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AUTOMOBILE INFORMATION:
DRIVERS LICENSE Newcomers have 90 days after establishing residency to apply for a drivers license. With a valid out-of-state driver's license, only an eye exam or statement of visual acuity from an eye specialist is required. Military personnel may operate on a valid driver's license from their home state. For Information Call: 1-800-442-1DMV (1-800-442-1368) www.scdmvonline.com
DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICES 1755 Richland Ave., Aiken 803-641-7752 1913 Ascauga Lake Road, North Augusta 803-279-6659 TAGS/REGISTRATION
Newcomers have 45 days after establishing residency to purchase South Carolina license tags. To purchase license tags, you will need to fill out Form 400, available from any Division of Motor Vehicles office. Before getting your tag, you will need to pay the property tax on the vehicle at your local tax office. The South Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles handles vehicle tags. Offices are open Mon.- Fri. 8:30am - 5:00pm.
UTILITIES:
ELECTRICITY Aiken Electric Co-op 803-649-6245 or 1-800-922-1262 www.aikenco-op.org Mid-Carolina Electric Co-op 803-749-6400 or 1-888-813-8000 www.mcecoop.com South Carolina Electric & Gas 803-442-2000 or 1-800-251-7234 www.sceg.com/en NATURAL GAS SCE&G Gas Operations 106 Langley Dam Road Aiken, SC 29834 (803) 643-5916 TELEPHONE AT&T Residential 1-888-288-2020 Business 1-866-620-6000 www.att.com Atlantic Broadband 1-888-301-8649 WATER City of Aiken 803-642-7613 www.aiken.net City of North Augusta 803-441-4219 www.northaugusta.net Jackson Water Department 803-471-2229 New Ellenton Public Works Commission 803-652-2862
GOVERNMENT
Aiken Co. Administrative Offices 828 Richland Avenue W. 642-2012 Aiken City Offices 214 Park Avenue, S.W. 642-7654 Jackson Town Offices 106 Main Street 471-2228 New Ellenton City Offices 200 Main Street 652-2214 North Augusta City Offices 400 Buena Vista Ave. E. Municipal Bldg 441-4202 VOTER REGISTRATION Voter Registration Office 916 Vaucluse Road, Aiken 642-2030 TAXES Aiken County Tax Office 642-2081
INFORMATION SOURCES:
Aiken Chamber of Commerce 121 Richland Avenue E. 641-1111 www.aikenchamber.net Aiken Board of Realtors 648-1891
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HOME HUNTER 3
Many homeowners are finding now is a great time to refinance their mortgages. Lower interest rates and legislation aimed at helping owners whose mortgages are underwater have encouraged homeowners to take advantage of these opportunities, which might not come along again. But before refinancing a mortgage, its wise for homeowners to examine their credit ratings and take the steps necessary to ensure they get the best rates possible when refinancing. Get your credit report. Many people know they can access their credit report once a year for free. However, what those same people might not know is that there are three agencies that keep track of your credit, and you can access reports from each one for free once a year. So thats essentially three free reports per year. Homeowners who want to refinance their mortgages should stagger the reports so they dont receive all three at the same time. This allows you to show how much progress youre making on improving your credit over the course of a year. Spreading out your credit reports also makes it easier to address any errors that may appear. For example, if your first credit report shows an outstanding balance on a given account, then you pay off that balance, that payoff should be reflected on your second report if you allow ample time between the payoff and when you place the order for your second report. If the second report does not reflect up-to-date activity, consult the credit reporting agency and have the issue corrected.
