Archive for the 'Blake Garvin' Category

TalkCharlotte…Much More than a Hunch!

May 21st, 2009 categories: Betsy Mayer, Blake Garvin, Donna Johnston, Jackie Stutts, Michael Gibbons, Rhonda Gibbons, The Charlotte Scoop

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!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Secret to Selling Your Home? Get a geranium

May 6th, 2009 categories: Blake Garvin, Market Snap, Myers Park

OK maybe it’s not quite that simple ~ but I am big believer in simple solutions for complex problems. It’s tough out there ~ I bet as a team we have 100 people who want to, are itching to move to Charlotte ~ but they can’t sell their homes! Sound familiar?

I think you’ll be interested in the “Cinderella Story” of little ole’ 1622 Geneva Court in the heart of Myers Park. This is one of Blake’s favorite listings, nestled on a secret cul de sac the lovely brick ranch is but a stones throw (literally) from the Freedom Park Lake. Look at the before and after pictures below and you’ll see that all this charmer needed was a gallon of black paint, some pine straw, elbow grease and maybe one nudge from the fairy Godmother!

People ask us all the time why should I list my home with RE/MAX, with the TalkCharlotte team? Well a cliche is only a cliche if it’s not true ~ it’s true we do go the extra mile. Blake made some simple suggestions (dramatic results) the homeowners jumped on it ~ IT WORKED! It’s not always this clear or simple but we find a way to add value to listing your home. We are testing out personalized blog posts about our listings - asking our homeowners to tell the story, what they love about the home they’re selling ~  they’re connecting wth prospective buyers ~ IT”S WORKING! Click We Don’t Want to Sell and then Queens Beans for the stories.

So back to Geneva Court…

BEFORE

AFTER  Taadaaa!

So there she is Cinderella..to be fair the after picture is Charlotte in full bloom…but here’s what we did for about $300!

1. Black paint on shutters, handrail and awning $50
2. Dozen shrubs in the front $120
3. Cut down scraggly magnolias front door $ elbow grease
4. Pulled up the overgrown money grass $elbow grease
5. Pressure wash the (beautiful) brick garden wall $ borrow a washer, elbow grease
6. Geranium in clay pot front steps $15
7. New Mulch or if you prefer pine straw $150

You can do this! If you or a friend who is thinking of selling a home in this challenging market - drop us a note click right here we might just be able to help you paint a prettier picture and tell the story of your home! Stories Sell and that will make all the difference!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 5 Comments »

We Don’t (really) Want to Sell our Plaza Midwood Home…

April 30th, 2009 categories: Blake Garvin, Charlotte Lifestyle, Market Snap, Plaza Midwood

…but we must!
It’s surprising and a bit curious that when we list and help sell a client’s home we’re helping them do something they (often) don’t want to do ~ and worse than that we’re good at it! Selling a home can be bittersweet. Sure you’re excited about the new home or moving to a new city but there’s usually a lot of stuff you’ll miss ~ most people love their homes!

Blake’s clients the Kerns are no exception ~ Nicole, Bryan and their adorable daughter Kathryn love their Winter Street home and the Midwood neighborhood. After all who wants to miss out on Midwood Maynia, Plaza Midwood’s annual family fun festival! It’s this weekend by the way lean more by clicking right here.

Back to the Kerns, as we know life moves on and sometimes we have no choice but to move - relocation, job change, school choice or downsizing. What is too often overlooked by buyers is that the very home they want to buy has most likely been loved and cared for. Read Nicole Kern’s beautiful note about their 1904 Winter Street home which has been obviously loved and cared for - click here for a virtual tour.

Nicole talks fondly of her Midwood neighborhood and with good reason ~ this area have been one of Charlotte’s most sought after locations. Plaza-Midwood has an eclectic (OK funky) mix of traditional southern charm, urban revitalization and buzz worthy arts, dining and culture!

So if you live in Charlotte but haven’t been to Midwood lately then this weekend might be the time to get on over for Midwood Maynia. And if you are in the market for what Blake desribes as a ShamWow House well then you just might want to take a look at 1904 Winter Street ~ make sure you call Blake though because the Kerns are not to eager to sell (we’re kidding of course!)
Oh and almost forgot Blake is hosting an open house at 1904 Winter Street, Sunday May 17th - email Blake here for all the details!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

TalkCharlotte Team “Chips In” at Charlotte Realtor Care Day 2009

April 28th, 2009 categories: About Our Realtors, Betsy Mayer, Blake Garvin, Donna Johnston, Giving Back in Charlotte, Jackie Stutts, Rhonda Gibbons, Sunday Inspiration

Chipped and scraped and scraped and cleaned and painted would be more like! All for a great cause, for some great people in a great City! On Friday 600 Charlotte Realtors teamed up and fanned out to work ~ fixing roofs, painting and doing general maintenance on  33 homes in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties. Helping those people who can not perform critical home maintenance and repairs due to financial or physical limitations.
Fridays are a busy day for Realtors so we are extra proud that the entire TalkCharlotte team was out early ~ Jackie, Blake and Besty the earliest birds ~ Starbucks delayed Michael, Rhonda and Donna ~ we worked the entire day. Our job (we thought) was to prop up and paint a porch on a traditional Charlotte home in the Plaza Midwood area ~ little did we know we’d be scraping and painting an entire home! It seemed a little daunting at first but we channeled “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” and got to work making sure we could “Move that Bus” at 4PM! The homeowners worked with us side by side and the day flew by ~ it was fun and satisfying for everyone! (please click on the picture titles for a special treat!)

Nice work if you can get it!

Up on the roof!

You know when you look around you see all kinds of people doing amazing things for others. If you are “being the change you wish to see in the world” then KUDOS and keep it up! If you’ve been on the sidelines please consider getting out there and doing some good for someone else – I guarantee in the end it will do more for you!

Move that Bus!!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte is a Perfect Four (seasons)!

September 27th, 2008 categories: Blake Garvin, Charlotte Lifestyle

Actually I think we all feel Charlotte is perfect especially at this time of year. As the summer turns to fall and our minds turn from warm days and gorgeous beach sunsets to crisp fall football weekends and mountain foliage. I know sounds like some sappy commercial but it’s true Charlotte is so close to the mountains and the beach that you will once again fall in love with the change of seasons!

Blake says it best….

“Whether it is the beach or the mountains you like, Charlotte is surely close to both.  I love my city life, but it is nice to be able to go away for a short weekend to a beautiful beach or a nice mountain inn.  I love both of the beaches I have visited……Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina is laid back the quaint town within walking distance.  While Charleston, South Carolina on the other hand has such great history to learn about in the downtown area and then there are so many beautiful beaches to choose from close by.  We love the Wild Dunes resort. And remember with temperate weather the beaches are really a year round attraction for Charlotteans!

If you are up for more of a getaway into the mountains, I must recommend the Grove Park Inn.  It has a amazing golf course and spa with wonderful accommodations and great restaurants to choose from, you don’t even need to leave the resort if you don’t want to. Asheville, is right there known for its funky art and eclectic restaurants.  And don’t miss the Biltmore Christmas a must do!  There is something for everyone in Asheville and best of all you could do it in a day trip if you wanted to from Charlotte. Inn, this is about 15 minutes from the Grove Park and full of great history and tours to choose from.  They also have wonderful gardens, a winery, horse back riding tours, even some off-roading in SUVs if that is your pleasure.  There is something for everyone in Asheville and best of all you could do it in a day trip if you wanted to from Charlotte.”

Thank you Blake. I think you summed up very well why so many people find Charlotte to be the perfect place to build a career, raise a family or just enjoy the four seasons!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »