Maureen’s Charlotte HomeStory a new chapter | 3664 Privette Road

March 25th, 2011 categories: Featured Properties

3664 Privette Road Homestory:

what you’re really doing is writing a new chapter, a new chapter in your HomeStory.

Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Charlotte, what you’re really doing is writing a new chapter, a new chapter in your HomeStory.

We’ve asked home sellers to share in their own words what it is they love about their home, their neighborhood and Charlotte, their HomeStory…

Today our friend Maureen tells us what she loves about about 3664 Privette Road in Matthews NC.

A native of Rochester, NY Maureen Holland moved to Charlotte over a year ago – she was so excited about moving into her first home and starting this next chapter in sunny Charlotte! With the help of her Realtor Rhonda Gibbons Maureen found the perfect neighborhood and the perfect home in Callonwood. Matthews is a suburb just to the southeast of Charlotte – a great area close to shopping, restaurants, and the amazing Siskey YMCA!

Maureen loved the location and her home – unfortunately like so many of us, Maureen found herself in a situation where she will be moving away form Charlotte “a city I have grown to love”. We asked Maureen to share her Home Story and hope that someone else might write a new chapter for 3664 Privette Road!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Charlotte Mecklenburg Property Taxes part 2

August 19th, 2010 categories: Real Estate News

Charlotte Property Tax

Investing in Charlotte properties while prices are low is a very smart move, even in a down economy. But, how about those property taxes? Ouch! Welcome to Charlotte. Unfortunately, while living in Mecklenburg county has its perks, owning property in Charlotte, NC will cost you. The city of Charlotte has the highest sales tax in the state as well as one of the highest property and personal property tax rates.

The largest source of revenue for Mecklenburg County is property taxes. Everything that makes living here so worthwhile is funded by these taxes. Important services like fire, police, local libraries, schools, and restaurant inspections.

What are your Charlotte Property Taxes paying for anyway?

If you visit our county’s tax website, you’ll see what else your real estate investment is paying for. “Charlotte property taxes also fund Social Services, help residents move from welfare to work, protect children and senior citizens from abuse and neglect, protect our water and air from pollution, and repair and build some roads.”

Plus, what some might call our luxury services, which are the greenways and parks are paid for out of the property taxes collected from Charlotte Real Estate taxes paid by homeowners and Charlotte property owners.

However, if you do not think your Charlotte property has been fairly assessed and you want to appeal the tax, it is possible to do. Whether or not the Charlotte Tax appraiser will come back to reassess the property is the great unknown.

You must pay your taxes!

Even if, in your opinion, the matter is in dispute; paying your taxes on time will avoid accumulating interest and late fees. The Mecklenburg county website is rather confusing when it answers the question of whether or not you can appeal. Here it is copied directly from the site:

Can I appeal my real estate assessment when I get the statement?
No, an assessment must be appealed by May 15th or within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a Change-of assessment notice.

Now, if you sold a Charlotte property, you will not have to pay the taxes on it from the point when you sold it and forward. You will give a credit for your portion of the taxes at closing, for the year to the buyer, and the buyer will be responsible for the full amount. Yet, the bill will probably still come to you! See, North Carolina tax law requires that the tax statement be sent to the owner of record as of January 1^st and the actual tax bill comes out in Sept. but is due on January 1^st.  If you’ve sold your home, make sure you give the bill to the new owners or you should return the statement to the Tax Collector’s Office with new owner’s name. If they are not living in the property and you don’t know the address of where they are living, just send the statement back and notate as such.

If you have purchased Charlotte-Mecklenburg property that is historical or used for farm or forestry purposes, your property might fall into the reduced tax rate category of properties. Any historical property you purchase retains its historical status until the structure is destroyed. Most likely, if you’ve purchased an historical home, you wouldn’t want to tear it completely down. Be advised also that the other Charlotte property owners living in the neighborhood would not appreciate the depreciation of their property values because the historical value of the neighborhood is changing! Want to know the current Charlotte Metro Property Tax Rates? Get the latest Charlotte Property Tax rate here!

You can pay your taxes online, by phone, or by sending in a check. Paying the extra percentages that we do to own Charlotte homes only rears its head once a year. Just grin and bear it because you know that your money is going to a good cause…our beautiful Queen city!

