Going to church on Christmas Eve is a well-loved tradition for many families, but this year some people may opt for a live-streamed service. Here are a few options if you choose to move in that direction. We hope this is helpful and at the end of this blog we've included a link to an article that lists all church happenings including in-person services.

Fort Mill, SC

Flint Hill Baptist Church in Fort Mill, SC. Christmas Eve services will be in person and there will be a live-streamed service at 4 PM, which can be viewed at any time after that. Visit their WEBSITE to find that link as one will be provided as soon as it is available.

Forest Hill in Fort Mill, SC. Christmas Eve services are at 3:30 pm, 5 pm, and 6:30 pm. Their online services can be viewed on their WEBSITE.

Fort Mill Church of God. They will host either in person or virtual. Services will be held on Thursday, December 24^th at 10 AM, 2 PM, or 4 PM. Visit their WEBSITE for the live-streaming services.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. There are in-person and virtual options. Services are at 2 pm and 4 pm. Visit their FACEBOOK page for the live stream.

Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill, SC. They will have in-person services and virtual worship. The virtual worship will be held at 10 AM for the Christmas Pageant and 2 PM for Lessons and Carols Service. You can view this on their WEBSITE.

Indian Land, SC

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Indian Land, SC. They will host an in-person service as well as a live-streamed version at 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8 pm. Visit their YOUTUBE channel to watch any of these sermons.

Lake Wylie, SC

All Saints Catholic Church in Lake Wylie, SC. Christmas Eve Mass will be streamed at 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8 pm. Watch the live stream on their YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

LW Christian Assembly in Lake Wylie, SC. Christmas candlelight service at 5 PM. Watch the live stream service on their WEBSITE.

New River Church in Lake Wylie, SC. They definitely have in-person services for Christmas Eve at 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm. As far as live streaming we don’t see it, but they do record their services and can be found on their WEBSITE.

Rock Hill, SC

NewSpring Church in Rock Hill, SC. They will host an in-person service at 4 PM as well as having it live-streamed. It will be available on their WEBSITE.

Tega Cay, SC

Lakeshore Christian Fellowship in Tega Cay, SC. Christmas at Lakeshore will be broadcast at 6 pm on Christmas Eve. Find the link on their WEBSITE.

**For a more detailed list of local area services with in-person attendance options, please click on this article from the Herald - "CHURCH HAPPENINGS."

Have a safe and Merry Christmas from The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice!!

Here is a list of the top 10 diner places in York County which The Linda Hall Team compiled from local recommendations. We are very excited to share this list and have it as a resource for those new to the York County area and for locals who simply want to try something new. 

1. Fort Mill Restaurant - Serving the Fort Mill and Indian Land community for the last 4 years, according to their Facebook page. Located at 1358 Highway 160 E, Fort Mill, SC. Facebook page.  Online Menu.

2. The Garden Cafe - Nestled in the heart of Historic York is where you will find this gem which opened in November 1995. Located at 307 W. Liberty Street, York, SC. Facebook page. Website. 

3. The Flipside Cafe - Serves to bring locally inspired fare to great local people. Located at 3150 US-21, Fort Mill, SC. Facebook page. Website.

4. Sweet Tea Cafe - The owners are a mother-daughter team from California. They are teaming up with a local family to bring their version of bubble tea and authentic Vietnamese food. Located at 125 Elk Avenue, Rock Hill, SC. Facebook page. Online Menu.

5. First Watch - First Watch is an award-winning breakfast, brunch, and lunch favorite. Located at 2373 Len Patterson Road, Suite 100, Fort Mill, SC. Facebook page. Website.

6. Mama's Place - Family owned and operated. The owner comes to this operation with having over 18 years of culinary experience having worked in a New York deli. If you want home cooked meals made fresh daily then this is the place to go. Located at 2210 India Hook Rd, Suite 101, Rock Hill, SC. Facebook page. Website.

7. Famous Toastery in Tega Cay - The place where you can get what you want, whenever you want. Breakfast isn't served just in the morning. Located at 2429 Hwy 160 W, Tega Cay,  SC. Facebook page. Website.

8. Tega Cay Deli - Tega Cay Deli is known as your one-stop shop when it comes down to getting a NY style breakfast or lunch. Located at 1143 Stonecrest Blvd, Suite 103, Tega Cay, SC. Facebook page. Website.

9. Z Bakery and Cafe - A bakery, cafe, and event venue which serves both lunch and brunch. Z Bakery and Cafe opened in 2015 and has been owned and operated by 3 generations of women. Located at 124 Confederate Street, Fort Mill, SC. Facebook page. Website. 

10. Red's Grill - Known for its great home-cooked food, friendly staff, and great prices. Located at 1101 E. Main Street, Rock Hill, SC. Facebook page. Website. 

