Archive for the 'Good stuff we find' Category

Charlotte North Carolina Turns 18!

July 2nd, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Good stuff we find, Market Snap, Raintree, The Charlotte Scoop

Woohoo Charlotte Happy 18th! The Charlotte Observer reports today that Charlotte, North Carolina is now the 18th largest city in the United States.

I’d like to add that we are number one in another category:
Number One: Fewest people who say they want to move/relocate somewhere else!

I can’t tell you how many people we talk to who are itching to move to Charlotte from Michigan, Florida, New Jersey, New York…and mostly California! That’s not to say they’re aren’t great, incredible things in all those cities**  but for overall quality of life Charlotte is winning out!  **remember I’m a 1979 transplant from Scarsdale, New York. I Love New York city but would prefer to visit.

In the last year I’ve had one person say they wanted to move from Charlotte (good reason - they missed family)

So the good news is Charlotte continues to grow 2.7% in the last year! If you’re in the mood to join that number here are some really fantastic homes in the Raintree golf community in South Charlotte just to whet your appetite!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

“Mommie are we going to have to move?”

May 27th, 2009 categories: Foreclosure, Good stuff we find

I was ready to write a very different post when I came upon this story of a fellow Realtor & blogger Ryan Rockwood who wrote a book about foreclosure…for children! It hit me like a ton of bricks (I have two kids Ryan 17 and Emily 15) Wow you don’t hear too much about how all this financial upheaval is impacting the most precious and innocent…our kids.

I don’t know Ryan personally but he is an active blogger, a smart guy and I think you should check out his book and his blog here. He talks a lot about distressed property and the foreclosure market and even though he’s in Rancho Palos Verdes CA you’ll learn a lot!

But back to the subject at hand, Ryan has written a book entitled Mia’s Home available on Amazon — it’s a kids book that does what a kids book is supposed to do — explain all this complicated mess in plain terms so kids too can understand, experience and learn from a very tough real-life situation . Ryan has also set up a website www.childrenofforeclosure.org with a lot more information.

As unpleasant as this subject is…it is equally that important. So if you, a friend or family member are in this situation I hope you’ll find Ryan Rockwood’s mission and book helpful. We are going to get through this but we will have to get through it together all of us even the most innocent of all!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Just in case you have not seen Susan Boyle, the British songbird!

April 19th, 2009 categories: Good stuff we find, Sunday Inspiration

Even if you’ve seen this I hope you’ll give another listen here and you might enjoy this earlier recording I found of Susan’s magnificent  Cry Me a River.

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Want that New House? Why Not Ask the Builder to Fix Yours!

April 14th, 2009 categories: Good stuff we find

“Desperate affairs require desperate measures”, Horatio Nelson put it well. Right now many sellers are desperate to move on to a bigger and better or smaller and saner home. Either way many of us feel like we’re stuck. Here’s an idea that’s so crazy it just might work.

Lew Sichelman, Chicago Tribune tells us about builders who are putting idle craftsman to work…fixing up homes of would be buyers so they can sell quicker so they can close on the builders home! Now that’s thinking out of the box! Read the full story here.

“Mulcrone called on builders to visit their would-be buyers’ “departure” houses to determine what can be done to make them more saleable. If a house needs a coat of paint, send a painter, she advised. If it needs some sprucing up outside, send over a landscaper.”Their old house is going to be someone else’s new house,” she explained, “so help it look new again.”

courtesy of www.somersethistoricalcenter.org

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Builder Magazine Says Charlotte a Top Real Estate Market for 2009

February 17th, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Good stuff we find, Market Snap, The Charlotte Scoop

Lucky number 13! Builder Magazine a very respected real estate resource says Charlotte, North Carolina is one (#13) of the Healthiest Real Estate markets for 2009! Maybe it’s the budding spring here in Charlotte or the stimulus package either way as Rhonda says we are starting to see the real estate 911 turn into real estate 411 — as people come alive and start to ask more questions!

Read the Builder Magazine article The Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009

People and businesses must love Charlotte, because they are moving there at a high rate. The metro area of 1.74 million has grown its residents by 4 percent annually over the last five years, one of the highest rates in the country. They are drawn by relatively affordable housing for the east coast—median home prices are only $210,900, and they’ve only “corrected” downward by only 4.2 percent in the last year…more

*image courtesy of http://www.ttdesign.com/illust13.htm
that pessimist wolves better watch out a new wind is blowing in Charlotte real estate

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King! Icing on your cake!

