A girls (perhaps, guys too) best friend opened in Columbia this weekend - NORDSTROM Rack. I must admit, I had never been in a NR store until this weekend. I was very familiar with NORDSTROM while living in the Northeast for a few years, but never stepped foot in one on a regular basis given the designer brands the store famously carries. I had done my research and was pumped about the discounted, designer store opening in Columbia. Sunday afternoon, I was finally able to make it out to the Harbison area where NR opened. 

First, I immediately headed over to the purse/wallet section to check on my friends Tory, Kate, and Coach. Once I chatted with them, I moved on to the clothing section where I scored a pair of LONG blue jeans (finally!) and proceeded to hunt down my Mom in the shoe-hungry women on the size 9 isle. That's where I found my love Tory again: 

Though Tory was discounted, she couldn't make the trip home with me this time - no hard feelings. 

And guys, don't you worry, they have a wonderful selection of shoes/clothing for all your dressing needs. My Husband (who could care less about designer brands and loathes shopping) ended up finding a great deal of these everyday shoes: 

The experience was great and given the recent opening, all employee's were knowledgeable and eager to assist customers. The item I loved the most was the genius functionality of the buggies! Check this out - how neat!

Stores such as Nordstrom Rack truly enhance the local real estate values - meaning your house. Columbia offers a wide variety of stores/restaurants/entertainment for every person to enjoy. And let's be real - we all need clothes at some point.

-Confessions of your Southern Realtor

More than once, people have been intrigued by my work schedule. I'm not so sure it's because people are curious about what agents do all day or the common misconceptions shown on TV shows showcasing high-end, luxury Realtors. Truth is - we actually just sit around all day and pick up the phone while sipping our cocktails on the beach or by the pool. We walk around looking at gorgeous homes all day with nauseating, giddy clients who are only cash buyers, can close as soon as title work is in and insist to take the property as-is, no contingencies. Then, we all happily show up at the closing table, sign a few papers, exchange hugs, keys, well wishes, and everyone lives happily ever after. My work is done - on to sip more cocktails!

Kidding.

Truth is - agents do a lot more than people think. We are the people who run by our listing at last minutes notice to take out the dog for a showing when the owners can't. We are the baby holders while papers are being signed. We are the mediator to the divorcing couple. The interior designer. The home stager. The "I'm locked out of my house" call. The negotiator. Key copier. Interior designer. Photographer. Admin. The problem solver. Consoler of sentimental, emotionally attached homeowners. We are it all. I have been bitten by a cat during an open house and stalked/hissed at by another. Charged at then knocked down by two very sweet (but LARGE) Great Danes while showing a home.

Our title comes with a wide array of job descriptions/requirements that before I got into real estate, I was too naive to actually understand the ways to a paycheck. Truth is - we are hard workers who care about our clients and try to go above & beyond.

For those detailed folks (let us unite!) below is a break-down of two days from last week:
Thursday:
- 7am - woke up and started answering/sending emails
- 11am-3pm - held an Agent's Open House Lunch for one of my listings in Lexington. The day of was making sure all was accounted for: eating utensils, food, drinks, ice, cups, feedback forms printed, signs out. The day before was spent preparing and making sure all marketing/advertising was sent out. 
-3-4pm - back to the office to prepare for two listing appointments later that afternoon/evening. 
- 4-7:30pm - listing appointments 
- 7:30pm -  picked up dinner on the way back home

Friday:
- 8:45-11:30am - met a client in Lexington to do a final walk-thru at a new construction home
-12-2pm - met seller client at home going on market next week to pick out finishes/lighting/etc. (Why do I do this? I know what buyers want in finishes = helps me sell it faster)
-2:2:20pm - stopped to get gas, crackers (aka lunch), and bathroom break 
-2:30-4:30pm - met buyer client in Forest Acres to show homes 
-5pm - Met Husband at house for happy hour, Thai food, and movie - it's Friday! 

The above two days are just a glimpse of how each day varies. Some days are slow, some days are for putting out fires, and some are spent in our mobile office (the car). One would agree that it's bad business to ignore the phone calls/texts/emails that need attention throughout the day as well. 

So, when you find us at the gym/store/etc. at some odd hour during the day, remember our schedules vary. We might not finish working until late that night. And no...it's not because we spent all day sipping cocktails by the pool. (wink-wink!) 

And we sleep...sometimes. Night!

Now that it's halfway through college football season, nothing is all said and done until ONE football game - if you live in South Carolina that is. Yep. THE ultimate college rivalry between the Tigers in the Upstate at Clemson University and these fighting Gamecocks here in the Midlands. No matter what rank, what games won/lost, nothing matters until Thanksgiving weekend on Nov. 29th when the Gamecocks travel to Death Valley to take on the Clemson Tigers. No other games matter. Whichever team wins this game has automatic state bragging rights until next years game. Why am I blabbing about a college football game? Well, for starters: 1. I like college football. 2. I pull for those Tigers (growing up in Easley, SC and having family play ball for them). 3. I live/work/play in Gamecock country. and 4. It's a love/hate relationship when the Gamecocks win due to my career.

Columbia, SC is home to the University of South Carolina aka Gamecocks. The college has over 31,000 students that populate the Columbia area, specifically the downtown area since the college is located in the heart of it all. This makes the real estate market flourish. Why? Let me explain. For those of us that live in the downtown/in-town area, our property values increase. If you are an investor, buying a few properties and renting them out to the abundant supply of college students keeps your cash flow happy. And, if you are a Realtor in the downtown market (hint, hint) it means parents take advantage of the affordable properties to buy for their students. The on-campus housing is pretty steep at prices to upwards of $8,000 per year - for just one student! Now, I'm not in finance or a mathematician, but it's common sense. Example, say you buy a 3 bedroom home for your student around the $150k mark and his/her 2 other roommates at $500 per room and well - you can do the math. It pays your mortgage and your students housing is free or almost nothing all. 

While I'm pushing the 5 year mark in my real estate career, I've had the pleasure of helping many college parents purchase homes/condos for their college student(s). I absolutely love it. I love it because I get to work with the 18-20 something year olds and reminisce on my college days - ahhh, to be carefree again? I love it because I help the parents who are most likely from another state or city get to know the Columbia real estate market/area. And most of all, I love it because they trust me on the advice I give which influences their ultimate decision on where their son/daughter lives during college - undergrad, grad, medical, law, etc. 

Two teams, One State. - Lauren