Archive for September, 2009
Charlotte NC Looking for that Woman of the Year
September 29th, 2009 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home
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Nominations must be in by December 1st
Sponsors: Bank of America, Duke Energy, Goodrich Corporation and AT&T
“to honor exceptional service and leadership in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.”
Get your nomination packet and guidelines at lfairbrother at museumofthenewsouth.org, or Call Marcia Simon 704-333-0085
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It seems we are missing some sponsors… Wells? Sonic? Family Dollar?
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An End To Outrageous Bank Fees
September 29th, 2009 Categories: About This Blog
a pet peeve of mine for years…is being addressed. Last week,
First it was Chase, then on Tuesday BofA dropped their Overdraft fees to$0 for OD’s under $10, and now Wells/Wachovia have said they’ll join suit for OD’s under $5.
This change is huge- bank fees accounted for as much as 40% of Bank operating income the last 12 months. The banks succumbed to a large online movement, public pressure, and a Congress willing to have oversight hearings and even a Consumer protection office.
I’ve put 4 children through college and paid literally $1000’s in fees, a handful justified. You just haven’t lived until your child calls you crying, and can’t understand how they had money all weekend, and then a check comes through that they invariably forget, and the 8-10 bank card charges paid but only “pending” from the weekend, which were all paid showing a positive balance, are now overdrafts, a total dollar amount of overdraft that might be $50, but they had been hit with $350 additional fees in their account- more than their monthly allowance and work income combined.
“Lefty” the loan shark would be proud, but…
The banks put loan sharks out of business… and these fees? I’m told they hired “consultants” 8-10 years ago to find the formula to maximize their fees.
So lets see if we can add this up.
Banks pay millions to Congress and K Street to keep from being regulated.
Banks hire consultants who then jack up rates on bank fees, sometimes charging $35 for a $.25 overdraft, interest at 1000%, make 100 to 200 times what they invested in Congress, and bank exec’s get paid BIG bonuses.
A Democratic Congress is elected, and Banks, facing actual oversight, decide to lower their own fees.
Until at least they can buy this Congress. Stay Tuned.
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One party claims that the real problem in our economy is that we regulate business too much…Money is NOT FREE speech for corporations–I know this is radical but Corporation’s don’t have the same rights as breathing Citizens of the US.
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Charlotte Week End Update 9-25-2009
September 25th, 2009 Categories: About Charlotte, Things To Do Charlotte
Explore Charlotte!
Free Admission to Most Charlotte Museums Saturday
In celebration of Smithsonian Day, area Charlotte museums will be free Saturday, including the Levine Museum of the New South, both Mint Musuems, the Charlotte Museum of History…get your family’s free admission card here.. I grew up in Washington DC, where all the great museums,all the Smithsonian’s are free every day… take your family out, discover more of Charlotte.
Art in the Park- Art Festival at Freedom Park- 45th year!
One of our favorites, visit Freedom park this weekend, and enjoy the company of hundreds of Artists, Dancers, and craftsman from all over the south eastern US.
The Novello Festival
If books are your thing, if you love books, then check the author schedule, and
beginning THIS weekend, come on out to the 19th annual Novello Festival- it begins Saturday the 26 and goes to October 31 at the Main Library Uptown Admission? Free of course.
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Charlotte NC- Fighting Crime and Perceptions
September 22nd, 2009 Categories: About Charlotte
Most of what you hear of Charlotte NC around the country is good things, words like clean, modern, Low Cost of Living, Great Weather, good place to raise a family…
But there are also lies about Charlotte Online, High Crime is the worst lie… I’ve lived in the south Charlotte-Matthews area for 17 years and never felt unsafe. For many years we didn’t lock our doors. My wife and I run in the parks, together and alone, and never worry. A look at the violent crime map below, produced by the Charlotte Observer from CMPD data, tells you why we never felt unsafe. 
Violent crime, in almost every category is down in 2009, contrary to conventional wisdom of increasing crime in recessions.
Are Perceptions of Crime Subjective?
You bet. When I was living in the Washington DC area in the late 1980’s, our city had the dubious distinction of being named “Murder Capital of the World.” If you are over 45 you may remember the magazine covers and all the news… CNN ran with the story. A friend of mine was visiting the Holy Land at this time, Jerusalem, at the height of the Infitada, the daily riots against the occupation, and this Jerusalamite asked my friend, “Is it as bad as they say in DC?”
Well no, it wasn’t then in Washington DC or today in Charlotte. The vast majority of crime occurs in particular areas, in DC it happened to be a bitterly fought drug war that left many in that area dead…. it was an awful time if you lived in that part of DC.
A few stats through July:
CMPD reported the number of serious crimes down 21 percent from the first 6 months of 2008. Property crime? Down 21 percent. Violent crime decreased 23 percent. Murder? 28 homicides are under investigation in 2009, compared to 46 over the same period last year – a 39 percent decrease. Our police are moving mountains and dramatically reducing crime in our higher crime areas. Kudos to Chief Monroe.
Recently a client told me he was considering moving to South Charlotte but changed his mind because he read online how bad crime is here. That is too bad.
You can check the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area for violent crime, theft, vandalism, and car-theft at this excellent Charlotte Observer link.
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Relocating to Charlotte? Buying your First Home? As always, call me direct for your most immediate questions, 704-351-1519
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Favorite Charlotte Links: Culture, Business, More
September 21st, 2009 Categories: About Charlotte
All About Charlotte NC
This represents a first crack at some the most popular spots in Charlotte… the kind of thing a relocating family, or a family new in Charlotte, might not know about. Of course it is just one persons point of view, and it is just a starting point… but I think locals like us can make a more relevant search page than Google, what do you think?
Readers add your link candidate, and the reason(s) why I should publish their link in the comments.
As you can see, we are just getting started. We could do a restaurant list– but there are many already, so I thought I’d skip those. We could do real estate companies but again those are easy to find. Builders? Well, tall the national builders are here, plus some excellent locals.
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As always, call me direct for your most immediate questions, 704-351-1519
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Friday Charlotte Update
September 18th, 2009 Categories: Things To Do Charlotte
Things to Do This Weekend in Charlotte, the Queen City
Take your significant Other to dinner this week Uptown and enjoy 3 course dinners for $35.00 from some of your favorite restaurants including Mez, Lavecchia’s, McCormick and Schmick’s, Black Finn, Room 12 and more. For the complete list and details, see Eat In Uptown. September 18-27
Freedom Park and The Greenway System-
If the weather’s nice, walk, ride, or skate at Freedom Park. The Art Festival begins next weekend. Take the family out on a Greenway, the new McMullen Creek Greenway at Trader Joe’s on Rea Road is a good starting point. My favorite is McAlpine in Matthews.
Sunset Jazz Festival at Southpark Mall Saturday September 18th, from 1pm to 10pm.
Matt Marshak,BRYAN ANDERSON, and 5th and York, Intertwyned, Unique Blend, The Queen’s Collective Details at Sunset Jazz Festival
What is the New South? Find out at the excellent Levine Museum of the New South, which is free on Sundays 12-5:00pm…drive or take the train in, and get off at the last stop.
NODA Gallery Crawl, starts at North Davidson and 36th at 6, gets under way in earnest by 8-9pm.
Panthers play Away At Atlanta this weekend so Uptown will be quiet on Sunday. Lets hope for the return of “Good Jake”
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Make it a great week and if you are a First Time Home Buyer, Time is Running Out. The ultimate Charlotte First Home Buyer Search is here.
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Charlotte First Home Buyers
September 17th, 2009 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home, Charlotte First Time Home Buyers
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Charlotte First Time Home Buyers
How about a Facebook Page just for First Time Home Buyers?? The folks at TerryMcDonaldRealEstate.com have put together a terrific fan page to learn all about the first home buying process. Become a Fan and be notified of new home offerings, great resales and general steals and deals on homes.
First Home Tax Credits Expire Soon
You need to act fast. The deadline for the $8000 tax credits is closed on a home by November 30, 2009, which means you need to be looking NOW, and buying in the next 30-45 days- the next two weekends would be perfect.
So- time to get in gear. Call the McDonald Team at 704-351-1519
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Avoiding Sandtraps and Land Mines Buying Your First home
First Home Buyer Tips
Charlotte First Home Buyer Homes For Sale
See all posts at our FaceBook page for First Time Home Buyers
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