Adrian La Fosse

A week doesn't go by here in Columbia, SC without being asked, "What is a FROG?"

I am almost tempted to not to write this blog. Hey, I am a salesperson I want people to have a reason to call and consult me. My sly side wants to make up some hokey acronym. Okay, enough stalling. The answer is...

Finished Room Over Garage!

In the Columbia market an extra living space over the garage is called a FROG. It is also an alternative to basements, which are very uncommon for our market. That is for another blog to explain the reason.

FROGs are usually larger than a secondary bedroom, sometimes substantively. They can be 12' x 14', 14' x 15', 14' x 18' or larger. They sometimes have different "subsections" as well. They often do not have a closet but if they do, they can be considered a bedroom. Part of the ceiling line is actually the roof line. Usually the roof line starts about 4 or 5 feet above the floor. They can be in one and two story houses. They are part of the house and included in the square footage because they are heated and cooled.

If a house has a FROG, it will be listing in the house details. It is also known as a bonus room. Well now the mysterious FROG has been revealed!

When you are ready to find a house with (or without) a FROG please visit www.GreaterColumbiaHomes.com.

Your Columbia South Carolina New Home Specialist, Adrian La Fosse

I just received an email from a Bank of America loan officer. They are one of the few lenders I suggest doing business with. Contact me for a free, no obligation consultation on which lender may best for you. You may also call me toll free at 1-800-620-1323 x7.

Take look at what Bank of America has to say:

October 2007 vs. October 2008

Then: 100% financing available on conventional loans
Now: 100% financing available for veterans, 97% financing available on FHA loans, 95% financing available on conventional loans

Then: Down payment assistance programs available
Now: Down payment assistance available up to 3% from gift funds

Then: Minimum credit score of 560 required on an FHA loan
Now: Minimum credit score of 560 required on an FHA loan

Then: Borrowers Protection Plan available on No Fee Mortgage PLUS loans only
Now: Borrowers Protection Plan available on all conventional loans

In summary, it may take a minimal down payment to purchase a house if you are not in the military, but loans are still being made. It does not take perfect credit to acquire a home loan, as evidence by a 560 minimum credit score. If you have issues with your credit, loan officers will advise you on what changes are needed to get you set up for a home loan. Those changes are not always self evident.

By the way... not a thing has changed with VA home loan financing. It is very easy to qualify for. And it is still with NO down payment. The interest rate is typically at whatever the going interest rate is for someone with top notch credit even if the veteran's credit is not.

Loan officers will consult and pre-qualify you for free. You can click here to request to speak with a reputable loan officer in the Columbia, SC real estate market. If you are in the military and PCSing to Fort Jackson, please click here.

To sign up for an up-to-date full list of available new construction homes in the Columbia area that meet the needs of your family, please visit http://www.FindMyColumbiaHome.com

Your Columbia South Carolina New Home Specialist, Adrian La Fosse

While searching for your new home in Columbia, SC it is good to get to know the area. Here are some fun facts, videos and web links about Columbia, SC.

For more videos of the Columbia area, Click Here

Population:
South Carolina - 4,321,249
Greater Columbia Area (Richland, Lexington & Kershaw Counties) - 607,995

High/Low average temperatures for the Columbia SC area

If you are moving to NE Columbia, these are the most important roads to learn:
Interstate 20, Interstate 77, Two Notch Road, Clemson Road, Hard Scrabble Road and North Brickyard Road. 90% of everything you'll need is on these roads or only one road removed from these main roads. Easy.

Yes, grass does grow on sand!

Most popular school districts:
Richland 2 (NE Columbia) http://www.richland2.org/
Lexington 1 (Lexington) http://www.lexington1.net/
Lexington/Richland 5 (Irmo/St. Andrews) http://www.lex5.k12.sc.us/

If PCSing to Fort Jackson, what is the most popular area to move to:
NE Columbia, zip codes 29223 and 29229
Great schools, affordable and elite housing, new shopping, all the amenities and only 12 to 22 minutes to post

Want buy a new home for your family in the Columbia SC real estate market:
http://www.FindMyColumbiaHome.com

Most popular shopping areas:
NE Columbia - Village at Sandhill http://www.villageatsandhill.com
Irmo - Columbiana Centre http://www.columbianacentre.com

The area's largest private employers:
1. Palmetto Health 8,606
2. BlueCross BlueShield of S.C. 6,607
3. Lexington Medical Center 3,280
4. SCANA (Utility) 2,421
5. UPS 2,100

Fort Jackson Facts:
50 percent of all U.S. soldiers receive basic combat training at Fort Jackson
Total fort Acreage is 52,000
There are 3,900 active-duty soldiers assigned to the post
There are 5,200 civilians employed by the post
The annual estimated impact on the Midlands economy: $2.6 billion

Click here to email me with any questions or set an appointment to start looking for your new home in the Columbia, SC real estate market. You may also call me toll free at 1-800-620-1323 x7.