be free. The Federal Reserve notes that its not unusual for homeowners to pay anywhere from 3 percent to 6 percent of their outstanding principal in refinancing fees. Fees vary depending on where an applicant lives, but you should expect to pay an application fee, a loan origination fee and points. Points are a percentage of your mortgage loan, and there are two kinds you might have to pay. Loandiscount points are a one-time fee that youre paying to reduce your existing loans interest rate. Some lenders also charge points to earn money on the loan. You likely paid points on your initial loan, but points when refinancing arent necessarily fully deductible like they were the first time around. Additional fees can include an appraisal fee, inspection fee, closing fee, and other fees that, when added up, can costhomeowners a substantial amount of Stop paying bills late. If you routinely money. Another thing homeowners should pay your bills late, especially credit card study before deciding to refinance is bills, then you almost certainly wont get no-cost refinancing. No-cost refinancing the lowest interest rate when refinancing is a bit of a misnomer, as you might not your mortgage. Make all credit card, pay closing costs if yours is a no-cost utilities and installment loan payments on refinancing, but you will avoid those costs time. Once youve established a lengthy at the expense of a higher interest rate on pattern of paying bills on time, then that might be a good time to visit your bank and the remainder of the new loan. Since many homeowners refinance their mortgage discuss refinancing your mortgage. specifically to lower their interest rates, no Dont open new accounts. If you cost refinancing might not be in their best have a bad credit history, dont open any interests. new accounts, especially if you still have In some instances, no-cost refinancing outstanding balances on existing accounts. may simply include the aforementioned Pay existing accounts down completely fees in the new loan. This means the fees before you even consider opening a are added to your loans principal. You new account. Once balances are paid will be repaying them with interest over in full, then you might shop around for a the life of the loan. In such instances, new credit card. Many people with high many homeowners simply prefer to pay outstanding balances have high annual the refinancing fees upfront, but thats a percentage rates, so once you have paid down balances on those cards, youll be in decision for each individual to make. Many homeowners are taking a better position to apply for a card with a advantage of lower interest rates and lower APR. Once you have addressed your credit refinancing their mortgages. But before doing so homeowners should repair their score, there are some things you should credit and determine if refinancing is truly know about the refinancing process. First for them. and foremost, dont expect the process to
HOME HUNTER 5
Constant fatigue, headaches, recurring upper respiratory infections. Do these symptoms sound familiar to you? If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms of some mysterious illness you may not be a hypochondriac at all -- your home may be making you sick. It may be hard to believe that the place you call your sanctuary actually could be the breeding ground for unseen germs and other dangers, but there are many potential pathogens that could be taking up residence alongside you and your family.
Building materials
Kitchen
The kitchen is one area of the home that could be teeming with microscopic invaders. According to researchers at New York University, the dirtiest place in the entire home is the kitchen sink. From discarded pieces of food to raw juices from meat, the kitchen sink comes in contact with many different substances, all of which may harbor bacteria. One may think that water constantly running in the sink would clean it effectively. This is not the case. Use a germicide or a bleach-and-water solution and a brush to scrub down the sink a few times a week. Do not use a sponge used for washing dishes; otherwise you can transfer bacteria to silverware and plates, risking infection. Kitchen sponges should be discarded
Unless you have purchased a new home and were involved with the building process, it could be difficult to know which building materials were used to construct your home. Certain materials once deemed safe are now banned. If your home was built between 1920 and 1978, there may be asbestos in the home. It was primarily used as an insulating material. Although asbestos in small amounts may not be harmful, breathing in high levels of asbestos over an extended period of time may increase your risk for cancer and respiratory ailments. Lead is also commonly found in older homes. Lead was a main component of paints in the past. Some homes even feature lead water pipes. Young children are highly susceptible to lead poisoning. The Environmental Protection Agency says that nearly 900,000 American children suffer from lead poisoning each year. Certain adhesives, carpets, vinyl materials, and varnishes can give off VOCs, or
Allergens
Water is a necessity to sustain life on this planet. While water can have many different positive attributes, water is also the culprit in helping to breed potentially dangerous organisms in and around the house. Water damage around the house may foster the growth of mold and other organisms. Inhaling mold spores can trigger allergies or increase the risk of illness. Insects and rodents also tend to gravitate to moist areas of the home, and waste from pests may lead to respiratory ailments and other serious conditions. You can prevent many illnesses in the home by addressing any underlying water issues. Fix leaks and use a dehumidifier to dry out the interior of the home.
Chemicals
Home-cleaning products, pesticides, fertilizers and paints can each contribute to unhealthy air in the home. These items may also cause irritation to the eyes and skin. Look for alternatives to harsh
chemicals in your household to limit the amount of items that could be polluting your living spaces. Many people assume illnesses are the result of outside factors. However, there are many things lurking inside the home that can contribute to myriad health symptoms.
You might want your pop of color to be a powerful accent wall, Gorder continued. Then, you can complement it with neutral upholstery and grounding accents in the accessories to balance it all. For additional guidance, inspiration -- and even liberation -- here are this decorators favorite tips. If you want to incorporate a trendy color into your home but feel intimidated, start small with paint or decor accents that are inexpensive. This way, you can always change your mind if you fall in love with something new or want to refresh the look of your room. Use the chip rack at your retailer to find color families and their complementing shades. A popular way to find an accent, for example, is to go a few shades darker in the same family.
Feel free this season to express yourself fully without risk. Valspar Paint is offering a complimentary replacement color to anyone who has a change of heart about their first choice. This Love Your Color Guarantee runs through October 8, and you can get all the details and offer terms at loveyourcolor.com.
