In the Charlotte Real Estate market, clients frequenlty ask the ultimate question is: How can I purchase Charlotte Foreclosures for the least amount of money?
The first key is to be able to recognize a great deal. When a home is aggressively prices (well below the previous sale price) and well below the neighboring homes, it is likely to be a great deal. Too many times I have had buyers go against my recommendations and lose the home for a couple of thousand dollars. After the fact, (hind site is 20/20), they voice regrets that they should have listened and just paid more. It was already a great deal.
A recent home I was showing was listed at $125,000. The home sold "new" for over $212,000 in 2005. It was in great share. Naturally, there were multiple offer in days. The final sale price was $131,000. This was a cash sale. With paint, a few light fixtures and a few appliances, you have a great home!
Other buyers lost this home because they did not want to pay too much! When you realize that you are getting $60,000 in equity (allowing for a depressed market), why would you worry about $3,000 to $5,000? That is silly.
You need to step back and keep things in perspective. It is not a "deal" just because it is a foreclosure. It is not quite so simple. Together we will look for great deals but be prepared to react when it is a great deal. Yes, you are buying a home and there seems to be pressure when making a quick decision. It is strictly numbers. If the numbers indicate you are getting a great home at an unbelievable price, there is a time to sit back and a time to place your offer.
Visit Charlotte Real Estate to learn more about the great opportunities in the greater Charlotte real estate market!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Short Sale Activity Picking Up!
The Charlotte Real Estate market continues forward and I have found the Short Sale process continues to improve. Yes, it still will take several months before the lender responds but this time frame is now closer to 3 months as opposed to 6 months or longer!
As a seller this is a huge plus. You are in a very stressful situation; the sooner you home is sold, the sooner you can begin moving forward. It will take time for the bank to evaluate the offer and to assure the offer is legitimate. Unfortunately there are many people out to take advantage of a system; you can not blame the lender's hesitation.
This is also good for the buyer. What is the benefit of a Short Sale over a foreclosure? There are many people searching for a foreclosure. Yes, a foreclosure can easily close in 30 days but there is a lot of competition to any aggressively priced homes. Not so with a short sale.
A short sale has very limited competition since most people want to close on a home in a month or so. Good things come to those who wait. You can find a great deal in a foreclosure, be patient and get the home of your dreams. You will typically find the short sale will be in better condition than a foreclosure so it is a huge win!
As the real estate market and the economy continues at a slow pace, we must figure out how to make the best of a bad situation. Charlotte Short Sales should be considered if you have the time and patience to wait. There are great deals in Charlotte Foreclosures and standard resales, it just depends on what works best for you!
As a seller this is a huge plus. You are in a very stressful situation; the sooner you home is sold, the sooner you can begin moving forward. It will take time for the bank to evaluate the offer and to assure the offer is legitimate. Unfortunately there are many people out to take advantage of a system; you can not blame the lender's hesitation.
This is also good for the buyer. What is the benefit of a Short Sale over a foreclosure? There are many people searching for a foreclosure. Yes, a foreclosure can easily close in 30 days but there is a lot of competition to any aggressively priced homes. Not so with a short sale.
A short sale has very limited competition since most people want to close on a home in a month or so. Good things come to those who wait. You can find a great deal in a foreclosure, be patient and get the home of your dreams. You will typically find the short sale will be in better condition than a foreclosure so it is a huge win!
As the real estate market and the economy continues at a slow pace, we must figure out how to make the best of a bad situation. Charlotte Short Sales should be considered if you have the time and patience to wait. There are great deals in Charlotte Foreclosures and standard resales, it just depends on what works best for you!
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Charlotte Area Retirement Communities
There are a variety of retirement subdivisions in the greater Charlotte area. One very popular area is South Carolina in both York and Lancaster County. South Carolina has lower property taxes for residents in addition to a senior property tax discount. This means a lot to seniors with a fixed income.
One subdivision in Fort Mill SC is Four Seasons at Gold Hill. This is a relatively small subdivision that was built by K. Hovnanian in the mid to late 2000's. This is an age restricted community which preserves the active adult environment that you are seeking. There are permanent resident exceptions for adult children, a spouse or care taker that resides with the "age qualified" person. This assures the integrity of the community.
Visit Charlotte Real Estate and learn about the great Charlotte area homes for sale; it's time for you to improve your quality of life.
One subdivision in Fort Mill SC is Four Seasons at Gold Hill. This is a relatively small subdivision that was built by K. Hovnanian in the mid to late 2000's. This is an age restricted community which preserves the active adult environment that you are seeking. There are permanent resident exceptions for adult children, a spouse or care taker that resides with the "age qualified" person. This assures the integrity of the community.
Visit Charlotte Real Estate and learn about the great Charlotte area homes for sale; it's time for you to improve your quality of life.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Meet your neighbors at Charlotte Area Festivals this weekend!
When relocating to an area, meeting your neighbors is a must before you purchase your new Charlotte Area Home. A great place to experience our culture and to meet your neighbors is at local festivals. This weekend there is a Strawberry festival in Fort Mill. Fort Mill Real Estate is just across the South Carolina border. Downtown Fort Mill is about 15 miles form uptown Charlotte.
In north Charlotte the is a Dragon Festival to celebrate the Chinese tradition. This is in Cornelius in the greater Lake Norman Real Estate area. This is on Saturday from 11:00 to 4:00.
As you visit the greater Charlotte region, visit our suburbs and discover our quality of life. Charlotte Real Estate offers something for everyone. Are you ready for a change?
In north Charlotte the is a Dragon Festival to celebrate the Chinese tradition. This is in Cornelius in the greater Lake Norman Real Estate area. This is on Saturday from 11:00 to 4:00.
As you visit the greater Charlotte region, visit our suburbs and discover our quality of life. Charlotte Real Estate offers something for everyone. Are you ready for a change?
Monday, May 02, 2011
Charlotte Area Retirement Communities
I have recently been hearing form many people looking for "distressed" homes in Retirement Communities. I did some research and was pleased to discover that there are none that are short sales, foreclosures or pre-foreclosures. I then checked the previous listing history and also found that there has not been any. I am pleased to see that the foreclosure crisis is not the result of decision of our seniors!
This makes sense since our seniors are the most responsible amongst us. They actually have planned for a fixed income. Even if things did not turn out the way that was desired they do not place themselves in an unaffordable situation.
Yes, I have been hearing more and more about the seniors placing themselves in a weaker position based on helping their adult children. Even in this situation seniors are still making intelligent financial decisions about their future; they are not getting in over their heads with an unaffordable mortgage.
There are several retirement communities in the greater Charlotte Real Estate market. Many seniors are focusing on Carolina Lakes Sun City. This is an amazing retirement paradise! There is the added benefit of reduced South Carolina Property taxes in addition to the seniors discount on taxes. It is hard to compete with these discounts especially when you are considering a fixed income!
We should all take lessons from our seniors when purchasing a home. Yes, it is up to us to take chances in our careers but still be responsible when considering homes for sale. The greater Charlotte market has a lot to offer our seniors and home owners of all ages. Visit the greater Charlotte area today and discover what we have to offer!
This makes sense since our seniors are the most responsible amongst us. They actually have planned for a fixed income. Even if things did not turn out the way that was desired they do not place themselves in an unaffordable situation.
Yes, I have been hearing more and more about the seniors placing themselves in a weaker position based on helping their adult children. Even in this situation seniors are still making intelligent financial decisions about their future; they are not getting in over their heads with an unaffordable mortgage.
There are several retirement communities in the greater Charlotte Real Estate market. Many seniors are focusing on Carolina Lakes Sun City. This is an amazing retirement paradise! There is the added benefit of reduced South Carolina Property taxes in addition to the seniors discount on taxes. It is hard to compete with these discounts especially when you are considering a fixed income!
We should all take lessons from our seniors when purchasing a home. Yes, it is up to us to take chances in our careers but still be responsible when considering homes for sale. The greater Charlotte market has a lot to offer our seniors and home owners of all ages. Visit the greater Charlotte area today and discover what we have to offer!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Charlotte Short Sales
Charlotte Short Sales are great opportunities. Short Sales in real estate are frequently misunderstood. First, what is an actual "Short Sale". A Short Sale occurs when the home owner owes more on the home than the current market supports.
What is the home owner to do if the home owner owes $250,000 on the home and the current market value is $220,000. What if the current home owner's situation is that he/she must sell since there is no way to continue paying the mortgage (assuming the home owner does not have $30,000 in cash to pay off the current debt)? A short sale is a possibility and much better than a foreclosure.
The bank may accept the "shortage" between payoff and what is received. This is a tough decision for the lender. The lender's job is to protect their investment. This is typically a very slow process.
Expect the process to take about 4 months. If you are the seller, the phone calls will continue from collections. This is not a quick fix but it is a better option in the long run. Buyer, only place an offer on a short sale if you love the home and another home will not measure up. Otherwise, you will never be patient enough to wait four months plus for a decision. You are going to see many other homes over the next 4 months that will be of equal interest.
If you are considering a short sale, either as a seller or a buyer, give me a call and we will see if a Charlotte area short sale is right for you. Call Rick Waite @ 704.770.6559 or email at rjwaite1@gmail.com. Visit me Charlotte Real Estate website to learn more about the greater Charlotte Real Estate market and real estate in general.
What is the home owner to do if the home owner owes $250,000 on the home and the current market value is $220,000. What if the current home owner's situation is that he/she must sell since there is no way to continue paying the mortgage (assuming the home owner does not have $30,000 in cash to pay off the current debt)? A short sale is a possibility and much better than a foreclosure.
The bank may accept the "shortage" between payoff and what is received. This is a tough decision for the lender. The lender's job is to protect their investment. This is typically a very slow process.
Expect the process to take about 4 months. If you are the seller, the phone calls will continue from collections. This is not a quick fix but it is a better option in the long run. Buyer, only place an offer on a short sale if you love the home and another home will not measure up. Otherwise, you will never be patient enough to wait four months plus for a decision. You are going to see many other homes over the next 4 months that will be of equal interest.
If you are considering a short sale, either as a seller or a buyer, give me a call and we will see if a Charlotte area short sale is right for you. Call Rick Waite @ 704.770.6559 or email at rjwaite1@gmail.com. Visit me Charlotte Real Estate website to learn more about the greater Charlotte Real Estate market and real estate in general.
Friday, April 01, 2011
Short Sales and Charlotte Relocations
I have recently spoke to several home owners across the nation that are in a very difficult position. They have a new position in Charlotte but are unable to sell their home in their home state for the amount that is owed. Several have shared that a short sale is their only option. This is not necessarily so. If your market is depressed and you you are upside down on your mortgage, you may want to consider renting your current home or a lease purchase. If your job is relocating you more than 50 miles the current may qualify you for your new mortgage while you rent out your current home. I understand no one desires to be an absentee landlord but it will save your credit and enable you to have a new home in the Charlotte area. Another option is to sell your home via a lease purchase. This is when the new buyer has a credit issue that needs to be corrected but their credit will be healed within the next year. The buyer basically moves into your home a year before purchasing it and takes full responsibility for maintaining the home. This is often a win/win situation. Consider your options before you torpedo your credit with a short sale. Renting for a couple years is not the end of the world but you would rather be in your own home and re-establishing your family in a better environment. Visit my Charlotte Real Estate website and learn more about our great housing opportunities.
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