Sep
29
2010
- Coffee Beans
Today is National Coffee Day! Of course, in my house, it’s coffee day everyday! I’ve never been able to figure out how anyone starts their day without at least one cup of coffee! And it seems that I’m not the only one who depends on that “cup o’ Joe” to get my day off to a good start.
The 2010 Filterfresh Coffee Report revealed an astounding fact: 54% of those who responded to their survey said they’d give up their cell phones before giving up their daily coffee. I can relate to that, as I would too! Some other interesting statistics from this report:
-
59% of those surveyed drink two to three cups of coffee each day.
-
72% of those surveyed said coffee helps improve their mental focus.
-
82% of those surveyed say coffee is not a meal replacement.
-
90% of those surveyed said they drink coffee in the morning and 72% drink it with co-workers. 30% said they wouldn’t meet with their boss before having a cup of coffee!
A survey commissioned by Dunkin Donuts and Career Builder provides the following statistics about coffee drinkers:
As to those professionals who drink the most coffee to get their jobs done:
It’s hard to think of which professionals may have been left out! Do you recognize yourself in these statistics?
In any case, have a Happy Coffee Day and if you need information about where to get great coffee in Charlotte, North Carolina contact Carolinas Realty Partners! Meantime, I’m off to celebrate with an extra cup!
Sep
28
2010
If you are close to finalizing an FHA loan application, be sure to do it and book a case number by no later than October 1st! This will lock in the current mortgage insurance premium rate, as the rate increases by some 64% effective October 4th.
What does this mean in terms of dollars and cents and your monthly mortgage payment? On a $150,000 mortgage with 3.5% down your mortgage insurance premium will go up from just under $69 per month to about $112 per month. In other words, your monthly mortgage payment will increase by almost $44 per month! On a $200,000 mortgage the monthly premium jumps from just under $89 per month to about $148 per month–an almost $60 per month increase in your mortgage payment.
For full details, visit the FHA Mortgagee Letter. And don’t hesitate to contact Carolinas Realty Partners in the Charlotte metro area for more information or introductions to some of the top mortgage lenders in the Charlotte/Fort Mill region.
Sep
27
2010
Are you looking for an exceptionally large townhome? Are you looking for a property with minimal maintenance? Are you looking for a home in a prime, high-demand neighborhood? Are you looking for a home in a top school district? Are you looking for a home close to fine dining, recreation, golf? Look no more! This unique townhome in the heart of Charlotte’s Ballantyne area and in walking distance of Ballantyne Village is waiting for you! Move-in ready, open-concept floor plan, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, chef’s kitchen, finished basement with a place for a potential media room, views–this home has it all and the Ballantyne lifestyle to boot!
For more information about this home contact Carolinas Realty Partners. We’ll be delighted to provide more information or make an appointment for a private showing.
|
|
11637 Mersington Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina
| Price: $375,000.00 |
Beds: 4.00 |
Baths: 3 |
Sq Ft: 3482 |
Description: This truly unique and special townhome with approximately 3,500 square feet of heated living area plus another 400+ square feet of additional unfinished space, including a finished walk-out basement, ….
|
Sep
24
2010
This Month in Real Estate reveals the states with the highest foreclosure rates and offers top tips on buying a foreclosure in your area. (You can also click on the picture above to take you to the video.)
High levels of foreclosures provide opportunities to purchase homes at large discounts as never before. A few quick tips on buying a foreclosure home:
- Once you’ve made an offer, it may take some days to get a response from the seller. And don’t plan on getting any response during weekends.
- Foreclosure homes are typically sold “as is.” You may or may not have time to do inspections. Typically, you won’t get more than 10 calendar days. If possible, you want to have an inspection.
- Have a strong mortgage pre-approval letter from your lender to submit with your offer. Otherwise your offer may not be seriously considered.
- Be prepared to close within 30 days of contract acceptance (another good reason to have all your financing “ducks lined up” in advance.
