Real Estate Information

Good morning,

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Did you eat to much? I did, but don't tell Jenny Craig. I love this time of year. I get great joy from giving and helping others, that to me is better than receiving gifts. I am having another toy drive this year and I am also collecting food and gently worn coats for the less fortunate. You can get the details here http://www.charlottencrealestatesource.com/Toys-for-Toys-and-Warm-Coats-Food-Drive

And Here's Your Morning Coffee!

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

GOBBLE! GOBBLE!

Remember when you were a teenager leaving the house on a date? Your parents' last words as you went out the door were, "We'll leave the light on for you". Think about that. So what if they did or didn't leave the light on? Their words were really more of a verbal hug. They cared about you - wanted you to know it - and applied the hug with kind words.

With Thanksgiving in just a few days, why not take the time to "leave the light on" for someone who may not get many hugs? There's still time, and it's easy.

First, learn who needs hugs. Check with your local fire, police, or sheriff's department. Ask whether they know of three or four families or individuals who could use a hug. Ask also whether they would consider delivering your hugs at the appropriate time. Two groups stand out as needy - the elderly and families with small children. Of course, we're talking about individuals who are experiencing difficult circumstances in their lives, be they physical or financial.

Next, consider what type of hugs you have to offer. Perhaps you might prepare three or four Thanksgiving turkeys with all the trimmings. Live in the country where people heat their homes with a wood stove? Deliver firewood. Live in a cold climate? Add some warm socks or a sweater to your dinner box. It's really not that difficult to come up with ideas that would make a difference to your chosen recipients. If you aren't able to provide "things," consider visiting with some nursing home residents. Brighten their day by listening for a while.

It goes without saying that our country is truly blessed. Although practically invisible to most of us, however, there are some individuals who are being challenged. They need a hug, and we can brighten their lives by way of simple gestures. Make a family project out of it - involve your kids. Do it anonymously. Afterwards, when you get home, we'll leave the light on for you!

Rebecca Clark from Fox News interview of John Green, Realtor - TeamHeidi with Hines and Associates Realty on Sunday, November 15, 2009

http://www.foxcharlotte.com/dpp/money/creative_ways_to_sell_a_housel_111609

Thought you missed out on the housing tax credit, well think again!  Congress extended this plan to help stimulate the housing market.

Here’s the skinny!

Who qualifies?
• First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
• Current Home Owners can receive up to $6,500 credit to purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

Which properties are eligible?  This credit applies to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, town homes, and co-ops.

How much credit if available? The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000. The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

How is the Buyer’s credit amount determined?
• The price of the home – The credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.
• The buyer’s income - Single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

Can a Buyer still get credit if they exceed the required income?  YES!  Talk with Heidi on how that works. 704-458-4636

Can a Buyer still qualify even if the property closes after April 30, 2010?  YES!  Talk with Heidi to get more information. 704-458-4636

Will the tax credit need to be repaid?  No, if the buyer occupies the home for 3 or more years.  If sold prior to that time, the full credit amount would be recouped on the sale.

Now is the time to buy in Charlotte, NC!  Interest rates are low and the inventory of homes is exceptional. 

Not sure what your next step should be?  Call me 704-458-4636 and we can examine the possibilities!

There can be alot of information about the real estate market in Charlotte NC but the numbers from the Charlotte NC Multiple Listing Service puts it all in perspective.  Some of the numbers are good and some are disappointing. 

Stats for Charlotte MLS – Sept 2009:

27,580 listed homes for sale in the 15 county Charlotte MLS territory

1,945 homes sold and closed in Sept. for the entire 15 county area

291 homes sold and closed in the $150K to 190K price range

439 homes sold over $250K – 94 over $500K – 10 over $1 Million

Avg. closing price for all of Charlotte in Sept. was $196,760 – last year was $216,777 (DOWN 9.2%)

Mortgage rates are a full 1% lower this Sept (5.04%) then last Sept. (6.09%)

Sales in Sept 2009 were up 4% over sales in Sept 2008 (Recovery?)

Avg. time on market 143 days for those homes that sold in Sept.

Here is the shocker – Avg. Sales price to List Price 89.4% (10.6% below the listed price at time of contract)

Needing more information concerning the Charlotte real estate market?  Call me and we can discuss how we can work with this market to sell or buy your home.
 

Nearly everyone enjoys searching for things to buy on the web. It’s a great place to search for hard to find items and to compare items that are exactly the same. It’s also convenient to find real estate on the web. Buyers are able to find homes for sale in the Charlotte North Carolina area, all over the US, and the world.

But, unlike finding a water filter for a refrigerator or a pair of diabetic socks for grandma, finding a home by searching the web is only a place to start; not stop. There are so many details that just can’t be put onto a computer screen.

Pictures and virtual tours are great for seeing a home. But please remember that they are created by an agent that is trying to market the home in the best possible light. Having a buyer’s agent that knows a neighborhood can help you understand why that home with beautiful pictures is $40,000 less than other homes in the neighborhood. Maybe that home is by a large draining ditch or a major road.

