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Charlotte NC Homes for Sale in Thornhill

02-09-10
Chuck Webb
Chuck Webb: Real Estate Agent in Charlotte, NC
  • view my blog
  • Office: (704) 393-0048
  • Mobile: (704) 724-2454
The swim and tennis community of Thornhill is ideally located just off Elm Road in the Ballantyne area of South Charlotte. This neighborhood of predominately transitional homes was developed in the late 1980's and still enjoys a great deal of market activity, due to a large degree to its location across the street from Stonecrest Mall and in a sought after school district. The shopping venues of Blakeney Mall and Ballantyne Village are also just a few minutes away.

At the center of the community is Elmurst Park which is home to the wonderful amenities that Thornhill offers its residents. Among the many amenities available in the subdivision are Club House, Pond, Swimming Pool, Recreation Area, Tennis Courts, and Walking Trails. Thornhill has an active Homeowner's Association which administers the amenities and common areas, as well as, a separate Women's Association, responsible for the many social functions and festivities such as yard sales, holiday events, and progressive dinners.

Being in the heart of Ballantyne also means easy access to other areas of Charlotte including Uptown and Douglas International Ariport. Thornhill is convenient to I-485, Ballantyne Commons Parkway, and Johnston Road.

Available homes for sale at Thornhill come in a range of floorplans and prices. They range in size from a 1500 square foot, 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch priced in the low $200's to a 3500 square foot, 5 bedroom 2-story home priced in the mid $300's. The price points in Thornhill offer something for every family's needs and budget.

Elementary School: Endhaven
Middle School: Community House
High School: Ardrey Kell

View Available Homes for Sale in Thornhill

Contact me for more information about homes for sale in this great community.

Search for homes for sale in the Charlotte area.

Chuck Webb, Wilkinson & Associates, www.ChuckWebb.net, 704-724-2454
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What's the difference between a Realtor and a real estate agent?

02-09-10
Raine Spivey
Raine Spivey: Real Estate Agent in Charlotte, NC
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  • Office: (704) 641-5247

Possibly, Ethics! See a real estate "agent" is someone who took the state license test after studying the material. They did not have to have been in real estate prior to the state test. They can simply find any real estate company that will allow them to "hang their license" and they're off and practicing real estate with buyers and sellers.

On the other hand, Realtors go a step further. We pay into an association that has operations on the national, state, and local levels. And these associations do alot more than allow agents to hang their license. They are filled with advocates that influence congress regarding issues that affect prooperty owners, buyers, and renters of real estate. Always for the best interest of the general homebuying / homeowning public, real estate agents, home builders, and developers in mind.

The National Assn of Realtors is one of the largest associations in the United States, representing a large group of individuals that has a voice in the White House, tackling issues on a legislative level that affect the general public and the industry directly.

Twice a year, at minimum, we must take Mandatory Update Continuning Education courses that keeps us up on the legislative issues, the industry on a national level, changes in our market on the state and local levels, in addition to educating us on the latest laws and trends in technology so we can better assist the public. We also have a Code of Ethics we must follow or be subjected to reprimands by the association, and possibly the real estate commission.

We, Realtors, uphold a pledge, just like oaths taken by other professionals, and it goes like this:

I am a Realtor. I pledge myself to protect the individual right of real estate ownership and to widen the opportunity to enjoy it; to be honorable and honest in all dealings; to seek better to represent my clients by building my knowledge and competence; to act fairly towards all in the spirit of the Golden Rule; to serve well my community, and through it my country; to observe the REALTORS Code of Ethics and conform my conduct to its lofty ideals.

Realtors pledge to be honest and treat everyone in the transaction fair. If you have an agent that is not a Realtor, you must ask Why have they chosen not to be a Realtor? And if they say because Realtors pay too many fees, then you should wonder - "If he wishes to save money by not being part of an organization that has him and his business in its best interest, then what else is he willing to cut back on...good customer service?" Hmmmm

If you'd like to learn more about the difference between a REALTOR and a real estate Agent and learn the steps to homeownership, feel free to contact me via email at RaineSpivey@Gmail.com or call Toll Free at (866) 99-RAINE (7-2463).

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The Blame Game Continues...

02-08-10
Debe Maxwell, Realtor® - Charlotte NC MLS - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods
Debe Maxwell, Realtor® - Charlotte NC MLS - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods: Real Estate Agent in Charlotte, NC
  • view my blog
  • Office: (704) 491-3310
  • Mobile: (704) 491-3310
  • Secondary: (704) 944-9248

Finger PointingAfter reading numerous posts & publications over the past two years--real estate agents blaming lenders, politicians blaming everyone, lenders blaming the government and real estate agents...blah blah blah! I'm not one for stirring the pot and I'm not trying to here but, I have to say that I've been becoming more and more agitated with complacency - especially lately - and the blame game that we continue to play. It seems that few Americans see what is really going on in America now because everyone is so busy blaming one another for what's wrong in the US- specifically, what's wrong in our business.



The American Dream



I honestly never agreed with the philosophy that everyone is ENTITLED to the American Dream, as was mandated by our President back in the 90's. I'm a bit old fashioned so, even during the 'hay day,' my clients were strongly encouraged to save in order to make a 20% down payment before purchasing their first or second home--after that, most buyers know they need the 20% and generally have plenty of profit after a sale or two--at least back then they did! (And now, I'm sometimes leaning toward putting less cash down in some circumstances but, that's a whole other post)!


Buyers review finances with their lender, then with me. Perhaps it's the 'mom' or the 'nurse' in me but, my motto, which all of my clients will tell you I preach to them is, I want you to live IN your house not FOR your house! I want them to enjoy vacations and luxuries in life that otherwise cannot be enjoyed if they are over-extended with their mortgage. I don't take ANY blame for what happened but, I AM paying the price, just as every other agent in the US is. However, I am surviving and still preaching similar financial strategies to my clients.

No More BlameMy frustration lies in hearing the repeated accusation, "It's not our fault, it's YOURS!" Here's a novel idea--why not put all of that negative energy that you're using to blame one another, into something positive? We can't go back and change any of this; all we can do is focus on something more positive--turning this around and doing everything that we can possibly do to educate the consumer so that this never happens again (in our generation or any that follow)!

Lay off of the blame game and focus on strategies to overcome the challenges that we face in our business. The worst could be yet to come if we don't.

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Highgrove, Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

02-08-10
Chuck Webb
Chuck Webb: Real Estate Agent in Charlotte, NC
  • view my blog
  • Office: (704) 393-0048
  • Mobile: (704) 724-2454
Located in the fashionable Ballantyne area of South Charlotte, Highgrove is conveniently located to many of Charlotte's best amenities. The upscale shops and restaurants of Blakeney, Stonecrest, and Ballantyne Village are minutes away, as well as numerous public and private golf courses and the new Ballantyne YMCA.

In addition, Highgrove is only a short commute to the airport and uptown Charlotte via Johnston Road and I-485.

The Highgrove neighborhood features beautifully designed, luxury homes in a variety of architectural styles, including French Country, Georgian, and Victorian. Available homes for sale in Highgrove begin in the $600’s and range in size from 5000 to 6000 square feet.

Highgrove residents also have access to three private parks, two tennis courts, and a clubhouse with a pool. Award winning schools are right at your door step, as well. Highgrove is definitely the place to live in South Charlotte!

Elementary School: Hawk Ridge
Middle School: Community House
High School: Ardrey Kell

View available Homes for Sale in Highgrove

Contact me for more information about homes for sale in this great community.

Search for homes for sale in the Charlotte area.

Chuck Webb, Wilkinson & Associates, www.ChuckWebb.net, 704-724-2454

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Life on the Lake in Charlotte!

02-07-10
Lars Hedenborg
Lars Hedenborg: Real Estate Agent in Charlotte, NC
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  • Mobile: (704) 236-4120

If your dream of ultimate home ownership includes a heavy dose of life on the lake, then you need to check out Lake Norman! Boasting 520 miles of shoreline, this is the largest man-made lake in the Carolinas! Of course it also comes with all the benefits of life on a lake: fishingLake norman and year round golf being at the top of the list!

There are a few extra things to consider when buying a lakefront property. What type of lot you buy makes a big difference when you want to enjoy the water. Some people prefer to have a wooded lot and a longer trek to the lake. Others may prefer to look out their window and be able to see the kids jumping off the end of the dock. Whatever style of home or lot that fits into your ultimate lakefront dream, or if you are looking for a home of your own in the Greater Charlotte area call Lars Hedenborg! Your local real estate expert!

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