The 2011 Wesley Chapel NC Real Estate Market—Four Facts

It's time to look at the real estate market in Wesley Chapel NC and to assess how home buyers and home sellers fared in 2011.

Here are four facts about the Wesley Chapel marketplace in 2011.

• Median closed prices improved slightly over the median price in 2010 and substantially over 2009 pricing.
• More homes sold in 2011 than in each of the previous two years.
• New construction accounted for only 5% of the Wesley Chapel market in 2011.
• Approximately 25% of sales were distressed sales in 2011.

What do these four facts mean for Wesley Chapel buyers and sellers?

1. In spite of the number of distressed sales in Wesley Chapel in 2011, the median price remained stable over the past two years. 
2. Sellers may find that Wesley Chapel pricing has bottomed.
3. Buyers will not be able to find much choice in new homes in Wesley Chapel.

Want to learn more about the real estate market in Wesley Chapel and see all the numbers for each of the past four years?  Click on the link below.

Wesley Chapel NC Real Estate Market Report—Year 2011

Copyright 2012. Carol Fox. Allen Tate Realtors. *The 2011 Wesley Chapel NC Real Estate Market—Four Facts*

The Chimneys of Marvin, a Charlotte neighborhood adjacent to highly-regarded schools.

Would you like to live in a neighborhood where your children could walk to school for their entire school career?  If so, consider The Chimneys of Marvin where neighborhood streets pass by three highly-regarded Union County schools.  Sandy Ridge Elementary is adjacent to the neighborhood with some homes across the street from the school.  The Marvin Ridge Middle and Senior High complex is across the road from the community.

The Chimneys of Marvin, a master-planned community with two villages and an amenity center, offers new homes and resales.  Most of its home sales in 2011 were new construction.  The neighborhood is located just a short drive from South Charlotte’s amenities among the horse farms of Marvin NC.  Historic downtown Waxhaw NC is nearby offering shopping, restaurants, a farmers market and numerous community festivals.

What you can find in The Chimneys of Marvin are full-brick homes on one third to one half acre lots.  The pricing ranges from the low $300,000s to over $400,000.

Click the link below to get more information about The Chimneys of Marvin, its builders, its community amenities, the 2011 real estate market, and its schools.

The Chimneys of Marvin—Neighborhood Information and Homes for Sale

Click here to see The Chimneys of Marvin homes for sale.

Click here to receive a free market evaluation of your The Chimneys of Marvin home.

Copyright 2012.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors. *Charlotte Neighborhoods—The Chimneys of Marvin*

The 2011 Lake Park NC Real Estate Market—Four Facts

It's time to look at the real estate market in Lake Park NC and to assess how home buyers and home sellers fared in 2011.

Here are four facts about the Lake Park marketplace in 2011.

• The number of single family homes sold in Lake Park increased by 75% in 2011 over 2009 and 2010 and was nearly the same as 2008 sales.
• The median single family home price continued to drop in 2011, off 14% from 2010.
• Only four townhomes or condos sold in Lake Park in 2011.
• The 2011 median sales price for townhomes dropped to the lowest price in four years.

What do these four facts mean for Lake Park buyers and sellers?

1. Home prices in Lake Park are more affordable than ever for buyers in the community.
2. While there appears to be a good supply of buyers for single family homes, these sellers may have to struggle with the pricing of their homes.
3. The market is very difficult for the sellers of townhomes and condos in Lake Park because of the low number of buyers and the resulting declining prices.

Want to learn more about the real estate market in Lake Park and see all the numbers for each of the past four years?  Click on the link below.

Lake Park NC Real Estate Market Report—Year 2011

Copyright 2012. Carol Fox. Allen Tate Realtors. *The 2011 Lake Park NC Real Estate Market—Four Facts*

The 2011 Weddington NC Real Estate Market—Four Facts

It's time to look at the real estate market in Weddington NC and to assess how home buyers and home sellers fared in 2011.

Here are four facts about the Weddington marketplace in 2011.

• The number of homes sold was the same as the number sold in 2010 and more than units sold in 2008 or 2009.
• The median sales price of $412,500 continued declining in 2011, down 13.1% from 2010 and off 27.3% since 2008.
• New construction accounted for only 11% of all sales in 2011.
• Distressed sales made up a quarter of the 2011 market.

What do these four facts mean for Weddington buyers and sellers?

1. The luxury home market continues to suffer from the lack of new homes being built and the impact of distressed sales on pricing.
2. Home buyers in Weddington can find some of the best values ever in this small town.

Want to learn more about the real estate market in Weddington and see all the numbers for each of the past four years?  Click on the link below.

Weddington NC Real Estate Market Report—Year 2011

Copyright 2012. Carol Fox. Allen Tate Realtors. *The 2011 Weddington NC Real Estate Market—Four Facts*

Lawson, a Charlotte neighborhood where history is preserved.

