Choosing to Relocate To Charlotte?

More and more Americans are choosing to relocate to Charlotte. For many years, the city has seen a steady increase in both its residential population and corporate entities. Nine of the nation's Fortune 500 companies house their world headquarters here in Charlotte, and in the past twenty years more than 170,000 new jobs have been created in the Charlotte region.

Charlotte's robust local economy has become a national model of strength and diversity. Communications is the leading employment sector here, but Charlotte is known for its banking industries. Other types of businesses such as IT, computer and office manufacturing, software design, and electronics manufacturing. And internationally known firms such as IBM, SAIC, Microsoft and GE Capital are proud to be some of Charlotte's leading employers.

While Charlotte has long been a haven for retirees, the city is also one of the most popular relocation destinations in the country for professionals and families. The city offers all of the amenities, attractions, and excitement of a major metropolitan hub, but maintains the cozy, close-knit feel of a much smaller town. Charlotte is not only one of the nation's most beautiful cities, there is truly something for everyone here!

Want more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market? Check out http://www.minthillrealty.com/

Charlotte is one of the nation's most desirable relocation destinations.

Charlotte is one of the nation's most desirable relocation destinations.

Quality of life in Charlotte, North Carolina is incredibly high, and the city has received a number of important accolades. The Fine Living television network recently ranked Charlotte, NC as number seven in its list of "Ten More Perfect Places to Live in America". The list cited Charlotte's beautiful, temperate year-round climate, affordable cost of living, abundamce of employment opportunities and diverse housing options.
Charlotte's robust local economy, even through recession, has become a national model of strength and diversity. The Communications industry is the leading employment sector here, followed closely by information technology (IT), banking, computer and office manufacturing, software design, and electronics manufacturing.

Charlotte, NC was recently ranked the number one city in America for its financial support of both the arts and sciences. This has resulted in first-rate public schools and a veritable revolving door of cultural and artistic offerings. Charlotte averages 55,000 cultural performances and events every year! Here you will find a local Symphony, Philharmonic and Civic Orchestras, Opera, and numerous choirs, dance troupes and an abundance of theatre companies. Children enjoy special access to the arts at places such as the Community School for the Arts, Children's Choir, and Children's Theatre.

Real estate in Charlotte, North Carolina is affordable and available to every type of home buyer. Real estate prices in Charlotte currently start in the mid $150K range for a single-family "starter" style home. Relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina is has been a popular decision in the last 20 years. Suburbs such as Ballantyne and Matthews, Mint Hill and Fort Mill have drawn many newcomers seeking a small-town feel near the big city.

Charlotte is a family-friendly community with many parents choosing to work from home. Also, many local businesses have adoped a "green" policy that allows its employees to work remotely. Families can be found in parks and out playing together throughout the week and weekend.
Want more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market? Check out http://www.minthillrealty.com/

Charlotte, North Carolina

The largest metropolitan area in the Carolinas, Charlotte, NC attracts 500 newcomers each week. Roughly one in four residents moved here in the last decade! In fact, sometimes it is hard to find a native Carolinian. What’s the allure? Good jobs in a business-minded atmosphere, a strong community spirit, a mild climate with four seasons, rolling land and rural beauty, good schools, affordable homes in communities that range from old town charm to new metropolitan, and plenty of diversions, including professional sports, outdoor recreation, and arts and entertainment.

Want more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market? Check out http://www.minthillrealty.com/

5 Reasons You Need a Realtor

“Why do I need a real estate agent?” YES!

1.A real estate transaction is COMPLEX! Whenever you buy or sell a home, you are going to be drowning in a sea of paperwork. It can be overwhelming and daunting. A Realtor will be there to help you dot all the “I’s and cross all the “T”s.

2. Time is money! Your money! Selling or buying a home is time consuming. You need someone working on the project full-time. Someone who is doing the groundwork, marketing the place, and networking to get your property out there.

3. Trust me, there is a language barrier! Real estate has its own unique language, and it’s even harder to understand then Greek. Don’t forget that the real estate community comes with its own customs too…In fact, it’s a whole ‘nother world! Your real estate agent – at minimum – will at least be your guide through this wild and wooly land, and will make sure you know everything about the property.

4. A good real estate agent will bring with them experience, and resources. This is not their first time at the rodeo either…The have bought and sold more houses then you will probably ever live in. They know the scams, they know the tricks, they know what to do…

5. Your Realtor can be a sounding board, an impartial observer, an objective commentator, and a wise sage. Your Realtor can help you deal with things logical during what can sometimes be a very emotional process. They will act as your aid and your ally, and can sometimes be the only person who truly knows what you are dealing with….Real estate transactions are heavy loads, and you will be glad to have an extra set of hands.


Would you like more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market? Check out www.minthillrealty.com

$ 8,000 Tax Credit Is Still Going Strong!

Well kids, you still have time to get one of the greatest gift from Uncle Sam! A new Senate proposal will offer a first time home buyer an $8,000.00 tax credit. This program has been widely popular, and this is probably the final extension. You can take advantage of this up to April, as long as you are under contract by April 30, 2010. The former deadline was November 30, 2009 – but the program has proven so popular that the government has kept things around for a few more months…. Single taxpayers with incomes of up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 are eligible to receive the full tax credit.

Current Charlotte Homeowners looking for a replacement primary residence can also qualify for a $6,500 (up to $3,250 for a married individual filing separately) under the new “long-time resident” provision. They must have lived in the same principal residence for a five-consecutive year period during the eight-year period that ended on the date the replacement home is purchased. (Shew!) This new provision also only applies to homes purchased after Nov. 6th 2009.

The IRS has stepped up compliance checks involving the home buyer credit for those with past homes and they must provide a mortgage Interest Statement, Property tax records or Homeowner’s insurance records, to prove compliance with past residency criteria.

To get into the fine print – if you plan on claiming the new home buyer credi… For qualifying purchases, taxpayers have the option of claiming the credit on either their 2009 or 2010 return. A new version of Form 5405, First-Time Home buyer Credit, is now available on the IRS website. Taxpayers claiming the credit on their 2009 returns, will not be able to file electronically because of the added documentation requirements, but instead will need to file a paper return by using the new version of Form 5405. A taxpayer who purchased a home on or before Nov. 6 and chooses to claim the credit on an original or amended 2008 return may continue to use the current version of Form 5405.

Want more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market?
Check out www.minthillrealty.com

Don’t (Necessarily) Say No To A Foreclosed Home - and other reasons to BUY NOW!

Sometimes during our search for real estate in the Charlotte area, we might overlook foreclosed homes--since there are so many great properties available. The forclosure seizure often leaves a stigma on these properties, but one that is fairly misunderstood. Foreclosed homes are often in just as good of condition as any other home on the market. But the benefits of buying a foreclosure home have never been better, thanks to two major factors. Home prices are at record lows and rare government incentives are available for a limited time…But neither factors will last forever!

Record levels of foreclosures hitting the market at the same time in Charlotte is keeping their prices low, and dropping. While their isn’t much wiggle room or bargaining with these properties, they are always deeply discounted… Many at a rock bottom price, and they probably won’t last, so consider buying now. The economy is already beginning to rebound, and the foreclosed homes will not stay on the market for long.

Now to the tax credit…The foreclosure tax credit gives buyers of foreclosed properties a $7,000 tax credit. This credit is to be divided equally between the two years following the home’s purchase. (For married couples filing separately, the credit will be divided into $3,500 per person.) One catch is that the credit is only available for real estate bought as your principle residence – not as investment property. You’d have to use the home as your home for the 24 months following the purchase date in order to receive the full $7,000 credit.

Would you like more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market?
Check out http://www.minthillrealty.com/

CHARLOTTE: You are WELCOME!

Charlotte!

Charlotte is a huge city, the largest city in the Carolinas with a population of almost 700 thousand residents just within the city limits. Charlotte is the center of finance, industry, technology, and entertainment for the region and one of the unique and beautiful things about Charlotte, North Carolina is its many charming and divergent districts.

Today, we thought we’d do a little tour of our favorite districts & neighborhoods – and give those of you thinking of moving to Charlotte some local flavor.

Uptown. The literal "center of things". Uptown is our "downtown" (but for most of us it is "up") and boasts a pretty significant and beautiful skyline. "Uptown" refers to anything inside the I-277 loop, the heart of Charlotte's government and the home to several Fortune 500 headquarters, museums, nightclubs, restaurants, parks, & theaters. The light-rail goes right from Pineville to Uptown and is not only a great place to work and live, but just a nice place to visit and explore some great restaurants!

NoDa. NoDa, short for North Davidson Street, is also known as the Historic Arts District and is about two miles north of the center city. NoDa was home to large textile mill that closed in the 1970s, sending the district into a sad period of decline. But we didn't let that get us down for long! Artists moved into the neighborhood in the ‘80s, revitalizing and preserving the unique brick mill houses. Now, street level art galleries, restaurants and other shops offer eclectic and marvelous options to visitors and residents. NoDa is a fun place to walk on one of our many and mostly super sunny days in Charlotte!

South End. Previously South End was a mill district located along the railroad tracks, but now the neighborhood is a hip, upscale entertainment/cultural district. The addition of trolley tracks and light rail connecting it to Uptown has helped pull in major development, and future plans are bright for this area. South End is also the most kid friendly place in Charlotte, since the neighborhood features ice cream shops, a trolley museum and plenty of kids-oriented stores.

Myers Park. Its reputation as an "old money" neighborhood is probably much deserved, as Myers Park is famous for its cathedral-esque tree canopy and meandering streets--let me tell you-it is an amazing site to see those BIG old trees! Myers Park features Charlotte's oldest country estates and most expensive homes, making any driving tour of the neighborhood a popular way for tourists to lose a few hours- (and sometimes the roads get tricky around there, which doesn't help if you are trying to get anywhere fast--but it is totally worth all the detouring!)

SouthPark. An affluent and ritzy district in south-central Charlotte, SouthPark is home to the city's second-largest business district and a FABULOUS mall. SouthPark is also a newer suburb, with most buildings only dating back 40 years. You get the feeling in SouthPark that everything is new--and it is! SouthPark is a clean and quiet mix of office buildings, high-rise condos, hotels and entertainment venues.

University City. A huge 1970s-style suburban enclave that has blossomed around the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University City is an area in transition. Formerly rural or affluent suburbs; today's University City reflects reflect an influx of minority groups and young families. The area is also home to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, a bunch of hotels and retail centers, and many square miles of sprawling shopping centers. The campus area is especially beautiful and if you get a chance to get out and walk--this is a great place to do it!

East Charlotte. East Charlotte is a little ambiguous yet distinctive. It is located at the city's eastern end, and has the largest concentration of immigrants living in a dynamic middle-class area. East Charlotte features plenty of fixer-uppers, incredible investment property, and is a neighborhood gentrifying beautifully. Foodies flock to East Charlotte for the multitude of traditional ethnic food that is plentiful at inexpensive and charming locales.

Now these are just a handful of the many districts in Charlotte. Contact us for more information, or a unique tour of the city. We can find not only the right property, but the right neighborhood for you!

Want more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market?
Check out www.minthillrealty.com

Charlotte has Sports!

Like most American’s, the citizens of Charlotte are huge sports fans. Professional sports are one of Charlotte's most popular forms of entertainment--and certainly a deal-maker for many newcomers. From stock car racing to football, Charlotte has a full buffet for every family.

Carolina Panthers
Playing Uptown in the Bank of America Stadium Charlotte’s hometown NFL team is surging in popularity and respect. The stadium is beautiful and new and there isn't a bad seat in the place. You haven't enjoyed football, until you have watched the Panthers under the beautiful Carolina blue skies.

Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte's new NBA team plays from a gorgeous state-of-the-art arena located Uptown, but this under-dog team needs a few good seasons and continued fan growth and strong support of current residents and newcomers alike.

Charlotte Knights
A minor-league baseball team with a stadium in Fort Mill, South Carolina, (the next exit south of Carowinds on 77). The Knights play many home games in the summer, and families from Charlotte, and the South Carolina suburbs of Tega Cay and Fort Mill can all enjoy this quick drive to experience America's favorite past-time.

Charlotte Checkers
Hockey isn’t just for the Canadians any more. Charlotte’s minor-league team is perhaps the best entertainment value in town thanks to super-inexpensive ticket prices and incredible action-packed games.

Racing
Charlotte is THE center of stock car racing in the USA with several NASCAR teams calling Charlotte home base. Charlotte hosts 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup races a season, including the All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600.

Now this is just a smidge of the sporting events and venues that Charlotte has to offer. This is a city of outdoorsmen, sportswomen, rabid fans, frontline cheering, and plenty of DIY fun. No matter what your entertainment interest, sports fans in Charlotte that you will find something for you.




Want more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market?
Check out www.minthillrealty.com

Why Charlotte, NC?

Charlotte is an incredible city, and for the future home-owner, it is even better. Charlotte is town that is calling out to people, with 7,303 single-family permits in 2008. That makes Charlotte the 9th largest market in the country! Forbes named Charlotte as the third most undervalued real estate markets in the U.S. in 2007. Affordability is attracting buyers. The combination of reduced prices, attractive mortgage rates, and the government tax credit helped lure some buyers off the fence to shop for homes. But much of the country is experiencing these factors, so what makes Charlotte really special? After all, an excellent mortgage rate and an inexpensive home can happen anywhere – but that doesn’t mean you want to pull up roots and move to Death Valley! The Jamison Realty team has worked hard to find some solid reasons for you to choose to move, or stay, in this wonderful city!

Charlotte is the crown jewel and the largest city in North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. By 2007, Charlotte features the luxuries of a metropolis, without the drawbacks of an over-crowded and under-appreciated mega-city. Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte is named in honor of the German Princess Charlotte. A second nickname derives from later in the 18th century. During the American Revolutionary War, British commander General Cornwallis occupied the city but was driven out by residents, prompting him to write that Charlotte was "a hornet's nest of rebellion," leading to another popular nickname: The Hornet's Nest. Charlotte has capitalized on that tradition, and remained an important city to the United States. Whether in higher learning, the arts, finance, or any form of big business – Charlotte is a pivotal and beautiful East Coast city.

But enough history…Why do people LIVE in and around the Queen City?…. In 2008, Charlotte was chosen the "Best Place to Live in America" by relocate-America.com in its annual ranking, based on factors including employment opportunities, crime rates, and housing affordability. It was also named #8 of the 100 "Best Places to Live and Launch" by CNNMoney.com - cities picked for their vibrant lifestyles and opportunities for new businesses. Lifestyle was also noted when Prevention Magazine rated the Queen City 4th in the nation and the best "Walking City" in North Carolina in 2007 and Self Magazine named Charlotte one of “Five Cities with Big Outdoor Appeal” for features like its Public Art Walking Tour, accessible museums such as the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, and nearby outdoor excursions like the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

Combine all these statistics, awards, and history into one nice bundle, and you can see that Charlotte is a spectacular city for anyone to call home. Some people say, that you only visit Charlotte once….Because after that first visit, you end up moving there.

Rich Ferretti
Mint Hill Realty
Charlotte, NC

Want more information about the Mint Hill, Matthews and Charlotte area real estate market?
Check out www.minthillrealty.com

Home Values

HOME VALUES

Too often I think we focus on the negative—making the bad worse with worry and panic. We forget what real value is while we watch an imaginary index bounce around on charts and tickers.

