The National Association of Realtors (NAR) hasn’t given up hope that Congress will keep alive the National Flood Insurance Program bill that has one provision that extends the deadline for closing on a home purchase to qualify for the homebuyer tax credit past June 30. The current bill is stuck in the senate.  The Democrats need 60 votes to end debate.  The death of Sen. Byrd complicates things as Republicans still do not want additional provisions in the bill that negatively impact the deficit.  The main reason’s stated by the Republicans are provisions that would extend emergency benefits for millions of unemployed workers and tax breaks for businesses that are scheduled to expire, because of its potential impact to the national budget deficit. The current bill would increase the deficit by $33.3 billion over the next 10 years, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.

The Senate amended the bill last week, introducing language that would give homebuyers who were under contract by April 30 until Sept. 30 to close on their home purchase and qualify for the homebuyer tax credit.  NAR is looking forward to seeing another provision of HR 4213, retroactively extending the National Flood Insurance Program, signed into law. The expiration of the indebted program on May 31 has left many would-be homeowners unable to obtain insurance and derailed many home closings.
NAR estimates that as many as 180,000 homebuyers who are under contract and could qualify for the homebuyer tax credit may not be able to meet the June 30 closing deadline. There is little time to get the bill passed and the new bill to be effective would have to allow for retroactive closings back to June 30.

Historic Fourth Ward is comprised of the the northwest quadrant of Charlotte’s Uptown area which was resurrected in the mid-1800s and was one of the more prosperous areas of town, providing homes to local merchants, physicians and ministers.  The First Methodist, First Presbyterian, and St. Peters Episcopal Churches are all part of the Historic Fourth Ward and by the 1900′s, became nearly desolate as many residents moved to the ‘suburbs’ of Dilworth and Myers Park.

Many of the beautiful Victorian homes were either destroyed or became commercial buildings and by 1970, Fourth Ward had fallen into a state of neglect.  The late 20th century brought restoration to Fourth Ward which is now a thriving part of Charlotte’s Uptown.

The area, located between Trade Street to the south, 11th Street to the north, Graham Street to the west and Tryon Street to the east, is considered the residential district of Charlotte’s Uptown.  History abounds at every corner in Fourth Ward and even new construction just keeps going vertical in Charlotte NC’s Uptown Fourth Ward area!
Plan a visit to the Center City and see all of the sites, watch a professional basketball or football game, dine in style at any of Charlotte’s exquisite restaurants.  While visiting the city, stay in the luxurious Dunhill Hotel.

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, the Dunhill Hotel is a historic landmark surrounded by the beauty and everyday activity of modern day Charlotte NC.  This hotel is an ideal choice for tourists and business visitors alike, mere steps from the new Bobcat’s Arena (Time Warner Cable Arena), NC Blumenthal Center for the Performing Arts, Spirit Square, Discovery Place, Reid’s Fine Foods, Overstreet Mall and many popular museums, theatres and restaurants.

The Dunhill Hotel offers over 60 impeccably appointed rooms with unique amenities including jacuzzi whirlpool bath tubs, four poster beds, and award winning dining at the in-house Monticello Restaurant, Doeskin robes in all rooms, same-day dry cleaning service and executive communication service. The communication service includes 2-line phones, data ports, voice mail and, of course, high speed internet access in both the guest rooms and the public areas.

Don’t forget about Fourth Ward Park while you’re visiting!  Settler’s Cemetary is also a history lesson in Charlotte Uptown Fourth Ward.  Just across the street from the historic cemetery stands the new 34-story AVE condo complex–the new meets the old in historic Fourth Ward.

And if you’re in the market for a cool condo complex in Charlotte NC’s Fourth Ward, you’ll love this rare find in The Avenue Condominiums.  One spectacular, like-new condo has just been listed and offers every upgrade you could desire.   Uptown Charlotte NC views of the city from the 34th floor terrace are simply spectacular!  Entertain friends after the Carolina Panther games in style with fellow residents on the 10th floor amenities level.  Then, just minutes away by foot, take your pick of some of Charlotte’s finest restaurants.  You simply can’t beat Uptown living in Charlotte NC!

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

Standard and Poors released the Case Schiller report on home prices. U.S. National Home Price Index fell 3.2% in the first quarter of 2010, but remains above its year-earlier level.  In March, 13 of the 20 markets covered by S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and both monthly
composites were down although the two composites and 10 markets showed year-over-year gains.  Nationally home prices rebounded from crisis lows, but recently have seen renewed weakness as tax incentives are ending and foreclosures are climbing.

The Charlotte market index fell 1.1% from March to April. As with the most of the market Case Schiller reports did show improvement on an annual basis.

The Case Schiller report states “While year-over-year results for the National Composite, 18 of the 20 markets and the two Composites
improved, the most recent monthly data are not as encouraging. It is especially disappointing that the
improvement we saw in sales and starts in March did not find its way to home prices. Now that the tax
incentive ended on April 30th, we don’t expect to see a boost in relative demand.”

To read the complete report visit the Case Schiller website.

Charlotte homes for sale near the Ballantyne and Blakeney area in South Charlotte include Stone Creek Ranch which offers a wide variety of home styles and price points from which to choose.   Townhomes to villas to single family homes constructed of stone, siding or full brick, Stone Creek Ranch has a myriad of options for even the most discriminating buyer in today’s market. 
Developed by Centex Homes in the mid 2000’s on the expansive old Cato 450-acre farm, Stone Creek Ranch is shaping up to be one of South Charlotte’s favored communities.  Pulte, who has merged with Centex on this project, and is wrapping up their final phases in Stone Creek Ranch Charlotte NC, with just about any upgrade or appointment that you can ask for!

Several villages make up this wonderful, master planned, mixed use community including:
•    The estate village of Sierra, with homes priced in the $425,000+/- range, features a fabulous amentiy center, including a Jr. Olympic pool as well as a children’s pool.
•    The Village of Sedona boasts lovely townhomes with master bedrooms up, down or both and up to over 2,100 square feet;  the townhome village includes an amenity center with pool and cabana and great open space/common areas for all to enjoy.
•    The Village of Cimarron includes two amenity areas, each of which includes a clubhouse, Jr. Olympic pool and a children’s pool.
•    Senora Village includes mid-sized homes that begin in the mid-$200K price range.
•    Saddlebrook Village includes single family homes with the emphasis on the outdoors–great covered porches and patios with landscape maintenance covered by the HOA.  Most homes in Saddlebrook are ranch style homes with bright, open floorplans.
•    The Village of Sundance completed in 2006, includes craftsman and Charleston style homes with full lawn maintenance provided by the HOA and are priced beginning in the mid- to high-$200K range.
•  Silverado Village includes homes ranging from 1,871 to 2,780 square feet with a median price of $274,000.  Shared amenities include 2 Jr. Olympic pools, fountains and clubhouses.
Charlotte Mecklenburg School assignments for Stone Creek Ranch are currently as follows:
•    Elemantary -  Polo Ridge
•    Middle -  J.M. Robinson
•    High – Ardrey Kell High School

Helen Adams Realty is proud to announce that Christina Kellmann has joined our Randolph Road office.

A message from Christina;

As a native Charlottean, Christina has a vast knowledge of the Charlotte-Metro area and is excited to use that expertise to help every client find their perfect new home. Born and raised in south Charlotte, Christina attended Charlotte Latin School, and later graduated from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. After working in customer service for years, the decision to pursue a career in real estate was easy because it combined her love of helping people and her love of her native city!

You can contact Christina at 704-577-2624 or visit her website.

Question:  I  keep seeing houses for sale being advertised as “short sales”.  Exactly, what is a short sale?

A short sale is defined by the National Association of Realtors* as a situation in which the homeowner/seller owes more money on the home loan than the sale of that property will generate, and that seller/owner is unable to or unwilling to contribute at closing the monetary difference. It’s sort of like being upside down on a car loan in that you owe more money than you can expect to make from the sale. A lender may consider short sales for homeowners who have experienced such hardships as loss of job, business failure, illness and medical costs, divorce or death or a spouse, or natural disasters. Loss of equity in a home does not, however, constitute a hardship.

For more information please contact Jo Butterworth at 704-267-3643 or visit her website.

South Charlotte Homes for Sale – Arboretum Area – A Popular Destination for Those Relocating to Charlotte NC – Sprung from farmland and equestrian county in South Charlotte, the Arboretum, a Charlotte landmark built in the 1980′s, serves as home to restaurants, movie theaters, a grocery store, coffee shops, book stores, boutiques, Michael’s crafts, a pet store, home furnishing stores and much more. The Arboretum is the hub of a residential community that has also become a center for service-oriented businesses including medical offices, banks, a gym, and insurance and financial companies. Many of the communities, which were built around the shopping/medical/financial center in the mid 1980′s and 1990′s, have since matured and are a popular location for those looking for prime South Charlotte real estate.

