Homeowners and Mortgage Companies Have Reason to Love Columbia's Leisure and Entertainment Scene

By Richard Barrington
Local Lender Columnist
Dec 30, 2008
Home buyers and mortgage companies can often seem to be on opposite sides of the fence, but they do have one thing in common. Both tend to favor communities with the ingredients for stable home equity values. For this reason, home buyers and mortgage companies each have several things to love about Columbia, South Carolina. Obviously, home buyers have a vested interest in stable home equity values. As for mortgage companies, they feel more comfortable making home loans in areas where home equity values are likely to be stable, because after all, that home equity represents the security on their loans. In this respect, both home buyers and mortgage companies tend to look at a community in similar ways.

What makes a community conducive to stable home equity values?

There are several factors. A strong economy is probably foremost; low crime rates, good schools, and a favorable climate are also prominent in the mix. Besides all these practical considerations though, there is an X factor--fun. How much fun a community is has a great deal to do with whether it can continue to attract and keep prosperous homeowners. Therefore, the leisure and entertainment scene is a significant factor in evaluating a community.

Nightlife and Culture

People have widely different tastes in their nightlife preferences, and Columbia benefits from its great variety. Take dining out for example. Probably the most common nightlife experience, dining out can mean anything from a romantic dinner for two to an upbeat and affordable meal for the whole family. With 450 restaurants, Columbia is equipped to meet the full range of dining tastes. And its after dinner offerings range from piano bars to brew pubs to raucous clubs.

As for culture, the Columbia Museum of Art is South Carolina's leading international art museum. Its 25 galleries feature collections of both European and American art. For people who are more interested in performance, Columbia's cultural scene features both theatre and ballet.

Sports and Recreation

Sports and recreation also contribute heavily to the long-term attractiveness of a community, and Columbia is well-suited to people who love the outdoors. Columbia features Congaree National Park, an old-growth forest which includes giant redwoods. The area can also accommodate people who prefer water sports, with three rivers in the region as well as Lake Murray. Lake Murray is Columbia's largest lake, and offers readily-available fishing and boating opportunities.

As for sports, golf lovers in particular will take note that Columbia is conveniently near the prestigious Masters Golf Tournament. This tournament is held just 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Columbia, attracting visitors to the region and making it a viable annual destination for Columbia residents.

Conclusion

With all of its different ingredients for fun, including nightlife, culture, sports, and recreation, Columbia passes the leisure and entertainment test. This makes it an attractive setting for people to buy homes and for mortgage companies to make home loans--a win-win situation for both parties.

Source:
Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau

About the Author
Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over twenty years as an investment industry executive.