Archive for December, 2008
Charlotte Communities #1 On You Tube For Charlotte NC
December 30th, 2008 Categories: About Charlotte, About This Blog
Charlotte Communities You Tube Video, Introduction To Charlotte NC , passed the 10,000Â view mark in December and remains #1 on You Tube search results for Charlotte NC.
The fact-filled 4 minute video highlights Charlotte real estate, Charlotte’s changing Uptown, the growing economy in Charlotte and a variety of Charlotte communities in a fast paced video that takes the viewer from Uptown Bank of America Plaza to a speed boat on Lake Wylie. Even though the video is proprietary, local institutions have used links to it to introduce Charlotte to their out of town guests.
Visit You Tube, Search Charlotte NC, and there you’ll find the Introduction to Charlotte video- it is all about living in Charlotte. Or search Charlotte NC Real Estate, or Charlotte North Carolina- all roads lead to the best place to start your Charlotte journey.
The Introduction To Charlotte video was written and directed by Charlotte Communities’ Terry McDonald.
The next place to visit on your Charlotte Journey is right here- the number one site in Charlotte for Charlotte Relocation.
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About Charlotte NC Charlotte Homes For Sale  Charlotte Luxury Homes For Sale First Time Home Buyers
Charlotte Buyer Agents work only for you. 704-351-1519. Like what you are reading? Sign up for RSS, Real Simple Syndication.  I strongly recommend the Google Reader. You’ll love it!
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Charlotte NC What We Know Now at The End of 2008
December 28th, 2008 Categories: About Charlotte, Real Estate News
The holidays– a time to reflect, a time to think, and a few days off from the daily grind of real estate, research and writing…so
What We Know
Charlotte will remain a top real estate market
because of the sustainability features cited before: a strong local economy combined with high affordability. Our affordability ratios have not changed, our economy has suffered some, but not nearly as bad as the rest of the country, and, forward thinking business leaders are working diligently to keep the recession mild;
Interest rates will be at ALL Time LOWS for the next year
Monetary policy is the easiest for the government to manipulate, and a good way to juice economy (ask Alan Greenspan) as long as it is not overdone.
Charlotte Home prices reflect the strong buyers market
Except for the most popular, or the most undervalued, Charlotte home prices have softened in the 2nd half of 2008, in most areas they are around 2004 pricing.
What we think we can see
The economy will remain in recession for much of 2009
it is what it is- even with a strong intervention, it will take a year before we start adding jobs again. Only a strong effective stimulus will prevent a longer recession/depression
There will be a plan to clean up the bad mortgages, and it will get under way in 2009.
Whats up for housing stimulus is unclear, but it is nearly certain a large part of the remaining $300B TARP money will be used to, in some way, re-write, work-out or modify the huge number of predicted 2009 foreclosures, aimed at keeping families in their homes. Alt- A investors/speculators? Maybe some help, but I wouldn’t count on a lot.
A new President and a new Congress will sign into law a major historic economic stimulus plan in January or February,
One that will put Americans back to work, create a new green economy, hopefully save the auto industry, and begin the effort to stem the cost of health care. Hopefully it will also make buying a home easier and cheaper in an effort to stem the national downward spiral of home prices. This should be good for home buyers and home sellers and us Top Agents in Charlotte! 
A review of Charlotte Communities First Year and What’s Up for Us in 2009? Coming Soon.
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Moving to the Charlotte Area? South Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill Perhaps? Your first Charlotte home?
I am a Charlotte real estate broker specializing in relocations, 2nd homes and first time home buyers–buying and selling
real estate of all kinds- and will represent only you. My team works with Buyers and Sellers every day from Ballantyne to Lake Norman -and Fort Mill SC too. My team and I know the homes, the communities, and the new home builders. We know what’s hot, what’s not, and where the deals are. I think as you read my posts you’ll see that we understand home buyer needs, from a first time home owner to a luxury home purchaser. We are working to make your relocation to the Charlotte area easier, less stressful and help you “buy smart.”
If it’s between the hours of 8 AM to 8 PM, EDT, please don’ t hesitate to call me direct at 704-351-1519. Terry
Related Links
Charlotte Homes For Sale- Map & Community Based, over 20,000 properties for sale!
Fort Mill- First Time Home Buyer Report (maps included!)Fort Mill Homes For Sale- Deep Market Report
Charlotte NC Homes Best Value Under 500K
Fix Housing First-a Housing Stimulus plan of the NAHB
Housing Stimulus by The NAR Proposal for the 2009 housing stimulus by the National Association of Realtors
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Happy Holidays From Charlotte NC!
December 24th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News
Talk to you more on the other side with some end of year thoughts, and hopes for 2009. Merry Christmas everyone. Terry McDonald from Charlotte NC
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Charlotte Homes For Sale 28277 Ballantyne Arboretum Country Clubs and More
December 23rd, 2008 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home, South Charlotte
South Charlotte, About Zip Code 28277
 A Deep- Market Homes for Sale Report
Charlotte NC  Zip Code 28277 is one of Charlotte’s wealthiest zip codes, with more families earning over $75,000 than any Charlotte zipcode. Home to 4 country clubs, Ballantyne the popular new town at Rt521 and Rt 485, to the Arboretum area found at the corner of Pineville-Mathhews Road and Providence Road, 28277 is quintessential south Charlotte. TPC Piper Glen is here, Providence Country Club, Raintree, Ballantyne Country Club and also well-regarded Providence High Schol and Ardrey Kell High and the many fine middle and elementaries that feed these two prominent high schools.
28277 is a full of growing businesses, everything from the regional Liberty Mutual office to LendingTree.com, and the local and growing ESPN regional office.
If you check the details- the most detailed Charlotte home for sale analysis available anywhere-
You’ll get a good understanding of the demographics, how people live, and see the relative “affordability” of homes here too… making 28777 one of the most dynamic zip codes in all of Charlotte, NC.
 Charlotte Homes For Sale Report 28277
There are 2 homes for sale in 28277 for under $175,000
There are 78 homes for sale for under $250,000, but more than 175K- Median $218,000 on about 1900 sf
of these,
55 have two car garages,
30 have community pools,
31 built before 1990, and 4 since 2005
There are 126 home s for sale for under $350,000, but more than 250K- Median $303K on about 2600 sf
Of these, 61 homes have community pools, 41 with pool AND clubhouse,
no “over 55″ community,
32 are new or newer, built since 2005,
35 with master bedrooms on the main
There are 38 homes for sale for under $500,000, but more than 350K Median $430K on about 3200 sf
Of these 19 have community pools,
20 are built since 2005,
6 are in golf course communities
There are 85 homes for sale for under $700,000, but more tha 500K Median is $596K on aout 3900 sf
of these,
38 homes are in golf course communities,
14 homes new or newer, built since 2005,
46 homes with master bedroom on the main,
26 homes with greater than .5 acres
41 homes over 4000 sf.
There are 36 homes for sale for under $1M, but over 700K- Median $836K on about 4500 sf
Of these,
24 homes have the master bedroom on the main floor,
24 homes in golf course communities,
11 homes on the golf course,
only 4 built since 2005
There are 36 homes for Sale for Over $1MÂ Median $1,986K, on about 7000 Sf
Of these,
27 are in golf course communities,
15 on golf course,
4 built since 2005
Year to year, the homes sold numbers for 28277? Not too bad at all. Comparing Septemer through December 20, in 2008, there were 176 homes sold, versus 325 homes sold in the same period in 2007. Sales down by half, or almost half. Home Prices? The median cost per sf fell just 2.2% to $129.00- testament to the strength of the underlying values of south Charlotte in general, zip code 28277 in particular in the face of a very slow market indeed…
All data is derived from the Carolina MLS. No reporting is done for Days On Market because this stat is unreliable in the aggregate. Approximate sq foot numbers are based on local MLS reporting standards. For Sold home analysis, square foot is exact. Photos are thumbnails, click to enlarge.
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Moving to the Charlotte Area? South Charlotte, Waxhaw, Fort Mill Perhaps? Your first Charlotte home?