People rely on fire and smoke detectors to help keep them safe in their homes. Though fire and smoke alarms are effective, a firm fire safety plan that will keep everyone calm should a fire occur could make the difference between life and death. The U.S. Fire Administration says that more than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires, while roughly 18,300 more men, women and children are injured each year. Cooking accounts for the greatest percentage of residential fires, followed by arson. Dryer vent fires are also a big concern. FEMA says that smoke, rather than the fires flames, is responsible for 75 percent of all deaths by fire. In addition to physical injury and material damage, fires can cause a host of problems. Psychological distress, monetary damages and loss of pets may come with fires. Loss of irreplaceable personal items is also a concern. Although fires can be devastating, theyre also highly preventable, and smoke alarms and a home fire safety plan are two precautionary measures everyone should take. Creating an evacuation plan doesnt have to be complicated. Such a plan can be established in a few minutes and then reinforced through practice every so often to keep everyone fresh on what to do. Begin by assessing the layout of the home. Figure out the two best exits from the home.
HOME HUNTER 7
the home after arriving at the meeting spot. Do a few practice runs so that everyone will be accustomed to getting out quickly. While in most cases it is better to escape and let the fire department extinguish a fire, in the event of a small fire, occupants may be able to stanch it with a personal fire extinguisher. Follow the acronym PASS to properly put out the fire.
- PULL the pin in the extinguisher. - AIM the nozzle or hose at the base of the flames. - SQUEEZE the trigger. - SWEEP the foam across the fire base; do not just aim in one place. Fire safety is very important. In conjunction with smoke alarms, a fire safety plan can help everyone get out alive.
Children should be instructed to run to the If your home doesnt have two doors, invest in meeting spot immediately without waiting behind a fire ladder so that one of the windows can be a for anyone to catch up. No one should reenter
Top producing agents negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction and because they are skilled. Its part of their job description. Good agents are not messengers, delivering buyers offers to sellers and vice versa. They are professionals who are trained to present their clients case in the best light and agree to hold client information confidential from competing interests.
3. Neighborhood Knowledge
One-page deposit receipts were prevalent in the early 1970s. Todays purchase agreements6 run 10 pages or more. That does not include the federal- and statemandated disclosures nor disclosures dictated by local custom. Most real estate files average thicknesses from one to three inches of paper. One tiny mistake or omission could land you in court or cost you thousands. In some states, lawyers handle the disclosures, thank goodness!
4. Price Guidance
Even the smoothest transactions that close without complications can come back to haunt. For example, taxing authorities that collect property tax assessments, doc stamps or transfer tax can fall months behind and mix up invoices, but one call to your agent can straighten out the confusion. Many questions can pop up that were overlooked in the excitement of closing. Good agents stand by ready to assist. Worthy and honest agents dont leave you in the dust to fend for yourself.
The basis for an agents success and continued career in real estate is referrals. Few agents would survive if their livelihood was dependent on consistently drumming up new business. This emphasis gives agents strong incentives to make certain clients are happy and satisfied. It also means that an agent who stays in the business will be there for you when you need to hire an agent again. Many will periodically mail market updates to you to keep you informed and to stay in touch.
6. Professional Networking
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Q: Any tips for working with bold paint shades? A: Create a sense of balance throughout the room, as you would with any color. For example, if I put the vivacious Valspar Luscious Green 6010-7 (one of my personal favorites) onto a wall, I would break up those big planes of color with enough highlights (whites and creams) and grounding colors (grays and blacks) so that it isnt overwhelming. Neutrals would be chosen for the contents of the room along with small sprinkles of an accent color, like yellow. Q: What if, on the first stroke, we feel the color was a mistake? A: Allow a couple of days to see how the color looks at different times of the day and in different lights, and consider the feeling it creates in the room. If after that you still feel you made a mistake, dont let it deter you. Magnificence comes with risk. A very special color, one that will give you joy in that room for decades, is right there waiting for you to discover it. Theres a unique program this season that really takes the fear out of trying something new. From now until October 8, Valspar Paint is offering a complimentary replacement color to anyone who has a change of heart about their first choice. For all the details and complete offer terms, take a look at loveyourcolor.com.
Doug Haley Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS ID: 609887 803.644.3013 douglas.b.haley@bankofamerica.com
Angie Webber Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS ID: 628763 803.644.3012 angela.k.webber@bankofamerica.com
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The Aiken Standard is pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtain housing. All real estate advertising in the Aiken Standard is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discriminations. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law.
