Memorial Day Thank You - 05/31/10 08:04 AM
Today we celebrate Memorial Day.  A day we honor our fallen soldiers who have died for us.  A day we remember all the brave men and women who are fighting for us or have fought for us over the years.  Today for me marks a day of remembrance...one of which I am thankful for.  I was going to write about some local events going on or a topic in selling homes.  However; I am reminded as I sit here and type that today is a day we need to reflect on the people who serving our country and the ones who have.... Being a veteran … (1 comments)

3008 Stancill Place, Charlotte, NC ONLY $79900 - 05/28/10 08:22 PM

Why rent when you could own your own home with a nice yard in a well-kept neighborhood?
That's why 3008 Stancill Place, Charlotte, NC in the Billingsgate community, priced at $79,900, such a bargain. This lovely ranch has beautifully restored hardwood floors, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and an eat-in kitchen. It also has a covered carport  with a concrete driveway and professionally landscaped yard.
The ranch at 3008 Stancill Place has a commerical-grade central air conditioner installed within the last five years and gas heat. This brick veneer ranch has a fully-fenced back yard with an awning over the front porch. It is located … (0 comments)

1126 Cindy Carr Dr., Matthews, NC ONLY $199,500 - 05/27/10 09:00 PM
 

If you're looking for a rare gem in the popular and desirable Matthews, NC community of Brightmoor, then the ranch at 1126 Cindy Carr Dr., is it.
The completely updated ranch is one of only 14 in this huge subdivision in Matthews, NC. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and open kitchen to the living room that has a brick wood-burning fireplace. It even has a a formal dining area, two-car garage, computer niche and a large fenced-in backyard with a deck.
In the past three years, this ranch been totally updated with a new fence, neutral paint, hardwood floors, new … (0 comments)

Brightmoor defines 'the desirable community'Matthews, NC - 05/26/10 09:32 PM
What makes a neighborhood desirable?
It's often the little things that we don't realize are missing until you're already moved into the neighborhood. Trees, sidewalks and an active community could make one neighborhood more desirable over another. 
The Brightmoor subdivision in Matthews, NC is not only affordable in this affluent suburb of Charlotte but has the friendly neighborhood many families are looking for when they want to buy a home.
This large subdivision features spacious yards, tree-lined streets, walking trails, sidewalks, two community pools, two tennis courts and a playground, Brightmoor is a good fit for young families to empty-nesters. There is even … (0 comments)

Speed Street starts its engines May 27 in Charlotte - 05/25/10 05:21 PM
This year marks the 16th annual Food Lion Speed Street in Charlotte, NC when it opens Thursday, May 27 at noon. This three-day festival has become a Memorial Day weekend tradition with food, music and fun for racecar fans and the local community who enjoy spending time in uptown Charlotte. Speed Street runs Thursday through Saturday from May 27 to 29 from noon to 11 p.m. each day.
The festival, which is held in conjuction with the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. has become bigger and better each year with great free entertainment. This year's event has headliners like rock legend Pat Bentar on … (0 comments)

Baseball In Charlotte, NC. - 05/24/10 03:10 PM
The Charlotte area is home to a minor league Triple A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.  The Charlotte Knights offer familes a fun filled evening of baseball.  Located just over the line in South Carolina the Knights bring family fun entertainment back.
  Playing as the triple A affiliate fo the White Sox the future all star major league players  are right here in Charlotte showcasing their talent on a nightly basis in the spring and summer months.
  Look for the saturday night fireworks activities or the various game promotions the Knights offer during the season....  A great inexpensive day out with the … (0 comments)

Summer Fun In Charlotte North Carolina - 05/21/10 10:48 AM
As we approach the summer months and the kids are about to end another school year; we all wonder what we are going to do during the summer months with the kids. here are some things to do with the kids this summer in Charlotte area:
 A great place to spend a day is Carowinds Amusement park. Carowinds is located on the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.  A large amusement park that offers a little of something for everyone.  From it's Planet Snoopy area for the little ones to its 15 plus roller coasters for the thrill riders. Introduced this year was the Intimidator.  … (1 comments)

