Retirement Benefits: Living at Lake Murray, South Carolina

I found an interesting document online that explains TAX BENEFITS (and more) AVAILABLE TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

South Carolina is a GREAT place to call home and live in retirement.  One benefit is especially for homeowners in South Carolina:
At AGE 65,
Homestead Tax Exemption – first $50,000 of the fair market value of a house or mobile home owned by a state resident of at least one year is exempt from municipal, county, school, and special assessment real property taxes. Exemptions provided to surviving spouses who are 50 or older and anyone who is legally blind or has a permanent disability, regardless of age. Apply at county auditor’s office on or before July 16. (Code 12-37-250)


CLICK HERE for the link to the document:

Retired and ready to move to South Carolina?  Already in South Carolina and want to
sell or buy a home?   Call Mel Coker, your Seniors Real Estate Specialist serving Columbia, Lake Murray, Chapin, Irmo, Lexington and Northeast Columbia.

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 223-6214
www.MelCoker.remaxagent.com
email:  melcoker@remax.net
  

Coming Soon: Spring and Summer

It's a warm mid-60s day here in Lake Murray Country (and the first day of South Carolina Gamecock baseball this afternoon).

Spring is around the corner:  March 20 - 31 days, 2 hours, 40 minutes

Summer: June 21 - 124 days, 2 hours, 40 minutes

Summertime from our Lake Murray home

Lake Murray: 2012

What's happening at Lake Murray in 2012?


March 22nd - Taste of Lake Murray
The Taste of Lake Murray is the sole fundraiser for the 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray. Created 7 years ago, this event is designed to help raise the $100,000 necessary to produce the Annual 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray, including a Boat Parade and 2 fireworks shows.

April 12-15th - FLW Outdoors National Collegiate Championship
FLW College Fishing is the country's largest tournament-fishing competition for college bass clubs.

June - Purple Martins Return to Doolittle Island
North America's first officially designated Purple Martin sanctuary is at Lake Murray! It's also one of the largest roosting sites in America.

June 30th - Lake Murray 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks Show
Annual boat parade and fireworks show - one of the largest in the Southeast!

September 29-30th  - Oakley Big Bass Tour Event
The Oakley Big Bass Tour is the nation’s premier open big bass tournament series designed exclusively for amateur anglers.  The tour is focused on the promotion of bass fishing and bass conservation at the amateur level.

December 1st - Lake Murray's 82nd Birthday!
At 7:00 a.m. on December 1, 1930, the first electric power - 10,000 kilowatts - was delivered to Duke Power Company.  That's the reason Lake Murray was built and born... hydro-electric generation.

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Resident and Realtor
Owner & Webmaster for Lake Murray website and this blog
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Real Estate Website  |  email
(803) 318-2007

 

Lake Murray Scenes - mid-November

Scenes from Lake Murray this past past weekend...

Fishing on Lake Murray - November 2011

Beautiful Leaf Color!



Out on our Pontoon



Beautiful Weekend at Lake Murray

This past weekend was beautiful at Lake Murray!    Mostly sunny skies and temps in the low 80s made for beautiful weather on the lake.  We were out on our pontoon boat on Sunday afternoon.

The lake level is now at 358.29 feet above sea level.    Water temperature is about 73 degrees now (summer maximum is about 84 degrees).

Here are a couple of pictures taken at our home on the lake this past weekend.

May 1, 2011 at Lake Murray

May 1, 2011 at Lake Murray

Mel Coker

RE/MAX Metro

Lake Murray Real Estate

(803) 388-8011

Join the Lake Murray Association

Lake Murray Association
Live on Lake Murray?  Boat on Lake Murray?  Love Lake Murray?
YOU need to be a member of the Lake Murray Association (LMA).  Click for LMA website.

Membership dues are very reasonable - only $15 per year.   Or, do like I did on my last renewal and join for 3 years, pay only $45 and get 6 free months added to your membership.   JOIN TODAY before you forget - you will be proud to be a member.
CLICK HERE FOR A MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

The Lake Murray Association through its active membership and board of directors works to maintain and preserve Lake Murray as one of the most beautiful recreational lakes in the South.  The Association’s key issues for the future include:
Lake level
Re-licensing
Safety
Weed control
Pollution monitoring and
Shoreline management

The Lake Murray Association was very instrumental (after many years of hard work) in getting South  Carolina Electric and Gas Company to agree to higher winter water levels at Lake Murray.  Remember just a few years ago when water levels sank to 350-351 feet elevation during the winter and early spring?  Now, water levels during the winter are typically in the 354-355 feet elevation range.  This is a success story for the LMA and the number of members in the organization.  The LMA NEEDS YOU!

