Columbia SC Named One of America's Best Places to Live for Retirees!

U.S. News & World Report has named Columbia SC as one of America's Best Affordable Places to Retire!
Of course, I knew that already as a Columbia Realtor and life-long resident of Columbia.  Columbia IS a great place to live, especially for retirees.

The complete article (September 28, 2009):

America's Best Affordable Places to Retire
U.S. News & World Report worked with a data search company to seek out places with a low cost of living and reasonable housing prices that still offered access to the services and amenities that people should look for in an ideal retirement spot. Each city on the list has high-quality healthcare and elder-care facilities, as well as an abundance of educational and cultural events.

Columbia SC - Editor's Pick for Best Place for Retirement Living

Topping the list of reasons that Columbia SC was chosen as a BEST PLACE TO LIVE FOR  RETIREMENT:  low median home prices AND low owner occupied property taxes (homeowners over age 65 get even lower tax bills).  The median home sale price in 2008 was about $148,000.  Average property taxes were listed around $1,000.  Homeowners over age 65 get a $50,000 reduction on assessed tax value to further lower property tax bills.

More reasons to choose Columbia SC for affordable retirement living: 

• LOW overall cost of living
• GREAT weather - lots of sunshine and mild winters (snow is rare)Friendly people and Southern hospitality
• Excellent health care facilities
• Lake Murray  - one of the BEST lakes in all of the South is popular for boating, fishing and fun
• Easy access to city, regional and state parks and even a National Park close to Columbia
• THREE rivers through Columbia - Congaree, Broad and Saluda for canoeing and kayaking
• Numerous and diverse cultural activities: antebellum architecture in historic districts, excellent   musuems, outdoor concerts, University of South Carolina athletic events
• Military retirees enjoy amenities and benefits provided by U.S. Army Fort Jackson and Dorn VA hospital
• Nice places to shop including several malls and special shopping districts including Five Points and Congaree Vista
• Stable economy and work force employers
• There's more, but at least the above list is a start as to why you should choose Columbia SC for your place to call home for retirement!

More Columbia SC information:

Columbia "A to Z"  |  Columbia Blog  |  Lake Murray  |  Lake Murray Blog  |  |  Lake Murray eBook  |  Columbia SC real estate  |  Search Columbia SC real estate

When you're ready for more Columbia SC real estate information, contact Mel Coker:

Office: (803) 223-6214

Mobile: (803) 318-2007

email contact form

email

Columbia SC real estate website

Mel Coker

Search for Lake Murray homes for sale

Search for  Lake Murray or Columbia area Homes for Sale

I've updated my GreatColumbiaSChomes.com website to include NEW MLS search features.  Click below to see this website:
GreatColumbiaSCHomes.com
At this website, I have 4 different MLS search features available for your convenience.

Of course, the BEST way to get started with buying ANY Lake Murray or Columbia area home is to contact Mel Coker.  I live ON Lake Murray and I know Lake Murray.  Mel Coker should be YOUR Lake Murray Realtor.  Call Mel Coker at (803) 388-8011.

I've included one of my MLS search features below with a starting point of zip code 29036 (Chapin area).



Mel Coker
http://www.melcoker.com/
http://www.lakemurray-sc.com/

Lake Murray FISHING Page

The Fishing is GREAT at Lake Murray!
CLICK for my NEW Lake Murray Fishing Web Page

Tournaments are hosted frequently on the lake, including the Forest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in August 2008. Lake Murray is known as one of the most productive lakes in the Southeast for largemouth bass and striped bass. Lake Murray state record fish include: white bass, white perch, white crappie, and white catfish.

What's on my Fishing at Lake Murray page: link to Buddy's fishing guide service, DNR fishing report, Lake Murray fish attractors, license information and link to buy online, Lake Murray weather link, order Lake Murray map or poster online and more.

Fishing at Lake Murray  |   Lake Murray website

Selling Your Home or Property at Lake Murray?

Selling Your Home or Property at Lake Murray?
Contact Mel Coker.

I am a life-long resident of Columbia and have been living on Lake Murray now for the past 7 years in the Chapin area.  I know Lake Murray!

I provide unmatched Internet marketing for listings for sale on the lake.  As Columbia's exclusive CyberStars Realtor, I always work to provide the best use of technology in marketing my listings.   Some of the technology that I utilize includes: virtual tours on multiple web domains and platforms, RealBird virtual tours, Animoto virtual tours, and the ownership of a Lake Murray website and Lake Murray Blog.

Mel's Featured Real Estate Websites for Your Home Listing
Mel Coker's Columbia Real Estate Website  |  About Mel Coker
Columbia SC Selling Tips

Lake Murray lot listing

NEW Lake Murray Waterfront Lot Listing

I've got a NEW Lake Murray lot listed for sale in the Prosperity area. It's only about 12 minutes from Chapin. It's an AFFORDABLE Lake Murray lot! Buy your lot now and build when you're ready. I can assist with an excellent builder referral.

Highlights for this Lake Murray lot:

• 82 feet of water frontage (.33 acre lot)
• Existing approved dock in place
• Slightly sloped lot is ideal for walkout basement
• Public water
  
  CLICK HERE For more information, pictures and survey plat

Call Mel Coker to BUY or SELL any property on Lake Murray. I'm a Lake Murray homeowner - I know Lake Murray! Call (803) 388-8011.

Lake Murray Sales Update - Waterfront Lots

An Update from Mel Coker
Lake Murray Waterfront Lots


I've just finished a detailed analysis of Lake Murray waterfront lots closed during the past 5 years and current sales activity. Buying a lot on Lake Murray is still a very viable option to enjoy lake living. One of my clients bought a lake lot last year and started building their dream Lake Murray home just this past week with my recommended builder.


For my analysis, the "average" Lake Murray lot is: less than 1.5 acres, has a minimum of 100 feet of water frontage. Also, my base year for minimum price is 2004 at $75,000. The average minimum price has been adjusted each each for the previous year price change percentage. I've even tracked average discount from final list price for sales prices.
(For average prices and number of sales, percentage changes are from previous year; average days on market includes 25% adjustment for expireds and withdrawns)




2004
Number of sales: 44 DOWN 12.0%
Average price: $183,813 UP 22.6%
Avg. DOM: 381
Avg. discount from final list price: 5.87%


2005
Number of sales: 85 UP 93.2%
Average price: $204,994 UP 11.5%
Avg. DOM: 276
Avg. discount from final list price: 5.26%


2006
Number of sales: 79 DOWN 7.1%
Average price: $217,391 UP 6.0%
Avg. DOM: 215
Avg. discount from final list price: 6.0%


2007
Number of sales: 61 DOWN 22.8%
Average price: $246,145 UP 13.2%
Avg. DOM: 168
Avg. discount from final list price: 5.1%


2008
Number of sales: 30 DOWN 50.8%
Average price: $276,096 UP 12.2%
Avg. DOM: 262
Avg. discount from final list price: 10.1%


2009 (thru June 30)
Number of sales: 13 DOWN 13.3%
Average price: $251,262 DOWN 9.0%
Avg. DOM: 422
Avg. discount from final list price: 10.8%



Currently, there are 184 lots for sale on Lake Murray (meeting my criteria above) with an average sales price of $336,502. The average days on market is 434 days. Obviously, the asking price for many lots is way too high based on the much higher price compared to actual closings over the last several years, a very high DOM and the large number of lots for sale.


Other important highlights:

• the number of lots closed annually has decreased the past 3 years and is on pace to decrease again in 2009.
• average closed prices in 2009 are showing the possible first ever price decrease on Lake Murray
• there is enough current inventory at Lake Murray to last app. 7 years at the current sales pace

NOW may be the time to BUY your Lake Murray lot! When you're ready to BUY or SELL a Lake Murray lot, be sure to contact Mel Coker. I am a lake resident and I know Lake Murray!

Buy a lot, get on Lake Murray.

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Mel's Welcome to Lake Murray Video

I'm starting videocasting with my first Lake Murray video!




Lake Murray video in HD!

Thanks to my videographer, Kelly Coker!