- To ensure that you are indeed getting a “good deal” work with a Realtor who has experience with representing foreclosure home buyers. An experienced Realtor will help you identify appropriate properties, provide market value analyses, and help you navigate the contract/closing process with the seller’s representative.
Sound decisions when buying a foreclosure home can only be made with accurate and reliable information. Carolinas Realty Partners, specializing in Charlotte metro area foreclosure sales, will be happy to be your trusted resource. We can help in Charlotte, Fort Mill, Matthews, Weddington, Waxhaw, Indian Land, Indian Trail and throughout Mecklenburg, Union, York, Lancaster Counties in North and South Carolina.
Sep
22
2010
The Wall Street Journal published an article a few days ago giving 10 great reasons to buy a home now. Here’s a recap of some of the top 10 reasons it makes sense to buy a home now and not to give in to the “doom and gloom” scenario painted by Time Magazine’s recent article about rethinking home ownership.
- We are in a buyer’s market and there are good deals to be had, especially as prices have dropped some 30%, on average, since their peak. Don’t try to time the market to buy… it’s impossible to predict the total bottom and if you are buying for the long term, it won’t really matter.
- Mortgage rates are at historic lows–under 4.5% currently. When interest rates were 6.3% two years ago, we thought they were great. But keep in mind that the current 2% differential cuts your mortgage payment by about 20%. When/if rates go up you’ll be happy you lock in these historically low rates. And don’t forget if rates go even lower, you can always refinance.
- You’ll get “more” home for your money these days and a better selection. Sooner or later, the glut of homes on the market will start clearing and you’ll end up paying more.
Ask Carolinas Realty Partners how we can help you find and finance a great home in charlotte. While the Charlotte market has not declined as much as many other metro areas around the country, there are good deals to be had if you have the right Realtor helping you search.
Sep
20
2010
Pack your bags and move right in! Truly nothing to do in this move-in ready ranch home. Home offers an open concept floor plan with a large master suite, two bedrooms, great room with vaulted ceiling and gas fireplace, dramatic foyer, formal dining room. Cooks will love showing off their culinary talents in the kitchen, featuring granite counters, custom tile backsplash, upgraded appliances, raised panel wood cabinets, lots of storage and work space. To round out the picture: sunny breakfast area plus a granite, wrap-around breakfast/serving bar. The master suite is a true “retreat” and large enough to accommodate a king-size bed, sitting area, large dressers. You’ll relax in the spa-inspired, en-suite master bathroom with garden tub, separate shower, double-sink vanity, and large walk-in closet. The upstairs recreation room is the ultimate in flex space! Use it as a rec room, a tv room, an exercise room, a craftsroom, a home office. Or figure out a combination of uses!
The flat, fenced back yard with pretty landscaping and the extended patio offer privacy and wonderful space for outdoor living and entertaining.
For more information contact Carolinas Realty Partners, serving the Charlotte metro area including Indian Trail/Union County where this wonderful home is located. You can also go to www.GreatHomesInCharlotte.com/properties for more details on the home.
|
|
2008 Cadberry Court, Indian Trail, North Carolina
| Price: $200,000.00 |
Beds: 3.00 |
Baths: 2 |
Sq Ft: 2223 |
Description: Welcome to 2008 Cadberry Court, a wonderful, move-in condition three bedroom ranch with a split bedroom plan. The home’s adaptable design caters to those who desire open, usable space with the c ….
|
Sep
18
2010
Carolinas Realty Partners in the Charlotte metro area 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. This eNewsletter is specially designed for anyone in the market for a home, thinking about selling a home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.
To access your copy of the September issue of “Real Estate CyberTips.”
This month’s special security issue includes the following Tips:
* YOU WANT INFO FAST – YOU GOT IT!
* EVEN THE FBI CAN’T REACH YOUR FILES!
* WHAT DO YOU OWN?
* HOW SECURE IS YOUR PASSWORD?
We hope you enjoy the September edition of “Real Estate CyberTips”.
