Colette Hopkins - Real Estate Agent

09/10/2026

THE CODE WORKED. THE KEY WORKED. THE RENTAL WAS FAKE.

Scammers are advertising homes they do not own or manage and convincing victims to send deposits or rent.

They may even provide a code or app that allows you to open a real estate lockbox, get the key and enter the home.

Access to the house does NOT mean the person renting it to you has the right to do so.

Before sending money:

• Verify who owns or manages the property.
• Look up the property independently — not just through links the “landlord” sends you.
• Be suspicious of anyone who won’t meet you in person or claims they can’t show you the property.
• Never let a lockbox code, key or access app be your only proof that a rental is legitimate.

You could lose your deposit, your rent and the place you thought was your home.

Please report any similar suspicious activity to RCSD at 803-576-3000.

08/22/2026

A new housing landscape is coming to Winnsboro following the town's approval of the Mill Creek Village development agreement.

The 300-acre project introduces a wide variety of housing types, from cottage-style homes in the $200,000 range to high-quality rental townhomes with projected rents between $1,700 and $1,800.

The framework includes over 1,000 residential units, 70,000 square feet of commercial space, and a destination par-3 golf course.

Developer Webb Yongue says the project is a 20-to-25-year vision designed to bring the population density needed to attract new restaurants and retailers to the heart of Winnsboro.

Construction on the first phase—78 high-quality townhomes behind CVS—is targeted for early 2027.

🔗: Read the full story below

06/19/2026

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure all enslaved people were freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

In 2021, Congress passed a bipartisan resolution establishing Juneteenth as a federal legal public holiday, making it the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

06/18/2026

🚨 PROPERTY OWNERS: BE AWARE OF DEED FRAUD 🚨

Did you know that criminals are increasingly targeting vacant land, rental properties, and even family-owned property through a scheme known as **Property Owner Impersonation Fraud**?

In these cases, scammers pose as the legitimate property owner and attempt to sell real estate they do not own. By the time the true owner discovers what has happened, significant financial and legal complications may already exist.

The United States Secret Service has identified deed fraud and seller impersonation as a growing threat and has partnered with local law enforcement agencies to help educate property owners, real estate professionals, and closing attorneys about how to recognize and prevent these crimes.

✅ Protect Yourself:
• Sign up for property fraud alerts through your county Register of Deeds office if available.
• Monitor online real estate sites for unauthorized listings of your property.
• Let trusted neighbors know if your property is not for sale.
• Consider posting a "Not For Sale" sign on vacant property.
• Immediately investigate any unexpected calls from real estate agents, attorneys, or Register of Deeds personnel regarding your property.

Warning signs for real estate professionals and closing attorneys include sellers who:
• Communicate only by email and refuse phone or video calls.
• Demand a quick cash sale at a below-market price.
• Claim to be out of the country and unavailable.
• Own vacant land, rental property, or property without a mortgage.
If you believe you may be the victim of deed fraud or property owner impersonation, contact the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office immediately. Early reporting can be critical in preventing the fraudulent transfer or sale of property.

📞 Fairfield County Sheriff's Office
803-635-4141

Protect your property. Stay informed. Report suspicious activity.

04/27/2026

I’m excited about this project! What about you?!

A new route to walk along the Saluda River in Irmo is opening in late summer, connecting Lake Murray and Saluda Shoals Park.

04/24/2026

A 7.5-acre wooded lot on Kelly Mill Road could soon be home to 150 residential units or mixed use commercial and housing if a new rezoning request is approved.

Richland County Council will hear the case this Tuesday at 7 p.m. This is the public's only chance to address council members directly about the project.

If you plan to speak, you must arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign up.

🔗: See the proposed plans and the Planning Commission's recommendation below.

04/23/2026

Tens of millions of prospective homebuyers may soon qualify for mortgages due to new rules. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's changes include on-time rent and utility payments in credit score calculations.