Have questions about your Charlotte home value? Give us a call and we will take a quick look for you. 888-297-6100

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Rhonda Gibbons | Famous Charlotte Realtor

August 15th, 2010 categories: Our Charlotte Realtors

Rhonda Gibbons

Associate Broker

Talk Charlotte Real Estate Team

704-651-6551

Rhonda@TalkCharlotte.com

After 20-plus years in the fashion/apparel industry working with often demanding customers, building relationships, negotiating and getting things done, I decided to take the skills I learned on the “runway” and apply them to the “driveway”.

Working for companies like Ralph Lauren and Levi Strauss, I learned the importance of details and deadlines! I’m happy to say these skills are even more important in the Charlotte home market. Most Charlotte Realtors have something to sell. First, I listen. I have many happy homeowners who will attest to my listening skills, but listening is, of course, only the first step – after that it takes determination and ‘smarts’ to help people find the perfect home.

Details and deadlines are not only important when buying a home, but even more so when listing your home for sale. This stuff is hard work, and while I take this responsibility seriously I genuinely enjoy helping my clients through the process with passion and enthusiasm, and ultimately finding the perfect home for them.

So whether you’re buying your first Charlotte home, moving up, downsizing or relocating – I look forward to listening to you, first! They don’t call me “help me Rhonda” for nothing!

Charlotte Regional Realtor Association (CRRA)

North Carolina Association of Realtors (NCAR)

National Association of Realtors (NAR)

2007, 2008, 2009 FIVE STAR Award (THREE STRAIGHT YEARS!!)

(voted best in client satisfaction by Charlotte home buyers)

2009 RE/MAX Platinum Club

2008 RE/MAX Platinum Club

2007 RE/MAX Chairman’s Club

2006 RE/MAX Hall of Fame – Platinum

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Friends and Neighbors

August 14th, 2010 categories: Great Neighborhoods

When you’re looking through all of the homes, picking a Charlotte  neighborhood is very important.

We all want to be able to at least tolerate if not actually become friends with our neighbors. The Chantilly neighborhood is a Charlotte Realtor’s dream. The tree lined streets are canopied with mature branches that grow tall. It’s wedged between the Plaza Midwood and Elizabeth neighborhoods. The homes are mostly bungalow style with families that have either retired in their home from 40 years ago, or they’re a young family starting out with a home they want to modernize and renovate.

Much of the real estate in Charlotte is new, which is good, because we all want modern things. Finding a Charlotte  home that has already been renovated is easy right now in the Chantilly neighborhood. If you’re in the market for a new home that needs little to no effort after moving in, you can find several in the range of $250k and up to about $495k. One of the benefits to buying a remodeled home in Chantilly is that not only is it already upgraded with floors, fixtures and kitchen, but a second bathroom has usually always been added! Keep in mind, these Chantilly bungalows were mostly built back in the mid 1940’s to early ’60’s and families just did not have the luxury of more than one bathroom if they lived in the working class neighborhoods and boroughs.

However, if you’re handy and don’t want to spend a lot of money on the initial purchase of a Charlotte property, you can find several fixer-uppers for around $120k. Yes, that’s true! Owning Charlotte property and living in a neighborhood like Chantilly for just over $100,000.

The area around Chantilly is charming. When you talk about great Charlotte NC properties, this place is at the top of the list. You have your choice of walking to either the restaurants and pubs in the Plaza Midwood area, or to those that are in the Elizabeth area. Both areas have much more than this to offer but some of the highlights are:

• Plaza Midwood has
  • Thomas Street Tavern
  • the Penguin
  • Zeda Janes (best breakfast in that GREEN building)
  • Dish
  • Nova’s Bakery
  • Whiskey Warehouse
  • Loco Lime (for some great Mexican eats)

Oh and by the way while you are there, check out BeadLush. A great Charlotte Bead Shop.

• Elizabeth has:
  • Crisp
  • La Te Da’s
  • The Philosopher’s Stone
  • Carpe Diem
  • Adams 7^th street market
  • the Cajun Queen (Live Jazz)
  • Jakalope Jack’s

There are little shops to explore in both neighborhoods, so be prepared to do some walking if you take the kids out for a Sunday stroll to dinner!

The kids are covered well in Chantilly, too. The elementary school is Elizabeth Traditional, the middle school is Piedmont Open school, and the high school can be either Hawthorne or Midwood. We’ll see how CMS divides the lines this year!

