North Carolina Housing Market Responds to Presidential Election

Is Your Home Up For Sale? Ensure Your Price Is Accurate

How to AMP up the Resale Value of Your Home

Moving to Charlotte: Every Home Buyer Should Know This!

Did You Know? 2016 is Projected to Be the BEST Year in Real Estate in a Decade!

2 Reasons That You Shouldn’t Wait To Move Up To Your Dream Home Now!

Tranquil Cabin & 40 Wooded Acres Perfect for Racecar Enthusiast or Nature Lover

Are you a nature lover looking for a home in a tranquil area? Perhaps a racecar enthusiast considering a space to house your cars? Look no further because this cabin could be exactly what you’re in the market for. This unique private retreat in the woods offers a serene and quiet place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Located on 310 Cabin Creek Road in Mooresville, NC, this cabin oasis sits on 40 acres, which includes multiple tranquil creeks that run throughout the property and an auto workshop. Not only is this home engulfed in the surrounding nature, there are also special touches that bring nature inside. You can sit out on the front porch which overlooks one of the creeks and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the morning. Cabin Creek was built with rare Hemlock logs from North Carolina Mountains and 35 tons of stone was used in the unique stonework found in all foundations and chimney of the home. The ceilings are all oak as is the overhangs on the outside of the house.

Inside, the home offers 3 bedrooms, 3 and a quarter bathrooms – two full, one-half and one-quarter – complete with a tiered wrap-around deck.  The original rustic theme can be seen throughout the house in the stone fireplace in the living room, the warm black walnut floors, mixed with the wide board oak floors and the extinct wormy chestnut cabinetry in the kitchen. The antiqued stove offers the same rustic appeal but in a modern way (bonus: all the appliances come with the house). A mudroom is accessible when you walk in from the garage to hold all of your coats, shoes, and equipment.

Pamper yourself in the spacious master suite which includes a jetted tub, separate shower, two pedestal sinks, large closets and skylights to gaze up at the stars. All of the rooms located on the second floor come with a skylight so everyone can enjoy the view. Another additional bonus, you get to keep the antique wardrobe and postal desk located in the master suite when you move in!

Moving to the basement, you will find a third bedroom with an office area (another bonus: you get to keep the desk!), a large closet, and a full bathroom. This bedroom is also encased in concrete and steel making it the perfect storm shelter. There is also a custom built cedar sauna to lounge in when you need to relax.

Don’t be barled by cabin creek’s rustic charm, the cabin has an HVAC system, gas furnace, security system and electric panel. There is also a new wood custom Jotul fireplace insert in the stone fireplace with a custom black oak mantel that was made from the property! One great environmental factor to this cabin is it is equipped with solar power panels. This feature is going to cut back on your monthly utility expenses and the security system is connected to the panels as well.

Saving the best for last, the backyard of this house is magnificent. Off of the 240-square bart deck, you can enjoy the in-ground pool and pool house. You can spend all day exploring the 40 acres of land that are home to deer and wild turkeys. There are also two large garden areas ready for planting all of your veggies. Apple, plum, pear and peach trees are also planted in the backyard for you to enjoy.

For the sports car enthusiast, there is a large two car garage with access to an upper finished room and pool area. The professional auto shop measures 40 x 40 and is licensed for business. The auto shop is insulated, has its own gas heaters, propane tank, 10-ton car and security system and is zoned for commercial use. It has a finished office with customer counter and linear panels with a covered lean-to on the back. The motorcycle lift located in the auto shop is negotiable. Zoning for this property is residential, forestry and commercial so there is a ton of potential to do what you want with this space. If that’s not enough, there is one more feature that is sure to please. The home also comes with a fully renovated mobile home that is currently being rented for additional income!

This unique and tranquil wooded 40 acres, with 2 homes, car enthusiast commercial workshop and multiple babbling creeks is offered at $1.6 million. For more information or to personally view the property call Nancy Braun at 704-488-3109.

Showcase Realty Announces Promotion and New Talent

Showcase Realty is pleased to announce the promotion of Mike Maniace to Director of HUD and REO Operations, as well as welcoming new hires, Sally Taylor and Stephanie Earl. Showcase is delighted to be a part of their professional goals and achievements and excited to see the company expand as well.

Mike Maniace started as an agent at Showcase Realty in 2009 and was soon promoted to Director of HUD. Under Mike’s leadership Showcase surpassed $12M in HUD home sales in 2014. He excelled in his position and streamlined this division of Showcase Realty. Nancy Braun, owner and Broker-in-Charge of Showcase Realty named Mike Director of HUD and REO Operations in January 2015. Mike now heads up one of the top HUD & REO real estate offices in the Carolinas. He handles every aspect of HUD & REO transactions from cradle to closing.

Nancy Braun describes Mike Maniace as an exceptional person who expanded his role at Showcase Realty and improved his division’s operational system with his great customer service. “Mike’s managerial skills helped to streamline our HUD division and we are thrilled to have him do the same for our REO division,” says Braun.

Mike hails from upstate New York and has been a real estate agent for 8-years. He earned an Associate’s degree in Environmental Science from Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY. Mike began his professional career as a manager for Enterprise Rental Cars. He relocated to Charlotte in 1999 and became Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams before joining Showcase Realty. Mike finds the most joy in real estate in the customer service interactions. He loves being a part of the first-time home buyer experience and also seeing clients move up from their first home into their dream home. Mike is a licensed broker in North and South Carolina and a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association and the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.

