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.

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?

Foxcroft, one of the most beautiful communities in Charlotte NC,  is a one-of-a-kind neighborhood located just minutes from Center City.  As it has been for years, Foxcroft is one of Charlotte’s most desirable neighborhoods - the homes are surrounded by mature trees and gorgeous landscaping.  Old oaks canopy the driveways and streets throughout the neighborhood, seeiming to envelope you as you drive through this stately community.  Homes for sale in Foxcroft neighborhood range from $500,000 to over $2.5 million.  From classic traditional to French Provencial, Foxcroft’s regal homes remain some of the most sought-after homes in all of Charlotte.

Charlotte NC home sales in the $1M + price range have been hit the hardest during this recession.  Fortunately for Foxcroft sellers, if the home is priced right, this neighborhood is faring much better than the others in Charlotte.  Savvy Foxcroft Charlotte NC sellers are pricing to sell and realizing their return is going to be gained on the purchase of their new home in their destination cities rather than ‘holding out’ for months and months for ‘top dollar here.’  Below is the most recent market absorption trend -

Here are the pending and conditional stats on Foxcroft Charlotte NC -

View the homes for sale in Foxcroft - you may just find your Foxcroft Charlotte NC dream home today!

For more information contact Debe Maxwell at 704-491-3310 or visit her website.

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: