real estate: Time to Cash In On The Tax Credit
- 02/14/10 11:17 PM
Last November, the Homebuyer Tax Credit was extended giving first time home buyers a tax rebate of $8,000 and $6,500 for qualified buyers who already own their home. The tax credit applies to homes purchased before April 30, 2010 and to homes under contract by April 30, 2010 which will close by June 30, 2010. Stop for a moment to consider the fact that it might take several weeks to choose the right home, it will take adequate time to negotiate the right price and terms, and another 30 days or so to process your mortgage loan. You’re looking … (0 comments)
real estate: Fort Mill Named Fastest Growing City in SC
- 02/04/10 11:40 PM
Fort Mill was recently named by Business Week magazine as the fastest growing city in South Carolina. It is little wonder, with companies such as Continental Tire and music distributor Muzak headquartered there. The cities of Rock Hill and Charlotte are nearby which accents the growth of the area. Fort Mill has long been considered one of the fastest growing parts of the Charlotte Metro Area. It is also home to the Charlotte Knights AAA baseball team, their stadium – Knights Castle, and the Anne Close Springs Greenway which extends along Sugar Creek in the outskirts of the town of … (0 comments)
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. Think about it: if you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney?
Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a qualified, experienced … (0 comments)
real estate: Existing U.S. Home Sales Increase
- 12/27/09 08:12 AM
Great news came in last week on the housing market! Sales of existing homes in the U.S. rose in November to the highest level since February 2007, a sign that the housing market is gaining strength heading into 2010. The National Association of Realtors reported that home purchases increased 7.4 percent over October, adding that the median sales price declined 4.3 percent from the same month a year earlier, the smallest decrease since November 2007. Purchases of existing homes rose 44 percent in November compared with a year earlier, the biggest increase on record. The median home price fell to $172,600. Here in Charlotte, overall … (2 comments)
real estate: Important Tips On Buying That Next Home
- 12/14/09 03:39 AM
Finding the right home is the result of good preparation and solid research with a little basic education thrown in. Here are a few simple, but important tips to help you in your search for a new home. TIP #1: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION I know that this sounds like a worn out cliché, but it's true. Location is the largest single factor to consider. Do your own research regarding the neighborhood, schools, places of worship, desirable amenities, and the general "feel" of the community. TIP #2: Know how much you can afford Consult with a qualified home mortgage consultant and be … (0 comments)
real estate: 5 Reasons For You to Buy That Home Now
- 12/09/09 07:26 AM
If you're qualified to buy a home now, and that home purchase makes sense for you and your family, here are five reasons why you should consider buying that home in the next several months:
1. Homes are more affordable than ever.
According to the National Association of Realtors' housing affordability index, homes were more affordable in October of this year than at any other time since the group started the index in 1970. The NAR’s affordability index is a measure of the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates, and family income.
In Charlotte, … (1 comments)
real estate: Homeowner's Insurance Primer
- 10/18/09 04:29 AM
Provided courtesy ofSeth G. Horner Insurance, Charlotte, NC One of the sometimes confusing and, however, essential aspects of home ownership is your homeowner's insurance policy. Here is an overview of general information and terminology for first time homeowner, and for anyone who has a question about how coverage is detemined by your insurance company. Coverage A - Dwelling: Provides protection for the dwelling on an all risks basis up to the policy limits. The policy limit is set by the policyowner at the time the insurance is purchased. You can choose to insure your home and belongings for either replacement cost … (0 comments)
real estate: New Home Sales Increase in July
- 08/26/09 04:15 AM
Purchases of new homes in the U.S. increased 9.6 percent in July, adding to signs that the economy is continuing to rebound from the worst recession since the 1930s. The number of houses on the market dropped to the lowest level in 16 years.
The gain in sales, together with rising purchases of existing homes and stabilizing prices, indicate the housing slump may be ending. Last month’s pace was the highest in 10 months. The median price of a new home decreased 12 percent nationally to $210,100 from $237,300 in July 2008. Sales of new homes were down 13 … (0 comments)
real estate: Charlotte Chamber Reports Local Economy Improving
- 07/24/09 12:02 AM
The Charlotte Chamber recently reported that expanding and new businesses have created 7,316 jobs in Mecklenburg County in the first half of the year, a 15 percent increase from the corresponding period last year. For the same period, business investment among the 446 new and expanding firms fell sharply to $564 million from $1.53 billion, a 66% decrease. The aggregate space requirements of new and expanded operations dropped to 6.7 million square feet from 16.6 million in the first half of 2008. However, the chamber's research is not adjusted for job losses and business closings. Mecklenburg's unemployment rate has risen sharply since the beginning … (0 comments)
real estate: Charlotte, North Carolina - Queen City of the South
- 06/29/09 12:03 PM
Charlotte is known for its fantastic weather, close proximity to the mountains and beaches, and offers Southern hospitality unlike anywhere else. Known as the “Queen City of the South”, Charlotte manages to maintain a small town atmosphere while quietly offering all the luxuries of a major cosmopolitan area – often at a lower cost of living than comparable cities. Charlotte’s earliest influences are rooted in its Scotch Irish settlers and German colonists. In fact, the city owes its name to German born Queen Charlotte, wife of England’s King George III, and the county to her birthplace of Mecklenburg . Convenience … (0 comments)
real estate: May Residential Sales Report
- 06/10/09 10:49 PM
Sales figures for the month of May reflect a continuation of the market trends that we experienced through the first quarter of this year.
Active Listings: 28,658; avg. price $326,065 (Statics for entire CMLS residential sales for the period 5/06/09 through 6/5/09)
Although closings are up 7.8% from April, the average sold price … (0 comments)
real estate: Focus on Starter Home Communities
- 06/03/09 04:29 AM
Now that HUD has formalized their plan to monetize the tax credit for first time home buyers, this might be a good time to focus on communities that feature starter homes. There are only 2 discussed here, but Charlotte has an abundance of great homes to choose from for the first time home buyer.
BRADFIELD FARMS The community of Bradfield Farms lies 17 miles east of uptown Charlotte in an unincorporated part of Mecklenburg County adjoining Cabarrus County. Houses were built here between 1989 and 1999 - primarily by Centex Homes, but other quality builders, John Crosland, K. Hovnanian Homes, Torrey … (0 comments)
real estate: Tax Credit Monetization Plan Announced
- 06/01/09 07:12 AM
Last week, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow homebuyers to apply the Obama Administration's new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit toward the purchase costs of a FHA-insured home. Donovan said that the action will help stabilize the nation's housing market by stimulating home sales across the country. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers homebuyers a tax credit of up to $8,000 for purchasing their first home. Families can only access this credit after filing their tax returns with the IRS. This announcement details FHA's rules allowing state Housing Finance Agencies and … (0 comments)
real estate: Charlotte Among Top Growth Cities
- 05/26/09 07:41 AM
Source: Forbes.com, May, 2009 Unemployment is on the rise, credit is tight and consumers aren't spending - which means they aren't picking up and moving much, either. Very few places in America saw significant population growth in 2008. Despite the overall economic slowdown, some parts of the country keep on moving ahead, attracting more and more newcomers - even if it's at a slower pace than in more sound economic times. These places still offer a semblance of stability, as well as great weather, cultural life and, in many cases, affordability. Read the full story To determine the fastest-growing metro areas in … (0 comments)
real estate: Develop Expectations Before You Shop for a Home
- 04/24/09 06:19 AM
Before you decide on your next home purchase, it is important to evaluate what you can expect from the Real Estate Professional that you select to represent you. You will need to understand that, while there are plenty of us out there to assist you, not all Real Estate Agents offer or deliver the same services. Many agents represent buyers exclusively while others choose to act only as Listing Agents. Here is a checklist of activities and services to look for when working with your Real Estate Professional: They can provide you with several qualified home mortgage consultants from which to … (0 comments)
real estate: 130-unit Townhome Project Planned for South Charlotte
- 03/13/07 07:29 AM
Source: Charlotte Business Journal - March 9, 2007 The McAlpine Group is drawing plans for a $70 million, 130-unit townhome project in south Charlotte, hoping to capitalize on the area's rapid growth. The unnamed project, proposed for an 18-acre site at Providence Road West and Old Ardrey Kell Road, will feature a range of luxury models starting in the $400,000s for about 3,000 square feet. The site's proximity to U.S. Highway 521 and Providence Road puts it in the middle of one of Charlotte's major growth centers, says Lindsey McAlpine, company owner. Ballantyne, in particular, has changed the character of south Charlotte … (0 comments)
real estate: Charlotte, A City on the Move
- 02/28/07 02:46 AM
Source: Investment Riches Charlotte is a city of quiet southern charm with an abundance of beautiful tall tress, mixed with big city entertainment. Charlotte boasts a cost of living 3% BELOW the national average and a median household income 11.8% ABOVE. The city currently stands as the second largest banking center in the United States. Their five professional sports teams (Panthers, Bobcats, Checkers, Eagles and Knights) have dramatically increased the city's visibility across the nation as well as Lowe's Motor Speedway which is the home base for the area's NASCAR competition. Overseas flights from the international airport have made Charlotte a more diverse … (0 comments)
real estate: Our In-House Lender Goes Nation Wide
- 01/17/07 04:45 AM
HomeServices Financial, the preferred lender for Prudential Carolinas Realty, has changed names and now is HomeServices Lending, LLC. They are now a national mortgage company with an affiliation with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Corporation. This move has broadened their scope of operations, giving them a larger number of services to offer the home buyer. It has also increased the level of customer service, and greatly streamlined the home mortgage process.
They now can offer the following services that they did not have previously: Pre-approval vs. Pre-qualification on all mortgage loans. This is a BIG time saver for the home buyer and buyer's … (0 comments)
real estate: Last Week’s Mortgage News in Review
- 01/16/07 06:29 AM
"DISAPPOINTMENT PROVES...THAT EXPECTATIONS WERE MISTAKEN." - Mason Cooley And sure enough, the disappointing performance of Bond prices and home loan rates last week was largely the result of some unexpected news and data, which left home loan rates about .125% higher across the board. Remember that "good" economic news tends to be "bad" for Bond prices and home loan rates for two reasons. First, because Stocks and Bonds compete for the same investor dollar - and good economic news would cause many investors to pull money out of Bonds and place it into Stocks, which generally benefit from a healthy economy. Second, … (0 comments)
Everything you need to know about Charlotte, North Carolina real estate right from your desktop. View featured neighborhoods and search for homes for sale in Charlotte and surrounding cities.
Last November, the Homebuyer Tax Credit was extended giving first time home buyers a tax rebate of $8,000 and $6,500 for qualified buyers who already own their home. 
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