Are you dreaming of becoming a successful real estate agent? It’s not surprising as the profession can be one of the most rewarding for many reasons.

However, not all agents do well. Being a real estate agent requires hard work and building a relationship with clients. There’s also a lot of competition as many people from different careers and stages of life are drawn into the real estate field.

With the fierce competition these days, you need to sharpen your ax and set yourself apart from the pack.

Here is where we can help you.

Join us for a FREE Training Webinar on HOW TO DIVERSIFY YOUR REAL ESTATE REVENUE STREAMS.

Learn from FORCE Members and top industry guest speakers: Jim Hastings (Hastings Brokerage),  Nancy Braun (Showcase Realty & FORCE Advisory Council Chairperson), Terry Rasner-Yacenda (Reno Tahoe Realty Group), Steve Pagano (Coldwell Banker), and Regina Shaw (Intero Real Estate).

In this Free Webinar, you will learn:

• Technologies and How They Benefit Your Business

• How To Receive More Listings and Referrals

• Diversifying Your Business

Register NOW! No other webinar gives you more focused expertise on optimizing your real estate career.

Showcase Realty’s HUD Agent Workshop on March 6 generated great local agent interest. Many agents turned up and join the exciting training.

Hosted by Nancy Braun and sponsored by Camilla McCall of Bay Equity, the discussion covered the buying process, good neighbor program, mortgage options, and more!

There was also a lengthy Q & A session where agents representing buyers and or investors got to ask all their questions!

Do you want to join the next event? Call  704-997-3794 or email OfficeAdmin@ShowcaseRealty.net to be added to the list.

During her guest appearance on WCNC-NBC’s Charlotte Today, Nancy Braun, owner of Showcase Realty, talked about the best budget-friendly home remodels that can help sellers get a higher sales price.

According to Nancy, a few touch-ups here and there can make a huge impact when you put your home on the market. However, while upgrades can boost your home price and help you sell your home faster, not all remodels have the same effect on what your home is worth. That’s why it’s important to get help from experts, like Nancy Braun,  who can help you make the right choices.

Nancy recommends giving the front door a facelift. A beautiful front door is an important part of your home’s exterior look and the front entry is the focal point of its curb appeal. Keep in mind that homebuyers usually formulate their first impression of a property before they even step inside. Your home’s exterior will determine whether or not buyers even want to take a look inside.

If your home needs to be updated or repaired, Showcase Realty has an expert team of contractors and vendors that you can rely on. Nancy is so confident that they can get your home sold in 90 days. And if they don’t, they will pay you $2500.

For other helpful ideas, visit ExpertHomeHelp.com for a Free copy of her book, the "No Holds Barred Guide to Selling and Buying Your Home in the Carolinas."

Get in touch with Nancy Braun 704-488-3109 to get started with your home selling journey.

Eugene Robinson: Well if you're thinking about selling your home you might consider remodeling for a quicker sale and there are few things that should be on the top of your list.

Colleen Odegaard: Here's Nancy Braun with Today's Realty Reality Check.

Nancy Braun: The reality is a few touch ups of here and there can make a big difference when it comes time to sell your home. First, fix or refresh the front door. Replacing the front door gives the highest return of investment. 86%, especially steel entry door replacement. It provides a safety feature that requires no maintenance and enhances energy efficiency. If the front door doesn't need replacement, you can paint it or replace the hardware. When it comes to kitchen or bathroom remodeling, keep it simple and classy. Ask your real estate expert for advice before you invest. Another must is your home's curb appeal. The exterior of the home will reflect the care you take of the home itself. It sets the first impression and will determine the buyer's mindset throughout the experience. Showcase Realty has an expert team of contractors and vendors that you can trust if your home needs to be updated or repaired. We're so confident we will get your home sold in 90 days at your price. And if we don't, we'll pay you $2500. Call me at 704-488-3109 or visit ExpertHomeHelp.com for free copy of my book, the "No Holds Barred Guide to Selling and Buying Your Home in the Carolinas." 

Are you thinking of renting over your home or investing in a rental property? While it is true that being a landlord is not for everyone, investing in rental property can be a smart way to grow your wealth.

During her guest appearance on WCNC-NBC’s Charlotte Today, Nancy Braun, owner of Carolina Property Management, shared some of the key things every first-time real estate investor and landlord should know about property management.