The housing market showed an increase in sales recently. As I drank my coffee this morning I heard the morning news delightfully announced this and then immediately announce that this was before the stock market slid dramatically this month and the increase would likely not be repeated in the results that come out in November.

And that may be true, but I would like to focus for a moment on the positive… more houses were sold last month than the month before. That is good. And the reason is that houses were on sale…a good deal. Everyone likes a sale. And that is great for the people who want to make an investment in property. Right now is a good time to buy.

Now, I can play the negative game too… this all means some people had to sell at less than they wanted to. And with the clarity that comes from my morning caffeine consumption, I can tell you in all sincerity that this is the way the market goes. And it always does. And at some point things will flip again and it will be a great time to sell.

However, when it comes right down to it, most of us buy our homes to live in them. We choose a floor plan we like on property that suits our needs. We choose a part of town that we want live. Buying a house is a deeply personal decision and the way you value your home shows that. If you are the person who bought a house in the last few years and have now seen the property value of that home depreciate, then hold tight. You still have a place that is yours, suits your needs, and keeps the rain out and the heat in. The value of a home is not only the “book value” of what you could sell it for at this very moment, but rather that plus the value it has for you in the family memories, convenience, location, the way it feels when you walk in the door after a long day at work, and the comfort and security you feel when you crawl into bed at the end of the night. Your house is called a “home” for a reason. And that goes way beyond the fair market value—it is the REAL value. The REAL value of real estate in Charlotte right now is high. The REAL value is in how we feel about our great homes, our wonderful communities, neighborhoods and school systems. The REAL value is our friendly neighbors and the sense of belonging that we get when we own a home. As long as your house is a home you can’t let the newspaper or the stock market, or the “experts” tell you what the value of your home is… only you can determine that.

Rich Ferretti
Charlotte Home Specialist
www.richferretti.com

Want more information about the Charlotte area real estate market? Check out www.richferretti.com

Home Values in Charlotte to Rise

Dear Rich,

I am new to the Charlotte area and I am concerned about my home value. I see that values across the country have gone down and I am wondering if my investment is safe.

Kaitlin in Charlotte.

Dear Kaitlin,

Real estate should be an easy investment. With home values that have steady risen in most places and dramatically jumped in others. Yet with a suffering housing market, many people around the country are rethinking this investment, and for some, the downturn has already had a significant effect.

And yet, in a recent article, Forbes.com places Charlotte, NC as #2 for places where home prices are likely to rise. Great news for the tens of thousands of people who have moved to this area in the last few years!

To determine these numbers, Forbes.com took projections for housing stars from the NAHB and job-growth figures from moody’s economic.com for the 100 largest metro areas in the US. The estimates are based on the cost structures of business in the respective cities and the composition of the local economies.

Other cities in the countries with projected rising housing prices are Albuquerque,NM, San Antonio TX, Portland OR, and Austin TX., But rest assured, your investment in Charlotte is expected to rise.

Best of luck,

Rich Ferretti

Want more information about the Charlotte area real estate market? Check out www.richferretti.com

Charlotte: #7 Hottest Job Markets

Charlotte, NC has another reason to celebrate --We have been ranked #7 in the Hottest Job Markets, making Charlotte an even more attractive place to live.

Only five markets have gained at least 14,000 jobs since the summer of 2007. Among them is Charlotte, which has added 14,200 jobs in the last year. This remarkable one-year growth rate of 1.9 percent ranks fifth nationally. And while the past year, and especially the past couple months have seen the U.S. economy struggle, Charlotte, North Carolina continues to hang on and even thrive.

The bad news for the country is that we have seen 394,000 private-sector jobs slip away since mid-2007, perhaps this has affected you or someone you know. Certainly many people are feeling the economic slow-down. But a few sections of the country--including Charlotte have managed to avoid this economic turmoil.

