Dec 21 2011
Happy Holidays From Carolinas Realty Partners
Happy Holidays From Carolinas Realty Partners
Archive for the 'carolinas realty partners' Category
Nov 14 2011
THIS MONTH IN REAL ESTATE: November 2011 Market Update From Carolinas Realty Partners/Keller Williams
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November 2011 Market Update While home sales in September were down slightly from a relatively strong month in August, they were up from a year ago, giving encouraging signs of a strengthening market and potential for stabilizing, if not appreciating, home prices. These signs include an increasing demand, shown by the number of people shopping for homes, and the decreasing inventory of homes for sale, in conjunction with some of the lowest levels of new housing construction since 1960s when the Beatles first came to the United States. Of the homes sold in September, 32% were first-time home buyers. With more and more people entering the market, the persisting obstacle for most is still the restrictive lending environment. In a plea to banks and policy makers, NAR President Ron Phipps said, “We need to remove the roadblocks to a housing recovery—not place more obstacles in the way of financially qualified buyers.” With an increasing demand and shrinking inventory, it is hoped that banks will begin to see the market potential and start to lend to otherwise creditworthy home shoppers, opening the road to a more rapid recovery. While consumer confidence still remains at all-time lows, retail spending increased 1.1% last month, a positive sign of growth fueled by the approaching holiday season, which could propel the U.S. into a promising new year.
Home Sales (in millions) Home sales were 4.91 million in September, down 3.3% from a strong August in which were 5.06 million, but still 11.3% above September 2010. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, states, “affordability conditions have improved to historic highs and more creditworthy borrowers are trying to purchase homes, but the share of contract failures is double the level of September 2010. Even so, the volume of successful buyers is higher than a year ago and is remaining fairly stable—this speaks to an unfulfilled demand.” If lending standards loosen, we can expect to see an increase in home sales.
Home Price in thousandsHomes prices were down, with a 3.5% drop in September compared to a year ago. The national median price for homes in September was $165,400, with distressed properties, foreclosures, and short sales still accounting for 30% of sales. This is a great opportunity for those potential buyers still thinking about purchasing a home, especially as the housing industry begins to show increasing signs of stability.
Inventory- Month’s Supply in monthsWith stronger sales than a year ago, the amount of homes for sale was reduced to 3.48 million units, or an 8.5-month supply at the current sales volume. With the lowest new housing construction in almost fifty years, the inventory of homes on the market is projected to continue to decline, which is a positive sign that prices could begin to climb again.
Source: National Association of RealtorsInterest Rates Mortgage rates were down again, from 4.35% in September of last year to 4.11% this September. While the Federal Reserve continues to put downward pressure on interest rates to spur sales, Congress’s recent action to lower loan limits has further tightened lending among banks. This had the biggest impact in the Western states, which experienced an 8.8% drop in sales. This was mainly due to the concentration of more expensive properties in California, where buyers rushed to purchase properties in August before loans limits dropped on the October 1 deadline.
This Month’s Video
Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers Did you know that the housing and building industry accounts for nearly 40% of the world’s energy and raw material consumption? Our ability to “green our homes” truly has the ability to change the world. The principles of green are really about understanding priorities for a well-lived life—living healthy, being smart with money, and acting more sustainably. We typically spend more than 80% of our nonworking or commuting hours inside our homes. Because we spend so much of our lives inside, it only makes sense we make a healthy inside zone the first priority. Here are a few DIY tips from Green Your Home to get you started:
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Brought to you by KW Research. For additional graphs and details, please see the This Month in Real Estate PowerPoint Report.The opinions expressed in This Month in Real Estate are intended to supplement opinions on real estate expressed by local and national media, local real estate agents and other expert sources. You should not treat any opinion expressed in This Month in Real Estate as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion. Keller Williams Realty, Inc., does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, and provides said information without warranties of any kind. All information presented herein is intended and should be used for educational purposes only. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. All investments involve some degree of risk. Keller Williams Realty, Inc., will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in This Month in Real Estate. |
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Jul 25 2011
Featured Home From Carolinas Realty Partners: Reduced $26,000 To $399,000 In Prime Charlotte Neighborhood
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Country Living In The City! Welcome to 6117 Cherry Tree Lane—a custom-built, Low Country-style brick home with lots of “old Charlotte charm, situated on a 1 acre, fenced, private cul-de-sac in a picturesque and park-like setting with lots of mature landscaping and shade trees. Type: Single Family Home Location: Providence Plantation/South Charlotte Price: $399,000 Get more information > |
May 30 2011
Featured Home From Carolinas Realty Partners: Move-in Ready Starter Home In Matthews, North Carolina $147,500
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Great Starter Home Under $150,000! Nicely upgraded and well-cared for 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom home on the “crossroads” of Stallings, Matthews, and Indian Trail. Over $15,000 in recent upgrades, including new roof, new carpet and padding, new tile flooring in kitchen, laminate wood flooring, Type: Single Family Home Location: Matthews/Stallings/Indian Trail Price: $147,500 Get more information > To search all Charlotte metro area listings and homes visit Great Homes In Charlotte. |
May 24 2011
Carolinas Realty Partners’ May 2011 Housing Trends eNewsletter
Here’s your link to our May 2011 Housing Trends eNewsletter, as well as updates on trends in 150 metropolitan housing markets. This newsletter provides you with up-to-date articles, tips, and advice for current and future homeowners. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, have recently moved, are staying put, or you simply want to stay current with real estate trends, there’s something for everyone in our Housing Trends eNewsletter. Enjoy!
Have questions about Charlotte housing? Need answers about buying or selling a home in the Charlotte metropolitan area? Call us at Carolinas Realty Partners!
May 18 2011
Featured Home From Carolinas Realty Partners: Priced to Sell in Charlotte’s Prestigious Ballantyne Area!
Stunning, richly appointed and move-in ready 4 bedroom/3 bath Charleston-style home with double verandas. Built in 2006 by Cunnane Builders and extensively updated since (including in-ground irrigation, sunroom, new carpet, professional landscaping, fence, custom paint).
Situated in the heart of Ardrey, a unique neighborhood in the prestigious Ballantyne area of south Charlotte, featuring historically authentic architecture. Ardrey has been named North Carolina “Community of the Year” in recognition of its singular charm and timeless appeal.
The home’s open, flowing floor plan with 3,600+ square feet features a gourmet kitchen with granite and island, sunroom, first floor master, extensive hardwood floors and millwork, plantation shutters and much more! At $450,000 this home is priced to sell!
To learn more about: 17205 Hedgerow Park Road in Charlotte, North Carolina. To see a virtual tour: www.tourfactory.com/677557. Contact Carolinas Realty Partners if you’d like to make an appointment to see this wonderful home.
May 17 2011
Charlotte, North Carolina In The News! And It’s Good News!
Charlotte has been in the news a lot in recent weeks! Here’s just a sample of just some of the news putting Charlotte into the spotlight as a great place to live:
- Forbes Magazine included Charlotte in its list of best places to retire, based on its favorable housing and living costs, temperate climate, traffic, and access to excellent medical care.
- Charlotte was ranked #4 among the 100 largest US metropolitan areas in the small-business vitality index. This ranking of Charlotte as a city offering the best climate for small business creation and development, is up from #31 just one year ago.
- A recent study by the Business Journals showed America’s 100 largest metropolitan markets wield more economic clout than any other nation in the workd and that the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill area ranked #25 with a GMP of over $110 billion.
- Charlotte area is home to nine corportations on Fortune Magazine’s annual list of the top 500 US companies. These companies include: Bank of America, Duke Energy Corp. Lowe’s Cos, Inc., Nucor Corp., Family Dollar Stores, Goodrich Corp., SPX Corp., Wells Fargo.
- Charlotte added 5,100 jobs during 2010, placing the region in the top 50 best performing metro areas in the US.
- Charlotte is one of three North Carolina cities recently named among the top 50 “most socially networked” cities in the US, according to Men’s Health Magazine.
- Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor show that salaries in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord region rank the seventh highest in the South with an average annual pay of $43,890.
- Charlotte’s population (731,424) grew 35.2% since the 2000 Census based on data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is located, grew 32.2% (919,628) during this time period. North Carolina (9.5 million) state population grew by 18.5% since 2000.
- Charlotte has been selected as the host city for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, beating out Cleveland, St Louis, and Minneapolis. It’s expected that this will bring huge visibility to Charlotte, along with new jobs, visitor spending, and business investment.
- Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte has been named one of the 50 Best Children’s Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for its pediatric nephrology program. Levine Children’s is the only hospital in the Charlotte area, and one of only 76 hospitals nationwide, to be recognized in the 2011-12 rankings. Read more: Levine Children’s Hospital honored | Charlotte Business Journal
- Kiplinger.com has named Charlotte among the 10 best cities for college graduates planning to enter the workforce!
If you’ve been thinking about moving to Charlotte contact Carolinas Realty Partners–we can help smooth the transition as well as help you find your dream home!
Apr 05 2011
FEATURED HOME FROM CAROLINAS REALTY PARTNERS: Low-Country-Style Home In Prime South Charlotte Neighborhood + Top Schools
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Country Living In The City! Welcome to 6117 Cherry Tree Lane—a custom-built, Low Country-style brick home with lots of “old Charlotte charm, situated on a 1 acre, fenced, private cul-de-sac in a picturesque and park-like setting with lots of mature landscaping and shade trees. Type: Single Family Home Location: Providence Plantation/South Charlotte Price: $435,000 Get more information > |
Apr 03 2011
APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH! A Message From Carolinas Realty Partners On Dealing With Underage Drinking
April is Alcohol Awareness Month!
“Alcohol use during adolescence is pervasive, and science makes clear the effects on young people can be profound.”
-Steven K. Galson, MD, Former U.S. Surgeon General, 2008
| Underage drinking is no big deal, right? |
Wrong. The bodies and brains of youth are still developing until their early- to mid-20s and alcohol can stunt the brain’s development. Scientific evidence finds that excess alcohol, and binge drinking (5 or more alcoholic drinks at one time for males, 4 for females) in particular, damage parts of the brain and are associated with impaired decision making.
More Facts About Underage Drinking
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What about Our Kids?The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that among High School students in Mecklenburg County:· 33% had at least one drink on one or more days in the past 30 days· 14% had 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row on one or more days in the past 30 days (binge drinking). The 2008 Youth Drug Survey showed that among Mecklenburg County youth who drink:
· the average age of first use of alcohol was 12.7 years.
· the average age of first binge drinking was 14.7 years.
Youth who start drinking before age 15 are 5 times more likely to develop an alcohol abuse problem than those who wait until 21. Youth who start drinking before 21 and have a family history of alcohol abuse or alcoholism are at an even greater risk for addiction.
| Can parents and other adults help prevent underage drinking? |
Yes! It’s never too early, or too late, to start talking with your kids about abstaining from alcohol until they’re 21. Studies show that it can take parents up to two years to become aware of the alcohol consumption patterns of their children. Yet parents are the most influential people in the life of their child, and children want clear instruction from parents about alcohol use.
- Be a good example. Show your kids that everyone can have fun at holidays, parties and other events without always having to have alcohol.
- Take away temptation. Lock up your alcohol, take an inventory of how much you have and check to make sure it’s not diluted. It is a free and easy precaution with huge benefits.
- Providing a party with alcohol for youth under 21 and taking the car keys away will not prevent addiction. Taking away the car keys will not prevent physical and sexual abuse and will not prevent the brain from stunting its growth.
- Know the consequences. It’s never a good idea to serve alcohol to youth. It’s illegal and can result in criminal penalties including fines and the loss of your driver’s license.
| Where can I get more information? |
There are many local and national resources that are dedicated to preventing underage drinking and substance abuse.
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Drug Free Coalition: Prevent Underage Drinking Initiative, 704 375-3784 (Ext. 24), www.drugfreecharlotte.org
- Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center, 704 376-7447, www.anuvia.org
- Substance Abuse Prevention Services, 704-375-DRUG, www.preventionservices.org
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, www.samhsa.gov
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, www.niaaa.nih.gov
- Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, www.cadca.org
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving, www.madd.org
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Published by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Drug Free Coalition, March 2011
Apr 01 2011
FEATURED HOME FROM CAROLINAS REALTY PARTNERS: 4 Bedroom/3 Bath Executive Home In Charlotte’s Prestigious Ballantyne Area
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Executive Home In Prime Ballantyne Area Situated in the center of a beautifully landscaped .61 acre cul-de-sac is this stately home with an elegant, columned entry and dramatic architecture inside. The home shows like a model with neutral, tasteful décor and quality finishes throughout. Type: Single Family Home Location: Ballantyne Price: $439,500Get more information > |