To sign up for an up-to-date full list of available new construction homes in the Columbia area that meet the needs of your family, please visit http://www.FindMyColumbiaHome.com

Your Columbia South Carolina New Home Specialist, Adrian La Fosse

As a specialist of assisting buyers in their purchase of new homes in the Columbia, SC real estate market, I am often asked: "If I receive all the new home warranties when buying a new home, why would I have a professional inspection done?"

That is a very good question. Let me break it down for you.

As the house is being built, the county may inspect the house 5 to 8 times. They are looking for code violations, not necessarily workmanship or functionally issues. These inspections and professional home inspections are not comparable.

During construction the home builder's site or neighborhood superintendent has been inspecting behind contractors as each phase of construction is done. Again, nice to know that there is some quality control going on during construction.

Typically a week or less before closing on a new house, the building superintendant will meet with the future homeowner to give a new home orientation and allow them to point out concerns or issues. This includes cosmetic issues as well. I attend these meetings to be another set of eyes on the house as well. Any items of concern that come up from this meeting are taken care of before closing 99% of time. Occasionally a part or contractor may not be available and the issue is resolved at the convenience of the new owner after closing.

On the day of closing we go by the house to confirm that the work has been done. After closing, the new home warranty kicks in. All is well and good, right? Most times yes.

I would say little less then half of my new home buyers have a professional home inspection done. The cost is about $250 to $300 depending on the size of the house. The inspector goes through the property as the future homeowner's advocate checking behind the builder. Are terrible issues found from these inspections? Well here's a list of major items that inspections on new construction homes I've seen caught by a professional: Dryer return vent not properly connected, missing insulation, scratched appliances and tubs, damaged flooring, missing floor or roofing framing. Now this is not all in one house. Most inspections on new houses find relatively minor items.

So the question remains, "Why would I have an inspection done on my new home?" INSURANCE, that's why. If you were buying an existing home, 100% of the time you would have a professional home inspection done because after you close on the property, the house for all purposes is now "AS-IS". If the plumbing breaks right after closing, it is on you. In a new construction home, the builder or the plumbing contractor takes care of it.

Insurance covers your risk and it just depends on your aversion to risk if a new home inspection is the way to go. Because the house came with a warranty, you may be the type that wants to save the expense knowing the likelihood of a major issue coming up in a new construction is much rarer than an existing house. Or you may be the type that can sleep better at night knowing that you may have caught potential issues right in their tracks before they became a problem.

Me personally, I've purchased 2 new construction homes and had both professional inspected. It just helps me sleep better at night. A few issues I never would have found were caught by the inspector.

In general, I've usually been impressed by the condition of the property as it is handed over by the builder to the new homeowner. When you work with me in the purchase of your new home, we'll discuss your choice of having a professional home inspection on your new home as the time arises.

Click here to email me with any questions or set an appointment to start looking for your new home in the Columbia, SC real estate market. You may also call me toll free at 1-800-620-1323 x7.

To sign up for an up-to-date full list of available new construction homes in the Columbia area that meet the needs of your family, please visit www.FindMyColumbiaHome.com.

Your Columbia South Carolina New Home Construction Specialist, Adrian La Fosse

Save now, save every month! Holiday Builders is offering $7500 off all move-in ready new construction homes in their SE Columbia neighborhood Chandler Hall.

Additionally, the builder is offering a fixed interest rate of 5.75%. That is about 1% lower than the current rate. That would equal a savings of about $150 per month on your mortgage payment on a $150,000 house. That is nothing to sneeze at. :)

Houses are priced between the $140's and $190's with square footage from 1472 to 2485. All houses include 2 car garages and 30 year architectural shingles. There are currently 7 houses available for closing within 30 days or less.

The Chandler Hall neighborhood is located in SE Columbia which makes it a suburban neighborhood just minutes from downtown Columbia and 5 minutes from Fort Jackson's gate number five.

Follow this link: $7500 off/5.75% Interest Rate

Click on Express Move-In for available houses. To view the floorplan of each house, click on the plan name.

Click here to email me with any questions or to set up an appointment to view the homes. You may also call me toll free at 1-800-620-1323 x7.

Your Columbia South Carolina New Construction Home Specialist, Adrian La Fosse