Want to celebrate your birthday in style in Columbia, SC? Visit any of these restaurants for a freebie. Help me build my list, too, by leaving a comment or contacting me with other birthday freebies for Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, or West Columbia!
APPLEBEE’S – Free Dessert and Song BRUEGGER’S – Free Bagel (registration required) Free Kid’s Meal BURGER KING – Free Kid’s Hamburger Meal (registration required) Other freebies! TGI FRIDAY’S – Free appetizer (registration required) I hope you enjoy some of these on your big day!Want a free dessert for your big day?
COLD STONE CREAMERY – Free Ice Cream (currently on hold)
FRIENDLY’S – Free Offer (registration required)
MACARONI GRILL – Free Dessert and Song
MARBLE SLAB – Free Small Ice Cream and One Mix-In (registration required)
OUTBACK – Free Dessert and Song
TEXAS ROADHOUSE – Free Dessert or Appetizer (registration required)Just go for the big freebie: free meal!
CAPTAIN D’S – Free Adult Meal (registration required)
DENNY’S - Free Grand Slam
FIREHOUSE SUBS – Free Medium Sub w/ ID
FUDDRUCKERS - Free Burger (registration required)
MOE’S – Free Entree (registration required)
RED ROBIN – Free Burger (registration required)
RUBY TUESDAY – Free Burger (registration required)
CAPTAIN D’S – Free Kid’s Meal (registration required)
SHONEY’S – Free Kid’s Meal (registration required)
SONIC – Free Wacky Pack (registration required)
ON THE BORDER – Free appetizer (registration required)
RED LOBSTER – Gift on your Birthday (registration required)
STARBUCKS – Free Drinks (registration required)
TOY’S R US – Birthday card and surprise gift (registration required)
Want to go off-leash at the park? Make sure you're current on your vaccinations and head to one of these!
Brix Bistro
Lexington, SC, 29072
803-356-9915
http://www.restaurant.com/microsite.asp?rid=314723&rpid=3670
Newbies to South Carolina weather may be surprised to learn that February is the start of our "Spring." When my son was born, it was a glorious spring day...in this traditionally "winter" month! We didn't even wear coats home, although we had our new bundle of joy wrapped from head to toe in what had to be the hottest winter fleece suit ever made for a baby.
Case in point: we built a shed in our backyard last weekend. While wearing t-shirts. And no coats. Eat your heart out, winter lovers! When you get sick of the snow, I'll always be around to relocate you to sunny South Carolina: home of 300 days of sunshine each year! (Check it. I looked it up.) While you will most nearly smother to death from the humidity during August, the rest of the year is really quite nice!
And here are some fun things to do around Columbia during February. I am also including one super fun even in Charleston, just a short 100 miles or so away, because it is so big that it bears mentioning for the entire state: the Southeastern Wildlife Expo! Lots of fun for outdoor enthusiasts, animal lovers, and everyone in between.
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition -- Charleston – February 18-20, 2011-- There is no better way to beat the winter blues than to participate in a three-day celebration of nature. The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition ("SEWE") is the largest event of its kind in the country. Over 500 exhibitors will help promote conservation and preservation of wildlife through education and the visual arts.
Feb 5: Junior League of Columbia's Clean Sweep - Columbia -- Yard sale benefiting community projects - cash only Feb 12: Jazzin' for Education Cultural Youth Summit and Gala - Columbia - benefits BCNAA's Endowed Scholarship Fund Feb 14: Valentine's Day - Monday Feb 18-20: Southeastern Wildlife Exposition - Charleston - art, exhibits, presentations, lectures - various sites Feb 21: Presidents' Day / Washington's Birthday - State and federal holiday - Monday Feb 26: Lexington's Race Against Hunger - 10K run, 5K walk, 1 mile fun run - benefiting five local charities Feb 26: Midlands Job Fair - Columbia - come prepared with proper dress and resumes to speak with employers, plus workshops A big thanks, as always, for SCIWAY for bringing together so many dates into one place, SCIWAY News February 2011, www.SCIWAY.com. Got more events? Send them to Nicole at donaghy.nicole@gmail.com. I would love to add your local event to my page!
One of the most common questions that I get from family and friends, besides, "How's the real estate market?" is "How do I get my house ready to sell?"
I've written lengthy posts on this topic before, but it bears repeating. Here is the quick version:
1. Fix it. If it looks or acts broken, fix it.
2. Paint it. Any rooms that are not neutral, go ahead and paint them a neutral color, especially in the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom.
3. Floor it. Carpet have stains? Clean it or replace it. Hardwoods in bad shape? Go ahead and refinish them. Laminate peeling up? You get the idea. Replace it.
4. Light it. If there are any older light fixtures, go ahead and replace them, especially in the rooms I previously mentioned and the dining area.
5. Stage it. Remove the majority of your photos, eliminate/store as much stuff as possible, pare down the furniture to just basics, go for the "model home" look.
That's it! If you do all of these things, your home should be ready to go.
