This luxurious craftsman style home sits on the shores of gorgeous Lake Keowee with panoramic views as far as you can see. This custom built home features imported Mexican tile and heart pine floors throughout. Walk in to an open living area with a natural stone, wood burning fireplace and built-in shelving. The sun room boasts stunning picture windows allowing loads of natural light to cascade in. This leads out to an impressive back deck where you’ll enjoy breathtaking water views and gorgeous sunsets. Enjoy entertaining family and friends as you fire up the grill and watch the boats float by.

The chef in your family will love the kitchen which includes beautiful cabinetry, a smooth top stove, double ovens, a dishwasher, disposal and built-in microwave.  Enjoy the views of the lake while eating with the family in the large breakfast room.

Fit for royalty, the master suite, located on the main level, includes a remarkable full bath with soaking tub - wonderful for relaxing after a long day on the boat. Walk-in closets, a separate walk-in shower, a private restroom and double vanity sinks top off the bathroom.  Three additional guest bedrooms are perfect for kids or overnight guests.

The finished basement offers a wet bar, perfect for entertaining, a second wood burning fire place and easy access to the deck and covered boat dock. You'll enjoy stepping out and hopping in your boat for an incredible day on the lake with your easy to use boat lift that is included with the boat dock.  Capture Lake Keowee at its finest year round!!

The three car garage is excellent for all your tool and storage needs including a loft upstairs for additional space. Other amenities include a central vacuum, a multi-zoned electric heating and cooling system, a large laundry with extra storage, underground irrigation, tilt-out, insulated, vinyl windows, three full bathrooms, a half bath and located on a beautiful lot with mature shade trees and on a quiet cul-de sac street.  You'll love raising your family here.  This home is super convenient to shopping, schools and the hospital.  Contact The Les Walden Team today for your private tour.

Tickets are very reasonable and the team hosts discounted nights that can include special ticket prices and food and drink specials.  Going to the Road Warriors game is a great way to celebrate a winter birthday as well.  Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the BI-LO Center.

January 13. 2012 is Clemson night where the Road Warriors will look more like Clemson Tigers with their Clemson themed jerseys.  They host the Gwinnett Gladiators.  After the game, the jerseys will be auctioned off.  Fans can also save on tickets that night by purchasing a Spinx Family Four Pack which includes four tickets, four hotdogs, four soft drinks and four bags of chips for only $48.00.

This community highlight is part of our ongoing series titled 52 Hot Spots in Upstate South Carolina. You can also view all of our available homes at Les Walden Team Featured Listings.

"December 2011 Market Update"

The month of December was a consistent month for this year.  Home sales were up from December to 71, but down from 73 homes sold a year ago.  The average sales price is up from a year ago to $214,439.  This month and time of the year is generally slower due to it being winter break, but were consistent from past years numbers.  Looking forward to a great year in 2012!

NAR released its latest pending home sales index figure last week and for the second month in a row the index is up. But more than that, the index has broken 100. This is significant because the only time since the housing boom collapsed that the index has broken 100 is when the home owner tax credit was in effect. The fact that the index has returned to that level a year since the credit has been in effect means the housing market is strengthening completely on its own, without any stimulus.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun is upbeat about 2012 because in a number of areas indicators are pointing upward. Not only are home sales up but housing starts are up and home prices are stabilizing in many markets and heading up in some. In areas where they’re still down, the declines aren’t that great. More fundamentally, broader U.S. economic signs are looking positive, including the all-important jobs picture. About 100,000 job are being created a month, and that could rise to 150,000—still not a quick enough pace to get us back to where we were before the downturn but the headwinds are in the right direction.

Do you have the winter blues?  Is the cold keeping you inside?  Head on over to the Trailhead Climbing and Outdoor Center located in Anderson, South Carolina and blast away those winter blues.  The Center offers over 6500 square feet of climbing space for all ages and skill levels.  Along with 22 top roped faces and 6 lead climbing faces, Trailhead also has two bouldering caves packed full of great routes. 

Trailhead offers reasonable rates and gear is available to rent at very reasonable prices.  You can also buy a membership and come as often as you like.  There are also great rates for college students as well as group rates.  This is a great place for a birthday party or just a fun way to spend some time with family and friends.

Trailhead is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Saturday from 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm.  College Night is Tuesday and Thursday night and if college students bring their ID they can climb for just $10.00 after 8:00 pm. 

Let us know if you've ever been rock climbing before and what your think about it....we'd love to hear from you.  For more "Hot Spots" check out our blog, "52 Hot Spots in Upstate South Carolina."  If you have any spots that we have to hear about, contact The Les Walden Real Estate Team today.

Happy New Year

2012

Usher in the New Year in downtown Seneca, South Carolina this year.  Get "funky" with Funky Town and enjoy a wonderful fireworks display over downtown after the countdown to the new year.  Festivities begin at 10:30 pm.  Have a safe and wonderful New Year!!!

