Archive for the 'Donna Johnston' 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 »

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 »

Best ‘hood in Charlotte! Montibello

March 18th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Communities, Donna Johnston, Montibello, Real Estate Grind, Rhonda Gibbons

Looking for an established neighborhood without your neighbor on top of you? Let’s talk about Montibello. Montibello is conveniently located near the corner of Carmel and Quail Hollow Rd. A few of the streets in Montibello line Carmel Country Club’s north course. You will immediately feel at home with the rolling, curvy, tree lines streets. All day long you see your neighbors walking their dogs or exercising on our safe streets. Montibello has community events about once a quarter. Although you don’t have to be a member of Carmel Country Club to live in this neighborhood, about 65% of the residence are.

The architecture ranges from 1968 to brand new homes..yes, homes are being torn down here too. Some of the older homes range from Colonial Style, French Provencial, and even Contemporary. None of the homes look the same. 

Ten reasons why to live in Montibello:  

·         Two of your finest realtors live here Donna Johnston and Rhonda Gibbons

·         There is a very active neighborhood association that only costs you $75 per year.

·         Convenient location to the Harris YMCA and Carmel Country Club which is great for a pool.

·         Walking distance to Olde Town which features Starbucks, Harris Teeter, CVS, Alan Daniels Salon, Great Clips, Lotus II Chinese Cuisine (they deliver), McCalisters Deli, Elite Cleaners, Hawthornes Pizza, Surroundings Gift Shop, The UPS Store and The Frame Warehouse. Wow, I didn’t even know there were that many stores in that little shopping center.

·         Did I say there is a Starbucks in walking distance???

·         Families stay in Montibello and tend to move to different streets for more space. Family’s are actually from Charlotte.

·         Kid friendly loving neighborhoods. We all watch out for one another.

·         Well taken care of homes with gorgeous landscaping.

·         Homes are moderately priced from $450-875,000.

·         This is a very stable neighborhood with less than 2% of the homes on the market at any given time.

Ok…..11 reasons… great kids in this neighborhood. My step son Nick and our dogs:)

So what are you waiting for? It is a great time to take a drive down our tree lined streets with the Bradford Pear and Cherry Trees blooming. It really is breathtaking. Know any other great neighborhoods to feature? Just drop me a line and let me know. 

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: No Comments »

Carmel Country Club Home for Sale-Top of The Hill in Montibello.

March 17th, 2009 categories: Communities, Donna Johnston

This home is owned by our very own Donna Johnston. As her personal home it has been well maintained and is priced to sell. Alan and Donna are the second owners of this  home that was constructed in 1968 by the late Paul Buck, head of the Coliseum Authority for over 30 years.

Situated on Carmel Country Club’s North Course, the rear yard and patio feature unobstructed views of the 13th green and 6th fairway. This brick French Provincial style home offers 5 BR 3.5 BA and has been meticulously maintained and updated. The enclosed front courtyard with Charleston style iron fencing & carriage lights opens to the front entry with new mahogany double doors with glass and wrought iron detail. Gleaming 5” rustic oak wood floors and crown molding are found throughout the main level.

 

The foyer opens to the open kitchen, breakfast and family rooms. Beautifully updated kitchen has crown molding, recessed lighting, Ubatuba granite counter tops, Travertine tile backsplash, breakfast bar and walk-in pantry with wood shelving. A planning center has a built-in desk and glass front display cabinets. Stainless steel appliances include a new LG refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, microwave and Dacor dual fuel 36” range with 6 gas burners, convection/conventional baking and vent.

Hallway just off the kitchen provides access to the tiled laundry room with overhead cabinets and utility sink, mud/utility room with built-in storage lockers and finished 2-car garage with built-in shelving and new 18’ x 7’ Carriage door with extra quiet opener.

French doors in the breakfast area and family room open to the brick walled 600 square foot patio with unobstructed views of the golf course and Polk speakers. This well maintained home has a new 30 year architectural roof, invisible fencing, new commercial gutters in 2003, new Trane AC units in 2003, Low-e windows added in the rear in 2001 and in the front in 2008, new garage Carriage door and new front entry doors.

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte realtors (and their kids) Giving to help the Soul!

August 12th, 2008 categories: About Our Realtors, Donna Johnston, Giving Back in Charlotte, Rhonda Gibbons

One of the things that makes me proud to be the team leader of Charlotte Premier Realty is how my team gives back to the community. Personally, I am involved in many charities but the one I like to talk about the most is supporting my children in raising money for World Vision. (by the way rated 4 stars by Charity Navigator!) With the help of our church St. Johns Episcopal ,and the volunteers, the youth at St. Johns have raised over $330,000 in the past 3 years ~ fasting and sleeping in makeshift cardboard huts! They were even featured in a World Vision promotional video in 2007 and I am proud to say 3 of my teens are in this video. It still brings tears to my eyes to watch that one.  

Another great thing we do with every transaction we have is we give back to the Children’s Miracle Network.  RE/MAX was one of the leading companies to give to that charity. Rhonda Gibbons is also very involved with giving back. She and her husband Mike started a cycling team MojoRiding which in four short years has raised over $250,000 on behalf of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and National multiple sclerosis Society. Ask Rhonda about her 24 Hours of Booty ride ~ its not what you think!  Rhonda’s bike team ride each year in local Charlotte charity events as the 24 Hours of Booty and the MS ride to the Beach. I am not sure how Rhonda does it and sells so much Real Estate but her dedication is unflappable. 

So what do you do to feed your soul? I challenge any family to just 5 hours a month to any community service. From helping in the parks to donating to whatever cause you believe in. We’d love to hear what you are doing ~ please leave us a comment below ~ we listen!

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: No Comments »