Archive for February, 2010

Charlotte Homes for Sale – How to Stand out from the Crowd!

February 25th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More, Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Selling home in Charlotte

Let’s face it.  There’s a lot of competition on the market right now for Charlotte homes for sale, and you need to stand out from the crowd to capture a buyer.  But not to worry!  Here are a few of our tried and true methods to make your Charlotte Home shine.  We’ll show you 3 big time strategies to get a buyer touring your home and falling in love when they arrive.

1.  Great Photography

90% of today’s buyers rely on the internet to find Charlotte homes for sale.  More often than not, they are looking at three inch pictures and spend an average of seven seconds viewing each listing.  That means that pictures of your house must not only grab the buyer’s attention, but must also tell the complete story of your house in just a few seconds.  Having great pictures of your home can mean the difference between a potential buyer browsing over your house or compelling the buyer to schedule a showing.  And buyers must experience the house in person before they can make an offer.  We make sure every one of our listings has great photos to captivate buyers.

2.  Smart Marketing

Marketing is everything in today’s real estate environment.  The era of buyers driving through neighborhoods searching for Charlotte homes for sale has been more or less replaced by the internet.  Good internet marketing will not only ensure your home is visible to all buyers of Charlotte homes for sale, but will also reel-in buyers by the bucket-full.  Our sellers get the full benefit of having an internet-savvy professional marketing their Charlotte homes for sale.

3.  Stage Your Home

There is nothing more important than producing a “wow” factor when potential buyers walk in your front door.  Have you ever noticed how brand new model homes look unrealistically amazing?  You walk in the home and think “this is luxury.”  What if your home could show like a model?  It can make a big difference in the amount a buyer will offer — $3000, $5000, $10,000 or more!  After personally touring 100’s of Charlotte homes for sale, we tell our clients exactly what changes can make the most impact for the least amount of time and money.  This one service alone ensures our clients get top dollar for their home.

And remember, you’re not alone in selling your house.  If you want to make your home stands out in the crowd of Charlotte homes for sale, Contact Us and we will ensure your home is the shining star of Charlotte, selling fast and for Top Dollar.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 3 Comments »

Charlotte Real Estate is it All About…Me? or You?

February 25th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More

Thanks to 110 Watt Consulting for providing this video!

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Knowledge is Power! Housing TAX Benefits Ending!

February 18th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More

There are several important deadlines coming up that I want to share.  I  actually spoke with 2 clients this week that were absolutely ecstatic to learn that they qualify for the $6,500 Move-up tax credit.    The need to move FAST !

Knowledge is Power !

ISSUE: ALL TRANSACTIONS – $8,000 FIRST TIME HOME BUYER CREDIT EXPIRES.

DEADLINE: APRIL 30^TH, 2010 TO GO UNDER CONTRACT AND CLOSE BY JUNE 30^th, 2010.

SOLUTION:  Buyer identifies a property and goes Under Contract by April 30th    Please let your clients know  so they can take advantage of this offer.

ISSUE: ALL TRANSACTIONS– $6,500 MOVE-UP CREDIT EXPIRES.

DEADLINE: APRIL 30^TH, 2010 TO GO UNDER CONTRACT and CLOSE BY JUNE 30^th, 2010.

SOLUTION:  Buyer identifies a property and goes Under Contract by April 30th    Please let your clients know so they can take advantage of this offer.

ISSUE: FHA FINANCING – SELLER CAN NO LONGER CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN 3% FOR CLOSING COSTS AND PREPAIDS.   This means the buyer will likely need to have more money for  closing in the future or could end up with a higher interest rate which could impact their ability to qualify.  This will be more of an issue for homes that are 150K and below.

DEADLINE: APRIL 4^TH, 2010

SOLUTION:  Buyer identifies a property and goes Under Contract by April 4^th.   Please let New American Mortgage know the property address so we can order the case number and the buyer is protected.

ISSUE: FHA FINANCING – UPFRONT MORTGAGE INSURANCE PREMIUM INCREASING FROM 1.75% TO 2.25% This means the buyer will likely need to have more money for  closing or could end up with a higher interest rate which could impact their ability to qualify.  On a 200K purchase, the buyer would be charged $1,000 more to do the loan.