Is the Housing Market Recovering? - 05/20/10 08:21 AM
In an article I read the other day in the Wall Street Journal economists beleive the housing price free fall has all but stopped and that home prices will start to see a gradual increase over the next four years.  The article cites a study of 92 of the top economists and housing analysts.  It based there findings on the average answers of them.
  We have seen a stabilization in the housing prices across the United States.  In the Charlotte region home prices have remained basically flat.  But economists beleive that on average by 2014 home prices will have risen … (0 comments)

Short Sale..Have The Rules Changed? - 05/19/10 09:49 AM
 Short Sales have become a norm in the real Estate industry in the past couple of years....  but have the rules changed ?  yes and no.  A short sale is still a very good and viable option for someone looking to avoid foreclosure on their home.  The loss is a lot less than if the home went to foreclosure and the stigma that accompanies it is not as devastating.
  But, whether a bank will consider a short sale varies with each bank.  They all handle the process in a different manner.  Some require paperwork up front to approve the client for a short sale … (0 comments)

Matthews Elementary School--Matthews NC. - 05/18/10 04:05 PM
Matthews Elementary School has been recognized by the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System as a school of distinction this past year.  The school is one of the few elementary schools in the system to be recognized with at least this high honor for the past four years. 
  The school boasts some excellent educators and a well rounded program for children from kindergarten to fifth grade.  Located just southeast fo the center of town, this small school offers a wide variety of programs for it's students.
known since the beginning of testing for it's high math scores;  the school has done well in … (0 comments)

Selling Your Home? Take Pictures and More Pictures - 05/17/10 10:15 AM
Everyday I am asked what I should do to help get my home sold. Or why has my home not sold yet?  The answer sometimes is not the price but the look a buyer gets online of the home.  With over 90% of home buyers starting their home search online  the old adage "a picture is worth a thousand words" has more merit now than ever before.  
It is just as easy for someone to click on to the next home based on the photos as it is for them to ask to look at the home.  I have a professional home stager go … (4 comments)

Nascar Hall Of Fame Opens In Charlotte NC - 05/14/10 10:50 AM
The long awaited of the grand opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame has finally arrived.  On Tuesday May 11, 2010 the hall opened it's doors to the public.  Charlotte has been known for it's great NASCAR history...now boasts the Hall Of Fame. 
I had a chance to preview the Hall of Fame the other day. Needless to say the wait was well worth it.  The new 150,000 square foot venue has lived up to the hype.  It is very interactive and appealing to fans of all ages.
Since it's groundbreaking ceremony in January fo 2007 fans have been waiting anxiously for the grand … (1 comments)

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Get It Appraised - 05/13/10 09:38 AM
In today's Real Estate market home values are becoming more subjective each and every day.  When Realtors do a market analysis on a property to come up with an asking price for a home we generally are putting together an educated guess based on the previous properties that sold and what is actively on the market right now.
  However; you can ask whatever you want for a home.  It does not mean someone is going to pay the price for that home...or worse yet you get someone to agree to your price and find out that when the bank orders the … (3 comments)

Housing Market Starting To Rebound In Charlotte? - 05/12/10 07:43 AM
The National Association of Realotrs is reporting that home sales grew 25% from last year in April.  Does it mean that the housing market is starting it's long awaited comeback?  Or is it a  result of the Obama adminsitration home buyer tax credit expiration at the end of April?  I think it is a little of both.First,  the hosuing market seems to be rebounding.  Home prices are stabilizing and slowly in pockets of Charlotte rising.  I think we have seen the bottom of the housing prices and will see some slow increases.  Various economists who are tracking this agree with this conclusion for the … (1 comments)

