Happy 4th of July from Lake Murray

Happy 4th of July from Lake Murray in South Carolina!

This is America's 240th birthday. I'm thankful for the early founders of this great country basing the birth of a new nation on Christian principles. Yes, that is true. Interesting reading on this important day in our nation's history:
http://www.heritage.org/…/did-america-have-a-christian-foun…

We (Barbara, Kelly and Mel) left at 6:45 a.m. for an early morning boat ride from our home to the Dreher Shoals Dam on Lake Murray (a distance of about 9 miles by water).

July 4th boat ride - The spillway at Dreher Shoals Dam on Lake Murray

The 5 towers and early morning fisherman on July 4th - Lake Murray

Lake Murray view on July 4th, 2016.

Declaration of Independence, a painting by John Trumbull depicting the Committee of Five presenting their draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Congress on June 28, 1776. Trumbull's painting appears on the reverse of the United States two-dollar bill.

Mel Coker

Lake Murray Realtor & Resident

RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants

(803) 318-2007

Search Lake Murray MLS

Time to BUY at Lake Murray

The Lake Murray BUYING Season Has Started at Lake Murray

Ready to move or relocate to beautiful Lake Murray?  Now is the time!  Contact Mel Coker for buyer representation to buy your home or property at Lake Murray.  Mel is a life-long Columbia area resident and has lived on Lake Murray for the past 13 years.   Mel knows Lake Murray.

CLICK HERE FOR LAKE MURRAY MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE ACCESS

Ready to buy?
Call Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007
Send Mel and email

Live at Lake Murray

Have Fun at Lake Murray

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC

Lake Murray is the Place to be in Wintertime (and Summer)

To my Northeast friends... Tired of the snow and blizzards? Move to friendly and (relatively) warm Greater Columbia or Lake Murray (SC).
http://mel.bestlakemurrayhomes.com

Average temperatures and snowfall in Columbia, SC:
January   High:  56 degrees  Low: 34 degrees  
February  High:  60 degrees  Low: 37 degrees
March  High:  68 degrees  Low: 43 degrees
Average ANNUAL snowfall for Columbia, SC is only 1/2 inch!
Average ANNUAL hours of sunshine: 2825
What are your averages?   View this website to get your numbers

 Ready to move?  Contact Mel Coker at RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants.   Mel sells all over Greater Columbia, including Lake Murray, Chapin, Irmo and Lexington.


Mel Coker

Cell: (803) 318-2007
MLS Search and Register At My Website
email: melcoker@remax.net

Chapin, SC Update #1

Chapin, SC - NEW Growth

Chapin is a small town approximately 20 miles Northwest of Columbia, South Carolina via I-26

West.  The town is known by many as the "Capital of Lake Murray."   The shores of this beautiful lake are only a few miles from Chapin.  There, homeowners and visitors enjoy a lake of 40 miles in length with approximately 600 miles of shoreline.   Chapin area residents have one of the finest school districts in South Carolina - Lexington Richland School District 5.

An update on what will be new in the Chapin area in 2016:

Chapin Furniture will open a new store at 660 Columbia Avenue.   It's conveniently located at exit 91 on I-26 and will open around mid-year in 2016.

Publix is building a new grocery store at Chapin Crossing at 1150 Chapin Road.  This store is expected to open in the fall of 2016.   It will have about 46,000 square feet of space.   There will be other stores in this development to be announced later.

Sonic is expected to build a new restaurant on Chapin Road and open in 2016.

Chapin Park (possibly to be re-named), a new park developed and operated by the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission is expected to open by the end of 2016.   This 70 acre park situated between  Eptings Camp and Old Bush River Roads was developed in conjunction with community needs and participation.   The park will feature six baseball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, play area and a state of the art splash pond.   Click here for a site plan.

And, close to Chapin will be the Greater Columbia area's first Costco store.  This store is under development now at Piney Grove Road and I-26 (exit 104).  This is only 13 miles from Chapin exit 91 on I-26.  The store will open in 2016.


 Chapin is a GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!  Ready to move or retire to Chapin and the Lake Murray area?  Contact Mel Coker at RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants.  Call Mel at (803) 318-2007.

Chapin, SC Area Map

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC
(803) 318-2007  |  email: melcoker@remax.net
Search MLS for Chapin and Lake Murray

Will 2016 Be The Year For Your Move to Lake Murray?

2016 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION - MOVE TO LAKE MURRAY

This may be the  year you decide to move to a beautiful and friendly lake in the South.  If so, you

need to consider Lake Murray near Columbia, South Carolina.   Mel Coker is the Lake Murray expert to assist you with relocation and finding the right home.

Mel is a life-long Columbia area resident and has lived on Lake Murray for over 12 years.  Call Mel for assistance in finding the right Lake Murray home or lot.



Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC
(803) 318-2007
Internet:
Mel.BestLakeMurrayHomes.com  (MLS Search)
LakeMurray-SC.com

Mel's Lake Murray Overview

Watch my Lake Murray ANIMOTO video - it's just 2 minutes with a quick overview of Lake Murray.

