4 Tips for Choosing the Right Neighborhood

Moving to Charlotte?

4 Tips for Choosing the Right Neighborhood

The Greater Charlotte area is an incredible place for young professionals, people looking to start a family, older couples settling down, and everything in-between. The best part about Charlotte is that there is a place for everyone. Looking for something quiet and picturesque? Modern and suburban? Rich in history? Charlotte has it all! Need help figuring out where to go? Here are 4 things to help get you thinking.

1: Consider what type of social scene you are looking for

Charlotte has tons of well-established and up-and-coming neighborhoods that have great restaurants, bars, outdoor cafes, and more. There are also quieter and more peaceful neighborhoods that are more focused on family-oriented activities. Knowing how much of a social scene you want to be surrounded by will be a big step in choosing a neighborhood.

2: Think about what kind of transportation you’ll need

If you do not plan on using a car to get to work, run errands, do your grocery shopping, and more, you’ll want to choose a neighborhood that doesn’t require a lot of driving around. You can research this ahead of time, or tell your realtor upfront that you’ll need to be situated in a neighborhood that has quick access to public transportation.

3: Check out sites dedicated to Charlotte living

Sites like www.Charlottesgotalot.com  and http://charlotte.about.com are great resources for learning more about what this city has to offer. They also have detailed information about different neighborhoods and what you can expect out of each one. Visit my website JackieYoungHomes.com for more information and homes for sale in each neighborhood!

4: Narrow down your neighborhood choices by looking at local activities

From art festivals, to concerts, to lake living, to sports games – there are always tons of activities going on all over the city, each with a twist unique to their neighborhood. When you’re trying to narrow down the areas you’d like to live, look into the forms of entertainment they have to help you figure out where you’d like to settle down.

Choosing a new home and a new location can be tough – but as long as you take it step by step, home buying can be fun and exciting! Keep these tips in mind and be sure to peruse my website for more tips for Charlotte Living and information on home buying and home selling! 

As always, I’d be honored to help you with your home search. Please feel free to contact me anytime! 

Jackie Young, Realtor®/Broker

Keller Williams Realty

Direct: 704-575-9202

Email: jackieyoung@kw.com

Website: http://JackieYoungHomes.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JackieYoungHomes

Tips to Sell Your Home!!

Stay Similar, Just Better!

 

You’ve made the decision to sell. Your home has been listed in the MLS, you’ve hired an agent, but what’s next? Simply listing your home in today’s market is not enough to get it sold. It’s time to create a welcoming environment. This can be done several different ways and you won’t break the bank!

There is one simple key to selling your home. Create a home, not a house. If you can create an environment that allows potential buyers to imagine themselves living there, then you will be able to sell your home well before the competing homes. The key to creating this environment is fairly easy, stay neutral but different. You don’t want to make your home drastically different than other homes in the area, but you want it to stand out. You may start to create this feeling by making simple improvements to your home. The easiest way to stay neutral but stand out is to get potential buyers to say, “Wow, this home reminds me of the last house we viewed, only better”. There are several improvements from the outside in that can help your home stand out including:

• Give your home a fresh coat of paint.
• Replace old siding and roof shingles.
• Remove dated light fixtures
• Sweep the entryway and add a welcome mat
• Mow, trim, and landscape without overdoing it
• Don’t clutter your home with decorations

You need to understand that the outside of your home is the first impression. You want to create a welcoming entry while keeping in mind the amount of upkeep the yard will take. Homeowners understand the amount of work fancy landscaping takes and won’t be willing to manage the upkeep. Also, keep the front updated and get rid of any tacky yard decorations. You will be amazed at how buyer’s first impressions will affect their experience in your home.

However, don’t think for a second that decorating the outside is enough. A buyer may love the outside of your home but the second they step inside they can forget that great impression. Buyers want to walk into their future home not just another house. They want to have a great and welcoming experience not necessarily to be knocked off their feet. It’s great if your home has that natural “wow factor”, but you don’t need it to stand out. You can take simple steps to help your home stand out without that “wow factor”. Creating a clean and simple environment will encourage buyers to imagine their furniture in your home.

• Start by cleaning every aspect of your home
• Trash the clutter and store the personal mementos
• Rearrange furniture
• Focus on neutral tones and paint colors
• Choose simple window treatments

The important aspect of creating the environment in your home is promoting your home’s strengths. If a potential buyer can see themselves in your home and visualize their furniture, you’re much more likely to sell your home quickly.

Obviously this is just a quick overview of what a homeowner can do. However, you need to stay informed. Stay up-to-date with the latest real estate and interior design trends to stay on the cutting edge. 

I’d love to meet with you and discuss potential ways to differentiate your home! I have a lot of inexpensive tricks and tips to help stage your home to get it sold! Feel free to call/text or email me anytime!

Jackie Young, Realtor ®

Keller Williams Realty

Direct: 704-575-9202

Jackieyoung@kw.com

JackieYoungHomes.com

Charlotte's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2013!

66^th Anniversary of Charlotte’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade 2013 - Charlotte, NC

The parade will march on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2013, starting at 9:30 A.M., thanks to Novant Health. The Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade will be produced by Charlotte Center City Partners. 

What: 2013 Thanksgiving Parade

When: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2013

Where: Tryon Street from 10th to Stonewall Streets

The Carolinas' Carrousel Parade evolved over more than six decades as a regional tradition and highlight of the holiday season. Founded in 1947 by four local businessmen to attract holiday shoppers to downtown Charlotte, the Thanksgiving week events became so much more. Through 2012, the Parade and its ancillary events were produced by an independent, volunteer, non-profit, charitable organization, Carolinas' Carrousel, Inc.

The parade has grown in size and diversity and it is the largest annual gathering of Carolinians, drawing close to 100,000 spectators each year. In 2012, the television broadcast of the parade was seen by approximately 100,000 people. Over 120 units participated in the parade, including area marching bands, floats sponsored by local organizations and corporations, step and drill teams, entertainers and other specialty units. In November 2012, US News & World Report included the Carrousel Parade on its list of America's Best Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Come out and enjoy a great day in the beautiful city of Charlotte, NC!!

http://www.carrouselparade.org/

Thinking about moving to Charlotte, NC? Want to learn more about the area?  Please contact Jackie Young at 704-575-9202 or Visit JackieYoungHomes.com

Jackie Young, Realtor ®

Keller Williams Realty

Direct: 704-575-9202

Email: Jackieyoung@kw.com

JackieYoungHomes.com

What Home Buyer Don't Know - Could Cost Them!!

What Home Buyers Don’t Know

Could Cost Them

With the housing recovery now well underway — housing starts are up; builder confidence is at a 7-year high; there are fewer foreclosures; and home prices continue to rise— you may be inspired to get off the fence and buy that dream home. But are you really prepared? Here are a few things you may not know — and what you don’t know could potentially cost you.

Credit score

When was the last time you checked your credit score? Any idea how good or bad it is? Are there any errors on your report that need to be fixed? Long before you begin to house hunt, you need to know where you stand. The higher your score, the better your interest rate. Get a copy of your report — for free — at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Mortgages

An astounding 1/3 of home buyers, according to Zillow, are not prepared to get a mortgage. Among the findings: 34 percent of first-time home buyers are not aware that it is possible to get a home loan with a down payment of less than 5 percent; 26 percent of home buyers incorrectly believe that they are obligated to close their loan with the lender that pre-approved them; and 24 percent incorrectly believe that the best interest rates and fees can always be found through the bank where they currently do business. You have to shop around! Get multiple quotes, understand rates and fees, and read lender reviews online.

Competition

With the number of homes for sale at historically low levels, all-cash buyers — typically investors eager to renovate and resell or rent out homes — are jumping into this rapidly rising market. And they’re swooping up homes like there’s no tomorrow!  Don’t underestimate this deep-pocketed competition, but don’t take unnecessary risks (such as waiving inspection contingencies, for example), either, simply for the sake of getting your piece of the American Dream. You may be inviting trouble, and that trouble could be costly.

Price

Yes, you guessed it. Because there’s not much to look at these days (just a few months’ supply in some markets!), and you’re up against stiff competition, you could easily end up paying more than you bargained for. Don’t bust your budget! Your monthly mortgage payment should be 25 percent or less of your monthly take-home pay. Run the numbers using a mortgage calculator or contact a lender. 

Feel free to contact me for more information! I’d be happy to assist you in the home-buying process and get your pre-approved for a loan by a great lender!

Jackie Young

Keller Williams Realty - Lake Norman

704-575-9202

jackieyoung@kw.com

JackieYoungHomes.com