Speaking of kids, the makeup of folks living in Chantilly is really torn in half. About 40% are married couples, about 41% are singles, and the rest is made up of divorcees and widowed spouses. The main home type in Chantilly is the single family home, more than 75% in fact. Charlotte Condos are only about 23% and the rest is “other.” That could be rentals or homes in transition.

Here’s a look at what Charlotte Realtors have sold in Chantilly over the last couple of years:

Year	2008	2009	2010
Number of homes sold through MLS Average sales price Average days on market of sold homes Average year built	30 $331,557 57 1954	23 $316,174 148 1959	9 $321,337 146 1960

This is a great place to live as a family or a single adult. People feel safe enough to jog, walk, and ride bikes at night…alone even! That says a lot about a Charlotte community. It says that the residents know they’re all looking out for each other; the neighbors actually know one another’s names on most of the streets!

Investing in a Charlotte home in Chantilly can give you the warm fuzzy feeling, too. Just find the right place and go make friends! Want more information about Chantilly, give top Charlotte Realtor Rhonda Gibbons  a call 704-651-6551.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

How to Make your Older Charlotte Home Out-Show the Newbies

August 6th, 2010 categories: Selling your home

Show off your older Charlotte home

It’s no secret that we’re currently in a buyer’s market.  And with that, many home owners are wondering if their older Charlotte home for sale has a chance in today’s competitive housing market.  And this is certainly a valid concern.  The good news is that making your older Charlotte real estate area home out-show newer homes is not as hopeless as you might think.  And that is where your Charlotte REALTOR can lend you a solid helping hand.  Here are three methods for ensuring a quick and smooth sale of your older home.

Older Charlotte homes for sale typically come with mature trees, and this is a feature that you will never find in newer neighborhoods.  Why not create a no-kidding, show-stopping landscape. The yard doesn’t have to be a gardener’s dream, but should complement the lifestyle of potential buyers.  Family-oriented Charlotte neighborhoods should have lush, expansive lawn spaces where kids can play.  And older, retirement real estate areas should have mostly low maintenance landscaping with a small area for gardening.  Bottom-line, if buyers love the outside curb appeal, they will already be prepared to fall in love with the inside too!  Our Charlotte REALTORS are trained to know the landscaping elements that are most attractive to potential buyers for all Charlotte real estate areas.

The biggest concern for home buyers considering older Charlotte homes for sale is maintenance.  Ensuring big-ticket items such as roofing, heating and cooling systems are in good condition is essential to selling an older home.  If it’s just about time to replace these items, try to replace them before putting your home on the market.  It’s tempting to “leave them for the next person”, but in reality, there may not be someone else if you are unable to sell your Charlotte real estate area home.  And an older home that is advertised as having new energy efficient upgrades will certainly grab the attention of not only earth-conscious buyers, but also money-conscious buyers.  Our Charlotte REALTORS help all our sellers identify which upgrades will grab the most attention from potential buyers.

Professional renovations do come with a price tag, but if your goal is to sell your home quickly and efficiently, there is no better solution.  And if you’re handy with a power drill, that’s even better.  But a word of warning, if your own handy work doesn’t produce “model home” results, it’s best to leave the home as it is.  Nothing will turn off Charlotte real estate buyers more than “do-it-yourself” quality.  Keep in mind that the money spent on a professionally installed renovation could save you much more in wasted mortgage payments if the home sits empty for even a month longer than it needs to.

Think BIG when making renovation plans for Charlotte homes for sale.  Open floor plans and tall ceilings are trends that will linger for years.  Many older homes, however, are the exact opposite, with low ceilings and closed floor plans that focus on creating distinctly separate rooms.  Taking walls out of a home can be a daunting project, however, a licensed contractor can help you with this project in a matter of days for minimal cost.  You’ll be amazed how this slight floor plan change can distinguish your home from others in the Charlotte neighborhood.  And while there’s not much you can do to raise a ceiling, there are certainly decorating techniques that can make rooms appear taller.  We offer all our sellers tips for renovation possibilities that will lead to big returns at the closing table!

