the owner/sellers, etc. should attend the entire inspection. Once the inspection is complete, you should walk through the home with the inspector to discuss any concerns or defects that may be present.

Some things that are not included in the general inspection are:

• Appliances that are not installed
• Building Code Compliance
• Environmental issues such as Radon, Mold, Lead, etc. (unless specifically requested) I would recommend including a least a radon test for the Fort Mill/York County area.
• Systems/components/areas that are not readily accessible or readily visible or shut down.
• Cosmetic issues (Acceptability is subjective and should be determined by the client)
• Exterior features such as retaining walls, storage buildings, pools, etc. (Unless their condition may affect the building)
• Low voltage systems/components such as: intercom, security systems, antennas, etc.

You will most likely have to hire a separate professional to do a termite inspection.

If you are selling your home, have an inspection done before you put your home on the market and you may avoid any surprises when potential buyers have a home inspector check it out. You may choose to have any repairs made using a contractor of your choice without having to satisfy a potential buyer or you may choose to disclose the conditions you are not going to repair and protect yourself from liability of nondisclosure claims.

Should you hire a home inspector when buying a new home? Absolutely. Just because the home is new doesn’t mean there aren’t problems. The contractors building a new home are human and make mistakes. There is no better time to catch and fix mistakes or problems than before you close and move in.

Make sure the home inspector is at least a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors and other local associations and accreditations. Carmen can recommend local home inspectors. Contact Carmen for more information or questions about the home inspection process.

For a second year in a row Charlotte North Carolina has been voted the number one place to live by RelocateAmerica.com.

RelocateAmerica.com is an online relocation information resource owned and operated by a real state broker firm called HomeRoute. RelocateAmerica.com has been ranking cities annually for 11 years. They accept city nominations that are considered by the nominees a great place to live. The nominations then are reviewed by their editorial team along with other city key data like education, employment, crime, housing, parks etc and then ranked.

Other North and South Carolina cities in the top ten are Ashville NC and Greenville SC. Rock Hill SC is in the top 100. Fort Mill and Tega Cay which are just minutes south of Charlotte are part of the Charlotte Metro area, although not specifically listed in their ranking , I would include in the number 1 ranking. Here is the top 10 list:

1. Charlotte, NC.
2. San Antonio, TX.
3. Chattanooga, TN.
4. Greenville, SC.
5. Tulsa, OK.
6. Stevens Point, WS.
7. Asheville, NC.
8. Albuquerque, NM.
9. Huntsville, AL.
10. Seattle, WA.

It is interesting Charlotte stayed at number 1 since Forbes recently voted Charlotte 9th most miserable city to live. I have consistently disagreed with Forbes ranking of Charlotte and share the opinion of RelocateAmericas.com’s survey. Here is a link to their website for more information. How would you rank Charlotte?

See also Top 10 Reasons To Live In Fort Mill SC.

or

Fort Mill SC Ranked In The Top Ten Most Affordable Suburbs.

The Fort Mill School District is rated 9 out of a high score of 10 by greatschools.net. See the ranking of each school on my Fort Mill Info page . One of the reasons those of us who have school age kids picked the Fort Mill or Tega Cay area to live is because of the great public school system.

Rumor has hit with a handful of neighboring Realtors® all Fort Mill Schools are now on a new enrollment freeze. This is absolutely not true!

Yes two elementary schools which are Gold Hill and Orchard Park are currently in a new enrollment freeze. New students will be enrolled in Riverview Elementary. The distirct will fill any available seats that may open over the summer.

New to the freeze list is Springfield Elementary. Any new students after June 2008 will be enrolled to Fort Mill Elemenrary.

I count only 3 schools in a freeze out of 10. That is hardly an all school district freeze. Two new elementary schools will open in the fall of 2009. In addition Nations Ford High School opened this last fall to relive the bulging enrollment at Fort Mill High School.

