Aiken Board of Realtor’s Housing Supply Overview-January 2014

With 2013 in the rear view mirror, a new year is upon us. For the 12-month period spanning February 2013 through January 2014, Pending Sales in the Aiken region were up 15.3 percent overall. The price range with the largest gain in sales was the $100,000 and Below range, where they increased 41.3 percent. The overall Median Sales Price was down 5.5 percent to $139,813.  The property type with the smallest price decline was the Condo segment, where prices decreased 1.8 percent to $97,200. The price range that tended to sell the quickest was the $100,000 and Below range at 158 days; the price range that tended to sell the slowest was the $300,001 and Above range at 297 days. Market-wide, inventory levels were down 2.8 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the Single-Family segment, where it decreased 2.5 percent. That amounts to 12.2 months’ supply for Single-Family homes and 12.3 months’ supply for Condos.

Brandi Cook named 2013 Aiken Realtor of the Year

The 2013 Aiken Realtor of the Year is Meybohm's Brandi Cook.

Cook was announced as the recipient of the honor at the Aiken Board of Realtors holiday party on Thursday evening at The Reserve Club.

She was praised for the time and effort she gives to the association and the community.

Cook volunteers as a member of the board of directors for the Aiken Board of Realtors, is a member of its education committee and devotes her energy to the MOMS Club of Aiken. She also was involved in the past with Camp Puzzle Palooza, an extension of the Aiken Family Y, which caters to children who have mental or physical disabilities.

“She quietly makes a difference in people's lives and doesn't take credit for it,” said Laraine Clark, who was the Realtor of the Year for 2012.

Cook has been a Realtor since 2004, and said she wanted to work in real estate since the age of 18.

It is in her blood. Her mother, Vikki Crossland, is an Aiken Realtor, too.

“It is truly an honor,” Cook said. “To even be nominated ... and nominated by an agent from another company. It's nice when your peers think so highly of you. I would not be where I am today without the community of Aiken Realtors.”

Crossland said she certainly was a proud mother.

“She (Brandi) really does care. She really believes in doing the right thing. She's Miss Ethics,” Crossland said.

Other recognitions on Thursday were given to board Executive Director Kristyne Shelton, who was honored for her commitment to the Board of Realtors, and to sitting board President Diane Miniard for her many contributions this year, including her part in initiating a partnership with Aiken County Habitat for Humanity for its 25th anniversary build.

Read more: Brandi Cook named 2013 Aiken Realtor of the Year | Aiken Standard
Follow us: @aikenstandard on Twitter | aikenstandard on Facebook

Haley Hughes is the news editor for the Aiken Standard. She joined the newspaper in 2007 and covered the Aiken County government until her promotion in 2013. Hughes, a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, hails from Knoxville, Tenn.

MEYBOHM SOUTHSIDE TOP SALES AGENT

Vikki Crossland was awarded Meybohm Southside Top Sales Agent and the Elite Gold Agent in SC for 2013!

Edisto Lake - An Idyllic Lakeside Community in Aiken County, SC

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Edisto Lake; a private gated community away from the hustle and bustle of big city life with a pristine 200 acre lake.   Edisto Lake offers a hundred lakeside home sites on which 60 have already been built on.  The community has a road that gently curves in and around the lake and community. The area offers a tall canopy of mature trees, lush grounds and fabulous views of Edisto Lake. The lake offers wonderful fishing opportunity for the angler. The lake offers bass, crappie, blue gill and catfish.  I personally saw several large bass off the dock of one of the home sites! You can also enjoy bird watching, boating (no wake policy), swimming, walking areas and just a wonderful place to slow down, catch your breath and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Edisto Lake is located just outside of the town of Wagener in Aiken County and is a very scenic drive from Aiken. You'll pass by numerous horse farms, fine estates and farmlands heading to Wagener; it is approximately a 30 minute drive. You are about equal driving time to Columbia.

Here are some pictures of the lake and link to a fabulous newer home that is available for sale with its own private dock where you can be nature's neighbor!

