Raeburn Offers Great Homeowner Value

If you’re looking for a traditional community in a great location with exceptional value, look no further than Raeburn. Raeburn lies just south of Stonecrest shopping center and Ballantyne Commons Parkway at the intersection of Rea Road and Parks Farm Lane. Raeburn is also accessible from Elm Lane and Bryant’s Farm.

Its proximity between Ballantyne, Stonecrest and Blakeney offers homeowners the widest selection of shopping, entertainment, and dining choices of anywhere in the south Charlotte area. Also, I-485 is just a few blocks away which will get you anywhere else in the city that you need to go in a matter of minutes.

November Real Estate Report

Listed below is the residential real estate market summary for the Charlotte area for the period November 6, 2009 through December 5, 2009:

Sold: 2,000; avg. LP $216,507; avg. SP $195,244; %LP/SP 90.18%

New Listings: 3,614; avg. price $253,741

Under Contract: 1,645; avg. price $224,944

Withdrawn: 1,347; avg. price $344,878

Expired Listings: 1,418; avg. price $330,351

Active Listings: 23,317; avg. price $305,275

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The number of homes sold during the month of November decreased 9.5% compared to October’s figures, but was 31.5% above the level of home sales for November, 2008. The average selling price for the month fell 4.9% from prior month, but increased 1.1% from a year ago.

Charlotte’s Eastover Neighborhood

Eastover is located southeast of Uptown Charlotte, across Providence Road from the neighborhood of Myers Park. The neighborhood consists almost entirely of large, upscale single-family residences, some 550 in number. Though the fine dwellings that once lined Providence Road itself have given way to commercial development, the rest of the Eastover neighborhood retains its well-kept residential character.

Cherokee Road forms the neighborhood’s backbone, a gently curving thoroughfare that sweeps out from Laurel Avenue near Providence Road and eventually makes its way back to Providence several blocks south. Cherokee Road, parallel Colville Road, and intersecting Eastover Road are the sites of the neighborhood’s largest residences. The secondary streets of Biltmore, Scotland, and Hempstead, among others are lined with two-story homes on slightly smaller lots.

Callonwood in Stallings

Callonwood in Stallings NC is the perfect neighborhood for families who want a quiet setting with neighborhood amenities and a convenient location. Located just inside Union County, Callonwood is adjacent to the Town of Matthews.

Community shopping, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants are nearby, as is the Siskey YMCA with health and sports programs for every age level. Downtown Matthews has numerous parks, festivals, a farmers market, library, along with several restaurants and other shops only a short drive away.

Rock Hill Named Best City to Raise Kids

Rock Hill is the best place to raise kids in South Carolina for the second straight year according to Business Week magazine. Rock Hill is only 20 miles south of Charlotte, and has warm weather and some of the best public schools in the state. Rock Hill is also home to Winthrop University, a four-year liberal arts college that was ranked the eighth-best public university in the Southeast by U.S. News & World Report in 2006.

Affordable, safe, and family-friendly are the key words to describe the criteria that was used to select Business Weeks’ picks for top cities in this year’s report.

5 Reasons to Buy That Home Now

If you’re qualified to buy a home now, and that home purchase makes sense for you and your family, here are five reasons why you should consider buying that home in the next several months:

1. Homes are more affordable than ever.

According to the National Association of Realtors’ housing affordability index, homes were more affordable in October of this year than at any other time since the group started the index in 1970. The NAR’s affordability index is a measure of the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates, and family income.

In Charlotte, the average home price in October was $196,204 compared to $216,777 in 2008 and $217,504 in 2007. That’s a 9.8% reduction over the past 2 years. Although that doesn’t sound like much, you still get a lot more for the money on a home purchased in the Charlotte area than in other areas of the country.

Providence Downs, Premier Waxhaw Community

Providence Downs is an exclusive custom home community conveniently located on Rea Road in Waxhaw, about 25 miles south of Charlotte. It’s location in Union County, with close proximity to the Ballantyne area, make it a premier community for those who seek a rural, country setting with easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment.

This neighborhood features the best of suburban living with luxury homes, low taxes, and great schools, yet firmly rooted in the “horse country” area of Union County. It also displays an equestrian heritage reminiscent of the Kentucky Derby with street names such as, “Churchill Downs,” “Seattle Slew,” and “Victory Gallop .”

The Historic Town of Waxhaw

The quaint and historical town of Waxhaw, NC is located in Union County, approximately 25 miles south of Charlotte. This beautiful community dates back to the 1700’s when the first European settlers came down the great wagon road. Most of the settlers were Scotch-Irish and German immigrants. However, the Waxhaw Indian tribe inhabited the area long before the European immigrants arrived. The name Waxhaw is thus derived from the Indians who first populated the area.

