Introduction to Charlotte NC- Charlotte Real Estate, Homes and Land
July 6th, 2009 Categories: About Charlotte, Union County
Charlotte NC
I am trying out new software called Apture, that allows me to easily embed or upload particular links, and users never have to leave my page. Lets try it with my You tube video channel, first, the fact -filled, #1 on you Tube video for Charlotte NC, just a bit out of date- an update is in progress
Introduction to Charlotte NC
Next up, where to start in answering the Big Question for newcomers… Where to live? There are many good choices, and I take a look at many in this FAQ Charlotte video
Living in Charlotte
Video FAQ’s About Charlotte NC- Where to Live in the Charlotte area? Waxhaw?Belmont? Lake Norman? Myers Park? All about the Charlotte area
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Charlotte Summer Sports Camps, Not Found One Yet?
June 4th, 2009 Categories: About Charlotte, Buy A Charlotte Home, Union County
Still Looking for Summer Sports Camps? Here are 3 that had slots open
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Bobby Jones Basketball Camps Bobby Jones, former NBA Basketball Player, Camp Director Camps – Mon.-Thurs. 9:00am-3:00pm $220 per week, discounts and scholarships available Camp Weeks |
Multi-Sport Camps Camps – Mon.-Thurs. 9:00am-3:00pm $150 per week Scholarships available Camp Weeks |
Cheerleading Camps Elizabeth Rose, Upward Cheerleading Coordinator, Camp Director Camps – Mon.-Thurs. 9:00am-12:00pm $90 per week Scholarships available Camp Weeks |
This post came over from the South Charlotte Sports Report. You can find just about anything thats going on in school and club athletics in South Charlotte there. Check it out.
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Related Posts for Things To Do With Children in Charlotte
Family Fun At Grandfather Mountain
The Levine Museum of the New South
Skilled Buyer Agents and Smart Buyers Make Great Deals Happen
The McDonald Team 704-351-1519, see Charlotte Best Introduction Video, #1 on You Tube for Charlotte NC Real Estate and Communities, or Search for Charlotte Homes.
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Negotiating In Waxhaw’s Providence Downs…Good Selection, Great Results!
June 1st, 2009 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home, Union County
I wrote about two clients selling their homes in difficult out of state markets, and it was time for them to move, this is the first story
Buying a Custom Home in Union County
The first family was a physician from Atlanta with his wife and two children, and they accepted a (very low) offer on their Atlanta home two weeks ago, (about $100K shy of where they had hoped to be) and came last weekend to find and buy a home. After 3 exhausting days, we found 2 excellent candidates, and began negotiating on their first choice.
Providence Downs is located off Rea Road, about 2miles south of Blakeny at Ardrey Kell, and this is a Providence Downs beauty… built by a commercial builder to exacting standards for his own use, this is quite possibly the best built home in Providence Downs, with many million dollar home features, including a barrel ceilings, coffered ceilings, heavy moldings, heated travertine floors, Thermidor appliances, 18″ ceramic tile, beautiful light fixtures, and not a floor squeak anywhere in this 1.5 story home.
At just over 4,800 square feet, it is a large comfortable home, and the replacement cost would be atleast in the 900’s. Today’s cost to build new high-end custom is about $165/sf (the economic downturn has had one benefit, custom prices have fallen, down from the $200/sf of a the last several years). The building cost would be $792,000. It’s on a premium .9 acre lot, so $150,000 is a reasonable lot price-at today’s prices, many were sold over 250K, which would place its replacement value at about $940,000.
The comparable homes sold properties in area 10-1 (Marvin-Waxhaw) are all over the place, from the essentially tract homes at around $100/sf (one in PD, several in surrounding areas), a handful of short sales and foreclosures in teh PD “annexes” like Unbridle, Skipaway and Silver Charm, to $161/sf in PD and $178/sf across the street at Walden on Providence for a true custom home. This first choice home was not unreasonably listed at $839,000 in December, $174/sf, below the Walden house… most would say PD is the better of the two communities; in February, the Sellers dropped their Listing Price to $799, $749,000 in April, and $699 in May, the price we saw it at.
These realistic aggressive Sellers had their Providence Downs home priced $100,000 below our 2nd choice and slightly larger home in neighboring Wyndham Hall. While I can not reveal the exact Sales price at this time, it is safe to assume we did not pay full List price, and it is also very safe to assume as you look at the numbers above, we made up for the $100K my Doctor client “lost” in Atlanta.
Moral of the story? If you can get your home sold, come on down, we’ll save you the money here.
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Skilled Buyer Agents and Smart Buyers Make Great Deals Happen, Call Terry McDonald of the McDonald Team for your Charlotte Luxury home, from Waxhaw to Lake Norman. 704-351-1519
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Waxhaw’s Providence Downs, Area 10/1 Market Report, March Prices Up
May 27th, 2009 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home, Union County
Charlotte, NC. Last week I wrote that I thought Providence Downs and Providence Downs South were on the move. This morning, I checked the May activity so far, and found there were 9 new PD or PDS houses that went Conditional or Pending in May, 5 in PDS and 4 in PD. Yes- the skeptics will say there are still plenty of homes available, and that is true, but which homes do you think would sell first, the best ones or the trashy ones? The best deals are Selling now. 
Area 10/1, the western side of Union County that includes Providence Downs and PDS,
has had its best month in quite some time with 43 Pending or Conditional Sales. 23 of these home sales are under $400,000, 13 are for homes priced above $600,000, and 4 for homes priced above $1M- a good spectrum.
The popular under $400,000 includes the popular Hunter Oaks, The Reserve, Quellin and the new Millbridge. The over $400K category includes PD and PDS, Kingsmeade, Longview, Highgate, Woodall and a few others.
Prices have fallen, and buyers are making their best deals. Yes, inventories are high, but once you add all the things you like, the universe shrinks quickly. I had one this week buy in Providence Downs- Not included in the numbers above. Next week, I’ll detail the numbers on this deal, once fully ratified and on its way.
Yesterday’s Case-Shiller Index revealed Charlotte home prices were up .3% in March over February
reports The Charlotte Observer this morning, the only city in the 20 city index with an increase. Very modest, but nie to be in positive territory. Last city in, first city out.
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TerryMcDonaldRealEstate- Skilled Buyer Agents Meeting Smart Buyers… Where Great Deals Happen! 704-351-1519
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Charlotte NC: The Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009 Charlotte 13th
February 19th, 2009 Categories: About Charlotte, Buy A Charlotte Home, Charlotte Homes for Sale, Lake Norman Real Estate, South Charlotte, Union County, University City, mortgages
from Builder Magazine, about Charlotte NC. Things are tough here too, but we are buying and selling homes! It is of course a strong buyers market.
Builder, in conjunction with Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, debuts its metric for determining markets with the best and least potential.
by
Boyce Thompson
With most economists and builders expecting a national market decline this year, this may not seem like the best time to be selecting the “healthiest” markets in the country. Virtually every market was down last year. But a close look at the numbers reveals that some markets have way outperformed others during the last four years and are likely to continue to do so this year.
13. Charlotte, N.C.
2008 total building permits: 12,231
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. A strong fourth quarter helped Charlotte record 12,231 permits last year, only a 44 percent decline since 2005. Charlotte’s strength relative to other markets led the investment banking firm UBS to predict last year that it would be one of the first markets to recover from the housing downturn. Charlotte is still a single-family market, with 62 percent of the residential activity in stand-alone homes. The job market in this banking hub contracted last year, after growing 3 to 5 percent annually the previous three years
When the housing market stages its official recovery, the markets listed on the following pages are likely to lead the parade. …The healthiest markets have many things in common. Most of them are great places to live… Most of them didn’t have a huge run-up in prices during the boom and aren’t experiencing rampant deflation during the bust.