Publishers Notice
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HOME HUNTER 11
Frank Starcher Jack Roth Samantha Grove Alex Tyrteos Suzan McHugh 803.270.6623 803.341.8787 803.443.1513 203.249.3071 803.292.8525
River Ridge Farm This handsome brick residence features a sunny, open floor plan, 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths and over 2,700 square feet of comfortable living space. The classic Aiken horse farm has 15 acres of board fenced pastures and woods in Highway 302 horse country. Shed row stable has 4 stalls, wash rack, tack room and storage. Includes 2 run-in sheds. Call Courtney Conger $595,000
Full View Farm 13-acre farm has 4 pastures, 4 paddocks, grass jump field, and the NEW 7-stall stable has wash rack, 2 tack rooms and full bath. Custom built home features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, first floor master suite, formal living and dining rooms plus eat-in kitchen with family room. Wraparound front porch and screened porch offer panoramic views and space for outdoor entertaining. Call Randy Wolcott $689,000
Harmony Hill Farm Modern farmhouse on 20 acres minutes from downtown Aiken. Dine al fresco overlooking heated, gunite pool and paddocks beyond. Inside find open living spaces and intimate retreats with 3 bedrooms, each with fireplace and en suite bath. Includes 4stall stable, storage building, fenced pastures, gated entry. Call Mike Hosang $795,000
Cheves Creek Showplace brick home on nearly 11 acres in North Augusta. Private, park-like wooded property with creek. Brazilian cherry and travertine floors, marble counter tops. Chef's kitchen with custom tile backsplash. Open living area with cathedral ceilings and stone fireplace. Upstairs hallway overlooks the great room. Master suite with fireplace down, 3 bedrooms upstairs. Entertain outdoors on the tiled balcony! Call Mike Hosang $595,000
ALLWIN FARMS
private 11-acre horse farm with like-new 3 bedroom, 2 bath cottage, sparkling in ground salt water pool, new 4-stall shed row barn and 3 large board-fenced pastures, all located in the heart of horse country!. Call Courtney Conger or Randy Wolcott $369,900
. Delightful and
Largest of The Cottages available at 2,261 square feet, this recently renovated home has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, sun porch, screened porch and fireplace. Renovations include NEW carpet and hardwood floors, fresh paint inside and out. Call Randy Wolcott $225,000
Cottages at Woodside
11 acre turn-key horse farm in Bluffwood East. 9 acres fenced and cross-fenced in grass. Barn has 3 stalls, storage, tack room with full bath, heat & air, washer & dryer. Call Lisa Hosang $289,000
C REDU
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roomy and open 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in Spring Meadows equestrian community. Center aisle barn has 5 stalls, climate controlled tack room, hay storage, laundry & heated wash stall. 3 fenced paddocks. Call Mike Hosang $395,000
Sunrise Farm
WINDSOR ACREAGE
Commercial Cottage Terrific Richland Avenue location for this professional office property! Includes 4 office spaces, large breakroom, handicapped accessible ramp and bath, unfinished bonus space upstairs and ample off street parking. Call Randy Wolcott $155,000
Adorable and efficient, this comfortable custom built hunt cottage on over 2 acres features 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with main floor owners suite and upstairs guest suite. More acreage is available. Call Suzan McHugh or Randy Wolcott $149,999
right on the golf course has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, soaring ceilings, rustic brick wall fireplace, all freshly painted. Deck across back overlooks the beautifully landscaped yard and golf course. Convenient to schools, shopping and restaurants. Call Suzan McHugh ~ NOW JUST $214,900
Stunning stacked stone and Hardiplank home features split bedroom floor plan, soaring ceilings, plentiful windows, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and many upgrades. Located across from the community 20-stall barn and miles of riding trails. Call Lisa Hosang $259,000
miles from downtown in the desirable Highway 302 equestrian corridor is this 2 bedroom, 2 bath updated brick ranch with 2-bay garage on 3 acres. Established Bermuda grass pasture may be fenced for paddocks, and additional acreage is available. Call Mike Hosang $198,500
touches! Peaceful country setting for this unfinished 2,618 square foot home on 4 cleared acres. Roof, walls, windows and doors are in, most interior walls are framed. Call Samantha Grove $117,000
Stand alone 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhome is handicapped accessible and maintenance free! Beautiful upgrades throughout include hardwood and tile floors, jetted tub & roll-in shower in master bath, tankless water heater, and fresh paint. Don't miss the putting green in the back yard! Call Mike Hosang $184,500
Kensington Townhomes .
Piper Estates Beautiful split plan with open living space, high ceilings and crown molding. Home features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, doublesided fireplace shared by living & dining rooms and eat-in kitchen. Master bath has separate shower and garden tub. Property includes 2-bay garage on 1.67 acre lot. Call Mike Hosang $166,000