Friday, June 27, 2014

US National Whitewater Center

Just about my favourite place in Charlotte for a number of reasons:

1. It's free to visit.

2. I can take the dog.

3. It's filled with upbeat friendly people

4. They have great Special Events.

5. If you want to try ziplines or rafting or climbing or kayaks the amazing facility and helpful, knowledgeable staff make the experience unforgettable!

What more could you want!

Check it out at USNWC.org

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Ever thought about Investing in Real Estate?

Smart investors can do well in Real Estate - and you don't have to be a multi-millionaire to get started! You can find good potential rental properties in Charlotte right now at less than $80,000. Making smart choices throughout the process is crucial however & I love this simple list of things to consider before getting started.

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/06/07/rules-investing-real-estate-idiot/

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Reed Gold Mine - Fun, Fascinating & Free!!

Where was the first gold find in the USA? Right here in North Carolina!

Reed Gold Mine is only about 30 miles from Charlotte. You can tour the site, part of the mine and see exhibits relating to the mining process. Best part - you can pan for gold yourself - you never know what you might find!

Reed Gold Mine is an NC Historical Site. Entrance is free and it costs just $3 to pan for gold!

Full information CLICK HERE

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Customer Service and your Real Estate Agent

Buying or Selling a home is complicated. In addition to the stress of the process my clients are coping with the stress of moving. In some cases additional stresses are added by the fact they have recently lost a loved one, moving to an unfamiliar area or going through divorce. Nobody needs to add more stress to the situation by having to manage a difficult or unresponsive Realtor!

At the stressful times in our lives having support from professionals we trust is essential. Whether you find your Agent through a referral, an internet ad. or a yard sign it's important to take some time and make sure that this is a good relationship for YOU. Take the time to interview more than one agent and think about the rapport you have with them. They may be the busiest agent in town or have found a great house for your cousin but are they right for YOU? If you don't feel you can call your agent when you have questions, or, even worse, you don't trust the answers that they give you - then take some time to shop around.

Good agents take the time to get to know you and to understand your needs. They ask questions and they listen to the answers. They provide the services you need to meet YOUR goals, not theirs!

Good agents must communicate with you. Make an agreement for them to contact you on a regular schedule but they shouldn't be surprised or unavailable if you want to speak to them outside that schedule.

Good agents know what's happening with your transaction. Does your agent has 13 other listings but still talk knowledgeably about yours when you call them unexpectedly? If so then you probably have a more effective agent than one with just a couple of other clients but who never answers your calls and has to be reminded what's going on every time you make contact.

Good agents are organized and punctual. If they forget to email over those important papers when they promised to or they leave you waiting at a viewing without so much as a phone call - doesn't it make you wonder what else they've forgotten?

Good agents are honest and don't just tell you what you want to hear. A good professional will do their research before they give you an answer. Telling a potential client that their house isn't worth what they are hoping for is difficult. A good agent will carefully explain and provide supporting evidence for their recommendations.

Good agents don't pass you off to assistants without informing you and agreeing to a new communication plan. Real Estate assistants can be an excellent resource for you if you are working with a busy agent. However their involvement in your transaction shouldn't be a surprise and they should be as knowledgeable about your situation as the agent you hired is.

Good agents stay in touch after closing. Once that commission check is cashed does your agent disappear? What if you have new questions - will they still be there with an answer for you? Keeping in touch with previous clients isn't just a marketing tool for good Agents it should be an invitation for you to use them as a resource in Real Estate matters in the future too.

All agents should understand that their potential clients have choices. Real Estate customers should seek out an agent who consistently provides the very highest level of customer service in every transaction.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Facebook Page

Check out my Facebook page here!

Selling you Home - Showings and Pets!

When a potential buyer pulls up outside your home for the first time there's usually a sense of excitement. They may have looked at dozens of listing brochures and they've chosen yours as one of the properties they would like to see. As the Seller you want to do everything you can to make this showing successful and planning how you will include your pets in this process is extremely important.

Small Pets - Rodents, Fish, Reptiles etc..

There are two problems with showing a house with smaller pets. The first is smells and cleanliness and the second is the "yuk" factor. Make sure rodent cages are fresh and that fish tanks, especially large aquariums, are clean.
If you keep a tarantula or lizard or rat in your home you may want to think about relocating it while your house is on the market. Some buyers cannot move past the fact that they have seen a hand sized hairy spider in what they had hoped would be their baby's nursery. Some agent too are 'creeped out' by these kinds of pets.

