Charleston Style Living in Ballantyne

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Posted By mike stearns on January 31st, 2010

Charleston Place townhomes in Ballantyne, NC are centrally located in the heart of Ballantyne.   Charleston Place is comprised of three distinctive villages: The Battery, Sterling Heights, and Ivy Ridge.  The community of 258 townhomes was built by Pulte Homes beginning in 2001 and was completed in 2004.

 

 

The Battery in Ballantyne was built in 2001 and 2002, these 51 all-brick upscale town homes have threeballantyne-charlotte-nc-1 stories and a single car attached garage.  The lower level can be used as an office, workout room, or flex room and includes a half-bath. 

 

The second level has a large living area with gas fireplace, kitchen, eating area, and powder room.  The two floor plans feature either two master suites or three bedrooms on the third floor along with two full baths.

 

All homes in The Battery at Ballantyne have large decks for outdoor entertaining.  Two shopping centers within walking distance, Ballantyne Village andballantyne-charlotte-nc-2 Ballantyne Commons East, make The Battery a prime location for urban living in suburban South Charlotte.   The Charleston Place pool and clubhouse is only a short walk away.  For an example of the homes above please visit: 11130 Bladworth Court.  (MLS 911246).

 

 

Ivy Ridge in Ballantyne is comprised of 122 all-brick townhomes that were built between 2002 and 2004.  There are two floor plans that both include a luxurious master suite on the first floor with a large walk-in closet, garden tub, and separate shower.   All of theballantyne-charlotte-nc-3 homes have a casual eating area as well as a formal dining room.  The great room which includes a gas fireplace has a very high ceiling opening to the second floor.  There are two additional bedrooms and a loft area on the second floor.

Plenty of storage space can be found in the walk-in and pull-down attics.  Fifty homes in Ivy Ridge include basements and offer beautiful views from large decks off the main floor.

 

 

Sterling Heights has 85 beautiful three-story brick and vinyl town homes, built in 2002 and 2003; theyballantyne-charlotte-nc-41 offer two floor plans.  Each feature either two master suites or three bedrooms and two full baths on the third floor. The second floor contains a large living area and kitchen with an open floor plan and a large outdoor deck.  The lower level can be used as an office, workout room, or flex room. Each home contains two full baths and two half-baths, a fireplace in the family room, and an attached two-car garage.

 

 

This village is the closest to Ballantyne Village shopping center which boasts a state-of-the-art movie theater, shops, restaurants, and the Ballantyne YMCA.

Ninja Selling Program offered by Helen Adams Realty in 2010-2011

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Posted By Holly on January 29th, 2010

Helen Adams Realty will be offering an Advanced Ninja Selling coaching program in 2010-2011, taught by one of four national Ninja instructors, Zan Monroe.

Zan Monroe

Zan Monroe

The Ninja Selling program is one of the most well-attended real estate training courses in the nation.  This dynamic training program focuses on providing exceptional customer service, building lasting relationships, and expounds the philosophy that you receive by giving.

The Ninja Selling program not only teaches effective business planning and sales techniques, but also aims to improve the quality of your personal life, through focus, practice and deliberate intent.

Helen Adams Realty is honored to offer the Ninja program to all its agents and staff in 2010-2011.

A free event, “The Essence of Ninja” will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 to learn more about the program, CLICK ON THE IMAGE below:

Essence of Ninja event on February 17, 2010

Helen Adams Realty Welcomes Fred Holder

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Posted By Helen Adams Realty on January 29th, 2010

Helen Adams Realty is proud to announce that Fred Holder has joined our team.  Fred will be working out of our Randolph Road Office.  fred_holder_-_agent_photo

 

About Fred A. Holder :

 

Fred Holder has a background in sales, marketing, public realtions and is a graduate of East Carolina University.

 

Fred believes buying or selling a home should be a stress-free process, allowing you to comfortably move on to whatever lies ahead. 

 

“I provide the support and guidance you need to successfully carry you through your next real estate transaction, with uncompromising quality of service and commitment to your best interests.
I strive to deliver a superior customer experience, whether it envolves buying or selling a home.  The reward is delivering the ‘American Dream’ of home ownership.
As a professional, I educate my clients in every aspect of the transaction.  My clients make the decisions;  I guide them to make the right ones!”
- Fred Holder / Realtor, Broker

 

Objective:
To market your property for the highest possible price, in the shortest amount of time, with the least inconvenience to you.  To protect buyers and work to make the search process as stress-free as possible.