This Craftsman style home is newly constructed and the perfect place to call home. Walk in to beautiful hardwoods throughout the open living room complete with a fireplace great for keeping cozy on those chilly nights. The spacious kitchen features brand new appliances great for preparing a home cooked meal. Step out of the kitchen onto a fantastic wood deck great for entertaining. The master suite located just off the kitchen, features a spacious walk in closet perfect for all your storage needs, as well as a full bath. A garden tub, walk-in shower and double vanity sink complete the master bath. Another full bath is shared by two additional guest bedrooms across from the living room. With a great location and super convenient to downtown Walhalla, South Carolina, you simply can't go wrong.

The light display features an interactive Winter Wonderland  with Santa and his sleigh, lighted walking trails, a balloon artist, giant holiday greeting cards, a concession and more.  A $100 donation will sponsor a snowflake.  An 18 inch snowflake can be named after family or friends and will be displayed in the Winter Wonderland.

Winter Wonderland is open rain or shine nightly from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm until December 30, 2011.  Santa Claus will be inside the North Pole Trading Post nightly from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. 

Check out the beautiful display and have a very Merry Christmas.....

For more fun things to do in Upstate South Carolina, follow The Les Walden Teams Featured Blog, The 52 Hot Spots in Upstate South Carolina.

Gorgeous lake front home with big water views on the crystal waters of Lake Hartwell.  Walk into a spacious living room with built in bookcases. An eat in kitchen with ceramic tile includes plenty of cabinet space and leads out to a screened in porch with waterfront views. The spacious master suite offers a private full bath and access to the deck boasting more lake views. Three additional bedrooms make for great guest rooms or even a home office.  A shared full bath with a  shower/tub combo is just down the hall. Walk down to the large backyard that leads your own water access and dock slip for plenty of fun on beautiful Lake Hartwell near Seneca, South Carolina.

"November 2011 Market Update"

November was another good trend for home sales in the area.  The average home sale price was up again so with homes in the area increasing by over $60,000 from last November.  While the number of homes sold decreaed in this time, it is not uncommon because of the holiday season just around th the corner. 

                                                                                                                                                                                     For For more infomation please give us a call at 864-985-1234.

"Rita Meigs"

Les Walden speaks with a buyer specialist, Rita Meigs, as to why it is important to have a buyer specialist when you are looking to purchase a home.

"What is a Short Sale?"

The play is a comedy/mystery and centers around main character Harry Monday who is a down and out detective who has taken to walking dogs for extra income.  A case pops up that has to be solved in one day because low and behold - Santa is missing and it's Christmas Eve.  Santa along with the Harrigans department store payroll is missing and it's up to our hero Harry Monday to solve the case.  Wise cracks and plot twists fly faster than Santa's reindeer in this yuletide whodunit.  Show times are as follows:

December 9 - 11 and 16 - 18, 2011, Evenings 8:00pm, Sunday Matinee 2:30pm.  Purchase your tickets here.  Enjoy the show!

Looking for more things to do in Upstate South Carolina?  Follow our weekly blog, 52 Hot Spots in Upstate South Carolina.  

Real Estate is Local. You may have heard someone say this in the recent past, but what does this really mean? As we look around the country at real estate sales and pricing, it strikes me that each area has been affected differently by the economic recession.

Get the family together and head on over to Greenville, South Carolina and search for the famous "Mice On Main."  Back in 2000, Jim Ryan had an idea based on the book, Goodnight Moon, which he and his mom ready every night when he was small.  In the story, there are nine mice pictured.  Ryan and sculptor, Zan Wells created nine bronze mice statues, each with his own look and character, and placed them in special places all along Greenville's fanciful downtown on Main Street.  The are spaced all the way from the Hyatt to the Westin Poinsett Hotel.

Searching for the mice is a fun way for the family to learn about Greenville, see the beautiful art, listen to music (if you're there during the right time) and get some excercise.  To find the mice, you'll need the Mice on Main book or a set of clues - or both.

To begin your search, check out the clues.  Happy mouse hunting!!

Rich hardwood floors invite you in to the open floor-plan leading from the spacious living room into the formal dining room which is great for entertaining family and friends. The large kitchen opens up to the breakfast area which offers walkout access to the wrap around deck. The deck can also be accessed from the master suite, which features a private bath with separate walk-in shower, jetted tub and double sink vanity and an over-sized closet. Hardwood floors continue into the 2 guest bedrooms on the main level. A full bath with a shower/tub combination is shared by the 2 guest rooms. On the lower level a second living area and media room are the perfect set up for an in-home theater. Another guest room with full bath and den is convenient for visitors. A screened-in porch with Suntek windows overlooks the nature surrounded back yard. This traditional brick home is located in a great neighborhood with amenities like a playground and water access to Lake Hartwell, located between Clemson and Seneca.