Nancy highlights the importance of doing everything in an orderly and systematic way in order to avoid problems later on. Most of the time, budding investors and landlords have little idea about what should be done in order to protect their investment. This is where a property manager comes in. Hiring a property manager can lighten the load and bring in more results.

When it comes to money matters, it is typical for new landlords not to make some money right from the beginning because of initial expenses. Nancy assures that it’s okay even if you just breakeven the first year. If you have a mortgage, it will stay constant for the same amount every year for 30 years while the rent typically increases. So you hold the property and in 10 years, you will be making some good money.

Should landlords have hearts or should they treat rental property solely as a business? According to Nancy, it’s a combination. She mentioned that it is important to make the tenants happy so that they take care of the property and they stay. She also emphasized how crucial it is to spell everything out in writing. Make sure all details are written out so that there’s no confusion about the tenant’s expectations.

Working with a trusted property manager can help you maximize the profit from your investments as well as maintain and increase the value of your properties. When you work with Nancy Braun and Carolina Property Management, you will actually make more money in the long term. This is because you have professionals who will assist you in getting better tenants that stay longer and you will have less damage and repairs to deal with. As a result, your rental property remains in excellent shape.

If you want more information, you can get a FREE copy of Nancy's special report, "5 Ways to Get Top Dollar on Your Rental Property."  by visiting NancyHasTheTenants.com.

Call Nancy Braun today at 704-488-3109 to know more about how they can help you take care of the many details of owning, renting, and managing properties.

Eugene Robinson: Well if you ever thought about renting over your home or even investing in a rental property, there are some key things you need to know about managing the property.

Colleen Odegaard: Here to help is Nancy Braun with Carolina Property Management. Nancy good morning!  Thanks for being here today!

Nancy Braun: Good morning!

Colleen Odegaard: Alright, when you get into the rental property business, you really need to start off strong.

Nancy Braun: Well, everything has to be done exactly, methodically and systematized, so you don't miss something. So, many people get into the business sort of, by accident. They might just decide not to sell their home, they might keep it and they might get a tenant, and think it's all fine.

But there are so many things that they need to do to be precautionary and make sure they have expert records and systems in place. So, often now, come to someone that needs to sell their home and they're traumatized 'cause their last tenant trashed their house. And I'll be like, "Oh! Well, did you, you know, get to keep the security deposit? Did you do a move-in inspection? A move-out inspection?” And they kinda look at me like, you know, they're in headlights, "What? What should have I done?" So, a property manager's gonna really guide that and make sure that we've dot your I’s and cross your T’s.

Eugene Robinson: So as a landlord, can you expect to make some money right from the beginning?

Nancy Braun: Typically not. You might really land a great one initially but there are some initial expenses. You might have to do some cleanup or improvements to bring it up to par so it's rentable. And it's gonna cost some money to find a tenant. And it's okay even if you just breakeven the first year. The magic of it is if you have a mortgage, your mortgage is gonna stay constant for the same amount every month for 30 years. Whereas rent typically has been going up, so on an average it's been going up about 5% on a year. So you hold the property and in 10 years, you're really making some good money.

Colleen Odegaard: That's good. Okay.

Nancy Braun: And maybe less, of course.

Colleen Odegaard: Sure. Nancy let me ask you this. Should landlords have hearts or do they treat this solely as a business?

Nancy Braun: And it's a combination. It sure is, it sure is. It's a human thing so, you know we meet our new tenants at the property. We do our move-in inspection and we create a beautiful basket for them when they get there. So we just moved in a new tenant to one of our properties and he had a dog so we had dog treats in there and water and paper towels and things that they'll need when they first get to a place. Of course, they're human so we want to have them be happy. And our job as a property manager, we're really representing the owner. We don't represent the tenant, but we want the tenant to be happy so they take care of the property and they stay. So it's really important that you do handle it as they're all individuals and they all have specific needs and wants.

Eugene Robinson: How important is it to spell everything out in writing?

Nancy Braun: Oh gosh. Everything has to be. And photographs. And videos. So now we take into consideration videos and photographs and everything in writing. So initially, we'll walk through the property with the tenant, explain what the expectations are, what they should do as far as changing out the filters every month as far as making sure that the house is maintained, the landscaping, how to set the thermostat, we've had problems with that,

how to even use the disposal. And then, they can take care of the property and we have all the documents, you know when they first sign their lease. We're gonna even include the move-out inspection so that they know what is expected of them when they do move out. So, everything in writing.

Colleen Odegaard: Yes, so many details and you take care of all of that. If a tenant breaks the lease, what should a landlord do?

Nancy Braun: Well, in writing. Once again, communicate in writing and say, your nonpayment of rent, your late on rent or you've breached the lease because you're parking on the lawn. Whatever it is, get it in writing because that's what the courts are gonna wanna see.

Eugene Robinson: Well sample, my mom fell in this problem. How do you assure that the people are taking care of the place?

Nancy Braun: Well that's all involved in the, before you take on the tenant. You have to really critique the tenant. Do the credit check. Do the background check. We do landlord verifications so we're calling their past landlords and asking, "How many times has that tenant been late on their rental payment? Did they get their full security back? If not, why?", and "Would you rent to this tenant again?" So it's really checking their background, their credit history but also seeing their income verification. Do they really make what they're saying they're gonna make? So if a past landlord is happy with that tenant, they're gonna let us know. And then we're gonna able to judge whether they're gonna take care of the property 'cause you know, your mother went through that. A really traumatic situation and you lost a lot of money or she did. So all of that is in the prep but it's also in the management. After our tenant moves in, within 30 days we're gonna go inspect the property and make sure that they're living up to the lease agreement.

Colleen Odegaard: Any other reasons that someone should hire a property manager?

Nancy Braun: Well, you're gonna make more money. Most people think you're gonna do it yourself and you're gonna save money but in reality, I'm gonna get a tenant and they're quicker so you're gonna have rental income much faster and I'm gonna get a more qualified tenant most likely because I'm going through all these criteria. So, and it's the stress of it. Wasn't it horrible for your mother?

Eugene Robinson: Yeah! I was so stressful for her!

Nancy Braun: Yeah! And for you!

Eugene Robinson: Yes, and me.

Nancy Braun: So, it takes away that stress and now it's just an income-revenue generator and you're using a professional just like you would use a professional to clean your clothes or a professional to clean your teeth. You go to those that know what they're doing, and then it gets done correctly.

Colleen Odegaard: Well if you want more information, you can get a free copy of Nancy's special report, "5 Ways to Get Top Dollar on Your Rental Property." You can find it at NancyHasTheTenants.com. NancyHasTheTenants.com. And you can call Nancy directly at 704-488-3109. Again 704-488-3109. Nancy Braun, thank you very much. 

Nancy Braun: Thank you.

What’s a HUD home?

Are you thinking of buying a home in Charlotte? Owning a home is something most people look forward to. It is a symbol of stability and security. It is a place of refuge and retreat.

If you are looking for an affordable home for sale in Charlotte NC, you’ve probably heard of HUD owned homes. What’s a HUD home and why is it cheaper than the regular homes on the market? These are great questions, and we will answer them today.

HUD stands for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  A home becomes a HUD home if it was acquired through an FHA insured mortgage, was foreclosed, and HUD bought it from the lender. They are available at a low price because the government wants to sell as quickly as possible.

Should you buy one?

HUD owned homes are great deals. It is excellent for people who have poor credit scores but would like to own a home. It is affordable enough that even first-time homebuyers can afford it.

For you to make an informed decision, here are five things you need to know before buying a HUD home.

1. HUD homes are sold as is. It means what you see is what you get, and you cannot do any repairs before closing. Its website states “ HUD does not warrant the condition of its properties and will not pay for the correction of defects of repairs.”  

You’ll be responsible for any repairs and improvements to the home. That’s why one of the best investments you can do before buying a HUD home is to get a home inspection from a licensed professional home inspector.

2. HUD homes are for everyone. Anyone who has the needed amount may qualify for a loan to acquire a HUD home. Initially, the properties are offered to owner-occupant purchasers. After a specific time frame, the properties are made available for all, investors included.

3. You can find HUD homes at the HUD home store. This site is a central location where you can search for HUD properties for sale by state or ZIP code.  You will not find HUD homes on popular real estate websites.

4. HUD homes are sold in an auction through a bidding process. You have to place bids through your agent, and there is a period where bids are accepted. When that time has ended, the bids are opened and whoever bids the highest wins.

6. Get a preapproved funding. This part is essential, especially if you’ve found the house you want. Your agent only has 48 hours to send to HUD all the original documents. This time is extended on weekends and holidays. If you cannot provide the necessary documents on time, your bid will be forfeited, and the next highest bid wins.

