The International Center for Automotive Research (ICAR) is doing great things for the Greenville, South Carolina economy.  As this project unfurls, it is bringing more and more engineering jobs, management jobs, and other high paying work to the Upstate.  Estimates have stated as many as 20,000 new jobs were going to come from the ICAR project.What will that do for our market, and our property values.  For one thing, the properties near ICAR will probably see an increase in value in general.  People tend to want to live near their work, or a reasonable drive from work, so the areas within a thirty minute drive of ICAR will see more influx of these jobs, and therefore, these relocations.  I don't personally think that it will cause any property values to skyrocket, but it certainly will ... 04/26/2008

I just got back from the Greenville Little Theatre production of "There Goes The Bride!"  It's HILARIOUS.  I've never laughed so hard at a GLT production before, and I've gone to them all for the last six or seven years (well, either attended or performed *Grin*).The cast is made up of some of the best local comedy talent that Greenville has to offer.  Liz Floto plays the bride - she did backstage work when I was in Into The Woods - and she's a great actress.  Ryan Bradburn is a HIT.  He's one of the best physical comedians to grace the GLT stage, and he plays the bride-to-be's Dad.  Finally, at least of those I'm going to note tonight, Shane Willimon plays the bride's Grandfather.  He steals the show!  I got the pleasure of performing with Shane in an AEIOU murder mystery dinner theatr... 04/26/2008

Many of you who will read this will just be starting your new careers in real estate. Since obtaining my licenses in 1999 I have assisted million dollar producers both residential and commercial in the Upstate of South Carolina. Also with my advanced training or shall we call it "baptism by fire" approach to being a real estate legal secretary. I love real estate! My goal in posting this blog is to the new agents or the agents who have been around helping other agents and just decided to do it on there own. When you place your thoughts on money you will not be as successful. Concentrate on the client or customers needs and not your own you as a person can pat yourself on the back. This will have a raving fan persona to your sphere of influence. After my years of experience working behin... 04/17/2008

The Plantation on Pelham is a new community in a premier location with incredible views of Greenville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This private gated community is located on gently rolling acres and surrounded by mature trees, but just minutes from downtown Greenville. The beautiful historic Lowndes Hill Plantation home (built ca. 1821) is the center and clubhouse for this unique community. The Plantation on Pelham is a irresistable combination of elegant homes, natural beauty, panoramic views and desirable location. The master planned community offers 50 custom homes sites and 39 Charleston style townhomes in a price range from $ 370,000 to 1,2 Millon. If you are interested in learning more about this or other neighborhoods in the Upstate of South Carolina, please send us an email or ... 04/15/2008

Greenville is located in northwestern South Carolina in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, on the banks of the Reedy River, about 145 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia and 100 miles southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. Greenville’s elevation is 1,000 - 3,500 feet above sea level. Quick Facts about Greenville, SC 3 Sister Cities - Bergamo, Italy; Kortrijk Belgium; and Tianjin Free Trade Zone, People’s Republic of China.Latitude 34.85 Longitude 82.40 Greenville ZIP Codes 29601, 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615 / Greenville County, Area Code 864 Greenville’s Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time: (GMT -5 hours, DST: GMT -4 hours). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. The amount of land area in Greenville is 65.005 sq. k... 04/04/2008

Register for a FREE Top Producer 8i Training Class!As Top Producer's Sales Representative covering North Carolina and South Carolina; I offer FREE training sessions on a regular basis.  Get your first look at Top Producer 8i!This class is open to all agents and assistants!!!                                                                                                                           April 11, 2008    Greenville, South Carolina Hampton Inn Greenville/Spartanburg Airport47 Fisherman LaneGreenville, SC  29615*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Topics to be covered in the class include the following:Agent Set Up Contact Entry Action Plans (follow-up campaigns) Listing and Closing Plans Mass Email/Mail Out Customer Web pages CMA's and Buyer Presentations Community and School ... 04/02/2008

Avalon Reserve Market Report 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 # of Homes Sold 12 13 15 7 13 Average Sales Price $177,613 $169,515 $198,753 $196,200 $195,877 Average Days on Market 81.3 79.7 53.3 33.0 82.9* Data taken from Greater Greenville MLS 1/1/2003 - 12/31/2007* This information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.________________________________Cameron J. Keegan - Realtor, ASR, ABRPrudential C. Dan Joyner RealtorsGreenville SC Real Estate 03/17/2008

There is no such thing as a "national real estate market".  Real estate is local.We know this is true because even cities don't have their own real estate market.This chart shows how home prices have diverged across adjacent zip codes over the last 12 months.Some influencing factors:School systems Infrastructure Proximity Supply of homesStories about "The U.S. Real Estate Market" are irrelevant.  In each city in America -- and on a street by street level -- real estate markets can be vastly different.(Image courtesy: Wall Street Journal) 03/14/2008

Cottage Hill Market Report 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 # of Homes Sold 3 5 9 0 3 Average Sales Price $243,833 $264,800 $283,536 0 $311,667 Average Days on Market 109.3 79.4 77.6 0 71.3* Data taken from Greater Greenville MLS 1/1/2003 - 12/31/2007* This information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.________________________________Cameron J. Keegan - Realtor, ASR, ABRPrudential C. Dan Joyner RealtorsGreenville SC Homes for Sale 03/14/2008

George Clements ~ Greenville, SC Real Estate Pricing-helping you determine the right price to ask for your house based on Greenville area market research as well as what the current market will allow. Positioning it to get the most amount of money for your home in the least amount of time possible. Staging-analyzing every room of your house as well as the front and back yard to determine what would be the most effective course of action to take. Marketing-consists of three main strategies: Internet Your home will be featured in it's own web site and advertised on the Google search engine. A video tour of your home will be produced and featured on your homes website. Your home will be featured on homestolive.in, Realtor.com, and ggar.com. Your home will be included in every IDX and MLS s... 03/12/2008

George Clements ~ Greenville, SC Real Estate Needs Analysis-careful analyzing of your needs to determine exactly what criteria will be used in searching for your new home. Information-making you aware of every property that matches your needs as soon as it comes on the market. Searching-visiting homes that match your needs and giving you advice and counsel on their statistics and how they compare with the rest of the Greenville SC market. Negotiating-helping you determine the best offer and negotiating that offer on your behalf.Contract to Close-walking you through every step of the real estate closing process until the house is yours. 03/12/2008

A licensed real estate professional provides much more than the service of helping you find your ideal home. Greenville, SC Realtors® are expert negotiators with other agents, seasoned financial advisors with customers, and superb navigators around the the entire Greenville area. They are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and must abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice enforced by the NAR. A professional Realtor is your best resource when buying real estate.  LET GEORGE CLEMENTS BE YOUR GREENVILLE, SC GUIDE • A knowledgeable Realtor® can save you endless amounts of time, money, and frustration. • A knowledgeable Realtor® knows the local Greenville housing market inside and out and can help you avoid the “wild goose chase.” • A knowledgeable Realtor® can ... 03/12/2008

The Greenville SC Downtown Condo market is an active and vibrant part of the overall Greenville South Carolina Real Estate Market. Most condos downtown are holding their values and selling quickly. One of the most popular developments is the Lofts at Mills Mill. The Lofts at Mills Mill development is a renovation project converting one of Greenville's oldest and most well known cotton mills. The original building was constructed in 1897 and since closing had only been used for restaurant space and a few shops. But now the new lofts units offer luxury and convenience to Downtown Greenville, The Greenville Drive Baseball Stadium, and easy access to I-385 and I-85. The new luxury lofts units feature 16 foot ceilings, 9 foot windows as well as original exposed open heart of pine beams. Othe... 03/11/2008

Hi y’all! I’ve been hanging around Active Rain for awhile now- reading and learning and observing and sometimes laughing! I didn’t want to jump on the blogging bandwagon for fear of having to constantly come up with something interesting and worthwhile to say. I have been so blessed by the amount of knowledge and expertise and encouragement passed on to me through the awesome folks on this site. You all intimidated me so, that I have stood silently watching from the sidelines. But no more! So here goes my insight, my first here, for today: I think that people in the Upstate are some of the nicest people in the world! Strangers treat you as friends. Acquaintances treat you like neighbors! Here’s some personal evidence gathered to support this conclusion: Mark, my husband/partner was sta... 03/08/2008

