Tiffany Johannes' Blog

Even though there are tons of advertisements and people everywhere saying, “Get this for Mom on Mother’s Day”, we just had to mention a few more things that you can do for or with Mom on her day in South Charlotte.

If Mom likes flowers, why not give her a gift she’ll always remember.  Instead of the flowers that die in just a few days, take Mom to the McGill Rose Garden.  There are over 1,000 roses, plants, and herbs, along with everything from sculptures and meditation gardens, to a Garden Shoppe & Gallery.  Mom can see beautiful flowers and even take something home to remember the trip.

After a morning of seeing the beautiful rose garden, if you would still like to take an afternoon stroll, The Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens has gardens for all seasons.  Just a check of their website will show you some of the sparkling fountains and nature walk that are sure to put a smile on Mom’s face and give her some of the much needed quiet time.

If Mom would like to visit some of Charlotte’s history, the Historic Rosedale Plantation, Charlotte’s best kept secret, is having an Arts Festival with a Patron’s breakfast on May 12, 2012.  Historic Rosedale presents its annual Arts Festival featuring the Carolina’s best artisans including potters, wood turners, jewelry makers, and craftsmen from both Carolinas.  Buy specialty gifts sure to please any mother this holiday weekend or buy something for your own collection.  Living history reenactors will host small venues for your enjoyment, station tours of the home will be offered, the Carolina Raptor Center will provide demonstrations, guest authors will be signing their books, let your child "throw a pot", and free pony rides will be offered to children.  Lunch and afternoon refreshments will be available for purchase.

If you have a Mom that has a green thumb and would like to get involved with the community and grow a few things, take her on a tour of the county’s community gardens with the Mecklenburg County Fruit & Vegetable Coalition.  Mom will learn basic gardening skills and how to start a community garden.  The tour will take in the Atherton Mill Farmers’ Market, 2104 South Blvd.; Wilmore Gardens, 1808 S. Mint St.; Country Club Heights, Dunlavin Way off of Eastway Drive; Central United Methodist Church, 6030 Albemarle Road; and Winterfield Gardens, 3100 Winterfield Place.

If you’re not ready for Mother’s Day yet, and even if you are, there are still plenty of things to do and see for Mom on May 12, especially if you live in the Charlotte area.

If you would like to live in the beautiful Charlotte area and whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, I’d love to hear from you! … Tiffany Johannes - Help-U-Sell Buy Today – Office Ph: 704-837-0010 Email: tiffany@husbt.com or visit us on the web at www.CharlotteHomeExperts.com. ddj

Do you know how to shop for a home? We shop for everything today. Before we make major purchases most consumers will “do their homework”, this means comparing prices, specifications, and trying to pick the best product to suit their needs, preferences and price range. Home shopping should be no different. One of the first things to do, even before you go look at prices, is to find out how much home you can afford.

How much mortgage you can afford means how much of your monthly budget do you have available to spend on your mortgage payment. This figure can be determined in many different ways. There are calculators on the web, your bank can help you figure this out or even your real estate agent will have a way to calculate these payments.

Once you have an idea of what you can afford in a house payment, you need to think about what other features do you want with your mortgage. There are fixed and variable rate mortgages. Depending on how long you want to pay, or the amount of your payment, some home loans will go for up to 30 years. So you have to decide the length of the loan that works best for you. Some lenders will require that you include your homeowners insurance and yearly taxes in your mortgage payment; this will greatly change your mortgage payments and may even mean you can afford less for the actual mortgage.

There are also many different lenders out there so you will want to see what many of them have to offer as far as rates and other amenities. Another item to remember is there are other fees that lenders and realtors will add into the final payment. If you are looking at a $100,000 price tag, after all is said and done, the total cost could be somewhere around $120,000. So you will want to make sure that you know you have covered all the bases before you sign on the dotted line.

Lastly, your down payment amount will make a difference on your final mortgage price. Many lenders would like to see around 10%, so if again you are looking at a $100,000 loan, the down payment would be $10,000. There are lenders that will take less for the down payment, but the more you can put down, the less you’ll have to pay in that monthly payment. This would be something else you would have to shop and compare before you buy.

So even if you are only starting out on your home shopping spree there is always someone who is willing to give you a helping hand and whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, I’d love to hear from you! … Tiffany Johannes - Help-U-Sell Buy Today – Office Ph: 704-837-0010 Email: tiffany@husbt.com or visit us on the web at www.CharlotteHomeExperts.com

Have you decided what you are going to do for that special mother or mothers in your life? If you live in the Charlotte area, there are many things to satisfy the most discriminating mother.

Of course, a lot depends on how much money you want to spend, but there are a wide range of activities or gifts you can plan for mom.

