Charlotte NC Real Estate & More: North Carolina

Providence Springs Charlotte NC Market Report - July 29, 2010

As a former member of the Providence Springs Board of Directors (Past-President), I watched this neighborhood grow and develop,  finally being built-out and selling the last home in the neighborhood.   Providence Springs Charlotte NC is just one of those few neighborhoods that still has that 'neighborhood' feel to it.  The winding streets are tree-lined and the landscaping in the neighborhood is simply gorgeous.  

Frequent block parties and cookouts are sure to quickly acquaint you with your wonderful new neighbors!  We developed a relationship with an adjoining neighborhood who provides limited association memberships to the residents of Providence Springs so that our residents can enjoy the swim club, tennis courts, pond, walking trails and have use of the clubhouse for a nominal fee each year.  So, Providence Springs residents have the best of both worlds--low HOA dues and low-fee access to a wonderful neighboring community 'club.'

Call today for a tour of this great little community of Providence Springs--we'll be sure to point out our fantastic new listing to you!  In the meantime, here is the latest market absorption trend.  Providence Springs is holding its own in this market--mainly because this community is such a fabulous one in which to live!

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Where Can I Find Information On the Real Estate Market?

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a great resource for information on the Charlotte real estate market. You have questions and you want answers.

• What are the taxes like in this area?
• What are the current selling prices for homes?
• What’s a specific neighborhood like?
• Is there anything besides the economy affecting the Charlotte real estate market?
  

For example, you may want to know current market trends . Are they stabilizing?  Are things still sliding down hill?  Is there a buying trend sellers can take advantage of to market their homes?  While a professional real estate agent will help you sell or find a home, it doesn’t hurt for you to do a little research on your own to become more knowledgeable. 




So where can you find reliable information on the real estate market?  Of course, your Realtor® can provide the most up-to-date answers to your questions but, on the Internet, there are thousands, perhaps millions, of informational sites.  Here are just a few of my personal favorites:

CNNMoney.com (real estate) – The information on CNNMoney.com has no bias in terms of convincing you to sell or buy.  Where are home prices falling?  Where are they strongest?  What information do you need to know as a buyer or seller?  From mortgages to pricing and market stability, you can find it here.

RISMedia.com – If you can’t find it on CNNMoney, you can most likely find it on RISMedia.  Home improvement, financing and foreclosure information are just a few of the topics.  As well, because RISMedia is actually involved in real estate, you can find the latest market information.

DQNews.com – DataQuick provides real estate data on a state-by-state basis or on a specific area.  While the information can be a little technical for the non-real-estate-professional, if you want to know how the Las Vegas region is doing for home sales, or the average mortgage rates in Missouri, DQ can help.  Depending on your area, you may have to pay for the data, but it’s fairly inexpensive and can give you some solid information.

Tax Information -  Here is information on Charlotte (Mecklenburg County) and three of the surrounding counties:

Mecklenburg County

Union County

Cabarrus County

Iredell County

If you’re interested in the Charlotte real estate market in any way, bookmark this blog and the listed sites for easy reference.  The more you know, the better you can prepare for upcoming trends, good or bad!  Your additional knowledge also helps focus questions for your Realtor® to help answer ALL of your real estate questions!

If you’re trying to sell your home, or are looking for your dream home to buy, I can help. Call or email me for more information today.

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Are Your Photos Helping or Hurting the Sale of Your Home?

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” – Frederick R. Barnard


One photograph can have a bigger impact on the sale of the home than the entire write-up.  With the number of potential buyers searching for Charlotte homes for sale online, vivid photographs have sprouted everywhere.  In fact, good photography can make the difference between having your home passed over and selling it.


If you’re considering adding your home to the online list of Charlotte homes for sale, you need to think about your photos – and those photos need to be good.  Just like the home itself, the photos need to stand out from the crowd.

Here are a few photography tips for anyone taking shots of your lovely home:

Talk to your agent about what’s “hot” right now.   Obviously, your strongest selling points are what buyers are looking for now. Two years ago, buyers were looking for fewer square feet, stepping away from the McMansions.  Last year, it was decks, patios and outdoor hardscapes.  This year, it could be your beautiful backyard with the play set.  If you have a selling point, capitalize on it with fantastic photography.

Use the most favorable lighting.  High noon sunlight is harsh and often highlights exterior problems that even you may not have noticed.  When taking exterior pictures, select lighting that draws attention to the positive features.  For instance, one of the most beautiful real estate images I’ve ever seen was a home with all the lights on. The sun was almost completely down and served to accentuate the beauty of the home.

Take as many pictures as you need to get the perfect shot.  A shot that’s slightly twisted to the side may not seem like something to throw away, but it can distort the appealing lines of a home. Because photos are two dimensional and flat, even the slightest left or right slant can make the home look like it’s looming, falling in or disproportionate.  Some shots are taken intentionally at an angle but, a much larger angle is used for effect and doesn’t appear as though the foundation is sinking on one side!

The ability to use photos to show off your home on the Internet has been a huge plus for those with Charlotte homes for sale.  However, a poor photo can do more damage that having no photos at all.  If you can’t seem to take a picture without the image blurring, slanting or looking distorted, hire a real estate agent who can get the job done for you.

Looking for a real estate agent who knows how to showcase your home in pictures?   Give me a call or email me today.

The First Impression Just May Be Your Last When Selling Charlotte Real Estate

When people meet you for the first time, their first impression is typically a lasting one.  You will also never get a second chance to make that first impression when you’re selling your Charlotte real estate either.  You need to present your home at its very best all the time, regardless of the amount of time your home has been on the market.

