Staying Ahead Carolina and social networking in Charlotte

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Posted By Sabrina Brown on March 10th, 2011
In Real Estate News

Social networking group Staying Ahead Carolina recently held its Best of Summer in the Queen City luncheon with moms and dads in the area, and the topic was about camps in the queen city.  Children’s book author and camp developer Helen Kimbrough (akclassicsllc.blogspot.com) facilitated the discussion at Creole’s Louisiana Kitchen on Mardi Gras day — what a fun setting and group we had.  If you haven’t already discovered some of these complimentary events that Staying Ahead Carolina offers, feel free to follow the group on Facebook. There is a social fan page and a business group page for job opportunities.  Feel free to add to the list and comment, but here are some of the highlights from this luncheon that were covered you might find of interest:

Reasons parents look for summer camps:
Avoid excessive play of video games and avoid boredom
Develop skills (building on middle school development in particular)
Constructive childcare for working parents

More Camp Trends
Some of the hottest trends of late fall in the following categories –
Skill Courses (climbing walls, backpacking, ziplines, Y-camp or rock-climbing, Inner peaks, Whitewater Center all develop self-confidence and leadership skills)
Camps that Focus on Developmental Delays (not able to address in the classroom, so parents use the summer to focus, i.e. occupational therapy, ADHD camps, etc)
Language Camps (Language Academy for the Carolinas, Providence Day, Queens University for Chinese, Alliance Francais for French, etc)
Gaming Camps for middle and high school kids (programming and computer skill development)

More Camp Options for Younger Kids
Focus is more on literacy such as AK Classics, discovery such as Discovery Place, Noah’s Art or UNC Reading for the elementary age kids, and all around fun such as MACS Summer Camp

More Camp Options for Tweens and Teens
Volunteering becomes more of a focus for 13 and 14 years olders
Intensive music camps such as Academy of Music, Playroom in Fort Mill, and soon to arrive Elm Music School in Ballantyne area

Stayaway Camp
YMCA Camps such asThunderbird, Camp Cherokee
St. Christopher @ Seabrook Island or St John’s Island (cheaper than Thunderbird)
Lake Lurecrest for Christian Ones
Braodstone at Applachain University
ACA is one accreditation that provides baseline questions when interviewing camps, visit www.acacamp.org

Sources:
www.ACAcamp.org
www.charlotteparent.com
www.charlotteobserver.com

Distressed Properties in Charlotte NC

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Posted By admin on March 7th, 2011
In Charlotte Homes,Real Estate News

Many Charlotte NC real estate buyer requests that we receive are pertaining to distressed properties.  We’re happy to assist you in your search for distressed homes for sale in Charlotte but, before we search, here’s a quick definition of each type of distressed property which you may come across during your search.

What is a Short Sale?
Much has been written about short sales in Charlotte NC.  In short, the definition of a short sale is when a homeowner cannot afford to make the mortgage payment and does not have sufficient proceeds to pay off the mortgage(s), it then becomes necessary to have the bank involved as a third party in the sale of the property.  In order for the sale of the home to occur, the bank either has to forgive a portion of the debt or allow the seller to convert the amount of the default into a personal loan to be paid off after the sale of the home.  Search short sales in Charlotte NC

What is a Foreclosure?
A foreclosure occurs when a lender pursues its lien on a property.  Foreclosure action typically begins after 90 days of nonpayment but, recently we have seen the process take a bit longer, partially because of the vast number of homeowners who are delinquent on their mortgages.  Bidding on the property takes place as part of the foreclosure sale.  The Title will then be transferred to the successful bidder, subject to any applicable redemption period.


What is a Bank Owned Property or an REO?
When a property is bank owned, this most often refers to homes that have been ‘repossessed’ during the foreclosure process, having not sold to another party at the foreclosure auction.  These bank owned homes are also referred to as REOs, meaning the property is “Real Estate Owned”.  Search bank owned homes for sale in Charlotte NC

National and Charlotte Real Estate News :: February, 2011

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Posted By Debe Maxwell on March 3rd, 2011
In Charlotte Real Estate,Money Rates and Investing,Real Estate News

Frequently, there are news stories that impact our Charlotte real estate market.  Here are two I want to share with you this month:

News image Charlotte NC
Rising Interest Rates Could Get Buyers Moving
Rising interest rates may finally push Charlotte real estate buyers off the fence and into the market.
In December, after President Obama agreed to extend tax cuts for two years, the financial markets  indicated this event would most likely push mortgage interest rates higher and, they have.

Analysts predict that buyers will continue moving now that rates are going up and are unlikely to come down.  “Once people see this might actually be the bottom, they’ll go for it,” says Paul Dales, U.S. economist at Capital Economics Ltd.

For an example of interest rate increases, note what happened Q4, 2010:
•    On December 2, the 30-year fixed interest rate hovered around 4.46 percent.
•    One week later, on December 9, it was up to 4.61 percent.
•    On December 26, the 30-year fixed interest rate was up again to 4.875 percent.
Charlotte Foreclosure Rates Fall
Has the real estate market hit bottom?  According to Realty Trac, foreclosure activity decreased dramatically in November with fewer than 300,000 properties receiving a foreclosure notice for the first time since February, 2009.  While foreclosures typically decrease in November, and we’re already begun to see a rebound in foreclosure activity in early 2011, these statistics are not to be dismissed because they show the lowest level of foreclosure activity since November, 2008.  Additionally, both the 21 percent month-over-month decrease and 14 percent year-over-year decrease in foreclosure activity were the highest drops recorded since RealtyTrac began publishing the U.S. Foreclosure Report in January, 2005.
Want to know more about the Charlotte real estate market?  Give me a call or email me to discuss our real estate market.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Summer Camp News You Can Use

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Posted By Sabrina Brown on March 2nd, 2011
In Charlotte Real Estate,Neighborhood News

I started over 5 years ago a networking group called Staying Ahead Carolina,and it has become a great way for newcomer’s as well as long time residents to learn more about the city and meet new people. This group focuses on current and emerging trends in the Queen City and this month’s topic  “Summer Camps News You Can Use” is certainly to be a hit among moms, dads, and those interested in developing a summer program.  It will be held in a fun-environment on Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, March 8 at Creole’s Louisiana Kitchen in Ballantyne beginning at 11:30 a.m. where guests and members will experience authentic creole cuisine too.   Local charlotte resturaunt
Learn about some of the hottest trends in summer camps, ranging from tots, tweens, through teens; the do’s and don’ts of selecting summer camps, and lots more. And because it’s Mardi Gras, I am sponsoring the lunch for those attending (beverages are excluded), but space is limited. Those interested should email  sbrown@StayingAheadCarolina.com.
Sabrina Brown, Broker/Realtor
Helen Adams Realty