Archive for the 'Market Snap' 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 »

Friday Fun: What NOT to do on Facebook…just saying

May 22nd, 2009 categories: About Our Realtors, Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Friday Fun, Giving Back in Charlotte, Market Snap

(Watch the video below)

Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, and that next big thing  ~ it’s all part of a big ball of virtual wax called social networking. We have come a long way (Thank God) from the anonymous “AOL chat rooms” where you did not know who you were chatting with and too many were out waving their “freak flags high”. Today online is different because it’s the same as real life ~ real people are using the internet to connect and stay connected ~ believe the naysayers at your own peril ~ but people are connecting, learning and engaging online and those online connections are building and strengthening relationships in the real world in coffee shops across America! Join In!

Today social media is all about transparency ~ transparency is the new black! TalkCharlotte is now well - known on Twitter follow us, Facebook become a fan and of course we’ve been right here a leader in real estate/community blogging.

Many say all this social networking is nonsense, a waste of time or worse. I can appreciate that and it can be a time drain but I also believe that social networking is here to stay and will evolve nicely. Where I think people go wrong is making it too much, sometimes ALL about themselves, their ideas, their links, their stories, their cat… (icanhascheezburger truly for the cat lovers, serious cat lovers)

Want social media to work for you? Replace these two words ME & NETWORK with these three YOU & CONNECT & ENGAGE and you will thrive in the “social media space” (been waiting to use some geek speak) You’ll enjoy the interactions, the learning and you will see time wasted will become time treasured.

Oh but there are rules, manners and well this video says it best….“suggest you not friend Donna Whitehouse” just saying…

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 »

Charlotte Real Estate, not like all the other kids!

April 1st, 2009 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Market Snap

Sure we enviously salivated a bit when Phoenixions, San Franciscans and Las Vegans (vegans well we won’t go there!) were sitting on real estate equity rocket ships - buy a home today, wait a bit and it doubled or more! Charlotte on the other hand plugged along with steady if not stratospheric home appreciations. Now don’t get me wrong we have our own hot areas, Dilworth, Myers Park and Ballantyne and there was a time when Charlotte’s uptown highrise condos were flipping faster than pancakes after midnight at the Athens Grill — pity those days are gone for Athens pancakes and flipping condos – I do miss Athens!

Today in the Charlotte Observer’s Stella Hopkins report Decline slows in area home prices says that while the Charlotte market may be down it is by no means out. Year over year we have seen a 8.2% home value decline while cities like Phoenix, San Francisco and Las Vegas have seen declines over 32% ~ 8.2% it’s kinda like totaling the car into the guardrail versus going right off the cliff! We don’t want to disparage any of our fellow cities, love them all and they’ll come back - but the point needs to be made that too often the national “crisis mode” media does not fairly reflect all housing markets! Real estate always was and always will be LOCAL - housing is a necessity and as Rhonda so eloquently put it this 911 market is turning into a 411 market. We’re here to help!

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 »

Experience Southpark: A sizzling mix of business and pleasure

November 18th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Real Estate Trends, Market Snap, Real Estate Grind

Would you enjoy the luxury of working and playing within minutes of each other? Would you enjoy a relatively short commute to your office rather than having to fight the Uptown traffic? These dreams can be your reality if you live in SouthPark, a mixed-use upscale community in South Charlotte. The SouthPark community is near the intersection of Sharon Road and Fairview Road about five miles from Uptown Charlotte. I love South Park because it is where I live and it is just 10 minutes from everything. Homes may be a little older but the neighborhoods are established with big trees and stable neighborhoods.

 

SouthPark is a diverse mix of high-rise condos, town homes, and single-family homes. The housing choices are varied limited only by your budget. Homes range in price from the low $100s to over $6 million. The average home price in SouthPark in September 2008 was $481,749.80. The average home price in SouthPark in October 2008 was $435,910.80. Thus, home prices appear to be slightly coming down in SouthPark despite the upscale nature of the community. This may be indicative of the current state of the economy.

 

The SouthPark community is home to the largest shopping mall in Charlotte, the SouthPark Mall . The mall sits at the intersection of Sharon Road and Fairview Road. SouthPark Mall is home to such upscale department stores as Nordstrom’s and Neiman Marcus. SouthPark Mall also includes several upscale dining options including Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant and The Cheesecake Factory. During the summer months, many SouthPark residents and Charlotte area residents enjoy the free concerts provided by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on the grounds of the mall. These free Summer Pops concerts are a great way to meet your neighbors.

The SouthPark business district is the second-largest business district in North Carolina with an estimated 40,000 workers and approximately 5 million square feet of office space according to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Major Charlotte companies like National Gypsum and Piedmont Natural Gas are headquartered in SouthPark. In addition, regional offices of national companies like Maersk and CSX are also in the SouthPark area. Working and living in the SouthPark community can be your reality.
These are only a few highlights of the SouthPark community. Do you want to hear more about the sights and sounds of the SouthPark area? We or your prospective neighbors would love to hear you. We can tell you why SouthPark is the place to be.

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: No Comments »

Fall in LOVE with Steel Creek: Convenience and Coasters Abound

November 15th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Kids, Market Snap, Real Estate Grind

 

The beautiful autumn leaves and the crisp morning air mean that fall has come to Charlotte. Are you looking for a Charlotte community with the convenience of shopping, dining, theme parks, and easy access to the major highways so that you have time to enjoy this great autumn weather? You should check out the lower Steele Creek community in southwest Charlotte.

 

Housing prices in the lower Steele Creek area are affordable considering all the amenities in the area. The homes in the area are a mix of older, established single-family homes, town homes, and new construction. The average home price in the lower Steele Creek area is $213,985.

 

The River Gate shopping center is the unofficial town center of the lower Steele Creek community. The shopping center sits at the intersection of Highway 49 (South Tryon Street) and Highway 160 (Steele Creek Road). River Gate boasts anchor stores like Home Depot and Super Target. River Gate also includes dining options like TGI Fridays, City Tavern, and Just Fresh. New stores are opening on a regular basis so you never know what you may find.

 

 

Would you and your kids enjoy the convenience of a theme park within minutes of your home? Carowinds , a theme park which sits on the North Carolina/South Carolina border, is a part of the lower Steele Creek community. It is a 112-acre park with entertainment for all including Nickelodeon Central for the younger crowd, Boomerang Bay for water lovers, and exciting roller coasters like Nighthawk for the thrill seekers.

 

Access to the major highways is so convenient. Interstate-77 sits to the east and Interstate-485 sits to the north. West Boulevard is also an option for those wanting to get to Uptown Charlotte using a non-highway route.

 

If you are a Steele Creek resident who would like to share more tidbits on the hidden treasures of the area, your prospective neighbors would love to hear from you. If you are a prospective Steele Creek neighbor with questions about additional features of the area, we would love to hear from you as well.

 

Steele Creek rocks!

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: No Comments »

Buy Now in Charlotte! Prices are down, interest rates are still great!

November 8th, 2008 categories: Market Snap

 

How are our sales comparing to last year?

 

According to the Case Shiller Price Index , Charlotte is the 2^nd to lowest in price decline on homes compared to the rest of the US over last year.  We averaged 2.8% overall decline for our area, while Phoenix, AR is the highest at 30.7% decline. 

 

So we decided to do a random check of price comparisons in neighborhoods in South Charlotte and came up with very interesting results.  The only common denominator was the average days on market.  In each area we are seeing a significantly longer time on market over the same time as last year.  For our comparison we checked homes sold from July 1 to November 1, 2007 versus 2008.

 

Madison Park, (in town zip codes 28210, 28211)

Year       # of Properties Sold      AVG SF               AVG Sale Price            AVG DOM

’07                   24                             1685                         $256,095                           33

’08                   18                             1655                         $249,119                           77       

Comparing these sales, Madison Park is averaging 4% decline in sales over the same period as last year.

 

Mountainbrook (Southpark area)

Year       # of Properties Sold      AVG SF               AVG Sale Price            AVG DOM

’07                   5                               3195                         $420,800                           67

’08                   4                               2873                         $414,500                           107

Comparing these sales, Moutainbrook is averaging 9.5% increase in sales over the same period as last year.

 

Ballantyne Country Club

Year       # of Properties Sold      AVG SF               AVG Sale Price            AVG DOM

’07                   38                             4397                         $844,975                           59

’08                   16                             4669                         $817,640                           84

Comparing these sales, Ballantyne Country Club is averaging 8% decline in sales over the same period as last year.

 

Longview Country Club

Year       # of Properties Sold      AVG SF               AVG Sale Price            AVG DOM

’07                   5                               6715                         $2,061,029                        340

’08                   6                               6085                         $1,637,647                        555

Comparing these sales, Longview Country Club is averaging 12% decline in sales over the same period as last year.

 

How is your neighborhood sales compared to last year?  Contact me at betsy@talkcharlotte and mention this blog.  We will search your neighborhood and send you an email with the results.

Spoken by | Discussion: No Comments »

Real Estate Facts for Today’s Market

November 7th, 2008 categories: Market Snap, Real Estate Grind

 Essential Facts for Today’s Market 

· More than 1000 banks closed in 1930 - three years before the FDIC was created

o Only 14 US banks have been taken over in 2008
· There are 76m households in the US that own their home
o 24m of these homes are free and clear
· There are 52m homes with mortgages
o 97.2% of these are not in foreclosure
o 93.8% of these homes are current on their payments

On a sobering note:
· Over 20% of homeowners with a mortgage owe more than their home is worth
· 40% of all foreclosures are non-owner occupied 

How did we get here?
Decade Homes sold (High) Avg.# Homes Sold
1970s 3.9m 3m
1980s 4m 3.3m
1990s 4.9m 3.9m
2000s 7.1m 5.6m

Resale numbers - the above does not include new home sales.

Sources: Wall Street Journal, Moody’s Economy.com, RealtyTrac, NAR, Forbes.

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: 1 Comment »

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