How Is The Housing Market In Charlotte, NC. Performing In November 2013?

There is a lot of talk about the housing market in Charlotte, NC. and whether it is improving or if the rise in interest rates has caused the market to slow down and prices to lower while inventory creeps back up . A monthly analysis versus the previous year and two years ago during the same month allows me to compare and see where the trends are and how they are impacting the housing market in Charlotte, NC. Here are the stats for November 2013: First, let's look at inventory of available homes buyers have to choose from in the Charlotte, NC. . In 2011 there were 7497 homes for sale in November. In 2012 there were 5367 homes for sale . Last month there were 3959 homes for sale. That is a decline of 53% in two years of available homes buyers have to choose from. Second, the average sale price of homes in the Charlotte, NC. for November 2011 was $199,542. In 2012 the average sale price was $210,287 and last month the average sale price was $231,643. That is an increase of 14% in the average sale price in the Charlotte, NC. market over the past two years during the month of November. Third, let’s look at days in inventory. How long are houses sitting on the market? In 2011 the average home sat on the market for 11 months before being sold in November. In 2012 the number improved to 6.7 months and last month it improved to 3.9 months. That is a dramatic drop in inventory of over 65% in two years for the average homes ist on the market that sold. What the trends are showing is that the housing market is out of the recession and available homes for sale have decreased to the lowest levels we have seen in over 5 years coupled with prices slowly creeping back up and more buyers out there than homes available and you have signs of a robust market in Charlotte, NC. However; in comparison to last couple of months the trend is showing that the housing market has stabilized and some prices are remaining stable for the past few months with slight increases being seen. Generally this time of the year we start to see homes slowly decline a little bit as sellers are taking their homes off the market with the holiday's. Yes there are fewer buyers now but it still is a great time to sell your home and buy a home. As a seller you have less competition with existing homes and buyers have less competiton when looking at a home and are not feeling as rushed to buy a home in fear that someone else may scoop it up first. The out look is looking good for both sellers and buyers as interest rates are still at historic lows and affordability is high and sellers are taking advantage of the limited inventory to get their homes sold. And buyers are taking advantage of aggressive rates right now before the spring market when it is expected rates will start to increase. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

FHA Lowers Mortgage Limits In Charlotte, NC. Area Starting Janaury 2014

The Federal housing Administration (commonly known as FHA) has announced that they are lowering the mortgage limit amount on FHA loans. Nationally this has a dramatic impact as the overall lowering is said to be as great as $140,000 in some areas of the country. The press releases state that the new FHA loan maximum is $355,350.00. Believe it or not it used to be $500,000. So how does this affect Charlotte, NC. area home buyers and why should we care? Well just because the maximum price is reduced the FHA does it by area and city. Not all cities qualify for the same limit. Each is based on the average price of the area and a formula used by the Federal Housing Administration to formulate the maximum loan amount for that area. In the Charlotte, NC. area currently through December 31, 2013 the maximum loan amount for an FHA loan is $303,750.00. One a lot of people took advantage of with the low interest rates to get away with putting less than 20% down and get a great rate.... I even had some clients go FHA and put 5-7% down just to get the lower rate that was offered versus going 20% with a conventional loan. The payments came out less expensive for them and they felt they could make a better return versus the low interest rates being charged. However; the new changes that affect the housing market and the FHA loans has reduced that amount to $271,050.00 This is a drop of over 10% in the loan amount that FHA will approve. This is a substantial amount for the Charlotte, NC area housing market. If you were looking for example at a $310,000 priced home; then you could buy the house with 3.5% down payment....... However; after the first of the year you will be maxed out on a house at $280,500 to get that 3.5% down payment.... This can make a big different in the house you look at and how you look at homes. How this will affect sellers and buyer is still unknown; but that price point cold see a drop in home sales and buyers who will now have to qualify for a conventional mortgage with 20% down. There are programs out there that will allow you to purchase a conventional mortgage with less than 20% down payment. However; the qualifying criteria is a lot more stringent than FHA and most people might find it more difficult to qualify or not qualify at all….So, if you are considering a home and looking into doing an FHA loan check your area and see what the NEW limit is going to be. You can find the information on their website as well. Here is a link for the FHA site as well. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Ballantyne Area Of Charlotte, NC. One Of The Top Searched Zip Codes

The other day I was reading an article published by Realtor.com about the hottest markets and areas in the country. Being in Real Estate I always like to know where people are looking to move to and from. So the article peaked an interest in me as to where people are searching for homes in the United States. In reading the article I found that the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, NC. came in at number 5 on the most searched zip codes in the United States. The zip code of 28277 is a very popular destination among people moving to Charlotte and apparently with people looking to move into the Charlotte area as well. There are a lot of good reasons why Ballantyne area of Charlotte is so popular. It has a great location in Charlotte located in the southern side of Charlotte right up against the South Carolina border. Because of it's location it has easy access to major highways and to uptown. With various routes you can take as a commuter to go to uptown the area is a great destination for commuters. It is approximately a 30 minute ride to uptown from there or you can take a short drive over to the light rail (approximately 10 minutes away) and take the light rail into uptown and not have to deal with the traffic at all. Or if you need to go to the airport you are only about 15 to 20 minutes away from Charlotte Douglas Airport which is an international airport and a major hub for US airways. Another thing that it has going for it is major businesses are now starting to call the Ballantyne area home with it's affordable retail space and space to grow. Met life this past year recently moved it's corporate offices to the area and office parks are sprouting up as businesses are moving into the area. Wingate University is moving one of its satellite campuses over to Ballantyne as well. Residents have long considered the area great and people moving in with school age children or looking at areas of Charlotte with some of the highest rated schools are looking in Ballantyne as well. With newer schools having been built the demand to get into those schools has helped keep the area housing market relatively strong through the recession. In addition, there are numerous shops, restaurants and stores popping up in Ballantyne area as well. Also a quick drive will take you to the Carolina Place mall or to the South park mall both within fifteen minutes of Ballantyne... Known for its location it is also home to some great golf courses and a short ride away from major attractions like Carowinds amusement park and the time warner arena as well as sporting events. Considering a move to the Charlotte area look and see why many people are considering the Ballantyne area for their next move....To see homes that are available there click on the link for all homes for sale in Ballantyne. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

What Rooms Are Important To Selling Your Charlotte, NC. Home?

Recently I have been getting a lot of questions form potential home sellers about what to do to get their home ready to go on the market after the holiday. One question that keeps coming up in the discussions are what rooms are people looking for today in buying homes and what do I have to do to get those rooms ready. I started thinking about the questions and though I have some generalities of what I have heard home buyers want and need in a house; I decided to ask fellow agents what they thought and what feedback they were getting form buyers on what rooms were important to them to when buying a house. The number one room we all agreed upon is the kitchen. First and foremost this seems to be the room that all home buyers gravitate toward. Be it the wife or the husband; there is one or both of them that like to cook and this room seems to be a make or break deal for a lot of home buyers. Now depending on the size of the house the space in the kitchen is going to be subjective. But it should be proportionate to the house. I looked at a 3000+ square foot house with a couple a few months ago and the one thing that caught me when we were walking through the house was the small size of the kitchen in relation to the rest of the house. They noticed the same thing and even though they loved the flow of the house and everything else about it the kitchen was a deal breaker for them on that particular house. Regardless of the size of the house one common factor I heard from buyers this past year was plenty of cabinet space and a pantry in the kitchen. This was a big deal as was countertop space. AS we are slowly becoming more of a society trying to get away form fast food and more time at home eating together the kitchen has become more prevalent now... Another thing about the kitchen was the location and openness of it. Was it centrally located for entertaining and could it have people in there without each other walking over one another? I know having four kids on the weekends when my wife is cooking this room is the most utilized room in the house. If your kitchen looks old and dated it may be time for a facelift to it. You would be amazed what fresh paint and refinishing of cabinets can do to a kitchen as well as new stainless steel appliances. It can make the whole kitchen a different room...and help sell the house. The other room I am hearing more and more about is the family room. Home buyers are looking for a room that they can sit down as a family together and watch TV, a movie, or just hang out. The space in that room seems to be just as important as the kitchen to prospective home buyers. They want to know they can get their furniture in there or that the room will be large enough for everyone to sit and enjoy time together..... If you have a family room/living room make sure it is de-cluttered. The less items in there the better. You need couches and chairs to sit on but try to minimalize the unnecessary furniture and toys so that the room shows off the true size and not make it look smaller than it really is. The last room I hear people looking for a decent size in is the master bedroom. Though this room is not as high a priority it still ranks up there with a lot of home buyers. And one common factor seems to be whether the room is large enough to have a king sized bed and their dressers in the room. it seems that every master bedroom I walk into when showing homes that is the first thing I hear coming out of the buyers mouths if the room does not have one or "look this has a king sized bed in it". The room does not need to be flashy but should have ample size to fit a king sized bed. As time goes on taste and needs and wants change. It seems that the buyers of today are looking for nice kitchens with a good sized family room and a master bedroom they can fit their king sized bed. Now there are always going to be other criteria for buyers and not everyone fits in the same mold. But if you are looking to sell your house and thinking of what you can do to help it sell or get it ready to put on the market; these would be the three rooms I would start with... Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Charlotte, NC. Ranked 16th For Housing Markets Heading Into 2014

