If you'd like an update on the housing market (are you thinking of buying or selling a home?) and how it is affecting Charlotte, NC, read on.



The National Association of Realtors, in light of the recent economic developments, released this statement about the stability of the housing market:

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home prices have been moderating. “Median home prices have been moving up and down in a relatively narrow range in many markets, which shows a stabilization trend,” he said. “Markets showing consistent price stability or increases are those with solid labor market conditions, such as in Washington, D.C.; San Antonio; or Fargo, N.D.”


Charlotte can certainly be grouped in with other cities with solid labor markets-there are multiple Fortune 500 companies in Charlotte and our hospital systems, energy and banking centers bring in new people every month.

Read the article regarding the housing market in its entirety: Second Quarter Metro Prices Mixed
.

Also, check out this video from YUN on the AAA credit downgrade:



If you'd like stats or update info on your particular neighborhood or neighborhood of interest, email me at Sarah@SarahMartinHomes.com

Check out this renovated home for sale in Charlotte, NC! It's located in an established neighborhood, Heritage Woods East.

• -4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2600sq ft
• -Kitchen has granite countertops and granite island (to be built)
• -NEW SS appliances.
• -You'll find honed granite and tile in updated baths
• -Bamboo floor in living area. 
• -There is a huge master suite with four large windows, sitting area, double closets, and dual vanity.
• -The best part of the deal is that the seller is offering up to 5% in allowances! Pre-Inspected!

This Charlotte home has it all and is beautifully done.
Check out the pics below and for more information email me at sarah@sarahmartinhomes.com
















Home is set in cul-de-sac in established neighborhood and has easy access to South Park Mall & Uptown!
This home is priced at $165,000.

If you'd like the MLS listing of the home, feel free to contact me at Sarah@SarahMartinHomes.com

Buying a house in Charlotte can be a rewarding and challenging experience. The right Realtor can make the entire process as smooth as can be. In this section we will explore what happens in the weeks after your offer has been accepted By this point you have already secured your loan, found the home of your dreams and submitted an offer that has been accepted by the seller.



Weeks 2 and 3 after we’re in contract

• Schedule closing date and time with attorney and have attorney order survey, if a survey is desired.
• Lender will order an appraisal of the property (valuation of property)
• You will set up homeowners insurance policy with assistance from lender. Check with your current car      insurance carrier for potential discount rates.
• Set up utilities at new address for closing date

• Re-inspect any repairs that were made
• Review HUD/Settlement Statement
• Get certified check from bank (based on final HUD numbers). Check made out to closing attorney.
• Walk through property morning-of or day before closing
• Close on property in the morning before 2pm so the deed can be recorded the same day and keys can be exchanged. Make sure to bring picture ID to closing and certified funds!
• Bribe your friends to get them to help you move in!
• RELAX…. This process can be educational and empowering.

• Building Inspection:  $300 to $600 (depending on size of home)
• Wood destroying insect inspection:  $55 to $80
• Survey: ~ $375
• Attorney fees: $550 - $750
• Down Payment: ask your lender how much you’ll need to put down. Will probably range from 3.5% to 20% depending on your credit, income, and price range of home
• Lender fees:  Ask your lender to give you a Good Faith Estimate
• Average estimate of closing cost’s: 2.5% – 3% of purchase price
• Radon inspection: ~$300
• Home Warranty: $350 - $450
• REMINDER: asking the seller to pay for the above expenses (a.k.a. closing costs) is always an option      during negotiations

Buying a house in Charlotte can have plenty of snags that the inexperienced may find cumbersome. With the help of a trained Realtor, the home buying process can be as smooth as your new granite countertops :) Once you have found the home of your dreams and submited the offer to purchase, your nest steps are:



During the offer negotiations

• Negotiate purchase price and other terms (other terms are VERY important; often just as important as the purchase price).
• Terms other than price - Due Diligence Fee, Due Diligence Period, Earnest Money Fee, Seller-Paid Closing Costs, Settlement Date, etc.  (These will be explained in greater detail throughout process.

Days immediately following acceptance of offer:

Charlotte home prices slipped a little lower in April due to the over-supply and backlog of foreclosed homes for sale in Charlotte, NC. Radar Logic reported a decrease of 5.1% from the same time last year because last years data included tax credits and other govt. programs. The large demand of foreclosed homes selling for often 40% less than market value is the driving force behind Charlotte's buyer controlled real estate market.



If you're looking to sell your home and all the news of slipping prices is making you feel like there's no hope, contact me today at sarah@sarahmartinhomes.com. There are plenty of things that can be done to stage your home and make it an amazing value that no buyer would want to walk away from. Charlotte home prices will increase as time passes and as the foreclosure inventory sells through. Until then, the best advantage a seller can have is a thorough understand of the ever changing real estate market.

The Charlotte Art's District (NoDa) is a bustling community that has grown over the years to be one of the hottest places to live in Charlotte. Neighborhood theaters, art galleries and amazing restaurants are just a few of the things that make NoDa a great place to live. There is also a thriving real estate market in the neighborhood and if you're in the market for a new home, this just might be the place for you!



Built in 2007, this beautiful bungalow has it all! Its conveniently located within walking distance to NoDa's hip eateries, unique shopping, art galleries, theaters and boast an impressive walkability score of 74. It has a rocking chair front porch for taking full advantage of outdoor living space. Once inside you find an open floor plan and a stunning kitchen with granite countertop and stainless steel appliances. The master suite comes complete with a jacuzzi tub & a walk-in closet. Outside you find a professionally landscaped yard, irrigation system and an amazing deck built for entertaining. The home also comes complete with a 2 car garage & TONS of storage!!!

This is an amazing opportunity right in the heart of NoDa. If you are interested in learning more about the property or would like to set-up a showing, please contact me at sarah@sarahmartinhomes.com or call me at 704-604-2445.

Slate Interiors will be having a Gallery Crawl this Friday, June 3rd from 5pm to 8pm. I absolutely ADORE Slate Interiors and have already been there at least a half dozen times since they opened. I even got a gift card there for Mother's Day! The decor and artwork they've got is amazing and the prices are even better (drum lights for $75, antique furniture pieces from $250-$700, handcrafted pillows for less than $30).

• Furniture
• Original Artwork
• Lamp shades
• Pillows
• Antiques
• Desks
• Garden furniture

Charlotte is fast becoming an artist hub along the east coast to meet and exchange styles. This Friday you can enjoy drinks while browsing Slate Interiors wide selection of fine furniture, interior design ideas and gallery style artwork. Becky Miller will be the featured artist for the gallery crawl and there will be plenty of art pieces on display for your enjoyment.


Becky Miller is a North Carolina native and this is what she has to say about her artwork:

"I am drawn to paint, its properties and the physical act of painting, with an affinity to large-scale work. Painting large is my way of capturing the content of the work, as I tend to see it…bigger than life.

Inspiration for my work is both intentional and a response to the very act of painting itself. I find troweling plaster, pastes and other media on canvas and wood exciting and refreshing raw surfaces from which the process of paint to canvas then moves quickly…uncertain of the actual outcome."


 


Be sure to check out the Gallery Crawl this Friday, June 3rd at Slate Interiors.

Tip: Leave kids at home when shopping at Slate Interiors. You'll want to spend at least 45 minutes perusing and no child under 12 that I've ever met is capable of handling that. :)

Pets are abundant in Charlotte and chances are you're part of the 62% of people in our country that own a pet. Whether it be long-haired or short, finned, feathered or even poisonous... (eeek), animals continue to cast their mesmerizing spell on the hearts and minds of millions of people across the country and probably a Charlotte neighborhood near you.


Most people however, have no idea how important it is to take even the smallest steps in pet-proofing their house. In 2010 the ASPCA reported over 140,000 cases of pets that were exposed to toxic substances or hazardous things in their own homes. Most of those cases could have been prevented with some simple steps.




                                                       Photo Courtesy of ThirteenTwentySeven Photography




One of the easiest things to do is called an "All-Fours Inspection". You will simply inspect areas of your home at ground level as your pet would see it.  This probably sounds ridiculous, but if your pets safety is truly a priority for you, your humility probably comes second.


By just looking around your home at ground level you can discover:

• choking
• electrocution
• suffocation hazards that you may have otherwise never noticed.
• Experts also advise that you keep window cords short as to avoid animals chewing and choking on them as well as unplug or cover wires and electrical cords to prevent electrical injuries.

                               Photo Courtesy of ThirteenTwentySeven Photography




Feeding your furry friend table scraps is a common bad habit for pet owners, but some human foods can actually cause real harm to your pet. The ASPCA has a list of prohibited foods on their website that include:

• alcoholic beverages
• avocado
• chocolate (all forms)
• coffee (all forms)
• fatty foods
• macadamia nuts
• moldy or spoiled foods
• onions
• onion powder
• raisins and grapes
• salt
• yeast dough
• garlic
• products sweetened with xylitol.

Just because you can eat it doesn't mean your pet can, too. If you would like more information on safe foods for pets you can also contact the local Humane Society.






Finally, make sure your plants are pet friendly or completely out of reach. The ASPCA has a list of common dangerous plants on their website but some of the most comon include:

• lilies,
• amaryllis
•  poinsettia
• mums
• aloe vera

Plants are beautiful additions to households, just make sure that they aren't a danger to your pet.





                                          Photo Courtesy of ThirteenTwentySeven Photography




There are countless more opportunities to improve your pets safety but if you take just a few minutes to look over the three suggestions provided you could potentially remove a huge risk to your beloved pet and simultaneously reduce risk or injury to your child. We all love our pets and want to make sure they are as safe and protected as we are.

Are you trying to figure out what to do this weekend? How about taking a stroll through Dilworth's very own neighborhood park.





Though it's smaller than nearby Freedom Park, Latta Park in Dilworth offers a wide range of activities and often is much less crowded than Freedom Park. Nestled between E. Park Ave and Romany Rd, Latta Park spans across 31 acres and offers:

• Picnic shelter with restroom, grill, electricity
• Tom Sykes Recreation Center
• Walking/fitness trails
• 1 Playground
• 2 soccer fields
• 1 Sprayground (water comes spraying out of the ground, great for kids in the summer!)
• 2 Basketball court
• 2 Multi-purpose field
• 6 tennis courts  
• 1 Volleyball court

There is plenty to see in the park while walking on the tree covered trails especially now that its spring time and the flowers are beginning to bloom.







While enjoying Latta Park make sure you take a second to admire some of the beautiful homes the Dilworth neighborhood has to offer.






If you're looking for a place to get out this weekend and enjoy the sunshine, smell the flowers, jog through tree -covered trails, have a picnic, or just let the kids get some energy out... you definitely need to check out Latta Park!