So those of you considering relocating to Fort Mill or Tega Cay rest assured your son or daughter will attend one of the highly rated schools in the Fort Mill District.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

The US Census Bureau released on March 27, 2008 charts showing the fastest growing metro areas as of July 1, 2007. Ok so I am stretching it a bit to just say Fort Mill. So I really mean the Charlotte metropolitan statistical area (MSA) which is ranked 6^th with the highest number of population growth and ranked 7^th in percent of growth.

I did online research on the Census Bureau’s website to find out what the N.C-S.C. part of the label means in the chart below. The York County South Carolina cities are included in the Charlotte (MSA).

Eight of the 10 fastest-growing metro areas between 2006 and 2007 were located in the South.

The largest cities include New York which was the most populous metro area on July 1, 2007, with 18.8 million people, followed by Los Angeles (12.9 million) and Chicago (9.5 million). The rest of the top ten in order:

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
• Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
• Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
• Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
• Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
• Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
• Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH

Those of us who live in the Fort Mill and Tega Cay can validate the recent growth in our area. But amazingly we have kept our small town southern feel. Contact Carmen Miller to find out why so many people want to relocate to the Fort Mill and Tega Cay SC. area.

Get ready for a traffic change on highway 160. I reported at the beginning of the month the Tega Cay Wal-Mart will open March 17th. I went to the new Wal-Mart site today and caught the employees (sorry associates) coming back from a lunch break. I asked several associates when will the store open. All associates answered the same, Friday March 7th.

The Wal-Mart sign is up, merchandise is arriving and stocked daily so get ready to shop, fight traffic, etc. The store does not come without controversy. Manly locals fought hard to keep Wal-Mart from coming. They obviously lost. Tega Cay annexed the development and pushed for harsh architectural standards. I will say the store has a very unique front.

Will there you have it. On March 7th you can stay away or shop to you drop.

Here is a store fact list from Walmartstores.com

Store fast facts

• Location: 1151 Stonecrest Blvd., Tega Cay, S.C.
• 203,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
• Grand opening celebration: 7:30 a.m., Friday, March 7
• Store manager: Mark Anderson

Charitable giving
$18,000 in charitable contributions to 10 area organizations:

• Boys and Girls Club of York County
• Carolina Community Care, Inc.
• City of Tega Cay
• Gold Hill Elementary School
• I’m a Kool Kid Foundation
• Gold Hill Middle School
• Habitat For Humanity International, Inc.
• Fort Mill High School
• Rock Hill Parks Foundation
• The Salvation Army

Store features

• Unique streetscape façade and extensive landscaping including gazebos, fountains, pagodas, park benches, and planters.
• Full line of groceries, beer and wine, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, Tire & Lube Express, expanded lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, expanded electronics and home entertainment department, toys, one-hour photo lab, vision center, pharmacy and Wal-Mart Connect Center.
• Additionally, leased areas in the store include SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, a Regal Nail Salon, a Woodforest Bank branch and a Subway restaurant.
• The new Supercenter will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Employment

• The store plans to employ approximately 350 associates.
• The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in South Carolina is $10.77 per hour.*
• Store Manager Mark Anderson began his Wal-Mart career in 1998 at a Wal-Mart store in Spartanburg.
• Wal-Mart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance.

* Average wage taken February 2008. See www.walmartfacts.com for details.

For more information

• Store manager: Mark Anderson, 803-578-4140
• Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartfacts.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com

While I was looking for good news to share with you, I found this article in the Fort Mill Times by Jenney Overman. The article is about an engineering and construction firm planning to open an office in our area.

The company is URS Corp which is a San Francisco based multinational engineering and construction firm. URS is looking at 3 possible locations. One of the locations is the vacated HSBC office building on Hwy 521 in Indian Land. The subprime loan crash forced HSBC to close their Indian land office last fall. The other two locations URS is considering are in Charlotte. Jenny states a URS company spokesperson said negotiations have begun on the former HSBC space. 200 employees mostly engineers will be needed to staff the office and are planned to be recruited locally.