Charlotte, NC. has always been a great destination among people looking to move to the area. Charlotte offers a well-diversified economic pool of jobs, great weather and affordable housing. Recent studies done by Price waterhouse and Moody's add credibility to those claims. According to price waterhouse Charlotte, NC. Is ranked as the 16th best housing market heading into 2014. This bodes well for investors and home sellers as well as home buyers. Construction is on the upswing and the economy is improving with an unemployment rate that is decreasing every month as the population continues to grow. The statistics say that new permits (what builders pull for new construction to build a house) are expected to rise by over 30% in 2014. That means that builders are getting a lot higher demand for their homes and just do not build homes to have them sit in inventory. But the contrary; they build as they sell them. This means more people are building homes and the growth is expected to carry into 2014. Part of it is because of the lack of inventory out there for homes. Charlotte, NC. has seen a dramatic decrease in available inventory out there for homes and the choices are getting slimmer every day. If those people do not put homes on the market the buyers are left with looking at new construction as an alternative to a resale house.... This is coupled with the fact that because of the large growth in the service sector, healthcare, and being the second largest banking center in the United States our growth in terms of population has exceeded expectations while unemployment has gone down. Meaning more people are moving into the Charlotte area; but we are creating more jobs at a faster pace than the growth of the city. Both great indicators of an economy improving. Also, based on demographics Charlotte area has the second highest projected growth in the population of people age 20-34 over the next five years at over 15%. This is great news for the housing market as people need places to live. And as rent prices increase because of demand it makes buying a more affordable option for most people. Moody's projects Charlotte housing market to improve because of the relatively high foreclosure inventory has declined rapidly, alleviating the downward spiral on housing prices. Despite concern that rising interest rate would potentially slow the housing market, interest rates are still low by historical standards. But most importantly, according to Moody's, is the expansion of the population growth coupled with business expansion increasing demand for housing in the Charlotte, NC market for the long term. Over the past 5 years Charlotte, NC. population growth was the 13th fastest in the country while unemployment remained steady or decreased over the same period. Based on these two reputable third party endorsements it appears the housing market in Charlotte, NC. is seeing an upswing and that the upswing will continue into much of 2014 and beyond. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Should You Put Your House on The Market During The Holiday's?

A lot of home owners after Thanksgiving if there home has not sold will take it off the market and consider putting it back on in the spring selling season around March or April. But is that always the right thing to do? Buyers are buying homes 12 months out of the year. In the Charlotte, NC. area the housing market is not as drastically affected by weather as other parts of the country are. We do not have to deal with the extreme cold or snow like our counterparts in the North and west do... Now there are two thoughts to the process of taking your home off the market for the holiday period and relisting it in the spring. The first one is that you do not want to be bothered by showings during this time and it is an inconvenience to keep your home up for showings during the holidays. Also, who is out there really looking at houses now? Everyone is usually too busy with the holidays and family gatherings to go out and look at homes. So no one is going to come out and look at my house anyway. The second thought is buyers are always buying homes and by leaving mine on the market I have less competition and less showings but more serious buyers looking to buy a house. So, it is to my advantage to leave it on for those serious buyers who want to buy and need to buy a home before the spring market. In reality both answers are true. The holiday's do make it tough to maintain your home in a show condition and with the trees barren and it getting dark earlier the time for showings tends to be smaller as people want to look at a house they can see during the day. Also, people do have holiday and family gatherings on their plates right now. But also serious buyers who either have to move or are wanting to take advantage of the winter market to avoid bidding wars are out looking at homes also. In fact this time of the year for me is the second busiest season for me after the spring market. For out of state buyers this is the ideal time to move when the kids are on Christmas break and they can start the New Year off in a new place. Also, buyers are always looking for homes and if the right one comes along they will buy....With the internet being so prevalent now buyers do not have to go out and look at homes physically first. They can view them online in the comforts of their home on the computers or phones....And they are looking. Searches for homes tends to increase now as well after the beginning of the school year lull as stats have shown. But the biggest advantage to putting a house on now versus later is less competition. It is no secret that there are fewer homes for sale in the winter months than there are in the spring season. Less competition usually means a seller can get a good price for their house and not have to worry about the neighbor lowering their price to below market value to just sell it. However; if the holidays are to hectic for you to list your home then consider right after the first of the year. Most people wait until March or April to list their homes. By putting it on the market after the first of the year you still get a head start on the spring sellers and buyers are out looking in a little more aggressively since they are now thinking of tax returns as down payment to help them stop renting and buy a house. Everyone situation is different and with there really not being a wrong answer to put your home on or not....It comes down to your family and what is best for you. But waiting to the spring can have a negative effect on your selling of your home and not getting what you want for it because of the competition versus selling now or in January or February. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Gaston County Nc. Short Commute To Charlotte With Lifestyle Choices

I often hear a lot of families moving to the Charlotte area ask me about the western side of Charlotte outskirts in Gaston County like. Is it something they would want? Well each and every one of us needs and wants and desires are different. However; Gaston County is made up of a few towns neighboring Charlotte that have grown in popularity over the years and has begun a revitalization with the influx of people moving into the Charlotte area. First you have barely 10 miles from uptown Charlotte; Mountain Island Lake which separates Mecklenburg County from Gaston County. Waterfront communities and many new subdivisions have been built along with other massive development, such as the Northlake Mall. Several communities on both sides of the lake in Charlotte and Mount Holly have community pools along with boat slips. Second, is Belmont which has a revitalized downtown and renovated older homes. Belmont has a small town feeling with an easy commute to uptown Charlotte and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. If you’re looking for a family-friendly town, Belmont might be the right choice. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located in Belmont and Stowe Park hosts many festivals and a holiday parade. McAdenville’s Christmastown USA is also a short drive away. Third, the largest town in Gaston County is Gastonia, which has seen a revival in the past few yearsas well with the influx of people and businesses moving into CHarlotte area. Downtown Gastonia has a Farmer’s Market, Arts On Main and many new restaurants, salons and businesses. New subdivisions were built around older neighborhoods in Gastonia letting the new mix with the old. In addition to the downtown shops, residents can shop in Westfield Eastridge Mall. Move to Gastonia where’s there plenty to do and see such as the Schiele Museum of Natural History, Adventure Landing, Crowder’s Mountain, the Gaston County Library and the local minor baseball team, the Gaston Grizzlies. Fourth, if you need to get a little farther away from Charlotte but still want an easy commute? Then Denver in Lincoln County might be for you. This little enclave is on the west side of Lake Norman and not far from Huntersville and Cornelius. It is the right place if you’re in the market for waterfront properties and golfing communities. Denver is also home to Cowan’s Ford Gold Club, which offers golf, pool and tennis. There are other small towns located just outside of there as well with a little more commute time involved in Bessemer City and Kings Mountain. These towns have kept the rich heritage of the small country town feeling and are far enough outside of Charlotte right now where the growth has not caught up to those areas yet. Regardless of where you choose to live...The west side outside of Charlotte does offer many options available to you depending on the lifestyle and what you are looking for in a home. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Thanksgiving---What This Realtor Is Thankful For

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Traditionally a holiday we spend with our families. For most people it signifies the start of the "Holiday Season". For others it marks traditions with families that they look forward to each and every year. For others it is a time to reflect back and be grateful for what the year has brought...... This year, Thanksgiving has brought many emotions and meanings to me. Some I never gave much thought to in the past. Others that is new for the year. For me it has always been about being thankful for what I have. Growing up; I was always taught to be thankful for what you have because it was more than someone else had and wished they had. We also had the family traditions of getting together and celebrating the day as a family. As i grew older I started to create my own traditions with my family. One thing i did was remember to be thankful for what i had and to teach my children the same; we would volunteer at the local soup kitchen and help with Thanksgiving dinner for those who did not have a family to go home to. Spreading a little love and smile into someone else life gives you a better appreciation of the one you have. As a Realtor I have many things every year i am thankful for. I love my job and it shows. I enjoy meeting new people every year and making friendships that last a lifetime. I enjoy seeing the smile on someone’s face when at the closing table they have signed the last piece of paper and realize that they now own their first home ,their dream home or retirement home. The joy of helping soemone sell their home and relocate or just beign a friend to a past or present client....The list is endless and the friendships I have made the same. Take some time out of your busy day today and call or thank your family for being there with you...You do not know how long you have with them and cherish each and every moment together as a family...My dad passed away a year ago in August and I know a great many friends who have lost loved ones this year. Be thankful for the memories you have wiht your loved ones and cheerish the moments you have wth family now. Contineu traditions or start new ones.. I used to say holidays, funerals and weddings were the only time our family all got together. Now this past two years have showed me that it is more important than ever to do it more often than that. And we make efforts to try and get together more often. This Thanksgiving I look back and am thankful for my family and my health and my ability to work and all the joy my friends and family bring into my life...So,from this Charlotte NC Realtor to you HAPPY THANKSGIVING....... Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

What Are The Neighborhoods In Central Charlotte, NC. Area Like?

