Scenic Sunday - My Client Built a Waterfall in Her Backyard! - 09/26/10 08:56 PM

Check out this AWESOME backyard stream that my client had built in the backyard of her Charlotte home in Lake Providence Estates!  I sold her this house, and it was perfect in every way, except that there was more road noise than she cared for.  I suggested that she put in a water feature so that she could enjoy the sound of a water falling instead of cars.
This is the breathtaking outcome!  The water re-circulates, causing a continuous waterfall.  She's got koi in the pond part, and she even installed lighting so that the feature can be enjoyed in … (12 comments)

4 Bedroom Home for Sale in Providence Plantation - Charlotte NC! - 09/22/10 08:42 PM
4 Bedroom Home for Sale in Providence Plantation - Charlotte NC!  MLS #979016
I am so proud to present this 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Home for Sale in Providence Plantation, located at 5521 Flowering Dogwood Lane!  You can tell that this home has been well-loved - it is perfectly maintained and generously updated so that you can move right in to this highly sought-after neighborhood with beautiful homes, large lots, awesome schools and spectacular LOCATION!  Yes, you CAN have it all in Providence Plantation.
Priced to SELL at $350,000, this 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Home for Sale in Providence Plantation surpasses the competition … (5 comments)

Providence High School in Charlotte NC Leads Area Schools on SAT Scores - 09/14/10 08:17 AM
Providence High School in Charlotte NC once again leads Charlotte Region Schools on SAT scores
Although the national average SAT score on combined math and reading decreased 1 point from last year to 1016, Providence High School students led all Charlotte Region schools with an average 2010 test score of 1157.  16 of the 23 high schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) system posted increases in SAT scores o
ver 2009, and 66.3% of all high school students in CMS took the test in 2010, achieving a CMS goal of higher SAT participation.  The average combined score for CMS students climbed to 1016, … (0 comments)

The Money You "Lost" in Your Price Reduction Wasn't Real - 09/11/10 12:35 PM
 
Charlotte Sellers,
This blog post from J. Philip Faranda of J. Philip Realty in Westchester County, NY, is one of the best blog posts I've read on the issue of pricing homes in today's tough real estate market.  Although his market is in NY, the same principles apply here in Charlotte.  If you want your home to SELL, it must be priced correctly and be in top-notch shape.  Period.  Sadly, we've all lost the appreciation in our homes when the real estate market took a nose dive.  But it was never really "real money" anyway, unless we cashed out during … (0 comments)

A checklist of things a Seller can do before the home inspector arrives - 09/08/10 08:21 PM
 
Sellers, BEFORE your home goes under contract and the buyers' inspector arrives, follow this checklist from Russel Ray, home inspector in San Diego.  By taking care of the items he points out, you will save yourself a lot of money, and perhaps even your sale.  Thanks, Russel!
 
Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):

A checklist of things a Seller can dobefore the home inspector arrives
Doing as much as possible before the Buyer's property inspection helps ensure that escrow goes more smoothly. Following is my "checklist" of items often found during the course … (2 comments)

Charlotte NC Real Estate Market - July 2010 - 09/08/10 01:28 PM
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market - July 2010
What's happening in the Charlotte real estate market in July 2010?   A look at the statistics recently released by the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association reveals that while home prices/values are inching upward, the number of home sales and pending contracts are down considerably from last month and from a year ago in June 2009.
The expiration of the Home Buyer Tax Credit and remaining uncertainty about jobs and economy have forced many buyers to stay on the sidelines rather than buying a home.  Despite historically low mortgage interest rates and Charlotte homes being at … (1 comments)

The Go-Giver - a Book That Might Change Your Outlook on Life! - 09/07/10 09:46 PM
At the recommendation of Jennifer Allan, author of Sell With Soul, and my "virtual mentor," I went out and bought a copy of The Go-Giver - A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea, by Bob Burg and John David Mann.
Now, I'll be honest...I'd probably do anything Jennifer recommended because her "Sell With Soul" philosophy --  of being the best darned real estate agent you can be without begging your friends and acquaintances for business -- resonates with me, and has helped me to triple my business this year.  Read Jennifer's review here.
The Go-Giver really blew me away because of it's simple message … (16 comments)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Duke Energy VOLTron Building Light Show- Charlotte NC - 09/01/10 10:02 PM

Here's a shot of Duke Energy's new VOLTron Building light show in Charlotte NC.   This new 48 story building recently achieved platinum level LEED certification.  Known around Charlotte NC as the VOLTron, or the Power Tower, this awesome building puts on a 2-minute light show every hour, on the hour, from sunset to midnight, using 600 LED lights.
This photo was taken during the recent Carolina Panthers pre-season football game against the Tennessee Titans.  When the Panthers score, the building does a mini-light show in Carolina Panther blue.  I wish they scored more often, but that's another blog...
 
… (6 comments)