This news and along with Freightliner’s relocation news to Fort Mill continues to support the fact that our area continues to grow even with signs of economic slow down elsewhere.

Here is the link to Jenny’s article

I am still laughing about Charlotte ranked 9th most miserable city to live by Forbes magazine. As you may know if you read my earlier post, I disagreed with Charlotte’s ranking. Of course my opinion has a lot to do with where I came from and I actually live south of Charlotte in small town called Tega Cay, SC.

I thought about the conversations Carmen and I have had with friends in the neighborhood over the last year and why they moved to our area. All of our neighborhood friends decided to relocate to the area. So I decided to put together a list of the top ten reasons on why our neighbors and of course Carmen and I live in the Fort Mill or more specifically Tega Cay, South Carolina.

The Top Ten Reasons We Live in Fort Mill/Tega Cay, SC (not ranked in any order):

1. Moderate weather year round.
2. You’ll find miles of walking trails.
3. Centrally located – the Appalachian mountains are approx a 3 hour drive to the west and the Atlantic beaches are approx 3 to 4 hour drive to the east
4. There are several quality golfing communities.
5. There are many city parks and sports complexes including baseball, soccer, tennis, fields, YMCA facilities and Leon Springs facilities.
6. Fort Mill schools rank very high in the state and have received many national education awards.
7. The area has a small town atmosphere but located just a few miles south of a much larger city Charlotte, NC.
8. Located near or on a recreation Lake Wylie with fishing, boating, swimming, etc.
9. Friendly people.
10. A bonus last year – Property taxes were lowered for most home owners in 2007.

I could come up with many more. How about you? If you wnat more information click on the city for a link Fort Mill or Tega Cay or contact Carmen Miller.

So are we miserable living in and around Charlotte? Forbes released their “America’s Most Miserable Cities report” report. They and other consultants looked at the largest 150 cities and scored the cities by using 6 “misery measures” which are unemployment, personal tax rates, commute times, weather, crime, and that toxic waste dump in your backyard. Charlotte, according to Forbes was surprisingly ranked 9th most miserable. One of the stated reasons was Charlotte has been experiencing a high growth rate (32%) over the last decade.

I disagree with this report. I moved to the area 3 years ago and find the area great to live and work in. Now it may depend on where you live in the Charlotte area and your past experiences.

I moved from Houston. So when locals complain about bad traffic I laugh. But again it is all relative to where you came from and your past experiences. I suppose if you were born and raised in Charlotte it maybe overwhelming. Most of my friends and neighbors are transplants from the northeast or west. All relocated to this neck of the woods because it is better.

One more point swaying my opinion. I actually live in the Tega Cay or Fort Mill SC area which is approx 8 miles south of Charlotte NC. Fort Mill still has the small town feel. Fort Mill is just far enough away from Charlotte to miss the big city bad experiences but close enough to enjoy the good things Charlotte (a bigger city) offers. One last point, taxes are too high anywhere you live!

Its a buyers market even in Fort Mill or Tega Cay, SC. I found a few tips I want to share with my home sellers.  

Below is a reprint of an article by David Sobel and RISMEDIA. The article has good tips for sellers on how they can increase curb appeal to make sure buyers come in to view their home.

By David Sobel

RISMEDIA, Jan. 17, 2008-You’ve all had that experience with a client where you drive up to a house and they don’t even want to go inside. It’s an immediate “un-appeal.” You may know the inside of the house shows much better, but you just can’t convince them to spend the time to even go inside. In today’s market where lots of choices in housing are available to the buyer, why should they?

Here are some easy, inexpensive fixes that will help create that outside appeal and get you one, giant step further to a sale.

1. Paint or stain the front and garage doors, especially if they show any weathering. These are the first visuals where a potential buyer focuses. If garage doors are metal and dented, they may need to be replaced.

