About Charlotte's Ballantyne

They say this is a "Buyers market" right? Well, where are all the Buyers? Are they unable to obtain financing because the banks have tightened up their belts and are very selective in whom they loan money? Or are they in their apartments watching CNBC and other media tell them this is the worst time to buy anything, and that their jobs will vanish in thin air tomorrow? Or are they in some non-profit organization's program getting told to pay off debt of 10 years ago while they sit idle on a roster of Not-Quite-Ready-To-Purchase-A-Home-Now list to justify the non-profit's program is such to be taken seriously? Well I've look in supermarkets, movie theatres, gyms, and other questionable locations in such for these buyers, only to find frightened, confused, misinformed individuals that need a whole song and dance only to find myself licking their wounds and repeating these words of solace "its okay"...its okay to purchase...its okay to be afraid...its okay to allow me to show you the media is not smart about our side of town. In a tough market as this, finding Buyers is not as easy as it was a year or two ago. This is the time serious agents will have the opportunity to either get smart and consult, or watch your business slowly decline and eventually vanish. Just a note to all my real estate friends and collegues. Continued Blessings to you and your business. -Raine

Charlotte area drivers familiar with the southern leg of I-485 may be interested to know there's a website
called 485 Sucks.

Apparently, a local resident who's frustrated with the congestion and consistent backups on 485 has created a public forum for others to voice their opinions about the state of that road. I know that section of 485 well and have been caught in traffic there too many times to count. It's a busy road even during the daytime but during morning and evening rush it's a great way to practice patience!!!

The southern leg of I-485 is currently 2 lanes in each direction and although the road is consistently jammed with cars during peak commuting times (even without an accident or bad weather) widening the road isn't planned until possibly sometime next decade due to funding issues. Winding from I-77 out toward Union County, the southern stretch of 485 runs past Ballantyne Corporate Park so commuters from Uptown and the I-77 corridor as well as Ballantyne feed onto the road at peak hours.

The 485 Sucks website refers to drivers who frequent that road as "485'ers" and allows anonymous comments from the public.

If you're familiar with the southern leg of 485 you may find the site interesting. It looks as though it's still a work in progress but it's the first forum I've seen that is a central and organized place for the public to speak out.

There have been meetings with NC DOT open to the public(there was one recently at the Ballantyne Breakfast Club) but meetings are a single event whereas this website is available 24/7.

Many people who hear about the Ballantyne area immediately think of country club homes on golf courses and high dollar residences that they could never afford. When you tell someone that you live in the Ballantyne area they will say "oh, that is a nice area to live". Well, they are right and what's more is you don't have to fork over your retirement savings in oder to live there.

There are many great neighborhoods in the Ballantyne area that provide the same immediate access to Stonecrest, the Ballantyne Village and Theater and Ballantyne resort as the country club homes. I know because I live in one. Great location is everything in today's growing South Charlotte and the following neighborhoods have it all except a high price tag.

Click on the neighborhood name to view current homes listed in the following neighborhoods.

Danby- This neighborhood is truly an undiscovered jewel. With the lowest price tag for a desirable neighborhood that is just minutes from the center of Ballantyne you cannot beat it. Homes range from the low 100's to the $160's! You won't find any mansions here but you will find charming homes with mature landscaping.

Edinburgh- Many homes in Edinburgh back up to the large homes of Ballantyne Country Club. Edinburgh is a great community of 3 and 4 bedroom homes that offers low prices and convenience. You will find homes from the high 190's to 220's.

Raeburn- If you like mature trees and varied home styles check out Raeburn. This community offers excellent location just south of the Elm lane and Ballantyne Commons intersection. Convenient to the Morrison YMCA and the new Blakeney shopping area. Home prices here are currently in the low $200's. Hurry these sell fast!

Ballantyne Meadows- Charming Saussy Burbank homes! You can often find a home here in the low $200's. These homes are located off of Ballantyne Commons Parkway, a short walk from the heart of Ballantyne. A small town neighborhood feel with front porches and detached garages, Ballantyne Meadows will charm your socks off.

Thornhill- Amenities without the price tag... here you will find neighborhood features including a pool, tennis courts, walking trails, clubhouse and a playground. Mature wooded lots and varied home styles complete this neighborhood that is located off of Ballantyne Commons Parkway and Elm Lane. Prices typically start in the low $240's and go up from there.

This is just a sampling of the wonderful neighborhoods that Ballantyne has to offer. Please call me at 704-737-6601 to start your Ballantyne home search. I offer free buyer representation.

Click here to search homes by map!

www.CharlotteMeansHome.com

http://www.charlotte.com/someck/story/534211.html

The above link is a nice write up on some of the new construction around the Ballantyne area. For those of you unfamiliar with Ballantyne......well it is just georgous. Conveniently located on the 485 loop, Ballantyne allows you the convenience of city life, while living in a resort community.

Ballantyne is known for its high end dining and shopping, its multitued of golf and tennis programs, home to the Ballantyne Resort and Spa, and chocked full of families. Ballantyne Commons is the main road through Ballantyne, which runs from Lancaster to Providence Road. You can drive down Ballantyne Commons about any time of the day and see families walking their dogs, joggers, children riding bikes. It is a southern lifestyle we enjoy very much.

Ballantyne is also the home to the Morrison YMCA which is a center point for many of the family activities in this area! It is much about community as it is sports and fitness and is slated for a very large expansion.

Ballantyne is equally appealing to the empty nesters and retirees, as there are activities for all ages and interest.

Please take a moment to look at our Things To Do in Ballantyne blog for specific highlights to the area!

http://www.charlotte.com/someck/story/534211.html

The above link is a nice write up on some of the new construction around the Ballantyne area. For those of you unfamiliar with Ballantyne......well it is just georgous. Conveniently located on the 485 loop, Ballantyne allows you the convenience of city life, while living in a resort community.

Ballantyne is known for its high end dining and shopping, its multitued of golf and tennis programs, home to the Ballantyne Resort and Spa, and chocked full of families. Ballantyne Commons is the main road through Ballantyne, which runs from Lancaster to Providence Road. You can drive down Ballantyne Commons about any time of the day and see families walking their dogs, joggers, children riding bikes. It is a southern lifestyle we enjoy very much.

Ballantyne is also the home to the Morrison YMCA which is a center point for many of the family activities in this area! It is much about community as it is sports and fitness and is slated for a very large expansion.

Ballantyne is equally appealing to the empty nesters and retirees, as there are activities for all ages and interest.

Please take a moment to look at our Things To Do in Ballantyne blog for specific highlights to the area!