Communication Is key In Short sales - 02/28/11 09:29 AM
In the ever growing market of short sales one variable that seems to elude Realtors is communication.  In order for the deal to eventually close communication is vital for both the seller and the buyer.  Why?  The timeline in a short sale can be from an average of 45 days to months.   I always beleive in communicating once a week with buyer's agents to keep them abreast on the process with the short sale.  In this market especially where we are in a buyer's market and the choices they have to chose from being so great communicating on a regular basis … (1 comments)

Why Short Sales Do Not Close - 02/25/11 07:26 AM
Short Sales can and are good deals for both the buyer and the seller. The buyer gets a home at a fair deal and the seller is not subjected to a foreclosure on their credit. So, if the situation is one that is a win for both the buyer and the seller then why do so many short sales not close?  The answer is simple...Communicaton and expectation.  In my dealings with short sales I have found two keys to getting the short sale offer accepted and the buyer to wait to get that final approval. The first and most simpliest answer is communication. There is nothing … (3 comments)

How To Price A Short Sale To Sell And Close - 02/24/11 05:04 PM
I read an article today that said over 35% of all sales reported in 2010 as a retail sale were either a short sale or a foreclosure. So, how do you keep your home from falling into the second category?  Selling a short sale is not as easy as everyone wants to think they are. It takes a lot of work on the Real Estate agents part to make the situation work and the seller to ensure that the necessary paperwork is there when they need it. After viewing quite a few short sales and negotiating my fair share of them on both the … (2 comments)

What Does Approved Short Sale Mean? - 02/23/11 01:05 PM
Today short sales of homes have become more common as people are trying to sell ther homes before losing them to the bank via foreclosure.  As daunting the process is, there is a madness to the process they have. Unfortunately, not all banks work on the same guidelines and time lines. Some banks have responses within 30 days of submitting an offer and others take six months or longer.  So what if you are lookng at a house that is advertised as a short sale. You read in the comments that it is an approved short sale. What does that really mean.  The perception … (0 comments)

Due Diligence Fee On Foreclosed Homes In North Carolina - 02/21/11 08:58 AM
Recently North Carolina changed the offer to purchase contract on Real Estate transactons.  A lot of the contingencies that were present before were removed in favor of one Due Diligence period.  During this time you have the right to inspect a home, get it appraised, and secure your financing.  If at the end of this period you wish;  you were able to walk away form the house no questions asked.  All you lost was your Due Diligence fee. But, what if you are purchasing a bank owned home (foreclosure)?  How does that apply to those transctions?  The banks are not in the market to collect … (0 comments)

Open House: 6433 Creekstone Place Charlotte, NC. 28213 Feb. 20, 2011 2-4 - 02/18/11 09:52 AM
Open House Sunday February 20, 2011 from 2p.m. to 4 p.m. Come see this magnificent four bedroom two and half bath home. Located in the autumnwood subdivison of Charlotte; this home offers many of the attributes and features a home buyer is looking for today.  All the bedrooms are spacious, kitchen features and eat in area and the family room offers a wood burning fireplace.    With an open floor plan and large windows this home gives you the feeling of openess.  The large flat back yard is great for kids or entertaining.  Come see why many families have called autumnwood home and … (0 comments)

What Are Home Buyers Looking For Today? - 02/17/11 01:48 PM
As we enter the spring selling season (generally the busiest time of the year) for home purchases sellers are asking what do I need to do to get my home sold.  Well as always price matters. If you are over priced for your neighborhood or comparables out there you are not going to generate an offer; let alone any showings. However; in a newsletter sent out to Coldwell Banker Agents there were some interesting things that came up in a recent survey.  Coldwell Banker surveyed people who purchased a home in the past 12 months.  They asked what was important to them and why they chose … (1 comments)

Are Short Sale Prices Affecting Your Home's Perceived Value - 02/16/11 08:26 AM
In this economy short sales have become as popular, if not more so than foreclosures.  But one trend that seems to be hindering the home sale process is the pricing of a short sale.  Just becuase a house has a price posted on the Multiple listing service and the internet does not necessarily mean that the bank is going to accept that number or price.  A common perception among home buyers when they start viewing properties online is that the asking price is close to what the bank will accept for that house in a short sale.  The longer it stays … (4 comments)