January 19th, 2009 categories: Good stuff we find, Sunday Inspiration

Anything I could write here would pale in comparison to the resonance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s own words as he extols his noble vision in his “I Have a Dream…” Listen and then act.

And I think as appropriate icing to Dr. King’s birthday cake is this stirring performance of Pride in the Name of Love by irish lads U2 I can only imagine too the feelings of U2 especially Bono as they played their homage to Dr. King on the very spot where he made his groundbreaking speech. Enjoy, there is always more we can do!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

You paid for parking for me? A Thanksgiving Gift from TalkCharlotte

November 26th, 2008 categories: Good stuff we find, Sunday Inspiration

Do yourself a BIG favor on Thanksgiving — I guarantee the family, the malls, the traffic, the food and most of all the parking will look very different for this uplifting story by Kurt Kuenne.  Click here to watch the short video (it’s 15 minutes so please make sure you have time to watch it uninterrupted — grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine and….smile!Thanks to the Go-Giver Blog and fantastic book for pointing us to this gem!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Ballantyne Has Booty!?

November 24th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Good stuff we find, The Charlotte Scoop

Are you looking for a hidden treasure in this tough economic time?  The South Charlotte community of Ballantyne has a bevy of budget-friendly and fun activities during this holiday season.

• The Ballantyne Village Theatre is offering a Retro Film Series during this holiday season.  You can enjoy a blast from the past with “The Grinch”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and “Wizard of Oz.”  You and your family can catch these flicks for only $5 (reserved seating) or $7 (unreserved seating).  I think that’s a great bargain for a movie classic, don’t you?

•  If you would prefer an outdoor activity, come enjoy a complimentary horse drawn carriage ride at Ballantyne Village shopping and dining venue on December 4th from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm.  This sounds like a great after dinner treat for couples enjoying dinner at one of the great restaurants at Ballantyne Village. 
•  Run, Run, as fast as you can, you can catch me in Ballantyne.  Come to Ballantyne Resort to view gingerbread houses.  The gingerbread houses are being judged through late November and will then be on display through late December.  Admission is free though donations are encouraged to benefit the Levine’s Children Hospital. The Gingerbread Man is a favorite book in my household thus I know that my family and I will be enjoying this event.

 Thus, you can enjoy the holiday season despite living with this tough economic time.  Who knows maybe you’ll opt to change the way that you navigate the entire year by seeking activities that are both fun and easy on your budget.

Spoken by Satyra Riggins | Discussion: No Comments »

“I should be gone in a week or so.”

November 16th, 2008 categories: Good stuff we find, Sunday Inspiration

The very fact that those are the words of an eleven year old young man should cut us to the bone and inspire each of us to do something to end the scourge of cancer. Brenden Foster age eleven is dying of leukemia and yet you’d be amazed to hear what is on HIS mind.

It will be very hard to watch this video and not cry ~ so it’s OK ~ but Brenden would want that to be the end of the tears. Brenden is spending his last days doing some good for others — what will we do with our days?

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Doryn’s Dish | Unique stuff for your Charlotte home & life

October 21st, 2008 categories: Good stuff we find

I stumbled upon a pretty cool website today Doryn’s Dish

Doryn Wallach has provided advice, solutions and product recommendations to the avid and loyal readers of her blog Doryn’s Dish, since 2005. Covering topics including health and beauty, home design and improvement, technology, websites, travel and other lifestyle-related products and services, Doryn has become the “go to resource” for reviews and recommendations on everything unique and different.

Check out Doryn’s Dish I think you’ll find some pretty cool (unique & useful) home and kid stuff

• Did you know that nearly one trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year…read more
• The nuddle (nap + cuddle = nuddle) was created to be the most comfortable and functional blanket…read more
• Should I use eggshell, gloss or flat? Brush up on paint finishes…read more

Today she is interviewing Gary Murphy of Maid Brigade (Charlotte locations) …Gary will unveil all those cleaning secrets and shortcuts that your sink sludge and dust balls don’t want you to know. He’ll also explain how to turn your home “green” - and keep it that way. Making your house more environmentally friendly isn’t just a silly trend.

So take a few minutes or check out Doryn’s Dish “Doryn’s philosophy has always been to recommend only those products and services that she personally tries and loves.” Maybe you will love ‘em too!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

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