        Here are 4 things you can do to make a great first impression:

1.  Clean Up the Yard:  A messy yard is, simply put, a distraction.  It can be time consuming to keep up with general yard work, but it’s certainly worth the effort.  Overgrown shrubs, limp lawns, and general disarray can turn off a potential buyer.  If you have to hire someone to come in and give your yard a quick pick me up, it’s well worth the money.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Get Rid of Items You Don't Need:  Be very diligent about this and get rid of all but the bare necessities. You don't have to throw or give everything away.  Find a storage unit and put the things in there you will be taking with you to your new home but do not need immediate access to for now.  Remember, you’re going to have to pack it up ANYWAY when you move!  Declutter!
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Fix Up the Little Things:  After all,  It IS the little things that count. If you have a leaky faucet, a broken tile in the floor or a crack on the wall, now is the time to fix it.  It's little flaws like this that make potential buyers worry that there are bigger problems waiting to be found.  Many buyers feel that if you haven’t taken care of the little things, there may be larger, underlying items that you haven’t cared for either.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. The Front Door:  How does your front door greet your buyers?  Many of us pull into our garages, rarely ever using our front door other than to greet guests from the inside—never seeing what our guests see as they’re standing at the door waiting for us to greet them.  Are there cobwebs?  Are there bugs and debris on the doorstep?  Is your welcome mat 20 years old?  Is there paint peeling and cracking on the door?  The best first impression IS the front door:  Paint it, keep the area around the door—whether it’s a step, a stoop or a porch—clean and free of debris.  And, put out a new welcome mat and fresh seasonal flowers in a nice pot—make them feel at home before they even open the door!

Selling Charlotte real estate is a lot of work but, it is well worth the time investment in properly preparing your home.  You can get it sold faster, easier and for the most money when you take the time to make a great first impression.

If you have any questions about what you can do to make your home sell faster, I can help. Call me or email me today.  

Visit www.ListMyCharlotteHome.com for more Charlotte real estate information.

Other seller tips to help you get your Charlotte real estate SOLD:

Preparing Your Charlotte Home for a Quick Sale  

Open Season on Homes for Sale in Charlotte NC – Hunting License Not Needed, but a Realtor® is HIGHLY Recommended! -

Calculating Absorption Rate Pricing

Setting the Right Selling Price for Your Charlotte Home for Sale

 Why Isn't Your Charlotte NC Real Estate Selling?

Pricing It Right--Objectivity is Crucial

Sellers, You've GOT to FIX It If You Want to SELL It!

Summertime Seller Tips - Tips for Selling Your Charlotte NC Home

A Little Homework Can Help Your Charlotte Real Estate Agent Streamline the Home Buying Process

Buying a home can often be considered one of the most stressful things that you will do in your lifetime.  Unless you're a real estate investor, you will most likely experience home buyer stress—and even then, cash flow issues for the investors can be stressful.

Just a little homework on your part can help your Charlotte real estate agent find a home for you, and successfully close the deal, if you are as prepared and knowledgeable as possible. Here are a few tips to help you be ready and make your transition as painless and stress free as possible. 

      Get your financial records in order:

• Income records: You usually need two recent pay stubs. If you are self-employed, it will get trickier.  Want to be even more prepared?  Get pre-approved for your mortgage before you even begin looking at homes.  This prevents the disappointment of finding a home that you love and realizing that it is out of your reach financially.
  
  
• A clean credit report: Make use of those free credit reports and check for errors, outstanding debts, and a high debt-to-income ratio.  If you do find errors, it is worth your time to get them corrected prior to applying for a loan or searching for a home.
  
  
                                                                 Know what you want: 

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• As simple as that may seem, not knowing specifically what you need and want in a new home can prolong the search and have you and your agent running in circles trying to find the right home.  Price is only one of the many considerations. 
  
  
• Know how many bedrooms and baths you need.  If there are specific amenities you desire, let them be known.  Don't wait until you've traveled all over the countryside looking at homes to tell your Charlotte real estate agent you absolutely must have a sunken tub in your new home.
  
  
• Do a little research on everything that you can find that will help you understand the options available to you and what you will need to get financing and you will be your own best asset in finding the perfect home.  Helping your Charlotte real estate agent work smarter, not harder, is the way to a beneficial arrangement for you both.

If you’re looking for the home of your dreams, I can help.  Call me or email me for more information.

Charlotte NC Real Estate News - Let's Talk Charlotte - July 2010

Discover Charlotte NC and all that Charlotte has to offer residents and visitors alike.   View listings from The Maxwell House Group and be sure to let us know if we can help you sell or purchase real property in the Charlotte metro 7-county area.

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10-Day Sale! ::  11340 Fountaingrove Drive :: 7/25/10 - 8/4/10

The BEST Deal in Fountaingrove!  Mere minutes from Uptown Charlotte!

This 10-day sale won't last forever!  Prepare to be wow'ed when you tour this professionally decorated Shea home in the lovely North Charlotte community of Fountaingrove.  The bright, open floorplan includes formals that are flanked by 2-story wall of windows.  Gleaming wood floors that lead from foyer to dining room, kitchen area and down the main hallway are just one of the many upgrades in this home.  Upgraded lighting, central vac, security, hard-surface countertops, 42" cabinets, Jacuzzi tub in master suite and main level guest suite and full bath are included as well.