FHA To Increase Mortgage Insurance Premium - 02/15/11 04:57 PM
In one of the first moves by the federal government to help stabilize the finacial end of the housing market, it was announced today that they are going to raise the amount they charge for insurance on a FHA loan by .25 basis points.  This change will affect all FHA lonas that are written on or after April 18, 2011.  The amount may not seem like a lot of money; however, it can affect the financing ability of potential homeowners.  Currenlty the FHA is the largest single source for home loans in America today. With there requirements of only 3.5% down … (1 comments)

How Rising Mortgage Rates Can Affect Your Purchasing Power - 02/14/11 08:59 AM
This past week in the news we have heard a lot being said about the Obama administration trying to change the way Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are controlled.  The government is trying to step out; so to speak of the mortgage business.  Now, while I agree with the concept of less involvement of the government;  what impact will that have on mortgage rates and consumer buying power?  The propsals presented all have the government eihter taking a more limited role or removing their role completely.  This is not necessarily a bad thing. Since these two compnaies are owned by the tax … (0 comments)

You Can Buy A Home With Less Than Perfect Credit - 02/11/11 11:03 AM
In today's economy most people have suffered some blemishes to their credit becuase of the recession.  Unfortunately, as banks tightened their credit standards it made it even tougher for those people to purchase a home. As the banks were restructuring home buyers were getting discouraged as they were unable to purchase a home becuase of their credit score.  Well,  the leading bank for FHA loans has loosened their standards to help people relaize the dream of home ownership.  Wells Fargo Bank has adopted  and changed their policies around to reflect what the federal government will back and insure for FHA loans. There are some … (4 comments)

Charlotte Poised For Strong Housing Recovery - 02/10/11 10:23 AM
Yesterday I was reading an article on CNN Money.  The article was defining the top ten large metro areas where housing prices are expected to see the largest gains. The great news for sellers in Charlotte region was according to the article Charlotte ranks ninth best in likelihood of home prices increasing and the percentage of increase.Charlotte is home to the second largest banking center in the United States.  With Bank of America calling Charlotte home; it has always been an attractive place for professionals to move to. As economic confidence on the financial sector is steadily improving;  jobs are openign up … (0 comments)

Crestdale Crossing Matthews, NC. 28105 Market Report February 2011 - 02/09/11 08:14 AM
Tucked away in Matthews, NC. is Crestdale Crossing. A small subdivison made up of 110 homes.  A popular spot among young familes this 8 year old subdivison is an affordable place to live within the Matthews school district.History has shown this community has done well in this down Real Estate market.  The numbers below are sales  from February 1 to January 31.3 years ago  there were 13 homes that sold. the average sale price was $128177. They lasted on the market an average of 34 days.2 years ago there were 4 homes that sold. The average sale price was $121,875.  They were on the … (0 comments)

Are You Considering The Property Taxes When Making An Offer? - 02/07/11 01:37 PM
When you are looking at homes to purchase most people are tying to stay within a certain budget.  They have arrived at a price they are comfortable with; that price is based on the monthly payment that they have been estimated for.  There is one large variable that has dramatically changed the wya people look at the process though....  Foreclosures and short sales have lowered the prices well below tax value.  Now, that house you are looking at for $120,000 has a tax value of $180,000 (based on the last time it was evaluated).  That extra  $60,000 in tax value can change … (1 comments)

Do You Have A Termite Inspection Done When Buying A Home? - 02/04/11 08:28 AM
When we purchase a home it is the largest single investment we are going to make in our lifetime. regardless if it our first home, and upgrade or a downsize from our existing home; you still will not invest financially in any greater investment in your lifetime. So, a lot is always mentioned about having the home inspected. When we hire a home inspector, they are checking for leaks, faulty electrical, structural damage, and functionality of the equipment in the home and overall condition of the house.  We tend to base whether we are going to follow through on the purchase of the … (3 comments)

New Listing: 2922 Redfield Drive Charlotte, NC. 28270 - 02/01/11 08:24 AM
This traditional 4 bedroom home with 2.5 bathrooms situated in Providence Downs Subdivison is both stunning and charming. The open floor plan uses the space extremely well.  Conviently located to major highways and shopping it offers the best of all situations for that growing family. The downstairs living room, dining room and foyer are all adorned with beautifully cared for hardwood floors. The great room has a natural wood burning fireplace that is the focal point of the family room that flows into the recently redone kitchen.  The kitchen features brand new granite countertops and a tile backsplash and is large and open.  The appliances … (0 comments)