Showing posts with label Staging a Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Staging a Home. Show all posts

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre

Carolina Actors’ Studio Theatre has finally made its return toNoDa! Carolina Actors’ Studio Theatre (CAST) operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to producing contemporary theatre and audience involvement from the second patrons enter the facility. CAST relocated from its Plaza-Midwood facility to 2424 North Davidson in NoDa and is up-fitting the space for performances and rentals.

Incorporating an array of multimedia and various other art forms, CAST is able to immerse its audiences in a fully enveloped artistic experience and encourage the audience to better understand their world while inviting them to make a difference. For two decades, CAST has been producing high quality performances in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood and since the designation of 501c3 status in 2006, CAST has been quickly becoming one of the region’s most celebrated theatre’s.  The theatre’s has received many great nominations and awards such as:
CAST’s vision is to eventually emerge as Charlotte’s professional theatre company and employ a host of actors and creative professionals. The theatre’s new space in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood provides the perfect platform to pursue their vision. The new space is located right next door to Amelie’s French Bakery and will provide an amazing experience for CAST’s ever expanding audience:


  • A prominent location near NoDa’s popular restaurants and shopping
  • Increased parking in a well-lit location
  • Amenities including additional restrooms, lobby space, etc…

CAST’s 2011-2012 season looks to be one of its most promising ever! Productions expected for the upcoming season are expected to be:
  • AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY by Tracy Letts (August 25-September 24, 2011) The grand opening of CAST’s new performance spaces in NoDa will be the regional premiere of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about that tells the bitingly funny and sensationally entertaining tale of the Weston family of Pawhuska, Oklahoma.  This ambitious production will feature one of the theatre’s largest cast’s to date, with 13 actors portraying members of the Weston clan.  The Roundabout Theatre Company’s 2008 production took home the Tony for Best Play, and CAST is pleased to be first to bring this exceptional play to audiences in Charlotte.
  • DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher (October 13-November 5, 2011) Jeffrey Hatcher’s expressionistic stage adaptation of the 1886 novella will seek to mesmerize audiences during the days leading up to and following Halloween.  This retelling of a classic tale will be augmented by CAST’s special brand of experiential theatre, which will serve as an apt backdrop for a chilling fun house ride through a haunted psyche.
Cast’s move to NoDa is sure to further their goals of becoming Charlotte’s leading performing art theatre. make sure you check out a show soon, so you can say you saw them before they were BIG!

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The Home Buying Process - Part 3

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
Week of Closing

  • 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  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.


Be prepared for the following expenses

  • 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


Once you have run through all of the hoops and made it to the other side of the home buying process you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You now get to move and redecorate, repaint and remodel to make your new house a true expression of your families personality. If there is anything I can do to ease your home buying process feel free to contact me at sarah@sarahmartinhomes.com.

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Slate Interiors Shop 'til you Drop Sidewalk Sale

Slate Interiors is having a sidewalk sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday! Make sure you stop by the shop to check out the bargains, closeouts, and red tag sales.

Warehouse/Sidewalk Sale


June 16, 17, 18 From 10:00am-5:00pm

Slate Interiors

1401 Central Avenue

Plaza-Midwood

704-930-7890


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Fun Walls for your Charlotte Home!



My assistant, Ellie, and I previewed a gorgeous property today in Dilworth for an out-of-town client looking to buy a home in Charlotte and fell in love with the mural painting on the walls of one of the bedrooms. It was like we were dropped right in the center of a county fair! The ceiling was painted like the top of a Merry-Go-Round with the light fixture being the center focal point. Each wall depicted a different circus animal and my assistant had a great time pretending she was riding on the giraffe. Can you imagine how fun it would be to fall asleep surrounded by circus animals? (Ok, you’re right…might actually be a little scary. Let’s assume, then, that your little rascal is one of those kids that loves animals, dinosaurs, and volcano’s and would never be scared this giraffe would jump off the wall and “get” them).




Scary animals or not, murals are a great addition to kid's rooms - heck, any room - because they add flavor and flair in a distinctive way; it’s your own piece of original art that visitors will love to ask questions about. If hiring a professional is not in your budget, consider hiring your school-age child to draw his favorite picture. Then use a projector (your favorite art teacher or teacher-friend will certainly let you borrow one for the evening) to blow up the drawing on the wall. It will turn into a family affair when everyone gets to paint their own section of the mural. And how special will Jr. feel that his artwork is featured in bigger-than-life form in his room!?


If you’re thinking of adding a mural or wall accent in another room of the house, think of something that will outlast the current fad. You’d be better off enjoying the artwork 5 years from now rather than putting a picture of something trendy that will be lame in 6 months. Keep in mind, too, that when selling your home, it’d be better to have something that might appeal to more than just you and your Buddha-loving partner. A 5-foot-tall Buddha in the dining room may not scream “buy me!” to your discriminating buyers. Check out some of these for inspiration….








I know a few great local artists in here in Charlotte if you’re ready to make the move into one-of-a-kind art. Email me if you’d like to have an artist come to your home to help you sort out ideas and for a quote.

Ellie also loved this elevated granite counter top in the Chef's kitchen of this Dilworth home. She has such great taste.




Happy Painting!
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Who's House is This?


Does your house reflect who “you” are?


If you’re a new mom or dad, you’re probably going through a lot of life changes:
-your social life is different
-your body is different (hey, even dad’s gain pregnancy pounds)
-your list of “what’s important” may be changing, too

With so many new things occurring in your life, it may be hard to pin-point what type of home is for you, the “new” you.
When I say "type of home," I don’t mean structure of a home (like ranch, colonial, bungalow, etc.), I mean style and panache-the interior of your home.


Just like many post-pregnancy women feel the desire to change their wardrobe and style after they’ve lost their baby weight, many parents want a new feel in their homes, too.  Whether you are remodeling, buying a new home, or just re-arranging your own home, here is "the big three" idea that will keep you feeling stylish and fresh:



Think of three words that you want to describe your home environment
For example, you may want to live in a home that can be described as:
-chic, sophisticated, and classy
-Or cozy, warm, and round
-Maybe bright, fun, and unique describes the vibe you’re going for

Whatever the three words are, stick to them throughout the house. Stick to them when you’re shopping for new décor, for dishes, for linens, furniture. When you’re in Pottery Barn or Target, ask yourself, “Does this lamp exude ‘chic, sophisticated, and classy?’ ” No? Move on.



Check out these rooms and see if you can see which three words these owners chose:

A.
 

B.

C.                                                                                                                                                            

Answers:
A. Colorful, Mix-Matchy, Shabby-Chic
B. Sexy, Young, Hip
C. Elegant, Modern, Sleek

A few other style tidbits:

-If you don't want to live in a kid-centric environment (yes, our kids are the center of our worlds, but we don't have to live amongst their toys and gadgets), assign a bedroom or trunk that will house all of their "must-haves". (Also see this archived blog)




-Re-arrange every few months. I like to live by the season. In the summer I get out my coral reef candle sticks and sea grass vase. I put it away in the winter in exchange for our "stick candleabra" from Crate and Barrel. Moving frames every so often from this end table to that dresser can make a big difference.

-Let yourself focus on the house in the morning, say, and after the afternoon nap, it's all about baby. I found myself in the first few months trying to juggle both and feeling guilty if I wasn't paying one attention. Now, I clean and organize during Ellie's morning nap and play in the afternoon. In the evening, I put away all of her things in the guest bedroom/office so when hubby gets home, we enjoy our dinner & wine in our adult world.



Happy Creating!


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Thanks for Everything, 2009

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.








Who needs a corner office with a window? Check out my office view! I'm lucky to have a career where I can work from my home office when I'm not physically showing properties and spend time with my most-valuable assistant.





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!


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