If you’re like most home buyers, you may be under the impression that the United States Department of Agriculture’s housing programs are strictly for farming areas—but they’re not. There are some fantastic homes in and around Charlotte that are eligible for USDA Single Family Housing Programs that require no down payment. The USDA offers two different options for qualified applicants to purchase a home in the Charlotte area. Their main goals are to assist families and individuals with the … Continue reading...
Best Golf Courses in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte is home to some the best golf courses in the country. If nothing brightens your day more than spending time on meticulously manicured greens, Charlotte is the place for you. If you’re considering moving to an area abundant in sunshine and highly rated golf courses, please take a look at the wide selection of golf course communities in Charlotte NC. You won’t have to go far to find spectacular golfing. Here’s where the locals go to hit the links. Public Golf Courses in … Continue reading...
How to Tell When You’re Ready to Stop Renting and Buy a Home
Everyone wonders when they should make the transition from renting to buying. Whether you’re considering taking the leap to buying your first place or you’re completely sold on owning instead of renting, here are four signs that indicate you’re ready to stop renting and buy a home. You’re in a Good Place Financially This may be one of the biggest deciding factors. If you have good credit and some savings built up for a down payment then it’s a good time to purchase a house in this case. In … Continue reading...
What is Fannie Mae?
You have probably heard of Fannie Mae, especially in relation to the housing crisis, but do you know what Fannie Mae actually does? Fannie Mae, also known as the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), is a government-sponsored enterprise that was created by Congress in 1938 to stimulate the housing market by making home loans more available to low- and moderate-income buyers. Fannie Mae is not a lender, so it does not provide or originate home loans to borrowers. Instead, Fannie Mae … Continue reading...
What Does a Seller’s Agent Do?
When you’re selling your home, whether it’s in Uptown Charlotte, Mint Hill, South Park, or Ballantyne, you're going to want the expert help of a Charlotte Realtor(R). But what does a seller's agent do, and why shouldn't you sell your home yourself? What Does a Seller's Agent Do? A seller's agent performs a range of tasks, from marketing the home to arranging showings and setting up open houses. Seller's agents also represent their clients during negotiations, including counter offers and … Continue reading...
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale
When you’re selling your home, whether it’s in Uptown Charlotte, Mint Hill, South Park, or Ballantyne, you need to prepare it for the market. But short of hiring a professional home stager, how are you supposed to do that? How to Prepare Your Home for Sale When you’re ready to put your house on the market, your Charlotte Realtor® will talk to you about what you need to do to get it ready. Here’s where you can start. Make Your House Less Personalized It’s time to pack up family photos, … Continue reading...
What is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?
Buying a house is a big adventure—and so is choosing the right mortgage. That’s true whether you’re buying a home for sale in Uptown Charlotte, a single-family home for sale in Mint Hill, or even a condo in another area such as South Park or Ballantyne. In some cases, an adjustable-rate mortgage is the right choice. What is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? An adjustable-rate mortgage, unlike a fixed-rate mortgage, is commonly called an ARM. It’s a mortgage loan with an interest rate that can … Continue reading...
What is a Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
Whether you’re buying a home for sale in Uptown Charlotte, a single-family home for sale in Mint Hill, or even a condo in another area such as South Park or Ballantyne, if you’re like most people, you’ll need to take out a mortgage loan to pay for it. Mortgages—and shopping for them—can be pretty complicated, particularly when it comes to choosing the type of mortgage that’s right for you. What is a Fixed-Rate Mortgage? A fixed-rate mortgage lets you, the borrower, know exactly how much … Continue reading...
What is Amortization?
When you buy a home, whether it’s a home for sale in Uptown Charlotte, a single-family home for sale in Mint Hill, or even a condo in another area such as South Park or Ballantyne, you’re most likely going to need a mortgage loan. If that’s the case, you’re going to have to understand amortization. What is Amortization? Amortization is an accounting term that refers to what happens when you pay off a debt over time. In the case of a mortgage, part of each payment goes toward interest; the … Continue reading...
3 Great Reasons to Buy a Home This Summer
Whether you’re thinking about buying a home for sale in Uptown Charlotte, a single-family home for sale in Mint Hill, or even a condo in another area such as South Park or Ballantyne, there are three great reasons you should act now to stop renting. 3 Great Reasons to Buy a House in Charlotte This Summer In addition to pride in ownership—one of the biggest reasons people purchase homes—there are three terrific reasons to talk to a Charlotte Realtor® about buying your first house. Value … Continue reading...