Dealing with a utility company can be difficult enough, but when they have a monopoly on their utility, it can turn into a nightmare. I've dealt a lot with Charter Communications in the last ten years, but it seems that the customer service I receive is either less than satisfactory, or just appalling. I'm currently on hold with Charter as I type this. I have spoken to two account reps about changing my service, and both times I was placed on hold, and subsequently disconnected.  I'm a patient person, but this has really gotten under my skin. With the high cost of EVERYTHING, I'm trying to cut back on my expenses. My promo package with Charter came to an end, and I'm trying to figure out what my options are. Unfortunately, it seems that no one wants to figure it out with me. I have just... 09/13/2008

About nine months ago, a new agent in our office gave me a Costco membership for helping him out with his first listing.  I had never been a big fan of so called wholesale stores, because I knew that the prices that you paid were not true wholesale (afterall, the company has to make money - it's not a non-profit). I didn't know what to expect from this Costco place, but he was really enthusiastic about it, and the membership was free, so I took advantage of it. Boy, am I glad he gave that to me! I have now become a faithful Costco shopper, and after much comparison of prices, I'm confident that I'm saving quite a bit of money. My 2% milk, for example, is $4.69 at my favorite grocery store.  At Costco, it's $2.99.  The only thing I don't like about the milk is the shape of the carton - i... 09/13/2008

I often get comments from some of the agents in my office about always coming to the office dressed in a suit and tie or a well pressed shirt and slacks. They say things like, you are always dressed up, are u going to a closing?, don't you get hot wearing those long sleeve shirts and ties, or here comes the best dressed man in the office, etc. Some of them sounded much like hate to, if you would like to know the hater mindset, check out my earlier post What Exactly Is A "Hater"?. I thought we were professionals and are supposed to look and act like professionals. Watching this season of the show Million Dollar Listing on Bravo, I am glad that I do dress up like a professional when I work with my clients and customers. Average sales price in my market is a little over $185k, these guys o... 09/11/2008

This is from a link to a Website that I was Sent.  I live in Greenville SC. In my opinion, Greenville SC is the BEST Place in the WORLD!!  There are some people that feel that way and others that do not.  That's ok, it's not for everyone!  We have 4 seasons, a Great Climate, low taxes, cultural activites, streets that you can walk on and not be shot and so much more!  If you have any interest in Greenville, SC - come visit!  Below is the link if you would like to see the whole site as the following is only a small portion of what they have to say.  "Relocate-America'sTM Top 100 in 2008 Welcome to Relocate America's 100 Top Places To Live! 2008 marks our tenth year compiling our list of the best places to live in the United States. This is the only list that is determined by statistics a... 09/11/2008

ALIENATION: This is also known as Due on Sale clause. Many conventional mortgages have this clause, and it keeps the mortgage from being assumed. This means that, if you have this clause on your mortgage and you get rid of your home, the entire balance of your mortgage will be due on sale. So, check your loan documents to see if your loan is assumable. This could really be helpful when you decide to sell or sell and the current interest rates are higher than the rates on your mortgage because, the buyer will be able to assume all the obligations under the mortgage including the lower interest rate just if the loan was made to him/her. Although most conventional mortgages are due on sale, FHA and Va mortgages are assumable. A borrower looking to assume one of these types of mortgages wou... 09/11/2008

 With every experience, we have a choice as to how we respond to it. For example, if I went on a listing appointment and say I don't get the listing, on the drive back to the office, I can choose to beat my self up mentally about the things that I did wrong or could have done better during the presentation that would have increased my chances of getting the listing, but I would be blinded to the fact that I could choose to focus on the things that I did right and appreciate those things. Appreciating the fact that I called the seller one day while I was prospecting, asked them if they would allow me to meet with them to show them a system that I have that will get their home sold quicker, for more money, and with the least amount of inconveniences while putting their interest first abo... 09/11/2008