2. Any old, basically abandoned sheds or small structures, must be removed, the area graded and the grass replaced.

3. Change any dated, outside light fixtures.

4. Fix that driveway. If it is blacktop, make sure cracks and crumbling areas are dug out and filled and then the whole driveway sealed. If it is cement, have large cracks filled and repaired professionally. The buyer must at least feel they can drive the moving truck in confidently!

5. Make sure landscaping bricks are in their proper placement. Mowing, weed-whipping sometimes moves them and this is something the homeowner rarely notices, but makes the property look unsightly.

6. Fill in bare dirt under large shade trees. Plant shade-tolerant plants in defined planters or groundcover. Landscape properly for that area.

7. All landscaping beds should be cleaned out and updated for the time of year it is in your region. Place new bedding material down.

8. Have trees and bushes pruned and trimmed. If a bush or tree is looking old or about to expire, remove it and replace it with a similar size and type if you can. If there is a tree limb(s) over the roof, have them removed.

9. If the house needs painting and a full paint job is not in the cards; have it touched up professionally in the worst, most visible spots. Paint shutters and fix them if they are hanging crooked. At least this may help get your client in the front door, even if they negotiate a full paint job into the sale later.

10. If the house is sided, have it power-washed and have gutters and windows cleaned. Window cleaning inside and out makes the house feel updated and fresh, rather than old and dingy.

11. Make sure grass is in good shape, weeds are removed, trimming done regularly. So many sellers fall down on this job the minute the house is listed, and this is critical to selling a house quickly, especially one where the owners have already moved out. In snowy climates, removal must be done regularly too. If owners have moved out, make sure you have an HWA Home Warranty to re-assure buyers.

12. Keep garbage and recycle containers inside the garage, along with all toys and equipment. Make sure the garage is neat and organized. Painted walls and floors also go a long way in this area and are inexpensive to do.

13. Decks should be washed and repainted or re-sealed; plantings around them cleaned, weed-free and looking good. Patio furniture should be in excellent condition. Even though it is in the backyard, this is the area where the family can envision enjoying the warm days and the new yard.

14. If the roof has missing shingles and they can be replaced inexpensively, suggest this be done as it may save negotiation over a completely new roof. Roof repair needs and costs should be minor or the homeowner might as well replace the entire roof.

15. If the homeowner wants to do a bit more, suggest solar lights lining the driveway or installing a more attractive front door with lead glass inserts and replacing plain doorknobs with something more custom.

16. If you have an evening showing, make sure lights are on outside and inside the house. This is warm and inviting.

17. If it’s a holiday season, by all means decorate the home! Just like sugar cookies or vanilla scent on the inside of the house, this really says “it’s a home” and I can see myself enjoying life here! In the least, always have some greenery or flowers for the season on the front step or porch; even a birdbath with a little garden around it says home.

A link back to David’s Article

Walk the Walk What a Home Buyer Should Do before Closing – Fort Mill, SC.
——————————————————————————–
One of the final steps before the closing is called the final walk-through. This is an opportunity for you, the buyer, to see the property one last time before the money is exchanged and the purchase paperwork completed and filed.

It is important to note that this is not a home inspection. That should have been done weeks ago so there was adequate time to negotiate and address concerns. This is also not a time to nit-pick or back-track on agreed upon items. However, it is the right time for you to look! at the property and make sure it is in the condition you agreed to buy it. If repairs or upgrades were part of the deal, now is the time to make sure they were completed to your satisfaction.

Your real estate professional may or may not accompany you to the final walk-through. In either case, you will want to do the following:

• Open and close all windows, doors, garage doors
• Run all faucets and check for leaks
• Flush toilets
• Test outlets
• Check the basement, attic and crawl spaces
• Make sure that certain items as stipulated in the contract are left behind – i.e. light fixtures, window treatments, appliances, etc.
• Test the heating and air conditioning systems

In short, you want to make sure the home systems are operational and the seller has met the obligations laid out in the purchase contract.

If you do have a concern, bring it to the attention of your real estate professional and attorney. They can advise you ! about different courses of action. For instance, if it a significant expense, you may withhold money until a repair is made.