The Lake Murray Association does more:
Spring and Fall Membership Meeting
Sponsors Ladies Day at the Lake
Sponsors Pontoon Tour of Homes
Conducts a Water Quality Monitoring Program
Publishes a Quarterly Newsletter - April 2011 Newsletter

Please join me... JOIN THE LAKE MURRAY ASSOCIATION!
http://www.lakemurrayassociation.com/

Mel Coker

Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates * Columbia, SC
Lake Murray website  Lake Murray/Columbia Real Estate
(803) 223-6214

Protect Your Boat/Personal Watercraft Engine on Lake Murray

I love this stuff: STA-BIL Marine Formula Fuel Stabilizer

I've started using this product regularly in my pontoon outboard motor and personal watercraft.  Marine Formula STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment & Performance Improver contains DOUBLE the corrosion preventers and more than FOUR TIMES the fuel system cleaner than in Regular STA-BIL to prevent  corrosion and deposit build up in Marine Engines. Use AT EVERY FILL UP to protect your boat or other marine equipment from the damaging effects of Ethanol in the marine environment.  This stuff works!



STA-BIL is America's #1 selling marine fuel additive brand.  This keeps gasoline fresh, especially ethanol treated gasoline, and it protects engines.  The marine formula costs more per bottle (I buy the 32 ounce size), BUT, you are able to use less per treatment, so it's really less expensive!  One ounce treats 10 gallons; regular STA-BIL has a ratio of one ounce per 2 1/2 gallons.  One 32 ounce bottle treats up to 320 gallons of fuel for marine applications.  At the great Amazon price, that's only about 66 cents per 10 gallons of gasoline (regular STA-BIL would be $1.89 per 10 gallons).

BUY your STA-BIL Marine Fuel Stablizer from Amazon for the very best price (I ordered TWO 32 ounce bottles today):
Click Below to BUY NOW:
STA-BIL 22240 Marine Fuel Stabilizer - 32 oz.


Mel Coker
Lake Murray Resident & Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 223-6214

Springtime: Walk the Dam!

Warm Weather Brings out Dam Walkers!

One of the Columbia area’s most popular walking/jogging pathways is directly across the top of the Dreher Shoals Dam along S.C. Highway 6 at Lake Murray.  The distance is 1.7 miles each way for a total walk of 3.4 miles.

The pathway offers spectacular views of Lake Murray and even the downtown Columbia skyline 11 miles away. This pathway was completed after the construction of the new backup dam at Dreher Shoals Dam on Lake Murray (in 2005) and with the widening of S.C. Highway 6 across the top of the dam (in 2007).  Parking is available at either side of the Dreher Shoals Dam.  A small free parking lot is on the Lexington (South) side of the dam.

CLICK HERE to visit my Walk Across The Dam webpage with more information and pictures

Irmo Side of Dam

View towards 5 Towers & Lexington Side

Walk Across the Dam at Lake Murray website

Taste of Lake Murray

2011 Taste of Lake Murray
March 24, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. - Radisson Hotel Columbia

Plan to attend this year's Taste of Lake Murray!

I've got my tickets to this great event... do you have yours?    Barbara and I are excited about attending this annual event which serves as the ONLY fundraiser for the big 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray.

Tickets are only $45 per person and includes: auction registration, food, beer, wine and Lake Murrayville beverages.   Additionally, you are helping support the 2011 July 4th Lake Murray fireworks spectacular (on July 2nd this year)!

6:00 pm: Auction tent opens: 6:30 pm Ballroom/Seating opens

Want your tickets to the 2011 Taste of Lake Murray?  Get them NOW... prices go up March 18th.  Call (803) 781-5940 ext. 0 or, CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

Lake Murray Real Estate

Out of this world Lake Murray REAL ESTATE service!