The process of acquiring a HUD home is different compared to a regular Charlotte NC home for sale, but with the help of your real estate agent, you’ll soon be a homeowner.

Are you considering purchasing a HUD home? Call me, Nancy Braun, at (704) 997-3794 and have a conversation about the kind of home you're looking for. 

Is real estate a good investment today? During her guest appearance on WCNC-NBC’s Charlotte Today, Nancy Braun, owner of Showcase Realty, talked about the fundamentals of real estate investing and why it’s the perfect time for buyers looking to invest in a rental property.

Charlotte is booming with a strong seller’s market and is currently a hot market for investors. For those who are considering investing in real estate, Nancy recommended starting with finding a good real estate agent to work with. The next step is determining what kind of investor are you going to be— long term or short term? Then you also have to choose what kind of property are you going to invest in. Do you want to invest in a condo, a townhouse, or a single-family home?

Nancy also discussed what investors should consider when planning out a strategy. She said the those who are looking to invest should know how to use their cash on hand and, whether they should use mortgages or hard money loans.

As for the team that the investor should recruit, Nancy suggested including contractors, lenders, home inspectors, a real estate broker who has experience working with investors, and a financial planner.

Investing in real estate isn't for everyone. If you're willing to dip your toes in the water, doing thorough research and examining all your options is very important. Before putting some of your hard-earned money into a property, you have to know that it will require some work and the right mindset.

If you’re venturing into real estate investment, get expert help from Nancy Braun and her team at Showcase Realty. You may also visit SmartInvestmentsCharlotte.com.

Get in touch with her today directly at 704-488 3109 to get started!

Colleen Odegaard: Real estate has always been a strong investment across the country. In fact, Charlotte is booming with a strong seller’s market and developers are working to meet the demand.

Eugene Robinson: Nancy Braun is the award-winning broker and owner of Showcase Realty. She’s here to tell us why it’s the perfect time for buyers looking to invest in a rental property. Hello Nancy and welcome to the show.

Nancy Braun: Good morning!

Colleen Odegaard: Good morning! Okay, first off. How does a buyer invest in a property?

Nancy Braun: Well it’s, you have to find yourself a good real estate agent to work with. And then you need to determine what you’re gonna be. Are you gonna be a short-term investor or long-term investor? Are you going to wanna, they call “flip”, which is buy a home, renovate, sell for more? Or do you want to hold? That means you’re gonna buy something, maybe possibly renovate, and then keep a tenant in there and have the tenant pay your mortgage.

Eugene Robinson: And what type of investment? Are you going to invest in condos, townhouse, single homes - what does that look like?

Nancy Braun: So it depends upon what your focus will be. Now if you’re an out-of-town investor, we have some that live in other countries. They might want a townhome because then they don’t have to worry about maintenance and taking care of the exterior. It might just be a simpler concept for them. Now we, of course, have a property management company that can assist any investor on either strategy. And we would take care of all the maintenance of the property but that is sort of a comfort zone for some. Now last year, townhomes and condos have increased by 10%, versus single family homes, an average of about 6%. So, you’re also paying a higher price for the townhome condo than you were a year ago. Single-family homes, I personally prefer to invest in. I have my portfolio of investments and they’re all single-family homes. And I just feel that you don’t have the subjectivity of an HOA fee going up, so there could be a normal special assessment if they’re putting new roofs on the entire complex. And you might not have that planned for. So single-family homes you know, we have historically seen, as opposed to last year, a steadier increase whereas townhomes and condos might not show that in history, that it always increases at the same rate.

Colleen Odegaard: What should investors consider when planning out a strategy?    

Nancy Braun: Well, the investors gonna wanna know how to use their cash on hand and, whether they should use mortgages or hard money loans, and, you know, if you have a hundred thousand dollars to play with, then the hard money loan, or even a traditional lender, is gonna require to invest or put down 20 - 25%, that’s the down payment. So, you could take that hundred thousand dollars, and use 25,000 on 4 properties, versus take that hundred thousand and buy one property, so you could stretch your money and hedge your investments much better. So that’s one thing that they should consider if their finance are part of it. And then, what are they looking for? Are they gonna rent or they gonna wanna get in on the low end and then have, you know, tenants that might be paying 700 to 900 a month, which could cause more problems, cause those tend to lead to more frictions, more issues with the credit. Or you can have an investor that wants the high-end, you know maybe they wanna have high-end tenants in there, and have maybe less issues to come up.