Lawson doesn’t have historical houses.  It’s the land itself where Lawson lies among 500 acres of rolling woodlands that has a history.  In 1701, an English naturalist named John Lawson followed an ancient trail of the Waxhaw Indians to discover the area.  In the mid-1700s, a thriving settlement was located here where five roads met at Five Forks.  The land was also the site of a 19th century mill called Howard’s Mill.

These historical sites are preserved in Lawson’s common areas, which encompass nearly a third of this master-planned community.  Miles of walking and hiking trails weave through the common areas for residents to enjoy.  The working water wheel and building of the community clubhouse evoke Howard’s Mill.

Lawson residents can enjoy its history and natural sites while living in newer homes.  Started in 2005, Lawson has several villages completed and a new builder has announced plans for three new villages in 2012.  The neighborhood has a great location off Cuthbertson Road in the small Union County NC town of Waxhaw NC.  Waxhaw is a twenty minute drive from Charlotte’s southern edge.

Click the link below to get more information about Lawson, its builders, its community amenities, the 2011 real estate market, and its schools.

Lawson—Neighborhood Information and Homes for Sale

Watch a video tour of the Lawson neighborhood.

Click here to see Lawson homes for sale.

Click here to receive a free market evaluation of your Lawson home.

Copyright 2012.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors. *Charlotte Neighborhoods—Lawson*

Millbridge, a great place to find a new home in a master-planned community.

Charlotte’s only covered bridge to welcome you into the community.  An amenity center with a 12,000 square foot clubhouse, two pools and an airnasium.  A nearby town park with sports fields.  A recently-built elementary school within walking distance.

Millbridge is a Charlotte neighborhood where the amenities were built before the homes.  With about 200 homes currently finished in the neighborhood, Millbridge will eventually include 2000 homes.  Five builders are currently building in the neighborhood.  Homes can be as small as 1500 square feet or as large as 4000 square feet.  Ninety percent of the 2011 sales in Millbridge were new construction.

Millbridge is located in the small town of Waxhaw.  Waxhaw is a historic town with quaint shops, a farmers market and a number of community festivals.  The town is about a twenty minute drive from the southern edge of Charlotte.

Click the link below to get more information about Millbridge, its builders, its community amenities, the 2011 real estate market, and its schools.

Millbridge—Neighborhood Information and Homes for Sale

Click here to see Millbridge homes for sale.

Click here to receive a free market evaluation of your Brighton Park home.

Copyright 2012.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors. *Charlotte Neighborhoods—Millbridge*

Brighton Park, a great walkable neighborhood with big front porches and gingerbread trim.

Do you like the idea of living in a Charlotte neighborhood where every home has a big front porch and there are sidewalks and parks where residents can meet and gather?  If so, you might love living in Brighton Park, a newer compact neighborhood in the heart of Mint Hill NC.  Mint Hill is a small, low-density town on Charlotte’s eastern edge.  Brighton Park was designed to add vitality to Mint Hill’s downtown.

You can find a cottage, a bungalow or a traditional two-story home in Brighton Park.  Garages face rear alleys so the neighborhood retains its traditional feel.  If you prefer an attached townhome, three-story units are available as well.

A community shopping center anchors one corner of Brighton Park.  The neighborhood is very conducive to walking to the store for a loaf of bread or eating lunch at one of the restaurants at the shopping center.

Click the link below to get more information about Brighton Park, its builders, its community amenities, the 2011 real estate market, and its schools.

Brighton Park—Neighborhood Information and Homes for Sale

Watch a video tour of the Brighton Park neighborhood.

Click here to see Brighton Park homes for sale.

Click here to receive a free market evaluation of your Brighton Park home.

Copyright 2012.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors. *Charlotte Neighborhoods—Brighton Park*

A drive through the country brings you to Fairhaven, but city conveniences are so close.

Fairhaven is a Charlotte neighborhood located in the Union County small town of Stallings.  Two interchanges with I-485 are within minutes as are shopping centers and historic downtown Matthews.  Surrounded by farms and woodlands, Fairhaven will make you feel like you’re still in the country.

Fairhaven is a great neighborhood to find an affordable new home.  Construction in the neighborhood began in 2006 and continues today.  Built on small easy-to-maintain lots, Fairhaven’s homes include both ranches and two-story homes.  The neighborhood includes a swimming pool and a playground.  A town park with picnic facilities and a sports field is adjacent to the community.  A recently-built elementary school is just a mile away.

Click the link below to get more information about Fairhaven, its builders, its community amenities, the 2011 real estate market, and its schools.

Fairhaven—Neighborhood Information and Homes for Sale

Watch a video tour of the Fairhaven neighborhood.