The central neighborhoods of Charlotte have a different flavor of their own. Tree-lined streets in Elizabeth and Myers Park, funky shops and venues in Plaza Midwood and Dilworth and the quiet neighborhoods in Cotswold. Charlotte’s central neighborhoods are full of restaurants, parks, shops, churches and schools. Most of these neighborhoods in Charlotte are easily accessible on foot or by bike. One of the newer retail centers in Central Charlotte is the Metropolitan. Minutes from uptown and a stone’s throw from Elizabeth, Myers Park and Dilworth, this plaza’s anchor stores are Target, Trader Joe’s, Staples and Marshall’s. A small park and walking path runs one side of the Metropolitan which also backs up to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Close to uptown Charlotte is the historic neighborhood of Elizabeth, which was established in 1907 with a mix of large homes with porches and small bungalows. This Charlotte neighborhood has many locally owned shops, restaurants and businesses, such as Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find, the Cajun Queen and the Philosopher's Stone. Chantilly, a much smaller neighborhood is located right where Monroe Road becomes 7th Street. Follow Pecan Avenue or Hawthorne Avenue through Elizabeth to Plaza Midwood. While Chantilly is Elizabeth’s twin, this Central neighborhood in Charlotte is Elizabeth’s funky sister. Many similar homes with the large porches, newly built craftsmen style homes along with newly built apartments and tiny bungalows weave around the retail area of Plaza Midwood along Charlotte’s Central Avenue. Play shuffleboard at Zada Jane’s, pick up fresh baked goodies at Nova’s Bakery before heading out to Midwood Park, which has a playground, amphitheater and tennis and basketball courts. Stroll along Central Avenue and browse funky shops for art, used books and vintage finds. Myers Park, one of Charlotte’s most affluent neighborhoods, has tree-lined streets that create a canopy over Queens Road which is criss-crossed by Providence Road. Right at this Charlotte intersection is where Queens Road leads to Queens University and Myers Park Country Club. Turn onto Providence Road to a newly-renovated Harris Teeter and many high-end and trendy boutiques or grab a bite or have a leisurely dinner at several restaurants. Follow along Queens Road to Selwyn Ave for casual dining and specialty shops. Turn off Selwyn Avenue to Colony Road, which leads to Myers Park High School, Alexander Graham Middle School and Selwyn Elementary School. Park Road Shopping Center, one of Charlotte’s first outdoor shopping centers, is close by and features a Harris Teeter, Blackhawk Hardware, a movie theater, toy shop, winter sports and bike shop, casual restaurants and a book store. Two parks, Latta Park and Freedom Park in Dilworth are its heart but East Boulevard is is its backbone with many locally-owned shops and restaurants. Freedom Park, the much larger of the two Charlotte’s parks, has a walking trail, pond, the Dilworth Little League and other sporting facilities, a playground, pavilion and an entrance to the Charlotte Nature Museum. Latta Park has a small shaded walkway and playground, basketball court and a splash pad. Cute bungalows and large craftsmen-style homes can be found in Dilworth along with Dilworth Elementary School and the adjacent Charlotte’s Tom Sykes Recreation Center, where the annual Dilworth Jubilee takes place. Cross over South Boulevard to Atherton Market in Historic Southend to board a LYNX train or walk and bike to other area shops and restaurants Cotswold, an older neighborhood in Charlotte is a mix of 1950s-style brick ranches on large lots, mid-century modern homes and new construction on large lots. This neighborhood is just a quick drive to uptown, Eastover and South Park. Take Providence Road to uptown or Randolph to uptown and Elizabeth or Sharon Amity to either South Park or 74 and East Charlotte in the other. Charlotte’s first suburban mall, Cotswold Village Shops, is surrounded by several medical facilities, offices and other retail centers. Many of Charlotte’s private schools are within an easy driving distance to Cotswold and Charlotte’s Cotswold ID Elementary and Randolph IB Middle School are close to the Cotswold Village Shops. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Family Friendly Things To Do In Charlotte, NC.

If you think Charlotte might be your new home, it helps to know what and where the fun is. The top 5 family fun attractions in the Charlotte area are: Carowinds, the U.S. National Whitewater Center, Discovery Place, NASCAR Hall of Fame and Great Wolf Lodge. Carowinds, which is right on the edge of Charlotte but actually in South Carolina, is a 398-acre amusement park with more than 50 rides. There are 13 roller coasters and a water park with two wave pools and several slides and tube rides. This year, Dinosaurs Alive! Opened at Carowinds. This new interactive attraction features 32 life-sized roaring and moving dinosaurs. If you love the outdoors, its not far from Charlotte. In fact, the U.S. National Whitewater Center is still inside Charlotte’s city limits. Go kayaking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, take a canopy tour, climb the climbing wall or paddleboard the Catawba River at this beautiful whitewater center which is located not far from the urban areas of Charlotte. Considered one of the best hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place, which is in uptown Charlotte, also has an IMAX Dome Theatre. Families can have fun in this newly-renovated museums with not only the fun interactive exhibits but they can also take part in summer camps and educational programs. On the other end of uptown Charlotte, sits the NASCAR Hall of Fame. See what it’s like for race car drivers in the iRacing Simulator Refuel or challenge yourself y jacking up a car to change a tire with the Kobolt Pit Challenge. Watch a film about NASCAR in the High Octane Theater and grab a bite at the Pit Stop Cafe before exploring more of Charlotte. Towards Concord and not too far from Charlotte is the Great Wolf Lodge. This family resort has 400 guest suites, kid-friendly spa, games, dining and even an ice cream parlor. But the real fun is the 80,000 square-foot indoor waterpark with its 11 water slides, 1,000 gallon tipping bucket and four pools. Looking for something else fun for family in Charlotte and the surrounding area? Here’s a list of a few other venues, museums and attractions to check out: Billy Graham Library Bost Grist Mill (Concord) C. Grier Beam Truck Museum (Cherryville) Carl J. McEwen Historic Village (Mint Hill) Carolinas Aviation Museum Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum N.C. Transportation Museum (Spencer) President James K. Polk Historic Site (Pineville) Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site (Midland) Schiele Museum of Natural History (Gastonia) Wells Fargo History Museum Energy Explorium (Huntersville) Fort Dobbs (Statesville) Heritage Farmstead (Statesville) Historic Brattonsville (McConnells, SC) Historic Rosedale Carolina Raptor Center Hugh Torrance House and Store (Huntersville) Iredell Museum kids@play (Statesville) Latta Plantation Levine Museum of the New South Lincoln County Museum of History (Lincolnton) Main Street Children's Museum (Rock Hill, SC) Mint Museum Mint Museum of Craft and Design Museum of the Waxhaws (Waxhaw) Museum of York County (Rock Hill, SC) N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame (Mooresville) Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (Belmont) As you can see Charlotte offers a lot of fun and different activities for families from museums, galleries to sport venues. Charlotte is also home to the NFL Carolina Panthers, NBA Charlotte Bobcats, Minor league Hockey team the Charlotte Checkers and Triple A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox the Charlotte Knights. In addition to the speedway which hosts the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Bank of America 500 in October. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Traveling Around Charlotte Not For The Faint of Heart