__Nicole Donaghy is a Realtor and Blogger in the Columbia, SC area, specializing in Lexington, West Columbia, and Lake Murray
Let's be honest. We're all wondering the same thing: is South Carolina going into or coming out of a housing recession?
In my experience, of which I now have 6 years, I have never seen such a slow market. Yes, there are some homes selling, and I am always excited about that. Don't misunderstand me, the market has not come to a screeching halt in Columbia, SC. But, as I reviewed the activity of a beautiful Lake Murray neighborhood today, I noticed something. Nothing is selling there. I cannot understand why. The neighborhood is stunning: set on pristine Lake Murray, embedded in a luxurious golf course with all of the amenities, studded with what most folks in our neck of the woods would consider "Million Dollar Homes," which can certainly claim Million Dollar Views. The background of my blog site here is a photo from one of my previous clients who purchased a home in this particular neighborhood. He took the photo with his iPhone from his porch one morning. Breathtaking. Can you imagine waking up to such beauty every morning? Every homebuyer within a 25 mile radius of Columbia wants to live there. Or, so I thought.
This market has got to be the smallest pool of buyers I have ever seen. Not only are buyers less able to obtain financing than ever before, but they are scared. Scared for their jobs, scared for the economy, scared about the uncertainty of the housing market, you name it. There are tons of reasons why people are not buying homes.
Certain life events demand that we move, though. Got a baby? Got married? Got divorced? Got a new job? Got another baby? Got a sick family member? Life happens, and we have to move with it.
So...here are some of the top reasons why you SHOULD buy a house right now. In no particular order.
1. There are so many great deals on real estate. While South Carolina isn't at the top of the foreclosure list, thankfully, there are many foreclosures and short sales available to you if you are cautious and patient enough (and have an experienced Realtor to assist you.) Life happens -- people have to move. And they want to unload those houses, too. Foreclosures and short sales have brought down home prices in many neighborhoods, making them even more affordable.
2. There is a huge selection of homes! When homes start running longer than 60 to 90 days on the market, and homes are not selling at the rate they used to, the market builds up a backlog. Longer times on the market = lots more homes to choose from. What a selection!
3. There is no rush to make a decision. There aren't 10 other buyers lined up behind you, waiting to snatch "The Crystal Palace" away from you, amidst a sea of lean-to shanty's next to the landfill. On any given day, there probably are not 10 other homebuyers to be found in Columbia at all. But, I'll betcha there are 10 Crystal Palaces. Take a deep breath. Sleep on it. If you don't get this one, you can try for the one next door tomorrow.
4. Realtors and lenders alike are starving for business and will jump through flaming hoops to present you with a ratified contract and loan approval. Ask me how I know.
__Nicole Donaghy is an experienced SC Realtor, helping people sell houses and buy homes from Lexington to Lake Murray, and all over the Greater Columbia Area
Real Estate Expert for Lexington, Lake Murray, and the Greater Columbia Area
Born and raised in Lexington County, I am a true native of the area. I feel privileged to make a living selling the area that I love! Lexington County is my specialty, and I also work a great deal in Richland County. Rest assured that I am an expert: I know this area well!
I got into this business for my own personal enjoyment, so I have a unique drive. It simply grew into a career and took a life of its own! What sets me apart from other agents is my extensive knowledge of the area, and of the technology that can be leveraged to help sell homes. Knowledge is power! I have many clients to thank for helping grow my business out of sheer hard work and seemingly thin air. I have never forgotten my first set of clients, and as a relatively young person, I want to sell my clients several homes over their lifetimes, and take care of their family and friends, as well!
In my time away from work, I am totally and completely absorbed by my toddler son, and I also try to pay some attention to my husband, who is awesome and will find a lot of humor in that remark, I can assure you, because we both love to play with our baby! We also have two sweet and patient dogs, who were our first children, and whom we still love very much but feel guilty that the spotlight is usually on the baby. Blondie is a beautiful cocker spaniel who is a little bit psycho, and Maggie is a 45-lb terrier mix who is as easy-going and mild-mannered as the day is long, but I wouldn't want to meet her in a back alley on a bad day. Both of our "girls" were rescued dogs from abusive homes and we have totally loved them back to life.
Back before we had a baby, I used to spend more time doing things that I loved like reading, bargain hunting (both in and outside of real estate!), scrapbooking, jogging, and taking exercise classes. Now, I mostly play with Legos, color, and sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider. "I'm a Little Teapot" is a customer favorite -- I get rave reviews on that.
I gladly serve all of the Greater Columbia Area, including but not limited to, Lexington, Lake Murray, West Columbia, Irmo, Cayce, Chapin, Pelion, Gaston, and Swansea. I specialize in Lexington County, but also work a great deal in Richland County. I love to list all homes for sale -- no home is too small or too large for me. I have a super-sized measuring tape and can conquer them all!
First-time home buyers still hold a special place in my heart because I remember so well how confusing it can be to find and buy your first home. Ask me all about my first home purchase! We'll share a good laugh or two!
Lake property is always fun to sell, too. Who can resist the mysterious lure of Lake Murray...the gentle breezes and gorgeous water...
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