Showcase Realty also welcomes new hires Stephanie Earl and Sally Taylor. Team player, Stephanie Earl joined Showcase with a laser focused mission to provide our client’s with stellar service. After graduating from East Carolina University, she returned to Charlotte and obtained her NC Broker license. Stephanie’s focus will be on Nancy Braun’s retail listings for current and prospective personal clients. Stephanie looks forward to growing at Showcase and using her exceptional communication skills and leadership personality.

Sally Taylor HUD Accounts Specialist

Nancy also welcomes Sally Taylor to the Showcase team. Sally joins Showcase as a HUD Accounts Specialist, working with Director of HUD and REO Operations, Mike Maniace. Prior to her position at Showcase, she was a Foreclosure Specialist and then was promoted to Foreclosure Supervisor at RoundPoint Mortgage Servicing Corporation in Charlotte. Sally is sharp real estate professional eager for the growth potential available at Showcase.

Showcase Realty is an innovative boutique Charlotte real estate firm located at 1430 S. Mint St. in the Historic South End district.  Owner and Broker in Charge Nancy Braun founded Showcase Realty in 2008 on the principles of innovation, teamwork, and community mindfulness. Committed to selling homes and surpassing customers’ expectations, Showcase provides professional service, personally delivered. For more information visit www.showcaserealty.net.

Charlotte’s Hottest Neighborhood Is…

 

According to Seattle-based real estate brokerage Redfin, Starmount is the hottest neighborhood in Charlotte this year especially for potential homebuyers.

Starmount, located east of South Boulevard, currently leads because of the affordability and convenience it gives to its residents. The 28210 zip code is followed by South End, Fourth Ward, Elizabeth and center city.

Redfin states that the median home sales price in Starmount, which is between Archdale Drive and Arrowood Road, is $161,000.

Charlotte Regional Realtors Association states that such amount is lower than the $180,000 median sales price on the 3,050 existing Charlotte units sold last December. Furthermore, Redfin cited that Starmount homes spend a median of 66 days on the market.

“Starmount is already getting a lot of buyer action and the development is going to be on fire in 2015,” said Redfin’s Charlotte agent Valli Smith. “Buyers are targeting the area for town homes and old bungalows with character, as well as tearing down older homes and building new ones.”

Smith reveals that Starmount has become more convenient and attractive to a lot of homebuyers because of the light rail expansion and its close proximity to Dilworth and uptown.

Redfin’s analysis of the matter was based on the web traffic of the site’s listings along with the feedback by some of their agents. After which, they made a list of the hottest neighborhoods in 27 metropolitan areas.

The trend of choosing to live in an affordable and convenient neighborhood is quite a change from the past two years, when the most popular areas were urban, expensive and home to the best schools in the area.

“Affordable inventory remained low throughout most of 2014 so homebuyers have to look a bit further afield to find the perfect home without sacrificing the conveniences of being close to an urban center,” Redfin says.

However, it still remains difficult for homebuyers to save for their down payment since housing costs remain to be higher than the wage increases.

The National Association of Realtors also cited that the national median price for existing properties last December was $208,500, which has been the highest since 2007 at $219,000.

As stated earlier, Starmount is the most affordable among Redfin’s list of top five Charlotte neighborhood. Here are their median home price: South End at $310,000, Fourth Ward at $242,000, Elizabeth at $273,000 and center city at $270,000. As for the median days for the property’s stay on the market, South End is at 72 days, Fourth Ward at 76 days, Elizabeth at 69 days, and center city at 78 days.

FHA to Reduce Annual Insurance Premiums

FHA TO REDUCE ANNUAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS

Reduction to increase credit affordability and reflects improved economic health of FHA

FHA TO REDUCE ANNUAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS Reduction to increase credit affordability and reflects improved economic health of FHA WASHINGTON – As the nation’s housing market continues to improve, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro today announced the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will reduce the annual premiums new borrowers will pay by half of a percent. This action is projected to save more than two million FHA homeowners an average of $900 annually and spur 250,000 new homebuyers to purchase their first home over the next three years. Read FHA’s Mortgagee Letter.

Today’s action also reflects the improved economic health of FHA’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMIF). FHA’s recent annual report to Congress demonstrates the economic condition of the agency’s single-family insurance fund continues to improve, adding $21 billion in value over the past two years.

“This action will make homeownership more affordable for over two million Americans in the next three years,” said U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro. “Since 2009, the Obama Administration has taken bold steps to reduce risks in the mortgage market and to protect consumers. These efforts have made it possible to take this prudent measure while also ensuring FHA remains on a positive financial trajectory. By bringing our premiums down, we’re helping folks lift themselves up so they can open new doors of opportunity and strengthen their financial futures.”

In the wake of the nation’s housing crisis, FHA increased its premium prices to stabilize the health of its MMI Fund. In addition, the Obama Administration took dramatic steps to safeguard consumers in the mortgage market to ensure responsible borrowers continued to have access to mortgage capital as many private lending sources tightened their lending standards.

Today’s reduction will significantly expand access to mortgage credit for these families and is expected to lower the cost of housing for the approximately 800,000 households who use FHA annually.

FHA’s new annual premium prices are expected to take effect towards the end of the month. Read FHA’s Mortgagee Letter.