If you are thinking of making chocolate the gift of choice, Charlotte has many gourmet candy shops in the metro area. Mostly Chocolate has gourmet German chocolate and different types of cookies. The Secret Chocolatier makes handmade truffles that are to die for. There are also many other candy stores that are sure to make her day.

Now that we have the sweets taken care of, shall we make a whole day of fun for mom? Let’s start out with an early day. Many restaurants in the Charlotte area are having Sunday Brunch specials just so Mom will not have to cook breakfast.

Some of the Day Care Centers are also open and ready to take care of the children while mom goes to be pampered at one of the many Spas in the area. After being pampered for an afternoon, mom could probably use something to eat and drink. 

Sweet Vine Winery is having a Mother’s Day wine tasting from 5 to 9pm in Denver, NC. But if mom would rather just have a nice quiet dinner, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House has prime beef, fresh seafood and many other fine meals that are sure to satisfy. Other Restaurants in the area are also having special menus for Mother’s Day; all you need to do is choose the one that suits her taste.

A day like this is fine, if you have the time and the money to present this type of gift. But if you would rather give mom something from the heart, Martha Stewart’s website has some very nice handmade gifts that you or your child can make for mom. However, if Martha Stewart is not quite what you are looking for, Disney’s Family Fun site also has many gift ideas the whole family can make and give mom.

So it doesn’t matter what you give mom on her special day. If you live in the Charlotte area, there are many things you can do for mom to make her Mother’s Day as special as she is.

So whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, I’d love to hear from you! … Tiffany Johannes - Help-U-Sell Buy Today – Office Ph: 704-837-0010 Email: tiffany@husbt.com or visit us on the web at www.CharlotteHomeExperts.com
ddj

Should I buy a house in Charlotte NC now? No matter how the economy is or how good your financial situation is, that seems to always be the question. Is the time right, should I make the commitment, what happens if?

The best you can do is to take stock of your situation, check the market, and then maybe see what you can prequalify for in terms of a home loan. The easiest place to start is to check what the “experts” are saying on the Internet about the economy, house prices and so on. 

A quick search of the Internet shows that on April 12th, 2012 MSN Money says that there have been some small increases in interest rates, but housing affordability is still the “best in two decades”.  Since interest rates can mean a great deal in terms of repayment costs, this means that there is a good chance that the home you want is one that you can afford.

Affordability is a definite plus, but what about finding the home you really want and being able to get an offer in before someone else takes it. Well, there seems to be good news in that area also. CBS News says that there is less competition in the home buying area. It seems that many people are looking, but there are fewer serious buyers in the market.  This means the housing market is a buyers' market, and many sellers are willing to go that extra mile to make a sale.

So, we have a relatively good price market, interest rates are down and it’s a buyers market. Still not convinced? We have an interview with Warren Buffet on Feb 27, 2012, where he says, “It is a very good time to buy as many houses as you can”. Warren goes on to say that home prices are cheap, and if he had the means of managing them, he would buy a couple thousand single-family homes. By taking advantage of low-rate mortgages, you can get a 30-year loan and still save money.

Need more convincing? In a March 19, 2012 article, nj.com said that if you have been apartment hunting lately, you will notice that rental rates are up significantly, and available rental units are significantly down. This means that the cost of a rental unit may actually be more then a mortgage payment. The main reason for this is that due to economic and employment challenges many families are choosing or are pushed into renting instead of buying.

Okay, let’s say that you are convinced now would be a good time to buy a home, and you would like to buy in the Charlotte, NC area. What are you looking at in terms of price and types of homes? The Charlotte area housing market has stayed fairly flat. The median list price is $187,000 for a 3-bedroom, 3-bath 2,100 sq. ft. home on a .25 to .50 acre of land. Enough room for you, the kids, and a pet.

Would you really like to see a Broadway Show, but you live in Charlotte, NC?  Well that might just be easier than you think.  The Blumenthal Performing Arts Theaters have Broadway Shows coming in the near future.  The next on the Play bill is “Measure for Measure” and there are others that fill your need to see a Broadway Show.  But wait! Don’t stop with just a night at the theater, there are other activities around Charlotte that will give you all the excitement of the bright lights and big city.

There are public performances of “the Transformed Self: Performance Masks of Mexico”.  These performances show epic tales of Historical events and religious narratives that play a key part of modern life in Mexico at the Mint Museum.  While you are taking in the live performance you can also see “Threads of Identity: Contemporary Maya Textiles” at the Museum.  Either way you are sure to have a fun day or evening out.