 

Education:
East Carolina University…Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology
Bill Gallagher School of Real Estate
Mingle School of Real Estate
Fine Homes Certification

 

Affiliations:
Charlotte Regional Realtor Association
Carolinas Multiple Listing Services
North Carolina Association of Realtors
National Association of Realtors

 

Skills:
Marketing, Sales, and Public Relations Background
Efficient Communication and Negotiation Skills
Expertise in Real Estate Buying and Selling
Enthusiastic and Energetic

 

Personal:
Committed to fulfilling the expectations of clients while adhering to the highest standards of professionalism.

 

Please contact Fred Holder for any of your real estate needs by visiting his website or calling 704-578-6818.

Helen Adams Realty Welcomes Mitch Eudy to our Ballantyne Office

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Posted By Helen Adams Realty on January 29th, 2010

We are please to announce that Mitch Eudy has joined our Ballantyne Office.    mitch_eudy-headshot

Mitch’s vast experience is a strong addition to our team.  Here are a few words from Mitch:

As a native of North Carolina, I have spent a lifetime cultivating relationships and connections here. My family is rooted here, and my business is focused here. Whether you are relocating to our state, or you are simply ready to move to the other side of the street, I am the agent who can make yours a truly positive real estate experience.

My qualifications for marketing your home to Sell:
Thirty years in professional marketing and sales has provided me with experiences that will translate as success in selling your home.  I take pride in my commitment to ethical business practices, knowledge of the market, thorough and timely communication, and standards of professionalism beyond even those required in the real estate industry. Trust experience to market and sell your home the professional way.

My philosophy of representing you as a Buyer:
Representing a homebuyer is all about listening to his or her heart.  What are the goals and desires of that prospective homeowner?  Will this home be a place to raise children? Will it be a place to entertain? Will it be a place to work?  Whatever the answer to these questions, a home is always a place to house and realize the dreams and desires of the heart of the buyer. Buying a home is not about a building; it is all about building a great experience during the buying process that translates into a great experience in the living process.

Professional Affiliations

National Association of Realtors

N.C. Association of Realtors

Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association

Professional Qualifications

Licensed N.C. General Contractor

Registered N.C. Landscape Contractor

Sales and Marketing for Fortune 500 companies 1982-2002

Bachelors of Arts, Wingate University

Designations

Senior Real Estate Specialist

Quality Service Certified

Community Affiliations

Union County Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Wingate University Trustee

Do you go out of your way to support your local businesses?

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Posted By roshawn ross- hampton on January 29th, 2010

My answer is yes. I always visit retailers that are in the closest proximity to my home first (even if the price is higher). I will admit that I do have cost limitations on certain goods and services, but for the most part, I choose local. Here’s an example: I needed to purchase 6 navy blue blazers for children at a local school. (These were donations to an underserved community, but that’s an entirely different story that I will tell at a later time). Anyway, I could have simply ordered the items online at Target.com with free shipping, loaded the box in my car and delivered items to the school. That sounds convenient right? Well, I started thinking. How about I just drive to my nearest Target and purchase the blazers at that location. Better yet, I decided to call. Did you know that Target will take an order by phone! To my amazement, the salesperson retrieved 3 of the 6 blazers that I needed and put them on “hold” for me to purchase at the service desk the following day. My total time for going this route: 20 minutes. For some, this might be troubling or too much work. As I see it, I just pumped several hundred dollars into my local economy. Think about it…I want all my local merchants to thrive in this and any economy. No one wants empty commercial property near their home. It’s an eye sore and can we talk about reduced property values of homes. Now I know you are probably wondering, what I am going to do about the other 3 blazers that were not available at the Stonecrest Target. Well, I am still searching the other Target’s in town. I was told that the Blakeney Target is expecting a shipment in a few days. I am willing to wait.

CHARLOTTE MAKES A SMART MOVE

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Posted By Sabrina Brown on January 28th, 2010

About five years ago, I wondered for my three boys what types of educational, fun programs in Charlotte there were for elementary and middle schoolers interested in science and engineering careers – I know, thinking of their futures already.  Well, my boys are only 2 years apart, so they have turned me into their official activity director.  We did all the Discovery Place camps and athletic programs at the local YMCA, so what next.  I found FIRST Lego League (FLL).  It has been a tremendous experience.  This year’s robot challenge was called SMART MOVE www.NC-FLL.org FLL engages kids in a playful, yet meaningful way, while helping them to develop fundamental science and technology skills. In a nutshell, they design and build their own robots and compete with other teams in their community.

