I wrote a blog yesterday about the cost of living advantages of moving to Charlotte. Well my wife and I were discussing the blog and she mentioned somethingng I completely forgot about....one of the primary reasons we chose Charlotte over other parts of North Carolina or the South. It was it's location.
Charlotte North Carolina is tucked away in the southwest part of the state bordering right up against South Carolina. But what made it attractive to us was the proximity to things we loved to do. When we were considering moving here a local agent mentioned to us that the beauty of Charlotte was it's location. See you can drive a couple hours Northwest and be in the mountains. In the spring and fall times we love to go hiking and camping. What place is better than the Appalachian mountains to do that in? if you prefer skiing in the winter months there is enough ski slopes within a couple hour drive to give you all the white stuff you ever will want.
Now, If I want to drive three hours southeast; I can be on Myrtle beach enjoying the ocean and all that it has to offer. Sitting on the sand enjoying the sun, making sand castles with my kids or body surfing in the waves.
But what makes Charlotte so great is that because of our location we are protected to the West by the mountains. So any terrible weather that is coming in from the west is usually dissipated before it hits Charlotte area. We are far enough inland to not have any major effects of the storms that hit the ocean front cities.
So, living in Charlotte allows you to enjoy all those outdoor activities you love without sacrificing the weather and climate for it. Best of all you can usually appease everyone in the family with it's proximity to mountains or beaches.
Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Why Move To Charlotte?
Like many people I meet these days, I am a transplant to the Charlotte North Carolina area. Charlotte seems to be a popular destination for families looking to relocate. I know we all have our own personal reasons as to why we moved here. But what seems to be the underlying reasons people choose Charlotte North Carolina?
I for one made the decision a little over five years ago to up root my family from the Northeast and move them to Charlotte North Carolina. For me and many people I talk to one of the biggest reasons was the cost of living. If you have ever lived in a state where it seemed only the wealthy could afford a nice home; you know exactly what I mean. Home prices in Charlotte North Carolina are considered signifcatly more reasonable. Taxes are lower than most parts fo the country.
In fact, Charlotte North Carolina has an affordability index that rated it among the top ten cities according to US News and World Report. They base the study on the home prices in correlation to the average income. Charlotte North Carolina ranks near the top of that list. What it means is more people in the area can afford to purchase a home than in most cities in the united States.
The great news is that with mortgage rates at the current historic lows the opportunity to purchase a home has never been better and the choices out there are many.
if you are considering to make Charlotte North Carolina your home; give me a call. I would be happy to show you why I made the descsion five years ago to move here and call Charlotte home.
Dave diCecco
Realotr/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
I for one made the decision a little over five years ago to up root my family from the Northeast and move them to Charlotte North Carolina. For me and many people I talk to one of the biggest reasons was the cost of living. If you have ever lived in a state where it seemed only the wealthy could afford a nice home; you know exactly what I mean. Home prices in Charlotte North Carolina are considered signifcatly more reasonable. Taxes are lower than most parts fo the country.
In fact, Charlotte North Carolina has an affordability index that rated it among the top ten cities according to US News and World Report. They base the study on the home prices in correlation to the average income. Charlotte North Carolina ranks near the top of that list. What it means is more people in the area can afford to purchase a home than in most cities in the united States.
The great news is that with mortgage rates at the current historic lows the opportunity to purchase a home has never been better and the choices out there are many.
if you are considering to make Charlotte North Carolina your home; give me a call. I would be happy to show you why I made the descsion five years ago to move here and call Charlotte home.
Dave diCecco
Realotr/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Is Your Realtor Comeptent To Handle A Short Sale For You?
I have been recently reading a few blogs written by fellow agents about short sales and Realtors. One of the first ones I read a few days ago divulged into the topic of Realtors being sued because they were unable to procure a buyer for the house before it went into foreclosure. As ludicrous as it is, it apparently has gotten some merit on the west coast.
The other one which I found extremely interesting had to deal with the Ethics rules that we as Realtors have to abide by. I actually went back and read over article 11 that she referred to in detail. She was 100% right. If you are not competent enough to handle a transaction find someone that can. It is a fiduciary responsibility we owe clients.
Well after reading those blogs and the numerous comments on each one. I decided it was time to write about my personal experince in the short sale arena and my dealings with agents.
I think both arguments and blogs were right. We as Realtors cannot guarantee we can procure a buyer for you. We do our best to analyze the current market conditions and market the home best as we can to attract as many potential buyers. On the same hand we do owe it to our clients to pass off the short sale if we are not sure of what we are doing.
I have been involved on both ends of the transactions. I deal a lot with short sales in trying to help sellers avoid the stigma of foreclosure and buyers looking for a good deal on a home. I have come to some rational conclusions. One's, that I am sure are shared by many agents out there as well.
