Finding A Trustworthy Realtor
Would you place the single most expensive investment you’ll ever make into the hands of someone you may not know or trust?
Think about this for a moment; you’re asking for advice of the very person that has a financial gain yet you don’t know them. You want them to tell you it’s o.k. to make this purchase and your probability of showing a profit is strong. Is that correct? We continue to trust people in my very own industry without knowing what they’re about.
When you select a Realtor® to represent you, you had better make sure that your well being is at the top of their list. Here’s how you can do that:
Start by asking for and working with seasoned professionals that understand the industry, and have the agents define what it takes to be successful and what is their accessibility. Do they return calls after 5pm?
Get references and check them out. Does company ranking make a difference? You bet it does. Would you want to be seen by a doctor that practices part time or someone that really knows their craft?
From my entry into this career field 17 years ago I’ve always conducted my self in a way that places my clients first at times even before my family. My job is to protect my clients by telling them what not to buy. They’ll know what to buy when the time is right. I’m here to find them they best property at the best price in the best of locations. It sounds so simple that everyone tries to be in Real Estate but the reality is that only 10% are at the top.
I continue to do business the old fashioned way, I earn it one transaction at a time. If you have a real estate question you are welcome to look around my website and learn more about me and the rest of my great team.
Charlotte Observer’s - “Appraiser” article Aug. 22, 2008
The Charlotte Observer continues to publish Real Estate related articles that portray our industry as full of corrupt individuals that are only concerned about lining our own pockets. But yet they seek the very hand of those that they criticize. As a Real Estate professional with 17 years experience in residential sales I could no more influence any aspect of a loan or appraisal. Are you aware that lenders choose the appraiser by using a system that prevents problems from happening? Of course not because good news doesn’t sell copy.
Yes we have a duty to our clients to help them obtain a mortgage but not through fraudulent means. What ever happened to sensible underwriting? Have we moved away from what is logical and what makes good business sense to turning down loans at the last minute?
In every field, yes every field, you will find people that care more about their own self than those that they are charged to represent. But to condemn an entire industry because of a few is just crazy.
Instead of looking for the worst in a segment of the working population why not look at a group that does something right?
Not everyone in our industry is crooked…
America Idol Concert in Charlotte
Sunday evenings in many cities tend to be quiet. But if you’re like me you may want to take advantage of our wonderful city and hit the concert trail. Last evening my wife and I went to Time Warner Arena and enjoyed the American Idol Concert tour. Some people may think we’re too old to see a concert of this type but believe me this was a great venue and even better concert. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. This is just one of the many things to do and places to go should you visit or even move to Charlotte North Carolina.
Charlotte Parks
If you ever wonder why Charlotte North Carolina is so beautiful just look at our parks. It’s wonderful to see that not all of our city is taken up by Real Estate and that’s difficult for me to say considering I’m a Realtor. Colonel Francis Beatty Park is located in Southeast Charlotte and has some of the best areas to enjoy. There’s a lake for boating, several ball fields and biking trails. There’s a great park located on Pineville Matthews road between Rea and Providence roads that is so great (Davies Park). Nestled among fine homes this park has several soccer fields and plenty of areas to enjoy. The recently added dog park in Davies are some of the best, with a large dog area that is over 3 acres!
Our Greenway system is continually being expanded and has become extremely popular with walkers, bikers, runners, and others. I guess that I’m just spoiled here!
Relocating to Charlotte - FAQs
When I speak with new clients, the most often asked question is, “Where should I live?” Well, that depends on your needs. If you have school age children you need to be considering the best schools. As a parent that moved here over 26 years ago my research was limited. Now I would go to NCReportCards.org and schoolmatters.com. In addition, for Charlotte North Carolina schools, you can go to CMS.K12.NC.US. My clients have used these sites and find them to be worthwhile. We were lucky that in spite of not having accessible data we landed in the better school zones. Our children are grown, out of grad school with outstanding careers here in Charlotte.
So what else is important in order to find that great home in that perfect community? Selecting that right Realtor that cares more about your success happiness than the income they will receive. E-mail me with your questions and concerns on these two very important topics and I’ll elaborate. I can be reached at Irv@TopCharlotteAgent.com
Google Maps Street View
Go to Google maps and put in your home address and then click the Street View tab. I did mine and it was unnerving how the feel of my street came through as I panned around the cul-de-sac. We have been looking into how to incorporate googlemaps into our site as we have found it very useful. I was reading an article in my monthly Realtor magazine and thought this would be cool to check out. It currently covers 40 cities and I haven’t been able to spend the time to see if this includes the suburbs as well, but what an incredible tool for home buyers relocating from somewhere else. For the first time our buyer clients will be able to get a feel for not just an individual home, but the surrounding streetscape. Lynn, our web guru says it creeps her out. She’s sending a link to her parents who don’t like the idea of big brother looking over their shoulder-better watch out he’s here!
Charlotte Housing Market Update May '08
Is it a buyers market or sellers market? The most often asked question is this a good time to buy or sell Real Estate in Charlotte North Carolina? That depends on who you are. As of May 08 we have 2386 sold in May with an average of 91 days on the market. I’d say that’s back to normal for this agent.
If I’m a seller I need to price my home aggressively. I need to know that there are other homes in Charlotte that are doing the same. I have to be well presented both inside and out so that when someone is looking for homes for sale in Charlotte they will see the very best. As the inventory begins to dwindle in Charlotte North Carolina it will quickly become evident that the market has swung to the seller.
Some sellers believe that many Realtors like a quick turn and therefore we price our homes too low. Well this Top Charlotte Agent believes that you have to price it correct and it will sell. The true market value of a home in Charlotte is set by the buyer and not anyone else. I want my clients to get the most for their home, in the lease amount of time and with the least amount of effort. I’ve been representing clients for 18 years in the greater Charlotte North Carolina area and I clearly understand the importance of pricing it right and presenting and marketing it well.
Our housing market reports page offers several market reports on various real estate areas of Charlotte.
Does anyone have any experiences both good and bad that they would like to share?
What Makes Charlotte So Great?
Here’s what makes Charlotte so great. I’ve just come back from a cruise and I still feel that I’m on vacation. Yes that sounds so corny but it’s true! Why? It’s the ease of flying into Charlotte at Douglas International Airport and the ease of driving home. O.K. so that’s one small part of what makes us so great. Charlotte is green, clean and beautiful. If you want to get uptown to an event or dinner it’s easy in and easy out. We have the best of hospitals and a great climate. Speaking about our climate lets examine our work climate. One of the main reasons The Charlotte area continues to out pace the rest of the nation is the opportunity to find employment.
The Charlotte housing market continues to out pace the rest of the nation. What would $300,000 buy you if you lived in New York, Chicago or L.A.?
If you’re interested in knowing more of what I think about living in Charlotte please e-mail me at Irv@TopCharllotteAgent.com. If you have some comments I’d like to hear from you too.
Custom Home in HighGate - Weddington NC
Stunning, yet comfortable estate home in HighGate in Weddington, North Carolina features craftsman-inspired styling and architecture. An exterior of brick and stone with cedar accents complements the natural materials found throughout the interior - stone, cedar, slate, and copper. Fireplaces are wrapped in stone with a flared base. Coffered and exposed beam ceilings highlight some rooms, with ten-foot ceilings on the first floor, and nine-foot ceilings on the second floor.
The kitchen centers on the nine foot wide cooking center, with a 48" dual fuel professional range with double ovens. Surrounded by maple cabinetry, granite countertops, and floor to ceiling columns wrapped in stone and connected by a stone arch, this is the heart of the kitchen. A separate wine bar/drink center has an undercounter wine refrigerator, stem holder, natural stone backsplash, and a copper tile band set between two full height stone columns.
Above the four car garage (two separate two car garages) are a media room, closet space, a full bath, and an additional room. Completely separate from the rest of the home, this area would be perfect as a nanny or in-law suite.
Overlooking the built-in gunite pool is a raised, covered paver patio with an adjacent outdoor entertainment kitchen. A half bath accessible only from the pool area is great for pool guests.
You can see more photos, a complete virtual tour, and get more information for this home on Foggy Glen Place on our website.
Mount Holly Home For Sale - Lake Wylie Access
Wonderful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in Riverfront in Mount Holly is now for sale. The neighborhood features a community park on Lake Wylie, a neighborhood pool, clubhouse, and tennis courts, and is located just minutes from I-85.
Hardwood floors are featured in the front hall, powder room, and family room. Granite counters highlight the kitchen, which also has a prep island and a large pantry. The gas fireplace in the family room has a deep media niche above, and is flanked by windows overlooking the back yard.
All bedrooms are upstairs and very large. The 4th bedroom could also become a bonus room, measuring 19′ x 13′. Accessed from the back yard, the crawl space is tall enough to stand up in, with amazing amounts of storage space!
More information, photos, and a virtual tour of this home on Riverfront Parkway can be found on our website.
