Archive for January, 2010

Sharpen Your Number 2 Pencil: Charlotte NC is the Place to Buy a Home

January 30th, 2010 categories: Buying your Home, Real Estate News

It’s official things are picking up in Charlotte, NC. It could be the best time in years to buy a home in Charlotte! Rhonda and I wrote three home purchase contracts just last week and as Rhonda said “I think people are just tired of waiting, home prices are fair and interest rates are low – there is a lot of pent up demand.”

Charlotte Ranks Second (No.2) Among Best Places to Buy Now

Forbes magazine recently named Charlotte one of the best places to buy a home, second only to Boston, Massachusetts. To determine which cities had the best buys, Forbes computed the premium and identified locales where economists predict home prices will go up the most over the next five years.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Charlotte’s Best On Us! Discovery Place “Hands on Science”

January 29th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Living

Discovery Place is uniquely Charlotte ~ it’s one of those treasures that both young and old can enjoy and appreciate  years after your first visit. Whether you’re there to visit the mind blowing Lost Worlds at the IMAX theater, to watch a tornado appear before your very eyes or of course to watch mice play basketball ~ Discovery Place in Uptown Charlotte is THE PLACE! Discovery Place has been a part of my Charlotte Life since 1979 when I first moved to Charlotte and met my good friend Miller Nicholson (a darned good architect if you need one btw) for years Miller’s mom Freda was (and remains) along with CEO John Mackay the heart and soul of Discovery Place.

Recently TalkCharlotte partnered with Discovery Place to offer a free admission to Odyssey’s Shipwreck – sorry you missed that one but drop us a note here receive our current offering it’s delicious ~ and get on the list for monthly treats to Charlotte’s Best On Us!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Tara-Nicholle Nelson’s Drama Free Real Estate in Charlotte

January 27th, 2010 categories: Buying your Home, Selling your home

I saw Tara-Nicholle Nelson on TV so I checked her out ~ she started from very little and is now a rising start in the online real estate world. (I also learned she’s a big Seth Godin fan and his amazing What Matters Now) I encourage you to check out Tara’s website and her insights on real estate – I found them unique, interesting and fun(ny) I think you will too. I will point you to a couple of her articles (after this short video) I only wish I could write as well and smartly as she does!

I think you’ll find Tara’s article on Drama-Free Home buying, selling and financing informative and they might even make you smile!

Drama-Free Home Buying
Drama-Free Home Selling
Drama-Free Home Financing

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Find A Good Charlotte Home and Support A Great Cause

January 26th, 2010 categories: Buying your Home, Our Charlotte Realtors, Real Estate News

Did you know that RE/MAX International supports Susan Komen and The Children’s Miracle Network** donating millions of dollars and countless hours. **The Children’s Miracle Network is helping the youngest victims in Haiti right now!

In addition to what RE/MAX does corporately did you know that if you bought or sold a Charlotte home with a Talk Charlotte  Real Esate team member we made a personal donation to the Children’s Miracle Network for EVERY Charlotte home we SELL! Helping you find the perfect Charlotte home and giving back – a great combination!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Charlotte’s Best On Us! Sonoma and Pie Town

January 25th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Living

Charlotte’s a foodie town! You’re surprised?  OK when I came to Charlotte in 1979 it’s fish farm, barbecue, home cookin reputation** was well deserved but now Charlotte’s restaurant scene is vibrant and delicious and I think to often under-appreciated by Charlotteans! We now have restaurants that compare with the biggest cities AND yet we **still have the best fish farms, barbecue, and home cookin…and the best fried chicken in the universe shhhhh here! Oh and by the way is it any wonder we also have a world renown culinary school Johnson & Wales in the heart of uptown!

So this month TalkCharlotte is pleased to partner with two of our personal favorites ~ Charlotte’s cosmopolitan Sonoma Modern American Cuisine and funky Pie Town (yeah it’s as fun as it sounds) restaurants This month ( good till 2/28/10) we’ve partnered to offer a free entree at Sonoma or half off a pie at Pie Town! Drop us a note here to receive our current offering it’s delicious ~ and get on the list for more monthly treats to Charlotte’s Best On Us!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Expert tips for buying or selling a home in this market

January 23rd, 2010 categories: Buying your Home, Selling your home

Every once in a while I stumble upon interesting websites, articles or videos about real estate. Many times those sites are our competitors ~ and I must say I am envious of the amount and quality of information out there. I learn a lot from my real estate colleagues and think you will to!  I am going to do a better job in 2010 of finding and highlighting these gems for you guys! In the end we hope you come back to TalkCharlotte but our mission is to help YOU learn and keep up with the ever changing real estate world ~ no matter where we find it!

I found this excellent short video by HGTV’s Kris Berg (San Diego) “Expert tips for buying or selling a (Charlotte) home in today’s market”

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Charlotte’s Best On Us! Children’s Theater of Charlotte

January 18th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Living

What better way to thank our Charlotte clients or welcome our new friends relocating to Charlotte than with a coupon for a meal or admission to one of Charlotte best restaurants or attractions. The TalkCharlotte team is partnering with Charlotte restaurants, cultural facilities and businesses to offer a great deal on the best Charlotte has to offer. Like to be added to the list? (see below)

TalkCharlotte recently teamed up with Charlotte’s Children’s Theater to provide a free admission! We all LOVE the Children’s theater – it’s been a vibrant part of Charlotte’ cultural scene for 62 years! from the website

“Children’s Theatre of Charlotte opened the door to a new era on October 8, 2005, as it moved from its beloved home on Morehead Street into ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center. A nationally unique collaboration between the Theatre and the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, ImaginOn brings stories to life by combining exceptional theatre, literature and programming for young people under one roof. CTC’s first season in ImaginOn brought resounding success, as over 300,000 program participants broke attendance records. Now entering its 62nd year, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is committed to creating transformational experiences for young people and families while setting a new standard for youth theatre.”

