Buying a Charlotte lake house for sale is an exciting time for any family! However, all too often, stress follows close behind. It’s understandable. It’s a huge purchase and you want it to be perfect. You want it to be everything you’ve ever dreamed of! That’s why we all need tips to stay cool, calm and collected when house hunting. These tips are sure to make the home buying experience much more enjoyable and perhaps even a lot of fun!

Get a Buyer’s Agent

If you want an orderly hunt and an easy transaction, hire a Homes By Cross buyer’s agent! A buyer’s agent is someone who represents you, the buyer! We handle everything from finding the perfect house for you, managing the bidding and negotiation process and more.

Remember, as the buyer, you don’t typically spend money out of pocket for a buyer’s agent when searching for a Ballantyne home for sale. Usually, the seller is the one who pays for the buyer’s agent. So why not seek out someone to represent you and make the process stress-free?

Don’t Get Attached

It’s easy to look at gorgeous houses for sale in Myer’s Park and instantly fall in love. However, for the sake of your sanity, don’t fall too soon! Try your best to keep a neutral attitude when viewing homes. Think to yourself, “I could live here, but there are other homes too.”

The reality is, sometimes a seller doesn’t accept your bid, or things fall through for other reasons that are out of your control. Remember, if a house doesn’t work out, you will find your true home soon!

Fear of Missing Out

With inventory so low in Charlotte, it’s easy to develop a fear of missing out as a home buyer. The market is hot. A home can be for sale at 10am and sell by 2pm the same day in some cases. Only put in a bid on a house if it is absolutely perfect for you in every way. Don’t get too caught up in the competition.

Do you need more tips to stay cool, calm and collected when house hunting? Call Homes By Cross today. It would be our pleasure to represent you so you don’t have to carry that burden!

There is no doubt that putting your Tega Cay home for sale on the market takes a lot of work! However, there are simple steps you can take to make the process less stressful and more seamless. Read this article to learn how sellers can prepare for a home inspection to save valuable time and energy so it can be spent elsewhere!

Clean the House Well

In preparation for a home inspection, clean your house for sale in Troutman so well that it literally sparkles. For both showings and inspections, a tidy home conveys the fact that you are a responsible homeowner. Since you take pride in your belongings, it is unlikely that hidden problems will be found.

Check the Windows and Repair

Windows are a big deal in home inspections. Before the big day, looking over all the windows and make certain that they are in excellent working order. Fix any cracks you may see even if they are cosmetic, and scrub off any lingering scum.

Check the Outlets

The electrical framework is another huge inspection area. You can make things go smoother in this area by checking all of your outlets beforehand to make sure they work properly. Replace them where necessary. Consider hiring an electrician to do this small job if you are too busy.

Make Sure All Areas are Easily Accessible

The key is to make this job as easy as possible for the home inspector. Make sure that all areas are clear and tidy in your home for sale in Belmont. This includes areas that are commonly cluttered such as the attic and basement. You don’t want to see the inspector struggling to navigate through boxes of your belongings in order to assess any potential problems.

What do you think of these tips on how sellers can prepare for a home inspection? We would love to hear about your personal experience getting ready for your home inspection. Please share your stories with us!

As a home buyer or seller, you will inevitably be dealing a lot with comparables, or comps for short. What are they and why are they so important? And what are the pitfalls to watch for? If you are looking at a Huntersville house for sale or other surrounding Charlotte home, this information is essential. Read on to learn what buyers and sellers should watch for in home comps to get the most accurate data possible and a fair deal!

What Are Comps?

Comps are simply the single-best tool in determining the value of an Indian Land home for sale. Data from recently sold properties in a specific neighborhood are compared to determine the home’s value. Criteria is analyzed such as sale price, age of the house, number of beds and baths, square footage and more.

This information largely determines the list price for a home and is extremely important in making sure both buyers and sellers are getting a fair price!

Watch for Changing Markets

When markets are in a state of extreme change—either growing or quickly declining—it may be difficult to pinpoint accurate comparables. In this situation, you must have an agent on your side who knows your local market inside and out. The data is important, but could be misleading if your neighborhood is in a state of rapid change.

Personal Property Mixed In

Some real estate transactions include property that isn’t considered real estate. Items such as furnishings, machinery, equipment or other major belongings may be included in the sales price. Look closely and make sure you have all the information regarding the sale price so that your comparable for a home for sale in Lake Norman aren’t skewed!

What do you think of what buyers and sellers should watch for in home comps? Please share you personal experiences with us! And as always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call Homes By Cross for your home buying and selling needs!

Winter may not be your favorite season, but it is the perfect time to pour into your Dilworth home for sale so that it’s an extra cozy place to curl up during a cold evening. Read this article for the hottest winter interior design upgrades for a cozy home. Just imagine yourself sipping a cup of hot cocoa with your feet up and a good book in hand…or use these tricks to help potential buyers imagine it!

Add Soft Accessories

Nothing is more attractive on a frigid day in a house for sale in Eastover than comfort like cashmere or woolen throws or cotton quilts. Don’t be afraid to go bold with knitted poufs or chunky cable knits. These subtle additions will warm up a room for anyone who enters!

Incorporate Wooden Decor

Wood gives off a rustic warmth that is perfect for warming up on a cold day! For instance, opt to include reclaimed wood artwork in your decor. You can also swap out your coffee table for a wooden one that fits with your overall decor scheme. There are countless other ways to incorporate wood into your home that can easily be changed out come spring.

Metallic or Mirrored Surfaces

If wood decor just isn’t your style, consider metallic or mirrored surfaces instead. These surfaces add interest and reflect light well to brighten a room in your Cotswold house for sale even if it’s a dreary day outside.

Embrace Rich Blues

To change up your color scheme to reflect the winter season, search out deep blues such as indigo and royal blue. These cooler shades work well with wood accents and make for a sophisticated addition to any Charlotte luxury home for sale!

What do you think of these winter interior design upgrades for a cozy home? We would love to hear about your design projects!

According to Zillow, the Queen City is predicted to be the No. 4 hottest housing market in America in 2018! Read this article to find out why you should finally make the leap to purchase your dream home for sale in Ballantyne this year. It turns out, Charlotte has the perfect combination of opportunity to make this investment worth it. There are a few key factors that contribute to the fact that Charlotte is in the top five housing markets of 2018 and you need to know them so you don’t miss out!

Report Details

Zillow’s top 10 housing market list is based off the Zillow Home Value and Rent Forecast. Employment, income and population data was also pulled from Glassdoor. Here is the line-up:

    1.    San Jose, Calif.
    2.    Raleigh, N.C.
    3.    Seattle, Wash.
    4.    Charlotte, N.C.
    5.    San Francisco, Calif.
    6.    Austin, Texas
    7.    Denver, Colo.
    8.    Nashville, Tenn.
    9.    Portland, Ore.
    10.    Dallas, Texas

If you are seeking out a Charlotte luxury home for sale, you’ll want a comprehensive snap-
shot of our city’s market data. According to the report, here are Charlotte’s numbers that may
be of interested to you:

Median Home Value:                              $181,600
Year Over Year Home Value Forecast:      4.0%
Median Rent:                                        $1,300
Year Over Year Rent Forecast:                 1.9%
Income Growth:                                     9.4%
Population Growth:                                 2.0%

The Primary Factors

So, what factors contribute to making these markets sizzle and the reason behind why houses
for sale in Uptown Charlotte are in high demand? Accelerating home prices, expanding income
and jobs, and new residents.

If you are looking for a real estate agent for your home buying or selling needs, contact Homes
By Cross today. We are trusted local experts and will get you the best deal in this hot market!

It’s hard to believe, but more than half of Americans have unused vacation time! So what is the key to actually using your vacation time and getting much needed rest? Planning ahead is all it takes. Read this article to learn how to plan the perfect vacation away from your home for sale in Mint Hill.

Write Down Your Dreams

Before going into official planning mode, get together with your significant other and figure out what a dream vacation looks like for each of you. If you have kids, decide what experiences you would like to share with them as well. Write down a list and talk it out so that you can make sure everyone has a fantastic time!

Plan Ahead or it Won’t Happen

Step one to actually going on that dream vacation is to plan well in advance. If you have a family, this is especially important. As your children get older, their schedules become more complicated and you find yourself having to schedule around a plethora of extracurricular activities!

Opt for a Longer Vacation

If you have oodles of saved vacation time, consider taking one long getaway and really recharging away from your house for sale in Mooresville. If you play ahead, you can make this more likely by booking time a year in advance and taking advantage of holidays you already have off.

Think About Your Health

Studies show that planning ahead by one full year results in the best vacation experience away from your home for sale in Sherrill Ford. Planning this much in advance makes it more likely that the vacation won’t be financially stressful and will go much smoother overall. To top it off, you will be well rested and ready to return to work with renewed goals!

What do you think of these tips on how to plan the perfect vacation away from your home for sale? Please share your vacation planning system with us!

Image editing is very common in the real estate industry. Details such as editing a grey sky to a bright blue does wonders in giving buyers a favorable first impression of a Myers Park home for sale. Now with new technology, you can add animation to your real estate photos to really bring a property to life! Read this article to learn how to use animation to attract buyers to your home for sale and land the highest bid!

Apps to Use

There are a variety of apps available to liven up the online presence of a listing. Two examples are Plotagraph (cost is $4.99) and Artymate (cost is $50). Artymate provides much more realistic animation so it may be worth the extra investment. 

Create a Beautiful, Busy Kitchen

What should you do to take advantage of animation for a house for sale in Concord? Concentrate on the kitchen first! This room is one of the most important to potential buyers and it needs to look stunning and perfectly functional all at the same time.

For instance, make the kitchen look busy by animating running water in the sink. Add a pan to the stove and include some light steam to make it look like something is cooking. The goal is to make buyers imagine hosting their own friends and family in the luxury kitchen!

