Charlotte Homes for Sale

 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.

Lot of people think it’s impossible to buy a home today with low or no money down programs… but there are quite a few programs available to home buyers today in Charlotte and North Carolina, especially for first-time home buyers who have credit scores above 620.

Here’s a list of a few of the loans available  around the country;(and you don’t need to be a first-time buyer for a number of these).

• FHA Loans: require a only a 3.5% downpayment. Lots of mortgage lenders are active in making these types of loans.

Just reduced by over $10,000 and at $82 per square foot, this move-in ready home on a private and fenced cul-de-sac is a fantastic buy! Owners have just installed granite counters in the kitchen and tile floors in all bathrooms and the laundry room, finished the hardwood floors, repainted, updated light fixtures. Plus there’s a new stainless under-mount sink in the kitchen to go with the gorgeous granite counters. Home has a great floor plan with large family room on the main floor plus an oversized bonus room on the second floor, a study, a formal dining room, and a large screened porch. Wonderful community amenities include: pool, tennis, recreation center, playground. Located just minutes from south Charlotte’s prestigious Ballantyne area, but with low South Carolina taxes. This home is eligible for NO-MONEY DOWN USDA financing for qualified buyers!

Move-in ready 4 bedroom home with oversized bonus room plus study/office and formal dining room situated on a large, private, fenced cul-de-sac. Not to be overlooked is the screened porch, Bose surround sound wiring, hardwood floors. Community features pool, lake, tennis, recreation center. Located in Fort Mill, SC just minutes behind south Charlotte’s trendy Ballantyne area, the home enjoys low property taxes. Minutes from shopping, recreation, golf, tennis, medical facilities, and major local roads. Quick and easy commute to Ballantyne Corporate Park. Home is eligible for NO MONEY DOWN USDA financing for qualified buyers!

What should buyers look for, or look out for when purchasing a home in the Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill areas of North and South Carolina? This article will help sellers look into some important aspects of selling their home and what potential buyers look out for as well.

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.)

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!

Move-in ready home in the charming town of Pineville with four bedrooms and a large bonus room situated on a private, quiet, lushly landscaped cul-de-sac. Home also offers a renovated kitchen with granite, lots of hardwood floors, formal rooms, and a huge deck/patio perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. Excellent schools, close to shopping, fine dining, golf, and an easy commute to Ballantyne, South Park, Uptown, Matthews, and University City. Low homeowner association fees and reasonable property taxes. Eligible for FHA financing and don’t forget the first-time and move-up homebuyer tax credit which expires on April 30th!

The first-time and move-up/repeat buyer tax credits are about to run out!  If you want to take advantage of the first-time home buyer $8,000 tax credit or the $6,500 move-up buyer tax credit you’ve got 15 days left to sign a contract. There’s no indication whatsoever that the credit will be extended again by Congress, so if you want to take advantage of historically low interest rates, low home prices, AND get a generous tax credit, the time to do so is NOW! Keep in mind that you do have until June 30th to close on the home. And don’t forget that if you are a move-up/repeat home buyer you do not need to have sold your current home to take advantage of the credit when you contract for a new home.

It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.

Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.

Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”

Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:
• If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

If you are getting your house ready to sell in the Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill North Carolina areas, then take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas where you can unclutter your home and let myself, Nina Hollander, your agent help you to get your house ready to sell.