Originally reported by the New York Times, Charlotte residents facing foreclosure may be in for a break. There are several million homeowners facing foreclosure across the country right now and the backlog of cases has opened the opportunity for many homeowners to stay in their home a little longer and in some cases win back their home.


Major banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo acknowledged last fall that they had been processing foreclosures illegally by processing false court documents. With this admission came a pause in all foreclosure cases as they banks are currently in the process of re-writing their foreclosure process. This pause has given many Charlotte area homeowners just the break they have been hoping for. Foreclosures across the country are currently down 33% from last year and in some markets as much as 85%.

Many Charlotteans are using this time to fight the foreclosure process and in many cases they are either getting loan modifications, dismissals or selling their home for less than they own. Many banks are overwhelmed with the amount of foreclosures already on file and some banks aren't very quick to add more to their books. If you are one of the many Charlotteans facing foreclosure, take this time to try to work with your bank to come to an outcome that works best for you.

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.

In today's real estate market the homes that sell the fastest are the ones that potential clients can't stop thinking about for days after a viewing. Staging your house can prove to be a very effective tool in making your house stand out from the rest and leave a lasting impression. However, hiring a staging professional might not always be within reach for budget-minded sellers. If you are thinking about selling your home and don't want to break the bank in the process, I have a few tips to get you started.


Look at your floors...
Dirty (Sippy Cup spill?) or worn carpet (is your house is the neighborhood hangout for all of your son's friends?) is an eyesore and potential buyers will notice. Depending on your budget you may want to consider doing a professional carpet cleaning or even replace the carpet. Carpet cleaning prices can range from $200 to $500 depending on how big your house is, but will make a significant improvement in the appearance and the smell of your carpet.




 If your budget allows, you may want to consider replacing it completely. Complete carpet replacement is definitely more expensive than cleaning but in some cases it may be necessary. If you opt for replacing your carpet with a lower grade carpeting you might want to consider upgrading the padding underneath to give the carpeting a more luxurious feel while still saving you some money.
If you really want to get the potential buyers interest, consider installing wood floors. According to a 2010 study on national floor trends, red oak was listed as being the most popular flooring option among interested buyers. Wood flooring isn't usually on a list of budget-friendly upgrades, but it can make a huge impact when selling your house.

Let in the light...
Install CFL's (compact flourescent bulbs) around your house. This cuts down on electricity and makes your home more energy efficient-which can be a huge selling point to a lot of environmentally friendly buyers. If you have a basement, add lighting to give the space a more usable feel. Use accent lighting to highlight certain areas of your home (bookcases, dark corners, foyers). Under cabinet lighting, sconce lighting, etc... all can be used to make your home shine. Literally.


Break out the paint rollers...
Paint can be one of the cheapest methods for improving both the look and feel of your home. Stay away from using flat or matte finishes as they often show more scuffs and can be difficult to clean. Using finishes with a higher sheen can help make rooms feel larger by reflecting light off the walls.  Steer away from colors that may be too personal (pink, bright yellow, orange) and try to stick with colors that are neutral to help buyers envision their own furniture matching the house.



Don't forget the baseboards and trim when painting!!! Such a simple chore that can make a huge difference. Choosing antique white or navajo white to repaint the trim and baseboards around your house can give your house a clean feeling and make the details in your homes architecture look amazing.


Pack up the clutter...
Nobody wants to walk in to the home you're selling and see all of your personal belongings laying around the house while they are trying to envision themselves living in it. Start by boxing up items you use once a year and know you can live without for the time being ( i.e. items your closets, basement, attic, etc... ). This will help those areas appear larger and more appealing to potential buyers. Next, start going through the house and box up excessive personal items like family photos, toys, clothes, etc... The purpose isn't to make your house feel like nobody lives there, but rather to help the potential buyer envision themselves living there. The more things you are able to box up and move out of the house, the bigger and cleaner it will feel to a buyer.



Spending money on staging can increase the chances of selling your home but there are plenty of budget-friendly options for you to explore that won't break the bank. If you have any questions about these tips or need a staging referral (I use one of the best in Charlotte), shoot me an email. Good luck!

For all of you real estate-working mom's and dad's out there, read on about what we're supposed to be doing NOW to get ahead of the curve during tough times and be positioned for greatness when the tide starts to turn.


Here are a few survival tips to balancing family life and real estate success:

1. DO NOT CUT BACK ON YOUR BUDGET! Keep in touch with your past customers--meaning ALL of your past buyers and sellers--on a monthly basis. Superstars get 80% to 90% of their business from past customers through continuous prospecting and marketing. Consider that we're still on track to sell four million re-sales nationwide this year. Who's going to sell them? Certainly not the ones who "give up." Stay in the game.

Well 2009, you taught us a lot. We are more thankful for the jobs we have and the money we make. More importantly, we cherish our friends and family perhaps more than ever. It has been a crazy year for all of us-some made more than ever by cashing in on the niche spots in the economy but most of us just barely made it through and are ready for 2010!






Here are some tips to take into 2010 that I gathered from some of my clients and other professionals in the real estate industry:


-Absolutely take advantage of the $8,000 or $6,500 tax credit for purchasing property before it disappears in June!


-Aside from investors who are doing remodeling/flipping, think more long-term when looking for your new home(perhaps holding on to it for 5-10+ years as opposed to 2-5 years)


-Curb appeal and staging have never been more important to buyers


-Don't stretch your budget: live within your means even if that means waiting on your dream house another year


-Work hard, but don't forget to leave it at the office (or hide the Blackberry) and spend focused time with your family


-Sellers may be more willing to add in extras: you like the playset they have in the backyard? Or the bunk beds upstairs? Ask for them! It may just relieve them of hauling the furntiure in the Rent-A-Truck.








Here are a few tidbits I've heard from clients that should get you motivated!


-I talked to one of my clients last week and he said that Wells Fargo/Wachovia made more money last year than ever before. They are going to start hiring new people this week.



-I also just got an email from another client that said his company targeted niches and segments of markets that were starting to come back 6 months ago (San Diego, Las Vegas) and they have seen a 26% increase in their product sales. They predict Charlotte is 6 months behind these markets.


-Agents in San Diego and southern California are desperate to find inventory for their buyers! The listing agents are getting 20 offers on listings. In Las Vegas, if you don't offer cash they won't even look at your offer.












If you have any questions regarding the tax credit extension or how to make the most of 2010's real estae market, feel free to give me a ring at 704-604-2445 or shoot me an email: sarah@sarahmartinhomes.com


Happy New Year!