Sardis Woods in Charlotte North Carolina --Market Trends - 05/11/10 02:49 PM
Sardis woods is  a quiet community tucked away in the southeastern side of Charlotte.  With homes built in the 1970's;  the neighborhood offers well built old southern homes at an affordable price.
There are currently 11 homes on the market right now.  The homes are rather large and offer quite a bit of space.  the average 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  the average size of the homes is 1800 square feet.  Of the 11 listings currently on the market the average asking price of the homes are $165,927.00. 
Three years ago there were 33 homes sold with an average sale price of … (0 comments)

Property Disclosure in North Carolina---Buyers Warning Signs - 05/10/10 08:51 AM
North Carolina is a little unique in it's property disclsoure statements.  As a Realtor we are NOT  allowed to help the seller fill out the form or fill it out for them. It is up to the seller to fill out the form.  Unfortuantely, there is three options. Yes, I know there is an issue with this and it is_________. No,  I have no knowledge of any issue with this since I have lived here.  Third, no representation.
  Whenever you are selling a home you want to be honest and up front about any issues the house may have. There are a variety of reasons … (1 comments)

Brightmoor-Matthews North Carolina Market Trends - 05/08/10 06:29 AM
A nice large subdivision located just southeast of the center of Matthews.  Brightmoor offers families looking for space an affordable place to live in Matthews.  With a community pool and playground and it's picturesque tree lined streets it is considered a well established family neighborhood.  Homes here were built in the late 1980's to  the early 1990's.  With an average of 4 bedrooms and 2 and half baths and over 2000 square feet of living space makes this a great location for large families. Three years ago 34 homes sold in this community with an average sale price of $225,950.  They lasted an average … (1 comments)

Crestdale Crossing Matthews North Carolina Market Trends - 05/06/10 08:25 AM
The tax credit has helped see home prices stabilize over the past few months.  Crestdale Crossing in Matthews North Carolina is one area that has seen home prices remain stable over the past few years.Three years ago there were 18 homes that sold. With an average square feet of those homes being 1372. They sold for an average price of $131,088 while being on the market for an average of 70 days.  That was when the real estate market was at it's peak.
Two years ago there were 7 homes that sold.  The average square feet of those homes was 1285. The average sale price was $126,557 and … (0 comments)

Charlotte NC. 2nd On Places To Buy Versus Rent - 05/05/10 10:37 AM
The other day I was sitting in a starbucks and came across a Forbes magazine.  On the cover was a mention to the top ten cities where you are better off buying than renting right now.  The magazine issue came out in the end of January.   Number 2 on the list of places was Charlotte North Carolina area.
Renting versus buying is never an easy decision.  In this market that decision has been even more complex.  Do you wait and see if home prices tumble some more?  Or do you buy now with rates at the lowest they have been since the 1940's? … (0 comments)

Matthews NC--Summer Movie/Concert Series - 05/04/10 06:13 AM
This saturday May 8,2010  begins another fun filled summer movie and concert series at Stumpton Park in Matthews, NC.  Every year around this time the town of Matthews park and recreation department hosts the summer movie and concert series for residents of the town of Matthews.  A very popular event that draws crowds of all ages.  The best part is the event is FREE.  There are vendors on hand selling food and ice cream and drinks.  However; due to the extreme support and sponsorship from local business in the community they are able to offer the event for free.  Kids love it. Parents adore it.  The … (1 comments)

Tax Credit Expired...Is it Still Good Time To Buy Homes? - 05/03/10 09:03 AM
Now that the tax credit has expired  Iam fielding a lot of questions from people saying is it still a good time to buy a house?  There is mixed views from fellow Real Estate agents and investors out there about this topic.  Some say this is a better time because the sellers are more likely to be motivated to sell due to the drop in buyers coming into the market.  Others say no, there is a bottom line all sellers are going to take and the expiration of the tax credit is not going to change that. As well as an increase in … (0 comments)