And most importantly, use a Charlotte REALTOR with experience in marketing older homes!  Our Sellers have the peace of mind that their home will sell quickly and for a fair value.  If you want to make sure the sale of your older Charlotte real estate area home is both successful and rewarding, Contact Us and we will ensure that you sell your Charlotte home for Top Dollar!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Five Tips to Selling Your Charlotte Home

July 21st, 2010 categories: Selling your home

You’ve found a new piece of property in Charlotte, NC that you want to buy, but first you have to sell your existing house to get out from your current home mortgage debt obligation in order to take on a NEW mortgage debt obligation. It’s a cycle that can’t be tampered with: most lenders will not let you have two mortgages at the same time, unless one is a mortgage on a vacation property in the mountains, at the beach, or at a lake; or unless you are taking out a mortgage on an investment property. When you’re doing a simple “home swap” real estate transaction, lenders want to know your other house has a buyer so you’re not straddled with more mortgage than you can handle.

Get a GREAT Charlotte Realtor

So, you’ve got to get your house to SELL fast! First of all, you must consult a Charlotte Real Estate agent who is familiar with what helps property sell in the local market. Follow her (or his) advice because she has been around the block (literally!) several times and seen what worked and what didn’t work in the past. If your price is too high for the neighborhood in comparison to other homes for sale, you may have to rethink what you’re asking for and go lower. If she suggests sprucing things up, listen!

Get your home in dazzling showing condition

Second, learn how to spruce things up! Start watching the HGTV (Home & Garden) shows that are centered around selling and buying homes. While this might sound corny, you really can find some great tips on how to get your home “open house” ready with tons of curb appeal. Plus, you won’t have to spend too much money doing any of it as their whole goal is to keep upgrades below a target dollar amount, usually $1,000.  That might sound like a hefty bit of change to some folks but when it comes to actually getting out from under a debt, the investment can pay off in the long run. (Especially if it is a situation that is keeping you out of foreclosure and saving your credit!)

Fix high dollar items

The Third step is the bigger dollar items that you might have to correct. These are things that if you don’t fix, you’ll have to come down significantly in price. If you have an in-ground swimming pool, make sure the pump is in complete working order and that all cracks are filled in and repaired. No one wants a new home with a pool that leaks or has an ugly bottom when they look through the water. If the roof has any issues, that will also have to be addressed before you list your home. Any places it has leaked and caused water stains in the ceiling will have to be fixed inside the home, too.

Curb appeal is key

Number Four is all about the yard and the outside appearance.  Sometimes it just takes a Geranium? When you pull up to the home, be honest with yourself; is it inviting and lovely? Would you want to go in and explore the inside based on what the outside looks like? Does the outside say, “I’m well maintained out here, and I have been well maintained inside, too.”  Or does it shout, “I’ve been neglected for years out here, and the inside is not much better!”  Clean up scraggly bushes and dig out flower beds that just don’t quite grow into actual gardens. Empty, clean yards are better than halfway attempts at landscaping that look anemic. If shutters need painting, invest $30 in a can of paint and get working!

Declutter, Declutter, Declutter your home!

Finally, the fifth step is to clean up the clutter inside. Every Charlotte Realtor tells sellers to do this and yet, so many homeowners think their knick knacks and family pictures are the exception to the “clutter rule” and that potential buyers will love what they see. Those sellers are wrong. It’s all still nothing more than cluttered space to everyone’s eye who comes through the door. Just because the picture of your niece in her tiara is the most adorable thing in the world to you, does not mean it will be to everyone else. Think hotel space. Get rid of everything personal by storing it away. This will help you start the packing process and your home will sell faster!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Money Really Does Grow on Trees-at least in Charlotte homes!

May 20th, 2010 categories: Buying your Home

The Charlotte home buyer market is Blooming but is the lenders’ trees?

There are so many condos and houses that have decreased in listing price all you need to do is open your eyes like a flower that is waking up to the sun and you’ll find what you want…and in your price range, too!

So what about the financing? Have you thought that far? Since it’s so easy to find a Charlotte home, can you actually afford to buy it? The only way to find out is to contact a lender, and see if they’ll open up their lending tree to you. You can even take a preliminary step and use an online mortgage calculator. This will give you an idea of the price range of the home that you should be looking for. After all, you don’t want to get your heart set on something that is completely out of the realm of possibility for you. Not only for the simple fact that you would be in a financial bind each month, but keep in mind most lenders will not extend a mortgage to you based on your debt to income ratio if you will not be able to make ends meet on a regular basis. With the current situation our nation is in now, mortgage companies are being much more careful about who they lend to and how they do their lending.

When you approach a Charlotte lender, be prepared:

· Have your proof of income ready. You’ll need at least the couple of years of tax returns.

· Get bank statements printed.

