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Keepin’ it real estate 🏡

2023 predictions for Columbia real estate
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A view of downtown Columbia from above State Street on the West Columbia side of the Congaree River. | Photo by Carlin Thompson
There aren’t enough flame emojis on the Internet to describe the Columbia housing market. In November, the median home in the Soda City sold for $244,900, compared to $205,000 in 2021. Yowza. 🔥

Despite some seasonal adjustments last fall, prices show few signs of cooling off. Realtor.com recently forecasted Columbia as a top 10 housing market for 2023. But for those hoping to dip their toes in the home buying waters soon, it helps to know what trends to expect. Put on your floaties, and let’s hear what the local experts predict.

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Many of the homes for sale in Cayce and West Columbia are bungalows and traditional brick ranch-style homes have been renovated in recent years. | Photo via The Moore Company


Look out for walkability and the suburbs

Graeme Moore, owner of The Moore Company Real Estate Sales and Management, said one of the big trends for 2023 is that the housing market will continue to “fare better than most expected.” Graeme sees buyers of all ages looking to be close to the city center with areas within 10-15 minutes of USC continuing to trend.

Eyeing places west

While median home prices for single-family homes in Columbia are around $250,000, Graeme noted the vibrant State Street area of West Columbia, the City of Cayce, and northern parts of Forest Acres as potential hot spots. Over the past month, the median listing price in West Columbia is up 11.6% with homes staying on the market for 47 days.

Worth it to wait?

Travis Wright, a mortgage loan originator at Movement Mortgage, mentioned the phrase “Marry the House, Date the Rate,” which went viral this year. Rates doubled in a very short time and rose to over 7.0% for a 30-year fixed mortgage. Travis believes “buying a house is still one of the best investments you can make, even with the combination of elevated home values and higher interest rates.”

What about renting?

Graeme and Travis said Columbia rental prices have leveled off a bit — but prices are expected to continue to increase in 2023.
MORE HOT REAL ESTATE TIPS

Give us your predictions: Over the next six months, the real estate market here will…

A. Heat up even more
B. Level off and stay about the same
C. Start to cool off a bit
D. I have no earthly idea
LET US KNOW
Trinity Partners - COLA

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Dec. 22
Friday, Dec. 23

Saturday, Dec. 24
Sunday, Dec. 25
  • Merry Christmas with Bad Santa | Sunday, Dec. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | The Venue, 1626 on Main 1626 Main St., Columbia | Laugh along to a Bad Santa musical comedy show.
  • Holiday Lights on the River | Wednesday, Dec. 21-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park East, 6071 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia | No concessions or activities will be offered on Christmas Eve or Christmas night.
Saturday, Dec. 31
  • Brew Year’s Eve Brunch! | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 12-2 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Get the NYE party started with all-you-can-eat pancakes and chicken & waffles, plus other brunch specials from 12-2 p.m.*
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
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Columbia’s biggest 10-year-old boy gets a holiday makeover

Columbia’s biggest 10-year-old boy gets a holiday makeover
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
Face of giant Eddie exhibit with hand holding a dragonfly
Kids can crawl inside of Eddie at Edventure to learn about organs through play. | Photo by COLAtoday
One thing all Cola kids and kids-at-heart can agree on: Eddie is an icon. Not sure which Eddie we’re talking about? Look no further than EdVenture, where the world’s largest 10-year-old boy (read: 40 feet tall and 35,000 pounds) invites museum visitors to climb his vertebrae, visit his vital organs, and explore how the human body works.

Did you know? His heart weighs 500 pounds, and he has a special reason to sport his 3.5-foot smile this holiday season. Thanks to the generosity of Prisma Health, Eddie recently underwent renovations and enhancements, which were revealed on Tuesday, Dec. 20 to an adorable crowd of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital patients.

Eddie has received not only cosmetic upgrades, but also safety updates and increased accessibility. Extensions to the exhibit include enhanced signage and 3D displays of the heart, lungs, brain, and intestines — and it’s all ADA-compliant, meaning all children can now enjoy exploring Eddie.

