Archive for March, 2010

Secret to Selling Your Home? Get a geranium

March 30th, 2010 categories: Featured Properties

OK maybe it’s not quite that simple ~ but I am big believer in simple solutions for complex problems. It’s tough out there ~ I bet as a team we have 100 people who want to, are itching to move to Charlotte ~ but they can’t sell their homes! Sound familiar?

I think you’ll be interested in the “Cinderella Story” of little ole’ 1622 Geneva Court in the heart of Myers Park. This is one of Blake’s favorite listings, nestled on a secret cul de sac the lovely brick ranch is but a stones throw (literally) from the Freedom Park Lake. Look at the before and after pictures below and you’ll see that all this charmer needed was a gallon of black paint, some pine straw, elbow grease and maybe one nudge from the fairy Godmother!

People ask us all the time why should I list my home with RE/MAX, with the TalkCharlotte team? Well a cliche is only a cliche if it’s not true ~ it’s true we do go the extra mile. Blake made some simple suggestions (dramatic results) the homeowners jumped on it ~ IT WORKED! It’s not always this clear or simple but we find a way to add value to listing your home. We are testing out personalized blog posts about our listings – asking our homeowners to tell the story, what they love about the home they’re selling ~  they’re connecting wth prospective buyers ~ IT”S WORKING! Click We Don’t Want to Sell and then Queens Beans for the stories.

So back to Geneva Court…

BEFORE

AFTER  Taadaaa!

So there she is Cinderella..to be fair the after picture is Charlotte in full bloom…but here’s what we did for about $300!

1. Black paint on shutters, handrail and awning $50
2. Dozen shrubs in the front $120
3. Cut down scraggly magnolias front door $ elbow grease
4. Pulled up the overgrown money grass $elbow grease
5. Pressure wash the (beautiful) brick garden wall $ borrow a washer, elbow grease
6. Geranium in clay pot front steps $15
7. New Mulch or if you prefer pine straw $150

You can do this! If you or a friend who is thinking of selling a home in this challenging market – drop us a note click right here we might just be able to help you paint a prettier picture and tell the story of your home! Stories Sell and that will make all the difference!

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 5 Comments »

Charlotte Real Estate, Stick a yard sign in it, it’s…

March 27th, 2010 categories: Buying your Home, Real Estate News

I know you’re thinking what happened to Friday Fun? what’s with all the real serious, real estate — well we wanted you to know the news of real estate’s death has been exaggerated — The TalkCharlotte Team Bunch and our clients are doing quite well here in Charlotte…just sayin’

In the past few months we’ve helped clients close on eleven beautiful homes over $2,000,000 with another seven homes ($2.5mm) closing soon! And we’ve got eleven more homes listed with a few more almost ready to go! Talk Charlotte Homes

So while there’s no doubt the Charlotte real estate market is tough...it’s NOT DEAD. We’re busy and if you’re looking to buy or sell a home in Charlotte you should be too! It may not be the “bitter bottom” but common sense says it’s a good time to get serious about a home! We’re not about to get on this wagon…are you?

And you’re a first time home-buyer please, please, please don’t forget that the $8,000 tax credit expires April 30. For you it could be a “perfect storm” of home buying opportunity — prices are down, interest rates are low and there are lots of home to choose from. Remember to get under contract by April 30 you need to be putting your purchase offer in  NOW! We really can help you~drop us an note right here

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 2 Comments »

There is No Place Like HOME-Charlotte, NC

March 25th, 2010 categories: Buying your Home, Charlotte Living, Great Neighborhoods

There’s no place like home! Happiness is found in your own backyard! You don’t have to go far to find adventure!

Sure, these are clichés, but when you look around the City of Charlotte, you’ll see that we really don’t have to go far to find fun and adventure! Especially when you do a little sniffing around…

Getting some fresh air and clearing out the lungs in Charlotte is easier than you might think. We can celebrate the flora and the fauna here just as well as they do in the mountains. Enjoying the green ways of our city is more than just walking a trail, each park area is unique and has something to offer. Take the Pineville-Matthews road area where you can find the William R. Davie park. This park is just one of the many amenities that make South Charlotte so desirable. The Davie Dog park is located here, along with a basketball court, four softball fields, a lake, a playground, two soccer fields (one natural turf, one artificial), restrooms and covered area, a volleyball court, and much more are available for our enjoyment. If you’re looking for just a quick in-and-out entrance to the green way so you can run, walk your dog, or ride your bicycle, there are a few parking areas in South Charlotte, too. The lower McAlpine Creek, McMullen Creek, and Four Mile Creek Green ways have spots at: 11817 Johnston Rd., 8135 Pineville-Matthews Rd., and near the Shoppes at Piper Glen. These are all super easy to Google map. However, be aware that parking is not allowed in the lot at the shopping center for park goers. There is a great deal of on-street parking available. (I also suggest parking at the Rea Rd. library and walking to the greenway if needed. Their lot to the far right is never completely full.)

The Queen City has so much to offer its residents that we often forget to take advantage of the things that are right under our noses! Especially the programs and services that our tax dollars are contributing toward (grant money also rounds out the budgets). For instance, did you know that the Parks and Recreation Department sponsors wine tasting trips for retirees and active seniors? On Saturday, March 23^rd, is the N.C. Winery Tour. Active senior adults will visit the Shelton Winery and the Childress Winery. You can purchase your own lunch at the Shelton Vineyards Restaurant, or you are invited to pack your own picnic lunch. The outing is just $49 per person. The transportation takes place aboard a comfortable, luxury motor coach, which departs at 7:00 a.m. and returns at 6:00 p.m. Contact Michelle Hitselberger or call (980) 722-2251 for more information or to sign up.