A final piece of advice: don’t skip the final walk-through. Because this is a busy time filled with packing and moving, some buyers are tempted to neglect this step. After all, you are so close to actually buying the home. In reality, the final walk-through is there to safeguard your investment.

This article is from Carmen’s Life at Home Newsletter January 2008 and Century 21. To see the entire newsletter, click here – Jan 08 life at home newsletter

On the Market for Fort Mill, SC
——————————————————————————–
What makes one home sell in a few weeks while another may linger on the market for what seems like seasons?

Well, each case is different, but it almost always boils down to one of these 4 factors.

Price – A home that is priced right will attract buyer attention. A fair and reasonable asking price that is in keeping with market demands will pique consumer interest and ultimately make the property more appealing.

Condition – Unless they are searching for an investment property, mo! st buyers are looking for a structurally sound home that has been well-maintained. In addition, a home that “shows well” is likely to sell quicker. This means the home is clean, well-kept, updated and appealing to today’s buyer.

Location – The better the location, the more likely the property will demand buyer attention. This could mean a single-family home in a charming town with an exemplary school system. Or it could mean a wonderful apartment in a great section of the city.

Market – Whether it is a “buyer” or “seller’s” also influences how long a property is up for sale. When the advantage is with the buyers, you may need to make allowances, such as

 a lower asking price or favorable terms to help your property attract a bid. Your seller agent is your greatest resource during your home sale. He or she can further explain how these factors will influence your particular listing.

This article is from Carmen’s Life at Home January 2008 Newsletter and Century 21. To see the entire newsletter click here – Jan 08 life at home newsletter

LAKE SHORE
RESALE MARKET ANALYSIS
JANUARY- OCTOBER 15
2006 vs 2007
This information does not include any new costruction sales during that time frame. All numbers are based on homes sold and recorded through the Piedmont MLS system.

AVERAGE PRICE
2006- $351,752
2007- $412,933

HIGH PRICE
2006- $588,793
2007- $803,500

LOW PRICE
2006- $200,000
2007- $187,500

MEDIAN PRICE
2006- $315,000
2007- $375,000

AVERAGE $ PER SQFT
2006- $116.35
2007- $136.16

AVERAGE SALE PRICE % OF LIST PRICE
2006- 98.27%
2007- $95.94

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
2006- 89 days
2007- 107 days

With so many news stories telling us how much of a downtrend the real estate market has had in the last six months it is encouraging to see that our neighborhood is holding steady. Prices of homes have gone up, the selling price is still within a very short margin of last years numbers and while Days on Market has increased, the increase can be seen as a reflection of
the increase on prices and the actual time that it is taking our buyers to sell in other more challanged markets.

If you would like a more comprehensive market analysis on your home please call me 803 322-3479 or e-mail me at csmiller9@comporium.net.

See more local info on my website blog http://www.carmensmiller.com/BlogFrameset-6.html

Congratulations to Gold Hill Elementary School. GHES has been selected as a National Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. Gold Hill is one of four schools in South Carolina to receive this prestigious award. Click to see more.

Regardless if you are looking to purchase or sell a home in Tega Cay, or Fort Mill you will find that the quality of life, the cost of living and the school systems offer both buyers and sellers the opportunity to maximize their investment. According to the New York Times and other national publications and programs, such as CNN, the Carolinas are one of the few places in the country where the real estate market has continued to show a steady growth. This area is indeed a perfect little haven.

Clover mayor’s race: Donnie Grice – 306 votes, Donnie Burris (i) – 272 votes;

Tega Cay City Council (2 open seats) George Sheppard – 567 votes, Larry Harper (i) – 444 votes, Ron Kirby (i) – 420 votes, Hope MacBride – 414 votes, Ron Kazel – 366 votes;

Fort Mill Mayor’s race Danny Funderburk – 791 votes, Charlie Powers (i) – 517 votes;  

Ward 2: Grady Ervin (i) – 747 votes, Ronald Helms – 480 votes; Ward 4: Tom Adams – 674 votes, Charlie Boyette – 548 votes; At-large 2: Ken Starnes (i) – 887 votes; Bryan Smith – 201 votes, Dean Youhanic – 163 votes.

