Top 10 Things to Consider When Buying Lake Norman Waterfront Homes
Does it have a dock? Some shoreline areas of Lake Norman are environmentally protected or do not have enough shoreline footage, and therefore cannot ever have a dock built. This is good to know when buying property, as the value of the home or lot is sometimes higher if you can have your own dock.
Is it on a well and septic tank or City water/sewer? If you find a home on a septic system with it's own well or community well, then the lot size is usually larger to accomodate the system, lines, and repair areas (usually over .5 acres). Often times, homes that are on city utilities don't have as much land, but not always.
Is the lot big enough to have a pool or detached garage if it is on a septic system? Buyers often ask me this question when looking at property with land and the answer is: as long as there is an area that is not above the septic tank, lines, too close to well, or in the "repair area" designated by the Health Department, AND as long as you can get an improvement permit from the county. We can usually obtain a copy (drawing) of the improvement permit where the septic system, lines, and repair area are located. Also to note: in most subdivisions, you need prior approval from the architectural review committee.
Is it located in a cove or on main channel? Look the address up on Google Maps if you are unsure. Some buyers see "deals" on the internet and don't realize they are located in shallow coves or across from busy, noisy marinas.
How deep is the water at the dock (if it has one)? Lake levels vary during the year and are sometimes lower during the winter. Some docks are in shallow water. Will your dock need a lift?
Does it have a big water view or small water view? Some buyers are concerned with the view and less with the house features. What's important to you? To be brutally honest, it always seems like you get one or the other, but not both; unless you're over 1 million price range. But let me cover myself here, that's not always the case!
Is the home located on Lake Norman, Lake Cornelius, or Lake Davidson? The Carolina MLS covers all these areas and sometimes the property is located in Davidson or Cornelius and listed as "waterfront" but you need to check the address on Google Maps because it's not guaranteed to be on Lake Norman. This is important to know because the lakes are not accessible to each other by boat.
Is it located within city limits or in county and fire tax bracket only? Buyers from other parts of the country ask me about taxes. Some homes are taxed by city and county and include city water and sewer, and others are only taxed by county and fire. Also note, the tax values are very different here than other areas and are not directly related to market value and/or sales price. Ask me about it.
Is it located in a subdivision? If so, what amenities are available? Dry boat storage, day docks, or pump out facilities? Are there HOA fees? What about Boat Slip fees or Lease boat slip fees?
How big is your boat? Some community "slips" are only 10 feet wide at the beam. If your boat is bigger than that, then it's important to measure the slip width. Also, there are some coves located on Lake Norman that have low bridges, so if your boat has a good height or double-decker, you may want to consider location of home so that you can access most main channel areas of the lake.
When in doubt about a piece of property or dock, please contact Duke Energy Lake Services at 800-443-5193
with any questions. You would need to contact them, as a Lakefront property owner, before doing any shoreline work or dock work and to apply for permits to do so!
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
In random order, I present to you seven different ways in which a home inspection report can be used by parties to a real estate transaction for advantage and benefit.
1. Buyers can consider the reported conditions of the home's systems to determine their ability to afford to maintain the property. A home with a 12 year old water heater, an 18 year old furnace and a 25 year old composite shingled roof is going to need some costly investments in the near future.
2. Buyers can sometimes use information regarding undisclosed defects to negotiate the seller's action to repair the defect(s) or adjust the asking price for the home.
3. Sellers can obtain a home inspection and use the report to disclose known defects to potential buyers.
4. Sellers can obtain a home inspection and use the report to identify and correct significant defects that could interfere with a buyer's desire to submit a contract to buy the property.
5. Buyers can use the inspection report as a "punch list" or "to do list" for maintaining the property after purchase.
6. Buyers/Sellers can use the report to communicate to contractors the nature of the defect(s) to obtain estimates for repair or to arrange for repairs or replacements.
7. Buyers can sometimes use the inspection report as a means to withdraw from the contracted agreement to purchase the home when certain types of undisclosed defects are reported.
Buyers and sellers should consider obtaining inspection reports only from professional full-time home inspectors. Inspection reports generated by builders or contractors are often used by them as marketing tools and a means to generate business for maintenance and repairs and do not always represent the actual conditions of the property.
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
Live like you are dying, the lyrics of this Tim McGraw song speaks volumes to many different people.
As I listened to what this song is advocating, It occurred to me many sellers should heed this lesson. They put a price on a property that they think "someday" it may sell for. If moving on with your life requires the sale of a property you own...there is not an infinite amount of time to accomplish this sale. Life is Short.
What got me thinking about this, is I have several short sales a bank owned sale and a probate property that are pending. With these sales the process to close will be longer (in some cases much longer) than the time it took to find a buyer. The price was right, the buyers where motivated and the sellers showed their willingness to sell, by pricing the property to sell.
List like the market is dying. Life is Short.
#1 If you are going to buy after this sale...the sooner you sell the sooner you are in the buyers shoes (you are merely trading equity...if you buy a replacement property).
#2 Moving on is far less painful than hanging on (how many months of mortgages, taxes, insurance utilities will be spend holding...after you admit you want to sell).