Now, on the opposite side of the age spectrum, kids can have the chance to boogie-oogie-oogie, through the NCDT REACH program. This dance program is for children ages 8-10, through the North Carolina Dance Theatre. It offers classes in ballet and “world dance forms,” and it includes the necessary dance attire and the kids get tickets to NC Dance Theater performances, free of charge! This is an excellent way to develop an interest in theater and dance in your youngsters. Not only will they learn dance steps, but professional dancers will inspire the children as they learn! Auditions for the fall program are held in August with classes beginning in September. For more information contact April Berry at 704.372.0101 x109 or aberry@ncdance.org.

Don’t forget to take advantage of what you can find in your own backyard! You can save gas, time, and money by enjoying the beautiful green ways of South Charlotte. Plus, check the websites of our local government departments like the Parks and Recreation site. You never know what you’ll find right under your nose!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 3 Comments »

We Don’t (really) Want to Sell our Plaza Midwood Home…

March 24th, 2010 categories: Charlotte Living, Great Neighborhoods, Our Charlotte Realtors, Selling your home

…but we must!
It’s surprising and a bit curious that when we list and help sell a client’s home we’re helping them do something they (often) don’t want to do ~ and worse than that we’re good at it! Selling a home can be bittersweet. Sure you’re excited about the new home or moving to a new city but there’s usually a lot of stuff you’ll miss ~ most people love their homes!

Blake’s clients the Kerns are no exception ~ Nicole, Bryan and their adorable daughter Kathryn love their Winter Street home and the Midwood neighborhood. After all who wants to miss out on Midwood Maynia, Plaza Midwood’s annual family fun festival! It’s this weekend by the way lean more by clicking right here.

Back to the Kerns, as we know life moves on and sometimes we have no choice but to move – relocation, job change, school choice or downsizing. What is too often overlooked by buyers is that the very home they want to buy has most likely been loved and cared for. Read Nicole Kern’s beautiful note about their 1904 Winter Street home which has been obviously loved and cared for – click here for a virtual tour.

Nicole talks fondly of her Midwood neighborhood and with good reason ~ this area have been one of Charlotte’s most sought after locations. Plaza-Midwood has an eclectic (OK funky) mix of traditional southern charm, urban revitalization and buzz worthy arts, dining and culture!

So if you live in Charlotte but haven’t been to Midwood lately then this weekend might be the time to get on over for Midwood Maynia. And if you are in the market for what Blake desribes as a ShamWow House well then you just might want to take a look at 1904 Winter Street ~ make sure you call Blake though because the Kerns are not to eager to sell (we’re kidding of course!)
Oh and almost forgot Blake is hosting an open house at 1904 Winter Street, Sunday May 17th – email Blake here for all the details!

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 4 Comments »

So How is the Market in Charlotte, NC?

March 23rd, 2010 categories: Real Estate News

Well that question I hear at least once a day. How is the market? Let’s see, let’s start with the average days on market for February 2010. Out of the 1,397 homes that closed, 46% closed in 121 days or more or 639 homes, 16% closed between 91 and 120 days or 228 homes, 17% closed between 61 and 90 days or 238 homes, 237 homes closed in 31-60 days, and 55 homes in Charlotte, NC closed in less than 30 days. Now this does not take in consideration homes may have been re-listed multiple times. In February 2009, there were 1,348 closings compared to February 2010 which had 1,397 so we are up slightly 3.6%.

The average closing price in Dec. 2008 was $200,226, Dec. 2009 was $211,705 and February 2010 $191,288. So we are down but if you compare the average closing price from Feb.2010 to Feb. 2009, it shows an increase of 4.6%.

Mortgage rates are just about the same as they were a year ago. 5.07 in 2009 and 5.05 in 2010.

Closings by price in Charlotte, NC:

Of the 1,397 homes that closed in Charlotte,NC

• 556 were under $120,000
• 204 were between $120-150,000
• 187 were between $150-190,000
• 130 were between $250-350,000
• 85 were between $350-$500,000
• 56 were between $500-1million
• 13 were over $1 million

On the market? Are you sitting down? There are currently around 24,043 homes on the market in the Charlotte area. Lots and Lots of inventory!

• 5317 are priced below $120,000
• 3,037 are priced from $120-150,000
• 3,356 are priced from $150-190,000
• 3,548 are priced from $190-250,000
• 3,341 are priced from $250-350,000
• 2514 are priced between $350-500,000
• 2,187 are priced between $500-1Million
• 743 are priced over 1 Million

So back to the question- How is the market in Charlotte, NC?  It would depend what you home is priced at for your chances of selling. If you are selling your home and really want get it sold, price it to sell FAST. Don’t just stick it on the market, declutter, clean, tidy up the yard, stage if it is empty. There is a lot of competition out there so you will want to look your best.. or you will be a sitting duck at that over 120 day bracket. If you are buying, you can really get a great home right now and take advantage of the tax credit.

This information was reported from Realtor Reflections magazine February addition.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

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