The Greer Station Association presents the First Annual Fall Gallery Walk. Greer Station merchants will be showcasing the artwork of various students and instructors from the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Greenville Tech Greer Campus, as well as the work of local artists. On 9/11/08 the International Ballet will be at the beautiful restored Davenport and you can meet the dancers, see costumes up close, and check behind-the-scene photos from their productions. There is also a exhibition of photographs from Greenville and Europe in 100 Trade Street. Gallery Walks and Open House at 100 Trade Street are on 9/4/2008 and 9/11/2008 from 5:30 pm - 8 pm. Discover more about this and other Upstate events or festivals on our events list website events © Flavia Westerwelle TransDomo, LL... 09/11/2008

Apparently Oprah Winfrey has made a decision to not allow Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a guest on her show until after the election is held this coming November. It is no secret that at this point Oprah is a huge fan and supporter of Senator Obama. She has even appeared with him on stage at various election rallies. She has had Senator Obama on her popular television show in the past. Now, various groups and many voters are outraged at her decision to block Gov. Palin from appearing on her show until after the elections are held in November. In fact, people and organizations are now boycotting Oprah's show and magazine because of her decision to enthusiastically and publically endorse Senator Obama, and feature him on her show, while at the same time "slamming the door" to her TV program ... 09/10/2008

I have never appreciated what my wife does on a daily bases more than I do now. My wife left three days ago for a ten day trip to Canada, and I was left with the privilege of solely taking care of our three children. It is one thing to get home early a few days a week to help, but it is something totally different to have them all to myself. Between working, picking the kids up from school, cooking dinner, helping them with their homework, doing laundry, getting things ready for the next day, etc. I don't know how she does it. I am three days into it and I have to admit that it is not an easy task. I promised her that we would not eat out everyday while she is out of the country, so far we've ate out once, ok maybe twice. Most of my clients want to schedule appointments with me in the e... 09/09/2008

CURTAIN RODS---- PRICELESSShe spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things. On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water.When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods.She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days.Then slowly, the house began to smell.They tried everything, cleaning, mopping and airing the place out. Vents were chec... 09/09/2008

When comparing two investments with equal risk, a rational person will choose the investment with a higher rate of return. This behavior is called Risk Aversion and is a basic tenet of personal investing. An off-shoot of Risk Aversion is that a rational person will only invest in an instrument of greater risk if the returns are greater, too. The chart at right illustrates this concept, comparing return rates on two investments: U.S. Government bonds Mortgage-backed bonds The difference in investment return rates is sometimes called a "spread" and the historical spread between government debt and mortgage debt is somewhere near 1.5 percent.  However, notice how the spread started to grow starting in July 2007. July 2007 marked the "official" start of the Credit Crunch and as mortgage de... 09/09/2008

School Children's Art Paintings on wall in Downtown Greenville SC On the downtown Greenville SC art front, the Upstate Shakespeare Festival will run the Twelfth Night September 18-21. The same weekend as the Twelfth Night, Art in the Park will shift gears for a bigger and better production, moving to Fluor Field.  There will be 125 artists as well as the Juried Show and the Upstate Visual Arts  Membership  Exhibition.  Art in the Park is the primary revenue generator for the Upstate Visual Arts that helps establish Greenville as a hotbed for local artists. Our thriving artist community helps your Greenville South Carolina real estate continue to appreciate. 09/09/2008

One of our local associations sent out another e-mail to the members about someone making sexual harassment phone calls to real estate agents in our area. This type of thing is probably going on around the country, giving the recent attacks on female real estate agents in certain parts of the country. These maniacs are probably roaming around looking for their next victims, so please be very careful as you go out to meet prospects for showings. Protect yourself, get a pepper spray, get one of those tasers if they are legal, or take some self defense classes. With the shifting market, agents are glad when their phone rings and most are quick to run out to meet a prospect at a house. If you absolutely have to meet the new prospect at a house, and you are concerned, ask some one else to go... 09/08/2008

Danielle Scott | Keller Williams Realty | 864-616-0958 18 Warren Court, Greenville, SC Great home close to down town Greenville! 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $98,000 Year Built 1996 Sq Footage 1,200 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Uncovered spaces Lot Size .13 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Lovely home beautifully decorated on corner lot near downtown Greenville. Spacious living and dining rooms. Master bedroom has double sinks and two closets. White kitchen. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace Walk-in closet Living room Dining room Dishwasher Stove/Oven Microwave Laundry area - inside Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Danielle Scott Keller Williams Realty 864-616-0958 For sale by agent... 09/08/2008