View our  listing: 

www.usamls.net/aikenhomeslink/default.asp?content=expanded&search_content=my_listings&this_format=0&mls_number=82583&page=1&sortby=2

SCIway.net…South Carolina Information Highway

Have you ever checked out this website? It is chocked full of great information on South Carolina. It offers a really complete listing of information about the different cities and communities located in SC. 

It offers a fun filled packed schedule of events:  http://www.sciway.net/sn/81.html

Here is the link about Aiken with tons of additional linkage: http://www.sciway.net/city/aiken.html

I have used this website personally for information, offered FREE relocation information packages on Aiken, SC, marketed properties for sale and found it’s great resource for information on South Carolina and very beneficial to my real estate business.  

Recently I was asked ….was there really a “Battle of Aiken”?

The answer was YES…there was a battle in located in Aiken County in 1865. Here is a great link to learn some interesting Aiken history and the details of events leading up to the Battle of Aiken:

http://www.battleofaiken.org/history.html

http://www.battleofaiken.org/history-detail.html

There is a tremendous amount of work, effort, money  and detail that goes into this type of event. 

This upcoming weekend the Battle of Aiken will be reenacted, which has won the Governor’s Award for Carolina best tourist event and the Dr. James Butler national award for the best living history program. February 21st through 23rd rain or shine, re-enactor will eat, sleep, live and fight in recreated version of the world in 1865. The battle has grown over the years to full-blown Civil War festival.

The Battle will be held at Confederate Park,

1210 Powell Pond Road

just of Interstate 20, exit 18 and a quick 10 minute drive from downtown Aiken on Hwy 19N/Laurens Street. Look for the signs.

The cost is very affordable and looks like this is going to great weekend to enjoy an outdoor event like this. Advance admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students (ages 6 to 18); 5 and under are admitted free. At the gate, the price is $12 for adults and $6 for students.

The activities start at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; programs, tours and seminars start at 9 a.m. and continue through the day.  The actual battle begins at 2 p.m. and they suggest arriving no later than 10 a.m.


Here is link for more info and where you can purchase tickets in advance: http://www.battleofaiken.org/spectators.html


Source of information Battle of Aiken website 

Ideas to Increase Value and Desirability of your Aiken HOME in this Challenging Real Estate Market

Buyers are scarcer; sellers must make more improvements and resolve maintenance issues on their home to obtain top dollar value.  Here are some fixes that bring the best return on your time and dollar invested.

First Impression count… step up your curb appeal.  It’s critical to get buyers to want to look on the inside.  View your home from the street be objective.  Would you want to come inside and see more?  Look and check the condition of your landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, house number, and even how window treatments look from the outside. Make your home special; add some color and large flower pots or some architectural interest, like a park bench, something that welcomes a buyer home!

Color.  Paint is the cheapest investment and one that has the best returns. White is too stark or cold for most buyers. I suggest warm or soft colors that lead the eye from room to room, that works well together and flatters the home, nothing shocking.  Trim and ceilings, if needed, should be painted or freshened up too!

Upgrades in the kitchen and bathroom are always appreciated.  Clean, clutter free and odor free is must.  Update the cabinet hardware, sinks, and faucets.  Granite counters are popular if your home is in the price range that a buyer would expect that feature in a kitchen. Cool appliances are always a plus, such as an espresso maker on your kitchen counter is a cool accent.

Details Count.  Install crown molding at least six to nine inches in depth, proportional to the room’s size, and architecturally compatible. For ceilings nine feet high or higher, add dentil detailing, small tooth-shaped blocks used as a repeating ornament. It’s all in the details, after all.


De-clutter, dump, and organize your closets and drawers.  Less is best…Make your closets, cabinets empty enough so a buyer can visualize their treasures in your home.

Window treatments.   Remove all the heavy window coverings.  Buyers want a light, airy feeling and accentuate the views, no dated heavy drapes that darken and close in the house.  Consider energy-efficient light shades and blinds.  Keep your blinds and curtains open, let the sunshine in!

Bring in a home inspector.  Fix the problems before the buyers see them and looks else well.  Buyers are looking for easy care living. This especially important now in the current Aiken real estate market, since there is so much competition with new construction.  Buyers are looking for the EASY BUTTON!