Using technology to help fight crime is nothing new for law enforcement.  It is a new tool for the average citizen to access public data to help make their community safer for themselves, their family and neighbors.  It can also be an invaluable tool for those searching for a new place to live. If you have not had the chance to use www.crimeincharlotte.com you need to spend a few minutes researching your neighborhood, the areas you frequent and what measures can be taken to help you be more safe. This site provides direct links to NC Sex Offender Registry, local arrest records, outstanding warrants, prevention tips, just to mention a few.

The next quarterly meeting for the Plaza Midwood Heighborhood Association will be held on July 23, 2009 at 7 P.M. in the Kilgo Methodist Church.  The association is looking for input from residents to be included in the agenda.  For more information on this meeting visit Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association website.

There  will also be a Neighborhood Watch Meeting in conjunction with the quarterly meeting.

Despite home price drops in many cities, remodeling projects are holding their own as a way for owners to add value.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® statistics show that home prices have fallen by an average of 7 percent nationally in the past year. But the value of home owners’ investment in remodeling projects has declined only 3.86 percent on average between 2007 and 2008, according to Remodeling’s 2008–2009 Cost vs. Value Report.
Remodeling produces the Cost vs. Value Report each year in cooperation with REALTOR® magazine. REALTORS® responding to a survey in midsummer said home owners could expect to recoup a national average of 67.3 percent of their investment in 30 different home improvement projects. At the height of the housing boom in 2005, home owners could expect to recoup a national average of 86.7 percent on projects.
Remodeling remains hot in 10 cities, where, on at least some projects, home owners can recover 100 percent of their costs. In Charlotte, N.C., for example, decks, midrange kitchen remodels, vinyl siding, and window-replacement projects all would net more than they cost, in respondents’ estimation. High rates of recovery were seen in both strong real estate markets and weak ones.
Seattle also made the list of cities with a cost recovery of more than 100 percent on decks and minor kitchen remodels. In fact, Pacific Coast cities recorded the best payback on remodeling by a wide margin, as they did in 2007.
The result is an average cost-recouped percentage that’s 14.8 percent higher than in the rest of the country. The toughest place to get your money back: Midwestern cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee.
Top 10 Project Paybacks

Exterior remodeling projects lead the way for recovery on dollars spent in this year’s Cost vs. Value survey. When you compare the national averages, replacement projects that boost curb appeal—siding, windows, and decks—give you the greatest chance of recouping your money. Inside, only kitchen remodels can compare, at least on a national level.

1.  Upscale fiber cement siding (86.7%)
2. Midrange wood deck (81.8%)
3. Midrange vinyl siding (80.7%)
4. Upscale foam-backed vinyl (80.4%)
5. Midrange minor kitchen remodel (79.5%)
6. Upscale vinyl window replacement (79.2%)
7. Midrange wood window replacement (77.7%)
8. Midrange vinyl window replacement (77.2%)
9. Upscale wood window replacement (76.5%
10. Midrange major kitchen remodel (76.0%)

For more information on Charlotte Homes or other real estate questions please visit our website or call 1800-851-5253.

CHARLOTTE REAL ESTATE This small town is known best as a shopping hub. Home to Carolina Place Mall, major big-box retailers and dozens of other shops, it has 6 million square feet of retail space- or about 1,000 square feet for each of the town’s roughly 6,500 residents. Longtime Pineville residents also point out their links to history. Antique shops fill the brick storefronts that make up the town’s original business district.

Click here for more information 0n  Pineville homes for sale and Charlotte Real Estate.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department have provided the public with a great research tool with a new website that allows you to search for crime statistics via a map based site.  Please take the opportunity to try the site out.  Having the ability to zoom in and filter by dates or type of incident is very informative.

http://maps.cmpdweb.org/cmpdnet/map.aspx

Helen Adams Realty is committed to providing the consumer with all the latest information about living in the Charlotte metro area.  For more information about Charlotte and please go to our website www.helenadamsrealty.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2009

Castilow Receives Platinum Service Recognition

Anna Castilow of Helen Adams Realty in Charlotte, NC was awarded the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry, Quality Service Certified® Platinum.  The award is in recognition of earning 100% client service satisfaction in 2008, as measured by Leading Research Corporation (LRC).

Quality Service Certified (QSC) status is the only award in the real estate industry based on independently validated, measurable service results.  Clients of QSC agents receive a customer satisfaction survey at the end of each transaction.  The surveys are administered and the results are compiled by LRC.

Client feedback from the surveys becomes part of the agent’s credentials.  An overall satisfaction rating is displayed on a consumer website (www.QualityService.org) where sellers and buyers have the ability to select a real estate professional based upon each agent’s validated record of service satisfaction.

“Nothing is more important to a prospective client in selecting a professional than the service results achieved with past clients,” says Larry D. Romito, President and CEO of QSC.  He adds, “Consumers have greater confidence in service reliability, results and satisfaction with a Quality Service Certified real estate professional because they know that the agent’s service record has been validated by an independent third party.  100% service satisfaction record like Anna Castilow has achieved is just awesome.”

One of the major questions asked by anyone relocating to a new area is about crime.  To assist our customers and those in the community we are providing links to local area websites that detail crime information and crime prevention information published by local police departments.

Charlotte Mecklenburg

Cabarrus County, NC

Gaston County, NC

York County, SC