Saturday, July 31, 2010
Catching waves on Lake Norman: Wakeboarding, skating gain popularity | WCNC.com | Charlotte News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | WCNC.com | News for Charlotte, NC
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Home prices in many areas of U.S. are still falling | Business | Dallas Business, Texas ...
Home prices in many areas of U.S. are still falling | Business | Dallas Business, Texas ...: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Bryton In Huntersville, Huntersville Homes
Bryton In Huntersville NC (edit/delete)
Check out the concept PDF here:
Article form Charlotte Observer 11/22/09
American Asset Corp- Bryton
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I-485 plan: Tap builder cash - CharlotteObserver.com
I-485 plan: Tap builder cash - CharlotteObserver.com
Monday, November 9, 2009
Real Estate Listing Photos- Charlotte, Lake Norman, Uptown, South Charlotte
Attention Realtors & Home Sellers:Need Professional wide angle shots for your listing? Please contact kathy@lknimaging.com or call 704 577 6858 or text.
They will provide 20 wide angle 10 mega-pixel shots for $80.00, emailed within a day, MLS ready with a Picasa Web Album available to view online, showing more photos and any other images you would like to add (floors plans) etc. Additional services are available, brochures, flyer's, e flyer's, very well priced. Please inquire.
According to NAR 87% of homes searches begin online, if so, what is the first criteria a prospective buyer is looking at when they begin their search? PICTURES!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Huntersville, North Carolina - Information Site, Homes for Sale, Information & Links
Huntersville, North Carolina - Information Site, Homes for Sale, Information & Links
Huntersville, North Carolina Information Page full of links, information and all things Huntersville, North Carolina.
(REPOST THIS IS THE PAGE WE WERE REFERRING TO)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Robbins Park, Cornelius, North Carolina - Great Retail & Office Directly Across
LoopNet - Harbour View, Office Building, 18047 West Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC
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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Premier to add 300 jobs, move headquarters to Ballantyne, Charlotte, North Carolina
Good move Premier Inc.! Any relos please call us we will offer buyer credit and put money in your pocket, in writing.
Article from Charlotte Observer:
Premier to add 300 jobs, move headquarters to Ballantyne - CharlotteObserver.com
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Huntersville Presbyterian, Carolina's Medical Center, (Charlotte and Concord ) make list of Top 100 Hospitals
Hospital Value Index: Top 100 Best in Value Hospitals Released | Reuters
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Monday, October 12, 2009
Foreclosures Grow in Housing Market's Top Tiers - WSJ.com
Foreclosures Grow in Housing Market's Top Tiers - WSJ.com
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Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Most Toxic Loans in Commercial Real Estate
Not all commercial real-estate loans are created equal.
In Wednesday’s Journal we reported that U.S. banks have been “slow” to take losses on battered commercial real-estate loans, according to a Federal Reserve presentation to banking regulators last month.
So which are the most toxic loans?
The answer will sound familiar to anyone who’s followed the subprime mortgage meltdown. The Fed presentation points to Interest-only loans, held by banks or repackaged into securities, as the most poisoned piece of the commercial real-estate pie.
Interest-only loans allow borrowers to pay only the interest on the loan for a set period of time but no principal. A lot of these loans were made at the market peak, get no benefit from amortization and have seen a decline of more than 45% in the values of the properties backing the loans, the Fed presentation notes.
As a result, borrowers with these loans likely will a hard time refinancing when they come due. From 2010 through 2013, about $175 billion of five-year interest-only loans bundled into CMBS will mature, but that figure would be much bigger when it comes to interest-only commercial loans held by banks. “CMBS dollar amount is low compared to bank ‘IO’ problem,” says the Fed report, referring to interest only.
Another interesting point made by the Fed presentation is that while commercial real estate is continuing to decline, the reason for the drop is shifting. Up until now, values have dropped about 30% from the peak primarily because of the evaporation of capital and a massive recalculation of risk within the industry, it says. Buyers are demanding much lower prices and higher yields to compensate for the risk they’re taking on.
But now, lower rents and higher vacancies also are dragging down values, the presentation notes, predicting another 10% to 15% decline in 2010.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
North Carolina / Charlotte / Lake Norman Foreclosed Properties - Paid Closing with New Program from Fannie & Freddie
North Carolina / Charlotte / Lake Norman Foreclosed Properties - Paid Closing with New Program from Fannie & Freddie
North Carolina / Charlotte / Lake Norman Foreclosed Properrties - Paid Closing with New Program from Fannie & Freddie Get additional incentives from Fannie & FreddieHelp From Fannie and Freddie for Foreclosed Homes
At least one group of borrowers, though, could get a break. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-controlled companies that buy mortgages in bulk from lenders, are offering financing incentives for buyers of foreclosed homes that Fannie and Freddie own.