For any real estate questions, don’t hesitate to contact Carolinas Realty Partners in the Charlotte metro area.
Sep
13
2010
When you first purchase a house in Charlotte, Waxhaw or Fort Mill, you’re most likely thinking of ways to build a home for you and your family. A big yard means plenty of room for the children to play. A newly renovated kitchen means you can finally throw the types of dinner parties you’ve always wanted. A master suite, well, that’s just icing on the cake. However, when it comes to sell your North Carolina home, it’s important to remember that all those little (and big) changes can also mean big little (and big) changes in your sale price.
While most homeowners should make changes to their houses that suit their lifestyle rather than the eventual sale price of their home five, ten, or even twenty years down the road, there are a few things to keep in mind. After all, if you will someday be selling your Charlotte house, you want to be sure you’re maximizing your profit.
- Repair all the little things – now. Most of the time, homeowners are willing to overlook the little idiosyncrasies like a broken step on the porch or chipping paint on the kitchen cabinets while they live in their house. These small repair needs are a bit like a knee that acts up in the rain or a car that always requires you to turn the key three times to the right before starting; they just become part of the everyday backdrop of your life. However, for someone buying a home in Charlotte, Waxhaw or considering real estate in Fort Mill, these things can become glaring problems. By fixing issues as they arise (rather than waiting until you’re ready to sell your NC home), you not only avoid making major repairs all at once, but you actually get to enjoy the repairs while you live there.
- Know your neighborhood. If you live in one of Charlotte’s family-friendly neighborhoods, chances are things like well-maintained yards, large family rooms, and spacious kitchens will be worth more in the long run. If you live in a Waxhaw condo, you might find that built-in bookshelves and jacuzzi bathtubs are more appropriate. While you don’t have to tailor every change to your eventual sales audience, you can choose to make the types of changes that will translate into the highest returns.
- Don’t ignore the less visible changes. Almost all of the houses for sale in Charlotte go through cosmetic changes before they hit the market. Fresh paint, new kitchen appliances, and good landscaping are fairly common. Less common are things like a new roof, updated plumbing, or even a newly-installed automatic sprinkler system. However, these things show up in a home inspection evaluation, and when you put your trust in a NC real estate agent like Nina Hollander, these types of changes will always get the focus and attention they deserve.
The most important thing you can do to your Charlotte home is enjoy the time you’re going to spend there. However, by keeping its eventual sale at the back of your mind, you’ll be able to get the most out of your life – and your investment.
For more information on how to add value to your home, contact Carolinas Realty Partners. We are here to help!
Sep
11
2010
May you always keep the memory of those lost on that day in your hearts and never forget those who are still with us.
Family, friends, and loved ones are the backbone of our happiness. Don’t forget to tell your loved ones how much you care.
God Bless America!
Sep
08
2010
Fido may be everyone’s best friend and an important member of your family, but did you know that dog bites make up almost 33% of all homeowner insurance liability claims at an annual cost of over $350 million? The average dog bit claim runs close to $25,000 per claim! And these costs are rising every year.
Dogs bite close to 5 million people annually, with one million of them needing medical attention. Many major insurance companies limit coverage to dog owners and there are large breeds that tend to bite, can inflict lots of damage and are often considered “no-insure” dogs by insurance companies. Insurance companies will look at how frequently a particular breed of dog bites and that will influence their willingness to provide insurance and for how much. The American Kennel Club provides an on-line Homeowner’s Insurance Center, which offers lots of great information about how to handle your liability insurance for your dog. Another great resource for information on this subject is from Dog Bite Law.
There are 11 dog breeds that could raise your insurance rates. These are:
- Akita
- Alaskan Malmute
- Chow Chow
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- Pit Bull
- Presa Canario
- Rottweiler
- Siberian Husky
- Stafforshire Bull Terrier
- Wolf Hybrids
If you’d like more information about home insurance contact Carolinas Realty Partners.