This is my second year as FLL coach, and I have been impressed how many teams have formed in Charlotte over the years. It is hot!  This past weekend, my team competed in the regionals in Greensboro with about 30 other teams.  The missions this year focused on transportation in our community.  In addition to performing robotic runs around transportation obstacles, my team like the others had to study a transportation problem in the community and propose a unique solution to judges.  Additionally, they had challenges testing their teamwork skills and technical interviews were also a component where judges asked the kids detail questions on their robot design.

The ages that compete in the US range from 9-14. It’s an international organization so some countries have participants as old as 16.  And for those interested, this year’s world finals will be in the US (in Atlanta).  I’m proud to report my 4th and 5th grader team placed 6th at the regionals against teams that much older, and we still have a chance to advance to the state finals based on teamwork and technical interview scores.

Have questions on FLL or forming a team in Charlotte, don’t hesitate to visit my website.    And if you don’t mind my amateur video clip, you can even see my team performing their last robotic run before the round ends at this weekend competition.sabrina-brown

Why Isn’t Your Charlotte NC Real Estate Selling?

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Posted By Debe Maxwell on January 27th, 2010

You’ve listed your property. You’ve spent your evenings after work and weekends with people traipsing through your home.  You’ve done everything you can possibly think of and your Charlotte NC real estate is still sitting on the market while others around you are selling.  Why isn’t your home selling?
You’ve cleaned your home—you think.  Let’s examine a few areas that many people tend to overlook:
•          Have you de-cluttered?  Make your home look as spacious as you possibly can.  Collectibles and family items are simply not appealing to buyers–you don’t want to distract them and you DO want them to be able to envision  their own belongings in your home.   Too many of your ‘things’ make them feel as though they are intruding.
•         Have you stuffed all of your “stuff” in cabinets thinking no one will be bold enough to open cabinets and look inside?  In fact, most buyers DO open drawers and cabinets, and will definitely look in your closets.  So, don’t stash all your stuff in the closets.  Besides being untidy, it is likely that overstuffed closets will fall out in an avalanche when an unsuspecting buyer happens to take a peek.  My recommendation:  You’re getting ready to move anyway, why not pack it away NOW?
•         Are the dirty dishes stacked up, clothes in the laundry baskets, or used towels all over the bathroom?   Just because you have to live in your Charlotte NC real estate until you sell it doesn’t mean it looks good to your buyers.   The ‘lived in’ look only makes your home look comfortable when friends and family visit, not prospective buyers.
•         Does your loving pet adore your visitors?   Even the most well-behaved dog or cat may be a distraction.  Not everybody is a pet lover, and even if they are, they don’t want to have to deal with your pets while viewing a home.   Keep your dogs and cats in their crates when buyers come to see your Charlotte NC real estate listing or better yet, if you’re able to do so, take them with you during the showing.
•         Is the lawn mower sitting on the patio, the pool skimmer lying on the lawn; are the kid’s bikes piled up in the driveway?   The inside of your home isn’t the only place that shouldn’t look ‘lived in’ when you are showing your home to the public.  Again, pack it up or tuck it away neatly.

Little things do mean a lot.  Don’t let those little nail holes, stray wires from a removed fixture, or coffee stains on the carpet go unheeded.   Your buyer is not going to want to fix those things when they move in, especially not in this economy when a good number of home buyers are looking for pristine, move-in-ready homes for sale in Charlotte NC. And, it makes potential buyers think that if minor repairs haven’t been taken care of, most likely, major repairs have been let go also.  Take the time to do minor home fix ups and make your house look as inviting as possible.
If you’d like more tips like this, subscribe to my blog!  Want to view other listings in your own neighborhood?  Visit Charlotte NC Real Estate - Click on Advanced Search and complete the neighborhood section with your neighborhood, then ‘search.’  You’ll now have a list of all of the homes in your neighborhood that are listed in MLS and will be able to compare them online.

