Charlotte Homes for Sale
Nina Hollander
(704)779-0813

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!

Marketing a Charlotte home to make it attractive to buyers isn’t just about staging the house or putting a For Sale sign up in the yard. In today’s real estate market, it’s important to reach out to a larger audience through various types of media. After all, buying and selling a home in the Waxhaw region means tapping into everything that people use on a daily basis: computers, newspapers, magazines, and more traditional real estate routes.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

The majority of home buyers in the NC region begin their search online. The Internet is becoming an increasingly viable way to present homes from both an interior and an exterior vantage point. Although Nina Hollander will help you to understand the best angles for presenting a photographic display of your house, you can help by pointing out what it is you love best about the home. A great backyard garden, a cozy front porch swing, a spacious kitchen, the tile on your bathroom floor – no matter what it is, use it as a way to entice buyers into contacting your agent for more information.

Virtual tours are becoming a very popular way to showcase your home online, as well. Allowing viewers to “walk through” your home gives them a stronger connection to it.

Signs and Advertisements

The more traditional North Carolina home selling options include putting up a sign or placing an ad in the newspaper, in your local real estate magazine, or even on direct mailing advertisements. These steps have long been a part of the buying and selling market, regardless of where you live.

The truth of the matter is, there’s a reason these actions are relied upon so heavily: no one will know you’re selling your Charlotte home unless you post it somewhere! While decisions related to where you place the signs and advertisements will most likely be made with the assistance of Nina Hollander, you can help by finding additional ways to spread the word of your sale. Online home selling postings for Fort Mill or Waxhaw are fairly common, and oftentimes, simply letting your friends and family know that your Charlotte home is on the market can go a long way in spreading the word.

Rely on Nina Hollander

Of course, the most important home marketing step you can take is trusting Nina Hollander to work hard to sell your home as quickly and efficiently as possible. Like any real business partnership, selling a North Carolina home is all about finding someone you can trust and working together to get the best possible results.

Although new tax breaks and great housing prices in Charlotte, Waxhaw and Fort Mill make buying a home easier and more cost-effective than ever before, it can still be a daunting task to undertake the path to home ownership. In addition to the stress of moving, you’re probably worrying about things like loan processing fees, down payments, mortgage options, and closing costs. Even with a financial advisor and a realtor at your side, these can add up to quite a bit of hard work!

However, almost every homeowner will tell you that these costs are definitely worth buying a NC house. Not only are you purchasing a place to call home, but you’re making a financial investment with potentially huge returns. That’s why you should always consider a home inspection before signing on that dotted line, even if the added expense isn’t one you’re looking forward to.

What is a Home Inspection?

Many people equate a home inspection with a home appraisal, and with good reason. At their core, the two processes are very similar: in both, a trained professional goes through the home and inspects it with the intent of informing all parties involved on making the smartest buying and selling decisions.

However, the similarities stop there. Home appraisals are done to give buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and financers a better idea of what the home is worth (based on “surface” things like square footage, number of rooms, and amenities like a fireplace or granite countertops). A home inspection, on the other hand, is all about informing buyers about the potential problems that lie underneath the surface.

For example, a home inspector will be able to answer the following questions:

• What is the condition of the plumbing and/or electrical system, and how easy is it to access in the event of a problem?

• What will be the realistic costs and challenges of heating or cooling the house?

• What is the state of the foundation, the roof, and other structural components?

• How many years of use will you be able to get out of the electrical/plumbing/heating systems?

• What are the potential safety hazards of the house (lead paint, radon, termites, asbestos, mold, etc.)?

What a Home Inspection Does for You

Although most home inspections cost the potential homebuyer hundreds of dollars up front, they typically end up saving homebuyers thousands of dollars in the end. When you get a home inspection, you can not only step away from a purchase that might not be right for you, but you can also require sellers to either “fix” the problems before you buy the home, or adjust the price in order to allow you to make the repairs.

Of course, there’s also the benefit of knowing that the home for sale in Charlotte that you purchased is safe and comfortable. It can be difficult to know just what a house has in store for you until you’ve lived in it for a few months. A home inspection is the best way to take the house for a “test drive” before you make the investment. And with so many choices currently on the North Carolina real estate market, you’re in a perfect position to make a smart, financially-sound choice for your entire family.

For many people living in or moving to NC, the best real estate purchase is one that combines the comfort of home with a piece of history. Buying a historic home in Charlotte, Waxhaw or Fort Mill is fairly common in today’s market, thanks to an incredible real estate climate and one of the most dynamic historic districts in the state.

However, if you’re simply looking at the intricate architecture and are thinking how great it would be to own a piece of the city’s history, you might want to take a step back and consider all the work involved in becoming a historic home owner.

Home Quality

The most important consideration for purchasing a historic home in Charlotte is the quality of the house. Whether you’re looking at a bungalow or a mansion, you have to remember that time is rarely kind to real estate.

In addition to outdated materials (like plaster instead of drywall or lead pipes) and difficult-to-work-with architectural styles, you have to consider the costs of restoring the house with authenticity in mind. Many materials are no longer available or can be costly if you want to maintain the historic integrity of your home. The same is true of the availability and cost of craftsman qualified to work with your particular home.

North Carolina Housing Regulations

Many historic homes are overseen by governing bodies that regulate what you can and can’t do to your own home. If you’re in the market to purchase a historic home, make sure you know who you will have to go through to get the right permits for renovation, or if you’ll need to register and pay a fee to get your home listed as an authentic historic site. You might also want to note what kind of tourist interest you will get from having a historically-listed site.

Financial Investments

Fortunately, not everything about owning a Charlotte historic home is hard work! Historic homes, when restored with authenticity, safety, and modern comfort in mind, are an incredible financial investment. Many people are willing to pay top dollar for homes that are in perfect shape or that have a keen attention to detail.

Many local governments also offer tax credits and tax freezes for those who maintain a certain level of quality in their registered historic homes. This means that a historic home can be a great investment, as well as a beautiful piece of architecture.

Finding and Buying Your Historic Home

When refurbished to contain all the modern amenities today’s families need and enjoy, a historic home can become a showpiece – both for your own visitors as well as those interested in the history of Charlotte, Fort Mill and Waxhaw. As with all real estate purchases, however, this one should be made after much consideration and under the guidance of your trusted agent.

If your NC home is for sale – whether in Charlotte, Waxhaw , Fort Mill or surrounding areas – there’s a good chance your real estate agent will discuss the benefits of an open house with you. Open houses have long been a part of the home sale experience, since it allows prospective buyers to take a “low-key” approach while they browse the merchandise. It also gives your real estate agent the chance to network with a large number of potential buyers all at one time. In some cases, it also means you’ll finally sell that home!

However, an open house can be an unnerving event; after all, you’re opening your home up to complete strangers, and in most cases, you won’t be there to witness the event. By knowing what to expect, you have a better chance of selling your NC home – all while keeping a handle on your peace of mind.

• Remember that an open house is just one part of a larger marketing process. No one wants to sell your home more than your Charlotte real estate agent, and the best approach in any sales climate is to reach as many potential homebuyers as possible. That means diversifying the way you market to include those who prefer the low-key atmosphere of an open house.

• Don’t expect immediate results. Few people enter an open house and make a purchase right then and there. The real outcome is most likely going to be a few appointments for a private viewing or future appointment.

• Remove your valuables, money, keys, pets, medications, and any paperwork that has personal information on it (such as bills). Although a good real estate agent will keep an eye on your property to avoid damages, anything that is of value (for either monetary or personal reasons) should be safely tucked away. This can actually help sell the house in the long run, since personal effects tend to turn buyers off.

• Do a walk-through with your real estate agent immediately before and after the open house. This will allow you both to determine damages or thefts with an objective eye.

• Remember that an open house can tell you a lot about your property. Your real estate agent will be able to draw conclusions based on the turnout and the overheard comments. If few people show up, it could indicate that your asking price is too high, or that your curb appeal simply isn’t up to snuff. A large turnout with few leads could mean that the problem lies with the layout or “dressing” of your home.

Selling a home in NC can be difficult in today’s market – but it isn’t impossible. By approaching your marketing strategies with an open mind – and an open house – you can get your home effectively promoted throughout the Charlotte, Waxhaw and Fort Mill housing market with better results than ever before.

Most prospective homebuyers in the Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill North Carolina areas already know that when it comes to purchasing real estate, location is key. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to make a profit on your new home or if you simply want a place that will help you raise your family – the neighborhood you choose to call your own is just as important as those details of square footage, number of bathrooms, and central air.

Choosing a home in NC based on the quality of the neighborhood is especially important. There are so many diverse and incredible places to live here that you can change your lifestyle simply by moving closer to that hip, urban center or further out, where suburban sprawl or a few acres of your own are calling.

Most people already look at neighborhoods and communities in Charlotte when considering a home purchase. In fact, some of the more common considerations include:

• School districts
• Type of neighborhood (gated, urban, suburban, etc.)
• Public transportation options
• Access to commuting routes
• Proximity to shopping
• Proximity to facilities like police, fire, or medical care
• Tax rates
• Crime rates

However, although these are all very important parts of choosing a neighborhood in the Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill North Carolina areas, finding the facts might not be as easy as you hope. For example, things like tax rates can be researched, but you’ll also need to look at the future of development in the area. If there’s a big plan for condos to go up in your family neighborhood, you might find that the area is gearing for development. This might mean higher tax rates as the community draws in a higher-income crowd. (It might also mean a change in the neighborhood dynamic).

It’s also important to consider the different times of day and the year in which you visit your prospective home.

• How crowded are the streets during rush hour? On the weekends?
• How safe do you feel walking around during the day? What about at night?
• How maintained are the parks and streets in the winter? In the summer?
• How is the noise level at night or in the morning? Does this change on the weekends?

In order to make the most well-informed decision possible on your new home in Charlotte, it’s best to ask a trusted real estate professional like Nina Hollander or to talk with current (and past) residents. Not only will you get an insider’s view on what the NC community looks like after hours and in real life, but you might also learn that the people who will become your new neighbors are an enticing draw all on their own.

Lots of new jobs coming to the Charlotte and Fort Mill metro areas! More employment opportunities mean better home prices for Charlotte real estate.

• Supermetal Structures, Inc, a Canadian company based in Saint-Romouald, Quebec will bring its first U.S. manufacturing facility to York County along with 125 jobs. The company will spend some  $6.6 million to begin production in the former Worthington Steel facility off Interstate 77 near the town of Catawba.
• Japanese insurer, Sompo, is moving its New York operations to Charlotte, bringing 46 jobs to the area as part of its joint venture with  with Royal & SunAlliance USA in 2003.
• Mortgage lender, Foundation Financial Group, says it will hire 50 workers in Charlotte by year end as part of a company-wide expansion.  The new positions include entry-level and high-wage jobs in sales, telemarketing, management and licensed loan officers.Swiss energy giant ABB Group plans a $90 million cable manufacturing plant in Huntersville that will have about 100 employees. Construction of the Huntersville plant is slated to start soon, with the facility expected to open in 2012. The average annual wage for the new jobs will be $64,008.
• Printing-technology company DNP (Dai Nippon Printing) IMS America Corp. plans to invest $24.8 million to expand its operations in Concord during the next three years, creating 37 jobs in addition to the 97 currently there.  The average annual wage for the jobs will be $46,757, excluding benefits versus the Cabarrus County average of$32,396.
• ISIS Fund Services USA Inc. has selected Charlotte for its first U.S. office. ISIS, an international hedge fund administrator based in Bermuda, plans to open a full-service office in Ballantyne to serve domestic and offshore hedge funds. The Charlotte operation will spearhead a U.S. expansion. ISIS is the second hedge fund administrator to open a Charlotte office this year. In June, Citco Hedge Fund Services announced it would open a major operation here, with plans to hire 250 employees over the next five years. Those jobs will pay on average of more than $78,000 plus bebefits.
• LendingTree.com, headquartered in Charlotte’s Ballantyne area, is expanding its Charlotte workforce by an additional 40 positions with plans to increase new hires in the near term by a total of 75 new positions.

If you’d like more information about any of these companies’ plans to expand in the Charlotte metro market, contact Carolinas Realty Partners.

If you’re getting ready to sell your Charlotte, Waxhaw or Fort Mill home, you know that one of the most important things you can do to increase your sale price is to spend some time staging. After all, the better your home looks, the better the chances are that someone else will love it enough to buy it, too. However, many of the homes for sale in the North Carolina area are smaller in size than what’s currently hot on the market. While this doesn’t mean you can’t sell your home, it does mean that it might take a little extra work before you get that figure you’re aiming for.

The truth is, there’s no reason why your Charlotte home has to be the size of a small country in order to appeal to homebuyers. Small spaces, while more of a challenge to decorate and stage, have quite a bit of potential for appealing to those looking for charm, coziness, and class. If you’re doing the staging for your home yourself, here are few important tips in making your small home look like it’s worth every penny.

1. Get rid of the stuff. In any home staging effort, you want to get rid of personalized items and all the miscellaneous knickknacks that find their way into your home – including paintings and even overly unique drapes. This is never more important than when you’re trying to make a small house look bigger in NC.

2. Go for neutral colors. Dark colors make rooms look smaller in size. By using light, airy colors, you’ll give the appearance of more light – and therefore, more space.

3. Offer storage options. Most people need to really “see” themselves in a Charlotte home before they buy it. If you find creative ways to set up storage (such as in hidden cupboards, in strategic locations behind the couch, or even in a great set of shelves), you’ll give the impression that the house is not only beautiful, but livable.

4. Go for high-end details. Many of today’s homebuyers are willing to overlook a smaller space as long as it still retains a high value. Things like crown molding, built-ins, great appliances, and hardwood floors can go a long way in adding to the charm factor.

5. Use bright, strategic lighting. As with choosing lighter colors for wall paint, the idea of using light to give the impression of space is a good one. This is especially true if you can use track or recessed lighting to streamline the space even more.

Remember, there is no such thing as a typical homebuyer. By neutralizing your space and offering the little luxuries that allow people to envision themselves in your home, you’re allowing them to look beyond square footage to see how your Charlotte house for sale will help them create a lifetime of memories.

There’s lots of confusion out there whether you can still vote if your home has been foreclosed. Yes you can!

Keep in mind that while each state has its own regulations and rules on who can vote, there are some general guidelines if your home has been foreclosed that you can follow to vote tomorrow:

• If a foreclosure on your home has caused you to move,  you must re-register if you’ve changed counties or states. However, if you moved within your county it’s a simpler exercise– just update your address.
• Many states will allow you to update your change of address up until Election Day. Otherwise, ask for a provisional ballot.
• If your home foreclosure has begun, but you are still living in your home and are already registered to vote in that precinct, just go and vote as normal.
• If the foreclosure process is complete and you’ve moved out, you need to update your new address (see above).
• If you’ve not yet established a new, permanent residence at which to register to vote, many states will allow you to use your prior address of the foreclosed home.

So don’t let foreclosure keep you from voting! To check the rules in your state, go to the US Election Assistance Commission website.

For a complete list of foreclosure properties in the Charlotte, NC and Fort Mill, SC metro areas, contact Carolinas Realty Partners.