Call or email MEL COKER at RE/MAX Metro Associates
Call:  (803) 388-8011
Click:  Website

Designations/Awards/Memberships:
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO
Cyberstars (exclusive in Columbia, SC)
RE/MAX Hall of Fame






Calling (Scanning) for Mel Coker!
Call (803) 388-8011



What's Happening at Lake Murray?

Rising Water Levels at Lake Murray!
In the past week (from January 30th to February 6th), the water level at Lake Murray has risen almost one foot.  Today, at 3:00 p.m., the water level is at 356.18.   The typical Lake Murray average water level in February (2007-2009) is 355.7.    The Lake Murray water level is looking great!




Lake Murray Water Elevation: Jan. 30 - Feb. 6, 2011


What's coming soon?   Warmer temperatures!   The warm-up from February to March is the highest during cold weather months.  Daytime maximum average temps will increase from 58.8 in February to 66.5 in March. 

Click Here:  More Lake Murray average temperatures, water level, and rainfall.

Posted by Lake Murray's resident Realtor: Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
Lake Murray  |  Columbia, SC  |   Mel Coker Real Estate

Lake Murray Music Video

Click to watch my Lake Murray images in a cool music video!

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
http://www.lakemurray-sc.com/
Columbia SC Real Estate

QR Codes - Used by Lake Murray's Realtor: Mel Coker

QR Codes Used by Mel Coker in Columbia, SC
I first started using QR codes in early 2010 for my real estate marketing.   As far as I can determine, I was the first Realtor in Columbia to use QR code marketing (actually, I don't know of anyone even currently using this).

What is a QR code?
QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are 2-dimensional bar codes that have actually been around since 1994. They have widely used throughout Japan and in parts of Europe. With the increased adoption of mobile phones, they are increasing in popularity in the United States. QR Code is capable of encoding the same amount of data in approximately one-tenth the space of a traditional bar code.

QR Readers:  Search on your mobile device for "QR Reader"

QuickMark

 

To the right is an example of a new QR code I just created with my picture embedded!   Scan it with your mobile device and a QR reader:

Get your QR scanner now.  In my next blog post, I'll post a QR code that directs you to a webpage giving you a FREE surprise (Lexington, Newberry, Saluda, Kershaw and Richland counties only)!

 
Now, here here are QR codes for a NEW Lake Murray waterfront home listing - both home info & Google Map info:



Scan for Mel's Virtual Tour Website
 for 130 Heavens Edge Court



Scan for Home Location on
Google Maps



Finally, the marketing brochure I create highlights home features with QR codes incorporated.  Someone driving by the home, gets my maketing piece from the brochure box, scans with a QR reader on their mobile device, and instantly on their mobile phone have access to complete information about the home!   Cool.

Marketing brochure in PDF format with QR codes



Listing Brochure by Mel Coker
with QR codes



Considering SELLING your home?  Call Mel Coker to get the MOST in creative marketing!

Mel Coker

CRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO, SRES

Your CyberStars Realtor in Columbia, SC!

RE/MAX Metro Associates

(803) 223-6214

BUY THIS Waterfront Home on Lake Murray!

New Waterfront Listing on Lake Murray

GREAT Home!
More Details Coming Soon.
SCAN QR Code with your mobile device

Home Location on Google Maps

Watch for my next post on QR Codes!  Then, I'll feature this new home listing.  Can't wait???  Call Mel Coker at (803) 388-8011.

Mel Coker
Your Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia, SC

SNOW today at Lake Murray and in Columbia

A BIG Snow Day in the Greater Columbia area and Lake Murray

Mel Coker at Lake Murray measuring snowfall

Snow started around midnight last night and continued all morning until about mid-day today.    Late this morning, my wife and I went out for some pictures at our home on Lake Murray.  It was beautiful!   I measured the snow and found an accumulation of about 5 inches.   Snow continued to fall for awhile afterwards.  

Snow is almost rare in the Greater Columbia area, so this is a big event: all schools were closed, most government offices closed, many businesses closed and lots of fender benders on the roadways.

SNOW at Lake Murray: Monday, January 10, 2010
(click on picture for larger image size)

Please DRIVE CAREFULLY

in the Greater Columbia area over the next few days. 

Melting snow will freeze to create dangerous driving conditions!

Mel Coker

Columbia & Lake Murray Realtor

RE/MAX Metro Associates

(803) 388-8011

Dreher Shoals Dam - 81 years old!