· Have stocks, 401k information, savings accounts, pensions, trusts, and anything else that generates income for you ready to show them. This includes child support or alimony payments.

· Prove you’re serious! How much money do you have saved for a down payment? Let the Charlotte lender know exactly where it came from, if it was a gift from a parent or an inheritance, be prepared to show proof.

· Are you getting married? Get your fiancé in there with you! You’ll both need to apply for the mortgage even if you’re not married yet.

Even if you don’t have you eye on a home to purchase yet, get prequalified so that you know exactly what price range you should be shopping in. That way, you’re not wasting your time by shopping too low or too high. Also, your Realtor will be able to assist you much better by finding the right amenities and the right place in the area of town that you want to be in, all because you got that lending tree to open up and release the cash! Here are a couple of great lenders in Charlotte, NC that would get the tree blooming for you.

Terry Stutts
Senior Loan Officer

Office: 704-821-4115
Cell: 704-661-4885
e-Fax: 866-546-8949
tstutts@wrstarkey.com

Geoff W. Brown
Sr. Mortgage Consultant

“The Geoff Brown Team” @ New American Mortgage

6842 Morrison Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone 704.926.2521
Cell 704.728.6286

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

How much is that Charlotte home? No hassle, no sales pitch!

May 2nd, 2010 categories: Buying your Home

Have you ever been “just looking” around the Charlotte area maybe thinking about buying a Charlotte home? or just curious what the  Charlotte house down the street is going for? You know how you pull up to grab a brochure and wouldn’t you know it the brochure doesn’t have the price???

To get the price you’ll have to call the Charlotte Realtor, (ahhh…I get it) and you’re likely to get a sales pitch…it might go something like this -

You: Hello my name is Barry (fake name of course) and I’m looking at the house in Charlotte at 222 Was Just Looking Ave – can you tell me the price?

Agent: Barry it’s Howie, Howie Closem  – I’m so glad you called, of course I can help you – may I ask a question first? What exactly are you looking for in a Charlotte home? Are you looking to buy soooooon or just looking?

You: Uh…Howie I simply wanted the  price…

Agent: Barry, I understand but I need to know…..blah blah blah ba blah blah blah…..

OK that may have been a little exaggerated but you get the gist sometimes you just want some information on your terms.

We are offering a really cool service (exclusive to REMAX Executive) to anyone looking at Charlotte homes. You can call 704-367-4444 (just put in “for sale” address from any phone) to get full recorded details (INCLUDING THE PRICE) on ANY Charlotte home you see for sale in the Charlotte area, Lake Norman, Union County, Gastonia too.

To make it even better** if you are in my database you will never get a call back from an agent. Call on 20 homes with no hassle or sales pitch! (Simply drop me a note click here with your email and cell phone to be added.)

**HINT: (try it now – call and put in my listing 2937 Duvalla Ave) the number works even if I don’t add you but you may get a follow up call from another Charlotte Realtor.

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

First Time HomeBuyers: Why the Real Deadline is October 5!

August 3rd, 2009 categories: Buying your Home

Can you hear it….. it’s like a freight train in the distance the First Time Home – Buyer Tax Credit December 1, 2009 deadline is closer than you think and here’s why.

As you probably know the US government has a great program to help first time home-buyers** with up to a $8,000 tax credit if you purchase a home before December 1, 2009. **if you haven’t owned a home in three years you too may qualify as a first time home-buyer!

OK Mike it’s August 3rd so what’s the rush? Three dates you need to know:

September 14: START LOOKING AT HOMES - Charlotte’s under $250,000 housing market is hot and it will get hotter closer to the deadline. See the Charlotte Observer article “Bargain houses selling as others keep sitting“

October 5: SUBMIT OFFER - Let’s talk about about closing dates with the rush to beat the deadline and new truth in lending restrictions you MUST give yourself six weeks to close! To make matters worse the deadline (November 30) is a Monday, and the week prior to the First Time Home – Buyer Tax Credit deadline is Thanksgiving! Yes to meet the December 1st deadline you better be submitting your offer to purchase no later than October 5 – time is of the essence!

November 30 - You need to be cuddled up with some hot cocoa next to fireplace in your new den!

Everybody has questions about the First Time Home-Buyers Tax Credit program, it’s a government program after all! We can help you with answers email us here or we can put you in touch with a professional, knowledgeable lender who can help you out — don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Authored by Donna Johnston | Discussion: Your Comments Please »