New legislation to increase the corporate solar tax credit was introduced by Rep. Loftis in SC (http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/4374.htm).  

Increasing the corporate solar tax credit is a very important step in promoting renewable energy in SC. In GA, corporate tax credit cap is $500,000, in NC it is $2.5 Million, while in SC, it is just $35,000! This legislation, identical to NC, would put SC’s at $2.5 Million. 

Corporate adoption of solar (i.e. larger systems installed) is critical because:
1. it will promote solar awareness
2. bulk purchasing equals reduced prices for everyone
3. it will increase industry growth in SC i.e. more jobs. 

Please contact your state elected officials and ask them to support this bill. Find your senators and representatives here: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe.

The Cricket Match to benefit the Family Shelter was held on Saturday, May 16^th at the Earlewood Park in Columbia. This was a fund-raiser for the Family Shelter, located on Two Notch Road, that serves homeless families with children.

Cricket lovers and those curious about the game watched from the bleachers, from quad chairs and blankets spread on the grass. “I feel like I am on the village green of an English village,” said one lady wearing a hat and sipping soda. The weather gods appeared to be avid cricket fans and kept rain away.It was a friendly match of 20 overs between Richland and Lexington Teams. Lexington won the toss and went in to bat making 94 runs, unbeaten by Richland, and was declared the winner of the match.

Great news for First-time Home Buyers! Now they can actually get their $8,000 tax credit when they buy their home. 

FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.

“We want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a down payment,” said Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today in Washington, DC. 

Previously, buyers could receive the tax credit only after they filed their tax return, which meant they would have to come to the closing table with down payment. The National Association for Realtors has been calling for a change.   

Source: NAR, May 12, 2009

Great news for First-time Home Buyers! Now they can actually get their $8,000 tax credit when they buy their home. 

FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.

“We want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a down payment,” said Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today in Washington, DC. 

Previously, buyers could receive the tax credit only after they filed their tax return, which meant they would have to come to the closing table with down payment. The National Association for Realtors has been calling for a change.   

Source: NAR, May 12, 2009

Yesterday, I was out showing homes in one of the new sub-divisions. Not only were the streets narrow, but homes were tightly packed with barely 10 feet between them. 

Visualize this scenario.

It’s a Saturday night, and there’s a barbecue in one of the homes. There are about 15 people having a great time. Suddenly, there is a hiss of grease, a flame flares up and burns the person barbecuing. He gives a yelp and jumps, tipping over the grill. Now the table cloth is on fire, and then the table. And that spreads to the house. The heat is intense and the smoke is acrid. People are screaming and trying to put out the fire. Someone calls 911. There’s general panic with everyone running crazily trying to save their children. 

The fire station responds immediately, but there are 9 cars parked in the driveway and crowding the street. The fire engine cannot reach the home. Meanwhile the fire is spreading and has touched the next home… 

Get the picture? 

Is this development up to code? Remember, building codes are really minimum requirements. If this development is up to code, then building codes need to be changed!  

Cul-de-sacs and maze-like plans really scare me. There are sub-divisions that are like a spiral, where you go further and further in with streets ending in a cul-de-sac, or forming a circle. Confusing enough in broad daylight, and at night in an emergency? I’d say impossible to find your way out. 

In older sub-divisions, streets are wider, yards are bigger. More importantly, several streets lead to main roads and there are very few cul-de-sacs. 

Building code requires every sub-division to have at least 2 entry points. That is a minimum, folks. If there are 100 homes in a sub-division, do you think all of them can be evacuated quickly through 2 entries? 

Can building codes be more stringent? Possibly. 

But you, the buyer, can refuse to buy homes in such developments. Yes, your home is your biggest asset, but isn’t your life and that of your loved ones even dearer? Nearly 500,000 accidental fires occur every year in the US causing deaths, injuries and damage to property. 

Be safe. Here are some simple precautions:

1. Have a fire drill at least twice a year – EDITH (emergency exit drill in the house). Easy-to-remember dates: when we ‘spring forward’ and ‘fall back’. Teach your children - Sparky the Fire Dog says: Stop, Drop and Roll!
2. Change smoke alarm batteries on the same 2 dates.
3. Make sure that exit doors have a dead bolt that can be turned from inside and not one that requires a key.
4. Keep a working fire extinguisher in an accessible place.
5. Repair or replace electrical appliances that don’t function.
6. Child-proof electrical outlets.
7. Store hair dryers and electrical shavers away from sinks and water.
8. Store firewood away from gas water heaters and gas heating units that have pilots. 

Prevention is always better. 

Courtesy: National Fire Protection Association 

On April 26, 2009 at 14:00 PM, you are invited to an Open House at 96 Springway Dr in Columbia. If you are looking for a Single-family property in this area, don’t miss this rare opportunity to visit this magnificent property. For a preview of this Single-family property, check out my site at vijisashikant.featuredwebsite.com. Please do not hesitate to Contact Me if you have any questions or wish to schedule a private showing.

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 3334 Makeway Drive in Columbia. This Single-family property has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. ENJOY DOWNTOWN LIVING WITH A RESORT FEEL. MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN, USC, RICHLAND AND BAPTIST HOSPITALS.
WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH AN ACTIVE EARLEWOOD ASSOCIATION.

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 3334 Makeway Drive in Columbia. This Single-family property has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. ENJOY DOWNTOWN LIVING WITH A RESORT FEEL. MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN, USC, RICHLAND AND BAPTIST HOSPITALS.
WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH AN ACTIVE EARLEWOOD ASSOCIATION.

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 3334 Makeway Drive in Columbia. This Single-family property has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. ENJOY DOWNTOWN LIVING WITH A RESORT FEEL. MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN, USC, RICHLAND AND BAPTIST HOSPITALS.
WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH AN ACTIVE EARLEWOOD ASSOCIATION.

This year is just 3 1/2 months old and we have had 2 dramatic rescues! It gives me gooseflesh just to think of these unbelieveable acts of bravery, heroism and superb skill.

The 1st was the spectacular landing of US Airways plane on the icy Hudson on January 15th with all 155 passengers walking out of the plane! What kind of training did Captain Sully undergo to have kept his head and taken a judgment call to land in the river!

And now Sunday’s mind-blowing rescue of Captain Richard Phillips by our Navy Seals!

First of all, Captain Phillips proved himself to be a true captain when he offered himself as hostage to save his crew.

And then his rescue! Think of the Seals’ training to take out the 3 pirates without harming Captain Phillips in a tiny bobbing vessel!

Captain Sully and Captain Phillips deserve all the accolades and honors that can and will be given. I know the Seals will also get their share of accolades and honors but we will never know who they are.

In a world full of corporate thieves, big-time scamsters and zero accountability, let us be grateful for our heroes! Thank you, thank you, thank you.