Relocating to Charlotte - FAQs
When I speak with new clients, the most often asked question is, “Where should I live?” Well, that depends on your needs. If you have school age children you need to be considering the best schools. As a parent that moved here over 26 years ago my research was limited. Now I would go to NCReportCards.org and schoolmatters.com. In addition, for Charlotte North Carolina schools, you can go to CMS.K12.NC.US. My clients have used these sites and find them to be worthwhile. We were lucky that in spite of not having accessible data we landed in the better school zones. Our children are grown, out of grad school with outstanding careers here in Charlotte.
So what else is important in order to find that great home in that perfect community? Selecting that right Realtor that cares more about your success happiness than the income they will receive. E-mail me with your questions and concerns on these two very important topics and I’ll elaborate. I can be reached at Irv@TopCharlotteAgent.com
Charlotte Housing Market Update May '08
Is it a buyers market or sellers market? The most often asked question is this a good time to buy or sell Real Estate in Charlotte North Carolina? That depends on who you are. As of May 08 we have 2386 sold in May with an average of 91 days on the market. I’d say that’s back to normal for this agent.
If I’m a seller I need to price my home aggressively. I need to know that there are other homes in Charlotte that are doing the same. I have to be well presented both inside and out so that when someone is looking for homes for sale in Charlotte they will see the very best. As the inventory begins to dwindle in Charlotte North Carolina it will quickly become evident that the market has swung to the seller.
Some sellers believe that many Realtors like a quick turn and therefore we price our homes too low. Well this Top Charlotte Agent believes that you have to price it correct and it will sell. The true market value of a home in Charlotte is set by the buyer and not anyone else. I want my clients to get the most for their home, in the lease amount of time and with the least amount of effort. I’ve been representing clients for 18 years in the greater Charlotte North Carolina area and I clearly understand the importance of pricing it right and presenting and marketing it well.
Our housing market reports page offers several market reports on various real estate areas of Charlotte.
Does anyone have any experiences both good and bad that they would like to share?
Custom Home in HighGate - Weddington NC
Stunning, yet comfortable estate home in HighGate in Weddington, North Carolina features craftsman-inspired styling and architecture. An exterior of brick and stone with cedar accents complements the natural materials found throughout the interior - stone, cedar, slate, and copper. Fireplaces are wrapped in stone with a flared base. Coffered and exposed beam ceilings highlight some rooms, with ten-foot ceilings on the first floor, and nine-foot ceilings on the second floor.
The kitchen centers on the nine foot wide cooking center, with a 48" dual fuel professional range with double ovens. Surrounded by maple cabinetry, granite countertops, and floor to ceiling columns wrapped in stone and connected by a stone arch, this is the heart of the kitchen. A separate wine bar/drink center has an undercounter wine refrigerator, stem holder, natural stone backsplash, and a copper tile band set between two full height stone columns.
Above the four car garage (two separate two car garages) are a media room, closet space, a full bath, and an additional room. Completely separate from the rest of the home, this area would be perfect as a nanny or in-law suite.
Overlooking the built-in gunite pool is a raised, covered paver patio with an adjacent outdoor entertainment kitchen. A half bath accessible only from the pool area is great for pool guests.
You can see more photos, a complete virtual tour, and get more information for this home on Foggy Glen Place on our website.
Charlotte - America’s # 1 Place to Live
Charlotte has been voted America’s #1 city to live in by Relocate-America.com I’ve been here since 1995, and have been visiting regularly since the early 80’s. I would never have imagined that there would be so much to do in my adopted hometown, while at the same time keeping the small town feel and relative affordability to other areas. Check out the links below and let me know what you think? Agreement/Disagreement/Comments???
I moved here 13 years ago with no job and a couch to sleep on in my aunt & uncle’s house. Now I am raising a family and running a successful business in what is in my opinion the best city in America!
Waxhaw Home For Sale - Weddington Chase
Just listed with Schwebel & Associated is this 5 bedroom, 4 bath John Wieland home in Weddington Chase. Located on a cul-de-sac, with a large yard (0.65 acres) that backs up to a wooded common area, this home is perfect for the growing family.
