Archive for March, 2009

Charlotte NC, Boomtown?

March 31st, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends

Did you know Charlotte was once a goldrush boomtown! Things like the Reed Gold Mine, our Goldrush Trolley System, the Mint Museum, the beautiful miner statue (shown here) and our beloved UNCC 49ers all reflect the rich heritage of a gold mining boomtown (turn it up)!

So what now? Is Charlotte a boomtown, is any city really a boomtown anymore these days? One of our favorite Charlotte Observer columnists and bloggers is Peter St. Orge – he recently started up what he calls The Squeeze — I suppose Charlotte Scoop was taken haha. Peter does a nice job summing up Charlotte’s Boomtown status in his interview with UNC Charlotte’s John Connaughton about an upcoming PBS show “Frontline” feature on Charlotte read here.

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Best ‘hood in Charlotte! Montibello

March 18th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More, Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Montibello, Rhonda Gibbons

Looking for an established neighborhood without your neighbor on top of you? Let’s talk about Montibello. Montibello is conveniently located near the corner of Carmel and Quail Hollow Rd. A few of the streets in Montibello line Carmel Country Club’s north course. You will immediately feel at home with the rolling, curvy, tree lines streets. All day long you see your neighbors walking their dogs or exercising on our safe streets. Montibello has community events about once a quarter. Although you don’t have to be a member of Carmel Country Club to live in this neighborhood, about 65% of the residence are.

The architecture ranges from 1968 to brand new homes..yes, homes are being torn down here too. Some of the older homes range from Colonial Style, French Provencial, and even Contemporary. None of the homes look the same. 

Ten reasons why to live in Montibello:  

·         Two of your finest realtors live here Donna Johnston and Rhonda Gibbons

·         There is a very active neighborhood association that only costs you $75 per year.

·         Convenient location to the Harris YMCA and Carmel Country Club which is great for a pool.

·         Walking distance to Olde Town which features Starbucks, Harris Teeter, CVS, Alan Daniels Salon, Great Clips, Lotus II Chinese Cuisine (they deliver), McCalisters Deli, Elite Cleaners, Hawthornes Pizza, Surroundings Gift Shop, The UPS Store and The Frame Warehouse. Wow, I didn’t even know there were that many stores in that little shopping center.

·         Did I say there is a Starbucks in walking distance???

·         Families stay in Montibello and tend to move to different streets for more space. Family’s are actually from Charlotte.

·         Kid friendly loving neighborhoods. We all watch out for one another.

·         Well taken care of homes with gorgeous landscaping.

·         Homes are moderately priced from $450-875,000.

·         This is a very stable neighborhood with less than 2% of the homes on the market at any given time.

Ok…..11 reasons… great kids in this neighborhood. My step son Nick and our dogs:)

So what are you waiting for? It is a great time to take a drive down our tree lined streets with the Bradford Pear and Cherry Trees blooming. It really is breathtaking. Know any other great neighborhoods to feature? Just drop me a line and let me know. 

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Carmel Country Club Home for Sale-Top of The Hill in Montibello.

March 17th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Golf

This home is owned by our very own Donna Johnston. As her personal home it has been well maintained and is priced to sell. Alan and Donna are the second owners of this  home that was constructed in 1968 by the late Paul Buck, head of the Coliseum Authority for over 30 years.

Situated on Carmel Country Club’s North Course, the rear yard and patio feature unobstructed views of the 13th green and 6th fairway. This brick French Provincial style home offers 5 BR 3.5 BA and has been meticulously maintained and updated. The enclosed front courtyard with Charleston style iron fencing & carriage lights opens to the front entry with new mahogany double doors with glass and wrought iron detail. Gleaming 5” rustic oak wood floors and crown molding are found throughout the main level.

 

The foyer opens to the open kitchen, breakfast and family rooms. Beautifully updated kitchen has crown molding, recessed lighting, Ubatuba granite counter tops, Travertine tile backsplash, breakfast bar and walk-in pantry with wood shelving. A planning center has a built-in desk and glass front display cabinets. Stainless steel appliances include a new LG refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, microwave and Dacor dual fuel 36” range with 6 gas burners, convection/conventional baking and vent.

