Charlotte Real Estate & More

Champagne Budget - Real or Perceived? Find Out BEFORE You Shop for Homes in Charlotte NC!

This topic has been discussed repeatedly but, it certainly bears further conversation as the issue repeats itself, creating problems for everyone involved.

My mantra is that you must have a pre-approval letter before getting into my car.  Granted, I spend more time with sellers these days than with buyers but, my buyers agents spend 100% of their time with buyers so, I’m speaking on their behalf here.

I’m generally a trusting soul--when a potential buyer phones me and is seriously interested in purchasing a home in the near future, my first two questions are:

• Are you working with a real estate agent?
• Have you spoken with a lender and have you been pre-approved?

If the answer to the latter question is yes, I ask them what their pre-approval involved and we discuss the price range of homes that they would like to remain in when they purchase.  

Many of the recent prospective buyers have stated that they have these pre-approval letters and are armed and ready to go!  Let’s just say their price range is supposedly $300,000.  They are then partnered with a buyers agent who matches their area/lifestyle needs and the search is on.  

More often than ever before, I’m getting calls from agents that the buyers are not qualified for the amount in the price range in which they are searching.  They have been shopping online for homes in the $300,000 range and only qualify for a home in the $200,000 range.  

This ‘fatal error’ has not only cost the buyer time but, the agent’s time has been wasted as well.  The worst part of the situation is that this buyer has been eyeing several $300K properties and now they are going to have to ‘settle’ for a $200K property--quite a difference in our area.  It’s difficult to ever then find a home in the price range for which a buyer truly qualifies when they have been looking at the champagne homes!  

So, for your best interests, your smartest move BEFORE shopping (even online) for homes is to consult a lender to obtain a pre-approval.  It really doesn’t take that long and can even be done over the phone.  Give us a call, we’ve got a great list of lenders to share with you!

This quick, easy and painless process can save you hours and hours of home shopping and can save you from heartbreak when your champagne tastes are truly a beer budget! 

And, hey, there’s nothing wrong with being on a beer budget--oftentimes we ALL need to be reeled back in to acknowledge that we’re on one!

Have you been pre-approved for a mortgage loan?  Here's a great place to start your home search:

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

Crack the Advertising Code of Charlotte Homes for Sale.

Real estate has a language all its own; and I don’t just mean phrases like Closing costs, short sales and foreclosures!  What I’m talking about are buzz words used to advertise Charlotte homes for sale.
 

When you understand the typical meaning of these code words, you’ll be better able to determine which Charlotte homes for sale are worth looking at in person.
 
 

• Cozy:  Look at this home if you don’t mind a much smaller than average home.
• Rustic:  If you want a home in the country (or one that looks like it should be in the country), take a look at this one.
• Move in Ready:  Generally means it’s vacant.  
• Starter:  It’s smaller and less expensive than average homes in the area.  If you’re in the market for a starter home, this is the phrasing you want to look for.
• Needs TLC: It probably needs more than just a little work.  If you don’t mind that, check it out for yourself to see how much work it really needs.
• Handyman’s Special – Needs more work than TLC, which probably means you’ll need to hire professional contractors to get at least some of the work done.  If you like the home, have a home inspection to find all the problems and then negotiate for a good price.
• Investor Special:  Best use of this property is to rent it out.
• Investment in Land:  If there’s a house on the land, this means you’re probably wisest to tear down the home and rebuild.
• I’m Beautiful Inside: The interior is nice, but something about the exterior is unappealing.  It could be something easy to fix like old siding and cracked concrete or something impossible to remedy like being on a busy street.
• Honey, Stop the Car: This is a must-see home and if it fits your budget and needs, it may just be the one!

If you’re looking at Charlotte homes for sale, let me help you crack the code.  I’ll help you find a home you’ll love and use my negotiation skills to help you get it at a great price.  Call me or email me for more information.

Read more: http://www.icharlotterealestate.com/crack-the-advertising-code-of-charlotte-homes-for-sale/#ixzz1XYroCkZA

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

Charlotte NC Home Buying Process, Part I:  The Consultation

CHARLOTTE NC:  What should you expect when buying a home in Charlotte NC?   As a first-time or seasoned home buyer, you should expect unsurpassed customer service and superior knowledge of the area.  You should expect to have this be the easiest home-buying processes you've ever experienced if you've purchased a home before.  We are here to take the ‘worry’ out of the process for you as we will take care of the details for YOU.  When you work with Savvy + Company agents, the home buying process will be broken into four simple stages:


1.  The Consultation
2.  Shopping for Your New Home
3.  The Purchase Process
4.  Settling-into Your New Home

This is the first of the four-part series.

STAGE 1:  THE CONSULTATION

Before we begin your Charlotte home shopping, we'll spend some time ‘planning’ so that we can ascertain that you feel confident about the entire home-purchase process, including your choice of REALTORS®.

What are you looking for in a home?  What are your jobs, your hobbies and special interests, your concerns about location,  transportation, schools, places of worship etc.?  We'll want you to share your lifestyle needs with us.  We want to know what you like or dislike about your current home and your current neighborhood?  If you are moving to a different type of neighborhood, what would you like in your new neighborhood?

We’ll review your financial situation, including your income, investments, debts, and liquidity.  We’ll discuss your down payment, and what type of mortgage loan that would best suit your financial needs, then arranging a meeting, either online, by phone or in person with a reputable loan officer who can further assist you in narrowing down your financial qualifications and what price point we’ll be looking in while shopping for your new home.

We’ll review my 'job' duties and the standard North Carolina Bar Forms that you’ll be using during the home buying process.

OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT BUYING A HOME IN CHARLOTTE NC:

Locating the Perfect Neighborhood

Why Charlotte NC?  Well, Why Not?

Originally posted at www.iCharlotteRealEstate.com

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.