I’m buying a home and plan to be there 5 years-how easy is it going to be to sell my home when the time arrives?

The most important factors in selling a home are the exact same as when you bought it. Schools, market conditions, proximity to shopping, neighborhood appeal, and condition of your home will be the main factors.

Ask yourself-what attracted me to my current home in the first place?

Whether or not you need schools at the time, schools will continue to play a vital roll in protecting your value and increased desirability.  Award winning schools are the most important consideration.  Great shopping centers create a lifestyle of convenience and social gathering spots.  We are all creatures of convenience and these spots are exactly that.  Whether you want to live in South Charlotte, with such shopping centers as Blakeney or Stone Crest, or up North in Huntersville where you have Birkdale Village these award winning centers are a hub for shopping and enjoyment.  Today’s buyers are focused on a community and neighborhood that offer so many choices.  Country club life style of golf, tennis, and an on site restaurant, having a club house with work out facilities and a lazy river for the family or just a well groomed community play a major roll in the ease of selling your home.

Real Estate is local in nature and not all communities are impacted by “market conditions”.  Even though we face tougher economic times not all communities are declining in value.  Some communities continue to outpace the market because of the factors I’ve listed above.

Want to know more?   Do you have questions as to which communities are the best and which schools have the best ratings?  Think before you purchase and consult your Realtor.

Billy Joel & Elton John Concert

Imagine dining uptown under Carolina Blue skies.  You say to yourself, “The food’s great and so is the atmosphere but can it get any better?”

Two hours later the evening goes from good to out of this world!  Here I am a 59 year old baby boomer who remembers the 70′s like it was yesterday when the only thing I had to worry about was [Read more...]

The Victory Junction Gang

It’s no longer about me and how much I need or how much I have.  It’s really about how lucky I am to have a healthy family, a great job in Real Estate (yes even at these times) and the ability to help others.

One of my past clients has introduced me to his company, The Victory Junction Gang.  The purpose of this organization is to [Read more...]

Christmas Lights With Music in Charlotte 2008

This video of Christmas lights with music by Trans Siberian Orchestra is one of the best light displays I’ve ever seen. Charlotte used to have Christmas lights like this, but I don’t know if it’s been continued.

As technology continues to evolve, it seemingly affects all areas of our lives.  Christmas light shows have become increasingly complex and wondrous to see.  It’s no longer enough to simply drive around and admire the lights.  For some of the larger displays, parking is almost required so as to enjoy the entire spectacular show complete with music! 

This particular display (alas, not in Charlotte) was the winner of the Planet Christmas contest in Frisco, TX in 2005.  It would be hard to top this one.  Has anyone seen anything spectacular and worth a drive in the Charlotte area?

Jerry Richardson on heart transplant list

Carolina Panthers Owner is on a heart transplant list after quadruple bypass surgery 6 years ago.  Mr. Richardson was not feeling well enough to make it to the Monday night game where the Panthers beat up Tampa Bay really running away with it in the fourth quarter.

Silent Auction Benefitted Children

Schwebel & Associates recently held a Silent Auction to benefit children of The Charlotte Housing Authority.  Prudential Carolinas Realty often holds events to help these children with purchasing school supplies and holiday gifts.

It was held at The Morehead Inn – an historic Southern estate located just minutes from downtown Charlotte.  Balmy weather allowed us to enjoy an outside bar while sampling a delicious buffet and admiring the beautiful surroundings.

Through the generosity of friends and sponsors, 30 items were up for bidding in the silent auction.  Wonderful things such as signed Panthers footballs, a signed Raymond Felton Bobcats jersey, two Richard Petty Driving Experiences, botox treatments, a package from Rousch racing that included a Carl Edwards jacket, Skybox suites for Knights games, Pet Spa services, and much  more!

Over $3,000 was raised to benefit the children.

Thank you to all who donated items and to our wonderful sponsors – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Jennifer Gallman of the Charlotte Housing Authority

Jennifer Gallman of the Charlotte Housing Authority with Keith (l) and Irv (r)

[caption id="attachment_340" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="The auction was held in the library of The Morehead Inn"]The auction was held in the library of The Morehead Inn[/caption]
Keith with his wife Becki

Keith with his wife Becki

[caption id="attachment_342" align="aligncenter" width="255" caption="Our generous sponsors"]Our generous sponsors[/caption]

American Idol Concert in Charlotte

Sunday evenings in many cities tend to be quiet. But if you’re like me you may want to take advantage of our wonderful city and hit the concert trail. Last evening my wife and I went to Time Warner Arena and enjoyed the American Idol Concert tour. Some people may think we’re too old to see a concert of this type but believe me this was a great venue and even better concert. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. This is just one of the many things to do and places to go should you visit or even move to Charlotte North Carolina.

Parks in Charlotte, NC

If you ever wonder why Charlotte North Carolina is so beautiful just look at our parks. It’s wonderful to see that not all of our city is taken up by Real Estate and that’s difficult for me to say considering I’m a Realtor. Colonel Francis Beatty Park is located in Southeast Charlotte and has some of the best areas to enjoy. There’s a lake for boating, several ball fields and biking trails. There’s a great park located on Pineville Matthews road between Rea and Providence roads that is so great (Davies Park). Nestled among fine homes this park has several soccer fields and plenty of areas to enjoy. The recently added dog park in Davies are some of the best, with a large dog area that is over 3 acres!
Our Greenway system is continually being expanded and has become extremely popular with walkers, bikers, runners, and others. I guess that I’m just spoiled here!

Olde Providence Rec Association Spring Baseball

This is of course very biased, but I thought it appropriate to talk a bit about the Olde Providence Tigers, led this Spring by Coach Bob Adler.  The marked improvement in the boys physical skills and more importantly mental skills just blew me away and the coach deserves much credit for stressing the basics and keeping the boys focused mentally.  They didn’t come away with the championship this season, but they can walk away knowing they are better players due to their and their coaches’ efforts this season.

OPRA spring baseball

On another note check out Coach Adler’s other passion-BBQ

Coach Adler’s BBQ

Charlotte NC 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???

Charlotte #1 Place to Live

Charlotte Dethrones Asheville

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!