#3 You may be better off renting for a time (dropping the major maintenance costs and healing your credit may put you in a better place in the long run than draining your savings, while waiting to score on unrealistic re-sales).
My Bucket list doesn't include living in a home I can't afford...and waiting for someone to over pay me for the same privileges. Life is Short.
Steve Loynd, White Mountain New Hampshire real Estate Expert
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
Totally remodeled with fixtures and features that you would see in some 500K custom homes!Must see to believe!Custom Designed Ceramic tile floors,Tile Backsplash in kitchen, NEW Stainless appliances, Custom curtains & rods,Brand new carpet & paint,2 Car Garage is HEATED & Cooled too! Irrigation, Bonus Room, Fireplace in Living Room,Open Kitchen/Living area.Pool & Tennis across street! 1YR Warranty
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
These 10 Commandments home buyers must follow may seem like common sense to many. Buyers, however, can sometimes forget with all the excitement surrounding the buying of their new home. In the past couple of weeks, I have heard of two separate buyers who saw their home loan turned down, and their dream shattered, a few days before closing because they had bought furniture for their new home before it actually became their home. Both of them now have beautiful furniture with no home to put them in.
These two buyers were not my clients but it always hurts when I hear of transactions falling apart for reasons that could have been avoided. These 10 commandments are part of the buyer packet I give all my clients when we first meet and I always stress that once they get pre-approved and the process is started, they can't do anything that might affect their credit.
1. Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job.
2. Thou shalt not buy a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it)!
3. Thou shalt not use credit cards excessively or let your accounts fall behind.
4. Thou shalt not spend money you have set aside for closing.
5. Thou shalt not omit debts or liabilities from your loan application.
6. Thou shalt not buy furniture.
7. Thou shalt not originate any inquiries into your credit.
8. Thou shalt not make large deposits without first checking with your loan officer.
9. Thou shalt not change bank accounts.
10. Thou shalt not co-sign a loan for anyone.
If you are in the process of buying a home, remember that your credit must not change or be affected in any way until you actually sign the paperwork and get possession of your new home. Lenders will not only look into your credit when you first get pre-approved, they will check it again (and sometimes again and again) before they let you sign the mortgage. If you want to buy new furniture for your home or change jobs, just be patient. There will always be time to do it after the closing.
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
Sends messages to your contacts or emergency services with the push of a button.
We have quite a few areas in Lake Norman and in the foothills of North Carolina where cell service is spotty or non-existent. What do you do? Get one of these!!
WHO NEEDS IT
-Real Estate Agents, Drivers, Boaters, Fishermen, Hunters, Hikers, Campers, Travelers, Kayakers, White Water Rafters, Snow Skiers, Rock Climbers, Mountain Bikers, and more...
-Businesses want employees to be in contact and have access to emergency services even when cell service is not available. Services on call.
-Anyone who drives in areas without cell phone service.
FEATURES
-Send a text or email to your family and friends to let them know you are OK. They can see your exact location via Google Maps.
-Send a Help message to your friends and family in case you need help but it is not an emergency.
-Most importantly send a 911 message to local authorities in case of emergency, which gives them your GPS location and keeps sending until it is turned off.
-Use it on the Road like On-Star to call emergency services where you have no cell signal.
-Add Tracking for $49.99 a year and your contacts can see your location in real time on Google Maps, or Track yourself to see your trip route after you get home.
Why you need it even if you carry a cell phone.
-It works wherever you have a clear view of the sky so you are virtually never out of service.
- Its Waterproof
-It Floats
-Uses AA Batteries, so it easy to carry spares.
With the SPOT Satellite Messenger, you and your loved ones have peace of mind knowing help is always within reach. SPOT is the only device of its kind, using the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sending its location with a link to Google Maps™ and a pre-programmed message via a commercial satellite network. And unlike Personal Locator Beacons, SPOT does more than just call for help. Tracking your progress, checking in with loved ones, and non-emergency assistance are also available, all at the push of a button. And because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works where cell phones won’t.
Regularly $149.99, but your local West Marine has it for $79.99 + you get a $30 West Marine Gift Card. So you are getting it for $49.99, 100 bucks OFF! Basic Service is only $99.99 a YEAR less than 10 bucks a month. Great Christmas gift!
LAKE NORMAN'S West Marine is at 20420 W Catawba Ave in Cornelius, off I-77 exit 28 behind Wendy's and next to Peak Fitness
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
Since home sales seem to be picking up around the nation, following are some helpful hints if you're a Seller, and some helpful hints for your Seller if you're the agent.
This list is San Diego specific, so modify as necessary for your area. Don't do something that you're not comfortable doing; hire a professional do to it.
Added with edit: All readers should feel free to take this list, modify it for your local and state needs, put your name and logo on it, and pass it around as your own. If you want to credit me as the source, fine, but it's more important that we try to get everyone to play nicely in the same sandbox together, and that includes Realtors, Home Inspectors, Buyers, AND Sellers.
