Team Ludlow’s Blog

Snow and cold weather is hurting our realestate market in Charlotte and surrounding areas.  Waiting for spring…….

          Home inspections are a vital part of any real estate transaction.  Whether a home is new construction or resale, a home inspection can help assess the integrity of the home, allowing the homebuyer full disclosure about the home he is purchasing. 

          Home inspectors are trained to look within a home to spot possible warning signs that are not so visible to the average homebuyer.  A home inspector is not concerned with the cosmetic features of a home, but rather the structural ones. 

          A good Realtor will recommend strongly that a home inspection is completed before the purchase of a home, allowing the buyer to make a completely informed decision. 

Union County, located right outside Charlotte, North Carolina, has been advertised as one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.  Many factors have contributed to this, such as the great schools, affordability, and the nearness to Charlotte. 

          One of the biggest benefits to living in Union County is that the dollar stretches farther here.  Lots are bigger, homes are bigger.  This is especially true in the subdivision of Savannah Way, where many of the lots are at least 1 acre.   Another positive aspect of Union County is the education system.  There are a number of great schools located in the county, and as the area grows, more schools will be built.  Taxes are also extremely lower in Union County.  They are about 71 cents per $100, as compared with Mecklenburg County at 84 cents per $100. 

     So this all adds up to the fact that Union County hotter than ever to reside in. 

          Ballantyne is a town unto its own.  There are many

restaurants, shops, and all the amenities one needs. It is also

very desirable because of its close proximity to highways and

great schools. 

     The downside of the Ballantyne area is the rising lot

prices.  As they continue to rise, the affordability factor

disappears.  However, the close proximity to the South

Carolina border offers purchasers the option to enjoy the

Ballantyne area, without paying the high price to do so. 

Hanover Place located in Fort Mill, South Carolina, offers first

time homebuyers the ability to live in a very desirable

neighborhood located near Ballantyne. 

The Charlotte Metro real estate market is still in a good place, especially compared with other markets.  Many things have contributed to the steady nature of our market, such as the growing number of businesses located in the area.  With companies like Wachovia and Bank of America expanding, employment rates in the area have remained steady.  Another positive factor is the relatively low cost of living in the
Charlotte area, which continually brings in more people relocating. 

          So what does this mean for buyers and sellers in the area?  Well, median sales prices were up 11% from 2006 to 2007, and days on the market are still reasonably low, with on average a home being listed for 97 days in January 2008. 

Charlotte was just chosen as one of the “5 Cities with Big Outdoor Appeal”, by Shape Magazine.  The magazine cited the US National Whitewater Center, more than 50 golf courses, 11 miles of hiking, walking and mountain bike trails, as some must do outdoor activities.  Also, the Public Art Walking tour was listed as a must do activity for those who want to get outside and see the downtown area.  

Those of us who live in the Charlotte, North Carolina area already know about the extensive parks and recreational department.  From the nearly 210 parks and greenway areas, there is something for everyone.  For more information on these parks, visit:  http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Home.htm

The Charlotte Metro area has been mostly protected from the slowing national economy.  With a steady dose of job growth in an economy that is attracting skilled professionals and young workers from other hard-hit areas, we have continued to maintain an edge over most major metropolitan areas.  This is seen most recently in evidence of our core economic health: The Charlotte area was just listed by a respected housing index as the only major city of 20 surveyed with prices up over last year. And the U.S. Census Bureau reported the
Charlotte metro area’s population was the nation’s seventh fastest-growing.  With this continued growth, it’s a great time to purchase a new home in this area.   Union County is boasting continued growth as well, and is a great alternative to the rising taxes in  Mecklenburg
County.   Subdivisions in Union County, such as  Emerald
Lake, offer a serene location with plenty of neighborhood amenities, such as community swimming pool and golf course.   

TOP STORY: Gary Keller: “Tough times drive away the pretenders.”

In a recent conversation, Gary Keller chairman and co-founder of Keller Williams Realty noted, “Tough times drive away the pretenders. Real estate agents can actually make more money in hard times.”

Keller observed — “When the market shifts, in the short run everyone’s business suffers to some degree because the shift occurs so swiftly. However, once agents get their bearings and see what it takes, the committed ones forge ahead, put in the extra effort and hours and lay the foundation to survive and then thrive.

Power up your survival skills

Free download from Lead Generation 36:12:3

Simply put, the defining difference between those who thrive in today’s market and those who don’t boils down to three key factors: mindset, commitment and action.

The Power of One, an essay by Gary Keller, kicks off, and is the foundation of, Keller Williams University’s latest course Lead Generation 36:12:3. With a focus on establishing the one habit that matters most to your business, The Power of One sets the stage for you to generate 36 transactions in 12 months based on the daily discipline of 3 hours of lead generation.

Download The Power of One now.

https://secure.kw.com/kwu/content/cat_LeadGen36123Downloads.jsp

There are many Advantages of Having Your Own Agent

Did you know that a listing agent represents the seller and works to get them the most money for their home? They must supply the seller with any and all information that may affect the decision to sell their property.

You should have your own real estate agent to represent your best interests and to help you obtain all of the right information. You will need to make the best-informed decision you can when considering purchasing a home.

There are many advantages to having your own real estate agent, including:

* Receiving actual facts on the neighborhood so that you don’t pay too much.
* Getting quality information about lenders, the best rates and mortgage loan programs and rates.
* Having a representative devoted to only your interests who will negotiate contract, closing date, repairs, price, etc.
* Using an agent who will interpret and provide you with the best information about home inspections and refer a great inspector.
* Saving you thousands of dollars by not letting you overpay.
* Preventing you from making a mistake when purchasing your home.
* Providing an enjoyable home-purchasing experience and a life-long contact in the area.

It is best to have a written contract with your agent in order to guarantee the best representation for you. Without a buyer’s agent agreement in writing the agent you are looking at homes with still works for the seller by state law in North Carolina. You must have your requirements clearly spelled out.

Let us show you how to gain the advantage when negotiating your home purchase. Please feel free to call or send us an email at any time.

Team Ludlow

www.TeamLudlow.net

“You will never think we could have done more to earn ALL of your referrals!”