We hope you've enjoyed this list. Look for more local resources from our blog in the future. Also, remember The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice if you have a real estate need or question. We're here to help!!

NOVEMBER 2020 New Listings:

We start by looking at the NEW LISTINGS that came on the market in November and we begin with 2018, where we see there were 333 NEW LISTINGS that came on the market. In November of 2019, we find we increased by +1.2 percent with 337 NEW LISTINGS. The following year in November of 2020, we increased again by +8.9 percent with 367 NEW LISTINGS. 

NOVEMBER 2020 Homes for Sale:

We again, start by looking at November of 2018, where we see there were 936 HOMES FOR SALE. In November of 2019, we find a decrease of -3.7 percent with 901 HOMES FOR SALE. The following year in November of 2020, we decreased significantly by -62.8 percent with only 335 HOMES FOR SALE.

NOVEMBER 2020 Pending Sales:

Let's view November of 2018, where we see there were 293 PENDING SALES. In November of 2019, we increased by +1.4 percent with 297 PENDING SALES. The following year in November of 2020, we increased again by +28.6 percent with 382 PENDING SALES. 

NOVEMBER 2020 Median Days on Market:

Let's view November of 2018, where we see there were 25 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. In November of 2019, we decreased from the previous year with 21 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. This year in November, we decreased by -81.0 percent to 4 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. 

NOVEMBER 2020 Months Supply of Homes for Sale:

In November of 2018, the MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE was 2.6. In November of 2019, we decreased by -11.5 percent with a 2.3 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. This year in November, we decreased by -65.2 percent with only 0.8 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE! 

So here is your comprehensive LOCAL look at the real estate market.  If you are considering a sale of your home then now might be a perfect time as the competition is low and the number of days on market is shorter than normal. If you are interested in buying a home then let us help you get a competitive advantage. Please reach out to the Linda Hall Team. We'd love to assist you!!

The Linda Hall Team has had many clients come to us after having used Zillow and other 3rd party websites. Their feedback is what helped us build a robust website that answers their direct needs. They are why we pay the extra money to have specific features dedicated to their needs. Here are some of those features.

1. Our Advanced Search Tool. When you search with our IDX tool you receive a list of the most updated listings versus other sites where the information may be outdated. Many times clients have complained that a home they were interested in and which they had found elsewhere was no longer on the market. That happens, but not if you search using our tool and that's because our tool draws directly from our local MLS. 

2. Map Search. This is probably high on the list of favorites. Our out of town people love that they can search using our interactive map tool. That helps them know the lay of the land and where the home is in relation to other area amenities. Although, even locals like this search option. When they are looking in a specific neighborhood it really comes in handy. 

3. Property Evaluation Tool. This is another useful tool showing how much your home may be worth. It is more accurate than the Zestimate offered by Zillow, and will give you an idea of the worth of your home, but is best to have us help you with a proper evaluation. 

4. Market Reports. These reports will give you a specific idea of the real estate market in the area of your choice. You can create a very customized report using this tool. 

In the end, we feel that the more our clients know the better choices they can make. We also like to provide information for those who are moving to our area from out of state. If you find there's an area of interest that we need to expand upon, please send us an email and let us know. We are ALWAYS willing to improve the experience for all our clients.

We had the good fortune of discovering this WONDERFUL Tega Cay local small business known as Tega Graze. It was so wonderful in fact that we decided we needed to share it with our followers. We are sure that you will be engaging with them over the holidays!! We've asked them a few questions so that you can get to know them. Here's a sample of just one of their graze boxes. 

Q&A with the Owners of Tega Graze -

Who are the owners of this wonderful business? 

Just two besties, Lindsay Gore and Chelsea Prevette.

When did you open? 

We began in the first part of July. COVID had influenced many to want more options for dining at home. We decided, "Hey! Why Not?" Let's throw it out there and see if there is interest. 

What brought you to the idea of this business?

 I (Lindsay) had a friend back home who started something similar and I thought, “Oh my gosh that is brilliant and I could totally see the Tega Cay/Fort Mill community eating this up (quite literally)”. Chelsea agreed that it seemed like the perfect fit for our community. We hadn’t seen anything like it in the area. With this particular season of more folks eating at home and social distancing, we felt like it was a great time to start. But even post-COVID it will be great for entertaining and gatherings with friends & family.  We loved the idea of providing a fun surprise for people each week. Our graze boxes have the same components in each box (meats, cheeses, veggies, fruits, crackers, spreads/dips, nuts, pickles/olives) however, the specifics change each week. Similar to other “order by mail” box subscription services, we use a basic framework and then create a beautiful and delicious surprise for our customers. 

Are you local to the area? If so, for how long? If not, where have you lived before this? 

We have both lived in Tega Cay for over 10 years. We used to be next-door neighbors, which is how we met and became besties.  Chelsea grew up in Indian Land and Lindsay is originally from Columbia, SC. 

How has the business been for you both?

The business has been crazy busy and we feel super blessed to be able to say that amid the global crisis happening around us! We felt like it would be something that the area would take a hold of and love, but you never know! We just weren't sure if people would be spending their money on this sort of thing right now. What we have found though is that it has become a bright spot in people’s week and we have so many families who have made Friday night graze boxes a weekly "lifestyle" tradition! 

Do you have further ideas of expansion? 

Honestly, right now it's hard to think of expansion because most of the time it feels like we’re just two busy moms trying to keep our head above water! But we do love, love, love this business and see so much potential in it. We definitely have dreams of ways that this could expand one day :)

Where can we connect with you online?

We have Facebook and Instagram accounts, which is how we pretty much begin taking orders. We have recently added a website to streamline the ordering process and free us up a bit to connect with our customers, answer questions, etc (www.tegagraze.com)

Can people from outside of the area order from you? 

Right now our boxes are only available via in-person pickup or delivery within the Tega Cay/Fort Mill area, as we are not able to ship our boxes.  We have had many people who live in different states place and order for us to deliver to their loved ones here locally as a birthday, new home or baby gift or just simply a sweet surprise on their doorstep! We offer personalized notes with our boxes by request as well! 

 Thank you so much for helping us learn more about you both, Lindsay Gore & Chelsea Prevette! The Linda Hall Team looks forward to continuing to do business with you! Here are a few more photos to help entice you. :) 

OCTOBER 2020 New Listings:

We start by looking at the NEW LISTINGS that came on the market in October and we begin with 2018, where we see there were 455 NEW LISTINGS that came on the market. In October of 2019, we find we decreased by -0.7 percent with 452 NEW LISTINGS. The following year in October of 2020, we decreased again by -2.7 percent with 440 NEW LISTINGS. 

OCTOBER 2020 Homes for Sale:

We again, start by looking at October of 2018, where we see there were 989 HOMES FOR SALE. In October of 2019, we find a decrease of -4.7 percent with 943 HOMES FOR SALE. The following year in October of 2020, we decreased significantly by -63.0 percent with only 349 HOMES FOR SALE.

OCTOBER 2020 Pending Sales:

Let's view October of 2018, where we see there were 349 PENDING SALES. In October of 2019, we increased by +14.6 percent with 400 PENDING SALES. The following year in October of 2020, we increased again by +7.3 percent with 429 PENDING SALES. 

OCTOBER 2020 Median Days on Market:

Let's view October of 2018, where we see there were 21 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. In October of 2019, we decreased from the previous year with 17 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. This year in October, we decreased by -58.8 percent to 7 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. 

OCTOBER 2020 Months Supply of Homes for Sale:

In October of 2018, the MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE was 2.8. In October of 2019, we decreased by -14.3 percent with a 2.4 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. This year in October, we decreased by -62.5 percent with only 0.9 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE! 

So there is your comprehensive LOCAL look at the real estate market.  If you are considering a sale of your home then now might be a perfect time as the competition is low and the number of days on market is shorter than normal. If you are interested in buying a home then let us help you get a competitive advantage. Please reach out to the Linda Hall Team. We'd love to assist you!!

There are many upgrades buyers are looking for today due to spending more time at home. We would like to share a few that have been brought to our attention. 

1. Home Gyms. A lot of people would prefer personal exercise space in their own dwellings these days as opposed to going out to a public gym. So providing a specific space within your home that is dedicated to that purpose is a great idea!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CLASSIQUES (@classiquesofficial) on Oct 19, 2020 at 11:45am PDT

2. Office/School Workspace. Many jobs are remaining fully remote or like schools, are adapting a hybrid schedule and so it is crucial that there is a specific area that accommodates this need. Preferably it is a room that has a door that can be closed off for privacy and quiet. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cottages & Gardens (@cottagesgardens) on Oct 22, 2020 at 7:15am PDT

3. Outdoor Space. Even if you live in a cooler climate it is important that you have an inviting outdoor space that you can retreat to. Add an outdoor furnace and a throw rug, if needed.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Modern Fireplaces (@modernblaze) on Apr 18, 2018 at 8:00am PDT

4. Large Open Kitchen. Families are cooking more these days so having a nice large open space to work together in is something that Buyers are definitely drawn to.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by deVOL Kitchens (@devolkitchens) on Feb 29, 2020 at 4:39am PST

5. First Floor Full Bathrooms. The convenience factor of having a first-floor bathroom with a shower and/or tub is something buyers are also seeking these days. Spending more time outdoors and not having to track through the entire home is definitely a big reason. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bathrooms of Instagram (@bathrooms_of_insta) on Oct 10, 2020 at 9:16pm PDT

Those are our Buyers' top 5 features they are interested in when shopping for a home today. If you would like help selling your home, please feel free to reach out to The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice. We would love to assist you!

