Getting a home inspection for a Belmont home for sale is essential in order to find out the true condition of a home and make sure you are getting a fair deal. Additionally, home inspectors educate buyers on how to maintain the specific property of interest. It’s the biggest investment of your life and you want to know how to take care of it! Read this article to learn about home inspection mistakes you don’t want to make when buying or selling your Charlotte home.

You Don’t Do Thorough Research Before Hiring an Inspector

Too many buyers and sellers hire whichever home inspector is recommended to them first for their house for sale in Davidson. However, it is absolutely vital to do thorough research before hiring someone.

When interviewing potential inspectors, asking questions such as: How long have you been inspecting homes? What are your qualifications and certifications? Do you have experience in building or contracting? Basically, you only want someone who is a certified professional and is proactive in continuing their education!

Not Being There During the Inspection

It is a very good idea to be present during the inspection of your Lake Wylie house for sale. Sure, you can opt out and simply read the report after the fact. However, you will likely have unanswered questions if you choose to do that.

If you end up with an inspector who seems uncomfortable when you follow him around the house, that is a big red flag. You want someone who is honest and wants to explain all of the specifics of any needed repairs.

Not Preparing Your Home for the Inspector

It’s important to prep your house for the arrival of the inspector. Do simple actions such as unlocking any latched doors and making sure entrances are easily accessible and free of clutter.

Have you seen more home inspections mistakes you don’t want to make? Please comment and share what you’ve seen and experienced!

Charlotte was recently ranked No. 2 metro area in America for economic growth potential by the Business Facilities’ 13th Annual Rankings Report! This is a huge achievement for the Queen City, as it has sought to diversify its heavy reliance on the banking industry. If you are considering a NoDa home for sale, know that you will be in a market with plenty of opportunity. Read on for details on how Charlotte ranked No. 2 for economic growth potential and what that means for you as a Queen City resident!

Ranking Details

The Business Facilities’ rankings report is focused on the tech industry in particular. If a metro area has a strong presence of tech start-ups, tech manufacturing and data centers, it will do well in the rankings.

So how did Charlotte grab the No. 2 spot? For starters, Charlotte houses Apple’s new $5 billion data center. It also features Amazon’s new $375 million data-center wind farm

Additionally, the Charlotte metro area hosts a friendly environment for tech growth. We have excellent tax incentives for the tech industry, strong infrastructure growth and still a plethora of land available for development.

If you are looking for new opportunity, Charlotte is the place to be and houses for sale in Plaza is one of the many perfect places to settle down.

The Future

This report highlights the fact that there is an extremely competitive market in place today. Economic power is grabbed in unlikely places such as cyberspace. If you want to be in a place where you and your family can see positive growth in the future, check out homes for sale in Steele Creek.

What do you think about the fact that Charlotte ranked No. 2 for economic growth potential? We would love to hear about your personal experience in the Queen City!

According to recent research by Luxury Portfolio International, buyers between the ages of 25 and 49 are now greatly shaping the luxury market. It is no longer just the older generation seeking Charlotte luxury houses for sale, and agents need to be aware of the changing demands. Read this article to learn about how demands in luxury homes shift as the younger generation takes over.

The New Demands

The new data shows that 78 percent of buyers between age 25 and 49 are interested in homes of at least 5,000 square feet. They have a strong preference for brick homes in a variety of styles such as Modern, Victorian, and Tudor, but with commercial-grade kitchens and top-notch security systems. Approximately 55 percent of these buyers want to live near restaurants. With this said, luxury homes for sale in Southpark may just fit the bill.

In general, this age group of luxury buyers are seeking a home that fits and inspires their high-performance lifestyles. Think luxury combined with mixed-use development and easy access to the hottest areas of Charlotte.

The Old Demands

The older generation still prefers the tradition luxury of Weddington homes for sale and other quiet, suburban areas. With this generation, you’ll still see a strong desire for a butler’s pantry and a spacious laundry room.

Are you a young buyer seeking a luxury residence? We would love to hear about your must-haves and what your dream home looks like. Contact Homes By Cross today. We are your Charlotte area pros at finding a gorgeous home that fits your refined and focused tastes!

Spring cleaning generally brings to mind making the inside of your Marvin home for sale sparkle and shine. However, don’t forget to give the outside of your home just as much care, especially if you are going for curb appeal this spring! Even if you aren’t planning on selling your home this season, these maintenance tips greatly reduce cost and risk as a home owner! Read this article for the ultimate outdoor spring cleaning list to get your Charlotte home ready to sell.

Check Your Roof

The roof of your house can be a huge expense if it isn’t maintained properly. Start by inspecting the roof on your house for sale in Matthews and look for any missing shingles and keep your eyes peeled for water stains.