OUTSIDE
_____Check that doorbells work.
_____Check for missing roof shingles.
_____Check for loose/damaged/clogged gutters/downspouts.
_____Check attic ventilation and condition of vent screens.
_____Check to see if there is standing water, especially near the foundation, after irrigation or rainfall.
_____Check for cracks in foundation walls.
_____Check structure (including attic and foundation crawl space) for pests (termites, wasps, spiders, nests, etc.).
_____Check for damage to walls and ceilings that need to be patched and painted.
_____Check for moisture stains on ceilings and walls; around doors and windows; near sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and showers; and near the dishwasher.
_____Check for loose, missing, or damaged guardrails and handrails in stairways.
_____Check for loose, broken or missing baseboards and door and window moldings.
_____Check for cracked tiles or deteriorated grouting in kitchen and bathrooms.
_____Check that kitchen appliances work.
_____Check that an anti-tip device is installed on the range.
MISCELLANEOUS
_____Let dogs and cats vacation for a few hours with a family member, friend, or at a pet spa. Check that other pets (birds, snakes, rodents, etc.) are caged.
_____Certain items should be inspected annually due to their inherently dangerous nature. These include gas-using appliances, pool/spa equipment, roof, and the fireplace and chimney. If they have not been inspected within the last 12 months, having it done now can make escrow go more smoothly.
_____Check that filters are in place and clean (kitchen range hood, heating/cooling, bathroom fans, etc.)
_____Check for soot, cobwebs, and wildlife in the fireplace and lower areas of the chimney.
_____The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that the fireplace and chimney undergo a Level II inspection any time real estate ownership is transferred, and I recommend having that done prior to the Buyer's inspection.
_____Check that the fireplace damper opens/closes easily.
_____Check for manufacturer installation guides, operating instructions, or user guides that you can provide to the buyer, especially for kitchen appliances; heating and cooling system; water heater; security, irrigation, fire suppression, central cleaning, and water modification systems; water well; and septic system.
_____Many property inspectors exclude inspection and testing of some specialized systems, such as security and irrigation systems. Once you get the Buyer's inspection report, note what the Inspector did and did not do or could and could not do. Offer to meet with the Buyer to demonstrate how those systems are operated and maintained, and provide the contact information for any companies that regularly service the systems.
_____Check for receipts and warranty papers for any work done on the property, particularly for inspections and work done to prepare the property for sale.
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
I was reading Brad's blog about the newest tools in Technology. He mentioned many tools that I already use, except for two: the PDF maker that is FREE! and also the Retaggr. I didn't actually know what the latter was and so I went to check it out. It is also FREE and fun. I am going to figure out how I can use it in my blogs and such.
I wanted to put the spotlight on this tool because I thought it was so neat and easy to do. This tool called "Retaggr" is great for keeping your networks and online activity organized. It took about 10 minutes to fill out my profile and Voila! I had a profile badge with all my networks! It's so easy and you can include (or not include) as many networks as you use. The profile page is awesome too.
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
Over the course of my career, I have been the bearer of tough news for my listing clients many times. I don't ever relish the thought of sharing bad news with anyone, but I must admit that my skills in this area have improved dramatically with experience.
I have a few tips to share that might help you if you are faced with delivering undesirable news to your own clients.
1. Just say it. Sometimes, it's best to just spit it out, then deal with the explanation. If you're at a listing appointment, and you know that the home is worth substantially less than they were hoping for, you don't have anything to gain by beating around the bush. Get it out on the table. In fact, it might just save you some time if they are unwilling to listen to the facts, because you can make a quicker exit.
2. You might consider prefacing your statement with, "I fully realize that this is not what you were hoping to hear", or something similar. It may or may not soften the blow very much, but at least you tried, right?
3. If they question your valuation of their home, tell them that you are forced to look at things as an appraiser would. I have said things like this, "I think your home shows really well, and you have a ton of nice upgrades. I think we could actually find a buyer that will pay the price you want, but I really don't think it will appraise, then you have a new set of issues to deal with."
4. Another good quote (feel free to steal it from me): "You might get an agent to agree to list the home for that price, but it won't change the market value. Don't ever choose an agent based exclusively on the price."
I hope that this is helpful for you. I am known with my past clients as being direct and honest, without being blunt. There is a fine art to communicating effectively. Hopefully, these tips will give you a leg up on your competition.
Sandy Aichner, GRI, ABR, Broker,REALTOR Licensed in NC and SC RE/MAX Executive Realty (704) 746-7513 Lake Norman Homes Copyright 2008-2009, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, by the Author - Sandy Aichner Please call me If you have interest in purchasing or selling a home in Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, Denver, Sherrill's Ford, Catawba, Davidson, or Statesville, North Carolina!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Steve Loynd, White Mountain New Hampshire real Estate Expert
9424 Shepparton Drive
These 10 Commandments home buyers must follow may seem like common sense to many. Buyers, however, can sometimes forget with all the excitement surrounding the buying of their new home. In the past couple of weeks, I have heard of two separate buyers who saw their home loan turned down, and their dream shattered, a few days before closing because they had bought furniture for their new home before it actually became their home. Both of them now have beautiful furniture with no home to put them in.
Since home sales seem to be picking up around the nation, following are some helpful hints if you're a Seller, and some helpful hints for your Seller if you're the agent.
;)
;)