Home buyers have until Oct. 30 to apply to take advantage of Freddie Mac’s SmartBuy program, which began in July and offers up to 3.5 percent of a home’s sale price to help cover closing costs.
To qualify, the home must be a principal residence and must be chosen from Freddie Mac’s HomeSteps Web site for its foreclosed properties (homesteps.com/homeshoppers.htm). Loans must close by year’s end. The HomeSteps properties also include two-year warranties on major appliances and electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning and heating systems.
HomeSteps includes relatively few properties in New York City and the surrounding counties, however, in part because Freddie Mac accepts few loans greater than $417,000. Last week, for instance, the site had no homes in Manhattan and five in Westchester County, including a three-bedroom apartment in Yonkers and a four-bedroom home in South Salem, both listed for $300,000. (There were a few more homes in New Jersey and in Fairfield County, Connecticut.)
Nor does the Fannie Mae program, HomePath.com, have many foreclosed homes for sale in the greater New York region. A one-bedroom apartment on West 110th Street, selling for $378,000, was the site’s only Manhattan listing last week. (Thirteen homes were available in Nassau County, by contrast.)
The incentives for buyers in Fannie Mae’s ongoing program are even more aggressive than those offered by Freddie Mac.
Through participating lenders, Fannie will offer mortgages to buyers who make a down payment of 3 percent, and these buyers do not have to secure private mortgage insurance, or P.M.I., as they would when doing business with nearly any other lender.
A Fannie Mae spokeswoman, Amy Bonitatibus, said the company “already owns the risk” on the property. “So buyers can save a couple hundred dollars a month in insurance,” she said.
Fannie Mae will often offer closing cost assistance to buyers, so long as they negotiate for it. Unlike Freddie Mac’s, Fannie’s assistance level is not capped. Under the program, the average homeowner has received payments equivalent to 3.75 percent of the loan’s value.
Until June, Fannie Mae also offered to pay for home repairs during the borrower’s first six months in the property, up to $3,000. The company is considering whether to renew, or change, that program.
Also, in areas hit hardest by the economic downturn that have qualified for federal financing through the National Stabilization Program, which helps distressed communities, Fannie Mae may discount its foreclosed properties by up to 15 percent.
Most of Fannie Mae’s foreclosure incentives are offered to buyers who will use the property as their primary residence, or so-called public entities like Neighborhood Housing Services and other organizations that rehabilitate properties and sell them to owner-occupants.
Banks, meanwhile, have been leery of offering financing incentives on foreclosed homes. But Brad Geissen, the chief executive of Foreclosure.com, which, among other things, posts listings of foreclosed homes, said that in his discussions with banking executives, banks appear ready to offer similar programs.
“We’re starting to see banks loosen up on financing and consider a number of different incentive programs to move their inventory,” Mr. Geissen said. “I know a number of banks who are getting ready to release programs like this, between now and the end of the year.”
Mortgages - Help From Fannie and Freddie for Foreclosed Homes - NYTimes.com
Mortgages - Help From Fannie and Freddie for Foreclosed Homes - NYTimes.com
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Thursday, October 8, 2009
Robbins Park Homes, Cornelius, NC
Robbins Park Homes, Cornelius, North Carolina (edit/delete)
Robbins Park Homes, Cornelius, North Carolina will benefit from a great location.The developing Robbins Park Subdivision, a Simonini project on West Catawba Ave Cornelius, has what I
believe something that will distinguish from most of its competition. The number one component to real estate valuation and desirability - location location location.
Its situated basically across the street form Lake Normans southeast shore along West Catawba, a road dotted with marinas, restaurants and retail. This comprises most of the picture as far as location is concerned.
But, added to that is the community itself featuring new homes in a park like setting. According to plans it will be almost entirely surrounded by a park and nature preserve along with a recreation area nearby featuring ball-fields and other amenities.
If you would like some information or any info regarding Charlotte and Lake Norman shoot us an email or call anytime.
Best Nick
Ps Try our new interactive map search powered by Goole Maps!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Charlotte, Lake Norman North Carolina Real Estate News
Charlotte, Lake Norman North Carolina Real Estate News
Charlotte, Lake Norman North Carolina Real Estate News Columnist Doug Smith recently retired.
This is the last column of Doug Smith, many of us of us in Charlotte, in the real estate biz or not, have followed his "Next Big Thing" pieces for years.
Given his time of writing about Charlotte and documenting our growth so to speak, a few parting words from Doug are worth passing on.
Before I go, some last words of advice
With Charlotte's outerbelt still at least four years from completion, people already are talking about an outer-outerbelt.
They should squelch that idea right now.
Urban sprawl and traffic already are choking suburban areas in the path of Interstate 485.
As quickly as a new interchange opens, developers are all over it with plans for shopping centers, business parks and subdivisions.
Perhaps during this downturn, public policymakers will give serious thought to how the city can concentrate more density inside the urban core and integrate new development with mass transit.
It's happening to some extent along the Lynx light rail line in south Charlotte.
Managing growth is the dominant theme that comes to mind as I reflect on my nearly 20 years of covering real estate and development in Charlotte.
I have a few other pieces of advice as I officially enter retirement:
Build truly efficient urban villages. Mixing office, retail and residential on the same site was one of the hot trends before the economy hit the skids. What's not to like about a Birkdale Village or a Phillips Place?
The concept is good, but the execution since Birkdale and Phillips Place has sometimes fallen short. In their zeal to promote mixed use, public officials have allowed strange configurations of residences and businesses that do little to meet the goals of compactness, fewer car trips and less air pollution.
Resist over-speculation. Developers who thought the boom of the past five years would never end will pay the price, possibly losing office buildings, shopping centers and business parks to foreclosure.
Many gambled – as developers always do when they start a project – but failed to anticipate the upheaval brewing in the financial markets.
Local people in the industry will tell you the problem was exacerbated by out-of-towners trying to jump in and make a quick buck. But hometown development firms are feeling the pain, too, as homebuyers hold back and businesses curtail expansion plans.
Don't succumb to the herd mentality. When the first uptown high-rise condo project proved successful, everyone else it seems plunged into the market, saturating the center city with proposals.
Latecomers learned a hard lesson as legal battles, foreclosure and lender backlash stymied several projects and made buyers skittish.
Only one tall condo tower remains under construction and plans for 10 are out of the picture. Experts believe it could be three years before anyone resumes building residential high-rises. Note to developers: Know when to hold them, know when to fold them.
Build apartments in sync with demand. With unemployment up and uncertainty in the workplace, there won't be enough renters to fill the estimated 6,000 apartment units under construction in the Charlotte area.
The market will be cutthroat as developers offer renters lucrative incentives to fill new projects while older complexes struggle to survive.
This is one of the most puzzling things about Charlotte real estate. Apartment developers have never built to match consumer demand. The cycle is always boom and bust.
Will it be this way forever?
Allow me one last word. In this sluggish economy, elected officials will be eager to get residential and commercial projects started again. Be careful. People will be tempted to make expedient decisions they might regret later.
Now is the time to respond to citizen complaints about unbridled growth. Policymakers should give priority to development that fills gaps in existing neighborhoods and should discourage more land clearing in the distant suburbs. Stick to the plan, without exception.
My tenure reporting on the phenomenal growth of my hometown has been fascinating indeed.
When I began in 1990, construction was just beginning on the 60-story Bank of America Corporate Center.
The first leg of I-485 had been started in south Mecklenburg, but Ballantyne still hadn't been announced.
There were no mixed-use urban villages or uptown residential towers. No Northlake, Concord Mills or Carolina Place malls.
Charlotte's population was 395,934 compared with an estimated 716,874 today.
I can only wonder from the sidelines what the next 20 years will bring.
Thanks Doug enjoy your retirement!
Monday, September 7, 2009
What does Lake Norman Greenways Mean to your Home or your Future Home
Greenways have been shown to increase the value of adjacent properties by as much as 5 to 20 percent.
For example, within a new development in Apex, North Carolina, new lots situated on greenways were priced $5,000 higher than comparable lots off the greenway. In Charlotte, national builders typically charge premiums ranging from $1000 to $5000 for $120,000-$200,000 homes bordering open space and greenways.
Many home buyers and corporations are looking for real estate that provides direct access to public and private greenway systems. Greenways are viewed as amenities by residential, commercial and office park developers who, in turn, are realizing higher rental values and profits. American LIVES, a Real Estate Research Firm, completed a national study of the top reasons that people choose their new home. Walking and biking paths are viewed as extremely important to 74% of buyers nationally. The Crosland Land Company, Charlotte, NC, surveyed 800 new and older Charlotte area homebuyers in 1993 and found that walking/biking paths that meander was the second most important amenity to buyers across all price points and buyer types. Additionally, greenways in Mecklenburg County can also save local tax dollars by utilizing strategies for managing community storm water and placing into productive use landscapes that would not normally be developed for community uses. The 2015 Plan for Mecklenburg County states that Mecklenburg County has a strong record of economic vitality and new jobs. Greenways will enhance the quality of life in Mecklenburg County and ensure long term economic viability. Tourism is currently ranked as the number one economic force in the world. In several states, regional areas, and localities throughout the nation, greenways have been specifically created to capture the tourism potential of a regional landscape or cultural destination. The State of Missouri, for example, spent $6 million to create the 200-mile KATY Trail, which, in its first full year of operation, generated travel and tourism expenditures of more than $6 million. Orange County, Florida spent $2 million to create the 16-mile West Orange Greenway and expects to realize a complete return on its investment in the first year of operation through the economic revitalization of the small towns that lie along the trail's route.
Greenway Name Mileage Status
Upper Little Sugar Creek 1.1 Existing
Lower Little Sugar Creek 1.3 Existing
Mallard/Clark's Creek 3.7 Existing
McAlpine Creek 4.1 Existing
McMullen Creek 1.3 Existing
McAlpine Nature Trail 1.7 Existing
McAlpine Cross Country 3.1 Existing
SUBTOTAL EXISTING 16.3
Mallard/Clark's Creek III 3.0 Planned
Torrence Creek 2.3 Planned
Irwin Creek 3.75 Planned
Lower McAlpine Creek 3.2 Planned
Lower McMullen Creek 1.3 Planned
SUBTOTAL PLANNED 13.55
TOTAL MILEAGE 29.85
E mail me at Nick@LakeandTown.com
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Augustalee, Cornelius North Carolina - Augustalee Update 9/3/2009
Recently, the original owners have had some issues with it's lenders and now have lost the opportunity to continue with Augustalee. Here is an article written in the The Herald that explains the lastest news on the project.
The Michigan pension fund that took over the proposed Augustalee project Thursday predicts it can find the new capital and "additional development expertise" needed to "move the project forward."
In a statement released by their Charlotte attorney Friday, Aug. 28, BUILD Fund officials said they also look "forward to working with officials for Cornelius, other state and local officials and Fifth Third Bank."
Fifth Third Bank is the senior lender on the proposed $155 million, mixed-used development, and the BUILD Fund was the second lender until foreclosing on the original developers, Cornelius Bromont and Bromont Investments.
Katten Muchin Rosenman, the Charlotte law firm representing the BUILD Fund, held a foreclosure sale at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at the firms' offices on the 26th floor of 3 Wachovia Center. The BUILD Fund, which already has advanced the development $19 million, was the sole bidder for Augustalee, offering $2.5 million.
Walt Rector and his son, Josh, who own Cornelius Bromont, the original developers, attended the foreclosure proceeding with their attorney, but neither spoke a word.
Cornelius town officials have participated previously in meetings with the Rectors and officials with the BUILD Fund about "how this would proceed," Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte said Friday, Aug. 28. He said those meetings have been "very civil," and he knows that the Rectors and the BUILD Fund are working together on other projects in Dallas, Texas.
Tarte compared the Augustalee dispute to a "quarrel in a family," although he noted that "families sometimes divorce."
Bradley Pearce, the Charlotte attorney representing the BUILD Fund, told the Herald after Thursday's foreclosure sale that BUILD Fund officials have not asked the Rectors to leave the project. Pearce said negotiations between all the parties are continuing.
Earlier in the week, the Rectors sued the BUILD Fund, accusing the pension fund of breach of contract and unfair trade practices. The Rectors contend the BUILD Fund breached its loan agreement to provide an additional $4 million by May 13, triggering the events that led to the foreclosure. The Rectors have asked a judge to order the BUILD Fund to pay damages or the $4 million it promised.
Through a marketing firm, the Rectors have refused to comment. Amy Pritchard Williams, the Charlotte attorney representing the Rectors, said Friday, Aug. 28, that she could not comment on the foreclosure sale or the Rectors' suit against the BUILD Fund. Fifth Third Bank officials did not attend Thursday's sale and have refused comment previously.
In its prepared statement, BUILD Fund officials said they are "optimistic" about moving forward despite Bromont's "failure to satisfy certain milestones and inability to raise additional capital needed to complete the project, including the financing of certain infrastructure and required offsite improvements."
The BUILD Fund describes itself as "a commingled real estate fund that provides, among other things, equity and mezzanine debt financing for various real estate developments and projects around the country."
Once the BUILD Fund, the Rectors and Fifth Third Bank officials have reached some understanding, Tarte hopes the developers will come to a meeting of the town's Board of Commissioners "to share their view of the project."
"They might not want to change a thing," Tarte said. "They might want to scale back or they might want to do something completely different."
But the best outcome for Cornelius, he said, is getting Augustalee built as designed. "What other project could we bring to that 104 acres, or anywhere in North Carolina, that will immediately create 1,000 construction jobs ... and pay for $120 million in road improvements?" Tarte asked. "We need and want Augustalee," he said. "It would be unbelievably tragic and unfortunate," if the projects fails.
At the same time, the mayor said the BUILD Fund still faces an economy in crisis and a minimum delay of at least a year. "There's no magic," he said. "The biggest hurdle is finding the funding, which will pay for the debt service to begin building. No matter who they are, the owners aren't going to see any revenue until something comes out of the ground."