Where should you look? Concentrate around the chimney, any skylights or other openings. Repairing your roof now will save you oodles of money in the long run!

Inspect Outdoor Lights

Lighting maintenance is essential to keep your property looking polished for potential buyers. Check your outdoor lights to make sure they are free of dust and dirt and in working order. You should also check street lights near your home for sale in Tega Cay to make sure they are shining brightly for safety reasons.

Clean Up the Deck

Inspecting your deck is extremely important after the cold winter months. Look carefully for peeling, splintering or even rotting boards. You should also check to see if any existing wood is unprotected. It isn’t uncommon for a deck to require resealing after enduring the harsh elements.

Do you have any other items to add to the outdoor spring cleaning list to get your Charlotte home ready to sell? Theses are just a few of the places that may need your attention this season. We would love to hear about your cleaning projects this spring!

Millennials are delving into the housing market, and of course, changing what is in demand. With older generations, it was a basic necessity to have both an informal and formal dining room in an Eastover house for sale. However, the younger generations are comfortable with their informal eating spaces and love the idea of taking the formal and adding a twist. Read this article for ideas on how to turn your formal dining room into a multipurpose space.

Functional Accessories

Perhaps you like the idea of keeping the dining room set intact for when you have more dinner guests than usual in your Providence house for sale. If so, all you need are some functional accessories so that you can easily use the space for a variety of activities.

For instance, add a book tower in one corner and rolling caddy with craft supplies for the kids. The space is now equipped to be a reading room and place for your children to craft their hearts out!

Embrace an Eclectic Style

When you do decide to use a room such as a formal dining room for multiple purposes, embracing an eclectic style is your best bet in a house for sale in Dilworth. A mix of styles will reflect the mix of uses you are going for.

For example, you can mix midcentury modern, coastal cottage and an industrial style to give the room a creative flair. Stick to cheery colors and remember to add texture in the decor scheme.

Remember the Floor

Finally, when outfitting your formal dining room to serve several uses, don’t neglect the floor. For example, add a fun area rug to transform the space and make it cozy. Many home owners love transforming these formal spaces into exercise areas. Remember to add a small cart with dumbbells and a place for yoga mats as well.

Do you have more tips on how to turn your formal dining room into a multipurpose space? We would love to hear your design ideas!

If you are prepping your Ballantyne home for sale to go on the market this spring, you are likely wondering how to get top dollar for your home. There are certain home amenities that are especially popular, and therefore, buyers won’t think twice about paying more for these special features. Read this article to learn about the top home features buyers will pay extra for!

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are considered very important to buyers under age 55. Generally speaking, the older generations still consider carpet more comfortable, as it conserves energy and keeps a home warmer.

However, if you are looking to market your home to Millennials, hardwood floors are a go-to feature in a home for sale in Dilworth! The reason? Hardwood is easier to clean than carpet.

Master Bedroom Amenities

Get this. 60 percent of home buyers are willing to pay extra for a master bedroom walk-in closet.  This feature is appealing because of the status and additional space.

Approximately half of home buyers desire an en-suite master bath. Buyers are currently seeking a bath that is more cozy with spa features! Additionally, double sinks are usually a must.

New Kitchen Appliances

Almost 70 percent of home buyers say that new kitchen appliances are worth forking out more cash! People just don’t want to deal with the stress of a broken appliance after a long day at work.

New appliances in a Center City Charlotte house for sale are convenient and stylish and they may be worth it for home sellers to invest in before putting their house on the market.

What are your top home features that you are willing to pay extra for? We would love to hear what details are at the top of your list for your new Charlotte home!

Stellar negotiation skills are at the top of the list when it comes to buying or selling an Indian Trail house for sale. It’s one thing to know what to say and when it say it. But do you mean it and can you back it up with physical actions so that the other party knows you mean business? You want your body language to inspire trust and cooperation so that a successful agreement can be made during your real estate transaction. Read on for body language tips to improve your negotiation skills!

Utilize the Handshake

Step one to approaching the negotiation table for a home for sale in Southpark is to have and perfect your handshake. If you forgo a handshake with the other party and simply introduce your self and say hello, this is detrimental.

It is essential to use a firm and confident handshake during deal making. This is a trust and relationship builder that serves to make the other party feel comfortable. Avoid a floppy and loose handshake. It communicates weak intentions at best.

Maintain Friendly Eye Contact

During the deal making process, it’s important to maintain friendly eye contact. Avoiding eye contact during negotiations on an equestrian property in Charlotte will only make the other party feel like you are being dishonest. This will, of course, make negotiations very difficult.

However, you do not want your eye contact to be too intense either. This can be seen as intimidating and could perhaps make communication guarded.

Calm Limbs

When negotiating, it is important to keep your hands and legs calm. Movements such as tapping your fingers, crossing and uncrossing your legs, and entwining your hands can communicate stress. Legs should remain calm and your hands should only be used for expressive purposes.

Speaking of hands, keep them down and away from your face. Rubbing your face or head communicates anxiety. Putting your hands over your mouth or eyes communicates dishonesty. Both of these are to be avoided if you want open and honest negotiation!

What physical communication from the other party makes you feel at ease during negotiations? Please share!

If you are thinking about buying a second home—perhaps a home for sale in Lake Norman—now is the time! Mortgage rates are still historically low, but may rise soon. However, there are other factors that you should take into consideration before making the leap. Read this article to learn about tips for buying a second home to make the process as seamless as possible!

The Right Agent

The key to purchasing the right second home is hiring the right agent. You want someone who is a pro at your desired location. It’s essential to find someone who can provide you with detailed information about golf course property houses for sale and delve in to the numbers so that you know that you are making a sound purchase.

The best agents will be able to accurately assess the long-term value of the property. Keep in mind that properties that tend to retain or increase in value are located in major metropolitan areas with easy access to sought-after amenities.

Consider Additional Costs

While second homes such as Lake Wylie homes for sale are primarily for enjoyment over investment, you still want to consider the additional costs of maintaining a second home. For example, during the time when you are away, you will likely have to hire a management company to maintain the property in your absence.

Tax Day Considerations

Usually, you can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes on your second home just as you do your first home when it comes to tax time. However, you should be aware that the cap to the mortgage interest deduction is $750,000. That means that if you already have a $750,000 mortgage for your first home, you won’t be able to deduct the interest on the second mortgage.

Do you have more tip for buying a second home? We would love to hear about your personal experience!

There are a variety of economic variables to consider when selling your house for sale in Cornelius when interest rates are on the rise. Generally speaking, when interest rates rise, your pool of buyers shrink. Higher interest rates mean that buyers have to fork out extra cash over the life of their mortgage! The Fed has projected that rates will rise to 3 percent by 2020. Read this article to learn about selling your home when interest rates are rising!

The Problem When Interest Rates Rise

As a rule of thumb, with every 0.25 percent rise in interest rates, home buyer purchasing power decreases by 3 percent. This means that because of the extra money required to pay interest on a mortgage for your Davidson house for sale, home buyers simply won’t be able to afford as much house.

With the decrease in potential buyers, comes an increase in supply as well. However, if you do see a sudden uptick in interest rates, there will likely be an initial surge in buyers trying to take advantage before interest rates rise even more.

Other Factors to Consider

Remember, supply and demand play a significant role in housing prices. You will see home prices increase when supply is low and demand is high. You will see them decrease when supply is high and demand is low. As a seller, it’s important to keep this in mind when deciding when to put your Concord home for sale on the market.

Even if you start to see rising interest rates, remember there are always buyers out there with low debt-to-income ratios and high monthly incomes who are easily able to absorb the cost of rising rates. If you market your home well enough, it’s easy to attract these sought after buyers and get a great deal on your property despite the market!

Do you have any tips on selling your home when interest rates are rising? We would love to hear your thoughts.

Finding the right lender and mortgage product could save you thousands upon thousands of dollars on your Matthews house for sale. When making what is likely the largest purchase of your life, you want to do it right. Read this article to learn about important questions to ask your mortgage lender so that you get the best deal on your dream home!

Which Mortgage is Best For Me?

Obviously, the primary question is which product is best for you and your particular situation. When interviewing lenders, pay close attention to the answers.

Are they simply a salesperson pushing a product on you? Or are they a quality advisor who is detailing the pros and cons of each mortgage product and applying it to your particular situation? If they aren’t the latter, keep searching for the right lender to purchase your house for sale in University City!

Do I Qualify for any Down Payment Assistance?

If you inquire about down payment assistance programs, and the lender shrugs you off or just gives you a vague response, search elsewhere. You want a lender who is very knowledgeable in local, state and national down payment assistance programs. You also want someone who is more than willing to help you navigate the process!

Do You Have an Origination Fee?

Asking about additional fees such as an origination fee is essential. An origination fee means additional profit for the lender in addition to what is included in the interest rate on your house for sale in Weddington. You also want to ask if they have any “lender fees.” Again, these are more additional costs. If you can’t get a clear and detailed answer from a potential lender, run the other way!

This is only a sampling of the questions you should ask a potential lender. Some others include: What is my interest rate? What is the annual percentage rate? Do you charge an interest rate lock? How long until my loan closes? And more!

What other important questions can you think of to ask a mortgage lender? Please share!