Hallway just off the kitchen provides access to the tiled laundry room with overhead cabinets and utility sink, mud/utility room with built-in storage lockers and finished 2-car garage with built-in shelving and new 18’ x 7’ Carriage door with extra quiet opener.

French doors in the breakfast area and family room open to the brick walled 600 square foot patio with unobstructed views of the golf course and Polk speakers. This well maintained home has a new 30 year architectural roof, invisible fencing, new commercial gutters in 2003, new Trane AC units in 2003, Low-e windows added in the rear in 2001 and in the front in 2008, new garage Carriage door and new front entry doors.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

It Pays to Stay Well

March 16th, 2009 categories: Uncategorized

Save on Health Insurance

After years of double-digit growth in health plan costs, we have some good news: the cost of healthcare benefits are expected to rise more slowly during 2009. The bad news is that deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket spending limits are still going to increase – by about 6%! If you’re looking for ways to trim your healthcare bill – and who isn’t – here are a few options: 

·        Negotiate pricing

      If you’re paying out-of-pocket for medical care or you have a high deductible, ask your provider for a deal. A 2005 Harris Interactive poll found that two of three people who asked their hospitals or dentists for lower prices received them. Doctors may prove a tougher nut to crack – just three of five people received lower prices after negotiating with their physicians. If you’re not sure what a reasonable rate would be, call your insurance company and inquire about the rates that it pays physicians in your area. Alternatively, you could visit the Health & Human Services website at www.cms.hhs.gov. The site’s Health Care Consumer Initiative provides a range of costs for various inpatient and outpatient hospital procedures, as well as physicians’ services. 

·        Decline coverage

If you and your spouse both have coverage through your employers, find out whether either employer offers cash for opting out of the health benefits. If so, you may want to keep coverage through one employer and cash out of the other plan. A mid-decade survey by the Employers Resource Council found that the average opt-out award was $1,036 for an individual and $1,423 for a family. This would help offset the cost of your deductible. 

·        Review your bills carefully

An eye-popping number of medical bills and denied insurance claims are incorrect. Many blame it on the constantly changing medical codes that health services providers use for billing. No matter the reason, it’s essential to review your bills carefully and make sure they are correct. If you prefer not to become an expert in medical billing or claims negotiating, you may want to hire a consumer healthcare advocate or auditor to help. 

Healthcare costs have been rising far more quickly than the rate of inflation. Learning to control these costs has benefits today – and tomorrow. 

For additional information on health care insurance or anything else related to your investment future, please contact Karp Financial Strategies at 7404-658-1929 or our website, www.karpfinancial.com.

Jeffrey R. Karp, CLU, ChFC, CASL™

Jeffrey P. Kendall

Karp Financial Strategies

704-658-1929

www.karpfinancial.com

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Charlotte Real Estate 911 becomes Real Estate 411!

March 1st, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends

Let’s hear it for some good news about Charlotte Real Estate, Hip Hip Horray!
“Forbes and Builder Magazines Say Charlotte is Tops in Real Estate for 2009″

The nice thing about Charlotte is that our residential real estate market never soared like so many others nor have we bottomed out like California, Arizona and Florida.

We’ve been blessed with a growing area and reasonable home price appreciation.

Two well respected publications Builder on Line and Forbes magazine recently ranked Charlotte NC respectively as one of the Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009 & The 10 Best US Housing Markets (please click on the links to read the articles.)

So we’ve felt all along that Charlotte woudl be one of he first areas to bounce back! Our own Rhonda describes it best “the Charlotte market has gone from a market 911 to a market 411” as Rhonda puts it…“we are starting to see less paralysis and more life in the Charlotte market – more people asking questions, looking at homes and more valued priced homes – Charlotte 411!”

As you continue your search for your Charlotte home be confident that not only have you chosen a great place to live but you’re making a smart decision. Let us know how we can help!

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »