The Team Blog

Jan. 3, 2019

The Home-buyer's Guide to Natural Lighting

Are the 3 L's of real estate changing? When looking for a new home, there are many factors to consider. Location is likely the first item on your list. It could be in the second and third position as well. Is the neighborhood safe? How far will you need to commute? What are the schools like? Then there's the age of the house, number of bedrooms, the layout, and the size of the kitchen. With all the considerations, you may not realize you are overlooking an important feature: lighting, lighting, lighting.

Greenville_sc_real_estate_tips_lighting

 

How Important Is Natural Light?Natural light offers many lasting benefits for you and your family. This guide will provide valuable information about natural lighting and its role in the home-buying process. Let's begin with the basics.What Is The Difference Between Natural and Artificial Light? While no one decries the invention of electricity and the ability to see in the dark, manufactured light differs from natural light in wavelength and color. You may have learned the colors of the rainbow as a child: red, orange, yellow, blue, green, indigo, and violet. These are the colors of light, and nature has placed them in the sun in a particular order and intensity that changes as the sun moves through the sky (from our vantage point).

Greenville_sc_real_estate_lighting

In an attempt to replicate solar light, man has invented fluorescent, incandescent, and LED light sources. These bulbs successfully create the illuminating factor of the sun but without duplicating the full spectrum and variations of intensity and wavelength. The bright side is that humans can now function in the evenings with enough light to do almost any activity under the sun. The downside is that artificial light may have adverse effects on sleep cycles, mood, and productivity. No one is going to suggest throwing out your light fixtures, but you can benefit from natural light by allowing more of it into your home. If you are looking for a new home, you may want to add natural light to your checklist of necessities.

homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_lighting_tips_girl

Why Is Sunlight Important for a House?

According to studies, natural sunlight influences more than what our eyes behold. The illuminating effects of the sun shining its light into a room can have an impact on the emotions, behaviors, and productivity of those inside. You've probably experienced this firsthand without translating it into thought. You walk into a bright room and suddenly feel refreshed and invigorated. It just "feels" right. A dark room can have the opposite effect. You walk in and suddenly feel a heavy weight fall upon you.

homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_lighting_tip

 

There is science behind this phenomenon, and the range of benefits reach farther than feelings.

Seven Benefits of Natural Lighting in Your Home

Consider these seven reasons why you should place natural lighting on your home-buying checklist.

homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_outdoors

  1. Hold property value. Many people desire natural lighting in their homes. If you purchase a home with more sunshine, the house may be more marketable in the future, commanding a higher price when you decide to sell.
  2. Save on utilities. More light harnessed from the sun means lower lighting costs. Studies estimate that lighting your home costs about $200 a year on average. Turn to natural light, and you could put that money toward a new window.
  3. Improve sleep. The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports a direct correlation between indoor natural sunlight and better sleep. In one study, those with more indoor sunlight exposure experienced longer sleep duration and better sleep quality compared to those with less light exposure.
  4. Be more productive. The same study showed that people exposed to natural light were also more productive throughout the day.
  5. Improve vision. Research has shown that LED, fluorescent, and incandescent light bulbs operate on different wavelengths than what is considered ideal for human eye health. Extra natural light in your home could be a sight for sore eyes.
  6. Fight depression. Sunlight has the power to release the neurotransmitter serotonin. According to studies by the NIH, sunlight can increase cognition in depressed persons. However, you don't need a government study to know that sunshine on your shoulder makes you happy.  Allowing more natural light into your living space can boost your mood and fight off those seasonal blues.
  7. Enjoy the view. More light means more opportunities to see the landscaping, trees, mountains, lakes, or other natural features of the area. When you invest in a home, you are investing in the surroundings too. Get the most out of your view with more glass.

 

homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_lighting_tips_girl

 

Every Buyer Can Benefit from Natural Lightning

Wherever you are in your home-buying experience, natural light is worth factoring into your buying decision. Where are you in your journey?First Time: If you are a first-time home-buyer, you are eager to find the right house at the right price. You may be tempted to sacrifice a little light to keep your mortgage payments down. While staying within budget is essential, so is the future value of your home.Upgrading: When you are at the stage in life where you are ready to move to a larger house (or downsize), it is the perfect time to find a home with natural lighting. You may find yourself more productive, sleeping better, and happier.

homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_lighting_tips

Second Home: Your second home or vacation retreat is a place for you to get away and relax. The right balance of natural lighting is vital to make it the sanctuary that you desire with plenty of outdoor views.Rental: If you are considering investing in rental property, natural lighting is just as important to a quality renter as it is to a homebuyer. Seek for the light, and you may find a better tenant.

How to Increase Natural Light in Your House

 

If you have found the perfect home or are preparing to sell your house, here are some helpful tips to bring more of the outside light indoors (or brighten up a darker house).Remodel: The most obvious way to increase the natural light in a house is to include more transparent openings. Installing new windows or a skylight, including a transom or sidelight window near the door, or adding exterior sliding glass or French doors can increase the ambiance in any home. While these options may incur costs, a more affordable option is to switch out the exterior doors with those with more glass.

 

 

homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_lighting_tips_flowers
Re-treat: The curtains and other window treatments in your home can have a powerful effect on the light in a room. Remove light-blocking curtains and replace them with something airy and sheer.  If you want to brighten up your space dramatically, remove all curtains and drapery to bring in the full spectrum. Another option is to meet in the middle and install a half curtains that provide peek-a-boo light with a little privacy. Shutters and blinds are another practical option, allowing you to control how much light you let into your space at any given time.Reflect: According to interior designer Ashley Whittaker, “Adding a mirror is like adding a window to a room. It brings in light and creates more depth.” Not only does it expand space and increase light, but it also improves the overall aesthetic interest in a room, she says. Reflection is a creative and affordable tool to enhance the luminescence in any space that you want to brighten up.

homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_lighting_tip_dining

 

Re-create: If there is no other way to bring the sun into your home, but you are desperate for some of the benefits, you can install a full spectrum fixture or bulb in any room. Though the frequency will not be identical to the light from outdoors, it will be close, allowing you to enjoy a bit of brighter side. Words of Caution on Lighting Natural lighting does come with a few disadvantages. Here are a few words of warning to balance the benefits. First, natural light can impinge on your privacy. If you can see out, others may be able to peer inside your home. Make sure that you factor safety into your decision-making process.

 

homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_lighting_natural
Second, direct sunlight through your windows can discolor and compromise your furniture, rugs, carpets, and clothing over time. Light colored carpets and upholstery can hold up to the task better than bright or dark colors. Check the orientation of the house in relationship to the sun, and view the house at different times during the day to see where the light shines in.Third, if you don't like the view outside your house, natural light may exacerbate the problem. The Cunningham Team believes that your home is an extension of your environment. Buying the right home is not just about the house, it's also about your surroundings. We want you to enjoy every part of your new residence inside and out.If you are looking for a home in the Greenville, South Carolina, area, we will do everything to help you find the perfect one, natural lighting and all.
homes_for_sale_Greenville_sc_lighting_nature