The main floor features hardwood floors, a guest suite, a family room with a vaulted ceiling, a spectacular kitchen, and a slate-floored ‘drop zone’. The kitchen is enhanced with granite counters, abundant cabinet and counter space, a custom tile backsplash, and a built-in refrigerator that matches the cabinetry.
The master suite and secondary bedrooms are on the second floor. The master suite includes a sitting area as well as a separate, very private office/study/exercise room. Bedroom 3 has a private bath, while bedrooms 4 & 5 share a Jack & Jill bath.
The finished third floor features flexible space which could be transformed in to most anything - a game room, a media room, play room - whatever is needed.
Other features include a home audio system, a home office network, full irrigation, and a security system - among many other wonderful upgrades!
You can see floorplans, a complete virtual tour, and more about this Weddington Chase home on our website.
Newcomers Of The Week
Many people in Charlotte and around the country are realizing that there are opportunities to be had in Real Estate. It’s funny that so many folks seem to forget the old adage buy low-sell high! It applies in stocks, real estate, or whatever. We had two of our clients (see featured article from the Charlotte Observer) who took advantage of a seller who was willing to sell the house below market value in order to get their equity out. Our clients will have to put in some cosmetic repairs and spruce the place up, but at the end of the day they were able to buy the house cheaper than most of their neighbors. With solid schools and a great location this was a great opportunity. Many people are beginning to ask themselves how long will these deals remain on the table from motivated sellers and homebuilders looking to get rid of excess inventory. Centex homes recently had a one weekend blowout event to reduce the inventory of completed homes. It worked and they have a much smaller number of available homes and their prices have been restored to the previous levels. If you didn’t buy that weekend you might have missed an opportunity. I don’t have a crystal ball - if I did I would be in Vegas knowing when to bet it all on black 17 - but I do know that the way to make money in America still involves the concept of buy low-sell high. (A correction for the article - the Stallsworth’s bought in Indian Trail)
Deals in Charlotte Real Estate?
Many of my clients ask me-where can I find a deal? Although the rest of the nation has seen markets decline, we have held steady on pricing. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t opportunities out there. One of the ways to get a home below market pricing is to buy a builder spec, or inventory home. These are homes that are with begun with no particular buyer in mind, or if a sale falls through the home will go back on the market. The day a home is finished the builder starts to eat away at their profit. They have speculated on a sale prior to or very soon after the homes completion, and they are motivated to get the home sold at this point in the time line. Builders will offer financing incentives, incentives for free upgrades at the design center, or just flat out discounts on the price. They will also offer bonuses to buyers brokers who bring a qualified buyer. As long as the builder doesn’t offer these "deals" on too many homes in the neighborhood, the average prices will stay up where everyone else bought and the buyer of the spec home will have effectively bought a home with instant equity.
Charlotte Housing Market Report for September
Here we are - courtesy of Realtor® Reflections magazine (November 2007). The latest report on residential sales trends for the Charlotte area. Yes, it is November, but it takes time to compile data, so the September report is the most current.
Click here to see their report.
We have several, more detailed real estate reports that have been broken down by area, and include information on the average sales price, and how long homes are remaining on the market before being sold.
Time To Invest In Charlotte Real Estate?
Have you entertained the idea of supplementing your traditional investment portfolio with one or more residential rental properties? Recent changes in the mortgage market could make such a move favorable.
The window has all but closed for those with limited credit and no money down to purchase a home. For several years this segment of the population has been able to purchase their homes, now they will have to revert to renting.
The opportunities that I am referring to could be professionally managed, so the bulk of traditional landlord duties are off of your shoulders. I want to stress that this type of investment does not produce huge returns in the short term. What it does is provide a vehicle whereby you can leverage other people’s capital and build cash flow and equity over time.
There are many factors to be considered before buying investment property. Please give us a call or send an e-mail. We will be glad to discuss the possibilities with you.
Charlotte Real Estate Trends!
New on our website are several reports on Charlotte Real Estate Market trends! These reports show average sales price, months supply of inventory, and more. We will continue to offer the sales reports from REALTOR Reflections magazine here on the blog, but the more detailed reports will be offered on Top Charlotte Agent and updated each month.
