Showing posts with label Huntersville North Carolina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Huntersville North Carolina. Show all posts

Friday, August 21, 2020

Huntersville Senior Care Resources

Carolina Living Real Estate Cares about Seniors Throughout the Charlotte and Huntersville areas!

Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones. We have been featured by AARP, The Administration for Community Living, The National Legal Resource Center, and Forbes, as well as referenced by many governmental agencies and organizations across the Internet.

Here are 2 new resources to assist our seniors:


Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Homes Are More Affordable Right Now Than They Have Been in Years

 

Your Trusted Huntersville Real Estate Broker

Homes Are More Affordable Right Now Than They Have Been in Years | MyKCM

Today, home prices are appreciating. When we hear prices are going up, it’s normal to think a home will cost more as the trend continues. The way the housing market is positioned today, however, low mortgage rates are actually making homes more affordable, even as prices rise. Here’s why.

According to the Mortgage Monitor Report from Black Knight:

“While home prices have risen for 97 consecutive months, July’s record-low mortgage rates have made purchasing the average-priced home the most affordable it’s been since 2016.”

How is that possible?

Black Knight continues to explain:

“As of mid-July, it required 19.8% of the median monthly income to make the mortgage payment on the average-priced home purchase, assuming a 20% down payment and a 30-year mortgage. That was more than 5% below the average of 25% from 1995-2003.

This means it currently requires a $1,071 monthly payment to purchase the average-priced home, which is down 6% from the same time last year, despite the average home increasing in value by more than $12,000 during that same time period.

In fact, buying power is now up 10% year-over-year, meaning the average home buyer can afford nearly $32,000 more home than they could at the same time last year, while keeping their monthly payment the same.”

This is great news for the many buyers who were unable to purchase last year, or earlier in the spring due to the slowdown from the pandemic. By waiting a little longer, they can now afford 10% more home than they could have a year ago while keeping their monthly mortgage payment unchanged.

With mortgage rates hitting all-time lows eight times this year, it’s now less expensive to borrow money, making homes significantly more affordable over the lifetime of your loan. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, shares what low mortgage rates mean for affordability:

“In July, house-buying power got a big boost as the 30-year, fixed mortgage rate made history by moving below three percent. That drop in the mortgage rate from 3.23 percent in May to 2.98 percent in July increased house-buying power by nearly $15,000.”

The map below shows the last time homes were this affordable by state:Homes Are More Affordable Right Now Than They Have Been in Years | MyKCMIn six states – Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, and West Virginia – homes have not been this affordable in more than 25 years.

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking of making a move, now is a great time to take advantage of the affordability that comes with such low mortgage rates. Whether you’re thinking of purchasing your first home or moving into a new one and securing a significantly lower mortgage rate than you may have on your current house, let’s connect today to determine your next steps in the process.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Americans Rank Real Estate Best Investment for 7 Years Running

More from Your Trusted Huntersville Real Estate Brokers

Americans Rank Real Estate Best Investment for 7 Years Running [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

  • Real estate has outranked stocks, savings accounts, and gold as the best long-term investment among Americans for the past 7 years.
  • The belief in the stability of housing as a long-term investment remains strong, despite the many challenges our economy faces today.
  • Of the four listed, real estate is also the only investment you can also live in. That’s a big win!

Friday, July 10, 2020

Not All Huntersville Agents Are Created Equal

More From Your Huntersville Broker

Not All Huntersville Agents Are Created Equal | MyKCM


Never Pay 6% to sell your home again!

In today’s fast-paced world where answers are just a Google search away, there are some who may question the benefits of hiring a real estate professional when selling a house. The reality is, the addition of more information can lead to more confusion. A real estate agent can be your essential guide, but truth be told, not all agents are created equal. Finding the right agent for you and your family should be your top priority when you’re ready to sell your house.

The right agent is the person who can truly walk you through the whole process, look out for your best interest, and seamlessly lead you through all the steps along the way. In today’s complex market, the way we execute real estate transactions is changing constantly, especially as more elements can be done virtually. Making sure you have the best advice on your side is more important than ever.

So, how do you choose the perfect agent?

It starts with trust. You must trust the advice this person is going to give you, and you’ll want to begin by making sure you’re connected to a true professional. An agent can’t give you perfect advice because it’s impossible to know exactly what’s going to happen at every turn – especially in this unique market. A true professional agent can, however, give you the best advice possible based on the information and situation at hand, helping you make the necessary adjustments and best decisions along the way. The right agent – the professional – will get you the best offer available. That’s exactly what you want and deserve.

What do you need to trust your agent to do?

1. Navigate the Process

There are over 230 possible steps that take place during a successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, someone who knows what these actions are, to ensure you have a positive selling experience?

2. Negotiate on Your Behalf

Today, hiring a trusted and talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step – from the buyer submitting an original offer, to the possible renegotiation of that offer after a home inspection, to the potential cancelation of the deal based on a troubled appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.

3. Price Your House Competitively

There’s so much information in the news and on the Internet about home sales, prices, and mortgage rates. How do you know what’s going on in our local area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively and correctly price your home at the beginning of the selling process?

Dave Ramsey, known as the financial guru, advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring a trusted professional who has a finger on the pulse of the market and is eager to help you learn will make your experience an informed and educated one. You need someone who’s going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line

Today’s real estate market is highly competitive. Having a trusted professional who’s been there before to guide you through the process is a simple step that will give you a huge advantage when you’re ready to sell your house. Let’s make it happen together.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Lock In Your Low Commission Rate Selling Your Huntersville Home

Visit Here to lock in your rate.

If you are thinking of selling, this is the perfect sellers market.   With the right agent you can sell your home fast and save money.   Lock in your rate and never have any obligation. 

As of 7/26/2018 with the last 30 days!

There are 302 homes in Huntersville on the market with an average days on the market being 44 days.

there are 162 homes in Huntersville under contract  with an average days on the market being 20 days.

There are 159 closed with an average days on the market being being 30 days and a sold price to list price ration being 98%.  These are WOW numbers and why you need to lock in your low rate.

We have lots of experience and success stories. 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Why Choose Carolina Living Real Estate

At Carolina Living Real Estate, we focus on the little things and YOU.  More importantly, Carolina Living Agents get to keep 100% commissions.  Why is that important.  Our agents to not have to calculate how much they will make every time they sit down with a customer.  They don 't have to give a percentage to their Broker! While we don't advocate working for free because our jobs are hard.  However, keeping our money does allow us to do what we are hired to do.  Broker the deal.  We market well and we negotiate with everything we have.

Did you know that every firm that is a member of the MLS has their listings syndicated to all the important websites.  The number one website on the universe for real estate is Realtor.com.  List with us, you will find it there!  However, that is not the only place.  Trulia is another great place to find real estate.  We are there too!  Yahoo Real Estate,  Yep!

Check out some more of the little things we do!

Check out our Carolina Living Real Estate Featured Listings

See how we market homes.  Check out the pictures and Virtual Tour of this great Huntersville Home.  We actually got an offer in 2 days!  As they say, you have to win the war online and we hire a professional photographer to do just that!

Contact us to learn more!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Birkdale at Lake Norman Real Estate-September through October Statistics

Birkdale and Birkdale Village Statistics September 2008 through October 2008


In the two months starting September 1, 2008: A total of 7 homes sold in Birkdale and Birkdale Village.

Of the 7, 2 were sold in Birkdale Village and the remaining 5 in Birkdale.

For the 2 Birkdale Village homes, the average days on the Market was 235.
For the Birkdale Village homes, the average Percentage of sold price to list price was 100%! This was due to one of the homes getting 102% of list price (lucky sellers)

For the 5 Birkdale homes the average days on the Market was 65!
For the Birkdale homes the average Percentage of sold price to list price was 96%

During the same period in 2007:

8 Homes sold in Birkdale and Birkdale Village with 5 coming from Birkdale Village.

For the 5 Birkdale Village homes,the average days on the market was 69.
For the 5 Birkdale Village homes, the average Percentage of sold price to list price was 96%.

For the 3 Birkdale homes,the average days on the market was 60.
For the 3 Birkdale homes, the average Percentage of sold price to list price was 96%.

With the exception of the Days on the Market in Birkdale Village, last years stats for the same period are very similar to this years stats. Proof again that the Birkdale area is a great place to live and own real estate!

Don't forget the complete list of Huntersville Homes on the right panel of this website!

If you have questions or interest in the Birkdale area or othe areas around Lake Norman, please feel free contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.
See Also:

Be The First To See Lake Norman Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Lake Norman Relocation, You Will Want to Consider It

Why Lake Norman is such a great Destination

Monday, October 27, 2008

Birkdale At Lake Norman Real Estate - Free Real Estate Reports

INFORMATION CORNER

Valuable FREE reports for Buyers and Sellers mailed to
you at no cost or obligation. Just send an email to email and enter the ID# in the subject of the information that you would like to receive.

There is no obligation and the information id FREE

Birkdale area and Lake Norman BUYERS

1. SAVE THOUSANDS - Find out how you can save
thousand of dollars when you buy a home .......ID#1014

2. STOP PAYING RENT - Learn how to buy
your first home for as little as renting ..............ID#1001

3. HOW TO BUY A HOME WITH AS
LITTLE AS NO MONEY DOWN.......................ID#1025

4. 10 BEST BUYS HOT LIST - Receive a
FREE list of the most current Best Buys
in your desired location and price range...........ID#1040

5. 9 BUYER TRAPS - How to avoid these
common traps that could cost you the
home of your dreams .........................................ID#1018

Birkdale area and Lake Norman SELLERS

1. 11 HOME INSPECTION PITFALLS - Learn
about these common and costly
traps BEFORE you list .......................................ID#1003

2. COSTLY HOMESELLER MISTAKES -
Learn how to avoid these common mistakes
and save yourself thousands of dollars
when you sell your home....................................ID#1000

3. HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME WITHOUT
AN AGENT...........................................................ID#1017

4. FIND OUT WHAT AREA HOMES ARE
SELLING FOR - Receive a Free computerized
hotlist of recent homesales and current
listings ..................................................................ID#1041

5. 27 QUICK & EASY FIXUPS - Learn how to
sell your home fast and for top dollar..............ID#1023

Don't forget the complete list of Huntersville Homes on the right panel of this website!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Lake Norman Real Estate - Buy This Luxury Home Before It Hits the Market

Lake Norman Real Estate:One of the Best Waterfront Lots on all of Lake Norman


This home sits on one of the most beautiful lots you can find on Lake Norman. I currently have an agreement with these clients to market this property for sale, although it has not officially been listed in our MLS. I do currently represent this seller but we are open to offers. Currently the asking price is 1.4 million and is worth every penny.

This home is a Professional Designers Own Home and the attention to detail speaks for itself. Brand new Pella Windows have been installed throughout and the views of the lake are breathtaking.

Don't be fooled by the size of the home which is approx. 3000 sq. ft and 4 bedrooms. The high ceilings make if feel much larger.



For another look at the beautiful Lake Norman Home, check out the slide show!


See The Slide Show of this Beautiful Lake Norman Waterfront Home

If you have questions or interest in this property,please contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.
See Also:

Be The First To See Lake Norman Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Lake Norman Relocation, You Will Want to Consider It

Why Lake Norman is such a great Destination

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Birkdale Real Estate:3rd Quarter 2008 Sold Homes

Birkdale and Birkdale Village had 18 homes sold for the period 7/1/2008 through 9/30/2008


The averages for the sold homes are:

  • Square Feet - 2883
  • #Bedrooms - 3
  • #Bathrooms - 2
  • List Price - $391,197
  • Sold Price - $378,937
  • Days on the Market - 86


See the sold homes at Birkdale and Birkdale Village Real Estate 3rd Quarter Sold Homes

Don't forget the complete list of Huntersville Homes on the right panel of this website!

If you would like information about Birkdale or any of our fantastic Birkdale and other Lake Norman Communities,just call your Lake Norman agent at 704 451 7051 or contact by email.

See Also:

Be The First To See Birkdale and Birkdale Village Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Birkdale or Birkdale Village Home Sell For?