Contact us! 864-679-0707

Jan. 2, 2019

Greer SC Current Growth and History

A Quick History

Everyone has heard of Greenville and the vibrancy of the downtown area, but Greer is the little sister right next door that is growing fast and putting together an attractive downtown area of its own. Greer Station, as the downtown area is now called, covers an area of about 12 blocks and got its name from the railway station that came along with the creation of the city in 1876. There was one railway coming through town and that put Greer on the map, however a second railway line appeared in 1914 and the town became an agricultural hub that spawned into a major textile community.
Greer_sc_real_estate_development
Greer, South Carolina 12-acre downtown park
Several textile mills sprung up in the early 1900’s as the upstate solidified itself as a textile mecca. Apalachee Mill, Franklin Mill, Greer Mill and Victor Cotton Mill were the main mills and had a tremendous economic impact on the area. In addition to textiles, the railroads shipped off-products such as cotton seed oil and fertilizer, as well a prolific peach industry that became known nationwide.
The mill infrastructure was like a small town, and offered workers a place to live, recreate and socialize. Inter-mill baseball team tournaments were a common pastime. Around the workplace itself were mill village housing that typically consisted of small one-story homes on small lots within walking distance of work. The mill village structure became important with redevelopment.
During the heyday of the mills, the downtown area changed character becoming all brick. Commercial buildings were built along the main streets, which still stand today. In 1946 Highway 29 bi-passed the main downtown area of Greer on its route to Greenville, diverting much of the traffic from Greer Station.  With the decline of the textile industry in the latter part of the century, the mills closed down, with Victor Mill shuttering their doors in 1989. 
Greer_sc_parks
Redevelopment
In the late 1999 the Partnership for Tomorrow (PFT) was created. A community master plan was launched to revitalize the downtown area. Ten years later businesses were flourishing, and new restaurants were attracting diners from the local area as well as others who looked for something other than Greenville. The Greer City Park was added and features a 12-acre park with an amphitheater that can seat 800 for popular events. Picnic shelters and the gazebo have a great view overlooking the pond and fountain – this park is very popular and has become a central hub for those relaxing in the city.
Fast forward another 10 years and past the slowdown of the Great Recession, and you will immediately see that the City has been diligent in making progress. Restaurants have come and gone but there has been a steady improvement of the older buildings and new businesses coming in to set up shop. Currently, the city hub is undergoing a face-lift that will convert it into a pleasing pedestrian-friendly commercial zone.  The design is reflective of old town Montreal with a European plaza look and open to traffic. On the main Trade Street corridor, pavers will replace the existing surfaces and the curbs are being eliminated for easy walking.  Landscaping with arbor bollards will soften the look of downtown Greer. This project started in the spring of 2018 and should be finished in 2019.
A new Hilton brand hotel is being constructed at the site of the Tire Exchange on North Main street, with demolition starting in January of 2019. The development will also include commercial and retail space and ushers in a new era of hotels to the Greer downtown area. The City of Greer has agreed to $1.8 million of infrastructure reimbursements to the developer. The City has also agreed to build a parking garage that will remain public ownership.
Victor Mill
The mill was closed it sat empty until it burned in 2006. An issue of ground contamination has inhibited further development at the site. In this case, as with many other mills from that era, it was contaminated with heavy metals and PCBs from the milling process, and cleanup was expensive. However, the 24.2-acre site got a $200,000 grant from the an EPA, called the Brownfields Program, designed to clean up sites where redevelopment is complicated by hazardous substances. Not to be confused with a Superfund site that has a higher concentration of hazardous waste, a brownfield site is more manageable in nature. Victor mill cleaned up in 2009 -2010 and has sat empty for a decade. 
Post cleanup testing revealed that most of the contaminants had been reduced to acceptable levels.  However, there are a few restrictions on the land use. Ground water use will not be permitted on the property. A ground cover must be installed over the soil in residential and recreational areas, which must be managed by a property manager. Access to Victor Creek needs to be minimized by using landscaping. Traditional single-family housing is also prohibited.
Now the site is under contract by developer Chris Hill who intends to put in some affordable, high density housing. Chris Hill has done a similar project at Judson Mill near downtown Greenville and thinks this Victor Mill will be a viable project as well. Of course, there are hurdles to overcome, like getting annexed and rezoned by the City of Greer, as well as any additional cleanup that might be needed at the site. But it seems like a slam dunk proposal to revitalize a portion of the city so close to the downtown area, just a few minutes’ walk to the park and downtown.
Greer_sc_real_estate_development_parks
New Development
The City of Greer has grown more than twice as fast as the nearby Greenville-Spartanburg area, adding 22,000 people in the last 18 years, with a population of 79,000 in 2015.  The city expects to have more than 100,000 residents by 2030. The main areas grow is occurring include the downtown area of Greer, Wade Hampton Blvd (Hwy 29) corridor, rural areas north by Lake Robinson, south along Hwy 101 and along the Hwy 14 corridor that runs up to and past I-85.
The latter two of these areas southward toward I-85 house two big employers that are having a huge effect on the local economy – BMW and the SC Port Authority’s Inland Port. BMW employs more than 10,000 and produces more than 1,400 vehicles per day. The company has committed to investing $600 million at the plant through 2021, which will add another 1000 jobs at the plant. Plus, BMW has generated another 70,000 related jobs in the state with about 87% of their vehicles being exported through the Port of Charleston. That makes BMW the “nation’s leader of export sales of completed passenger vehicles”, according to Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. With the Inland Port nearby and future expansions of BMW likely, Greer has a fantastic base to continue their growth.
Lee’s Real Estate Lens
So where are all these employees living and which areas are ripe for housing? 
The City of Greer as well as Greenville and the surrounding cities of Simpsonville, Mauldin, Duncan, and Spartanburg have all done their share for housing. Much of the land southwest and near to Greer has filled in with residential housing around the coveted Riverside High School district, but there is some land still be developed. 
The Greenville – Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is located very close to the BMW plant, so residential growth there will be limited in the short term. But you can expect to see an explosion of development of new subdivisions in the “Golden Box” area south of I-85, where rural land is available and new housing developments are starting to take shape. Housing prices and manufacturing costs have risen in the past couple of years, so you can expect starting prices in this area to be around $225,000. 
The central area of downtown Greer is on the precipice of revitalization. Most of the properties are older and often related to the mill villages. But Greenville prices have risen, and Greer is starting to be popular for fixer up buyers who want proximity to a downtown area, BMW, and a reasonable distance to Greenville (20-30 min). Old mill village homes in need of major updating can be found for $60-80,000; ones that are fixed up are selling $100-130,000. In other non-mill village areas of the downtown area, you will find more older homes, but larger and with larger lots with an average sales price of $158,000. I expect those values to go up as more of these homes get remodeled and downtown Greer begins to take off with increased popularity.
Look for more infill and new subdivisions north of Hwy 29. This area is more rural in nature and have great mountain views looking into the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, which are only about 15 miles from downtown Greer. Lake Robinson, one of the few lakes in the area is here, and offers great scenery, fishing, and a quiet setting, but has a limited amount of homes on the lake itself. Typical subdivisions in this northern area have lots a little over an acre and have septic systems. Larger parcels not associated with a subdivision are also available but may take longer to find. 
Contact us!  (864) 679-0707
Sources: Greenville News, GreenvilleBusinessMag.com, GSP.com and GSA Business
Dec. 7, 2018

Blog Move

Greenville Real Estate Blog Is On The Move

 

Greenville Bike race

 

The Cunningham Team's Blog on Greenville, South Carolina Real Estate will look different now. We have moved the hosting of the Blog to a new location. If you come to the blog directly the URL will have changed as well so please update your bookmark in your browser. It's still the same great information and news. 

 CONTACT US

(864) 679-0707

Posted in News
Aug. 22, 2018

Have ewe noticed a new addition to the Furman Solar Farm?

Furman_solar_farm_sheep
Off highway 25 between Cherrydale and Travelers Rest, Furman University put a solar farm together spanning a six acre plot of land. That's old news as it has been there since last year.  However, a new addition is once again calling attention to the side of the road. Twelve sheep (4 ewes and 8 lambs) moved in this summer!  With just 6 solar panels shy of 3,000, it is no small job to keep the grass from over crowding the panels. By adding a 4-legged crew of our grass munching friends to the solar farm they hope maintaining the grass, especially under the panels will be more manageable. It is a time consuming necessity which currently has to be maintained by hand. Having lawn mowers around the solar panels also poses a risk of damage and the sheep can alleviate that potential problem as well. Hopefully it will be a win-win for all involved!
Interested in homes for sale near Furman in Greenville SC? 
Contact Us!    |    (864) 679-0707 
Interested in homes for sale in Greenville, SC? See more Greenville SC Real Estate, Downtown Greenville SC, and General Greenville Information.
Aug. 9, 2018

Restaurant Week Greenville

Food_downtown_greenville_sc
Greenville Foodies unite, Kicking off tomorrow August 9th and running until August 19th Restaurant Week is back! Casual and fine dining restaurants alike will offer great discounts for 11 days, allowing time for the local foodies to try out as many as possible. Participating in this event are almost 60 restaurants from Travelers Rest to Downtown Greenville SC. Tables fill up quickly during this time and reservations are encouraged so you don’t miss out on “that one place” you’ve been wanting to try out! For a complete list of restaurants go to restaurantweekgreenville.com
Contact Us!    |    (864) 679-0707 
Interested in homes for sale in Greenville, SC? Downtown Greenville SC, and General Greenville Information.
May 17, 2018

Swamp Rabbit Trail Events Beginning Tonight

downtown_greenville_sc_trail_bike
May is bike month and there are loads of events going on the Swamp Rabbit Trail this month and a few off the   trail. A compilation of events and Swamp Rabbit Trail extension updates and information is listed below starting with tonight’s Cycle over for Salsa and the launch party at Lever Gear!
Bike Walk Greenville SC
Already at 72% of the goal! Bike Walk Greenville, a non-profit, is raising money to build the Lakeview Link to the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail. The forestry along the corridor near Duke Energy’s substation has been flagged and mowed. You can help reach the goal before the July 1st deadline by donating any amount at the Cycle over for Salsa event tonight.
May 17th @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Cycle Over for Salsa
Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery 205 Cedar Lane Rd, Greenville SC 29611 Tacos and Salsa dancing for all ages is this month’s dance party. May 17th @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lever Gear Launch Party
Lever Gear at Wade Hampton 1320 Hampton Ave, Unit 4A, Greenville SC 29601 Their second Kickstarter Campaign begins tonight with the unveiling of a new product, live music, activities for kids, drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Open to the public, this is a casual event.
May 19th @ 10:30 – 11:30 am Tribute to Veterans Swamp Rabbit Station at Berea 109 Sulphur Springs Road, Greenville, SC 29617 This trailside event is dedicated to the Veterans Memorial at Swamp Rabbit Station.
May 19th @10:00 am – 12:00 pm First Cycle™ Pleasant Ridge Park 4232 Hwy 11, Marietta, SC 29661 Rain or shine, this free event introduces amputee and mobility challenged children and adults to adaptive cycling. A program of the OPAF, Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation, the goal is to demonstrate cycling as part of their daily rehabilitation and recreation.
May 19th @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Bike Day Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery 205 Cedar Lane Rd, Greenville SC 29611 Safe Kids Upstate will be there to fit children with bike helmets, REI will be teaching basic bike maintenance and Palmetto Coalition will demonstrate bicycle safety.
Saturdays @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm May through Sept Traveler Rest Farmers Market Trailblazer Park On the Swamp Rabbit Trail in TR Bike in to Trailblazer Park and spend the morning listening to live music, checking out over 70 regular farmers, vendors, special events and varying programs for adults and kids alike.
May 26th Bike to Scotland Downtown Greenville SC to Furman University From Downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest you can Bike to Scotland, park your bike and get a free t-shirt at the Pedal Chic tent that will be at the main entrance to the Greenville Scottish Games being held that weekend.
May 30th @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm NICA Info Session Benchmark Bicycle Supply Co 207 Randall St, Greer, SC 29651 Student athletes and a guardian are required to attend to participate in this national middle and high school bike development program. The session will cover the NICA vision, Upstate Composite Team philosophy, Athlete/Coach/Volunteer outline, 2018 practice and race schedule, 2018 costs/fees and scholarships plus fundraising and a Q&A session. This is the final session available for interested student athletes this year!
June 12th @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Truck Inn Tuesdays Swamp Rabbit Inn 1 Logan St, Greenville, SC 29601 Every second Tuesday of the month from May through October in the parking lot of the Swamp Rabbit Inn. Live music, a food truck, local food makers and local craft makers too. A family evening ready made to make good memories.
May 31st @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Trail Expansion Meeting Activity & Senior Center 310 W. Curtis St, Simpsonville, SC The National Park Service and other trail supporters are holding a meeting to talk about the Swamp Rabbit Trail network and natural surface trails connecting to Simpsonville. Expansion to CU-ICR To further expand into the Golden Strip area in Greenville County, eight property owners are giving their land freely! Connecting San Souci During HOG day, a crew of fifteen planned and developed a gravel path to the Green Line section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
May 1, 2018

Farmers Markets Opening!

Grab your friends and fmaily! Many local farmers market are opening soon, some this weekend!
greenville_sc_farmers_markets
Travelers Restt Farmers Market Saturdays in May through September 8:30 to 12:00 pm Trailblazer Park 235 Trailblazer Dr, Travelers Rest, SC 29690 Over 70 vendors!
Greer's Farmers Market Saturdays from May 5th through November 17th 8:30 am to 12:00 pm Greer City Park 301 E Poinsett St, Greer, SC 29651 Over 60 vendors! Opening Day kicks off at Spinning Jenny 107 Cannon St. Greer, SC 29651 Meet the vendors Friday May 4th from 6:00 pm to 10:00pm on Trade Street.
Downtown Greenville's TD Saturday Market Saturdays from May 5th through October 27th 8:30 am to 12:00 pm Main Street at McBee Avenue Downtown Greenville SC
Simpsonville Farmers Market Saturdays from May 12th to October 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Simpsonville City Park, 405 East Curtis St., Simpsonville, SC 29681 Nearly 40 vendors!
Mauldin Farmers Market Tuesdays from June 5th through August 28th 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Mauldin Outdoor Amphitheater 101 E Butler Rd, Mauldin SC 29662 Over 30 vendors and free parking!
Contact us  |   (864) 679-0707 
If you would like to see what homes for sale in Greenville SC are close to the farmers markets call us.
Dec. 20, 2017

Belshire Homes in Greer SC

Homes for sale in Belshire subdivision in Greer, SC, part of Greenville County. is built by Ryan Homes. This is a new community in the highly desired Riverside school district. Fantastic location, convenient to downtown Greer, only minutes GSP airport and I-85.  Available features include a covered front porch, 2 car garage, fireplace, open floor plans, lots of other standard and upgraded features and the BuildSmart program. The Belshire community has sidewalks, common areas, playground.  See our website or call us for more details on this new community in Greer SC.
 
Visit our site at GreenvilleSCRealEstate.net for more info on  Downtown Greenville Condos, Greenville SC Luxury Homes for sale and General Greenville Information. Contact us at (864) 679-0707.
Dec. 19, 2017

West Greenville's City Park in Downtown Greenville

Laser_founder_downtown_greenville

West Greenville, which is on the west-side of downtown Greenville, SC, is about to get a brand new 65-acre park. Running along the Swamp Rabbit Trail and the Reedy River by the Kroc Center.  Named City Park, it will be 2X the size of Falls Park with lots of green space, picnic areas, a promenade, basketball courts and possibly an 80’ observation deck.  Mayberry Park is currently in the middle of the planned park. Hudson Street would be the entrance.  The master plan was approved in July 2017, with hopes of breaking ground in the spring of 2018.  If all goes as planned the park will open in 2020. 
Interested in homes for sale in Greenville, SC? See more Greenville SC Real Estate, Downtown Greenville SC, and General Greenville Information.
Dec. 18, 2017

Grand Bohemian Hotel coming to Greenville SC

A new hotel is being built in downtown Greenville SC on the East landing of the Liberty Bridge on the Reedy River.  Replacing the current Wyche law offices will be a Grand Bohemian hotel featuring 160 rooms, art gallery, 4,000 square foot ballroom, meeting space, a bar and restaurant overlooking the river. The project was approved in mid-2017 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. 
Interested in homes for sale in Greenville, SC? See more Greenville SC Real Estate, Downtown Greenville SC, and General Greenville Information.