“THE RIGHT HOME IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT”

October – 2007

From Carmen Miller

I wanted to thank all of you again for your support. In the last three weeks I have listed three homes in Lake Shore subdivision of Tega Cay and sold a home in Heron Harbor in Tega Cay.

Your support and referrals are making my success possible. I am LOVING my career! Please continue to keep me in mind as you come across friends, neighbors, or relatives who may be in need of a Real Estate Professional.

If you haven’t had a chance yet please visit my web site at www.carmensmiller.com. I have a virtual tour posted for my listings and Market Information you may find helpful

Don’t Forget

Moving day is typically a high-stress occasion. No matter how organized and prepared you are, there is always a chance for a few things to fall through the cracks. Here are seven things to remember on the day of the big move.

1. Keep all valuables in your possession. This includes important paperwork, collections, family photos, jewelry, heirlooms, checkbooks, wallet/purse and the like. You do not want to hand these over to movers if possible.

2. Charge your mobile phone and keep it with you. In addition, take along your address book. And before the movers depart, be sure to exchange contact information.

3. Remember to ask for a copy of the inventory from the movers. You should also note the condition of your property before they leave.

4. Take out cash for incidentals. You may need to fill the gas tank or need money for lunch on the road. If the move is taking place within one day, you will want to tip the movers if the job is completed to your satisfaction. A good rule of thumb is $20 per mover.

5. Final payment for the moving company is traditionally due upon completion of the move.

6. Don’t forget medications. Like your valuables, it is better to keep medications for you and your family members or pets with you.

7. Check the house before you leave. Turn off the lights and turn down the thermostat and hot water heater. Give each room a final once over. Lock all the windows and doors.

CENTURY 21® AND THE UPROMISE ADVANTAGE

Because I’m a part of Century 21® First Choice- a participating Upromise office- you can receive up to $3,000 in college savings when you buy or sell through me. No additional fees, no gimmicks. Please visit www.upromise.com for more details and information.

Click to Download the October 2007 Newsletter

“THE RIGHT HOME IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT”

August – 2007

From Carmen Miller

I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to Fort Mill and Tega Cay home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you.

In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

DON’T MAKE THESE COMMON MISTAKES….

There is an art and a science to selling a home. So if you’ve never done it before, there is a pretty good chance you’ll make a few mistakes. Here are three common missteps.

1. Pricing the Home. Of course you want capitalize on your investment and turn a profit, but setting the price too high can be a crucial error. Potential buyers may be put off and not even come to look. It could also cause the listing to linger on the market and as the weeks drag on the property can seem less and less appealing.

2. Being Inflexible. Some sellers say they positively won’t sell for less than “X.” But in the long run, is a few thousand dollars worth losing a buyer over? The accommodating seller has a better chance of seeing a deal through to closing. This can also mean being flexible on things like timing, closing dates and other negotiating points.

3. Sidestepping the Prep Work. No home is ready for show right off the bat. Some time and money should be put into getting the property ready for sale. Repairs need to be made. Carpets need to be cleaned. Rooms need painting. Rushing the home to market can cost you in the end. One of the best ways to avoid these pitfalls is to hire the right seller’s agent. A real estate professional has the expertise you need to dodge these selling blunders. Advice on market trends, negotiating tactics and staging the home, are just a few of the insights a Realtor® has to offer.

STAGING IS A MUST…..

If you have been following the home selling lingo you are familiar with Home Staging for resale. .What will staging do for the sale of your home? Is it really a benefit? .How expensive is it to hire a Home Stager? .How do I find someone to help me? Give me a call and I’ll be glad to help you with these and any other questions you have on selling your home quickly!

Click to Download the August 2007 Newsletter