Access to FHA funds to purchase HUD properties

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Posted By Scott Farrell on January 25th, 2010

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last week a temporary program to help with the sale of properties in foreclosure. As reported on HUD’s website a plan to help bring some measure of stability to the market and home prices.  Below are some key excerpts from the HUD article:

WASHINGTON – In an effort to stabilize home values and improve conditions in communities where foreclosure activity is high, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced a temporary policy that will expand access to FHA mortgage insurance and allow for the quick resale of foreclosed properties

The announcement is part of the Obama administration commitment to addressing foreclosure. Just yesterday, Secretary Donovan announced $2 billion in Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants to local communities and nonprofit housing developers to combat the effects of vacant and abandoned homes.

“As a result of the tightened credit market, FHA-insured mortgage financing is often the only means of financing available to potential homebuyers,” said Donovan. “FHA has an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill its mission by helping many homebuyers find affordable housing while contributing to neighborhood stabilization.”

With certain exceptions, FHA currently prohibits insuring a mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days. This temporary waiver will give FHA borrowers access to a broader array of recently foreclosed properties.

“This change in policy is temporary and will have very strict conditions and guidelines to assure that predatory practices are not allowed,” Donovan said.

For more information please visit the HUD website or contact us at 1-800-851-5253 or our website @ www.helenadamsrealty.com

Top Selling Neighborhoods in Huntersville, NC Area

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Posted By Holly on January 21st, 2010

In this strong buyer’s market, it is interesting to see what neighborhoods in the Charlotte metro area had the highest number of sales in 2009. Real estate is local, so you really must focus in on stats for pocket Sub Areas to see sales trends.  Often we look at numbers on a larger scale, but what homeowners  really want to know is…what is selling in my local community?

Let’s take single family homes in Birkdale / Huntersville, NC  area for example (which is located in the 28078 zip code, and subarea 9-5 ).  For 2009, here are the top selling neighborhoods:

Top Selling Single Family Neighborhoods in Area 9-5 in 2009:

1.  Birkdale / Birkdale Village: 53 sold, $195-$527K price range

2.  Macaulay: 30 sold, $190 – $435K price range

3.  Cedarfield: 26 sold, $155 -278K price range

4.  Henderson Park: 17 sold, $150- 231K price range

5.  Tanners Creek: 15 sold, $150 – $231K price range

 

Top Selling Single Family Neighborhoods in 28078 in 2009:

1.  Birkdale / Birkdale Village: 53 sold, $195-$527K price range

2.  Monteith Park / Monteith Place: 46 sold, $145 – $360K price range

3.  Macaulay: 30 sold, $190 – $435K price range

4.  Cedarfield: 26 sold, $155 -278K price range

5.  Centennial: 21 sold, $212 – $305K price range

 

The majority of home sales in the Carolina Multiple Listing Service are in the $250,000 and under category, which has been hovering at approximately 75% of all sales for the past several months.  In contrast, homes priced above $350,000 to $500,000 account for 7% of home sales, and homes priced $500,000 to $1 million account for 5% of home sales, and homes priced over $1 million make up 0.8% of home sales.

 
Absorption rate pricing is the best way to price your home to sell in this competitive market.  This kind of analysis takes into consideration the month’s supply of  inventory on the market in your neighborhood (i.e. home listings that compete with your home).  There are only a certain number of homes that will sell in any market at any given time.

  • A 6 month supply of homes for sale is a balanced market.
  • Less than 6 months supply of homes is a Seller’s market (not enough homes to fill demand).
  • More than 6 month supply of home inventory for sale is a Buyer’s market (not enough Buyers to purchase the supply).

 

Helen Adams agents are versed in Absorption Rate pricing.  Ask your agent to conduct an Absorption Rate pricing analysis on your neighborhood, so that you can determine the saleability of your home.  AND if you are a BUYER, why utilize an Absorption rate study to discover the hottest-selling neighborhoods in town, so that you can ensure a sound investment?

Charlotte Real Estate Market Activity

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Posted By Holly on January 17th, 2010

The Charlotte real estate market saw 1527 total closings in December 2009, up 12% compared to 2008.  The average closing price for the Charlotte metro area in December 2009 was $211,705, up approximately 5.4% compared to 2008.  The bulk of home sales continues to be in the lower price ranges, with 87% of sales in the $350,000 and under category.  Average days on market from listing date to closing date was 143.8 for the month of December.

See the full monthly Charlotte Real Estate Market activity report here:

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