Archive for December, 2009

Charlotte Real Estate Auctions Made Real Easy and Soggy Bread

December 30th, 2009 categories: Buying your Home, Real Estate News

Lani Rosales is a very cool person a Realtor, a Twitter(er), a Facebook(er), a Texan (keeping Austin weird) and she has one wicked wit. She is also an expert on today’s real estate world. Lani and her similarly tricked out hubby Benn run the Agent Genius blog – which covers a world of real estate information mostly targeted towards real estate agents – but that doesn’t mean regular folks can’t pick up a tip or two – or maybe come up with a really smart question to stump your favorite Realtor (and who’s not up for that)! Please check out their Agent Genius blog

So why the long intro? Well I really do like what the Rosales are doing  - reading their blog makes me better which means my clients do better. Today I found this simple yet informative video about real estate auctions — Charlotte foreclosure auctions are all the rage – where else you gonna get a million dollar home for $400K…right? Well maybe,maybe not. Thing is many auctions are I think a lot like stocks “by the time you hear about it…” Now that’s not to say you can’t make it work or that you don’t have a Realtor who’s on top of the auction game (it is a game) but…if you ask me Auction Rule #1 is mange your expectations or have someone manage them for you. (women are particularly good & smart this way) YES you might get the deal of the lifetime or you might end up with a crawlspace crawling with mold, tenants who won’t leave or subflooring that resembles french toast before the toasted – ala soggy bread. If you’re up for an auction GO FOR IT and we can help but just make sure you understand today’s real estate auctions are more like lottery tickets than Tbills!
Enjoy the video…and remember as is…is as

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Charlotte Sucks*

December 18th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Living, Real Estate News

OK we all know Charlotte doesn’t suck (but a vacuum does) – Charlotte’s actually thriving and I still can’t think of a better place to live! This week Charlotte got a double (actually triple) dose of awesome community news a bank, a beauty** and a bevy (of appliances):

1) The venerable brand Electrolux is relocating it’s North American headquarters (700 plus jobs) to Charlotte NC!
2) Bank of America is keeping its headquarters in Charlotte
**Danica Patrick is in town announcing her NASCAR debut!

The most intriguing story is the Electrolux (OK Danica buts let’s stay on topic) relocation. I have long sensed that Charlotte was on the cusp of a more varied business focus – we are more than banks! Hey I’m not knocking the banks but Charlotte is quietly becoming a hotbed of entrepreneurial spirit and activity. Charlotte’s Johnson and Wales University is sooo much more than “cooking school”. We are the leader in the southeast (at least) in hospitals with Carolinas Health Care and Presbyterian Healthcare. Charlotte’s active senior living and retirement resources are among the best in the country – our Sun City Lakes neighbor (we can help you with this one!) is the hottest real estate right now! And we are also fast becoming a  leader in the new church movement with Elevation and Forest Hill (and others) leading the way. Think of Charlotte as a “growth stock” that nobody has discovered yet…(inside tip) I’d be buying shares of Charlotte!

*Vacuums suck, Charlotte clearly does not! (never has, never will)

more on the Electrolux (more than vacuums) Charlotte relocation news…

“Swedish home-appliance manufacturer Electrolux AB will establish its North American headquarters in Charlotte, adding at least 738 jobs to the region over the next five years. The global appliance maker is leasing the 225,000-square-foot former First Charter Corp. headquarters building in the University area for the consolidation of seven business units. Electrolux North America will invest $8.3 million in the new headquarters.

Most of the jobs are expected to be filled by relocating workers. Hiring is slated to begin at the end of the first quarter. It will be the largest corporate relocation to Charlotte since 1984, when insurer Royal & SunAlliance USA moved here.

“Once again this state’s tremendous work force and top business climate attracted a globally competitive company,” said N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue at the announcement late Wednesday morning at the Charlotte Chamber office. “It’s a red-letter day for us.” Perdue added that the company was bringing “high-end” jobs to the city….more

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 6 Comments »

Peaceful Town in SC- Fort Mill

December 16th, 2009 categories: Great Neighborhoods

Fort Mill, SC is a peaceful town in York County. It shares its border with the state of North Carolina, making Charlotte its nearest metropolitan center. With just around 7,500 residents, Fort Mill maintains a cozy feel, where neighbors know one another and are active in their community. The median age of the town’s residents is 34, with an annual household income of $45,237 and home value around $180,000. The public schools in Fort Mill are excellent, with small classes for added individual attention. The school district prides itself on its progressive teaching methods, which continually evolve to prepare students for the future. The schools are noted for utilizing advanced technologies in the classroom, and making computer labs and software available to students. The district’s standards and test scores exceed those in the rest of the state, and consistently set a national standard.

The town has experienced steady economic growth, thanks in part to the Fort Mill Downtown Association, Area Council, and York County Regional Chamber of Commerce. These groups work together to implement an ambitious plan to enrich retail trade and commercial development in Fort Mill and the surrounding areas. These bodies provide marketing, support, and sales opportunities to its businesses. They have been successful in attracting consumers from neighboring Charlotte.

Through various promotional activities and public relations campaigns, existing businesses in the area have seen an influx of new revenue. This, of course, attracts the attention of other establishments looking to expand into Fort Mill’s business friendly environment. This plan and its implementation have resulted in both retail and manufacturing becoming the largest employment sectors in the region. Wholesale, professional services and finance round out the largest employment opportunities.

The climate in Fort Mill has a magnificent four seasons. The area’s scenic beauty is accentuated by old growth maple, hickory, chestnut, birch and sassafras trees. Throughout the year, they create a magnificent backdrop, and residents here spend their free time hiking or driving to view the seasonal changes. Many enjoy a weekend getaway to Sugarloaf Mountain. Named for its conical shape that resembles an old fashioned sugar cone, this is a great spot for hiking and camping. The less adventurous come to see the historic Beverly Robinson estate and mansion.

Like much of the rest of the country, AAA Baseball is experiencing resurgence in Fort Mill. With ticket prices soaring for Major League games throughout the nation, Minor League baseball is an opportunity for an inexpensive family outing. The stadiums are reminiscent of old time ball fields, and players and coaches remain accessible for a chat and an autograph for their fans. In the Fort Mill Area crowds come to see the Charlotte Knights, a White Sox affiliate. And while parents are sometimes dismayed by the social activities of their children’s Major League heroes, the Charlotte Knights are not only good role models, but good coaches. Each summer, they host aspiring youth ball players in a two-day skills clinic.Fort Mill is a cozy community with a solid base of family values and economic development. Its residents work to maintain the small town friendliness and flavor, while laying the groundwork for a healthy future.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Finally Some Short Sales SENSE | RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly explains…

December 13th, 2009 categories: Real Estate News

Our own RE/MAX Chief Executive Officer, Margaret Kelly, explains the US Treasury’s guidlines on how homeowners can avoid foreclosure with the newly announced government short sale plan.

We expect a large portion of Charlotte residential transactions to be in the short sale category for the foreseeable future – the TalkCharlotte team has been trained and certified (Donna Johnston) to help you! If you’re looking to buy in Charlotte we can guide you through the still complicated short sale process and if you’re considering selling your home as a short sale - you’re not ALONE – we can help you make the most of that too!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

The new 2009-2010 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit…explained for Charlotte

December 10th, 2009 categories: Buying your Home, Real Estate News

Our own RE/MAX Chief Executive Officer, Margaret Kelly, talks about the government’s extension/expansion of the first-time homebuyer tax credit. Certain existing homeowners can now qualify for the credit and homebuyers have until April 30, 2010 to put a contract on a house.

If you’re planning to look at homes over the holidays let us know – theTalkcharlotte team will be working (who’d a thunk it’s one of the busiest times for house hunting) especially for folks considering a Charlotte relocation. And if you’d rather focus on family and fun during the holidays we understand that too -  we’ll be here to help you come January 2010!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Charlotte’s BEST Christmas Lights Outside of McAddenville

December 9th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Living, Great Neighborhoods

While McAddenville Charlotte’s close neighbor still reigns as the Charlotte area’s best “scrooge antidote” – our friends at Waxmama have awarded their somewhat prestigious Griswold Award to Charlotte’s own A Mammoth Christmas – nestled in the formerly (soon to be again) quiet Lansdowne neighborhood. (Sorry neighbors but here it is 501 Mammoth Oaks Drive Charlotte NC -map below)

A Mammoth Christmas even has it’s own website with (as expected ) “lighting statistics” like 50 digital dimmer channels, networked, 10,000 green mini lights and a train runs under the tree on a 15 foot diameter loop. They also have a synchronized show that is captured on a 24/7 webcam – Lord what would we be without the internet!

Happy Holidays to all our friends, clients and 2010 new arrivals to Charlotte – it’s going to be an awesome Holiday and a wonderful New Year!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Retirement Planning | It’s Like your Junk Drawer…

December 8th, 2009 categories: Buying your Home, Charlotte Living, Market Trends

Retirement Planning | It’s Like your Junk Drawer….you know you think about it once in a while, even start to work on it then anything, anything comes up and you leave it for another day! Well as we approach 2010 which should be a reprieve financially compared to 2009 (Rhonda thinks stringing colored lights on our Christmas tree for the 1st time is a sign)…our friends Jeff & Jeff at Karp Financial Strategies have some thoughts and ideas on how to get your retirement planning on or back on track!

ps. much of the information applies equally well if you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Charlotte next year – financial prudence is a powerful tool!

From Karp Financial.…”Are you “thinking” about retirement? As early as 1968, the co-authors of the book, Social Security: Perspectives for Reform, observed: “There is a widespread myopia with respect to retirement needs. Empirical evidence shows that most people fail to save enough to prevent catastrophic drops in post-retirement income. Not only do people fail to plan ahead carefully for retirement, even in the later years of their working life, many remain unaware of impending retirement needs.”

Twenty years later in 1988, author Venita Vancaspel discussed financial literacy in the United States in her book, Money Dynamics for the 1990s. She wrote: “There is an educational void in our nation, and unfortunately we are raising a generation of financial illiterates. Even many college graduates cannot figure simple percentages. They are not teaching the one subject that they will need to live well in our free enterprise system – how to manage money. This vacuum is so great that the average couple cannot begin to confront the financial uncertainties and the multitude of choices they face in our complex society.”

All stages of life require us to make financial decisions and plan for economic security. No other life stage, however, is likely to create “the financial uncertainties and multitude of choices” as does retirement. Read the rest of this entry »

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »