Apr
29
2010
The deadline to take advantage of the first-time and repeat/move-up home buyer tax credits is fast approaching. You must have a binding contract signed by midnight, June 30th (that’s tomorrow!) to be eligible for the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers or the $6,500 tax credit for repeat buyers. (The one exception are military service members who were on official extended duty outside of the United States for at least 90 days between Jan.1, 2009 and May 1, 2010, who may qualify for a one-year extension.)
I have lots of clients calling me and asking me when we will know about the terms of the extension for this credit and I keep telling them there will be no extension. There is no bill in Congress right now to extend the credit. So if you’ve got a home in mind, don’t delay. Time is really running out!
I’ve previously provided links to information about the credit, but here it is again in case you need a quick refresher: Homebuyer Tax Credit.
Meantime, if you already have a binding contract that will let you take advantage of the tax credit, you have until June 30th, 2010 to close. In this regard, a word to the wise: June 30th falls at month-end when attorney and title and mortgage lenders are typically at their busiest and with all the tax-credit contracts coming up for closing in May and June, they will be even busier this year. All the activities required to close a home take longer to complete in the last week of each month. And by June 30th we also see the start of summer vacations, which reduce staff in legal and banking offices. So try to schedule your closing as much before June 30th as possible to ensure you are closed before this deadline.
Apr
28
2010
The eyes of the golf world are on the Quail Hollow Country Club in south Charlotte this week! Since 2003, Charlotte’s Quail Hollow County Club has been home to one of the best non-major golf events on the PGA Tour and is considered one of the largest and most prestigious sporting events in the Charlotte metro area. In 2009, the tournament earned “Best in Class” as the top event of the PGA Tour schedule.
The Championship and its $6.5 million purse attract some of the world’s top players and this year is no exception! You can expect to see Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods (who won in 2007), Fred Couples, Phil Michelson, Sean O’Hair (who won in 2009). The tournament started Monday, April 26th and continues through Sunday, May 2nd.
Fred Couples and Michael Jordan (owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and now a Charlotte celebrity) are scheduled to play together in the Pro-Am on Wednesday, April 28th. This is Michael Jordan’s second year playing in the Pro-Am portion of the tournament.
There’s no question about the popularity of this tournament–it sold out seven out of the eight years it’s been a part of the PGA Tour–and this year is no exception. So now’s the time to plan to buy tickets for the 2011 Championship, which will go on sale to the public in mid-November 2010! But you can follow all the action live on the Golf Channel (Thursday and Friday) and on CBS Sports (Saturday and Sunday).
As last year, the majority of the proceeds from the Quail Hollow Championship will benefit Teach For America Charlotte, the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. Currently in Charlotte, 230 Corp Members are going above and beyond traditional expectations to lead 14,000 students to significant academic achivement each day.
Apr
27
2010
If you’re looking for a job in the Charlotte area, you should know about two upcoming job fairs.
The WBTV Road to Recovery Employment Expo is being held on Wednesay, April 28th from 11:00am till 3:00pm at the Concord Mills Mall in Concord, North Carolina. This event helps job seekers meet the key employers in the Charlotte area who are currently hiring. Your can meet directly with hiring managers, as well as learn about local career opportunities. And this event is free for job seekers. Just come armed with your resume–both printed and digital copies.
WBTV is also providing an online way to upload your resume at www.CarolinaJobTracker.com, where you can create an account and upload your resume to the data base.
The IGNITESpring Job Fair 2010, sponsored by LocalJobs.com, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board amongst others, is being held Tuesday, May 4th in the Circle Court at South Park Mall on Sharon Road.
This particular job fair targets sales representatives, nurses, engineers, software developers, accountants, finance, banking, IT professionals. Most positions will pay in the $50,000+ range. To register: www.regonline.com/ignitespring2010. The event is free for job seekers.
Apr
26
2010
Today is National Pretzel Day! Pretzels date back to the 7th century in southern France, where monks would bake thin strips of dough into the shape of a child’s arms folded in prayer… add a little salt, and voila! …the pretzel industry was born. It was called “Pretiola,” Latin for “little reward.” Over time, the word “Pretiola” evolved to become “Pretzel.” ( Although, there are some who believe that pretzels were first baked in Italy. I guess we’ll never know for sure; afterall, it has been 1400 years!)
One of my favorite childhood memories growing up in New York City was soft, salted pretzels sold on what seemed to be every street corner and subway station. And back in the 1950′s they were only a nickel!!! I still love buying a street corner pretzel whenever I’m in New York–it’s my dessert after I’ve had a street corner hot dog! And I try to get over the sticker shock as these pretzels certainly are not a nickel anymore!
National Pretzel Day started 27 years ago in 1983 when a Pennsylvania congressman wanted a special day named for his favorite food. Today, the average American consumes approximately 1.5 pounds of pretzels each year and in the US it’s a $560+ million a year business. There are all sorts of little known facts about pretzels. To read about them, click here.
If you are in the Charlotte metro area, today at Carolina Place Mall in Concord you can get a free pretzel from Pretzelmaker.
Apr
26
2010
Just listed… this move-in ready home pretty as a picture on a private, wooded, fenced .3 acre cul-de-sac just minutes from Charlotte’s trendy Ballantyne area! Home has been freshly painted, hardwood floors refinished, new tile installed in all bathrooms and laundry room, and new designer light fixtures installed! Additional great features include a large screened porch with outdoor speakers, Bose surround sound system in family and bonus rooms. Low, low property taxes under $1,000 per year. Great community amenities including pool, lake, tennis, basketball. Home is eligible for NO MONEY DOWN USDA Financing for qualified buyers and don’t forget these are the last five days you can still qualify for the first-time home buyer tax credit!
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1548 Kingdom Way, Fort Mill, South Carolina
| Price: $210,000.00 |
Beds: 4 |
Baths: 2.5 |
Sq Ft: 2430 |
Description: Welcome to this move-in ready 4 bedroom/2.5 bath home with lots of curb appeal situated in the center of a private, wooded, and fenced .308 acre cul-de-sac lot. Both front and back yards are lushly la ….
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Apr
25
2010
Today is National Pet Parent’s Day! Pet owners who treat their cats and dogs like members of the family are being honored with a special day dedicated to them. Congratulations to all you pet parents out there who give so much love to your furry children!
You can send a free e-card to anyone you know who is a pet parent and congratulate them on being an outstanding pet parent!
Apr
23
2010
To “borrow a phrase” from Charlotte’s official visitor guide, Charlotte’s Got A Lot! And this weekend, Charlotte is getting ready to enjoy it’s annual Queen’s Cup Steeplechase held on the grounds of Brooklandwood Racecourse in Union County. The racecourse prides itself on providing first-class racing in a unique setting.
The Queen’s Cup is like no other sporting/social event in the Charlotte area and is eagerly anticipated every last Saturday of April. It’s considered the most stylish social and sporting event in our area with thousands in attendance. Food and drink are in abudance and everyone gets dressed up in their most stylish spring outfits. You can even put on your most creative and fanciful hat and try to win the Morrison Smith Hat Contest.
Some of the most athletic thoroughbreds compete at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour for the $100,000 purse. Jockeys dressed in bright silks push their horses to clear four and a half foot jumps over an up to three mile rolling turf course.
For more information about the event and purchasing tickets click on QueensCup.
Apr
22
2010
Carolinas Realty Partners are pleased to offer our special Real Estate CyberTips E-Newsletter, which, in very concise form, provides you with monthly Cyber tips and tricks along with our pointers to Internet places of special interest to real estate owners, investors and related professionals.
Please click here to access your copy of the April Issue of “Real Estate CyberTips.”
This month’s issue includes the following tips:
- EASY RESTORE POINT MAKER
- FIX YOUR PHOTOS: FAST & EASY!
- WHAT MOVIES AND TV ON LINE FOR FREE!
- HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE THAT NAME/
Apr
21
2010
RelocateAmerica.com has just released its 13th annual list of “America’s Top 100 Places to Live for 2010.” Two North Carolina cities made the list this year!
The Queen City–Charlotte–was #7 on the list of the top 10 cities. Raleigh was right behind Charlotte as #8 of the top 10 cities to live in.
Those of us who’ve moved to Charlotte from elsewhere and have made this city our “hometown,” truly do understand why Charlotte keeps making the lists of top places to live!
If you’re looking for more information about Charlotte and why it’s a key destination city, year after year after year, click on these links to find out: Charlotte’s Got A Lot and Discover Charlotte.
Apr
20
2010
According to Forbes.com, the Charlotte metro area ranks as the 17th best in the country for business and careers. This is out of 200 metro areas studied/measured. Charlotte rankings among the 200 metro areas were as follows:
- Cost of doing business: #42
- Economic growth projected: #36
- Job growth projected: #31
- Educational attainment: #53
- Net migration: #7
Fortune magazine also came out with the Fortune 500 companies and their rankings for 2010. North Carolina has 14 Fortune 500 companies, with 8 in the Charlotte area. Bank of America, Lowes, Duke Energy, Nucor, Goodrich, Sonic Automotive, SPX>
A strong employment base is very important to the long term economic outlook for our area and should have dramatic impact on home values over time. More great reasons to buy a home in our area sooner rather than later!