When I represent a buyer in a transaction. I have a responsibility to look out for their best interests above all else. If they select a group of homes to look at as a potential purchase; I do my research on the home. The first thing I check is if it is a short sale. If it is I personally call the Realtor who is handling it and ask a lot of questions. if I do not get the answers I want I advise my clients not to pursue that home. I tell them that the agent is not competent in Short Sales and the whole deal could and probably will blow up before we get a chance to close...(trust me I have watched it happen more than once). Thus, the only ones losing in this transaction are the homeowners. Their home is not being shown and it has nothing to do with price or marketability of the home. It is the agent.
On the selling end I make sure that my clients are fully aware of the ramifications of a short sale as well as a foreclosure can have on them. I REFUSE to take a short sale listing unless I know they have consulted with both an attorney and an accountant about the ramifications of it and the consequences that can arise. Only after I am thoroughly satisified they understand that will I accept the listing. Guess what I have sold them all that I got. The others went with a different agent becuase they thought I was to demanding....and the irony is some are still on the market four and five months later and some went into forclosure. Some did sell as well. but a Short Sale is demanding of a Realtor's time and energy. it is not like handling a reguilar transdaction. there is a lot more involved in it and the homeowners have to be on board with it as well.
Make sure your agent is fully versed in short sales. If you are buyuing ask how the process goes, the timeline involved, the bank, their experince dealing with the bank. On the selling end make sure you have an agent who knows what to do with a short sale listing. Is not afraid to ask the tough questions and will put the time and effort in to make sure it closes. Unfortuantely, most agents are just taking listings to get a commission and are not competent in the sale of a short sale.
Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
The other one which I found extremely interesting had to deal with the Ethics rules that we as Realtors have to abide by. I actually went back and read over article 11 that she referred to in detail. She was 100% right. If you are not competent enough to handle a transaction find someone that can. It is a fiduciary responsibility we owe clients.
Well after reading those blogs and the numerous comments on each one. I decided it was time to write about my personal experince in the short sale arena and my dealings with agents.
I think both arguments and blogs were right. We as Realtors cannot guarantee we can procure a buyer for you. We do our best to analyze the current market conditions and market the home best as we can to attract as many potential buyers. On the same hand we do owe it to our clients to pass off the short sale if we are not sure of what we are doing.
I have been involved on both ends of the transactions. I deal a lot with short sales in trying to help sellers avoid the stigma of foreclosure and buyers looking for a good deal on a home. I have come to some rational conclusions. One's, that I am sure are shared by many agents out there as well.
When I represent a buyer in a transaction. I have a responsibility to look out for their best interests above all else. If they select a group of homes to look at as a potential purchase; I do my research on the home. The first thing I check is if it is a short sale. If it is I personally call the Realtor who is handling it and ask a lot of questions. if I do not get the answers I want I advise my clients not to pursue that home. I tell them that the agent is not competent in Short Sales and the whole deal could and probably will blow up before we get a chance to close...(trust me I have watched it happen more than once). Thus, the only ones losing in this transaction are the homeowners. Their home is not being shown and it has nothing to do with price or marketability of the home. It is the agent.
On the selling end I make sure that my clients are fully aware of the ramifications of a short sale as well as a foreclosure can have on them. I REFUSE to take a short sale listing unless I know they have consulted with both an attorney and an accountant about the ramifications of it and the consequences that can arise. Only after I am thoroughly satisified they understand that will I accept the listing. Guess what I have sold them all that I got. The others went with a different agent becuase they thought I was to demanding....and the irony is some are still on the market four and five months later and some went into forclosure. Some did sell as well. but a Short Sale is demanding of a Realtor's time and energy. it is not like handling a reguilar transdaction. there is a lot more involved in it and the homeowners have to be on board with it as well.
Make sure your agent is fully versed in short sales. If you are buyuing ask how the process goes, the timeline involved, the bank, their experince dealing with the bank. On the selling end make sure you have an agent who knows what to do with a short sale listing. Is not afraid to ask the tough questions and will put the time and effort in to make sure it closes. Unfortuantely, most agents are just taking listings to get a commission and are not competent in the sale of a short sale.
Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Selling Your Home In Spring..Make It Smile
There is probably no better season than the spring season. All the flowers and trees are beginning to bloom. The sun is shining and kids are back outside playing after their winter hibernation.
But you are wanting to sell your home. What do you do? make it smile...The spring season brings flowers into bloom and grass that begins to look green before the heat of the summer kills it. The fresh air and the cool breeze make ti inviting to have windows open and fresh air flowing through the house.
How do you make it smile? That is easy. Make sure your lawn is cut and the grass is green. A little seed and fertilizer can go a long way to helping the sale of that home. People get their first impression of the home as they are pulling up to it. What looks better than a nice green yard and some colorful flowers blooming as they approach your home.