To compile these lists, we analyzed the top 75 housing markets in the country. We ranked them based on population trends and job growth, perennial drivers of housing demand. We also examined what’s happened with home prices; many of the healthiest markets have managed to hold the line on home values. And finally, we considered the rate building permits, which may be the single best ongoing indicator of builder confidence in a market.
Builder Magazine,the full story
Most of the cities in the top ten are in Texas, and other similar markets that didn’t have th high run up in pricres found in Flordia, California, Nevada and Arizona. My 2009 Charlotte Real Estate Market forecast
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Moving to the Charlotte Area? South Charlotte, Waxhaw, Lake Norman, 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. We work with all relocation companies. 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 represented Buyers in the largest foreclosure sale in Charlotte in 2008. And I helped a handful of first time home buyers. I was the Top Agent in 2008 in our 800 + Agent firm, and won an award for customer satisfaction in 2008. We are flexible and at your service.
We are working to help you “buy smart” in Charlotte, and to make your relocation easier and less stressful.
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
Charlotte NC Charlotte Relocation Guide Charlotte Real Estate Charlotte Luxury Homes

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Charlotte Buyer Agency- New Homes, Rebates, Real Estate the Way You Like It…
October 18th, 2008 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home, Lake Norman Real Estate, South Charlotte, Union County
That’s right, home price are at a low point, interest rates are low, and now we (TerryMcDonaldRealEstate.com) are offering new home rebates on most new Inventory homes.
You’ll feel Like Celebrating!
Why? In the downturn as we approach the end of the year, Charlotte New Home Builders are paying us more, and we are passing on those increases to our Buyers.
Here’s how it works. A typical builder in more normal times paid us a 2.5% Buyer Agent Commission- adequate to be sure. Now almost all builders are paying 3%, many 4% and 5%, and some are paying 3% plus a cash bonus. Since November of 2007, we have rebated the bonus portion, now we are adding that portion above our 2.5%. As Buyer Agents, we represent the interests of the buyer and can not reconcile a larger commission-because times are slow at the subdivision. Let’s look at some examples:
A $300,000 home with a 3% commission, and $2000 bonus. Your Buyer Rebate? 1/2% of $300K, plus 2000 = $3500.
A $400,000 home with a 4% Commission equals a 1.5% Rebate to the Buyer or $6000. A 5% Commission? $10,000 Rebate. The larger the home the bigger the numbers.
Now lets look at some actual new Home Inventory from 2 builders, one regional and one national that is already selling at a discount, often below Replacement Cost- home prices are from $76/sf, and all are under $120/sf, and also pay the Buyer Rebate through TMRE.
| Community | Lot | Plan | Original Price | Your Price | Bonus | Rebate= Bonus +over2.5% | |
| Some homes (2/3) below are ready now, the rest are ready in early spring. | +Comm over2.5% | ||||||
| Southwest Charlotte | |||||||
| Laurel Valley Singles | 136 | Mitchell II-C2 | $173,565.00 | $159,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| 137 | Mitchell II-A2 | $171,925.00 | $157,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||
| Laurel Valley Towns | $0 | ||||||
| 273 | Morganton-E0 | $168,850.00 | $151,990.00 | $500 | $500 | ||
| Union County | $0 | ||||||
| Shannon Vista | 5 | Alexander C3 | $309,015.00 | $289,990.00 | $5,800 | $5,800 | |
| 169 | Lexington C3 | $318,074.00 | $298,990.00 | $5,980 | $5,980 | ||
| 154 | Fairfield P3 | $314,712.00 | $296,990.00 | $5,940 | $5,940 | ||
| 115 | Guilford II – C3 | $285,470.00 | $259,990.00 | $5,200 | $5,200 | ||
| 174 | Hamilton-B3 | $318,280.00 | $298,990.00 | $5,980 | $5,980 | ||
| University | $0 | ||||||
| Belmar Place | 11 | Madison A2 | $163,365.00 | $159,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| 12 | Mitchell II – A2 | $148,270.00 | $146,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||
| 105 | Henderson-A2 | $129,990.00 | $129,990.00 | $500 | $500 | ||
| 17 | Mitchell II -A2 | $150,490.00 | $146,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||
| Kingstree | $0 | ||||||
| 267 | Hawthorne-E2 | $205,015.00 | $184,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||
| 184 | Wilmington-B2 | $230,715.00 | $199,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||
| Mt. Holly/Huntersville Rd. | $0 | ||||||
| Hawk Ridge | 3 | Mitchell-D2 | $163,360.00 | $148,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| Gastonia | $0 | ||||||
| Spencer Mountain | 100 | Mitchell II – F2 | $160,810.00 | $149,990.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| Community | Lot | Plan | Original Price | Your Price | Bonus | Rebate= Bonus +over2.5% | |
| Some homes (2/3) below are ready now, the rest are ready in early spring. | +Comm over2.5% | ||||||
| CANNON CROSSING ‘70 | 24 | ASPEN B | $254,092.00 | $249,092.00 | $5,000 | $6,245.46 | |
| CANNON CROSSING ‘70 | 27 | PORTLAND C | $269,914.00 | $264,914.00 | $5,000 | $6,324.57 | |
| CANNON CROSSING ‘90 | 151 | BENNETT A | $402,327.00 | $387,327.00 | $5,000 | $6,936.64 | |
| CANNON CROSSING ‘ 90 | 160 | KINSLEY A | $401,654.00 | $396,654.00 | $5,000 | $6,983.27 | |
| EDENMOOR | 21 | TURNER C | $258,071.00 | $243,071.00 | $1,000 | $2,215.36 | |
| LAWSON | 351 | STONEHURST C | $419,918.00 | $354,500.00 | $5,000 | $6,772.50 | |
| MASSEY | 114 | BLOOMFIELD C | $338,422.00 | $328,422.00 | $5,000 | $6,642.11 | |
| MASSEY | 115 | MARLETTE C | $369,092.00 | $360,491.00 | $5,000 | $6,802.46 | |
| PALISADES – RUSTY CREEK | 48 | BRANTWOOD D | $335,888.00 | $325,888.00 | $2,000 | $3,629.44 | |
| PALISADES – RUSTY CREEK | 76 | ELMCROFT C II | $342,684.00 | $342,684.00 | $2,000 | $3,713.42 | |
| PALISADES – WHISPERING PINES | 140 | ALLENBROOK C | $308,269.00 | $298,269.00 | $2,000 | $3,491.35 | |
| PROVIDENCE GROVE | 37 | VIRGINIAN D | $333,113.00 | $318,908.00 | $5,000 | $6,594.54 | |
| STONEWOOD | 74 | INGELTON D | $244,267.00 | $229,267.00 | $2,000 | $3,146.34 | |
| SKYBROOK 60’s | 736 | ARMADA C | $296,304.00 | $286,304.00 | $5,000 | $6,431.52 | |
| SKYBROOK 60’s | 737 | Hastings A | $326,497.00 | $316,497.00 | $5,000 | $6,582.49 | |
| SKYBROOK 42’s | 767 | SCOTTSDALE C | $274,012.00 | $262,012.00 | $5,000 | $6,310.06 | |
| SKYBROOK 42’s | 768 | PRESCOTT F | $273,014.00 | $261,014.00 | $5,000 | $6,305.07 | |
| SKYBROOK 42’s | 798 | HOLBROOK A | $252,427.00 | $242,427.00 | $5,000 | $6,212.14 | |
| SKYBROOK 42’s | 799 | PRESCOTT F | $271,074.00 | $261,074.00 | $5,000 | $6,305.37 | |
| WESTLAND FARM | 30 | INGLETON D | $250,348.00 | $224,348.00 | $5,000 | $6,121.74 | |
Now these offers change all the time, so this is not an offer… you’ll want to confirm any offer with your TMRE Buyer Agent prior to purchase– but the deals are real, and could help with all those expenses after you move in. Unfortunately you may Not use these rebates to help with closing or other settlement charges, NC law prohibits that, and all Rebates Must appear on the HUD 1 at closing.
