Mark Brian

Be sure to mark your calendars and make sure to purchase tickets early for The Spirit of Christmas at the Brooks Center in Clemson. The press release describes this as a holiday theatrical performance takes you on a magical journey to a winter wonderland of fun and festive cheer.

There will be gorgeous costumes, wonderful Christmas songs, and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North Pole. This glittering Christmas spectacular will delight your entire family so make plans to bring everyone for a great time.

To find out more or to purchase tickets visit the Brooks Center Website

Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium, or GAMAC will present Celebrate the Season on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 8PM at  the Rainey Fine Arts Center on the campus of Anderson University. This has been an Anderson holiday tradition for many years, and this year is no different as this annual Christmas performance will feature the GAMAC Orchestra, Chorale, Boychoir, Girl Choir and Youth Chorus. 

Tickets to this event are expected to sell quickly! Reserve your seats today! Prices are $25.00 for adults and $12.00 for students.

To purchase tickets, please call the GAMAC office at (864) 231-6147.

I read an article today about how Oconee CVB has requested and received $20000 to do a study about building a hotel/conference center. And at first it might seem that in this economy any spending needs to be scrutinized. But if we are thinking about long term growth and adding jobs it could be a great thing for Oconee County to host conferences at a Hotel/Convention Center.

Why? Well getting businesses to become more aware of our area is always going to be a good idea. Also every person that goes to a conference is also going to become aware of all the fantastic recreational facilities such as the golf course and lakes that are in Oconee County. There is no doubt this is an expensive self promotional undertaking but unless we work towards long term growth, both by attracting new businesses and new residents, we will never be able to move forward. there will be jobs created by the Hotel/Convention center itself, but the real benefit will be attracting more businesses to Oconee County.

The article also talks about is how this study could help county officials. County officials could use the information to help them to decide what project they’d be willing to help with incentives or other financial help. To me, this is where we must really watch the money. But using a little money to help us make a more informed decision can only help us get the best type of facility that will contribute to the most to the growth of Oconee County.

We are all aware of the work to have more businesses come to the southern portion of Oconee County recently by expanding sewer service. But we cannot forget about how blessed we are with the natural beauty of our area. And we can take advantage of the scenic wonder that is Oconee County by using it to recruit new businesses and residents. Imagine a conference of one hundred business owners seeing the beauty of Oconee County and all these business owners having the subliminal suggestion implanted in the back of their minds about how great it would be to relocate to Upstate South Carolina. With the work on the expansion of sewer service in southern Oconee County and a method to get more visitors to Oconee County, this could be the one-two combination we need to attract more businesses!

If it is done intelligently and with an eye on getting the most bang for our buck, then there is no doubt that this could be a great tool for helping Oconee County grow in ways we never imagined in the past!

In this market, it seems that many potential real estate buyers in Upstate South Carolina want to get the best possible deal and are too willing to ignore the sage advice of their REALTOR. And while it is admirable to get a good deal, submitting offers based upon what you feel instead of the comps is a good way to anger a seller.

But should a seller ignore a lowball offer? I say never ignore any offer, even if the offer is so low and so unrealistic that it angers you. Do not bite your nose off to spite your face!

Counter my fine friends! Counter and be willing to negotiate. I understand the annoyance of people submitting offers that are based upon fairy tales and wishful thinking. But at least it is a starting point for negotiations.

Please do not think that a lowball offer should not anger you, and do not let your anger punish you by not countering a lowball offer. Instead realize your opponent in the negotiations just showed us their ignorance of Upstate South Carolina real estate market conditions and trends. We can use our knowledge to defeat them or at least send them scurrying away with their tail tucked between their legs when faced with the reality that you have the most powerful of allies: a REALTOR!

Instead of refusing to counter, we can use this opportunity to sell your home at your price!

I found this handy list and thought I would share it since so many people are looking to remodel or update their Upstate South Carolina home before they put them on the market.

1. Get at least three written estimates.

2. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed.

3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.

4. Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.

5. Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.

6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.

7. Check that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also, remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.

8. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will be involved too.

9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet any local building codes or regulations.

10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.

11. Guarantee that the materials that will be used meet your specifications.

12. Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the work.

Reprinted from REALTOR Magazine (realtor.org/realtormag) with the permission of the National Association of REALTORS. Copyright 2008 All rights reserved