Every weekend I get up before 7:30am and drive around Charlotte to keep myself familiar with all the new areas, restaurants and the communities with the most interest. Today I decided to take a drive down to Midtown Charlotte once again and walk around The Metropolitan because I am still amazed at how far Charlotte has come over the years. Bringing the exciting urban lifestyle, allowing owners to just walk to a great cup of coffee, shopping or dining. With Trader Joe's, Zoe's Kitchen, Target, Aveda Modern Spa and much more within walking distance this area is sure to be pleasing to those looking for that maintenance free lifestyle.
This amazing area is just minutes from Uptown Charlotte and surrounded by The Greenway and Linear Park. Once complete, this beautiful expansion of land will be 15 miles long stretching from South Carolina to north of Uptown Charlotte.
The Metropolitan feature's The MetClub where the residents can enjoy an oasis of relaxation and entertainment. This resort-like living is located on the third level of the MetTerraces building offering a pool, sundeck, plasma TV, summer kitchen with grill and much more.
If you are interested in living in Midtown Charlotte, contact me for more details and to schedule appointment for a viewing.
Good morning blog readers!! First I want to thank everyone for stopping by to read my Steele Creek blogs. I have had much success on writing about this area and I enjoying sharing the information I have.
Steele Creek is located in the southwest are of Mecklenburg County within the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District. This area is covers more than 50 square miles of land with Lake Wylie just east of this awesome area. Over this 300 mile venue, Lake Wylie offers boating, fishing, water sports, shopping and parks. McDowell Nature Center and Nature Preserve are 2 parks that you must stop to view if you're ever in the area.
This rapidly blooming development consist of Single family homes ranging between mid $100,000-$600,000,townhomes and condos ranging between $100,000 to mid $400,000. Nearby you will also find Steele Creek Athletic Assocation that provide youth sports the Steele Creek YMCA. For those of you that enjoy professional sports, NFL Carolina Panther Stadium and NBA Charlotte Bobcats Arena is just 10 minutes away right in the heart of Uptown Charlotte.
If you are thinking about relocating, buying or selling in the Charlotte area, contact me direcly at 704-839-6005 or email: yourcharlotterealtor@gmail.com
The Providence Pointe neighborhood is located in Ballantyne area of South Charlotte. This unique community is easy to access from I-485E exit 61 Johnston Road and currently within the Community House Middle School, Ardrey Kell High School and Ballantyne Elementary school districts.
Providence Pointe was began in 2001 by developer and builder Shea Homes. This is a finished development with approx. 427 homes with currently 14 homes for sale within the price range of mid $260-$400k per the Carolina MLS. Providence Pointe comes with various attractions such as: resident clubhouse, jr olympic pool, 2 tennis courts, basketball court,children's playground with nearby golfing at the Ballantyne Resort an 18-hole, five-star championship golf course. This community has a Home Owners Association, currently under Hawthorne Management Company, to keep all common areas of this beautiful community preserved.
Ballantyne has quickly become the guide to fine dining in the south Charlotte area. Nearby Providence Pointe you can find an array of restaurants and shopping such as the Ballantyne Village that includes Villa Antonio serving Northern Italian cuisines or Jade an Asian Fushion Sushi Bar. After dining, enjoy a great movie at the Regal Ballantyne Village theater or listen to live jazz/blues on the patio at the Dilworth Cafe.
Think of me to help you with your real estate needs. Whether you are buying, selling or relocating to the Charlotte area, I can help. For more questions about Providence Pointe feel free to email or call me.
Buying a home is not as difficult as most may think so I want to help ease your mind.
Before you begin the home buying process, you must know your credit score. You must know exactly what your credit reports say about your financial history before you contact an real estate or mortgage professional. Contact the 3 known credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian for your most recent credit report and FICO score. You also want to have enough money set aside to cover earnest money deposit, down payment and closing cost.
Home Buying Steps:
1. Educate yourself and get familiar with the mortgage industry (loan financing options). Each loan program has its own rules and guidelines therefore you'll be able to choose the right loan to fit your specific needs. Some of the common loan programs are FHA (Federal Housing Administration), VA (Veteran Administration), ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) and Conventional. Of these programs, FHA is most popular for first-time home buyers.
FHA does not make or guarantee loans. It insures the loans. This program will also allow a not so perfect credit history so if you have a few blemishes on your report, you are more likely to qualify vs with other loan programs. FHA loan is also more competitive with interest rates/terms as well as demand fewer repairs to be fixed on a property prior to loan approval.
2. Contact a mortgage lender and get loan pre-approval so that you will know not to look at homes that exceed the qualified amount. If you want to keep your monthly mortgage payments within a specific range, ask your lender what loan range you should stay within. Your goal is to get a home that you can continue to make your monthly payments without struggling so if you're renting for $700 a month, find a home that you can finance for no more than $200 more. In Charlotte, there are some AMAZING properties with payments under $900 per month including home owners insurance and taxes. Ask your lender questions about what first home buyer or down payment assistance programs are available.