Each week, I’ll post what we get from local and national builders, passing every deal on to our Buyers. Are you looking at new homes this weekend? If yes, you’ll want to give me a call, and we’ll get you an Agent. If you are already out looking, they’ll ask if you have a Buyer Agent, or representation, and you simply say “Yes, the McDonald Team.” There is always a 1/2% Rebate, and often more on Inventory Homes in Charlotte!
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It is a strong buyers market here in the greater Charlotte area, Lake Wylie, Lake Norman, the whole area for new homes and re-sales.
Moving to Charlotte?
Have Questions? I am a Charlotte broker specializing in relocations, 2nd homes–buying and selling real estate of all kinds- and will represent only you. We work with Buyers and Sellers every day. You can quickly compare area prices with the map-based Charlotte home search below. Another good place to start is my fact-filled and well received Introduction to Charlotte Video (nearly 8000 You Tube views, 22 reviews) and don’t miss the FAQ videos in the right column (just under the Introduction to Charlotte Video Screen)
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 Real Estate Home Search- Map & Community Based
Where to Look for Luxury Homes in Charlotte- Video
Hows the Charlotte Market?- Video
Charlotte Real Estate- More Good Years Ahead
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Weddington NC|Buy This New Home in a Weddington Community- At A Discount
October 16th, 2008 Categories: Buy A Charlotte Home, Union County
Grand! An Inventory home with over 5000 sf, all brick home, with amenities, Weddington Schools and a half acre plus at… $689,900 or $132.00 per sf!
Charlotte NCÂ Complete, ready to move into… close by year end. Wholesale Prices? Darn near it. And there is a 1% Buyers Rebate, an additional $6000+ on this house from us- TerryMcDonaldRealEstate.comLLC, if you use us as your Buyer Agent.*
Lake Forest Preserve is just a 5 minute drive from Rt 485 and Providence Road, off of Rt 84 in Weddington- a short drive to Weddington School cluster, and has amenities found in the most exclusive communities.
The Canterbury Grand (5,230 SF +), originally priced at $751,470, sits at the very end of a cul-de- sac on over 1/2 acre backing up to common land woods and one of 2 lakes on the property. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a first floor guest or mother-in-law suite- gourmet kitchen with a gas stove, granite, tile backsplash and more. Did I mention there is an unfinished 3rd floor?
The pictures below are thumbnails, just click on them to get a larger view
Have a look at the amenities- the tall old growth trees surround the property, and provide a buffer between properties.
Now a few more in thumbnails…
Lots of open space, lots of woods, close to everything… quite a package.
When your actual home cost falls Below the Replacement Construction Cost- the cost appraisers use as a “bottom number,” how does that sound? Like it can’t go further down? Exactly right– and if this economy ever starts back up again, which it will, this price can only go up. Good news here in Weddington at Lake Forest Preserve.
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It is a strong buyers market here in the greater Charlotte area, Lake Wylie, Lake Norman, the whole area for new homes and re-sales.
Moving to Charlotte?
Have Questions? I am a Charlotte broker specializing in relocations, 2nd homes–buying and selling real estate of all kinds- and will represent only you. We work with Buyers and Sellers every day. You can quickly compare area prices with the map-based Charlotte home search below. Another good place to start is my fact-filled and well received Introduction to Charlotte Video (nearly 8000 You Tube views, 22 reviews) and don’t miss the FAQ videos in the right column (just under the Introduction to Charlotte Video Screen)
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 Home s for sale - Map & Community Based
Where to Look for Luxury Homes in Charlotte- Video
Hows the Charlotte Market- Video
Charlotte Real Estate- More Good Years Ahead
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Charlotte Homes For Sale     About Charlotte NC    Charlotte Luxury Homes For SaleÂ
Charlotte Buyer Agents work only for you. 704-351-1519
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