Around 1888 the railroad extended its rail line from the Atlanta area and brought with it a level of prosperity and growth to Waxhaw. The tracks still to this day run through the town dividing two rows of stores. Once dependent on cotton, it lost its popularity in the 1960’s. so Waxhaw reshaped its identity to an antique and fine dining center. The town currently has dining ranging from the good old mom and pop style to fine bistros. There are also over twenty antique shops and several gift shops.

Marvin Creek Estate Home Community

Located in Waxhaw near I-485, the luxurious Marvin Creek community features single-family executive and estate homes. At Marvin Creek, your family can enjoy winding nature trails, tennis courts and a 6,500 square-foot clubhouse.

This beautiful family-oriented community offers an array of outstanding amenities, including a spectacular swim complex complete with a beach front pool, lazy river, and geyser park.

Marvin Creek is conveniently located to many of South Charlotte’s best amenities. Ballantyne, Stonecrest, and Blakeney Greens are all just a few minutes away. Beautiful parks with lakes and creeks, challenging public and private golf courses, and fine dining and entertainment are also nearby.

Simplifying the Home Buyer Tax Credit

Earlier this month President Obama signed a bill extending the first time home buyers $8,000 tax rebate. Included in that bill is an expansion of the original plan to include existing homeowners. The expansion provides a $6,500 tax rebate for qualified buyers who already own their home. Both tax credits will be in effect until April 30, 2010. These provisions offer a tremendous opportunity for first time home buyers and certain existing homeowners to buy a home before the April deadline.

“The only thing I would say is that if history teaches us any lessons we should move forward sooner rather than later,” says Mark Sauers, Assistant Vice President with Sun Trust Mortgage. “April 30 will be here before we know it. I really do not expect any further extensions beyond this.”

Monteith Park, Huntersville

Monteith Park is a master-planned Saussy Burbank community in Huntersville just 13 miles north of uptown Charlotte. Monteith Park blends charm and character with architectural design to create a community known for its graceful front porches and wide-open spaces. The neighborhood gives the nostalgic feel of a bygone era of the early 1900’s.

At the heart of this pedestrian-friendly community is a 30-acre network of parks, walking trails, bike paths and picnic areas. Monteith Park residents also enjoy a clubhouse, a junior Olympic size pool, waterslide, a children’s wading pool and a playground.

October Real Estate Report

Listed below is the residential real estate market summary for the Charlotte area for the period October 6, 2009 through November 5, 2009:

Sold: 2,210; avg. LP $218,050; avg. SP $196,204; %LP/SP 90.02%

New Listings: 4,863; avg. price $259,794

Under Contract: 2,400; avg. price $217,013

Withdrawn: 1,899; avg. price $341,375

Expired Listings: 1,610; avg. price $343,767

Active Listings: 23,850; avg. price $312,647

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The number of homes sold during the month of October increased 13.4% compared to September and 19.6% above the level of home sales for October a year ago. The average selling price for the month decreased 0.3% from prior month, but was down 9.5% from a year ago. The first time homebuyer tax credit has been effective in stimulating local home sales and the market prices seems to have leveled off for now.

$150,000 Price Reduction in Springfield!

The best new home value in Springfield is now aggressively priced at $649,900, a $150,000 reduction in the original price. With over 4,300 square feet of living space, there is plenty of room for everyone in this great Evans Coghill home. Located in beautful Springfield, Fort Mill’s premier golf community, on a home site that adjoins an undisturbed wooded buffer, you will enjoy the privacy of your rear porch and room in this home.

Taylor Glenn, Popular Indian Trail Location

Taylor Glenn, located in popular Indian Trail, offers a family-oriented environment with lighted streets and sidewalks on both sides of the streets. The neighborhood amenities include two playgrounds, lighted tennis courts, a soccer field, a kiddie pool, and an Olympic size pool with a lifeguard.

The Taylor Glenn Community has nearly 400 homes which includes a small section of townhomes. The single family detached homes are mostly 2 story with a few ranches and 1/5 story, and range in size from 1800 to 3500 square feet with three to five bedroom floor plans. Pricing ranges from the high $100,000’s to the high $200,000’s and would fit the budget of the first time home buyer or the those wishing to move up in price or location from an existing home.

The Reserve at Gold Hill

The Reserve at Gold Hill boasts an excellent location, a million dollar amenity complex with swimming pool, clubhouse, and multi-court airnasium.

Located just off I-77 at the Gold Hill Road exit, this wonderful neighborhood lies within the highly sought after Fort Mill School district. Getting to Charlotte, nearby Lake Wylie, Carowinds, or to the airport is a snap. You’re also close to Baxter Village with all of the shopping and restaurants that it has to offer. Several golf courses are located nearby, as well as Charlotte Knights Baseball Stadium which is almost right across the street.