Scott Patterson

Once again Evans, Ga has been cast into the national spotlight thanks to the research of Family Circle Magazine. Pick up an August edition so you can read about what long time residents have known for years. Evans is among the country's best places to live and raise a family. Evans was ranked among almost 800 communities with an average income of $75,000.00 annually.

Columbia County's News-Times attributes this to our local schools and sheriff's department and I must agree that they do an outstanding job at keeping our county at the top of the list. Pick up a Family Circle Magazine and find out for yourself what makes our town one of the best places for families.

Previous accolades - 32nd best place to live in 2005; 76th in 2007; 19th best place for job growth and 9th best place for affordable homes in 2008.

Congratulations to Evans and Columbia County officials and residents for making this a great place to raise my family.

This is definitely a business that is not for the weak. How many times have you had to go back and try to explain what you meant when you said something to someone, because when they heard the news it had been totally taken out of context, misrepresented to them, or was just an out right lie. This could be a very deep subject that could have a number of scenarios. Anything from managing agents, to multiple parties involved in a transaction, to your own family, and even sometimes the reason people can't find happiness in a church. I think this is what so many people confuse with politics.

Communication and honesty is the key to not getting caught in the middle of a so called "hornet nest". If your the manager of any kind of company then you know, no matter how well you communicate you will ultimately be put in a position of your agents or employees feeling like someone is getting better treatment. Most people that have the drive to succeed won't get caught up in this because there focus is on what they can do advance there own business. However I am sure there are some out there who do use the negative side of this topic to advance and hopefully most good managers have the discernment to see through those personalities and deal with them so they don't destroy an organization from within.

As an agent;those waters can be tough to navigate in a real estate transaction because if the people you are dealing with in the transaction are mis-communicating what you actually mean, it could twist and turn a deal in a direction it should never be going. So I feel that the agents who succeed in this business are the best communicators. As always most of my topics are just to try and get you thinking on different topics. It is up to each of us to manage all of the outside forces that may have influence on the deal.

Good luck with your communicating................

"Make sure the words you speak are sweet for someday those words you may have to eat"

- Unknown -

Can someone please inform me about what is going on with Chinese drywall. I found out yesterday from someone who recently moved from Florida that drywall in Florida was corroding copper pipes and wiring in houses. So I decided to Google Chinese drywall and an unbelieveable amount of newspaper articles came up about the issue. Is this a real concern or is it something that was caused by all of the hurricanes the past couple of years? Is this the new black mold?

I am really interested in finding out more about this issue. How do you go back and find out if your builder purchased his drywall from a state that imported the material? Is it only in Florida and other coastal areas where it issues are popping up? If anyone can break it down for me I would like to hear your opinion on the issue.

I imagine this will be a hot topic for some time to come between the insuarance companies, builders, suppliers, Realtors, homeowners, and the government.

To be continued...................................

Now I know in this type of market everyone is trying to get as much square footage for their dollar as possible. But if I have a choice of where and what type of home to buy ( and I do ) because we still live in the greatest country on the blue planet. I would have to choose being able to sit on my covered porch in the shade and watch my kids play in the yard with the smell of charcoal coming from my grill, instead of the neighbor three doors down. I know you can't beat $50.00 a square foot for new construction,but what you give up is having the room to move on the exterior of your home. I personally feel that there is nothing like watching T.V on my back porch and listening to the summer rain or enjoying the seasons as they come and go.

It is hard to get that out of a Box on Box plan. No screen porches or covered porches. Your house taking up the entire lot. I am sure there are lots of people that love to spend all there time indoors. I am not trying to say there is anything wrong with that. I just love having the outdoor living space.

How about you!

Lets have a survey...............Box on Box vs. Outdoor Living Space

Where do you stand?

Congratulations to all of those who have worked so hard to make Evans and Columbia County such a great place to live. I feel it is a community effort from the leaders of the county, community organizations, and all of its residents working to keep Evans in the top ten. Not to mention we were barely edged out by our neighbor in North Augusta, S.C. which also has a lot in common with our county.

CNN Money ranks our Median home price in 2007 as $144,428.00 and our Median family income at $74,696.00. The secrete is getting out that this is a great place to raise your kids because of the school system we are very proud of and all of the other opportunities to spend with your family at the near by Clarks hill lake or on the Savannah river. We also have an outstanding recreation department for youth sports and well as for adults.

Columbia County is quickly becoming a place for military retirees who have lived in in the past serving our military. With the medical communities in downtown Augusta and the V.A. hospitals it make a great place to retire.

If your moving to the area, make sure you give Evans and Columbis County serious consideration.