DEADLINE: APRIL 4^TH, 2010

SOLUTION:  Buyer identifies a property and goes Under Contract by April 4^th.   Please let New American Mortgage know the property address so we can order the case number and the buyer is protected.

Submitted by:

Geoff W. Brown – NMLS #90036
Sr. Mortgage Consultant
“The Geoff Brown Team” @ New American Mortgage
Phone 704.926.2521
Cell 704.728.6286
Click Here to Apply Online !

My Blog -  www.mycarolinaloan.com

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Huntersville Fun!

February 16th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Charlotte Real Estate & More

Huntersville is a great place to move to with you family. Last year I blogged about the community. But, what is there to do? Since there are so many companies relocating to the Huntersville area, I thought you may like some information.  Check out these fun things.

Feel a need to shop than head to the North Lake Mall. This is one of the newest malls in Charlotte. Not only do they offer great shopping, here are some more fun things to do. Free Wi-Fi – Access provided by Time Warner Cable. Available in Center Court, Food Court, Sports Court and at Northlake Mall Customer Service Center.Sports Court – Watch sporting events on three flat screen TV’s while lounging in a comfortable chair or bleacher seating. Located on the lower level near Dick’s Sporting Goods.Warner Bros. Looney Tunes Play Area – Kids can climb, crawl and jump on their favorite Looney Tunes characters. Located on the lower level across from Dick’s Sporting Goods.Kids’ Food Court Activity Area - Interesting, hand-eye coordination activities like tabletop sand designs made with magnets, tic-tac-toe and more. Located within the Food Court on the upper level.Coffee Court – Sit and relax with a cup of coffee or a snack. Located at Grand Court on the lower level behind Starbucks.Ticketmaster – Visit the Ticketmaster retail location at Northlake Mall Customer Service to purchase tickets, access event information to a wide variety of venues and entertainment options including sports, music, theater, arts and family shows. Sharp AQUOS Entertainment Lounge – Experience Sharp AQUOS HD TV’s up close and personal in the Sharp AQUOS Entertainment Lounge on the lower level near Macy*s.

Northlake Mall
6801 Northlake Mall Drive Charlotte, NC 28216
704.921.2000

Birkdale Village 8712 Lindholm Drive Huntersville, NC 28078. Birkdale Village, a 323,549 square foot lifestyle/hybrid center combines the best of shopping, dining, apartments and entertainment venues within a 52 acre mixed use development. Shops with colorful windows line the main street, and unique residential dwellings are nestled above. A linear parking plan showcases bubbling fountains and provides cheerful gardens for shoppers to enjoy. Patterned after the wonderful texture of New England seacoast towns, Birkdale Village brings to the shopping and residential environment a scale and texture that is atypical of either conventional shopping centers or housing communities. Together, they deliver a varied and rich urban experience not found elsewhere in the Charlotte region. Birkdale Village is located off exit 25 For a directory of stores, visit: http://www.birkdalevillage.net/directory.htm.

Carolina Raptor Center 6000 Sample Road Huntersville, NC 28078 The Carolina Raptor Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental education and the conservation of birds of prey through public education, the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors, and research. It’s located within Latta Plantation’s Nature Preserve. Its open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. Live Bird Presentations are made Saturdays 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and are free with admission. Weekends at CRC offer special activities. Behind the Scenes Tours are the first weekend of every month at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and cost $5 (not included with admission). You can “Meet the Keeper” the second weekend of every month at 2 p.m. Trail Trivia Talks are offered the third weekend of every month at 2 p.m. each day and are free with admission. Backyard Tails, the Center’s popular free flight show happens Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend on Saturdays and Noon and 2 p.m.

Carolina Renaissance Festival Located at Intersection of Hwy 73 at Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and I-85) (704) 896-5544 (877) 896-5544. The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 10-stage theater, a 22-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast – all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure. The Carolina Renaissance Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, from October through November. Its located just north of Charlotte between Concord and Huntersville on Highway 73 at Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and I-85). Exit 25 on I-77 or exits 52 or 55 on I-85. For more information, call (704) 896 5544 or toll free at: (877) 896-5544.