We are continuing to ask members of The Linda Hall Team to answer some questions so we can get to know them better. This week is Sabine Hammermann's turn!

1. What was your favorite vacation and why?  A Nile Cruise in Egypt with stays in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Seeing the historic monuments was humbling and amazing, the people were so friendly and the food was great!
2. What is your favorite way to spend a day off? Spending time with my family and dogs, trying out a new recipe and just relaxing.
3. What was the last book you read?  I started to listen to audiobooks, mostly mysteries, and thrillers. I like books by Daniel Rosenfelt who writes about a lawyer who Has a Golden Retriever and also runs a dog rescue. The protagonist has a very dry sense of humor.
4. What are your hobbies? Before having dogs it was traveling, now it’s reading, listening to music, volunteering in dog rescue, and watching movies and documentaries. 
5. What instantly calms you? Cuddling with my dogs. 
6. What is your favorite season? Fall, I love the colors, the crisper air, and my pumpkin spiced latte.
7. What was your very first job? I started an apprenticeship with Lufthansa German Airlines for a sales and marketing position.
8. What is your favorite part of the workday? When I ticked off all items on my to-do list.
9. What’s the best career advice you’ve been given? To listen carefully, to be authentic, honest, and professional. This has served me well throughout my professional life.
10. If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give your younger self? To be more patient and to not give up on your dreams.

Well, we sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Sabine, and if you have any real estate needs that you will feel free to reach out to her. 

With so many people transitioning to working from an in-home office environment, we thought it would be a good idea to create a blog and video that would give some style options that might inspire ideas.  

Many who can afford to do so, will simply upgrade their homes to one with more square footage and/or extra bedrooms or even an extra living room/den space. If you can afford to do that it is a great direction to head in. If you cannot there are several other options.

Large bedroom. If you have a home with a large bedroom you can simply add a desk to a corner or side of the room. Many buyers are looking for 2 master suites that will accommodate this option. What's great about this is you have a door which can be closed when necessary.

Dining room. A lot of dining rooms go unused except for holidays. These are currently being considered by buyers as extra potential space for either the kids' workstations or the adults' home offices.  

Closets. This may sound a bit out there, but when you have a tiny space you have to think outside of the box or inside the closet. Yes. Some people are converting closets into workspaces.

Kitchens. Yes, kitchens that have large tables or countertops can be used as well. The countertop may not be too comfortable unless you can use it as a standing option.

In the below video, we share some inspiration via Architectural Digest. Hopefully, it will help you with ideas. If you find that you would rather look for a home to accommodate this need, please reach out to The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice. We'd love to help you!!

SEPTEMBER 2020 New Listings:

We start by looking at the NEW LISTINGS that came on the market in September and we begin with 2018, where we see there were 338 NEW LISTINGS that came on the market. In September of 2019, we find we increased by +26.0 percent with 426 NEW LISTINGS. The following year in September of 2020, we increased again, but only slightly this time, by +5.9 percent with 451 NEW LISTINGS. 

SEPTEMBER 2020 Homes for Sale:

We again, start by looking at September of 2018, where we see there were 1,004 HOMES FOR SALE. In September of 2019, we find a decrease of -1.7 percent with 987 HOMES FOR SALE. The following year in September of 2020, we decreased significantly by -64.1 percent with only 354 HOMES FOR SALE.

SEPTEMBER 2020 Pending Sales:

Let's view September of 2018, where we see there were 268 PENDING SALES. In September of 2019, we increased by +36.6 percent with 366 PENDING SALES. The following year in September of 2020, we increased again by +34.4 percent with 492 PENDING SALES. 

SEPTEMBER 2020 Median Days on Market:

Let's view September of 2018, where we see there were 15 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. In September of 2019, we increased from the previous year with 17 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. This year in September, we decreased by -64.7 percent to 6 MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET. 

SEPTEMBER 2020 Months Supply of Homes for Sale:

In September of 2018, the MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE was 2.9. In September of 2019, we decreased by -10.3 percent with a 2.6 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE. This year in September, we decreased by -65.4 percent with only 0.9 MONTHS SUPPLY OF HOMES FOR SALE! 

So there is your comprehensive LOCAL look at the real estate market.  If you are considering a sale of your home then now might be a perfect time as the competition is low and the number of days on market is shorter than normal. If you are interested in buying a home then let us help you get a competitive advantage. Please reach out to the Linda Hall Team. We'd love to assist you!!