Beautiful lakefront home with plenty of living space on Lake Keowee. Top of the line features include cathedral ceilings and stone fireplace in living room, hardwood flooring throughout the main level and granite counters in the open kitchen. The open living room connects to the dining room and kitchen with an eat-at bar. The breakfast corner is surrounded by windows overlooking the private backyard and path to the lake. The kitchen also includes an range, double ovens, a dishwasher and built-in microwave.  From the living room walk out to the partially screened in back deck, a great space for entertaining. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the lake in all its splendor. 

A master suite with private spa-like bath and double walk in closets is a wonderful retreat after a long day.  Enjoy the jetted bathtub as you soak the days cares away as well as the large double vanity sink and separate shower.  Three additional bedrooms and 2 full baths complete the main level. An in-home office or game room are a great use of the second story bonus room.

Continue to the lower level which is partially finished for an in-law suite, plumbed for another bath, second living area and workshop. A few steps away is your covered dock for easy access to loads fun on the breathtaking emerald waters of Lake Keowee. 

Other amenities include a multi-zoned heating and cooling system, tray ceilings, tilt-out windows, underground irrigation and is super convenient to shopping, area attractions, and schools.  To take a private tour of this amazing home, contact The Les Walden Team today.

By Paul Bianchina
Inman News™

No one likes wasting money, especially in these tough economic times. So it certainly makes sense -- dollars and cents -- to make a small investment of time and supplies to close up those heat-wasting air leaks around your home. It'll pay back big dividends in reduced energy bills and a warmer, more comfortable house this winter. So let's look at some of the areas where those drafts may be lurking, and see how to take care of them.

1. Doors and windows: This should be an obvious one. If you can see gaps between your siding and your windows or exterior doors, close them up with a bead of clear or paintable acrylic latex caulk. Larger gaps can be filled with foam backer rod before applying the caulking.

2. Exterior penetrations: Some of these areas are going to be obvious, while some may take a little bit of searching. Some examples of exterior penetrations where air can leak into the house include exterior faucets, dryer vents, exterior electrical outlets, exterior light fixtures, holes that have been drilled for phone and TV cables, conduit penetrations, exit points for plumbing drains, and penetrations for air conditioning lines. Closing these penetrations may require a variety of different techniques, including caulk, expanding spray foam, or, in the case of electrical boxes and fixtures, specific gaskets that are designed to fit the boxes.

3. Exhaust-vent covers: Dryer vents, range hood vents, bath fan vents, and other interior ventilation equipment typically terminate outside the house in a plastic or metal cover that has one or more louvers on it. The louvers are designed to be in the closed position whenever the fan is not in use, so that outside air doesn't leak in. Check all of these louvers to be sure they're closing completely, with no air leaks. If they aren't, you can adjust the spring tension to hold them closed more tightly; add foam weatherstripping tape for a more air-tight seal; or replace the entire vent cap with a new one.

4. Gaps around interior vents and recessed lights: Inside your home, heated air can be leaking out around that same ventilation equipment, where vent pipes pass through the walls or ceiling, or where vent covers meet wall and ceiling surfaces. Recessed light fixtures can also be real air-leakers. Around the vent pipes and recessed light cans, seal any gaps with caulking. For the vent covers and recessed light covers, remove the covers, then adjust the springs and/or add foam weatherstripping tape to create a tight seal between the cover and the ceiling.

5. Heat-duct penetrations: Gaps around heating-duct cans where they pass through the floor or wall allow cold air to enter from the crawl space, while gaps around ceiling-duct cans allow heated air to escape into the attic. To close those drafts, first remove the register, then use a combination of caulking and/or metallic duct sealant tape to close any gaps between the sheet metal cans and the floor, wall or ceiling surface.

6. Fireplaces and woodstoves: Lots of gaps can occur around these appliances. With a conventional fireplace, keep the damper closed except when burning a fire to prevent heated air from escaping up the chimney. Consider investing in a set of air-tight doors, which close off the air leaks and also make your fires more efficient. Look for gaps around woodstove and gas fireplace flue pipes, and air leaks around masonry chimneys. Use a metal collar if necessary around flue pipe penetrations, and seal gaps with heat-resistant sealant specially formulated for this application.

7. Attic and crawl space hatches: These can be real air losers if they're not weatherstripped, so take care of that with some foam tape. Make sure the hatches are insulated as well.

8. Interior doors to unheated spaces: If you have any interior doors that lead to unheated spaces, including basements, garages or attics, be sure the doors are weatherstripped to prevent air leakage. If possible, replace older, hollow-core doors with solid-core or, better yet, insulated metal doors.

9. Sill plates and penetrations: This one's not as easy to deal with, but it's well worth the effort to try to do whatever you can with it. Air can leak both into and out of the house through gaps where the sill plate meets the foundation or the siding, and around plumbing and wiring penetrations drilled through wall plates in various areas. If you have a gap between your siding and the bottom of your exterior wall, especially in older homes where the use of sill sealers was not a common practice, consider closing up this big air gap with a bead of caulking or expanding foam. In the basement, crawl space and attic, if you can access any of the pipes and wires that pass through the wall plates, seal the penetrations with expanding foam.