I am a Charlotte real estate broker specializing in relocations, 2nd homes and first time home buyers–buying and selling real estate of all kinds- and will represent only you. My team works with Buyers and Sellers every day from Ballantyne to Lake Norman -and Fort Mill SC too. My team and I know the homes, the communities, and the new home builders. We know what’s hot, what’s not, and where the deals are. I think as you read my posts you’ll see that we understand home buyer needs, from a first time home owner to a luxury home purchaser. We are working to make your relocation to the Charlotte area easier, less stressful and help you “buy smart.”
If it’s between the hours of 8 AM to 8 PM, EDT, please don’ t hesitate to call me direct at 704-351-1519. Terry
Related Links
Charlotte Homes For Sale- Map & Community Based, over 20,000 properties for sale!
Fort Mill- First Time Home Buyer Report (maps included!)Fort Mill Homes For Sale- Deep Market Report
Charlotte NC Homes Best Value Under 500K
Fix Housing First-a Housing Stimulus plan of the NAHB
Housing Stimulus by The NAR Proposal for the 2009 housing stimulus by the National Association of Realtors
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Baxter Village Homes For Sale A Fort Mill Favorite
December 22nd, 2008 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home, Charlotte Homes for Sale
Home Prices Up, Sales Equal 2007, popular Baxter Village stays true to its ideals…
Charlotte NC A lot has been written about Baxter Village, variously called a “new urban development”, a “front porch community”, a walking community, truthfully described as an “old time neighborhood with modern conveniences.” Baxter Village represents the pinnacle of development for the Close family, heirs to the Springs Industries, and owners of much of what we call Fort Mill, SC. Baxter Village is true to the heart of the matriarch Ann Springs Close, a devoted naturalist and environmentalist, Baxter Village’s 1000 acres is cris-crossed with 500 acres of parks, walking trails and open spaces.
Baxter Village is just 15 miles from Uptown Charlotte along Interstate 77, but step inside and you’ll find a self-contained community, a walking space with wi-fi! Old fashioned neighborhoods with modern conveniences ad open spaces are the hallmarks of Baxter Village. An on site elementary school, a YMCA- truly a community highlight, a library, restaurants, shopping and all the conveniences within walking distance, or a short drive.
It just a few short miles to the 2300 acre Ann Close Greenway, a park given to the town in perpetuity by the Close family, named in honor of Ann Springs Close whose love for the outdoors, horses and the environment are well known through out the area.
Baxter Village Homes For Sale Report
There are 6 Baxter Village Homes for sale for under $300,000, median is $277K on about 1900 sf
There are 19 Baxter Village Homes For Sale for under $400000, but more than 300K, the median is $358K on about 2500 sf.
There are 15 Baxter Village Homes for Sale for under $500, but more than $400K, $444 is the median on about 3400 sf.
There are no Baxter Villages homes above $500,000.
Baxter Village Homes Sold Since 9/1/08 vs same period in 2007
During this crazy time, Baxter Village has held its own nicely, selling the exact number of homes as last year- 25, and selling them for $2/sf More than last year, as the median sale sold for $138/sf up from last year’s $136 for the same time period.
Wow– the proof is in the results, high quality development equals long term values for homeowners in Baxter Village. Pictures below are thumbnails, just clik to enlarge.
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Moving to the Charlotte Area? Fort Mill, South Charlotte, Waxhaw Perhaps? Your first Charlotte home?
I am a Charlotte real estate broker specializing in relocations, 2nd homes and first time home buyers–buying and selling real estate of all kinds- and will represent only you. My team works with Buyers and Sellers every day from Ballantyne to Lake Norman -and Fort Mill SC too. My team and I know the homes, the communities, and the new home builders. We know what’s hot, what’s not, and where the deals are. I think as you read my posts you’ll see that we understand home buyer needs, from a first time home owner to a luxury home purchaser. We are working to make your relocation to the Charlotte area easier, less stressful and help you “buy smart.”