Friday, October 17, 2008

Birkdale and Birkdale Village Go Green at Halloween

Birkdale and Birkdale Village Green Earth
Halloween only comes once a year and, as such, can create a buy it, use it one-time, dispose it attitude. Instead, this year, make your own cheaper, better Halloween...Costume.
Here are some commonly bought Halloween costume items and the common household items that can replace the store-bought versions or at least provide solid alternatives to them.

Fake Hair.
Instead of buying a wig for Halloween, consider incorporating a head wrap or hat into your outfit instead. A hat can go with most costume ideas, be creative! For instance, if you want to be a 'sexy cop' this year, you don't need a blond wig that stretches to your waist. Try piling up all of your hair in a hat that can act as a cop hat instead.

Bold Makeup.
If you, or a female in your life, enjoy makeup on a regular basis, you shouldn't need to buy makeup that is Halloween specific. All you need is a regular stick of concealer and you can break it into chunks from there and dye them separately yourself-with natural ingredients at that! For instance, a chunk of concealer mashed with pomegranate juice will create a blood red.

The Outfit.
Think twice before you buy a Halloween outfit. Could you make that jagged black witch skirt from a piece of fabric you already have around the house? Could you paint black stripes on white panty hose for that pirate outfit? Maybe you could paper mache your own monster mask?

Here are some other tips to help you have a happy, environment-friendly Halloween:

-Make your own costume or buy a costume that is reusable. Married couples can usually find a second use for their old Halloween costumes, but kids are going to feel ridiculous having to rotate a fairy or ninja costume into their everyday clothing line up. Design a costume out of household materials or buy a costume that can be inconspicuously converted into a day-to-day outfit.

-Give out eco-friendly candy. The problem with Halloween is that all the candy must be wrapped in eco-unfriendly packaging. Due to safety concerns, kids are taught not to accept unwrapped candy. Hand out candy that is wrapped in paper. Many brands of taffy are wrapped in paper. There are also paper pouches full of gummy fruit snacks.

-Give the kids a reusable bag for candy. A pillowcase works. They can also use a reusable grocery bag.

-Grow your own pumpkins. This will reduce pumpkin-shipping emissions. You can grow the pumpkins on your roof to cut down on urban heat islands. Compost your old pumpkins when you are done.

Birkdale Halloween Safety Tips from Realliving
Here are some trick-or-treating tips for kids, parents and homeowners to ensure a safe and happy Halloween:

Trick-or-Treaters:
-Carry a flashlight
-Stay on the sidewalk
-Obey traffic signals
-Wear shoes that fit regardless of the costume
-Wear clothing with reflective marking or tape
-Approach homes that are lit only

Parents:
-Make sure your children eat dinner before heading out
-Accompany any young children
-Let your older children know a specific time they need to be home
-Inspect all the candy your children bring home
-Throw away anything that looks open or suspicious

Home owners:
-Make sure your yard is clear of an possible debris or obstructions
-Make sure pets are secured when opening and closing your doors
-Place any candles or lit pumpkins away from where children will be walking
-Include some healthy trick-or-treat options like packages of fruit rolls and raisons or crackers
-Include some non-food treats like coins, stickers and toys

Happy Halloween Birkdale from RealLiving

Happy Halloween from Real Living In Style. If you would like information about Birkdale or any of our fantastic Lake Norman Communities,just call your Lake Norman agent at 704 451 7051 or contact by email.

See Also:

Be The First To See Birkdale and Birkdale Village Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Birkdale or Birkdale Village Home Sell For?

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Birkdale Real Estate, The Pastime of Part-time Real Estate

Birkdale at Lake Norman Realtor

Birkdale and Birkdale Village at Lake Norman, Is your Realtor part-time?


First let me say. I am a FULL-TIME Realtor. I chose this career 7 years ago and it one I enjoy. I started my own business, Real Living In Style, because keeps to it's word that we are build on Family, Innovation and Results. It is great mantra but also one we strive for daily.

It seems People tend to ask Realtors questions like 'Do you have another job?' My answer is NO. However it makes one think. Do they ask their doctor or lawyer that question. I imagine they don't and if they did, Wouldn't they find new ones?

Why is real estate different. I have recently had to inform agents they were using outdated forms. Too often I have had to explain things that a full-time agent would surely know. I recently had a client on the other side of the table thank me for helping their realtor get the deal done. Well, that is my responsibility but I wondered what they would be thinking later down the road about Realtors. I can just imagine what they think.

I am here to announce to clients and potential clients. Interview agents and find out if they are full time. If they aren't. What time will be spent on protecting your most important investment. My fiduciary responsibility requires me to be diligent and many other things that I don't believe can be done part time.

Lastly. Just like any other industry Real Estate changes fast. Technology, rules and laws and our forms change and we must know how to use and understand them all. I can tell you that keeping up is a full time job! That is if you want to do it well!


If you are buying or selling in the Birkdale and Lake Norman area, I'd love and opportunity to interview with you. Contact your Birkdale at Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.

See also:

What would my Birkdale at Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Be the first to see Birkdale at Lake Norman Hot New Listings when they become available?

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Birkdale Market Analysis and Birkdale Village Market Analysis

Birkdale and Birkdale Village Market Analysis as of 10/8/2008

Birkdale Village Sold - 19 Properties Found

Minimum
Square Feet - 1292
Bedrooms - 3
Bathrooms - 2
Half Baths - 0
List Price - $229,500
Sale Price - $217,450
Days on Market - 16

Average
Square Feet - 1875
Bedrooms - 3
Bathrooms - 2
Half Baths - 0
List Price - $296,194
Sale Price - $285,928
Days on Market - 103

Maximum
Square Feet - 3043
Bedrooms - 4
Bathrooms - 3
Half Baths - 1
List Price - $399,900
Sale Price - $393,000
Days on Market - 278

Birkdale Sold - 43 Properties Found

Minimum
Square Feet - 1296
Bedrooms - 3
Bathrooms - 2
Half Baths - 0
List Price - $219,900
Sale price - $215,000
Days on Market - 4

Average
Square Feet - 3013
Bedrooms - 4
Bathrooms - 2
Half Bath - 0
List Price - $403,635
Sale Price - $390,977
Days on Market - 82

Maximum
Square Feet - 5117
Bedrooms - 6
Bathrooms - 5
Half Bath - 2
List Price - $700,000
Sold Price - $682,500
Days on Market - 294

Don't forget the complete list of Huntersville Homes on the right panel of this website!

For additional information on how I can help, contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.

See also:

What would my Birkdale at Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Lake Norman Sellers, Before you drop that price read this!

Creative ways to sell your Home

Birkdale and Birkdale Village Real Estate, Meet Roby Robertson

Birkdale and Birkdale Village at Lake Norman Real Estate, Meet the Author



Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Birkdale and Birkdale Village For Sale By Owner, Please read!

Birkdale and Birkdale Village Home Sellers

Birkdale and Birkdale Village Real Estate - For Sale By Owner



Recently I wrote about the scenario of buyers finding a FSBO they like but have been working with a Realtor. Dang, Found a Lake Norman FBSO - Now what?

As a result of that post, I received a comment from a member of the Forsalebyowner.com team. His questions was how I would handle the situation where one of my sellers found his/her own buyers. Would they owe me a commission or a reduced commission?

Some agents have a bad attitude towards For Sale By Owners. To me that is funny. First, FSBO sellers have a bad attitude towards agents. Interestingly, two sides that don't even know each other and there is a problem. Second, as with many things there has been a bad experience or there has been bad communication. I am here to say, NOT ALL AGENTS ARE BAD!

Ironically, when I moved from Winston Salem, NC to the Lake Norman area, I sold my home myself. I can tell you it was ranks as one of the worst experiences in my life. By the way, I said this long before I got into real estate. Basically the buyer was a '#@#$ ' and I had no idea what my real rights were. I also did not know when I had to do something or not do it. I would have gladly paid a Realtorto facilitate this transaction. Also, I took a lot less for my house than I should have. In my naivety, I felt I was saving money. I ended up just taking an offer I did not feel great about because I had no one guiding me.

I will also add to those that would argue, the reason I got an offer was because of four things: location, location, location and luck!

Now, I am not against someone selling thier house themselves. However, I see For Sale By Owners advertising that they will work with buyers agents. I want to call them and say. OK, who is representing you? Although many agents won't work with these sellers, I gladly do it. Because of my past experience, I want them to be represented. It is in their best interest!

I also want to ask these sellers about thier marketing. Is using one or two websites and sign enough in this market? Hopefully, luck is on thier side and someone happens by...

For my sellers:

  • Real Living is a National Brand with a National Relocation Dept. which directs buyers our way.

  • Real Living uploads our listings to every relevant real estate website known to be searched.

  • Communicate regularly to all the agents in the area via email and hard copy updates.

  • Work with Lenders to get marketing ideas to get buyers into your home.

  • I personally create videos about the community and the home. I use a cool little tool that allows me to do voice over per room of the house to point out the high points. (i.e. new technology for me but it gets better and better): The Point at Lake Norman Video, The Harbour at Lake Norman Video, 231 Oak Village Pkw Video, A home soon to be listed by me (note this is a work in progress).
  • Also see the Video I had created just for Birkdale and Birkdale Village

  • negotiate everything in your behalf

  • communicate with you weekly!


In the end, I don't blame anyone for giving For Sale By Owner a try. If you are confident and have a lot of time, then I say go for it. If you are uncertain or tired of frustration, give me a call. I'd love to work with you.

For additional information on how I can help, contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.

See also:

What would my Birkdale at Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Lake Norman Sellers, Before you drop that price read this!

Creative ways to sell your Home

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

What got us into this Credit Mess? Your Birkdale at Lake Norman Agent Speaks Out.

Your Birkdale Agent Summarizes His Research on the Current Credit Crisis


With the news being dominated by bailout talks and solving the current credit problems, I decided I wanted to learn as much as I could about what got us here. After all understanding the cause surely can help prevent it from happening again.

This is not a political statement. Each person has to vote his/her conscience and gather as much information as they can to make an informed decision. From what I have learned, these problems are not tied to one party.

Here is a snypoisis:

  1. In 1999 Congress and the President gave Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae the freedom to do risk based lending which also gave them the freedom to allow much riskier loans.

  2. In 2000, The Federal Reserve began lowering interest rates to historic rates.

  3. In 2004, Congress reduced the regulation on lending institutions allowing them to reduce the amount required to be aside to cover the loans. The max amount of this reserve was 3 cents on the dollar!!! (think about that one...)


Obviously there is more to it than just these points but you can see how this could lead to trouble. Who in their right mind would take on that kind of risk? I think, you and I, playing with our own money, would never do this.

Lastly, there is a huge debate about the 700 billion bailout. Some agree and some don't. I am one that has come to the conclusion that it is necessary. I own a real estate company. I love this industry. I really enjoy helping people save money on real estate and I want to see my company and my clients succeed. I have a 19 year old daughter that I want to have every opportunity to succeed. I believe that this bailout will free up the banks to lend money again.

Here is what I hear the experts saying. You hear Congress arguing as usual. While the biggest argument is how we are going to pay the 700 billion back, no one is offering another solution. We could let the chips fall where they may. However, more jobs will be lost, companies will close, lending will get even tighter at all levels... There is not another solution at this point.

Also, the 700 billion is being used to buy real assets. We are not going to have to pay back the entire amount.

The question should be how are we going to fix this going forward. I believe we should be angry at those that proposed all the deregulation and those that voted for the some of these stupid rules changes. It just does not make good common sense.

Here is a bit of good news:

  • The recently passed housing stimulus is very attractive for buyers. The $7500.00 tax credit is significant.

  • There are still great loan programs for those that can qualify

  • It is a fantastic market for finding a great home at a great price. This is one of the best buyers markets in our history!

  • Interest rates are STILL at historic lows.


If you would like information about Birkdale, Birkdale Village or any of our fantastic Lake Norman Communites,just call your Lake Norman agent at 704 451 7051 or contact by email.

See Also:

Be The First To See Birkdale and other Lake Norman Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Birkdale at Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Birkdale and Birkdale Village at Lake Norman Tax Rates

Combined Cornelius and Surrounding Area Property Tax Rates



  1. Unincorporated County 1.0175 per $100

  2. If Inside City Of Charlotte 1.2973 per $100

  3. If Inside Town of Cornelius 1.1137 per $100

  4. If Inside Town of Davidson 1.2037 per $100

  5. If Inside Town of Huntersville 1.1287 per $100

Here are some examples of homes In Birkdale from our Tax Records.