One thing newbies in Charlotte find exceptionally confusing about this city is just driving around it. There are lots of ways to get from one place to another but it seems like Charlotte just loops around. Take a drive on any of Charlotte’s major thoroughfares and you will find that you’ve driving on three, four and maybe even five different streets without ever once taken a turn. You could start on Idlewild Road then Rama Road find out you are on Sardis Road and before you know it Fairview which changes to Tyvola. There are other roads that abruptly change names without any rhyme or reason like Alexander Road and Rea Road. A lot of streets in Charlotte have similar names, which is also confusing. There are Providence Road, Providence Lane, Sardis Road and Sardis Lane. New drivers in Charlotte will find that these road cross each other just to make things more crazy. Looking for a specific address? Make sure you know whether its north, south, east or west or you will find yourself on the other side of Charlotte. There are actually same number addresses on North Tryon Street and South Tryon Street so you’d better know which direction you’re going in before you head out. Take a quick trip around Myers Park and you find yourself at an intersection in which Queens Road East, Queens Road West and Queens Road all intersect. And there isn’t just one street in Mecklenburg County that has these problems. Even Queens Road and Providence Road cross each other but if you want to continue on one road and not the other, you will have to make a turn to stay on the road you want, otherwise you’ll be on an entirely different one. Some streets are named for the town and the direction you’re going in. For example, Matthews Township Parkway is inside Matthews city limits but travel one way the road becomes Pineville-Matthews Road and Matthews-Mint Hill Road in the other. Not sure if you are still in Charlotte or that maybe you’ve crossed into one Mecklenburg County’s neighboring towns? Check the street signs. If you see a white crown on them, you are still in the Queen City. I-485 is a wonderful way to loop around Charlotte but take the inner loop when you need the outer loop and you’ll find yourself circling nearly the entire city. Most of the time if you are inner loop, you are closer to Charlotte, while the outer loop tends to bring you closer to the other cities in the area, like Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville, Concord and Pineville. However, this isn’t always the case either. Instead of driving Charlotte, you could ride the LYNX Blue Line, the 9.6 mile light rail. Park for free at any park and ride stations starting at I-485 and South Boulevard and ride to the end of the rail line, which is ImaginOn. Round trip tickets are inexpensive and children under 5 ride free. The Gold Rush, a trolley replica, is a fun and free way to tour Charlotte’s Center City weekdays from 7 am to 6 pm. Someday a streetcar may ride the tracks on Elizabeth Avenue but this project has yet to get the green light. Charlotte has also recently started the largest urban bike sharing program in the Southeast. There are 200 bikes located at 20 stations located near uptown Charlotte. Other unusual ways to motor around Charlotte is the pedicab, which is available Wednesdays to Saturdays after 7 pm or even horse drawn carriage rides in Center City. Tour Charlotte on a segway if you’re feeling a little more adventurous. One of the busiest airports in the world is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is located in southwest Charlotte, close to I-485 and I-77. Want to take a train instead? Ride Amtrak’s Piedmont to Raleigh or take the Carolinian to Washington D.C. or New York. Still want to brave the mean streets of Charlotte and drive around the city but are still confused about which direction to go? Then the best traveling companion you’ll have is a GPS. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Board Of Education In Union County NC. Places Enrollment Cap On 3 Schools

I know a lot of families move because of school assignments. Last week the Union County Public School Board of Education voted on something I have never heard done before. In a 7-2 vote they voted to place an enrollment cap on three schools in Union County. What this means is that if your child is slated for one of these three schools and you move into that school district after November 13, 2013 your child will not be attending the school that is assigned to them because these schools have reached their enrollment cap. The schools affected by this and the new schools children will be bussed to are: Kensington Elementary School will now be reassigned to Waxhaw Elementary School. Students new to Marvin Ridge Middle School will now be reassigned to Parkwood Middle School and students new to Porter Ridge Middle School will now be reassigned to Piedmont Middle School. According to the Union County Public School website this enrollment cap will exist until such time as the Board of Education approves a student reassignment plan to alleviate the overcrowding in these schools. There is no timetable set for this to take place. In fact this decision caught parents and educators completely by surprise. Apparently the enrollment figures were higher than anticipated causing this issue to be addressed now versus in the summer months. Another twist to this which can have an effect on families moving into one of those school boundaries is if your child attend an elementary school and would be going to one of the middle schools the following year you are NOT grandfathered in. So if you move into the school boundaries for one of those schools after November 13, 2013 there is no guarantee your child will attend those schools the following year or year after until the Board of Education decides what to do with overcrowding at those schools.... Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

How Is The Housing Market Performing In Charlotte, NC. In October 2013?

There is a lot of talk about the housing market in Charlotte, NC. and whether it is improving or if the rise in interest rates has caused the market to slow down and prices to lower while inventory creeps back up . A monthly analysis versus the previous year and two years ago during the same month allows me to compare and see where the trends are and how they are impacting the housing market in Charlotte, NC. Here are the stats for October 2013: First, let's look at inventory of available homes buyers have to choose from in the Charlotte, NC. . In 2011 there were 7682 homes for sale in October. In 2012 there were 5536 homes for sale in October. Last month there were 3956 homes for sale. That is a decline of 49% in two years of available homes buyers have to choose from. Second, the average sale price of homes in the Charlotte, NC. for October 2011 was $205,902. In 2012 the average sale price was $208,853 and last month the average sale price was $229,521. That is an increase of 11% in the average sale price in the Charlotte, NC. market. Third, let’s look at days in inventory. How long are houses sitting on the market? In 2011 the average home sat on the market for 11.2 months before being sold in October. In 2012 the number improved to 7.1 months and last month it improved to 3.9 months. That is a dramatic drop in inventory of over 65% in two years. What the trends are showing is that the housing market is out of the recession and available homes for sale have decreased to the lowest levels we have seen in over 5 years coupled with prices slowly creeping back up and more buyers out there than homes available and you have signs of a robust market in Charlotte, NC. However; in comparison to last couple of months the trend is showing that the housing market has stabilized and some prices are remaining stable for the past few months with slight increases being seen. Generally this time of the year we start to see homes slowly decline a little bit as sellers are taking their homes off the market with the holiday's coming up. Yes there are fewer buyers now but it still is a gresat time to sell your home and buy a home. As a seller you have less competition with existing homes and buyers have less competiton when looking at a home and are not feeling as rushed to buy a home in fear that someone else may scoop it up first. The out look is looking good for both sellers and buyers as interest rates are still at hiostoric lows and affordability is high and sellers are takign advantage fo the limited inventory to get their homes sold. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Veterans Day--Free Things For Veterans In Charlotte, NC. 2013

•

• Today marks Veterans Day. A day we remember all the people who proudly served our country with a special day. Without the fine men and women to help serve our country a lot of the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today would not be possible. Being a veteran I appreciate the acknowledgement and know fellow veterans do as well... As a way of saying thank you to our many military veterans who put their lives on the line to help keep our freedom many local and chain restaurants are offering free meals and other things for veterans as there way of saying thanks. I have compiled a list of the things I have found that I could verify to be accurate. I hope all veterans out there and active duty military personal enjoy your day today...You have deserved it. And from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU. Here is the list of free things for Veterans today: Applebee's will give a free signature entree to active duty or veterans today. Bar Louie is giving a free meal up to a $12 value to veterans today. California Pizza and Kitchen are giving a free pizza to both veterans and active duty military. Car wash is offering a free car wash to veterans. Carabba's is giving free appetizer to veterans and active duty military. Chili’s is offering a free entree or lunch combo for veterans today. Einstein Bagels is giving a signature of classic bagel for free to veterans today. Golden Corral; is having their annual military appreciation night dinner from 4p.m. to 9p.m. All active duty and veterans get a free meal. Great Clips is giving a free haircut to all active duty and veterans today. If you do not need a haircut today you can pick up a free card for use by December 31st. Hooters is giving a free meal to veterans and active duty military. Krispy Kreme is asking all active duty and veterans to stop by for a free coffee and doughnut. Long Horn Steakhouse is giving a free Texas onion appetizer and non-alcoholic beverage to all veterans through the 14th. Olive Garden is giving a free dinner to all active duty and veterans today with family member’s receiving 10% off their bill. On the Border is offering all active duty and veterans a free create your own combo today. Outback Steakhouse is giving a blooming onion and drink to all veterans. Red Robin is giving away a tavern double burger to each veteran, active duty and their guest. Red Lobster is offering a free appetizer to veterans through the 14th. Shoney's is giving a free all American burger to veterans. Sizzler is offering free lunch today through 4p.m. to veterans. Starbucks is giving a free tall brewed coffee to active duty and veterans as well as their spouse today. Sports Clips is giving free haircuts to veterans today. Texas Roadhouse is giving free lunch to all veterans today. TGIF is offering a free lunch to all veterans. There might be more than this available. If you know of any please post a comment letting everyone know. And today especially if you see a veteran or active duty military personal thank him or her for their service to our country. Without them we would not know FREEDOM. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Is Qualifying For A Mortgage In 2014 Going To Be Harder?