If the weather permits you should have all the windows in the house wide open....nothing better than a fresh air smell flowing through a house. It gives that natural feeling that we all yearn for about mid way through the winter...the desire to get outside and the wonderful feeling that spring brings.
Another big item which I have noticed recently most people not doing is OPEN your blinds or curtains. Let the light shine in the house. It will create a warm feeling in the home for the buyer, make the place feel more spacious than it is and make the house smile. A killer when showing a home is when it is dark inside and you are relying on the light from lamps and light fixtures to brighten a home. You cannot take away from the open feeling a house has when the natural light is flowing through the house.
Looking to sell your home in the spring time ...you need to make it smile bright.
Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
But you are wanting to sell your home. What do you do? make it smile...The spring season brings flowers into bloom and grass that begins to look green before the heat of the summer kills it. The fresh air and the cool breeze make ti inviting to have windows open and fresh air flowing through the house.
How do you make it smile? That is easy. Make sure your lawn is cut and the grass is green. A little seed and fertilizer can go a long way to helping the sale of that home. People get their first impression of the home as they are pulling up to it. What looks better than a nice green yard and some colorful flowers blooming as they approach your home.
If the weather permits you should have all the windows in the house wide open....nothing better than a fresh air smell flowing through a house. It gives that natural feeling that we all yearn for about mid way through the winter...the desire to get outside and the wonderful feeling that spring brings.
Another big item which I have noticed recently most people not doing is OPEN your blinds or curtains. Let the light shine in the house. It will create a warm feeling in the home for the buyer, make the place feel more spacious than it is and make the house smile. A killer when showing a home is when it is dark inside and you are relying on the light from lamps and light fixtures to brighten a home. You cannot take away from the open feeling a house has when the natural light is flowing through the house.
Looking to sell your home in the spring time ...you need to make it smile bright.
Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
Monday, April 12, 2010
Not Sure About A Neighborhood---Ask The Neighbors
With so many people relocating these days to other parts of the country in search of jobs; how do you know if you are moving into the right neighborhood? You can do a lot of research on line and read comments. But let's face it most of those comments are from disgruntled people who are looking to vent their frustration. Though they may be accurate in their statements does it paint a true picture of the community or neighborhood?
If I have someone looking to relocate to the Charlotte area who has not lived here already; I recommend they go and knock on the neighbors doors. Who better to tell you what the neighborhood is like than the neighbors themselves. Not only will you find out the true nature of the neighborhood; but you can find out who your neighbors are as well. Sometimes that can be the difference in buying that home and not.
Perfect example is a widowed woman who is looking to buyer first home without her husband. Due to the lenght of their marriage she has never made this type of decision on her own. She always relied on him to decide what was best for their family. Well, we found the home that fit her needs exactly as she wanted. In her price range, and all the features she wants in the house....But she is a little skeptical because she does not know how the community is. So, i told her go down on a Saturday or Sunday and knock on the neighbors doors. Tell them that you are looking to purchase X home and wanted to know a little more about the community. People that like it there will rave and ones that do not will tell you so. But at least you will get first hand knowledge from the residents of the community of the pros and cons of the neighborhood.
The irony in all of this is that one of this one is the neighbors next door was an ex co worker of her late husbands. They sat and talked for hours...when she got done she called me and said "let's put the offer in". You just never know who you are going to meet along the way....
You may not always hear the answers you want. But would you rather know up front then find out after you spent hundreds of thousands of dollars buying a home?
Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
If I have someone looking to relocate to the Charlotte area who has not lived here already; I recommend they go and knock on the neighbors doors. Who better to tell you what the neighborhood is like than the neighbors themselves. Not only will you find out the true nature of the neighborhood; but you can find out who your neighbors are as well. Sometimes that can be the difference in buying that home and not.
Perfect example is a widowed woman who is looking to buyer first home without her husband. Due to the lenght of their marriage she has never made this type of decision on her own. She always relied on him to decide what was best for their family. Well, we found the home that fit her needs exactly as she wanted. In her price range, and all the features she wants in the house....But she is a little skeptical because she does not know how the community is. So, i told her go down on a Saturday or Sunday and knock on the neighbors doors. Tell them that you are looking to purchase X home and wanted to know a little more about the community. People that like it there will rave and ones that do not will tell you so. But at least you will get first hand knowledge from the residents of the community of the pros and cons of the neighborhood.
The irony in all of this is that one of this one is the neighbors next door was an ex co worker of her late husbands. They sat and talked for hours...when she got done she called me and said "let's put the offer in". You just never know who you are going to meet along the way....
You may not always hear the answers you want. But would you rather know up front then find out after you spent hundreds of thousands of dollars buying a home?
Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
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