Terry Edwards

Columbia, SC The Standard & Poor's National Home Price Index dropped almost 17% during the 3^rd quarter compared to home values of a year ago. Selling prices have not been this low since 2004. At the same time the Consumer Confidence Index rose in November from 39 to 45.

Couple that with the price of gas dropping below $1.65 per gallon and we could see a turn around in the economy starting early next year. I also like the fact that the U.S. farm sector remains strong, with sales of large tractors and combines up 31% through September (Robert W. Baird analysts).

Terry Edwards www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com

Columbia, SC

Bank of America Mortgage now offers a Borrowers Protection Plan at no cost to the homeowner. This plan covers borrowers in the event of disability, job loss and hospitalization.

This program is available on new mortgages and takes effect 90 days after the closing. It will cover up to 12 principal and interest payments and borrowers will have the option of extending the plan beyond the initial period.

It's always nice to receive a freebie and this gesture to homeowners from Bank of America shows their commitment to the mortgage industry.

Terry Edwards www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com

I just read a National Association Of Realtors report that states "55% of today's home buyers are Gen Xers" (between the ages of 27-43).

A quick check through my file cabinet of buyers I have worked with in the Columbia area over the past 18 months breaks down to:

• Gen Yers 7%
• Gen Xers 36
• Boomers 43
• Over 65 14

As a side note I find it is the Gen Xers that have the most credit issues. The Boomers have equity built up in their current homes and the Over 65ers love to pay cash. It's a linear progression.

Terry Edwards www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com

Another Satisfied Couple

• On March 22, 1786 a bill was approved by the state legislature to create a new state capital. This bill was introduced by Senator John (Gervais Street) Gervais. Washington was requested as the name for the new town, but Columbia won by a vote of 11-7 in the state senate.

• Columbia was laid out as a 2 mile square running beside the Congaree River. This square was divided into 400 blocks containing ½ acre lots. All residential lot buyers were required to build a minimum 540 square foot house within 3 years of their purchase.

• The 4 perimeter streets of the city were all 150 feet wide, as well as two additional through streets. The interior streets were built 100 feet wide.

• Columbia was chartered as a town in 1805. The original charter called for an Intendent and 6 Wardens to govern the people. John (Taylor Street) Taylor was the 1^st elected Intendent and he went on to serve in the General Assembly and was then elected Governor of South Carolina. By the mid 1850s the titles were changed to Mayor and 6 Aldermen.

• Columbia's first water system was built by Abram Blanding. Cast iron pipes were run to the homes and businesses and water was delivered by a steam engine pump to a wood holding tank. The city purchased the water system from Blanding in 1835 and honored him by changing the name of Walnut Street to Blanding Street.

• All the streets in town were dirt until 17 blocks of Main Street were paved in 1908. The sidewalks were still being built of thick wood planking back then.

That's enough facts and figures for now.

Terry Edwards www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors

Shandon Rosewood Forest Acres Cayce Wheeler Hill Hopkins

Columbia, SC Lowe's will open a new home improvement store on Clemson Road, just off I-77, this coming spring.

The NE Columbia store will have roughly 103,000 square feet of retail/warehouse space along with a large attached garden center.

The store will have close to 120 employees.

Founded in 1946, Lowe's has grown from a small hardware store in North Carolina to the second largest home improvement retailer worldwide and the 9th largest retailer in the U.S.

The Lowe's story began in North Carolina when an owner of the North Wilkesboro Hardware Company envisioned creating a chain of hardware stores. At the time, Lowe's was a typical, small town hardware store selling everything from overalls and snuff to wash tubs, work boots and horse collars.

As a homeowner, Lowe's stores have bailed me out of maintenance issues time after time.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

Terry Edwards, ABR

www.FeaturedColumbiaHomes.com