Charlotte's Stats:
Private-sector jobs as of mid-2008: 773,300
Unemployment rate as of mid-2008: 6.3%
Private-sector trend since mid-2003: Added 96,100 jobs
Five-year growth rate: 14.2%
Private-sector trend since mid-2007: Added 14,200 jobs
One-year growth rate: 1.9%

(*from a study from BizJournals 2008)

Want more information about the Charlotte area real estate market?

Check out www.richferretti.com

Charlotte NC Residential Real Estate Sales Trends

Dear Friends:

The latest Residential Real Estate Sales Trend report was released last week and it is my opinion that our market is still strong and is in the process of rebounding.

According to statistics the average days a listed property is on market is now 130.7. The amount of contracts between July 6 and August 5, 2008 decreased by almost 28.2% compared to last year at this time and residential closings were down by 29.8%.

At the present time there are 30,000 listed properties in our MLS area which encompasses 10 counties with estimated closings at 2,700. These figures equate to an inventory absorption rate of 11. This means at present time we have 11 months worth of inventory and still in a buyers market. With prices trending downward there are some great buys in our area.

Go to my Charlotte Real Estate website for additional information and available properties.

Rich Ferretti
Tel: 704.564.0807
rich@richferretti.com
www.richferretti.com
10801 Johnston Road
Suite 216
Charlotte, NC 28226

Want more information about the Charlotte area real estate market? Check out www.richferretti.com

Foreclosures in the Neighborhood

Dear Rich,

We live in a new large sub division in South Carolina South of Charlotte, NC. There are literally 2 dozen homes for sale in the neighborhood (there are about 500+ total homes). Some of these are foreclosures, including the home next to mine which has been empty since December.

Now that the home next door is listed (it took a long time), they have the price listed at almost $100K less then the previous owner bought it for. I am concerned that this house has been vacant for so long and given that it is listed for so much less than the original value, it is having an adverse affect on my home value.

Is there anything that I can do to help sell the house next door, or help raise the value of mine in this situation?

JW - South of Charlotte.


Dear JW -

You are in a pretty common, however unfortunate situation. Luckily, the good news is that the real estate agent that now has that property listed has it in their best interest to make sure that it sells quickly, and obviously, they want it to sell at as high a price as possible.

The agent should make sure that the property is cared for, so there is nothing that you necessary need to do with that, however, you can be sure to make your home and property look as good as possible. If someone is looking at becoming your new next door neighbor, they will want to know that you take pride in keeping your yard and house well maintained.

The market has caused the foreclosure rate to go up, and home values to go down. But the bright side is that you live near Charlotte, which remains one of the stronger and steadier markets. Even better--the area you are in is very popular. I suspect that the house next door to you will sell quickly and when it does, your home value will go up slowly over time as it should be.

Rich Ferretti
http://www.richferretti.com/

Want more information about the Charlotte area real estate market? Check out www.richferretti.com

Existing home sales rise...What it means for you

Existing home sales rise, but prices still sinking

Sales by homeowners increased more than expected in July, as median prices fell 7% from July 2007. But supplies still rise to a record high, pushing prices even lower.

CNN Money reported this week that sales of existing homes rose more than expected in July, but prices continued to fall. Partly this is because of an increase in foreclosures. Sales volume is increasing because pricing is getting more aggressive, but these lower prices are causing overall sales numbers to be lower than last year.

So what does this mean to you? If you are selling your house, it means that your lower price may attract more attention from hungry buyers. You have plenty of competition, but there are people out there looking for a great deal. If you are looking to buy—this is a great time to make that investment, and there are even additional incentives:

resident Bush is responding to the struggling housing market. The President signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act late last month. The bill includes a temporary tax credit of up to $7,500 for first-time home buyers who haven't purchased a home in three years. To qualify buyers must earn less than $75,000 - or $150,000 for a couple - after which point the tax credit begins to phase out.

Want more information about the Charlotte area real estate market? Check out www.richferretti.com