Or, click this link for YOUTUBE.

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants - Chapin, SC
(803) 318-2007

Lake Murray MLS Homes Search

Great Southern Lake & Tax Friendly State

A Great Lake & (Relatively) Low Tax Burden State?

Yes, it's possible.  Get to know Lake Murray in South Carolina.

KIPLINGER online recently named the 10 LEAST FRIENDLY STATES BY TAX BURDEN.  And, they are: 10.)New York, 9.) New Jersey, 8.) Nebraska, 7.) California, 6.) Montana, 5.) Oregon, 4.) Minnesota, 3.) Connecticut, 2.) Vermont, and the worst offender at #1 is Rhode Island.

Most of these heavy burden tax states share another burden: lots of cold weather and snow.

Escape the snow and high taxes - Move to Lake Murray!

MOVE South to friendly Lake Murray in South Carolina.   Our state is listed by KIPLINGER as a tax friendly state.    There are a number of retirement income exemptions, an overall low(er) state tax rate, and lower overall property taxes with tax breaks for seniors 65 and over.

CLICK HERE: A Tax Guide for New South Carolina Residents

Lake Murray is exceptional too!  It's the place I call home for my family.  BOATING MAGAZINE has named Lake Murray as one of the TOP TEN LAKES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR LIVING AND BOATING.

Lake Murray Internet website by Mel Coker

Ready to make the move to or near Lake Murray?  Call Mel Coker (803) 318-2007.

SEARCH LAKE MURRAY MLS

Lake Murray from my yard

 

Mel Coker

Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO, MilRES

RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants

(803) 318-2007

Happy New Year from Lake Murray

Happy New Year from beautiful Lake Murray!

Is this the year you move South to Lake Murray?  Lake Murray is South Carolina's beautiful lake located just outside Columbia, SC.  Make your SMART move in 2015... move to Lake Murray and contact MEL COKER for Lake Murray real estate professionalism.

Contact Mel Coker - your Lake Murray Realtor & Lake Murray Resident
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007
email Mel Coker

SEARCH Lake Murray MLS

Lake Murray Retirement

Ready for Retirement?  Planning for Retirement?

Consider Lake Murray.

Consumer Reports Magazine recently named South Carolina as one of the current top five places for retirement.   Lake Murray IS a great place to call home for retirement.

CLICK:  Mel's Columbia Retirement Page

What's GREAT about the Lake Murray area for retirement?

• Friendly people
• Reasonable home values
• Reasonable cost of living and taxes
• Lake Murray fishing & exploring
• Downtown Columbia for shopping, dining and entertainment
• Numerous Parks and Recreation opportunities
• Nice weather!  Mild and typically snow free winters
• Excellent hospitals and medical care facilities
• And, more...

What MOVES You?  Retirement?  Call Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007.

Call Mel Coker. Drive straight to Lake Murray, SC.

Visit Mel's Websites:
Columbia MLS  |  Mel Coker.com
email


Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC

Please Keep Lake Murray Litter Free!

I have adopted an island on Lake Murray - Bear Island to work to keep it litter free.   I adopted the island as part of  the Keep the Midlands Beautiful Adopt-A-Waterway program.

My agreement means that I am responsible for visiting the island twice a year for two years to conduct a litter cleanup and then report my results.

I had my last cleanup in August 2014 (my wife, Barbara, provided assistance).  Unfortunately, I found a good bit of litter.  Most was found around several campsites on the island.   SCE&G, the owner of Lake Murray, allows camping (for FREE) on most islands in the lake.  With this free use of campsites, it is discouraging to find so much litter left behind by inconsiderate users of these beautiful islands on Lake Murray.

Always on your boat or on an island, please pack your own litter and if you see someone else's litter, please pick that up too.  Thank you.

Read about my Bear Island adoption here

Mel Coker Supports Adopt-a-Waterway

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor & Resident
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007  |  Search Lake Murray MLS

2014 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray

The biggest bass fishing tournament in the United States?  
It's the FORREST WOOD CUP and it will be hosted at beautiful LAKE MURRAY from August 14-17, 2014.

This is the second time for the Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray.  This lake is a great lake for bass fishing & living!  Lake Murray was previously named in the Top Ten Lakes in the United States for Living & Boating by Boating Magazine.

CLICK HERE for Forrest Wood Cup Tournament Information

Randall Tharp proudly displays his first-place catch at the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup. (Photo by Kyle Wood).  Used with permission.

Television crews will film the event for later broadcast; the launch site daily is Dreher Island State Park; daily weigh-in is each afternoon at Colonial Life Arena in downtown Columbia.  This tournament has a $500,000 first prize!   And, there is more:  FREE Rodney Atkins concert, FLW expo with gear for sale and the Bass & BBQ festival.  More information, click here.

Want to possibly WIN a Ranger Bass Boat?   Click Here to enter the  Forrest Wood Cup Ranger Boat Giveaway presented by WCOS   (one entry per person - enter contest thru August 16, 2014)

Finally, if you visit and fall in love with beautiful Lake Murray, you may want to live on the lake.  I can help you with that!  I live on Lake Murray myself and really know Lake Murray.   Call, email or visit my website for further information.

Mel Coker

RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Named BEST REALTOR at Lake Murray - 2014
(803) 318-2007  |  email Mel Coker
Lake Murray MLS Search

Mel Coker's Social Media Video

No, I don't Twit or Tweet, but, I do have a Facebook business page, have EyeJot video email and have two blogs, Instagram and a Youtube Channel.   Additionally, I have several websites for Columbia and Lake Murray and real estate information.

Mel Coker
Columbia & Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Search Lake Murray & Columbia MLS

Lake Murray's Dam - Dreher Shoals Dam

I rode my PWC to the Dreher Shoals Dam today (just over 9 miles from our lake home) and took a few pictures and then did a bit of photo enhancement.

Want to know more about this engineering marvel from 1930?
Visit my Dreher Shoals Dam web page

The dam length is approximately 1.7 miles long.  These towers supply water through the dam for the hydro plant.

Call Mel Coker to BUY or SELL at Lake Murray: (803) 318-2007

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Chapin, SC
Lake Murray Homes - MLS Search

Lake Murray Scenes

A few recent pictures by Mel Coker on Lake Murray...

MEL COKER
Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Lake Murray MLS Search

Lake Murray 4th of July Fireworks

The 25th Annual LAKE MURRAY 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS CELEBRATION...
is June 28, 2014 on Lake Murray, beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m.

This year is the 25th anniversary of South Carolina's largest fireworks display.  Don't miss it!

Fireworks are launched from TWO places - Spence Island and Dreher Island State Park.  The show is viewable by boat from most any place on the open central part of the lake - be careful please as this is the absolute heaviest boat traffic event/time on Lake Murray.  The show may also be viewed at either of the two parks at the Dreher Shoals dam ($3 per car until capacity is reached).   The walking path is also open at the dam for this event.

A patriotic concert  will air simultaneously on  B106.7 FM radio.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Spring is Here at Lake Murray

Springtime at Lake Murray!

Here is a look at water levels, air temperatures, and water temperatures at Lake Murray.

Lake Murray Elevations: January 1, 2014 - March 28, 2014

Water Elevation at Lake Murray:  Typical low point for the winter months is 354-355' elevation.  Typical high level for the spring and summer months is 358-359' elevation.  Today's elevation is 357.97'.


We have had a bit of lower temperatures and more precipitation this past winter and early spring than normal.  However, warmer temperatures are on the way.
Avg. Historical Temps (day/night avg):
January: 44.1
February: 48.0
March: 54.9
April: 62.4 - Daytime high average: 74.2

The average water temperature is rising also.  The historical average top water temperature in January is 52.1 degrees and the April average is 62.4 degrees.

And, April showers?  Not really.  March has an average precipitation of 4.42 inches with an actual so far this month of 3.7 inches (the 4th wettest month) and April has an average precipitation of only 3.26 inches.

Mel's Lake Murray Webpage for Water Levels, Temperatures & More

Warm weather means more fun at Lake Murray.   Ready to move?  Contact Mel Coker at RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants! 

Barbara and Tiki out on the kayak

Barbara on PWC with Dreher Shoals Dam and S.C. Highway 6 in background

Our neighbor Cole surfs on Lake Murray.  Really Cool.

Kelly on the wakeboard

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
(803) 318-2007  |  email
Lake Murray MLS Search

Winter on Lake Murray

Lake Murray sunset: December 29, 2013

Lake Murray sunset from Mel Coker's dock - December 29, 2013

Ready to MOVE to Lake Murray?
Contact Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 318-2007
Lake Murray MLS Search

Escape the Snow! Move to Lake Murray.

Want to get away from snow?  Many people do and many choose Lake Murray.

I had a call yesterday from a couple in New Jersey.   His biggest reason for looking to retire in the South?   Tired of all the snow in New Jersey.  He's ready to check out beautiful Lake Murray.

When you're ready to move to a beautiful place with friendly people and WITHOUT THE SNOW, contact Mel Coker, a life-long Columbia resident and learn about Columbia, Lake Murray, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin and Greater Columbia.

CLICK: My SNOW brochure

Don't let the SNOW get you down... Move to Columbia, SC

 Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
(803) 318-2007
www.MelCoker.com

What Moves You? How about a move to Lake Murray?

Lake Murray is South Carolina's beautiful lake.   The lake was also named by Boating Magazine as one of the top TEN LAKES IN THE UNITES STATES FOR LIVING & BOATING.  My wife and I live on Lake Murray and we love it!   When you're ready to move to or near Lake Murray, contact Mel Coker at (803) 318-2007.
Lake Murray website
MelCoker.com
MLS Search

Mel Coker.com
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, e-PRO
RE/MAX Metro Associates

Mel Coker is Lake Murray's Realtor!

Happy New Year!

Not Lake Murray, but, a favorite place for Barbara and Mel... Riviera Maya in Mexico (Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos).