When you’re searching for the perfect home for sale in Uptown Charlotte, a great home in Mint Hill, or any other type of property, you want the whole process to go smoothly—and so does your Charlotte Realtor®. Unfortunately, after a few (dozen) home tours, they all start to blur together… and you may have a hard time narrowing down your choices when you can’t remember which home had which features. How to Make Your Home Search Better When you’re out and about with your Realtor, we advise … Continue reading...
How Long Will It Take to Buy a Home?
For most first-time homebuyers, there’s a long list of questions that need answers—and one of the most important is “How long does it take to buy a home?” Fortunately, your Charlotte Realtor® will be by your side through the entire process, whether it takes a month or longer; in fact, your agent is going to be by your side long after you close the deal and move in. How Long Does It Take to Buy a Home? Several factors combine to determine how long it will take you to buy a home. Really … Continue reading...
What You Need to Know Before Making an Offer on a Short Sale
If you’re buying a home for sale in Weddington, a condo for sale in Charlotte, or any other home that’s listed as a “short sale,” you need to know what you’re getting into—and knowing as much as you can could save you big headaches down the road. What is a Short Sale? The name is a bit misleading. A short sale isn’t a home that moves on and off the Charlotte real estate market quickly; it’s a home that the lender is willing to sell at a discounted payoff. The seller’s lender is typically … Continue reading...
What Are CC&Rs?
Whether you’re buying a luxury home in Waxhaw, a house for sale in Weddington, or a condo for sale in Uptown Charlotte, you’ll need to find out if you’ll be part of a community that has a homeowners’ association. If your future community does have a homeowners’ association, or HOA, you’ll be bound by the association’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions—commonly known as CC&Rs. What Are CC&Rs? Covenants, conditions, and restrictions, or CC&Rs, are the rules and regulations … Continue reading...
Is Community More Important Than Square Footage?
Before you start looking at luxury homes, condos, or golf course homes for sale in Charlotte, stop to think about what’s most important to you. Is it square footage, amenities, or the “feel” of a neighborhood? For many people, it all boils down to the “feel” of a neighborhood. That includes much more than the style of the homes; it includes whether the neighborhood is actually a community where you fit in like a puzzle piece. Who Wants to Live in a Community? Younger buyers—particularly … Continue reading...
What Happens When Owners Hide a Home’s Flaws Through Staging?
Home staging can make or break a sale—especially if it’s really, really good home staging. But what happens when a home is staged simply to hide what’s really wrong with it? Staging vs. Hiding Flaws: What to Watch For Whether or not a seller hires a professional home stager to help sell a house, it’s important that you’re on your toes when you start thinking about buying. You’ll have to watch for red flags—but that can be tough when you’ve already started to fall in love with a … Continue reading...
What is a Homeowners’ Association?
If you’re buying a home in a subdivision or neighborhood that has a homeowners’ association (or if you’re buying a condominium in Mint Hill or any other development that has this type of association) there are a few things you need to know before you sign the dotted line. What is a Homeowners’ Association? If your neighborhood or condo development has a homeowners’ association, you’re obligated to join it when you buy a home there. The homeowners’ association, or HOA, collects monthly or … Continue reading...
Fixtures in a Home: What Stays With the House?
When you buy a house in Charlotte or any of the surrounding communities, you need to know which parts of the house are considered fixtures—and which parts the seller will be taking when they move. But what is a “fixture” in real estate, and how can you tell? What is a Fixture in Real Estate? A fixture is a piece of physical property that’s permanently attached to the home or land. If it’s not attached, it’s legally considered chattel property. Landscaping typically counts as a fixture … Continue reading...
What Can a Buyer’s Agent Do for You?
When you’re looking for a home for sale in Charlotte or any of the surrounding communities, whether you want a house in Mint Hill or a new home near North Mecklenburg High in Huntersville, you’re probably going to want to work with a buyer’s agent. The question isn’t really why would you work with an agent; it’s why wouldn’t you? What Will a Buyer’s Agent Do for You? As a buyer, you don’t have to pay for representation from an agent. The seller typically pays real estate agents’ … Continue reading...
Can You Buy a House With Bad Credit?
For most people, the prospect of buying a house after a foreclosure or bankruptcy looks pretty grim—but it doesn’t have to be. You can still buy a home if you have bad credit; the catch is that you’re probably going to pay more than a buyer who doesn’t have a recent foreclosure or bankruptcy. The good news? You can begin to repair your credit quickly after filing bankruptcy or having a home foreclosed, and these tips can help. What Happens to Your Chances of Buying a Home After a Foreclosure … Continue reading...