Do your fingers have a mind of their own? - 02/28/09 05:38 PM

 
I have noticed something rather odd and disturbing lately.  When I go to proof read my posts or comments I find some very weird errors.  For instance, when I meant to type "must" instead I find "much".   Time and time again I am now finding less of the typical typos and misspellings and more and more words that have been completely replaced with other words that either change the meaning of the sentences or render them useless.
So, I ask you, do our fingers have a mind of (I just wrote or) their own as they type away at the key  (I just wrote … (15 comments)

Harbour Place: Davidson's Newest Live/Work Community - 02/26/09 05:14 PM


 
If you have taken Exit 30 off of I-77 lately you will know what an incredible transformation has taken place just off of the exit towards Davidson's Main Street!  All of a sudden a whole other community has cropped up including the new Harris Teeter Shopping Center, town homes, condos, offices, Davidson Day School and even an hotel.

 
In keeping with Davidson's small town charm, growth control, high standards and sense of community, all of the new construction, mostly brick,  is focused on walkable, Live-Work neighborhoods that are designed to compliment the character of old Davidson. 
The … (3 comments)

Lake Norman Home Buyers: Making Sense of the $8000 Tax Credit - 02/25/09 12:14 PM

 
By now most every potential Lake Norman home buyer or seller has at least heard about the new $8,000 tax credit for home buyers included in the recently enacted Economic Stimulus Package signed into law by President Obama on February 17th.
Unfortunately, there is a bit of confusion regarding the details of this bill.  In short this bill:
Makes available an $8,000 tax credit Is for first-time home buyers Is for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 Is different from the old tax credit of 2008 because it … (6 comments)

What do you do about Red Flags? - 02/22/09 09:19 AM

We all know this is a buyer's market and that some of the tradtional rules of real estate don't apply.  As REALTORS in a difficult market, it is still critically important that we listen to our gut feelings and heed the small red flags.
This past week I listed a nice, waterview property with a boatslip at an aggressive price.  We had 8 showings in one week which is unheard of here in the Lake Norman market these days. And we got an offer. 
I should have been excited, right?  But there were so many red flags flying that my "gut" was crying out CAUTION!  Here is … (25 comments)

Lake Norman Real Estate's Friday Hot Sheet 2/20/09 - 02/21/09 04:35 PM
Lake Norman Real Estate Friday Hot Sheet
February 20, 2009


 
Above is a chart with today's "Hot Sheet" numbers from the Charlotte Multiple Listing Services for single family homes in Lake Norman (Area 13).  These numbers represent a snapshot of the past TWO weeks of activity.  As always, I have provided 2-week Hot Sheets from the past to enable you to put these numbers in context.  Here are the highlights:
 
New listings dropped slightly but still remain very high when considering the fact that only 27 properties closed during this same two-week period.  If we add these … (3 comments)

Some things in life ARE free! - 02/19/09 10:50 AM

 
Have you or your clients ever had a washer/dryer, old TV or even a mattress that you didn't know what to do with but really didn't want the hassle of trying to sell them?  Or are you or someone you know looking for a TV, furniture etc. but don't have the money to buy?  OR, do you hate seeing perfectly good things being sent to your local dump?
I just found about about an incredible website/service from one of my clients who is struggling a bit financially.  Necessity being the mother of invention, in these tough times for many who have lost their jobs … (15 comments)

It may not be easy to be GREEN but it just might jumpstart your business! - 02/17/09 05:42 PM

 
"A recession is not a time to lay back and wait.  It's a time when future fortunes are made.  It's a time to assess what's really going on and seize opportunities." 
I wish I had written this simple yet powerful statement but it was actually written by Joh Norquist, president and CEO of Congress for the New Urbanism when asked to summarize the 2009 theme for the magazine "Green Builder:  2009: The Year of the Green Retool."
So, are you seizing opportunities or merely hoping to survive?
My story started some time last year when I went on … (21 comments)

Lake Norman Real Estate: What Home Buyers Need to Know Right Now! - 02/15/09 04:50 PM


Every time I go out with my buyers in our Lake Norman area I gain some knowledge about the dynamics of our market that can't be acquired merely by looking at our Lake Norman housing statistics and reading the myriad real estate articles in the news.  Now more that ever real estate is very very local.  My insights about the Lake Norman real estate market may not even apply to Charlotte! 
If you are serious about buying a home in Lake Norman this spring here are my recommendations: 
Get pre-approved for a loan AND then keep in touch with your … (8 comments)

Lake Norman's Waterfront Community of Royal Pointe - 02/09/09 07:00 AM
By Diane Aurit | February 8, 2009

Tucked down Langtree Road away from the hustle and bustle of Brawley School Rd and the NC 150 is the intimate, upscale waterfront community of Royal Pointe in Mooresville Lake Norman. 
Many times overlooked because it is so small and because there is so little turnover, for Lake Norman home buyers looking for an established, well maintained,  waterfront neighborhood where the homes are nestled in mature trees and landscaping and want great open water, Royal Pointe is a must see!

 
Located several miles down the Langtree penisula towards the main channel … (6 comments)

Lake Norma Waterview Home with Deeded Boatslip - 02/08/09 07:47 AM
Here is a chance to experience the best of our incredible Lake Norman lifestyle at an amazing price.  This home truly is the best of all worlds:  Great location:  Close to the new Exit 32 and away from the main traffic.  Mature, upscale waterfront neighborhood...surrounded by beautiful, large trees and landscaping.  Look out at the lake from your home or take a quick walk to your boat.  Priced to sell at $379,000!
… (5 comments)

It snowed on Lake Norman last night...and we LOVE it! - 02/04/09 05:45 PM

View of Lake Norman through the trees

My front yard...COVERED with snow!


I am guessing that not many of you who happen to read this post will understand why I was excited to wake up and see a beautiful, albeit thin, blanket of snow this morning.  You see, this is just about as much snow as we get each year...sometimes we get up to a whopping 4" or 5"!
Of course, this snow closed all of our schools! Seriously! Kids were out trying to sled on our 2" base:). 
I actually had lunch with a friend/client of mine from Michigan … (8 comments)

Lake Norman Real Estate's January 2009 Market Report - 02/03/09 09:41 AM
No matter whether you are a potential home buyer considering a purchase in our Lake Norman NC area or a homeowner deliberating about the timing of the sale of your home in the Lake Norman area, it has never been more important to be as informed as possible about our local real estate market.
Our Lake Norman real estate market has been changing rather rapidly.  What was true as little as a month ago may not be true today.  That said, here are the Lake Norman single family home sales statistics for this past January 2009:
 





… (5 comments)

Lake Norman Real Estate's February 2009 Calendar is here! - 02/01/09 03:41 PM

 

 
Here is a preview of Lake Norman Real Estate's free calendar for February which you can download to your computer monitor by clicking HERE.  Then, click on the calendar in the right-hand column of the home page. 
I took this picture of Lake Norman at early sunset after a very windy day just a few weeks ago.  The skies were crystal clear and the lake was like glass. 
As I wrote in my January launch of this free calendar series,  I am hoping to encourage you and your family and friends to submit your own favorite Lake Norman photo(s) for … (4 comments)