Click here to see Fairhaven homes for sale.

Click here to receive a free market evaluation of your Fairhaven home.

Copyright 2012.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors. *Charlotte Neighborhoods—Fairhaven*

Mint Hill NC Homes for Sale--13927 Jonathans Ridge Road

Do you dream of a beautiful home in a magnificent wooded setting?  How about a place where you can tinker in your workshop?  Do you want to live in a tranquil spot in a small town?

If so, you may be dreaming of 13927 Jonathans Ridge Road in Mint Hill NC.  This brick home sits among beautiful hardwood trees on almost an acre.  It includes an oversized attached two-car garage plus a detached one-car garage with workshop.

Learn more about this wonderful Mint Hill NC home for sale... 

Discover the wooded setting of your dreams. Magnificent trees shelter this custom home and provide shady spaces for relaxation and play. The end-of-the street location ensures tranquility

A spacious great room with crown molding is the heart of the home. Entertaining can flow outside through French doors that open to the deck overlooking the backyard.

Granite countertops and a tile backsplash dress up the spacious kitchen. Sunny windows brighten the corner where the stainless sink and dishwasher are located. Grab a bite to eat or prepare food at the island.

Cabinetry lining three walls of the kitchen includes a workstation. You can move easily from the kitchen to the great room in this open floor plan. Crown and chair rail molding plus the pretty staircase with wooden treads add interest to the area.

In the breakfast room, a deep bay area with multiple windows provides wonderful views of the backyard. Space for grilling and dining are just outside the atrium door to the deck.

A versatile room on the first floor is currently used for an office. Picture other uses for this room such as a playroom or hobby room.

A cathedral ceiling and Palladian window add to the spacious feel of the very generous master bedroom. The room has abundant wallspace and is large enough for a seating area.

The master bath is a place for luxury. It includes a whirlpool tub tucked under a faux glass block window, his and hers vanities with sinks, a marble shower, a water closet and tile flooring.

Two roomy secondary bedrooms and a hall bath complete the upstairs of the house. One bedroom has access to the hall bath. Pull-down stairs lead to floored attic space over this area.

A huge bonus room with Palladian window is the fourth upstairs room. It is accessed by a staircase from the main level of the home. There is walk-in storage off the bonus as well as "under-the-eaves" storage.

Garage space is plentiful here. A 24'x29' attached two-car garage includes a workbench and shelving. A 21'x25' brick detached garage has workshop space as well. The workbench in the detached garage remains. A staircase leads to overhead storage.

A 31'x16' deck wrapping around the back of the house provides space for dining, grilling, or just relaxing and watching the birds

See a virtual tour of 13927 Jonathans Ridge Road.

Get more information about real estate and living in Mint Hill NC.  Visit www.CarolinaSmallTownLiving.com

Copyright 2012.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *Mint Hill NC Homes for Sale--13927 Jonathans Ridge Road*

Duplicate Content--Friend or Foe of Your Blog?

If you are like me, you have more than one blog.  Feeding those blogs can be quite a challenge because of the time needed to create engaging posts.  You make your living selling real estate, not writing, and you need to spend most of your time actually engaging in the practice of real estate.

I would like to share with you my experience with maintaining two blogs and invite your comments about your experiences.  I would also like to hear from those of you with SEO expertise.

I started blogging in 2008.  I started with a blog that is embedded in my website.  I soon added an Active Rain blog and found the Active Rain community and staffers a great resource.  Everything that I know about blogging, I learned here on Active Rain.

I discovered that posting the same content on both blogs was the easiest way to feed the blogs.  There was much discussion of duplicate content in those days but the consensus among Active Rain members and staffers was that duplicate content was fine and that the search engines would figure out which blog was the primary blog and elevate that one in the rankings. 

My system of writing once and posting twice worked fine until last year.  Duplicate content was my friend because it saved me valuable time.  The leads came in from both my website and my Active Rain account.

The number of leads from my blogs started to dwindle during the last half of 2011.  I wondered why I wasn't getting much of a response from my efforts.  Was it a seasonal or market issue or had my website and blogs lost their effectiveness?

Then, I read some comments from Nikesh here at Active Rain that duplicate content was a problem and that it could harm both sites where the content was posted.  Had my duplicate content become a foe of my blogs?

Late last year, I decided to stop posting the same content in both blogs.  It meant a lot more time spent blogging but I hoped that I would see a payoff in more leads from my efforts.

The result?  Since the first of the year, the number of calls and emails from both my website and Active Rain has increased tremendously compared to last year.  Is it a seasonal thing or is it the elimination of duplicate content?  I suspect that it has to do with the latter.

What do you think?  Have any of you had a similar experience?

Copyright 2012.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors. *Duplicate Content--Friend or Foe of Your Blog?*