Looking for something to do while the kids are home from school over the break? EdVenture is open for the holiday season with special programming all month long.*
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO SEE EDDIE

Weather
  • 48º | Showers | 74% chance of rain
  • With arctic air bringing below-freezing temperatures over the next week, make sure that your home and pets are prepared. Check that your pipes are insulated + that your pets are protected in covered areas away from wet conditions and wind chill. 🧊 (WLTX)
Development
  • The town of Irmo is moving forward with a plan to build a “main street” downtown district near Community Park, about one mile off Interstate 26. The potential downtown area is now a wooded lot that the town hopes to turn into a central business district and focal point for Irmo. 🏨 (The Post and Courier)
Open
  • Spotted Salamander’s second location is now open at 1441 Main St. — formerly occupied by Drip on Main. Want a virtual tour of the coffee shop and grab-and-go dining spot? Check out our Instagram reel of the cozy space. 🍪
Plan Ahead
  • The WECO sign will once again light up the West Columbia night after a ceremony happening on Tuesday, Jan. 10 from 5-5:30 p.m. Riggs Partners, in partnership with the City of West Columbia, coordinated the refurbishment of the iconic sign by Cola-based Flagship Signs.
Number
  • $378,000. That’s how much Aflac awarded in grants to 48 local nonprofit organizations working on projects to support health and education in communities. Since 2016, the Aflac Charitable Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation has awarded $1.96 million through 246 grants. Applications for the next cycle open on March 1.
Community
  • Reduce, reuse, and recycle this holiday season. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is encouraging residents to safely dispose of items that cannot be recycled. Recyclable items include gift wrapping paper, cardboard boxes, and Christmas trees. ♻️ (Cola Daily)
Award
  • On a national level, only one third of hospitals receive an “A” rating from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, a rating system that analyzes hospital safety and quality. Lexington Medical Center was awarded the system’s highest accolades and recognized for protecting patients from preventable harm or error. See why they came out on top. 🏥 *
Celebrate
  • We want to wish a happy birthday to our teammate Michaela, 6AM City Branded Content Editor. Happy birthday, Michaela!
Shop
  • Looking for something sweet to gift this holiday? Lowes Foods’ Sugar and Spice box is packed with everything nice. Pro-tip: Order five boxes or more to get free grocery pickup and delivery for a year.* 🍭
Listen
  • Need a gift that only takes a few mouse clicks? Gift three, six, or 12 months of an Audible Premium Plus membership. They’ll get one credit a month good for any title, plus instant access to thousands of books and podcasts in The Plus Catalog. Hello, future book club. 📚*

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Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Arts

Meet Columbia’s Poet Laureate
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Jennifer Bartell Boykin was named Columbia’s second Poet Laureate and will serve a four-year term that begins January 2022. | Photo by Lester Boykin
April is National Poetry Month, but did you know that Columbia is one of only a few Southern cities that recognize the position of Poet Laureate?

Jennifer Bartell Boykin entered the four-year role in 2022 after being chosen by One Columbia for Arts and Culture and the City of Columbia. In the position, she promotes an appreciation of poetry while acting as a spokesperson for poets and writers in Soda City.

Jennifer’s roots run deep in the Columbia community. She is originally from Johnsonville, SC, and for most of her career she’s been an English teacher at Spring Valley High School. She also participated in works with Dr. Ed Madden — Columbia’s inaugural Poet Laureate.

You can follow Bartell Boykin online, and she participates in many local events (she will be at the Soda City Poetry Festival in June). She has also authored two poetry books: “Only Believe” + “Traveling Mercy.”
Lowes Foods
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: This afternoon, I’m excited to be attending a presentation from 17 Members of SCAD’s staff + students showcasing what’s to come at Colite City in West Columbia. Announced earlier this year, the new entrepreneurial hub + ecosystem for creatives will also feature an event space and food hall.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Prisma Health On Call answers your health questions, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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