If bright lights and museums tend to feel a bit stuffy and you are looking for a good day out or even a picnic you can always visit Lake Norman State Park.  This is the largest manmade lake in North Carolina.  The lake has 32,510 acres of shoreline and is nicknamed the “Inland Sea”.  Along with the public lands there are also homes, rental properties and vacation properties.  As well as other public lands and sites to see.

Another alternative in the outdoor arena is The McDowell Nature Center.  The McDowell Nature Preserve sits on 1108 acres and is the source for educational programs about natural communities, like flora and fauna.  You can hike the grounds, explore the forests or just walk along the banks of Lake Wylie.

So whether you want to see a Broadway Play, enjoy a public performance of ancient rituals, play at the lake or hike a trail.  Charlotte is the best place in the world to do just about anything, including have your home here.

So whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, I’d love to hear from you! … Tiffany Johannes - Help-U-Sell Buy Today – Office Ph: 704-837-0010 Email: tiffany@husbt.com

Yes why should you live in Charlotte or the surronding areas? The answer to that question can be as many faceted as the area.

One place to start is that home prices in the Charlotte Metropolitan area are down about 2.3 percent, giving an already reasonable market a bit of a boost.  Lending rates are also more resonable than they were a few years ago.

The cost of housing begins around the low 130s and go up from there, giving the home buyer the opportunity to find something well within their price range. Affordable housing aside, Charlotte also has a thriving job market.

Charlotte has become of hub for many businesses in the south. The Charlotte Chamber states that,  “Seven of the 500 companies are headquartered in Mecklenburg County. This ranks Charlotte ninth nationally in number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered within the county. These headquarters represent more than $188.4 billion in revenue for 2010. Lowe’s, which is headquartered in nearby Mooresville, increases the Charlotte area headquarters’ revenue to $237.2 billion. More importantly, 273 of the Fortune 500 companies have made a commitment to the city by placing one or more of their facilities within the county.”  Of course this all translates into jobs for the thriving community.

CNN Money has named Charlotte as number 8 in the top 100 places to live and launch in the country. This is because of the job market and overall livability of the area. The friendly neighborhoods range from totally urban to communities with that quiet country feel. The city also has a strong infrastructure with good roads and mass transit opportunities. Regional government also has good planning and leadership capabilities to help the community grow and thrive.

So why should you live in Charlotte? When you think about it, we all need to have a home whether it’s a mansion on the hill or a hobbit hole under the hill. Charlotte is one place you can make that home buying dream come true. Come live in Charlotte and find out for yourself, and whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, I’d love to hear from you! … Tiffany Johannes - Help-U-Sell/Buy Today – Office Ph: 704-837-0010 Email: tiffany@husbt.com or visit us on the web at www.CharlotteHomeExperts.com

Okay, you’re thinking about living in the South Charlotte area, and you love to go rock climbing.  Not that artificial stuff where you climb a wall at the local gym, but actually get out and climb a rock face with all its intricacies and excitement.

Well, if you lived in the South Charlotte area, you could do just that.  The Outdoor Club South does these things and more.  Memberships are available and you can enjoy group oriented activities year round.  Some of the adventures the club has been on include hiking, biking, kayaking, backpacking, and even caving.  There is sure to be something that appeals to your outdoor senses and keeps you active.

But what if you’re not the outdoor type and still would like to find fun in South Charlotte?  If you like to shop, you can go to some of the upscale shopping centers in the SouthPark and Ballantyne area.  There are also shopping centers with everything from outlet stores to Abercrombie and Fitch, with specialty shops in between.

Although shopping ‘till you drop is fun, sometimes you just want to take in the sites and see what is going on in your neighborhood.  Today you can see a hockey game, tomorrow take in the Charlotte Symphony with Natalie Cole, and this weekend, do everything from a NASCAR Viewing Party to a Comedy Improv Musical Variety Extravaganza with the Chuckleheads.  Also, any day of the week you could visit the Billy Graham Museum and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of one of the country’s leading evangelists.

The South Charlotte area also has a rich heritage.  Since the 1990’s, the area has seen a surge of restaurants and shops coming into the area.  Because of this influx of business, the neighborhoods have grown.  Because of this growth, the South Charlotte area represents a fabulous combination of communities with an extraordinary balance of retail, business, and housing.

The best thing about this is that you can enjoy any of these events or opportunities at your leisure, especially since they are virtually in your backyard.  It doesn’t matter if you want to go out or just spend a quite evening at home grilling your favorite recipe. 

If you don’t live in the South Charlotte area, come and see what you are missing.  Whether you’re thinking of buying, selling, or financing real estate, I’d love to hear from you! …Tiffany Johannes - Help-U-Sell Buy Today – Office Ph: 704-837-0010 Email: tiffany@husbt.com or visit us on the web at www.CharlotteHomeExperts.com.