3. Determine what you MUST HAVE and WOULD LIKE TO HAVE in a new home. The home search will go a lot smoother if you know what your desires are so grab paper and a pen, make 2 columns and in each section list no more than 4 items. When it's time to meet with your real estate agent, stay within your "must have" list and you may just find a property that will also include a few of your "would like to have" features. Remain realistic and make sure your "must have" list match your loan approval amount...hire a contractor to add those granite counter tops and hardwood floors you want later down the road when you can afford to add upgrades.
4. Interview and hire a real estate professional to assist you on viewing properties that fit your criteria. Know what qualities you are looking for in a real estate agent and set appointments to interview @3-4 agents then select 1 that you feel you have a connection with. In these days, most agents will ask you to sign a buyer agency contract before they will show you properties so ask your agent for a short term contract, that way if after 2 months you are not happy with the services you can move on to the next agent. I personally have buyers sign with me for 6 months with a guarantee that if things aren't working out or there is a personality conflict, the buyer is free to end contract at any time however there is a 1 time retainer fee to compensate the time I've invested with them which is only fair.
5. Here is where the fun begins!! Start searching for homes to view with your real estate agent. Based on the information you've provided to your agent, he/she should have you set up in their own personal database or the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) for you to receive daily property listings of homes that fit your needs and desires as they come available on the market. Once you've selected a few homes that you'd like to view in person, have your agent look into the Deed, HOA fees, restrictions and/or property disclosure on each interested property then schedule an in person viewing. If you have a good agent, you should be able to find your new home by viewing 3-5 homes or at least narrow it down to 2 homes that you'd like a second viewing. No need to go overboard by viewing 20 homes.
6. Make an offer on the home you've selected that has all the components on your "must have" list. If you are a serious buyer then there should be no hesitation at this point...if the home is in your price range to accommodate the monthly payments you want AND comes with all your needs then have your agent type up the contract. Keep in mind, if you have falling in love with this home 5 other buyers are interested in that SAME home so don't let it slip through your fingers. You don't want to jump the gun by submitting a low ball offer therefore your agent will pull a few area comparables of what has sold recently in the area to help you make the best offer possible to get an accepted offer.
7. Order a full home inspection to ensure you are not buying a lemon in disguise. Have the inspector check for wood destroying insects, mold/mildew, radon gas and if home was built prior to 1978 include lead based to your inspection. After you've received the results, your agent will submit the proper forms to request the seller to repair prior to closing date (Be cautious of foreclosures and short sales)
8. Between NOW and CLOSING DATE you should be handling personal business such as call movers, ask friends to help you pack, get quotes from home owners insurance and call utility companies while your real estate agent is following up with your lender, appraisal, title company, repairs etc. to make sure every thing is going accordingly
9. Very close to closing day and at the point where most of the potential home buying problems are behind you. Meet with your agent to review the HUD-1 document with your agent a few days before the closing so you know exactly what you need to bring to closing and check for any errors. Have a final walk through of the home a few days prior to closing to make sure the seller has competed all the repairs
10. Closing day is here and you're at the table with all involved parties and closing attorney to complete all paperwork to transfer ownership and hand you the keys to YOUR NEW HOME.
Final Comments:
The buying process is not butter smooth, you will encounter a few issues but you should never panic because it's normal. Never hesitant to ask questions to better help you understand the steps to this huge life changing investment and long term commitment.
Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning!!
What a beautiful day here in Charlotte, NC. Sun is shining, birds are chirping and time for my morning cup of tea while I write my blog.
For some time now I've only worked as a buyers agent however my goal for 2010 is to focus a bit more on listings. I've selected 2 amazing communities and now making a list of marketing strategies, advertising's etc to farm these areas. Now, the reason I do not really care for listings is because the sellers give agents such a hard time about what the list price should be. Sellers hire a Realtor because we have the knowledge, skill and expertise to get the home sold so why debate with your agent and stress them out when it comes to the advice they are giving you?
I recently started watching this new HGTV show called "Real Estate Intervention" and Mike Aubrey www.mikeaubrey.com is a realtor with Re/Max Metropolitan in Maryland that show tough love to sellers that homes have been on the market for a long time to their own doing. This show airs every Thursday 10:30pm and I just love it
NEWS FLASH SELLERS!! Your home is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Yes, we know over the past 5 years you put in granite, stainless steal appliances, new deck, crown molding etc. to increase the value of your home. Bottom line, the market has changed and we know it's a tough pill to swallow but the value in your eyes is not the value of what is real in today's market. Think about that when you want to sell your current home quickly because you've already put a contract in on your "dream home" and earnest money.
What Sellers Should Know:
Thanks everyone for reading my blog, let's get that home sold and have a great week.
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Providing exceptional service, guideance and go beyond my duties as an agent in working with serious Buyers, Sellers and Relocations in the Charlotte, NC and nearby areas.
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