A local Charlotte North Carolina agent can also help you with area specific websites that can help clue you into more information about the home. Some of these sites are rather obscure and don’t readily come up on Google or Yahoo searches. If a buyer is not in town, a tech-savvy agent can also help by previewing a home for a buyer and taking a video of a home and emailing or posting it to YouTube.

I’ve sold many homes in the Charlotte North Carolina area to buyers that didn’t see the home before they bought it. A home search may start with the web, but it needs to end with an experienced real estate agent.

As stated in my blog on October 22, 2009, it is such a great time for first time home buyers in Charlotte NC, and those who haven't owned a primary residence in the last 3 years to take advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  According to the news reports, the Senate may be reaching a deal to extend this tax credit for home buyers.  See the CNN report below AND see me to help you find that perfect new home!

Washington (CNN) -- Senate leaders have reached a tentative deal to extend the first-time homebuyers' tax credit that was originally passed earlier this year as part of the stimulus bill, Republican and Democratic sources told CNN on Wednesday.

The agreement would extend and expand the credit to include current homeowners who want to move, according to the sources.

The original credit in the stimulus bill is set to expire at the end of November and offers a tax credit of $8,000 to first-time home buyers.

Senate sources told CNN they have tentatively agreed to extend that $8,000 credit for first-time buyers until the end of April. In addition, they are adding a $6,500 credit for some current homeowners who buy a new residence by then.

To qualify, current homeowners must have lived in their primary residence for five continuous years.

Senators have not agreed on how the tentative deal would come up for a vote, but sources from both parties said they are considering adding the housing credit to a bill that would extend unemployment benefits.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated she also is interested in extending the homeowner credit, but House leaders have yet to endorse any one bill.

CNN's Ted Barrett, Dana Bash and Lisa Desjardins contributed to this story.

Heidi Hines of TeamHeidi^® with associates Tim Brown and John Green has founded a new real estate firm, Hines & Associates Realty. 

After a decade of branding herself and being recognized as an award winning Realtor by other real estate firms and the Wall Street Journal,  Heidi Hines and two of her top performing team members, Tim Brown and John Green, decided it was time for an innovative real estate company in Charlotte, NC.  A company made up of truly top producing agents.  Their agents really care about their clients, their families and not just the corporate numbers.

At Hines & Associates Realty the client always comes first. They demonstrate this through consistent communication, skilled negotiations and uncompromising attention to details. Their agents are ready to help with any of life's challenges and opportunities. Moving up, scaling down, relocating or investing - their agents are always prepared.

At Hines & Associates Realty they know that real estate is much more than square footage, floor plans, numbers on reports, it's all about your family and finding or selling your home. 

Hines & Associates Realty is an independent firm with individual agents as well as real estate teams such as TeamHeidi^®, which assist Charlotte area home owners stage and market their homes for rapid sale at premium prices, as well as assisting prospective buyers in finding their new homes. To speak to someone at Hines & Associates call 704-990-2000.

The time to buy a home is right now! For a limited time home buyers can claim a special tax credit worth up to $8,000. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offers qualifying homebuyers a tax credit equal to 10 percent of a home's purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000. The tax credit is offered to first time homebuyers, and those who have not owned a principle residence in the past three years. To be eligible for the tax credit, the home purchase must be recorded by November 30, 2009.

The full tax credit is offered to buyers with reported income up to $75,000, or $150,000 for married couples filing a joint return. Partial tax credits are available to those making more. Take advantage of this opportunity before it expires. Here at TeamHeidi^® we strive to keep you informed.  If you need additional details on this exciting program or homes for sale in Charlotte, NC, contact us today!

As a Buyers Specialist, I know first hand what homebuyers are buying in Charlotte North Carolina. Buyers are looking for good looking deals. Good looking deals seems like a simple concept, but it's hard for many buyers to handle, and even more difficult for sellers to understand. 

Buyers are hearing from countless sources that there are great deals to be had in the real estate market. It's very true - there are great deals out there. Prices are down from last year. But in Charlotte, the price decrease is not constant across all price ranges. If you want a real deal, a buyer should look in the $700,000 and above price range. These properties have seen the most substantial reduction in price. But that's because there's fewer buyers wanting these homes. 

Most buyers are looking in the $200,000 and below range. From Mooresville, NC to Mint Hill, NC that's the properties that are selling in the Charlotte North Carolina area. Therefore, homes in this price range haven't seen a steep decrease in price because this is where the buyers are buying. 

In the $200,000 and below price range, buyers are buying the homes that look the best. When there's plenty to pick from, buyers become choosier, and they should. Furthermore, many buyers are choosing FHA-insured financing because of the low down payment requirement for these loans. FHA requires that the home must be in good condition. 

So the bottom line is that if the home is priced well and looks really good in the Charlotte North Carolina area, buyers will choose it. If the home is flawed and not priced to make a buyer salivate, buyers will move on. Just like a bruised, organic tomato in the produce section of the supermarket, buyers will simply reject it for price and looks.