Friday, March 9, 2018 / by Marketing Team
Spring is around the corner and the Charlotte real estate market is getting ready for some robust activity. As you’re considering buying a home, don’t wait until you’re ready to move to start preparing financially.
If you’re like the vast majority of home buyers in North Carolina, you will choose to finance your purchase with a mortgage loan. By preparing in advance, you can avoid the common delays and roadblocks many buyers face when applying for a mortgage.
The requirements to secure a mortgage may seem overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. But we’ve outlined three simple steps to get you started on your path to homeownership.
Even if you’re a current homeowner in Charlotte or its surrounding areas, it’s a good idea to prepare in advance so you don’t encounter any surprises along the way. Lending requirements have become more rigorous in recent years, and changes to your credit history, debt level! ...
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nancy braun, showcase realty, charlotte homes for sale, charlotte, homebuyer, homes in charlotte nc, first time homebuyer, mortgage rates
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 / by Marketing Team
How to Make Your Neighborhood A Hometown Haven
"Communities work better (students perform better, crime rates are lower, kids are safer, people live longer) when neighbors know one another better.
Knowing your neighbor on a first-name basis... is a surprisingly effective first step."
- Robert Putnam, Harvard Public Policy Professor and author of Bowling Alone
While advancements in technology have made it possible for us to connect with people from around the world, numerous studies show that it has led to a decline in face-to-face interactions.1
Places where we used to strike up casual conversations—such as a doctor’s office waiting room, bus stop or grocery line—are now filled with people looking at their smart phones, barely acknowledging those around them.
Even many families dining together or relaxing in the evenings can be caught spending more time focused on screens than each other. Is it any surprise that we’ve experienced a steady declinn ...
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nancy braun, showcase realty, charlotte homes for sale, charlotte, homebuyer, homes in charlotte nc, relocation
Monday, October 30, 2017 / by Marketing Team
Charlotte is a city where the cosmopolitan vibe of an international hub meets the best of southern charm. A unique culture has evolved through its metro area, where residents enjoy sophisticated art, to world-class culinary delights, entertainment, sports and more. It is also the home of NASCAR and the Charlotte Motor Speedway, to the delight of many motorsports enthusiasts.
Living is affordable, the weather is wonderful, and there is always something to do — including attending free events.
Charlotte is not just a “banking town” because Bank of America and Wells Fargo have their headquarters in the Queen City. Other major employers include Lowe’s (headquartered in Mooresville), and American Airlines. The metro area’s unemployment rate is on par with the national average, at 4.9%; and its average annual salary is slightly higher than national averages, at $48,370. Charlotte was listed as one of the best cities for job ...
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nancy braun, showcase realty, charlotte homes for sale, charlotte, homes in charlotte nc, queen city, real estate in charlotte nc, relocation
Friday, July 28, 2017 / by Marketing Team
Charlotte and US Home Sales Are Slowing As Inventory Drops
Home sales across the U.S. have now dropped to a low 4.3 month supply, according to the latest report from Freddie Mac. However, year-over-year still shows the pace up 0.7%, for a total of 5.52 million annually. This means that while fewer houses are on the market than ever before, the demand still is high for buying and selling a home.
If you live in or are moving to North Carolina, here’s what you need to know about North Carolina real estate:
Interest rates are really low at just 3.92%, even as home prices have gone up 6.5% year-over-year to a median price of $153,400 in North Carolina, and $185,800 in the city of Charlotte, both lower than the current national average of $263,800.
With the help of a real estate professional to stage your home, closing on a Charlotte home can be done in an average of 52 days.
WalletHub ranks Charlotte 88th in the real estate market, making it the 70th best place ...
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nancy braun, showcase realty, charlotte homes for sale, charlotte, homebuyer, north carolina, homes in charlotte nc, first time homebuyer, mortgage rates, queen city, real estate in charlotte nc, relocation, charlotte north carolina homes
Tuesday, July 18, 2017 / by Marketing Team
Buy Your Charlotte Home Instead of Renting
Owning a Charlotte home has plenty of advantages, including the impact to your finances. When you live in Charlotte, NC, you have access to everything you need whatever your lifestyle entails. Make it that much more meaningful by buying a Charlotte home so you can reap these benefits:
Paying a mortgage is cheaper than renting. In the first quarter of this year, the trend for home ownership was higher than renting for the first time since 2006. This reversal from renting to owning has continued to benefit the housing market in 2017. 854,000 homebuyers from across the country saw just how affordable it was for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage over renting, and 42% of them were first-time buyers, making the national homeownership rate climb to 63.6%! Currently, the interest rate is low at an average of 4.25%. For renting to be the more affordable option, the interest rate would have to reach 9.1% &ndas ...
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nancy braun, showcase realty, charlotte homes for sale, charlotte, homebuyer, homes in charlotte nc, first time homebuyer, mortgage rates, queen city, real estate in charlotte nc, relocation, charlotte north carolina homes, buy vs rent charlotte