Condo Shopping this year in Columbia, SC

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Captain Worley

Yeah, but, good Lord, they are overpriced. Haven't they only sold like 10% of the units?

They are high, but the location is great and they are nice. They're out of my price range, though.

[Palmetto Heel]

Close to Campus + Refurbished Older Building = Grandevine.

[Hossi]

Any condos walking distance to USC campus?

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Hossi

Any condos walking distance to USC campus?

There are lots; what is the price range you're looking for?

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Hossi

Any condos walking distance to USC campus?

This board is a great source of information and I love the fact that you're being proactive looking at options. I suggest finding a Realtor familiar with the condo market in downtown and talking to them. They will be able to send you detailed information and specific condos for sale that meet your price criteria.

[Palmetto Heel]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

This board is a great source of information and I love the fact that you're being proactive looking at options. I suggest finding a Realtor familiar with the condo market in downtown and talking to them. They will be able to send you detailed information and specific condos for sale that meet your price criteria.

You don't need a real estate agent.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Palmetto Heel

You don't need a real estate agent.

Why not?

I'm curious as to how you know what someone needs or doesn't need? For someone not familiar to the area, I'd say it's likely exactly what she needs.

[Palmetto Heel]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

Why not?

I'm curious as to how you know what someone needs or doesn't need? For someone not familiar to the area, I'd say it's likely exactly what she needs.

No one "needs" a real estate agent unless you are defining "need" VERY broadly. I'm curious as to why you think that this person needs a real estate agent? Could it be that you're just trying using CD to drum up business? It wouldn't be the first time.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Palmetto Heel

No one "needs" a real estate agent unless you are defining "need" VERY broadly. I'm curious as to why you think that this person needs a real estate agent? Could it be that you're just trying using CD to drum up business? It wouldn't be the first time.

I'm going to respond to this one post on the matter and that will be the only time because I don't want to hijack this thread where someone is looking for information but I feel I need to defend myself against your accusation since it is in a public forum.

You are correct that nobody "needs" an agent because they are not required for a transaction, much like nobody "needs" an attorney to defend them in a court of law or "needs" a mechanic when their car requires work. In this case, the poster would be wise to find a qualified Realtor because it would save her time and stress. Some of the posters, such as Matt, are an excellent source of information and know Columbia very well. However, there is only a certain amount they can offer when a local Realtor can do so much more in terms of providing real estate information.

As far as trying to drum up business, I resent that. I post here because I enjoy it. If you'll look at my post history you'll find that most of my posts are in the Real Estate forum and I give the same advice to people all the time when they don't know an area or clearly don't understand the details of a RE transaction and there isn't a dime involved for me. In my opinion, the best course of action is for the poster to start talking to a local agent familiar with the midtown market. Never did I suggest myself nor was that my intent. I advertise myself as a Realtor because city-data encourages it and my advice about the local market or RE transactions is coming from an expert. I have a better a better understanding about local real estate needs than anyone else that posts on c-d whether you like it or not.

It is against the rules to advertise on here and I think the website is better because of it. I've picked up 1 client off of city data and he actually PM'd me. Only when someone has directly asked for Realtors in the area, I've offered my name along with 2 other agents with different companies that are very good. I'm in a position to know who the best agents are in the market and I suggest these 3 because if someone wants an agent I would like for them to get a good agent and have an enjoyable experience. Most buyers make the mistake of calling the listing agent that has the seller's best interest in mind.

As far as firsts, this isn't your first personal attack towards me so I assume you have some vendetta against Realtors. It strikes me that at some point you could have used a good experience because you seem bitter. So before you throw more accusations out there why don't you go look at my post history and then give me that apology you owe me.

[waccamatt]

Please let's try and be civil on here. I think there is room for both points of view on the need for a realtor. If someone is experienced in the real estate market, a realtor is not a necessity, but if someone is not, a good realtor can be quite helpful in guiding them through the process. I am very careful about not allowing blatant advertising on here, but I haven't seen anything of that sort from Brandon recently.