Home 1, Home Assessed Value = $186,300, Total Annual Tax = $2,151
Home 2, Home Assessed Value = $295,200, Total Annual Tax = $3,380
Home 3, Home Assessed Value = $389,700, Total Annual Tax = $4,447
Home 4, Home Assessed Value = $453,600, Total Annual Tax = $5,168
Home 4, Home Assessed Value = $500,300, Total Annual Tax = $5,695

See the complete information on Birkdale and Birkdale Village Tax Rates

For additional information or assistance, contact your Birkdale at Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.

See also:

Be The First To See Birkdale at Lake Norman Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Birkdale at Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Monday, September 15, 2008

Why are Brikdale at Lake Norman Tax Values Not a Fair Listing Price

Birkdale at Lake Norman Tax Assessments are not Necessarily Current.


Birkdale At Lake Norman

Typically - depending on where you live, property is assessed every 5-20 years (or in some cases not at all!). During the time between assessments - depending on where you live - a standard annual appreciation rate is applied to the previous assessment. This is normally fairly low. Ridiculously low given the market we've been in for the last few years.

It gets even trickier depending on local regulations. Property assessments vary county by county. Remember that Lake Norman is surrounded by 4 different counties using 4 different schedules, all with waterfront homes. You can see how using tax values can vary and also cause much confusion if used as a barometer for buying or selling a home.

Property assessments are also 100% at the discretion of the county. I have a friend that has a house in NJ, for example, that has not been reassessed since the house was built in the late 60s. Why? Property taxes are a hot-button political issue in NJ, and the politicians try not to rock the boat on that issue too much. Reassessment might mean owners end up paying even more in taxes then they do currently - so they just put it off indefinitely.

Add all this up - and long story short is assessed values have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on fair market value of a property. It's not a guestimate, it's not nessicarily based on past selling activity - it's based purely on whatever the county decides it's based upon - which means it varies WIDELY. It's also not a fluid number - and does not adjust with market conditions - which makes it unreliable as a market indicator.

Birkdale at Lake Norman Sellers


You could say that a low assessment is a good thing since your property taxes are based on this number !

Don't forget the complete list of Huntersville Homes on the right panel of this website!

For additional information or assistance, contact your Birkdale at Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.

See also:

Lake Norman Counties Tax Rates

Be The First To See Birkdale at Lake Norman Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Birkdale at Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Lake Norman Buyers and Sellers,Know your closing costs

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Birkdale at Lake Norman Buyers, Consider this Negotation Choice

Birkdale at Lake Norman Buyers, Consider this option when Buying You're Birkdale or Lake Norman Area Home!



I had a meeting with a lender this morning that has programs to offer that may lead to more options for purchasing your home.

This option consists a buydown of the interest rate that you will we paying on your mortgage. As a part of seller concessions that we can ask for, we can ask for this alternative. How does it help? You ask the seller to contribute funds to buydown the interest rate. For a period of time, this reduces the money out of your pocket. This is not an ARM. This is just a way to reduce the rate by 1-2% for a negotiated length of time. Think of the savings you will enjoy your mortgage.

Here is an example.

Suppose on a $240.000 mortgage where the seller agrees to contribute funds to do a 2/1 buydown of your interest rate. In the buy down scenario, the buyer saves $250.36 a month the first year and half that the second year. This is a total savings of roughly $4500.00.

Please keep in mind these are assumptions made on the loan which will ultimately be calculated by the lender. It also assumes the buyer can qualify.

This can be a win-win and a viable alternative to reducing your mortgage as well as giving the seller a viable alternative in the sale of their home.

For additional information on this or other programs, contact your Birkdale at Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.

Don't forget the complete list of Huntersville Homes on the right panel of this website!

See also:

Be The First To See Birkdale at Lake Norman Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Birkdale at Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Birkdale at Lake Norman Buyers, So much to choose from

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Birkdale at Lake Norman Sellers, Learn About Seller Financing

The Lake Norman Seller Financing Solution


If you are a Lake Norman or Charlotte Area home Seller, Seller financing can be a great way to get a house sold without slashing the price. By recognizing the millions of people who can't get traditional financing as potential buyers, resourceful property sellers (and their real estate agents) can minimize their time investment in getting a property sold. Even better, sellers who offer financing can usually get a higher asking price for their property, even in the slowest markets.

Most Lake Norman and Charlotte area home sellers would never consider offering financing to the buyer directly because they are not aware of the benefits and/or don't fully understand how creating a note works. Let's evaluate the advantages!

There are three advantages to Seller Financing :

1. MORE BUYERS. Seller financing is very powerful when the market is slow or when there are many similar houses on the market. Listing the house as 'offering seller financing' will make the house stand out and attract more buyers. In this tight lending market many individuals cannot get funding from a bank. Offering financing will open the doors to these prospective customers as well, essentially significantly increasing the pool of potential buyers.

2. MORE MONEY. Seller financing also brings the property seller another advantage. Offering to carry back a note will bring a unique demographic of buyers who are willing to pay more for a given property than the general population.

3: LONG TERM PROFIT. When the seller finances the buyer, they get to act as "the bank". That means they could structure the deal to collect interest. Over time, if the seller holds on to their note, this can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in additional income.

The Strategy

Even when these benefits to "carryback" lending are made clear, many Lake Norman and Charlotte area sellers are still hesitant to offer financing because they are entering unfamiliar territory. It's a natural, human response to be uncomfortable with new things and things you do not understand.

For many property sellers, considering owner financing when they've only dealt with buyers via traditional funding is definitely "new and unfamiliar". But once sellers understand the process, they are likely to choose seller financing instead of the unattractive option of cutting the listed price or waiting indefinitely for the a buyer.

A seller-financed real estate sale is simply a real estate transaction where the seller acts as "the lending institution". The seller sets the price, determines and accepts a down payment, and then finances the remaining balance. The final step is the part that may scare some sellers, but in actuality, it can be very simple.

For example, If the sales price is $100,000.00, and the buyer gives the seller $10,000.00 cash (the agent.s fee will be deducted from this down payment), the seller will finance the balance of $90,000.00. The buyer and seller would then agree to the terms, such as the interest rate and the total term, and use an attorney to create the mortgage document and close the deal. From that point on, the buyer sends the seller monthly payments for the house he/she has just purchased.

Special Circumstances

The whole process can really be that simple. But, there are some substantial differences between a seller-financed deal and one that relies on traditional bank funding.

First of all, the seller in this example does not receive a large, one-time payment at the time of the sale. In fact, they will only receive the down payment, and in some situations, most of that will go towards paying the real estate agent's fee. On the other hand, the seller will be receiving monthly payments at a decent interest rate, but this income stream can't be used as a down payment for a new house.

Since many home sellers are also looking to buy another property, the seller will need to get enough at closing to pay their own down payment. Without this payment, the seller's hands will be tied when they look to purchase another house and need to have a substantial amount of funds available. There is a common solution to this issue, however.

The Solution

In order to get the money the seller needs from the loan they just created, the seller could sell the monthly note payments to a specialist buyer for a lump sum of cash. If the seller finds someone willing to buy the payments, now they can "have their cake and eat it too".

In summary.

Step one: Use the seller finance option to find unique customers willing to buy the house at a higher price than would have been possible otherwise and complete the real estate transaction quickly.

Step two: Decide on the terms of the deal and create the note.

Step three: If the property seller needs immediate cash to buy another house or for any other reason, their new incoming payment stream can be resold. The person who buys the future payments from the seller will provide the funding to act as a down payment on a new house, and every party involved in the deal comes out smiling.

Information courtesy of Bassett, Bassett and Associates Investors

For additional information or assistance, contact your Birkdale at Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 or by email.

See also:

Be The First To See Birkdale and Lake Norman Hot New Listings as soon as they become available.

What would my Birkdale at Lake Norman Home Sell For?

Birkdale |Lake Norman|Charlotte = Your Realtor For Life - Roby Robertson

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