Cats

The main problems which I encounter with cats are allergies, smelly & inappropriately located litter boxes and extensive, complicated instructions.
There is little you can do to help a potential buyer with allergies unless you want to relocate the cat. You can, however overcome the litter box issue. You may not think that your litter box location is odd or inappropriate but most people don't like to see litter boxes anywhere near the kitchen, childrens' rooms nor in confined areas like closets. Buyers who do not themselves have cats will frequently note that there is a litter box odor - even if it is very slight and you probably don't notice it. Invest in the best odor killing kitty litter that you can afford during the period your home is for sale and make sure you keep the box clean. Remove the box during showings if you can.
The final issue with cats relates to complex instructions for not letting the cat out or not letting the cat into certain parts of the house. Unfortunately I have had experiences with both overly friendly and overly aggressive cats which make this difficult to achieve. Try to limit the number of instructions and find ways to manage the cat which don't lead to your prospective buyer being so anxious and distracted that they forget to look at the house!

Dogs

It's hard to really get a good look at a house when there is a dog in a crate barking incessantly or whining for attention. Wherever possible remove your dog for a viewing and never let a dog be loose in the house while there is a showing. Find a neighbor who can help or book them into a doggy daycare if they aren't crate trained.
Make sure that dog items - chew toys, beds and dirty food bowls are kept to a minimum and that you keep up with cleaning pet hair from carpets & soft furnishings. If you have pet stains on carpets or furnishings then the time to take care of that is before you list the house for sale. Don't let an old stain which you've become accustomed to be a turn-off to a buyer.

When working with buyers you can never anticipate what may be the deciding factors in which home they choose. Although your pets won't remain in the house after you leave don't let their presence be a 'turn off'. I recently had a buyer who was disappointed to find a cat eating off the kitchen counter. It may not have been the only reason they didn't chose the house - but it was definitely a part of the decision.

Downsizing

Empty Nesters and Retirees will often agree that downsizing from a larger family home is an attractive proposition. They hope to save money, save time and energy on repairs and maintenance and maybe move to be close to family. There are a lot of things to consider, however before actually 'pulling the trigger'. Thinking about selling or storing treasured belongings which won't fit in a smaller home and wondering where visiting family will sleep, losing contact with local friends & neighbours and getting used to new ones are just a few of the considerations which make this is a complicated process.

Check out this article from the Charlotte Observer this weekend.

Bicycle Sharing in Charlotte

Charlotte B-Cycle is a Bike Sharing program which currently offers over 200 bikes at 24 locations in and around Charlotte. The program is approaching its second anniversary and is as popular as ever.

Riders can choose to annual or daily passes. A daily pass costs just $8 and includes the first 30 minutes of any trip. Annual passes are $65 and just $15 for students and includes the first 60 minutes of any trip. Annual members can even pick up a free bicycle helmet which is theirs to keep!

Full details of all locations is available HERE including up to date information on bicycle availability at each station.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Add Shade to your Patio




Shade sails over a back yard patio


Patio Shade Ideas Under $300

Not all shady deals are bad. These patio shade projects are each under $300. Read


Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

© Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Kids love being on the Swim Team!

Summer's here and all round North Charlotte kids are competing on their Neighborhood Swim Team as their families cheer them on.

Most subdivisions with a pool have a Swim Team (Davis Lake, Wellington, Highland Creek, Radbourne, Skybrook, North Stone etc.) and this is a great opportunity not only for the kids to improve their skills but for the whole community to come together in a fun environment.  Attending a Swim Team meet is like a big neighborhood pep rally as one community competes against another.  Children as a young as 4 compete in races as their parents hang out together by the pool.  Friendships are built, swimming skills are developed, neighbors bond.  The bonds overflow into the community as the teams raise funds at garage sales and local restaurant nights.  

Not all kids who live in a subdivision will attend school together - but during the summer Swim Team allows children and their families to find friendships close to home - and those friendships last from year to year as they meet up pool side to race again.  

Of course being a strong swimmer is a great benefit but these kids learn a lot more than freestyle and gain a lot more than race ribbons as their whole families share these great Summer friendships around the community pool.



Pick Your Own Produce

There are many locations around Charlotte where you can Pick your Own Produce.
Check out the Charlotte Observer's listing & interactive map HERE.
It always tastes better when you picked it yourself!

Understanding PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)

Lower downpayment loans are again becoming available and buyers who take them will be paying PMI. The cost of this insurance adds to the monthly cost of home-ownership and isn't tax deductible.  Home buyers should understand what PMI is and how they can avoid it.

PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) protects your lender if you default on your loan.  Although the insurance protects the lender - you pay the premium, generally every month along with your loan payment.

Almost everyone taking a loan on a home purchase with less than a 20% downpayment will be subject to PMI but there are couple of ways to avoid it.