Greenville’s Children’s Garden is probably one of the most well kept secrets in Greenville. It is a wonderful interactive, multi-themed garden especially designed for children of all ages. Located at Linky Stone Park between downtown Greenville and the revitalized West End it occupies 1.7 acre along the banks of the Reedy River. The garden provides a wealth of experiences only found in nature. It enriches children’s intelligence, creativity and well-being through exploration and discovery. There is an ‘ABC Garden’ with flowers and herbs taking children through the Alphabet, a ‘Greenville History Garden’, celebrating Greenville’s history in textile; a ‘Historical Plants Garden’, a ‘Reflection Garden’, a ‘Five Senses Garden’, a ‘Canvas Cave’, a ‘Fairy Tale Forest’, a ‘Storybook Garden’, ... 03/03/2008

Family Reunion was the best. Not only did I learn a lot of good stuff but I think it was a life changing event for me.  I feel that it prepared me for not just selling more real estate but it prepared me to be a better person in everyday life. Before I felt that I was always looking down but the events there in Atlanta have me looking up now. I really recommend any and every agent to attend next year if anyway possible.  IT WAS AND WILL BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!!!  02/23/2008

  Montebello & Villagio di Montebello Montebello is an upscale community where the homes are situated in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, yet right on Greenville’s Doorstep. The pristine site of ca. 400 acres on the pinnacle of Piney Mountain offers homeowners natural beauty and sweeping mountain vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the immediate vicinity of one of the Southeast most desirable downtown areas. Homesites are carefully blended into the pristine beauty and surrounded by natural rolling greenbelts & pathways, creeks and beautiful hardwoods.To complete the European spirit there is also a small village the ‘Villaggio di Montebello’ nestled into the Montebello community. Inspired by the architecture of Tuscany and Italian art, this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood invi... 02/13/2008

Blue Ridge Mountains  Resort community aimed at cycling enthusiasts Gracefully nestled near the Blue Ridge Mountains, a unique, one-of-a-kind resort community for families desiring a lifestyle of health and fitness is developing. It will comprise three-hundred plus acres of graceful mountain wilderness with 97 one- to two-and-a-half-acre home-sites surrounding a village with a restaurant, a bike shop, a spa and a training facility. The thirty-eight thousand square foot Performance Training Center will offer a spacious exercise arena with weight training, strength and conditioning equipment, a 25-meter indoor pool, a resort-style outdoor pool, an aerobic studio, a group cycling studio, a yoga studio, spa and dry sauna. The state-of-the-art fitness center will also provide highly sophisti... 02/12/2008

School system in Greenville, County, SC The School District of Greenville County is the largest public school system in South Carolina and the 54th largest public school system in the nation. In Greenville county more than 67,400 young people in grades K-12 attend public school each day. Size- 54nd largest in the nation / 67, 400 students Square Miles- 800+ Service Area- Most of Greenville County as well as Parts of Spartanburg and Laurens Counties 12 National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence 17 Palmetto's Finest Schools (State's Top Schools) 37 Red Carpet Schools (Customer Friendly Award) 27 PTA National Schools of Excellence 19 Baldrige Model Schools Schools 47 Elementary schools 17 Middle schools 14 High schools 4 Career Technology schools 5 Child Development 7 Special Centers: - Fi... 02/11/2008

 In 1852, George Washington Green purchased 350 acres of land “on the waters of Richland Creek and Reedy River” north of Greenville for $1,500. There he built “Green Farm,” a modest one-story dwelling that is now the rear wing of Cherrydale. On March 2, 1857, Green sold that land and an additional 100 acres to James Clement Furman, President of Furman University for $7,000. This $5,500 price difference suggests that Green constructed the house between 1852 and 1857. Between 1857 and 1860, Furman and his wife, Mary Glen Davis Furman, remodeled Green Farm, adding four rooms and a new entrance with a front porch, four Greek-Revival-style columns, a three-bay portico and were calling the renovated house “Cherrydale.”The Cherrydale farm was three miles from downtown Greenville, where Furman ... 02/09/2008