Downtown Alive in Downtown Greenville SC Downtown Greenville Alive has ended. September 4th marked the end of the Downtown Alive season for this year. Which means that FALL is just around the corner and all the events that come with it. Starting this weekend September 11th-14th Euphoria, a 4 day food, wine and music event, is happening in Downtown Greenville SC. Main Street Jazz runs through September 26th and September 29th is time for Greenville's Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest will run one day only, but will include authentic German food and Maerzen beer thanks to the Greenville German-American Chamber of Commerce. The Bavarian festivities take place from 6-11pm at the Wyche Pavilion and DOW amphitheater in Downtown Greenville behind the Peace Center, next to the Reedy River. Carolina Firs... 09/08/2008

As professionals we work so hard to try to prove to our clients that we are worthy of their business, we spend so much time finding clients, working with clients, getting referrals, and trying to keep the clients that we already have for future business. Although these are vital to the sucess of our business, it is so important that we take time to appreciate our biggest cheerleaders - our family and friends. These people are the ones that are there for us on those days when you find out that a deal you were working on just fell apart and will not close, or those days when one of your previous buyer clients decided to list the home your helped them buy with another agent, or when your seller client withdraws their listing with you and list with another company, or when you've showed a b... 09/07/2008

New residential areas evolve           With the increase in wealth because of textile manufacture and other industries coupled with the establishment of a streetcar system, new residential neighborhoods came into being, such as the Hampton-Pinckney neighborhood (pictured), the Pettigru Street neighborhood, the Pendleton Street neighborhood, the James and Earle Streets neighborhood and the Overbrook neighborhood Construction boom           The mid-20s brought the Poinsett Hotel (“Carolina’s Finest”), the Chamber of Commerce building, South Carolina’s largest furniture store and a theater. Then, along came textile mill strikes and the Great Depression which affected Greenville just as they did the rest of the country. Construction came to a halt for several years and it was not until Worl... 09/07/2008

From a Town to a City     In February 1869, Greenville’s Town Charter was amended by the S. C. General Assembly establishing Greenville, the town, as a City. Again, Greenville began to grow. An African American church, Springfield Baptist, was built, the Southern Railroad began operations through Greenville, a large cotton seed oil mill was built on Augusta Street, a horse drawn street railway began operations and the first real bridge was built for Main Street to cross the Reedy River.       Almost simultaneously, publication began of a daily paper, Greenville Daily News, and a large textile mill, Camperdown, was built on the river in downtown Greenville.     In 1876, Greenville’s first non-protestant church was built - St. Mary’s Catholic Church. 1882 was a memorable year for a second... 09/07/2008

FROM A VILLAGE TO A TOWN In 1831, the Village of Greenville became the Town of Greenville and established a City Government with a Council made up of an Intendant and four Wardens. The Council appointed a Clerk, a High Constable, a Town Surveyor, a Bell Ringer and a Sexton who would care for the Town Cemetery, later to be named Springwood Cemetery. The Council strongly advocated the planting of trees along down town streets. To protect their trees, they voted to fine those citizens who even tied their horses to the trees while on business in down town.   Of the many log and weather boarded houses built in the town before 1850, only a few remain and all are listed on the National Register of Historic Places - Whitehall, also referred to as Governor Middleton’s House; the Fountain Fox Bea... 09/07/2008

DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS   pettigru The Pettigru District offers many restored older homes with an interesting mixture of businesses, single family residences and apartments. The area has recently been designated as a local historic preservation district.   park avenue An eclectic mix of bungalows and colonial revival homes blend well with new condominiums and apartments in this designated historic district. Groceries and convenience shopping are within walking distance and the activity of Main Street is just a few blocks away.   mcdaniel avenue/alta vista Cleveland Park meanders through this area, one of the City's most prestigious addresses. Apartments and condominiums mix comfortably with stately mansions in this well established community.   hampton/pinckney The Hampton/Pin... 09/07/2008