Animate the Fire

A fireplace makes a huge difference in a room and is often the focal point. Animate the fire to really warm up the family room in a home for sale in Indian Trail. Especially during these winter months, this is an excellent way to invite buyers to view your listing!

Animate a Spa

The bathroom is another hot spot for potential buyers. If you have luxury features to show off, make sure to include some water animation to really make those features pop. This will make your listing stand out from the others!

Do you have more questions on how to use animation to attract buyers to your home for sale? Call Homes By Cross today. We are pros at promoting your Charlotte house for sale!

Over the course of the year, it isn’t uncommon for a home for sale in Lake Wylie to become an organizational nightmare! Life happens, especially when you have young ones running around. If one of your resolutions is to declutter your kitchen and finally get organized, this article is for you. Read on for tips to declutter your kitchen in the New Year and start making healthy meals for your family!

Organization with Kids Around

To keep the more important areas uncluttered, consider moving snacks and other healthy treats to lower cabinets where kids can reach them. You will free up space elsewhere, save some time and perhaps give your little ones some newfound independence.

The key is to prepackage the snacks yourself so that the whole box of crackers doesn’t end up scattered across the floor of your Lake Norman house for sale!

While you’re at it, streamline the lunch making process by adding a prep station in the bottom cabinet too. Store lunch boxes, utensils, water bottles and anything else lunch related in one place. You will find that your morning goes by much smoother.

Tupperware Catastrophe

You know the drill. You are storing leftovers and no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem the find the right lid! Make your kitchen cabinets look beautiful by installing a magazine file to the inside of your cabinet. Store your lids here to keep them from being strewn about the cabinet.

Shopping Bag Clutter

If you have shopping bags stuffed haphazardly in the pantry of your Cotswold home for sale, this hack is for you. Repurpose old file organizers and mount them on the walls or on the inside of the door of your pantry. These are perfect for paper bags and shopping totes.

Organizing your kitchen is essential, especially if you are preparing to stage your home for sale! What do you think of these tips to declutter your kitchen in the New Year? Please share your clean-up projects with us!

As we look back at 2017, the Queen City’s home prices skyrocketed. It looks like your Center City Charlotte house for sale is worth more than you anticipated! According to the 2017 S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices, Charlotte ranks 12th in the United States for home price growth in 2017! This is by far the top report for measuring home prices and the results are very telling. Read this article to learn about the big news about Charlotte home price growth in 2017!

The Numbers Behind the Report

According to this report, Charlotte boasts an average price increase of 6.4%. We came in just behind LA and just ahead of Phoenix, to give you a snapshot of our competition.

Who held the top three spots? San Diego took third at 8.1%, Las Vegas took second at 10.2% and Seattle took the top spot at a whopping 12.7%.

Why the Fast Price Growth?

So, the question remains; What accounts for this sharp climb in home prices of Plaza homes for sale? In general, it is the increasing sales combined with the low inventory. Additionally, the low unemployment rate and low interest rates contribute to this home price growth in our city.

What to Expect in 2018

Will home prices for houses for sale in University City continue to increase this quickly in 2018? Some believe the growth may slow. The Fed funds rate is expected to reach 2% by the end of the New Year, which could slow growth a bit.

In addition, rising home prices could mean that renting may appear more attractive than buying in some areas of the country.

What do you think of this big news about Charlotte home price growth in 2017? Please share with us what you think 2018 will bring!

Another year is coming to a close, and it’s almost time to ring in 2018! If you love to dance, eat delicious food and make lasting memories with friends and family, the Queen City is the place to be! Read this article for the best New Year’s Even parties in Charlotte.

The Official Party

If you live in an Uptown Charlotte house for sale, you are right near the Queen City’s official New Year’s Eve party. Romare Bearden Park is featuring a family-friendly event beginning at 8pm. It has everything including fireworks, crafts, music, food trucks and much more!

It is an alcohol-free event, so is best for families with younger children looking for a wholesome way to celebrate the new year.

Rooftop 210

If you’re looking for a fantastic view to top off the year, look no further than New Year’s Eve at Rooftop 210! This space is huge and heated and overlooks the Charlotte skyline. Of course, it includes a DJ, drinks, and an unlimited appetizer buffet all night!

Festivities start at 9pm. Make sure to get your tickets soon because this event tends to fill up fast. You wouldn’t want to be stuck watching the fun in your home for sale in Southpark!

Murder Mystery Dinner

Do you love a good mystery? Attend the New Year’s Even Murder Mystery Dinner hosted by The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show. This event is from 7pm-10pm.

Enjoy a fantastic dinner while trying to solve the biggest murder mystery of the year! It’s perfect for those who want to have a bit of fun, but be back home in time to ring in the new year in their house for sale in Lake Norman.

What are your New Year’s Eve plans? Comment below to let us know about more of the best New Year’s Even parties in Charlotte!