If it’s between the hours of 8 AM to 8 PM, EDT, please don’ t hesitate to call me direct at 704-351-1519. Terry
Related Links
Charlotte Homes For Sale- Map & Community Based, over 20,000 properties for sale!
Fort Mill- First Time Home Buyer Report (maps included!)Fort Mill Homes For Sale- Deep Market Report
Charlotte NC Homes Best Value Under 500K
Fix Housing First-a Housing Stimulus plan of the NAHB
Housing Stimulus by The NAR Proposal for the 2009 housing stimulus by the National Assocaiton of Realtors
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Panthers Lose A Close One- Will Coaches Learn?
December 22nd, 2008 Categories: Charlotte News and Politics, Real Estate News
In First Play Off Game of the Season, Players Deliver, Coaches Go Cold in the 2nd Half
Charlotte NC  Along with many of you I watched a good, hard fought December football game, one of the best of the season. Won in overtime by the New York Giants, no team caved, no player just lost it, the officials didn’t decide it, and Giants won it after each offense was stopped once in overtime- a playoff game in all but name.
It was a game the Panthers could have won, arguably should have won as they controlled, no led, the game for 57 minutes out of 60. But momentum shifted much earlier, when with 3 minutes to play in the first half and an 11 point lead, they ran 3 unimaginative plays telling their entire Panther team they were just happy to be here.
The coaching went further south with something like 10 of the first 12 plays runs up the middle for little or no gain. They became one dimensional, and the Giants were determined to stop the run, which they did. Jake threw a few times on 3rd down but he too was ineffective. They never even tried to get outside with their excellent runners.On defense they were no better, with a few exceptions running an unimaginative defense that produced no pressure, allowing Eli Manning enough time in the pocket to make a sandwich, to complete all the important passes including the tying 2 point conversion, with nary a blitzzing linebacker in site.On the tow most important Giant drives, where was the defense?How about a line stunt- something?
How many close late season losses will it take for this staff to understand that if your offense is running on all 8 cylinders, and you have a lead, that it is Not a time to downshift.
The best teams in the league- those playing meaningful games in December and January, those teams stop one dimensional teams routinely.  tm
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About Charlotte NC Charlotte Homes For Sale  Charlotte Luxury Homes For Sale First Time Home Buyers
Charlotte Buyer Agents work only for you. 704-351-1519. 
Like what you are reading? Sign up for RSS, 
Real Simple Syndication.  I strongly recommend the Google Reader. You’ll love it!
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The Biltmore House Charlotte Day Trip to a Castle in Asheville
December 20th, 2008 Categories: About Charlotte, Things To Do Charlotte
Things to do – Great Day Trips From Charlotte
Charlotte NC   My wife and I toured the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC, a week ago Friday, a testament of the great fortunes earned in the 1800s, this home/castle is modeled after the great estates of England and Europe. Built by George Vanderbuilt, grandson of the early 1800 tycoon Cornelius Vanderbuilt, made their money in shipping and reailroads. This house was completed in 1895, built on over 100 acres with a working farm, to make it self sufficient. This home featured early electric appliances and plumbing, and is part of my interest on the tour.
No pictures are allowed inside the Biltmore, so you’ll have to take my word for it- it was well worth the price of admission, fromthe magnificent cantileered stariway to the interior winter garden. Men will appreciated the billiard room, and the secret doorways to the cigar lounge; I strongly recommend taking the audio tour as well- the perfect complement, with a short introduction to the more than 60 rooms on the tour. We toured the winery as well, and enjoyed the day. You may choose to stay on the property at the Biltmore Hotel , or in town, a town created for the staff of Biltmore, or nearby Black Mountain, an artist haven, or Asheville itself. These are thumbnails , click to enlarge.
Well worth the day trip, or a romantic weekend- fall dates during the October leaves turning season book early. tm
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About Charlotte NC Charlotte Homes For Sale  Charlotte Luxury Homes For Sale First Time Home Buyers
Charlotte Buyer Agents work only for you. 704-351-1519. Like what you are reading? Sign up for RSS, Real Simple Syndication.  I strongly recommend the Google Reader. You’ll love it!
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