Duke Energy’s EnergyExplorium 13339 Hager’s Ferry Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 1-800-777-0003 Learn about electricity and the environment through hands-on, interactive computer exhibits or walk the mile-long nature trail along Lake Norman – with complimentary backpacks, field guidebooks and binoculars! You can enjoy lunch at our lakeside picnic area. The EnergyExplorium is located off Highway 73 at the McGuire Nuclear Station. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit: http://www.duke-energy.com/visitor-centers/energyexplorium.asp.

Historic Latta Plantation 5225 Sample Road Huntersville, NC 28078 704-875-2312 Historic Latta Plantation is a circa 1800 cotton plantation and living history farm. Visitors can tour the original plantation house, grounds, and outbuildings, see rare breeds of historic livestock, rotating exhibits in the Education Hall, and more! Latta provides educational field trips for over 12,000 students, summer day camps for 400 children, birthday parties, and many special events each year. Our programs focus on life in the North Carolina Backcountry from 1800 to 1865. Historic Latta Plantation is located in 1340 acre Latta Plantation Nature Preserve off Beatties Ford Road. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 and on Mondays Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Latta Plantation also offers horse back riding and hosts events.

Joe Gibbs Racing 13415 Reese Blvd. West Huntersville, NC 704-944-5000 Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the premier organizations in the sport of NASCAR, currently fielding three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams and two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams. JGR’s driver lineup includes Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Marc Davis. JGR’s headquarters in Huntersville, NC features a fan-friendly lobby filled with display cases featuring race-used memorabilia, trophies and exhibits. The highlight, however, is a large viewing window overlooking the shop floor, allowing race fans of all ages to see the team working on the race cars! While at JGR’s headquarters, make sure to check out JGR’s gift shop, which was voted “best laid out store in all of NASCAR” by the Charlotte Observer. We look forward to seeing you! Lobby hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Gift Shop is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Library @ North County Regional – PLCMC 16500 Holly Crest Lane Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 895-4020 PURPOSE: To meet the informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs of the people of Mecklenburg County. MISSION: Expand Minds…Empower Individuals…Enrich our Community SERVICES: Information source; homework assistance, including free tutoring for elementary school children once a week when CMS is in session by the Amigos de la Biblioteca, a high school tutoring club; reader’s advisory; computer services including internet access; programs for children ages birth – 12; young adult and adult programs; and ESL materials. A PLCMC library card gives access to over a million books, audio cassettes and CDs (including audio books), videotapes, CD ROMs and DVDs at more than 20 branches throughout Mecklenburg County. Library card users are also able to use dozens of online resources, including homework assistance, language learning program, and research tools. Fees: Free to Mecklenburg county residents Non-residents of Mecklenburg County can obtain a PLCMC library card for an annual fee of $45.00 ($35.00 for adults 62 and older). No fee is charged to non-residents who own property in Mecklenburg County or who are students in Mecklenburg County. Eligibility: Unrestricted. Intake procedure: Need identification and proof of residence to apply for a library card or to use the internet. Service Area: Mecklenburg County. For more information, call (704) 895-4020 or visit: http://www.plcmc.org/Locations/branches.asp?id=16.

Rural Hill 4431 Neck Road Huntersville, NC 28078-8342 (704-875-3113) Rural Hill is the historic homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson. For more than 230 years, six generations of the Davidson family made their home at Rural Hill. Today, Rural Hill is a restoration in progress. The property is open year round, Monday through Saturday from 10:00AM until 4:00PM for self guided tours of the 265 acre property. Group tours can be arranged with advanced reservations. Rural Hill is the home to “The Amazing Maize Maze at Rural Hill” – In the fall. Other events include: “The Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials” – In November ; “The Loch Norman Highland Games at Rural Hill” –In April as well as “Revolutionary War Reenactments at Rural Hill” – That happen in May. Corporate team building events may be scheduled by appointment Monday through Friday.