Checkout the website to see what they have going on – it’s one of those organizations that makes you stop and ask What don’t they do? We plan to offer more offering like the Children’s Theater coupon – drop us a not right click here and we’ll add you to our list of upcoming goodies! You’ll LOVE CHARLOTTE!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Charlotte’s American Idol : Move On Me

January 12th, 2010 categories: Great Neighborhoods, Real Estate News

While it’s true Charlotte’s Piper Glen is notable for its fantastic TPC golf course and gorgeous homes it’s also home to Fantasia Barino of American Idol fame! Even if you’re not a smitten fan of American idol you’re sure to remember when Fantasia exploded on the scene with her sultry, steamy and sweet rendition of “summertime” (watch right here) Gershwin was smiling….

Fantasia is once again making news here in Charlotte – see the (always excellent) Mark Washburn’s story Fantasia’s Next Act in the Charlotte Observer. Fantasia a platinum recording superstar is on the verge of a comeback or maybe a rebirth. Like so many of her neighbors in the Piper Glen and Elm Lane area (she has two million dollar plus homes) Fantasia has run into a foreclosure scenario of her own – but things look to be on the mend and she is ready to soar again! As a fellow Charlottean I wish her all the best!

Let’s hope that Fantasia’s good fortunes are a harbinger of good things to come for her Charlotte neighbors too. Be sure to look for Fantasia’s new album and single “Move on me” and check out her new VH1 reality series Fantasia for Real be sure to look for scenes of southeast Charlotte maybe even a siting at the Highway 51 Waffle House a fav hangout of Fantasia — I know I saw here there….in summertime!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

South Park or South Park Properties?

January 11th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Living

I was half asleep the other night but I heard that the South Park cartoon was turning 20. I can’t believe it has been around that long. I will have to say I still don’t like it and feel a bit insulted when I tell people I live in South Park and they laugh. The South Park I live in has been around a lot longer and is MUCH classier. I promise. I love it because it is 10-20 minutes from just about anything. It has the best shopping and restaurants Charlotte has to offer. Oh, and may I add that this sign is missing Neiman Marcus?

The area of South Park Charlotte North Carolina was established in the 1950’s originally as a residential suburb of central Charlotte. This region was once part of a 3,000 acre farm owned by a former North Carolina Governor. Morrocroft Mansion, which was the main house on the farm, is one of the areas most stunning registered historic places with a 14,000 square foot home in the Tudor Revival Style. Ownership of the mansion changed hands in the 1980’s but is still used as a private residence today. Real estate in South Park Charlotte NC benefits from the area’s bustling economic and retail activity. South Park Charlotte NC boasts the second largest business district in the state and one of the most popular malls around. This makes South Park exceptionally desirable for home buyers not to mention the high-end housing available in this area. The South Park District is host to the Charlotte’s Symphony’s Summer Pops concerts. These free concerts at the local amphitheater bring the community together for a fun evening of enjoyment. There are many recreational sites including the Harris YMCA, the greenways at McMullen, Lower McAlpine Creek and the county parks such as Park Road Park. There are also many Families who appreciate the excellent school system public or students may choose to enter one of the several private schools. In addition, there are several universities, public and private in the area as well as a community college. As you can see, there are many opportunities, conveniences, and advantages to choosing South Park Charlotte NC real estate. This is the area where it’s residents refuse to settle for mediocre and enjoy the exciting lifestyle of life in South Park Charlotte NC.

What I really love about South Park is there is always something going on especially in the Summer. Every Sunday, you have to put your picnic blankets out early for the FREE summer of pops concert brought to you by the Charlotte Symphony. Then there is the Great Grapes festival, the Latin America festival, Beer Bourbon and BBQ,  The new Snow Park, Crate and Barrel, Wine Tastings on Wednesdays in the court yard, Cheese Cake Factory, oh my I could really go on. I just really love living in South Park.

So, South Park or “South Park?”  When you come to Charlotte, ask us to show you South Park, or you may want to spend a day discovering all the fun you can have there.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Are you ready to buy a home?

January 10th, 2010 categories: Buying your Home

Are you ready to buy a home in Charlotte? By now we’re all aware of the first time home buyer tax credit program – between that and “health care” the government has been very busy! Politics aside this program has been great for first time homebuyers (and the real estate market as a whole).

So you may be thinking Am I eligible? What about the people who have lived in their home for five years? The folks at Realtor.com have some excellent straightforward info on all of this read>> Am I Eligible for the Tax Credit? I also found some great information to help you figure out IF you should be buying read >> Signs That You’re Ready to Buy at Move.com

We hope you’ll find this information helpful. The TalkCharlotte team is ready to help you when start looking – maybe the best service we provide is a customized search that will give you access to all the Charlotte MLS properties. You tell us what you are looking for and you will receive timely / customized updates on properties that suit your needs. Only a Realtor can help you navigate through the 23,316 properties currently listed for sale. Your dream home is in there – just waiting to be found!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

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