Donna Johnston

OK so what does a 1974 Buick Century (ours was pale yellow) Luxus station wagon have to do with buying a home? Not a thing or just maybe everything! I don’t remember too many details (I know it’s weird…Dr. Phil!) about my early childhood but I remember this — the day our whole family piled in a soon to used car to pick up our new car at the dealership! Man that was something waiting weeks for Buick to build our car, then the new car smell, the overly careful drive home, dad probably washing the car 16 times the first week… oh and of course who can forget the no food or liquid ban that lasted for all of two weeks or the first stain whichever came first! I remember, do you?

Growing up in Scarsdale NY we lived in a nice garden apartment so a new car was the BIG thing I remember ~ maybe for you it was a house ~ I can’t even imagine the excitement of that at age 14!

My how things have changed, for most of us buying a car is a pain in the but ~ just not quite the same thrill and I’m afraid for too many today the same can be said for buying a home. Don’t get me wrong it’s still exciting and people fall in love with homes BUT for too many the joy and excitement and giddiness have taken a backseat to obsessing about getting the absolute lowest interest rate, the “bitter bottom” price and of course fretting that home repairs won’t make a 30 year old home just like new. OK I realize I just lost half of you but let me explain…

*(little disclaimer I am speaking only for myself today not the TalkCharlotte team!)
In my view too often and unnecessarily buying a home has become an uninspiring, surprisingly joyless transaction. Here’s what I mean…buyers and their agents become obsessed with the details and lose the bigger picture ~ why are you buying a home in the first place? I know you’re not an investor because you would have stopped reading in the first paragraph! So you’re buying a home to live in ~ you’re buying to raise your family near schools you love, you’re buying right on the lake because you love to watch a storm coming over the water, you’re buying Uptown because you love the arts & you want to be the first to try the hottest restaurants, you’re buying in Ballantyne because you love the convenience, the golf and the peace of a quite neighborhood cul de sac, you’re buying in NoDa because like me you’re a little crazy in a good way (we’ll get along great).

You’re buying that home because it’s much more than a transaction, it’s your 1974 Buick Century!

All the rest is simply details, IMPORTANT details no doubt and details that require a really sharp, professional Realtor to guide you through (& remember when you’re buying a home that guidance is free -wow!)

So I’ll leave you with this, my philosophy. I’ve always been a bit of a round peg in a square hole world, I like to look at things differently, like this. So when I look at the real estate market today I cringe (sure you do too). But I cringe because I see people missing out, too hung up on squeezing every last penny (literally) out a deal to the point where they lose the perfect home.

I am looking for a few good clients, clients who want to buy a home to LIVE IN! If that home happens to be a foreclosure or short sale or distressed so be it BUT if that is your primary focus then I’m probably not the Realtor for you (I’d be happy to refer to some very good ones). On the other hand if your looking for a 1974 Buick Century Luxus then let me buy you a cup of coffee and let’s get started!

And if you’re a first time homebuyer even better! Send me a message here

Just a very cool, very well done trip through uptown Charlotte at Night. Charlotte is Moving Fast!

Courtesy of Charlotte’s own Rob Armstrong check him out here.

Here’s the story…(yes go ahead and click) ~ you know you want to! OK so maybe comparing the Charlotte real estate market to the Brady Bunch is a stretch BUT hey these days we could all use a dose of that fabled Brady mirth!

I’ve been mostly a fly on the wall the last few years writing this blog and watching my wife Rhonda build her very successful real estate business. Along the way Donna has built TalkCharlotte into something very special. I’ve learned three things:

1. Being a good Realtor® is hard, very hard work
   
2. It is not about us. (Marcia, Marcia, Marcia…)
3. It is all about you.
   

So how does a Brady infused team picture make this about you? It doesn’t. But look at the pictures, the smiles, the eyes ~ Donna, Betsy, Rhonda, Blake, Jackie and Michael are on a mission to change the way things are done, to think different. Sure things are tough and while the world is focused, obsessed with foreclosures, median home values, short sales, making a killing or not losing your shirt ~ we are taking things back to the basics….helping YOU buy or sell a home on the best terms and at a value that actually allows you to sleep soundly in that new home! Along the way we’re also going to be putting the FUN back into buying or selling a home. We’re really good at working with people who remember the excitement and delight of finding the perfect home. Those homes are out there now more than ever.
And that is all about you!

We hope you enjoy our new identity we think it reflects our personality(s) and our vision for Charlotte Real Estate and that’s…much more than a hunch!

Charlotte is in full bloom and our beloved Foxcroft neighborhood is leading the way. What better way to explore one of Charlotte’s most distinctive neighborhoods than with the low pressure & convenience of a Community Open House!

Eight of Charlotte’s best Realtors® roll out the red carpet & white balloons to showcase eight of Foxcroft’s most beautiful homes for sale! Join us this Sunday May 17 from 2-4 pm for a community wide Foxcroft open house! Special thanks to Mary Jane Ramsey, Helen Adams & Rhonda Gibbons, RE/MAX Executive for pulling this together!
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4000 Columbine Circle Rhonda Gibbons | RE/Max Executive 834051 MLS $639,000
As you’d expect-Foxcroft charmer! Unique pegged wood floors on main level, large formals, vaulted greatroom impressive stone frpl & built-ins. Kitchen updated w/ tile floor, counters, backsplash, new lighting, gas cooktop. Master on main. Spacious BRs & oodles of storage. Large patio overlooks park-like backyard retreat w/garden plantings & tons of trees!Subject to bank approved short sale.

4334 Columbine Circle Valerie Mitchener | HM Properties 830173 MLS $1,200,000
Complete renovation & addition in Foxcroft in 2006. This home features 5 bdrms, a home office & playroom. 9 ft ceilings up & down. Professional grade kitchen w/ Carerra marble countertops, Wolf 48in range, island w/ handcrafted walnut butcher block top. Stone fireplace in great room. Master with his & her vanities, 2 closets. Brkfast rm overlooks rear brick patio & professionally landscaped yard.

2134 Edenton Road Suzanne Campbell | HM Properties 814549 MLS $699,900
Classic traditional, well maintained home in desirable Foxcroft! Lg pvt fenced back yard w/ irrigation backs up to bike path. Beautiful formals w/ detailed moldings, shutters & neutral colors. Office w/ fr doors. Cozy den w/built-in’s, wetbar & fpl. Spacious kitchen w/ dbl ovens, desk, big bkfst room & large pantry. Sep laundry room. Lg master w/ walk in closet. Double closets in other bdrms.

3913 Silver Bell Drive Mary Jane Ramsey | Helen Adams 854245 MLS $790,000
Wonderful story & 1/2 old brick in Foxcroft E. #one location close to everything(Private & Public Schools, SouthPark). Beautifully landscaped yard with irrigation. 4 or 5 bedrooms-huge play/media room. All rooms very spacious. Solid surface countertops in kit. Separate laundry. You can walk to Ben&Jerry’s on walking trail w/o having to cross Fairview! Solid house-original owner. PRICED TO SELL

3116 Valencia Terrace Connie Nuttall | Allen Tate 814666 MLS $805,000
Pristine one owner home in Foxcroft. Updated Kitchen w/granite countertops, natural cabinets, wood floors, tile backsplash, sunroom opens to breakfast room, overlooks professionally landscaped, parklike yard with 2 Koi ponds. Huge bedrooms, each with bath access. Walk to Caribou Coffee, Brixx, Ben & Jerry’s,etc. Walking path in back.

2027 Clematis Drive Mark Munson | Dickens Mitchener 814951 MLS $900,000
Immaculate full brick home w/large formals, cozy study & warm and inviting family room. Completely renovated bathrooms & kitchen w/stainless appliances, granite countertops & separate marble work area. All rooms are very spacious. Beautiful breakfast area/sunroom overlooks professionally landscaped backyard. Enjoy the screened-in porch for those great weather days! Lots of trees for privacy!

4033 Silver Bell Drive Logan Foose | Cottingham Chalk 850592 MLS $735,000
Charming 4BR,2 1/2 BA home sitting on .78 acres in heart of Foxcroft! Home has been beautifully maintained & decorated. Features include large rms, hardwood flooring, security system, huge deck overlooking lush landscaping, new privacy fence, 2-car carport, and more! This is a wonderful opportunity to be in Foxcroft East on a desirable street & huge lot!

3924 Columbine Circle Ryan Gehris | Housespad LLC 847232MLS $899,000
Renovated 2 story brick home on a beautiful, flat setting in Foxcroft with 5 BR s & 4 full BA s. Sunny remodeled kitchen with Sub-Zero Refrigerator, Thermador appliances, a 10′ x 4′ island with prep sink & disposal & a computer niche. Hardwoods on lower level, stairs & upper level landing. MBR with 2 large WIC s & His & Hers baths. Close to Charlotte Country Day and Providence Day private schools.

Look for the white balloons ~ maps will be available at each home!

We took a break from real estate to each reflect on what our Moms mean us. We’d love if you’d share your thoughts in the comments section!

Happy Mother’s day from the team at TalkCharlotte!