Charlotte Homes for Sale

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.

During the Labor Day Holiday we celebrate the achievements of American workers and the contributions they’ve made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Labor Day weekend also officially marks the end of Summer. Over this Labor Day weekend take a well deserved break, recharge, refresh, and get ready for fall!

Here’s a wonderful video about the history of Labor Day. Enjoy!

Charlotte has long been known for its reasonable cost of housing and living. In fact, Charlotte has been below the national average for cities of similar size for many years. And for a number of years, North Carolina (which includes Charlotte!), has been ranked as one of the only three states where average closing costs are at least 25% below the national average as ranked by Bankrate.com. On a $200,000 mortgage, the national average for closing costs is $3,741. In North Carolina, the average is $3,255.  See a breakdown of North Carolina’s mortgage closing costs.

It seems that everyday there’s a new challenge to getting approved for a mortgage. Recently, The New York Times ran an article about how being/getting pregnant during the mortgage approval process might hurt your chances of being approved for a mortgage. The fundamental issue is that when a baby makes its arrival maternity and/or paternity leave can lead to a change in household income and lenders no longer assume that one or both parents will return to work on a full-time basis. This possible change in income (especially if permanent or long-term) can affect the borrowers’ debt-to-income ratios (a critical yardstick for mortgage approval), leading to a lower loan amount approval or no approval at all.

A recent study from MIT and Harvard researchers indicates that a foreclosure reduces the value of a home by 27%! And if you own a home within only 250 yards of a foreclosed home, the value of your home drops by at least 1% on average as well (although, if you are in a neighborhood with lots of foreclosures, my experience shows that non-foreclosed home values drop by more than 1%). By comparison, if you file for bankruptcy, a home’s value drops only by about 3%. Currently, 1 in 12 homes valued at under $1 million, are in foreclosure.

We are now enjoying some of the best interest rates in almost 30 years. It’s a great time to buy a home. And keep in mind that every 1/2% increase in interest rates equals a $5,000 increase in the price of a home on a $200,000 mortgage! Below is a recap of interest rates for 30 year fixed rate mortgages… see for yourself why current rates make NOW a great time to buy a home in Charlotte (or anywhere for that matter). With both interest rates and home prices at their lowest levels in years you’ll save thousands! Need help finding that dream home and getting a mortgage? Contact Carolinas Realty Partners.

 The first-time and move-up home buyer tax credits might be gone, but with interest rates at historical lows, it makes more sense than ever to buy a home now. You’ll save thousands!!!  For example, on a $200,000 mortgage at 4.5%, you could save over $43,000 in interest versus a 5.5% loan on a 30 year loan. And your monthly payments are about $122 per month lower at the 4.5% rate.

Enjoy your privacy and the feel of country, estate-style living, just minutes from Matthews, Weddington, Waxhaw, and Ballantyne, where you have great shopping, fine and casual dining, golf, movies, and more! Situated on .97 acres, this custom-built, move-in ready home offers all the luxury amenities you’d expect in a modern, yet gracious home. The gourmet kitchen will bring out your culinary talents! The oversized, covered deck, dual paved patio, large and flat back yard will provide unlimited recreation! Plus there’s room for a pool! From first glance, as you enter the home, it echoes… spacious… open… flowing… perfect for casual family living and more formal entertaining. The location can’t be beat… close to some of the best schools in the Charlotte metro area; close to primary local roads.  For more information contact Carolinas Realty Partners.

In the Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill North Carolina real estate market, buying a home with the intent to fix it up is one of the best investments you can make. There’s no better way to take control over your home ownership than to customize the design, floorplan, and landscaping of everything from a single story rancher to a charming Victorian – especially if you’re looking to use the current North Carolina real estate economic climate as a way to get the home of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Just listed and a wonderful buy at $275,000 for an almost 3,000 square foot home in the heart of Charlotte’s Ballantyne neighborhood! This home is situated on a quiet, cul-de-sac street with minimal traffic. The owners have spent over $12,000 to make this home move-in ready, including painting all the walls, trim, doors, ceilings. There’s also brand new, frisee carpet throughout the carpeted areas of the home. New coach lights at the front and back doors provide a warm welcome into the home. The home offers an open, flowing floorplan with spacious rooms, perfect for both casual living and more formal entertaining.