Eugene Robinson: What type of team that the investor recruit of opening money now?

Nancy Braun: So the team should be, your contractors in place, your lenders in place, your home inspectors, a great real estate broker that has experience working with investors, and a financial planner that works with you.

Colleen Odegaard: So let me ask you this, and this might not be a one-size-fits-all answer, but is it better to look for a fix n’ flip like you were talking about, or a long-term investment?

Nancy Braun: It really depends if you want, what your strategy is. I personally have always stayed in held. I don’t like selling my properties. I just want them to appreciate, and history will show you that as long as you hold your investments for a long time, you’re gonna have a reward at the end. So that’s kind of my retirement strategy. With flipping, you’re gonna take the money, and then you’re gonna flip that money into the next product. So it really depends upon if you risk reverse, or you just want a hold stay.

Eugene Robinson: What any other program that investors, that your company does to help the investors?       

Nancy Braun: So we sit down with the investors and we really understand their strategy. I happen to also represent a lot of banks and institutional companies. So, we can offer them some homes that are in distress. And so we certainly wanna figure out their strategy. Don’t just jump in and buy the first thing you see. You gotta figure out what kind of personality you are. What kind of fluid money you have. How much are you willing to risk? And are you looking for the long-term or the short-term? So we can offer all those programs plus the team that we have already established.

Colleen Odegaard: Nancy is among the best. If you’re ready to invest in real estate, visit SmartInvestmentsCharlotte.com. SmartInvestmentsCharlotte.com. Or you can call Nancy directly at 704-488 3109. Again 704-488 3109. Nancy Braun, thank you so much.    

Nancy Braun: Thank you.

During her guest appearance on WCNC-NBC’s Charlotte Today, Nancy Braun, owner of Showcase Realty, talked about how neighbors can help improve home values in their neighborhood.

In real estate, one of the most significant factors that determine whether a property will rise or fall in value is its neighborhood. No matter what you do to boost the value of your property, your neighborhood will always have a say in your home’s worth.

All homeowners want to live beside good neighbors. Not only because it is a more enjoyable experience, but also because nice neighbors will not negatively affect the value of a home. On the other hand, bad neighbors can drag down the value of a property.

Nancy shared simple tips on how neighbors can help improve home values in their neighborhood. One of these is by improving your curb appeal. Homes with strong curb appeal can fetch higher prices. In addition, prospective buyers could make a decision on your house by what they can see from the street.

Nancy also reminded neighbors not to remove the agent’s open house signs. She emphasized that open houses help to sell the home in the neighborhood. The quicker it sells, the more money it will sell for. This in turn can drive up your home’s value.

Every sale that is close to you affects your home value. If you raise the value of your neighborhood, you also raise the value of any house you own there.

Are you thinking of selling your home any time soon? Get expert help from Nancy Braun. Call her at 704-4883109 and visit ExpertHomeHelp.com for a free copy of her book, the No Holds Barred Guide to Buying or Selling Your Homes in the Carolinas.    

Colleen Odegaard: Being a good neighbor isn’t only the right thing to do, but did you know that it can also increase the value of your home?

Eugene Robinson: Well here’s Nancy Braun, owner of Showcase Realty for today’s Realty Reality Check.

Nancy Braun: The reality is Charlotte is in a seller’s market. Here are a few ways to increase the value of your neighborhood by being a good neighbor. Well for family, friends, and co-workers to the homes for sale in your neighborhood. House events such as Easter accounts, Halloween get-togethers, block parties, lawn sales, and book clubs, have an active and informative neighborhood Facebook page. Improve the curb appeal of your home. Wave and be friendly as people pass through. Cut the grass if needed for the property for sale. If there’s an event in a home for sale in your neighborhood, consider buying it to renovate, flip or rent out. And don’t remove the agent’s open house signs. Open houses help to sell your neighbor’s homes. And the quicker it sells, the more money it will sell for, which will increase your home’s value. Showcase Realty can help with all your property management needs. Call me at 704-4883109 and visit ExpertHomeHelp.com for free copy of my book, the No Holds Barred Guide to Buying or Selling Your Homes in the Carolinas.      

During her guest appearance on WCNC-NBC’s Charlotte Today, Nancy Braun, owner of Carolina Property Management, talked about making wise decisions that can help landlords save more money.