NEW Webpage at www.LakeMurray-SC.com:
Dreher Shoals Dam

I've done the research, HTML coding and it's now complete... My new webpage with an overview of Dreher Shoals Dam.   Most people seem to refer to this engineering marvel as the Lake Murray Dam, but, the official name is Dreher Shoals Dam.
CLICK HERE: Dreher Shoals Dam

Read my webpage and you'll discover: when it was planned, when it was finished, the length and much more.  I've also got some really cool pictures.  Please take a look soon to learn more about the fascinating history of Lake Murray's Dam:  Dreher Shoals Dam.




Dreher Shoals Dam on Lake Murray

S.C. Highway 6 - Just Completed in 1930



CLICK> Dreher Shoals Dam



Dreher Shoals Dam - Engineering Marvel in 1930

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor & Lake Murray Resident
(803) 388-8011
Lake Murray Website
Lake Murray Real Estate

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Mel Coker in Columbia, South Carolina!

Mel & Barbara at Brookgreen Gardens

2010 was a very good year for me in Columbia real estate sales.  I had 30 closings in 2010.  That's a 30.4% increase from 2009.   Soon, I will post several blog articles on my analysis of real estate activity in the Greater Columbia area.  Watch for these articles soon.

In 2011, I will be promoting NEW home sales.  New homes offer excellent value and builders have become much more competitive with pricing and built-in amenities.   Already for 2011, I have 4 new homes closed or under contract for closing.   Watch for more information coming soon.

In 2011, I will continue to post articles about Columbia area real estate, Lake Murray, home improvement, energy savings ideas, Columbia happenings and much more.   If you want to get my articles as they are posted, please email me and ask for a FREE subscription to my blog and you will get my posts immediately by email.

Barbara and I greatly enjoy vacationing and I will post some articles about our Surfside Beach rental and other vacation ideas, including our favorite destination: Cancun.   Now may be the right time for you to consider buying a beach vacation/rental home.  If so, I know the right contacts, so give me a call.   Congratulations to my buddy, Steve Borden, on the acquisition of his new Myrtle Beach property last year!

My Lake Murray websites are popular with Lake Murray residents, visitors and those interested in Lake Murray real estate.  I will continue to post items of current interest in my Lake Murray blog.
Lake Murray Website
Lake Murray Blog

Please have a safe and healthy New Year.   Call me for any Greater Columbia area real estate need that you may have.

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
All offices are independently owned & operated
(803) 223-6214
email
Internet

Lake Murray Video

Coming Soon:  More real estate video related to Lake Murray and Lake Murray real estate



Featured videos soon to be in production:  Buying tips, Selling Tips, Community information, Home tours, mortgage information and  local service providers

It will all appear on my WellcomeMat webpage.  WellcomeMat.com IS the place for real estate video (the real estate version of YouTube).
CLICK:  Mel Coker's WellcomeMat Profile Page


Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia, SC
Internet
Lake Murray website

Lake Murray Merchandise

I've Got My Lake Murray License Plate!

I stopped by the Lake Murray Visitor Center last week and bought my new Lake Murray license plate.  It looks great!  If you want a Lake Murray license plate, t-shirt, Lake Murray map or other cool Lake Murray merchandise, stop by the visitor center or visit there web site.

Lake Murray Visitor Center
2183 North Lake Drive (S.C. Highway 6)
Columbia, SC 29212
(just past the Dreher Shoals Dam on S.C. 6 going towards Ballentine)
Website:  Official Merchandise of Capital City Lake Murray Country



Mel's Lake Murray License Plate

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia, SC
(803) 388-8011

Boating Safety on Lake Murray

3 Charged in Lake Murray Boating Deaths
Just over a week ago, three men were charged with criminal acts that contributed to a pair of May 1st boat collisions in which four people died on Lake Murray.   All were boating while intoxicted.
Click Here to Read More
Don't Drink and Drive  |  Don't Drink and Operate a Boat!

Read the Handbook!

I live on the lake in the Chapin area and I have seen countless occasions just in my cove where boaters zoom within 50 feet of docks with large wakes.  Also, in my cove, I've seen a boater numerous times go across the cove in a small boat with no lights.    Both of these kinds of irresponsible acts are illegal.

South Carolina Boating Laws and Responsibilities
Boating Safety in South Carolina