As a Real estate agent in the Charlotte, NC. area I hear a lot of home buyers starting to tell me they do not know if they will be able to qualify for a government backed mortgage in 2014 with the new laws going into effect. Living in the second largest banking city in the United States has some benefits and some disadvantages. One is knowing a lot of different mortgage personal to get answers to those questions. The bad is that when the banks begin to cut back staff in their mortgage departments it is all over the headline news. So, how does the new law affect home buyers looking to buy a home come 2014? Well, first technically it will be a little harder to get a loan. But not like most people think. The law was designed to help prevent another meltdown like we are just now coming out of and allow families to stay in their homes instead of losing it because of bad loans. The banks are asked to verify a little more information and keep ratios in line with what they are supposed to be doing now on government backed loans. Fortunately, most lenders have been working within these guidelines for a few years already. One fallacy that is commonly heard is that unless you have a 750+ credit score and 20% down payment you may not be able to qualify for a mortgage. Of all the lenders I spoke to that is not true. Honestly, I work with lenders who are willing to do FHA loans with 3.5% down payment and credit scores as low as 580. Most lenders will not even look at ones with credit scores below 640. I have scoured the internet and found and work with select lenders depending on the program you need. But I have closed loans with credit scores a low as 580 on a FHA loan and that will not change. Second, if you receive a regular paycheck and can show a steady job history for at least two years with W-2'S your file should move through underwriting a lot easier than in the past. Because they have certain guidelines to flow making it less subjective to the underwriter and more uniform across the board. The down side is if you are self-employed. It may be a little more documentation on your part to qualify for a mortgage with the new rules. Last, what if you are a person with no credit history? Or an international credit history? Can you still get a mortgage now? Yes. The lenders I use still work with no credit score files and limited credit history files as well as international files.... So, despite all the negative talk around the mortgage industry and how it will be almost impossible to get a mortgage in 2014...the truth is it may actually be easier to qualify and move through the underwriting process than it has been in the last few years. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Homes For Sale In Crestdale Crossing Subdivsion Matthews, NC. 28105

Why Do People Live in Crestdale Crossing in Matthews, NC? This subdivision is a nice nestled community of 110 single family homes located just a few minutes outside the center of Matthews. A very active community it is not uncommon when driving down one of the dead end streets to see children riding bikes or playing outside. The subdivision was built with a single access road in and out of the subdivision. This makes all the streets either dead end or are on a cul de sac. It is close to 485 and Independence yet gives the feeling of being in the country with its trees and park like settings surrounding it. Looking to Buy a Home in Crestdale Crossing? Click on the link to see all the homes that are currently available in Crestdale Crossing. Homes in here tend to sell quickly because of their price point in relation to the schools and the value you get in the homes. What is The Neighborhood Like? Crestdale Crossing homes tend to be three to four bedroom homes some with a loft or bonus area. They tend to range in square footage from around 1200 to approximately 1700 square feet. These homes were built in 2002-2004. The lots tend to be around.15 to .25 acre lots. A big draw to the neighborhood is the common area/park. This is located in the heart of the Crestdale Crossing community and is surrounded by homes on all four sides. With an open area the size of a football field it ia a great place to go and watch kids playing wiffle ball, football or tossing Frisbees around in. Two years ago the community invested some money into brand new playground area for the children. A beautiful area with some nice park benches to relax at while the kids enjoying playing in the outdoor playset. What is happening nearby? Because of its great location...Crestdale crossing is actually centered between the new sportsplex that just opened up in Matthews and down town Matthews. You can walk or ride a bike over to the brand new sportsplex and on any given weekend watch one of the numerous tournaments being held or play on the playground. Phase two will include some basketball courts and a tennis courts for patrons to enjoy along with walking trails which is projected to be open sometime in 2014. Head in the opposite direction and you can go to the historic downtown Matthews area. There you can visit the town hall/library or walk down the historic trade street and see all the old shops that have been around since the beginning. Take in a cup of coffee at the Dilworth coffee shop or have lunch or dinner at Beantown or one of the other many local restaurants in the area. On the weekend you can even visit the farmers market and get fresh produce...... Novant health care is only located less than a mile away as is major shopping and Independence Blvd. where you can find just about anything you need... What Schools Will My Children Attend? This is a big question with families moving in with young children. Currently for the 2013-2014 calendar year the community is slated for Matthews Elementary School, Crestdale Middle School and Butler High School. Based on the geography of the subdivision to the schools it seems highly unlikely that will be changing anytime soon. Since all the schools are within a 2 mile radius of the subdivision. All the schools receive High marks from the state of North Carolina. Matthews Elementary school and Crestdale Middle School are honor school of excellence (the highest ranking you can receive from the state) and Butler High School is recognized as a school of distinction. Now you really want to find a home in this subdivision? Click on the link for a direct feed of homes that are for sale in Crestdale Crossing Community. My website is updated regularly from the MLS serving the Matthews, NC. area. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Matthews, NC. New Multi Use Sportsplex Opens Today

The long anticipated grand opening of the sportsplex in Matthews NC. is today. The first phase of this multi us sportsplex field is set for a grand opening today in downtown Matthews. For those unfamiliar with the construction of the sportsplex; this is the first of a two phase construction project. Currently there are five fields open, playground and a clubhouse. The fields are multi use fields for soccer, lacrosse, and football. The second phase will have tennis courts, basketball courts, softball/baseball fields and a 2700 seat stadium field along with walking trails. This is a big day for the town of Matthews and the Charlotte Mecklenburg County. This project was started ten years ago and we are now finally seeing the fruits of its labor. This past weekend they held their first lacrosse tournament on the fields and have already booked tournaments throughout the winter and spring for the weekends.... If you are looking to come to Matthews or are already a resident of Matthews; come out and see this great multi use state of the art sportsplex...... Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Deciding On A List Price For Your Home? Know What You Need To Net

A lot of times when I go on a listing presentation I know the sellers have an idea of what they feel their house is worth through various sources like Zillow, Trulia and searching other homes in their neighborhood that sold. But is what you ask for the house the amount of money you are going to take away from the sale of your home? Sellers are aware they will pay a commission percentage of the sale price to the Realtors which is usually split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. But what other expenses might come up with a sale of a house? Does your Realtor go over the potential expenses that you will and may incur in addition to the sale price? Now, I know all states are different in terms of costs associated with the seller. Since I am licensed in North Carolina and primarily sell in the Charlotte area this is more in line with the typical expenses I have seen on the HUD (closing statements) for sellers in the state of North Carolina and the Charlotte area.... Besides the commission that is agreed upon at the time of listing the house for sale there are some other expenses the seller will incur with the closing of the house. One is the payoff on the mortgage. One often misread number is the payoff amount. I know when I get my statement from the mortgage company each month it tells me the principal balance owed on the house. However; this is not an accurate amount to payoff the house. Interest is paid in the rears. So, you would have the interest for a certain amount of days to include into the payoff as well. I always recommend calling you Mortgage Company or going online and asking for the payoff on that day. That will give you at least an estimate as to what you will have as a payoff on the house and you will not be shocked later on when the attorney calls you to tell you the payoff is a few thousand higher than you thought. Or worse yet that now you have to come to the table with money to close. Second, closing cost assistance to the buyer. This is the one that is very difficult to figure out upfront. Not every buyer needs it and the dollar amount varies dramatically depending on the lender and the type of loan that the buyer is doing. Depending on the price point of a house I inform the sellers that they can figure a certain percentage for closing costs or max dollar amount. The buyer may ask for more or less than that. But it is a good idea to know that you may have to pay it to make a deal upfront. Do you want to put your home on the market and then find out after you priced it that the buyer needs X amount in cling cost assistance and have no room to move on the price? I went through that recently with a buyer. Fortunately for us they knew the house was worth more than what they were asking for it and inflated the sale price to cover the needed closing costs. But what if the house is not worth more? You have left no room for negotiation at all in the price by leaving the sale price at a point where you cannot discount and give any closing cost concession potentially losing a deal on your house. Third, attorney fees. Yes in North Carolina the attorney will charge the seller to do the necessary paperwork to transfer the title and pay off the lien on the house. Fortunately that number tends to be very consistent among most attorneys and runs only a few hundred dollars generally. Fourth, what about a home warranty? A lot of buyers today are asking for a home warranty in order to get peace of mind when they buy the house in case that something breaks after they close on the house. Most buyers (if the seller is not offering it up front) are asking for it with their offer. This cost can range from $400 to $500 to the seller. Last, property taxes. Depending on when you sell your house in the year you may have to pay up front to the buyer property taxes. Charlotte area tends to bill in the rear. So we are paying our property taxes in October through December for that year’s property tax. So, what if you escrow your property taxes but sell the house in say June or July. You would have to give the buyer upfront the pro ration of the property taxes for the time period of January 1st to the day of your closing. Now, you will receive a check back from your mortgage lender after you close and the attorney pays off your mortgage for the amount you have in escrow for that...But it is still an expense you have to come up with up front. Know what your expenses could be based on when you sell the house...It can have an effect on how you need to price the house and whether you can sell the house now or not. I tend to give sellers a value of what I think they should list the house for and what I think they will eventually get for the house based on the current market conditions. Then I ask them for a payoff and do the math with what potentially they will net form the sale of the house....This has made for some interesting discussions in regards to house pricing and ensuring that the seller will net out what they think they will get or what they feel they need to get in order to sell the house.... Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Should You Sell Your Charlotte, NC. Home Now Or Wait Till Spring?

A question a lot of homeowners are asking themselves these days is should they leave their home on the market, put their home on the market or wait it out to the spring selling season. There is no right answer for everyone. Each situation is unique in itself. It all depends on YOU. There are pros and cons for selling a house in the fall and winter months. I for one believe in keeping the home on the market or putting the home on the market this time of the year. My reasoning is simple. First, there is a shortage of houses in the Charlotte, NC. market area right now to begin with. So, with fewer homes to sell buyers have less options when it comes to looking at homes. So by having your home on the market now in the fall and winter months you are gaining market share in views and potential buyers. Second, buyers are still out buying homes now and through the winter. Ironically, most sellers take it off the market because they say none is out looking at homes. Quite the contrary. Buyers are out in force looking at homes. Maybe not as many as in the spring market but they are out buying homes. This time of the year from October to the end of the year tends to be my second busiest time of the year after the spring season. Third, showings will not be as frequent and buyers are a little more understanding of rescheduling times with the holidays around the corner. We all know this is a time of the year when families get together for the holidays. Buyers are aware of that as well....So, taking it off because you do not want to be inconvenienced by showings is not really a reason. Fourth, less competition means you do not have to worry about a neighbor that is desperate to sell putting their house on the market for substantially below market value. You will have less people selling homes which increases the likelihood that the desperate seller who has to move before school starts in the fall and lowers the price well below market value is not hurting your house value right now. Last, I hear that I get less people in. More that come in the better my chances are that it will sell. My answer is it takes only one buyer to want it for it to be sold. With the internet as powerful as a tool as it is today for home buyers (you are reading this online) the less homes you have to view the better your chances are that your home will get viewed and that one buyer may be the one for your house. Now, these are the most common reasons I tell sellers to put their homes on the market in the Charlotte, NC. area to sell in the fall and winter months. So, if you are on the fence about whether to list now or wait to spring...Think of these five reasons first then make a decision. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

New Listing: 6401 Holly Fern Circle Charlotte, NC. 28227

Looking for a great value near the University area of Charlotte? Look no further. This approximately 1800 square foot split level home located in the Holly Hills subdivision is the one for you. Priced to sell at only $119,900. This home has many updates done to it that makes it a great value for someone. The house had new vinyl siding installed with a new roof two years ago. The professionally landscaped level yard boasts an impressive .27 acres. It has one of the nicest floor plans in the whole subdivision and has had many updates inside as well. Walking in you are instantly greeted by the new tile floor that welcomes you in the foyer area of the house with a newer beautiful neutral paint colors to accent the whole house. Go to the main level and instantly you notice the carpet that looks like no one has ever even walked on it the condition is in that great of shape. The large open living room is a great place for entertaining and can accommodate even the largest of furniture. But what I love about the floor plan upstairs is the openness to the dining room and the rest of the main level. The dining room is large enough that is currently houses a table setting for eight people and does not feel cramped inside the room and has ample space for a hutch as well... Going through the dining area you enter the spacious Kitchen which has a tremendous amount of counter space as well as cabinet space in it. In addition because of the layout of the Kitchen you have room for a table and chair s in it or the possibility of opening it up to the dining room and the living room and making it more open or adding cabinets and counter tops into it...Needless to say the possibilities in the Kitchen are endless. The nice part though, is the appliances have all been replaced in the past four years minimizing your costs involved in an update in there. Down the hall features two good sized bedrooms. Both are large enough to handle a full size bed and a dresser and plenty of room to move around in with large closets in each room. Sheltering the rooms form the main part of the house is a large full bath that is shared between the two bedrooms as well that has new tile flooring, vanity and all new light fixtures. Going to the lower level you are first greeted by the den. A nice cozy room with a lot of light that comes in from the front two windows. The room features a beautiful brick wood burning fireplace and built in bookshelves on each side of it. A great family room to relax in and enjoy those fall evenings with the fireplace rustling in the night.... Down the hall from there is the master suite. It is more than a bedroom i think it is more of a suite. It runs the length of the house and is very spacious. The current home owners have a king sized bed in there and the room does not feel small with it. Actually the bed feels small in the room. Plenty of space to design and layout the room as you want. With windows on three sides it brings in great light throughout the day. It also has a large walk in closet and a separate vanity for makeup. The master bath has been redone with a new vanity, tile flooring and a new fixtures and crown molding as well.... The downstairs also boasts a laundry room. This is not a typical space where a washer and dryer barely fit in it. This is an actual room. It is large and spacious and has other possibilities for use in addition to the laundry room. Go out the back door on the main level and you have a wonderful three season screened porch. A great place to enjoy a meal or a quiet evening looking out at the beautiful landscaping and flowers that are growing.... Taking in the view from the porch is nice and gives you a nice feeling of the yard and space you have back there. Are you handy? There is a one car detached garage with ample space for a workshop. The garage features a separate door to access it in addition to the garage door. For the guy looking to do some work or have a place to tinker this is a great space. With full power and window to put an A/C unit if needed the garage is the ideal spot for that handy guy..... This home features a lot of great features in a well-established neighborhood that sees very few homes go on the market. In fact, the homeowners said the neighbors all around them have been there between seven to ten years and the sales in the neighborhood support not much goes on the market since people tend to stay there.... Want to see more of the house? Click on the link for a virtual walk through of the house I created: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPMT_GCPU3U Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Buying A House: Your To Do List While Shopping For A Home

I covered the other day a list of things I recommend to all potential home buyers before they go out and start to look at homes. But what if you have done all that and are ready to look at homes...Are there any tips or things to think about when looking at a home to purchase? YES First, I always tell clients I am not a salesman but a Realtor. By that I define myself by not trying to sell them a home but help them locate the right home for them. Sometimes it takes asking the hard questions and telling a client to move on because that home is not right for you because of these issues....Ultimately though it is your decision on whether to buy or not to buy. I try to guide you to your wants and needs and point out things that you may not notice when looking at a house and ask a lot of questions..... This is my job. If your Realtor is not doing this find out why.... Second, remember you are buying not only a home but a mortgage payment as well. Make sure that the home and the mortgage payment are both in line with your desires and comfort range. If someone tells me that they are comfortable with $1000.00 a month payment with 3.5% down payment on a FHA loan I am not going to show them homes that the payments are $1200.00 to $1300.00. That means you are stretching. Make sure you know what your comfort level is and stay within that level. A couple hundred dollars now (and if you have never owned before) can add up to a lot more when you have the additional expenses of home ownership added on. Third, the photos may look great on the internet but an inspector will find and tell you what is wrong with the house. Do not freak out. Every house has something wrong with them. The question is are those issues things that can be easily repaired and fixed or are the part of a greater issue...Having a home inspection is crucial and if you have doubts always get it checked out. Fourth, all the things you see on TV about buying a house. Throw those ideas out the window. If only reality was as easy as TV makes it out to be. It is a long process and can be tedious at times. But you need to go in with a clear understanding and expectation of time involved in finding the right house for you...... Last, location. Make sure you are in an area you are comfortable with driving to and from work. I even recommend to out of state buyers to try the traffic one day coming home from work to get an idea of what you will experience every day....Most people look at a map and say it is only 10 miles. But those ten miles could take you 40 to 50 minutes a day each way? Were you expecting that? If you are thinking about these things when looking at a house you should be fine. That with the help of your Realtor (which is why I put that first) should get you through the process smoothly. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Looking To Buy A Home? Your Must Do List Before Shopping

In this ever-changing housing market if you are looking to buy a home it has become increasingly important to have your ducks in a row (so to speak) before you go out and look at a home. I have had numerous clients recently look at a house and say let me get with the mortgage broker and go over the numbers and let me check my budget or let me sleep on it....There are many more reasons we all wait. It is a large purchase and the most important one you will make in your lifetime. Of course you are going to want to be cautious. Unfortunately in this housing market with inventory levels at the lowest they have been in for some years in the Charlotte, NC. area that is not necessarily a luxury you can afford if you are looking to buy a house. I had a client on Friday send me 12 house to look at on Monday (his day off). I booked the showings for all twelve of them and by Monday morning we were down to six. That is right over half of them were sold before we even wen and looked at them. You have to be prepared when you go out and look at homes today in order to be in a better position to move on one that you like...Here is my checklist of what you should do before going out to look at homes and putting an offer in: 1. Talk to a mortgage professional or two or three. Shop around and check rates. No two mortgage companies are necessarily going to be the same in terms or rates and the costs involved. You need to get a pre-qualification letter before you go out. 2. Know your budget before shopping for a house. 3. Check for schools and other important things to you about the neighborhood before you look. 4. Have your Realtor pull the comparable in the neighborhood to see what a fair price would be for the house. 5. Find out what the taxes and insurance are going to be on the houses you like and make sure they are in line with what you expected and the mortgage broker quoted you so that you know your total payment. 6. Look at the big picture of a house. Does it have issues you notice that will have to be corrected? Can you afford to do them or are you going to live "house poor"? I never recommend getting a house that needs a lot of updating if you are not financially prepared and ready to undertake the project. Know these answers before you go out and look at homes and it will help you find the right house for you at a price and payment you are comfortable with. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Charlotte NC. October 2013 Market Activity Report

New Listing: 8500 Pine Circle Charlotte, NC.

Looking for a little peace and quiet in the Charlotte area? Want a home with a large lot and tons of privacy? Look no further than 8500 Pine Circle....This brick 2000+ square foot ranch home with a finished basement sits on OVER 2 ACRES of level land and backs up to a nice natural wooded area. This well-constructed home was custom built in 2002. It features three good sized bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. But what is nice is the layout of the house makes it feel even larger than it is and it is open and spacious... But the customization did not stop there. This home is so well insulted that the utility bills are very minimal. The house has a well and a septic tank as well as propane tank to heat it. They pride themselves on being retired and home all the time yet seeing utility bills around $40-70 a month. Boy would I love to have those utility bills.... Nice part of this time of the year is the home features two brick fireplaces. One is located in the master bedroom and the other in the family room downstairs. They are great for sitting around as a family and watching TV or playing games or just hanging out together to take the cool night chill out. Like to cook then look no further than this kitchen. A very well designed Kitchen that is open and has a tremendous amount of counter space and cabinets for storage. The large rectangular island in the middle is a great addition to it as well.... It was the first thing that popped for me when I entered the inside of the house. One that my wife drooled over when she saw the photos of it as well.... I love the bedroom sizes in this house. The master bedroom can easily fit a king sized bed in it and not feel tight or cramped. The spare bedrooms are big and spacious as well. Each room offers more than ample space for a growing family to allow their children to grow in each and every one of the rooms..... But the part of this home that is absolutely breathtaking is the back yard or as I like to say the little piece of heaven in Charlotte. It is an outdoor person greatest dream with the unlimited possibilities that is liking working with a blank canvas.

Then you have the oversized two car garage underneath the house with a separate workshop in it to do all those honey to do list projects...... Come see why country living is at its best out here in Hickory Acres area of Charlotte, NC. And the best part of all this is you can get all of this for $199,900. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Why You Need A Realtor With Pricing On A Home

In the age of digital technology we all can scour through the internet to find a value on a house. There are numerous sites that offer advice on what a home value should be. So, why do I need a Realtor to tell me what the home is worth or not worth? Well despite all the third party sites that give estimates to the value of a home no two homes are identical. These sites take into account the square footage of a home and the location of the home and based on that data they come up with an estimate as to the value of the house. But what if the neighborhood has homes that are not updated? What about bank owned properties? What about the improvements you made or the neighbor made to their home? How do those factor into the estimates we see online all the time? The answer is quite frankly they do not. I had a buyer looking at a house this past week. They had done some research online about the neighborhood and the schools. (By the way I highly recommend that to all home buyers and sellers). They were pleased with the information they found about the neighborhood and the schools for their children. In their research they also came across a few estimates as to what the house was worth. In this case the house was priced about 15% above the estimates they were shown online.... They wanted to make an offer that was more reflective of getting the house for the estimate versus based on what the asking price was. Now, I ran the comparable for the neighborhood and factored in other factors that the buyer did not take into account. Like the condition of the house. This particular house was completely remodeled in the past few years and the quality of work the sellers had done was exceptional. They had added a lot of value to the house with the upgrades and remodeling they have done to the house. The price was still a little high in my opinion but not 15% to high. When I add in the addition and the new flooring, the additional second full bathroom, remodeled kitchen and the professionally landscaping done to the house the value went up.....But how does these independent sites know that a 1970's homes was updated to be like a new home? The answer is they do not. I never give anyone a true value of a home until I have been in the house. I can give them a range based on the pictures and the description but until I see the house I am not comfortable assessing the value of a house. Because like this one the condition inside could make an impact on the value. But what if the house was reverse. Let's say the whole neighborhood was made up of remodeled homes that sold in the past year and this one was a 1970's home that had no updates...Is it worth the same amount of money or less? The amount of repairs a home needs factors into he cost of the home. An average condition house may be worth $200,000. But a house in need of $20,000 in repairs will be worth only $180,000 or more likely less because of the work it needs. The same is for the location of the house in relation to the neighborhood. Is it on the main street coming into the subdivision? Or is it located in the back part of the subdivision? People will pay less for a house that is located right in the front of a subdivision because of the noise and traffic it gets. What does it back up to? If the house backs up to woods or a park the value is greater than one where you can see your neighbor cooking in the kitchen from your back yard. What kind of yard does it have? Is it flat, level and cleared or hilly and wooded? Yards are becoming a large component with buyers today because of either the children or pets. Is it on a cul de sac lot or on a major intersection? Studies show people pay more for a cul de sac lot than they do for one not on the cul de sac with children. Am I near amenities in the community or do I have to drive to them? I know personally I like to know that my teenage children can walk to the pool or playground without me and paid more for that convience I can go on but you can see where I am coming from. An estimate is only that. An estimate. Without seeing and touching and walking the house and lot it is very difficult to put a value on a house. So difficult that I will not commit to a price without first seeing the house to evaluate all of these things and more..... That is why even though a Realtor had a price on the house that may or may not be in line with the estimates out there....it does not necessarily mean the price is wrong. There are a lot of other factors that play into the pricing of a house that the estimates cannot take into account and is why you need a Realtor when it comes to figuring out the prices of homes and whether it is a good deal or not. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Why Choose The Elizabeth Neighborhood Of Charlotte To Live

Why Do People live in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC? Ask Elizabeth residents why they chose this Charlotte, NC neighborhood and you’ll probably get several answers: old Victorian style homes and bungalows, easy walk to Independence Park, shops small businesses and restaurants, close to Uptown Charlotte and the sense of community. A substantial number of homes and buildings, known as the Elizabeth Historic District, in the Elizabeth neighborhood are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Looking for a home in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC? Searching for homes for sale in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC? The boundaries of the Elizabeth neighborhood are approximately Randolph Road/4th Street on the southwestern end to Independence Boulevard to the west and the north with a creek to the east. Elizabeth’s major roads, Elizabeth Avenue and 7th Street, are also important Charlotte, NC thoroughfares. Click here for homes in Elizabeth to find out what is available for you! What's the Elizabeth neighborhood like? This Charlotte neighborhood is named for Elizabeth College, which was located where the Novant Presbyterian Hospital is now. The Elizabeth neighborhood was one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in Charlotte when it was first developed in the early 1900s, complete with a trolley line. Early homes were first built along Elizabeth Avenue, several which were converted into shops, businesses and restaurants. Even William Henry Belk, founder of Belk Department Stores once called the Elizabeth neighborhood home. The Elizabeth community’s Small Area Plan recently received an “Award for Excellence” from the American Planning Association. Many of the Elizabeth neighborhood streets are lined with mature trees and the very pedestrian-friendly. It is also on the city bus line. Business and homes in the Elizabeth community are close together and most streets have sidewalks. Independence Park, Charlotte’s first public park, is located in Elizabeth. The long, narrow park offers two playgrounds, walking and biking areas, tennis and basketball courts, table tennis. Easily within walking distance of nearly any home in Elizabeth, this Independence Park also has a picnic shelter with tables, maze garden and a lovely waterfall and reflecting pool. Elizabeth is also home to two of Charlotte’s major hospitals, Presbyterian Novant Hospital and Mercy Hospital with many medical offices along Randolph Road. The American Legion Memorial Stadium is also in the Elizabeth community and lies close to Independence Park. What's Going on in Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC? Residents of Elizabeth community often sponsor events for their neighbors to enjoy or just to make their neighborhood a better place to live. Annual activities include the Elizabeth 5K, the Elizabeth Home and Garden Tour, Pumpkin Wall Lighting, Elizabeth Recycles Day, and the Elizabeth Neighbor Meeting and Potluck Dinner. Check out the website, www.elizabethcommunity.com for information about what’s happening in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC. Central Piedmont Community College is also located in Elizabeth as well as the Grady Cole Center, home to the Charlotte Roller Girls, and the Visulite Theater, an old movie theater that is now a music venue. A shopping trip to Elizabeth must include a stop at Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find and VisArt Video. Several great Charlotte restaurants, including Lupie’s, the Cajun Queen, Carpe Diem and the Philosopher’s Stone. What Schools will the Kids Attend in Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC? To get local school scores and more information about these schools in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC check out the link www.ncreportcard.org Now You Really Want to Find a Home in Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC? If you are interested in finding a home for sale in Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, NC, click here for an updated list of homes in Elizabeth for sale Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Is A Home Inspection Necessary On New Construction?

Is a Home inspection necessary on new construction? I admit I have been an advocate that with all the inspections that builders have to go through with the towns and counties that the checks and balances have always been there. So, I was not necessarily a proponent of a home inspection on new construction; until NOW. Builders are building homes at a rapid pace and struggling to keep up with the demand for homes to the point they are spread thin in staffing. There seems to be an underlying thinking that it cannot sustain the level we are at so they do not want to hire more staff and then lay them off in a few months. But is the lack of help and the quality of the inspections hurting the home owner buying the house? I recently have sold five new construction homes. Three of them closed recently and all three had a home inspection done on them. This was more peace of mind for them than anything else. The results of two of those inspections made me re think my thinking of home inspections on new construction. One came in relatively clean with a bad light socket and a door jamb that needed an adjustment (no real big deal and easy fixes). The other two left me appalled that the builder did not notice the issues and that they made it through the inspection process. One home had an exhaust pipe that was supposed to go out through the roof and someone forgot to cut a hole in the roof and extend the pipe. The only way the inspector caught it was he noticed a pipe hole missing on the roof and used his camera to zoom in on the area in the attic to see that the pipe had been cut off a few inches before the roof. The bad part was this was would have led to carbon monoxide to enter the house. With this being a young family with two kids and a third on the way this is not something they wanted to deal with. To make matters worse the house had missing insulation on a few of the cavities in the wall and some electrical issues..... The other house was not even complete the day we were supposed to close and got extended another three days. Going to the house on the day we were supposed to close there still was issues with the house in regards to the stove had no power the gas line was not hooked up, the garbage disposal did not work, the exhaust fan in the master bathroom was not connected, and a slew of other minor issues with paint and trim work. This was all after the home inspector found so many issues with the house it actually covered two pages of items that needed to be addressed a week prior to closing. A lot of the things were items we would not have noticed and some we might have caught. One house I might have said it was an exception to the rule but two in a week and a third I am closing on this month and am running into issued with now make me think that these builders are spread so thin that they are making mistakes trying to get done as fast as they can to stay with the demand. Thus now I am strongly advising EVERY new home buyer to have an inspection done on the house prior to closing........ Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Do Schools Matter In House Prices In Charlotte, NC?

There has always been a lot of discussion that the assigned schools for a particular house can affect the home value of the house when trying to sell it. The argument goes the better the school the higher the price you will get for the house. Home buyers are willing to pay more for better schools...But is that just an adage or is it a true fact? I always hear people say that they want the best possible schools they can get for their budget price. Well a recent study from Realtor.com showed that 60% of home buyers surveyed would pay more to send their children to a better school system for their same house. The part that was most revealing was that Homebuyers were willing to go as high as 20% higher for the comparable house for the school. I know the Charlotte area has some great schools that home buyers are constantly flocking toward. We have Myers Park High School, Audrey Kell High School, Providence High School South Mecklenburg High School and many others in surrounding towns as well. But what premium do you put on sending your child to one of those schools versus sending your child to one a tier below in the rankings? I know people that pay upwards of $60,000 to $80,000 more to buy a home in a certain school district versus the same one in another school district. As recent study by Redfin found out in some areas people will pay as much as $130,000 more for a better High School.... So, the question is does the schools make a difference in home prices? The answer is without a doubt yes. By how much varies on the individual and how much more they are willing to spend for that school. In Charlotte the average is 18% more than a comparable house in a neighborhood with a school rated a tier lower. The key here is that if you are going to list your house for sale and your home is designed and being marketed to a family with children then you will want to know what the schools are and how they rate. It could be the difference in thousands of dollars in your pocket..... Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Charlotte, NC. Housing Stats For August 2013

There is a lot of talk about the housing market in Charlotte, NC. and whether it is improving or if the rise in interest rates has caused the market to slow down and prices to lower while inventory creeps back up . A monthly analysis versus the previous year and two years ago during the same month allows me to compare and see where the trends are and how they are impacting the housing market in Charlotte, NC. Here are the stats for August 2013: First, let's look at inventory of available homes buyers have to choose from in the Charlotte, NC. region. In 2011 there were 22137 homes for sale in August. In 2012 there were 17792 homes for sale in August. Last month there were 15825 homes for sale. That is a decline of 29% in two years of available homes buyers have to choose from. Second, the average sale price of homes in the Charlotte, NC. region for August 2011 was $205,711. In 2012 the average sale price was $213846 and last month the average sale price was $237629. That is an increase of 14% in the average sale price in the Charlotte, NC. market. Third, let’s look at days in inventory. How long are houses sitting on the market? In 2011 the average home sat on the market for 11.9 months before being sold in August. In 2012 the number improved to 7.6 months and last month it improved to 5.1 months. That is a dramatic drop in inventory of over 48% in two years. What the trends are showing is that the housing market is out of the recession and available homes for sale have decreased to the lowest levels we have seen in over 5 years coupled with prices slowly creeping back up and more buyers out there than homes available and you have signs of a robust market in Charlotte, NC. However; in comparison to last couple of months the trend is showing that the housing market has stabilized and some prices are remaining stable for the past few months. Generally this time of the year we start to see home prices slowly decline a little bit as sellers are little more motivated to sell with summer over and children back to school. But it looks like the housing market has hit a plateau and we may see slight increases or decreases in pockets of Charlotte but overall it is a stable market right now. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com

Why Do People Buy Homes In Matthews, NC?

Matthews, NC offers its residents the quaintness of small town with easy access to Charlotte, NC. This cute city of approximately 27,000 residents, has a lovely downtown area full of shops, restaurants and small businesses. Matthews is a family-orientated suburb with many neighborhoods, parks and greenway access points for residents of all ages to enjoy. Matthews is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Charlotte to feel like it’s the country but close enough to enjoy the city. Looking for homes for sale in Matthews, NC? Visit my website and conduct a FREE search of all homes available in Matthews, NC. What's Matthews, NC Like? Better questions might be what are your interests? Sports? Greenway access? Nice restaurants? Farmer’s market? The arts, festivals and concerts? Take a stroll down the middle of Trade Street in Matthews and you’ll have a good idea of what Matthews is like. Come to Matthews early on Saturday morning to pick up local produce, bakery items, meats and even a homemade spices at the Matthews Community Farmers’ Market and then check out Renfrow Hardware and General Merchandise store, which has stood for more than 100 years while Matthews became the family-friendly city that it is. There are many private Matthews’ sports programs for children to participate in baseball, softball, soccer, football, basketball and lacrosse. If you are more of an arts patron than a sports fan, then the Matthews Community Center, with its Fullwood Theatre and the Matthews Playhouse children’s theater company, or Matthews’ newest venue, the McDowell Arts Center with a gallery for rotating art shows and space for classes and programs. Downtown Matthews, which also has a host of restaurants and shopping, is also not far from Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, plenty of other shopping areas and small businesses, and easy access to Highway 74 and I485. What's Going on in Matthews, NC? Stumptown Park in the heart of downtown Matthews is often the place to be for events in the city, especially a free and family-friendly summer concert series and movies, especially Matthews’ People’s Parade and Family Fun 4th of July celebration and Beachfest Matthews. Matthews is host to the Southeast’s largest Labor Day weekend event, Matthews Alive! Festival along with Artfest, Auto Reunion and Hometown Holiday and Tree Lighting which can be found throughout the downtown area and near Matthews City Hall. Many other activities are planned by the Matthews Parks, Recreation and Cultural Department and take place at the Matthews Community Center, which is a Charlotte-Mecklenburg historical landmark. Other annual events in Matthews include the Not So Spooky Halloween and Carnival, Breakfast with Santa, The Nutcracker ballet, Lunch with the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggstavaganza. Crews Recreation Center offers sports activities and exercise classes and even open basketball and volleyball. Matthews’ Father and Daughter Dance also takes place at Crews Recreation Center. Check out the www.matthewsfun.com for a complete list of activities, programs and events. There are several parks in Matthews for active and passive recreation, some with walking trails, picnic areas or shelter, restrooms and grills. Baucom Park, Matthews-Sardis Park, Stumptown Park and Windsor Park are located throughout Matthews. Squirrel Lake Park, one of the larger parks in Matthews, even offers a small fishing pond and pier and a connecting trail to the Four Mile Greenway. Passive parks in Matthews include Town Green Park, KP Park, which doubles as a wildlife habitat, and Fountain Rock Park, an oasis in the middle of Four Mile Creek Greenway. The new $32 million Matthews sportsplex and family entertain complex is still in the development phase. What Schools will the Kids Attend in Matthews? If you buy a home for sale in Matthews, NC, there are several local schools serving the city. Charlotte-Mecklenburg (CMS) school system has several elementary schools, including Matthews Elementary, Crown Point and Elizabeth Lane. Middle schools serving the Matthews area are Crestdale, Mint Hill and J.M. Robinson. High schools are Butler and Providence. If you are interested in private schools in Matthews, there are many options for that as well, including Covenant Day School, Charlotte Christian School, Carmel Christian and Blessed Sacra Academy. To get local school scores and more information about these schools in the Matthews area check out the link www.ncreportcard.org Now You Really Want to Find a Home in Matthews, NC? If you are interested in finding a home for sale in Matthews, NC, e-mail or call me. Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Helen Adams Realty Cell: 704-519-7895 ddicecco@helenadamsrealty.com www.davedicecco.com