  • If you can't afford to make the 20% downpayment then you may be able to take an additional loan to make up the shortfall.  The additional loan payments may be cheaper than PMI depending on the interest rates available to you.  You should discuss this option with your loan officer and make sure you have all the financial information you need to make a comparison.
  • Another alternative may be to ask for help with the downpayment amount from a family member.  Lenders are very cautious about these arrangements. The money MUST be a gift, not a loan arrangement and must usually come from a close family member. Make sure you discuss this with your lender so that you can provide the correct documentation & information they require.

If you can't get the 20% downpayment make sure you understand how to cancel the PMI once you have reached a 20% ownership in your home by making regular mortgage payments.  Ask your mortgage company before you take the loan what the procedures will be for ending the PMI payments and make sure you follow the instructions carefully. 

If you need more information about loans or PMI let me know!

New Listing

http://www.estately.com/listings/info/9546-steele-meadow-road


Monday, June 9, 2014

Highland Creek - a great North Charlotte Neighborhood

There's something for everyone in Highland Creek! 

Highland Creek is a thriving neighborhood which spans the border of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties north of Charlotte.  

The community boasts a Golf Course, 4 community pools, tennis courts, community rooms, an Elementary School, parks & walking trails.

Properties in Highland Creek include everything from town-homes to 5 bedroomed Golf Course view houses.  There are also two assisted living communities within the subdivision - so the community is very diverse.  

There are numerous Community activities from Swimming lessons and Tennis Clinics to Book Clubs and Movies in the Park.  Full information about the community and all the activities can be found HERE.

Highland Creek is convenient to both I-77 and I-85 and will benefit from the pending completion of the North-East section of I-485 scheduled for late 2014. Shopping nearby ranges from local stores and coffee shops to the nearby Concord Mills Mall.

About 13,000 people live in Highland Creek.  There are currently 97 active listings "For Sale" in Highland Creek ranging from about $150,000 to over $400,000.  


If you are interested in more information about living in Highland Creek or would like more information about properties which are available for sale - please contact me using the form at the top of this page.


Sunday, June 8, 2014

Ready to sell? What do Brass fixtures say about your home?

Brass is (not) back | CharlotteObserver.com

It was once the standard finish but now it makes homes look outdated - even if other features are modern. 

If you have brass light fixtures, bathroom fittings and door knobs consider changing them out to a more modern finish.  It's a relatively small investment.  There are lots of choices and this can make a big difference in how buyers view your home.

Here are some great ideas for making these kinds of updates to your bathroom

Friday, June 6, 2014

Sellers - Choosing a Realtor.

For most people their home is the biggest investment they will ever make. Finding the right person to help you sell your home should be a process, not a snap decision.
  • Interview more than one agent before listing your home.
  • Look for someone who's really done their homework. Your home's special attributes and those of your neighbourhood should be the main focus.
  • You will spend a considerable amount of time working with your Realtor and need to have a good rapport.
  • Find someone you trust and respect. Take time to think about how honest they are with you about their experience and knowledge and whether the information they are presenting is honest and fair. Are they just telling you want they think you want to hear?
  • Pricing. Realtors set their own commission rates. There is no standard rate set by the local board of Realtors and you should always ask how much commission they charge and how they split that commission with the agent who will bring the buyer to the table.
  • How many other clients does this agent have and how many other team members do they have to support them? It's important to know that they will be there when you need them. If they have 23 other listings and no help they will be much less responsive to your needs than if they have 8.

Selling a house is stressful. Moving is stressful. Having a reliable and knowledgeable professional on your team can help limit that stress and give you confidence throughout the entire process. Choose carefully!

It's a Beautiful Day at Davis Lake!

Local Farmer's Markets

I just love having fresh, tasty, local fruits & veg. - especially during the summer months.
Check out the numerous local farmers' markets for fresh produce.
Click HERE for listings.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Mecklenburg County Information Search Website

When you're thinking about a new home there's lots of information you'd love to have.

Most people (even if they don't have kids) want to know about the school district, you may want to know about demographics or where the local parks are. Even after you move in you may want to know where the nearest Fire Station is (your insurance company may ask you) or what day garbage is picked up.

You can find all this information on Mecklenburg County's GeoPortal Website. Just search by address and select from the "What do you want to know" drop down.

http://maps.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/geoportal/

5 Deck Makeovers for less than $300


Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Real Estate Agents & Renters

Most people use a Realtor when they plan to buy or sell a home but it's not so common for people looking for a rental property to do so. Some people just don't know that a Realtor can work with renters and some have found that it's difficult to find a Realtor who is willing to do so.

The Charlotte Multiple Listing Service includes many rental properties. As of today there are nearly 1200 rental properties listed. Of course there are many other sources for rental listings and many rental owners will rely on other methods - the sign in the front yard, the Craigslist ad. etc. etc.. In my experience, however, most of the larger, reputable agents are listing their rental properties on the MLS - making it a one stop shop for renters.

The main reason that some Agents don't work with Renters is because the commission they receive on a successful transaction is small compared to that which they earn with a sale. Agents are wary about taking clients to see 5 - 10 rental properties and being paid little more than enough to cover their costs. Some agents will ask for a fee from Renters - maybe $200 - up front to protect them against this and many renters find this to be a good investment.

There are significant benefits to Renters in using their own agent when looking for a place to rent. Many of these are the same as the benefits of using a Realtor when buying. It's always great to have someone on your side in a major transaction - and most leases in Charlotte are for at least 12 months. The other main reason is pure convenience. If you have to contact 5 different agents to make appointments to view 5 different properties it's much more complicated than having 1 agent show you all 5. This may take 1/2 a day - but you will also have the value of one expert's objective opinion about the properties you have seen.

If you would like more information about using a Realtor to find a rental property - just drop me an email. I'd be happy to advise you.

Taste of Charlotte

June 6th - June 8th
11:00 - 11:00 Friday & Saturday
11:00 - 8:00 Sunday (Family Fun Day)

Downtown Charlotte hosts the Taste of Charlotte Festival with an opportunity to savour all kinds of tasty dishes from local food vendors.

Admission to the event is FREE.

Food & beverage offerings and kids activities are purchased with "Coins" which you can purchase (cash only!) at the event booths.

There's something for everyone here - including entertainment and shopping alongside the over 30 food vendors.

Weather forecast calls for a Beautiful Weekend - See you there!

Check HERE for more information!

http://www.tasteofcharlotte.com/index.cfm

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Must Have Tools for Tenants.

Tenants don't undertake home repairs but they should still own a few well chosen tools to help them with quick fixes.
Check out this useful article which makes great recommendations.....

http://www.realtor.com/advice/the-tenants-toolbox-must-have-tools-for-renters/

Beautiful Greenways

Charlotte has a network of Greenways and we're lucky enough here in the University area to have easy access to one of the longest stretches of completed Greenway in the City.

Greenways are perfect for cyclists, walkers & joggers and anyone who likes to take some time enjoying the natural environment.

Check out the links below for more information including maps, parking and access points.

Mallard Creek/Clarks Creek Greenway

Toby Creek Greenway

Monday, June 2, 2014

Check Your HVAC System - simple tips!

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Thanks for this Review!

I received this great review from a recent client who listed their property with me in April 2014.

Thanks so much Mr. & Mrs. B!

Rating : 5/5
Would definitely recommend to my friends

Louise was very prompt and well prepared to sell our house in Charlotte. She did not waste any time in getting it listed and communicated very well during the whole process. Overall she has exceeded our expectations and we would definitely recommend doing business with her. A+.

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Excellent Customer Service in Real Estate

As an independent Realtor working for a relatively small agency I know that sometimes I going to miss out on clients to the big local Real Estate Companies. Carolinas Realty Group may not have that same name recognition as some but we pride ourselves on offering a custom experience to all of our clients and you just won’t find the same kind of commitment to service anywhere else!

Real Estate isn’t about ‘cookie-cutter’ deals – and I don’t believe in putting together a “cookie –cutter” package of services for my clients. I like to emphasize the Personalized experience which you get when you use me as your Realtor.

• I take the time to really understand your goals. Do you need to move quickly? Is list price a deal breaker? How open are you to different search areas? I want to know..... What’s important to YOU?

• I take the time to review all the issues which will affect either the market value of your home or your ability to buy– and help you reach the right decision about buying or selling.

• I will be honest with you about what’s happening in the market and how that affects you. I will provide you with statistics and market data which will help you decide how to proceed.

I will value your time and give you the value of mine.

• I will communicate – not because of an obligation to contact you “x” times per week but because unless we talk often I can’t know what you need from me and how to best address your needs. If you contact me - I WILL respond.

• I will be available to you – by phone, email, text or in person to help you with the negotiation, the inspections, the repair process, the legal aspects or if you just need to chat about how things are going.

• Customer Service is my #1 Priority. That’s not just something I say, it’s the way I run my business. My goal is your 100% satisfaction.

I work with buyer and sellers throughout the Charlotte Metro area. I also advise Investors and clients looking for Rental Properties in some local markets.

Summer's Coming - End of School Dates for CMS

Feels like Summer already doesn't it?!
With these long sunny days the kids can't wait for school to be over and vacation time to begin.

Last Day of School for CMS is TUESDAY JUNE 10th.

That means fun in the sun for 1000s of students and an easier commute for the rest of us as those school buses pull off the road for the summer!

High School Graduations

North Mecklenburg High School Bojangles Coliseum Friday June 13th 12 noon
Mallard Creek High School Bojangles Coliseum Friday June 13th 3:30 pm
ZB Vance High School Bojangles Coliseum Monday June 16th 8:30 am