Running a successful and profitable rental property involves time and commitment. If you do not have much time to devote to your business, or if your business is growing and you find that you need help to manage everything property, hiring a management company is a sensible move.

For those who are considering investing in rental property, Nancy pointed out the importance of getting a good deal on the mortgage, clarifying that it’s not just about the interest rate. She also mentioned that they have preferred lenders who can potential buyers.

She also reminded landlords of the need for regular maintenance. It isn’t just about avoiding costly repairs but ensuring a comfortable and safe living environment for tenants.

She also highlighted how Carolina Property Management could help landlords. They can help screen tenants. With their resources and experiences, landlords will have higher quality tenants who stay on the property longer, pay rent more reliably, and create less damage.

They can also help landlords avoid legal problems. Every state and municipality have their own laws. In addition, federal law covers a number of areas including tenant screening, safety conditions of the property, terminating leases, handling security deposits, rent collection, and more. Not knowing the laws can lead to costly lawsuits and other legal worries. With their assistance, you can be protected from potential lawsuits and vulnerabilities.

A  good management company is worth their weight in gold. If you’re an investment property owner interested in hiring a stellar property management company, there’s only one name you can trust — Carolina Property Management. It is the region’s best choice for property management services. It is known for its unique management system and top-of-the-line technology for property owners and tenants to have a hassle-free experience with professionalism, efficiency, and ease.

For more information, get a free copy of Nancy’s report for 5 Ways to Get Top Dollar for Your Rental Property at NancyHasTheTenants.com.

There is no reason to take on the complicated rental market alone. Get in touch with Nancy Braun today at 704 488 3109.

Eugene Robinson: If you’re thinking about investing a rental property, you wanna make sure it’s a wise investment. There could be a lot of expenses that come along with it.

Colleen Odegaard: Our next guest is an expert in property management. Welcome Nancy Braun, the owner of Carolina Property Management. Nancy thanks for being here today.

Nancy Braun: Thank you.

Colleen Odegaard: Okay, so someone is thinking about buying an investment property. Do they start by getting a good deal on their mortgage?

Nancy Braun: That’s important. If they’re going to use a mortgage, then of course we have preferred lenders that we recommend. And, there’s more things than just the interest rates.You have to look at the total cost of acquiring the mortgage so, absolutely that carries with the property for a long time.

Eugene Robinson: Are there any write offs or advances for?

Nancy Braun: There are so many write offs and the new taxes have created even more so, I’m not an accountant. But you should speak to your accountant but you can write off the appreciation, interest rate on your mortgage, maybe interest rates you’re paying on your credit cards, your repairs, and 20% of your net income you can write off, depreciation is a big one, losses, improvements that you make to the property, personal property, if you buy a lawn mower for the property, your travel expenses when you’re visiting the property, maybe your home office. Any losses that you had, insurance. So there’s a lot of different things.

Eugene Robinson: A lot of things to go ahead and do it.

Nancy Braun: Yeah. And make sure your accountant who does your taxes so you can take advantage on all of them.    

Colleen Odegaard: What types of regular maintenance does the landlord have to take care of?

Nancy Braun: Right, so many times we’ll work with an owner of a property and they just figured, “Hey, I’m done. You guys take care of it.” No, right them and say, “Well, we really should do a termite inspection. Termites are very prevalent in Charlotte. They don’t realize that they really need to ‘cause you’re not living in a house yourself. So I would recommend that every year. Usually have your furnace and your AC checked. Do a maintenance check every season. And painting. You might need to have paint the exterior, the exterior check if there’s any water underneath the house, we ask that the tenants change the filters out. So there is ongoing maintenance.

Eugene Robinson: A landlord and tenant relationship? Should that be a good one? And why does it even matter if it should?

Nancy Braun: Of course if we’re gonna take care of them, they’re gonna take care of us. You know, it’s the golden rule.

Colleen Odegaard: So how do you choose tenants wisely? What advice can you offer there?

Nancy Braun: So, I would strongly urge that you get a property manager because, the property managers are trained hopefully on screening your applicants. And you wanna make sure that you’re doing it fairly and in accordance with fair housing rules. And we do our credit check. We do our background criminal check. And we’re also gonna do landlord verification, we’re gonna check their income, we’re gonna make sure that they have a good history behind them that it would be good tenant to be working with going forward.     

Eugene Robinson: Do you also check to see if they adhere to different laws setup for landlords?

Nancy Braun: We wanna make sure that we’re gonna be compliant with all the laws, and the laws are complicated. And we also have to make sure that everything is applied uniformly. So if you’re a regular homeowner and you’re just dabbling in property management, and you might just innocently say “Well, do you have any children?” And you decline to rent the family because they have children, you don’t want children messing up your walls. Well, you’re gonna find yourself in a court, with a legal battle because that could be fair housing violation. So you might innocently get yourself in trouble. An emotional support dog is not a pet. So you might say, “No pets allowed!” But that’s not a pet, it’s an emotional support dog, you can’t decline that.

Colleen Odegaard: Got it. Okay. How do you get a good deal on landlord insurance? And what you need to be insured on exactly?

Nancy Braun: So when you own a number of properties, then you can get a commercial policy. And the commercial policy is much, much easier. So if you’re buying and selling, and buying and selling, it’s much easier rather than, you’re just flipping in the different addresses. So it’s much more convenient. Less time-consuming for you to get it. And you usually get that bulk rate.

Eugene Robinson: How do you establish a rental rate? I don’t know it has to be a...

Nancy Braun: So we do look at the other homes in the area that are renting what they’re renting for. So if there are other properties that had been in the market for a long time, and they’re not renting, well that’s our cap. We don’t wanna go that high. But if most of them are renting at a certain range, then we’re gonna recommend that you stay within that range.

Colleen Odegaard: How can Carolina Property Management help people with this process?

Nancy Braun: So, we follow all the rules, and we are, I’m a member of the NARPMⓇ, which is the National Association of Residential Property Managers. And next week, I‘ll be going to some formal training for a week. So we’re always up to date on the current rules, regulations, and the local rules. And so, you want to have a property management company that has other properties, that has experience. I think one of our most valuable attributes is I have an amazing bookkeeper. So we have a counting software that really can make it a lot easier for that homeowner to deal with their taxes, and make sure that we’re putting off security deposits in a trust account. Cause even as a regular homeowner, you can’t just put that security deposit in a regular bank account. So, we’re also gonna save the money. We rent our properties quicker than you’re gonna rent them. We have thousands of tenants in our database, so we’re gonna get that property rented. So even if you’re trying to save a little bit here and do it yourself, if you get the property rented a month earlier than you would’ve, you’ve probably, it’s a wash on the clause.

Eugene Robinson: It is wash on the clause. Last question. What about technical rate of services for this? Did she talk about?

Colleen Odegaard: It’s a typical rate? Yeah.

Nancy Braun: Well, usually you’re gonna pay an upfront marketing fee. That’s to help acquire the new tenant and get the property marketed. That could be anywhere from a half to a full month’s rent. And then there’s usually a percentage of the rental income as it comes in. And landlords all across charge different percentages. Typical, you know, you could say, 10% might be something that you might see in the industry.

Colleen Odegaard: Well, if you’d like more information, you can get a free copy of Nancy’s special report, “5 Ways to Get Top Dollar On Your Rental Property”. You can find it at NancyHasTheTenants.com. NancyHasTheTenants.com. Or you can call Nancy directly at 704-488-3109. Again 704-488-3109. Nancy Braun, thank you so much. A pleasure always.

Nancy Braun: Thank you.

Thinking about buying or selling a home this year?

During her guest appearance on WCNC-NBC’s Charlotte Today, Nancy Braun, owner and broker-in-charge of Showcase Realty, talked about how the real estate market will look like in 2019.

Nancy started off with a description of the real estate market last year, highlighting that it was a strong market. However, there were actually fewer homes on the market at the end of the year as compared to 2017.

She then went on to explain that for 2019, buyers and sellers should anticipate a continuation of shortage. She also mentioned that there will be some affordability issues because of the expected increase in interest rates. Because of this, what buyers can qualify for is going to change, it’s gonna go down. And the ones who will be greatly affected are the first-time home buyers. She explained that they may have to reduce their qualification - how much they can afford to buy.

The good news is, Nancy’s company, Showcase Realty, offers help to first-time home buyers. Nancy and her team work with really great preferred lenders who know all the different programs that are out there, such as forgivable down payment assistance programs.

Nancy also talked about the pitfalls that buyers and sellers should steer clear of this year. She cautioned home sellers of the dangers of overpricing their homes.

Whether you're looking to buy or sell a home this year, it helps to know what you're up against.

For more information, Nancy has a free report called “What’s Ahead For Real Estate in 2019?” Visit www.CarolinaPropertyReport.com  for your copy. You can also call Nancy directly. It’s 704-488-3109.

Eugene Robinson: If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this year, it’s important to know what Charlotte real estate market will look like in 2019.

Colleen Odegaard: Here with more is Nancy Braun. Nancy’s the owner of Showcase Realty. Nancy, great to see you. Thanks for coming today.

Nancy Braun: Good morning.

Colleen Odegaard: Okay, first off. Let’s start with this. How did Charlotte do in the real estate market last year?

Nancy Braun: It was a strong market. We saw a shortage of the inventory which means we had greater amount of buyers than there was homes to sell to them. And, we still saw some multiple offer situations and prices kept on going up. So we do see an appreciation which also can affect affordability. So, it ended strong but we actually had less homes on the market at the end of the year than we did in the previous year.

Eugene Robinson: So what is the expectations for 2019, Nancy?

Nancy Braun: So, we anticipate a continuation of shortage, and we also expect some affordability issues coming up because interest rates will probably rise, maybe 1 or 2 more times. And they’ve already risen since last year, so we’re now hovering on just under 4 ½%. We anticipate possibly going as high as 5% on a conventional.

Colleen Odegaard: Okay, so with that being said, what does that mean for buyers, sellers and investors?

Nancy Braun: Right, so as prices keep going up but wages stay flat, and interest rates go up, now, what buyer can qualify for is going to change - obviously it’s gonna go down. So, if interest rates keep rising and inventories still out there, we might not see a continuation of home selling for a lot more than they had been. If you look back to 2014, some homes in Charlotte have doubled. You know, we’ve seen such enormous price gains, and, how much more are people really making today than they were in 2014? It’s actually not matching up.     

Eugene Robinson: Well how would this impact first time buyers?  

Nancy Braun: It impacts them the most, cause they’re usually just qualifying barely for certain amount. So they may have to reduce their qualification - how much they can afford to buy. Maybe instead of a hundred and eighty thousand, they can get a loan for a hundred and fifty thousand. Well we all know, it’s barely anything out there in the Charlotte inner city area for a hundred and fifty. So that means they might have to go out further into the suburbs, which is what we’ve seen.

Colleen Odegaard: So what is Showcase Realty, your company, doing to help these first time home buyers?  

Nancy Braun: So, our first time home buyers, we have really great preferred lenders that we work with, and they know all the different programs that are out there, including forgivable down payment assistance programs. So you can have someone who has great credit, graduated from college, but not a lot of money saved; you know, they just came out of college. So we can find them a program that can give them the downpayment assistance, and then we can ask in the offer for the seller to pay closing costs. So in certain situations, they can come into this with $500 and buy house.

Colleen Odegaard: That’s great.

Eugene Robinson: So what mistakes should buyers and sellers avoid this year?

Nancy Braun: Well, overestimating your value. There are a lot of sellers, when they keep on hearing that prices are going up, prices are going up, they’re gonna think their house is worth a lot more than it is. And if you overprice, overshoot the market, you’re inevitably going to have to drop your price over time, and end up selling your house for a lot less than had you sold it in the very beginning. Cause the first two weeks of your marketing, that’s when you really wanna get your offers. So if you’re not getting showings, or you’re not getting offers, it’s down to price.

Colleen Odegaard: You have to price it right. Yes, cause the biggest question on everybody’s minds: are we heading for a real estate bubble again?

Nancy Braun: Well, I don’t know. I’m not an economist, but, there’s such strength in Charlotte’s market, we see cranes all over the city, in the suburbs. Everything’s growing, growing, growing, lots of companies are moving here. I don’t anticipate a bubble, but maybe a softening of this, increase in prices. And, we certainly aren’t seeing multiple offers in the level that we used to see. Those investor hedge fund groups that were coming in right after 2014 and just, taking half the market up, they are really in play right now. They’re kinda holding still until prices drop again. So we’re not competing with the huge amount of hedge funds that have unlimited cash. So it’s more of a traditional market, I would suppose.

Colleen Odegaard: Nancy, great information. Thank you so much. To learn more, Nancy has a free report called “What’s Ahead For Real Estate in 2019?” Visit CarolinaPropertyReport for your copy, CarolinaPropertyReport.com is the website to go to. You can also call Nancy directly. It’s 704-488-3109. Again 704-488-3109. Nancy Braun, thank you.

Nancy Braun: Thank you.