Charlotte Homes for Sale

New credit card rules went into effect earlier this week. Many of these rules will positively impact consumers; some might have a less positive impact down the line. Here’s a quick summary of the key provisions you should be aware of, as well as some links to more detailed information about the new rules.

• You must have 45 days notice whenever your credit card company plans to increase your rates, fees, or make other major changes to your account. You also have the right to cancel the card before any of these fees go into effect (but there may be penalties to do so, which you need to find out about prior to cancelling).

If you are a first-time home buyer or a move-up/repeat home buyer the April 30th, 2010 deadline is looming for you to take advantage of the tax credits.

• $8,000 FIRST TIME HOME BUYER CREDIT DEADLINE:  You must be in contract by April 30th and close on your new home by June 30th, 2010. To be considered a first-time home buyer you can’t have owned a home in the past three years.
•  $6,500 MOVE-UP/REPEAT HOME BUYER CREDIT DEADLINE: You must be in contract by April 30th and close on your new home by June 30th, 2010. You must also have lived in your current home for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years.

If you’ve been planning to buy a house this spring with an FHA loan, you need to know about several FHA financing changes coming in about six weeks that will increase your cost of borrowing. These deadlines are:

ISSUE:  FHA FINANCING – SELLER CAN NO LONGER CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN 3% FOR CLOSING COSTS AND PREPAIDS.   As a  buyer, you will likely need to have more money for closing or you could end up with a higher interest rate which could impact your ability to qualify.  This will be more of an issue for homes that are $150,000 and below. 

Great home at a great price in Charlotte’s prime and prestigious Ballantyne neighborhood. Home is in move-ready condition and features 4 bedrooms (could be five) and three full bathrooms. Main floor den could be used as a first-floor guest room with its adjacent full bathroom. Large master suite with garden tub and separate shower. Open, flowing floor plan. Home backs up to protected nature preserve. Top south Charlotte schools. Minutes from shopping, recreation, top schools, and Ballantyne Corporate Park.

17422 Westmill Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina Price: $239,900.00 Beds: 4 Baths: 3 Sq Ft: 2500

These days we’re all looking for ways to save money and tighten our belts. For homeowners, a logical place to start is to look at ways to save on energy costs in your home. 

Here are a few online resources to get you moving in the right direction to improve your home’s energy efficiency:

• Comprehensive Home Energy Savings
• Energy Audit Tool
• On-Line Home Energy Magazine
• Energy Savings Booklet
• Home Energy Savings Tips
• Energy Savings Start At Home
• Consumer Guide To Energy-Efficient Appliances
• Energy Star Products & Home Tips

Homeownership may be the most important asset-building strategy for individuals. The value of homeownership gives homeowners a feeling of control, a greater sense of security and stability.

Homeownership is typically given a lot of importance and homeowners are generally allowed to do whatever they wish in their homes. Homeowners have the right to make choices and decisions regarding changes to their homes that renters may not be able to make.

Homeownership is a financial goal most families share. There are significant community benefits to homeownership as well. Owning a home gives residents a stake in the community and a sense of “rootedness” in their neighborhoods. Enjoying the privacy that a home brings, making long lasting friendships with neighbors and best of all taking pride in your home. The pride you’ll feel in owning and improving your home is an emotional value that cannot be expressed in dollars and cents. The value of homeownership has been thought to pro-mote thrift, stability, and neighborliness.

Homeownership is thought to be an important element in achieving personal fulfillment. When asked to define the good life, polls have shown that many Americans value owning a home over such factors as an automobile, a happy marriage, an interesting or high-paying job, and good health. The value of homeownership is credited with increasing self-esteem, life satisfaction, and an overall feeling of worth. Owning a home embodies the promise of individual independence but there are also many responsibilities that come with owning a home. The value of homeownership has been thought to pro-mote thrift, stability, and neighborliness.

If you are looking to buy your own home in Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill North Carolina areas, these are some points to consider when seeing the value of homeownership. Allow me, your Real Estate agent, Nina Hollander to help you see the value of homeownership.

Recipe for a wonderful Valentine’s Day from Carolinas Realty Partners!

3 cups of hugs
4 tablespoons of love

Shake and mix well…

Add 2 scoops of kisses
and share with your partner

Happy Valentine’s Day! (Oh by the way, we would LOVE to help you with your real estate needs!)

If you are a first-time home buyer or a move-up buyer, who has purchased your home after November 30th, here are the new IRS guidelines for what you will need to claim your tax credit.

The IRS has recently released the new form that eligible home buyers need to claim their tax credit this tax season and has announced that they will start processing these returns in mid-February. With the release of Form 5405 (“First Time Home Buyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit”) along with instructions on completing the form, you can now start filing for your tax credit. However, keep in mind that if you are claiming a home buyer credit, you MUST file a paper tax return because of the added documentation requirements. These documentation requirements include:

They don’t get more “move-in” than this great 5 bedroom/3 bath home with a full bedroom and bath on the main floor of the home. Home features $30,000+ in upgrades, stainless steel kitchen, great sunroom, huge great room, large master suite with spa-like bath, and oversized bedroom/bonus room. Add a great community with pool, tennis, athletic fields and low Union County taxes and you’ve got yourself a winner! Don’t forget the Homebuyer Tax Credit available for first-time and move-up buyers is you are in contract by April 30th!

4010 Magna Lane, Indian Trail, North Carolina Price: $245,000.00 Beds: 5 Baths: 3 Sq Ft: 2744

Offered at below tax value, this executive home in the prestigious Ballantyne area of south Charlotte is a great buy! Home features a private, wooded lot, three car garage, huge master suite with separate sitting room and spa-like bath, and two junior suites (one on the main floor of the home and one on the second floor of the home). Huge attic could be easily finished as a third floor bonus room. You get to enjoy all the Ballantyne area amenities at the South Carolina low tax rates! Award-winning community amenities include pool, tennis, basketball, fitness center, playground, clubhouse.