South Charlotte homes for sale in the Arboretum area range from 1980′s style contemporary as well as transitional and traditional residences in golf and swim communities, like Cedar Wood Country Club and Raintree Country Club. Newer transitional homes located in neighborhoods such as Providence Springs and single family homes and townhomes in communities like Beverly Crest are popular destinations for those relocating to Charlotte NC. The area is easily accessible to HWY 51, Providence Road, HWY 74 and I-485.

If you’re relocating to Charlotte NC you’ll find that you’ll enjoy a 30 – 40 minute commute (approximately 9 miles) to Uptown Charlotte in rush hour traffic, and only about 20 minutes in normal traffic from the Arboretum Charlotte NC area.
For more information contact Debe Maxwell at 704-491-3310 or visit here website.

Dilworth envelopes those visiting or residing there with its tree-lined streets which front beautiful, architecturally designed homes, many with wrap-around porches.  As well, quaint little shops and restaurants are all within walking distance to homes in Dilworth Charlotte NC.  Local merchants offer personal attention as well as an ambiance that is simply Dilworth’s trademark.  It is difficult to believe that anyone ever considered Dilworth a ‘suburb’ as they did in the late 1800′s.  Take a tour and see why Dilworth is the choice among many Uptown young professionals, retirees and families who simply adore the ‘neighborhood’ feel of Dilworth.   Architecture, including many craftsman style homes and older bungalows with streetscapes that tell the story of Historic Dilworth.  Recent revival with renovation of old and new construction have given yet, another, reason to call Dilworth Charlotte NC home.

Sales prices are up but, Sellers in the area, keeping with the trend not to price their homes so far above market value that they won’t sell, are only seeing sales prices at 91% of list price.  Days on the market have increased a bit in Dilworth in recent months as well.  Dilworth Charlotte NC market absorption stats are below.

Search MLS for Dilworth homes for sale
View a tour of our listing in Dilworth

Fo0r more information please contact Debe Maxwell at 704-491-3310or visit her website.

Marvin Creek Waxhaw NC market report 03/05/2010 reveals a stable market in this beautiful Waxhaw neighborhood.  Property absorption rates in any local real estate market are usually considered the new benchmark indicators as to whether that particular market is a seller’s market, a buyer’s market or a neutral market.  Knowing the current real estate market cycle is essential for success as either a buyer or seller.  The process of calculating absorption rates for local markets is helpful to analyze the current real estate cycle and formulating a winning buying or selling strategy.

Marvin Creek real estate – Marvin Creek homes for sale - Marvin Creek Waxhaw NC market report is below.  This abbreviated review of Charlotte (Waxhaw) homes for sale in Marvin Creek shows the market absorption analysis for this popular Charlotte (Waxhaw) neighborhood. If you would like further analysis regarding this highly south after neighborhood or a free market analysis for your neighborhood, email or phone us and we’ll be happy to provide you more detailed information on this or any neighborhood in the Charlotte Metro region.

Marvin Creek neighborhood information
View our new home for sale in Marvin Creek Waxhaw NC

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

One of the city’s most prestigious addresses is Myers Park!   The Myers Park neighborhood is full of historic architecture and envelopes you with it’s wide, tree-lined streets.  Formerly known as the ‘Old South,’ Myers Park, one of Charlotte’s original streetcar ‘suburbs’ is now a prime Charlotte location as it is located just outside the Uptown region, close to everything Charlotte has to offer!

Renovations and rehabilitation of the gorgeous traditional homes in Myers Park continue to bring the home values up in the area.  One thing Charlotte home buyers can count on, is luxury living in Myers Park !

Myers Park real estate – Myers Park homes for sale – Myers Park Charlotte NC market report is below.  This abbreviated review on Charlotte homes for sale in Myers Park Charlotte NC shows the market absorption trend for this popular Charlotte neighborhood.  If you would like further analysis regarding this highly sought after neighborhood or a free market analysis for your neighborhood, email or phone us and we’ll be happy to provide you further information on this or any neighborhood in the Charlotte Metro region.

Myers Park Charlotte NC MLS Market Absorption Report:

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