Visit Lake Norman – Visitor’s Center 19900 West Catawba Avenue Cornelius, NC 28031 (704-987-3300)           ( 800-305-2508) The mission of Visit Lake Norman is to market our hospitality and regional resources to the broadest base of potential visitors for the maximum exposure and economic benefits of our business members, residents, and their traveling guests throughout the lake community. The Visitor’s Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recently opened- Discovery Place KIDS Launching a New Adventure in Play in Huntersville Discovery Place KIDS is an innovative model in children’s museums developed by Discovery Place, Inc. Exploring the theme of I CAN, Discovery Place KIDS offers unique opportunities for interactive learning-throughplay for children birth through second grade. Travel to Great Learning Destinations By participating in rich play experiences that value imagination, fun and learning, kids explore their world, discover how to get along with others, test their skills and muscles, try out new ideas and develop confidence. Exhibit areas build on the theme of I CAN . . . Create, Work, Be Healthy, Move, Explore, Build and Grow. Kids and their caregiver are provided with opportunities to create a masterpiece, imagine they are a community helper, experiment with movement, construct a building and much more. Fuel To Learn Visit discoveryplacekids.org to take a virtual tour. Discovery Place KIDS is planned to open in Huntersville, 2010.

Where to Stay in Huntersville?

Huntersville Hotels Candlewood Suites 16530 Northcross Drive Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-895-3434)

Country Suites By Carlson 16617 Statesville Road Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-895-6565)

Courtyard by Marriott 16700 Northcross Drive Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-949-4900)

Hawthorn Suites Ltd. 16905 Caldwell Creek Drive Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-892-9487)

Holiday Inn Express 14135 Statesville Road Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-875-1165)

Quality Inn 16825 Caldwell Creek Drive Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-892-6597)

Red Roof Inn & Suites 13830 Statesville Road Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-875-7880)

Residence Inn by Marriot 16830 Kenton Drive Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-584-0000)

Sleep Inn – Lake Norman 16508 Northcross Drive Huntersville, NC 28078  (704-766-2500)

You are now well equipped to navigate your way through Huntersville except on thing!! If you decide you would like to live there, call the experts at Talk Charlotte Team. 888-297-6100

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 3 Comments »

Where are your eggs?

February 13th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More

Honored to have another guest post from our friends at Karp Financial Services:

What Will Be Good In 2010?

The first decade of the millennium has come to a close. Prices have begun a cautious climb out of the doldrums, unattractive interest rates have driven investors back into the fray, less government money is available, and unemployment and continuing difficulties in the retail sector are on the rise. The early signs are certainly confusing, due largely to the legacy of 2009 – a year that saw a number of high-profile oddities that cannot be relied upon as performance indicators.

So, what should you be doing now? The answer it seems is not to put all your eggs in one basket.

A balanced portfolio of good investments, coupled with a sound investment strategy, will probably prove a more rewarding option. And that means a return to basics for veteran and novice investors alike. Study the market, understand the mechanics driving the engine, and establish early on where you draw the line on basics such as safety, liquidity, growth, and income – and stick to them. To do otherwise could prove costly.

This year may prove to be a watershed period that will reveal whether or not economic recovery is real or another false start. The desire for long-term securities appears to be growing while the quick kill mentality continues to wane. But, whatever the future does hold, one thing is certain: A personal investment strategy that respects rather than blindly follows emerging trends may be the surest way to achieve a happier financial new year.

Both positive and negative surprises are in our future; changes that will help or hurt. Over time, the positive influences tend to outweigh the negative ones. It’s a good guess that the first decade of the new millennium will be remembered as an unusual detour in the longer-term upward march of the markets.

Feel free to contact us to answer any questions and help guide you into some things that might “be good on 2010”.

Jeffrey R. Karp, CLU, ChFC, CASL™
Jeffrey P. Kendall

Karp Financial Strategies
704-658-1929
www.karpfinancial.com
* Securities and Investment Advice offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA, SIPC
* Article was prepared by PEAK.

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

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