Moving into my New Charlotte Real Estate Website!

Hello to everyone in Charlotte and surrounding areas!  I am moving into my new real estate marketing website from my previous website, www.MoveInCarolina.com.   Feel free to visit often as I will be adding content frequently, including home searches of current homes for sale in neighborhoods around Charlotte, York, Union, and Gaston Counties, blog posts and articles with information about the current real estate markets around Charlotte, and helpful information for Charlotte area buyers and sellers about the process of buying and selling real estate in Charlotte, North Carolina. Enjoy!

Hamilton Lakes – KB Homes in Southwest Charlotte, NC

This is a terrific little home for sale in the Hamilton Lakes subdivision located in Southwest Charlotte, NC near the Rivergate Shopping Center.  It is a home built by KB Home; the floor plan is titled the Richmond.  The plan offers an open living and kitchen area downstairs, with three spacious bedrooms upstairs.  Hamilton lakes features a neighborhood swimming pool located in the middle of the subdivision, convenient to all residents.  Prices start at $133,990 with terrific incentives as well.  For more information about Hamilton Lakes, feel free to contact me via phone or email.

Keller Williams Realty of Fort Mill, SC 29708

Keller Williams Realty of Fort Mill is located in Baxter Village.  We are licensed REALTORS® who provide real estate services to the community of Baxter Village as well as Charlotte, Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Union County, Gaston County, Steele Creek, Uptown Charlotte, Ballantyne, and surrounding towns.  We work as buyers agents to assist buyers in the purchase of real estate and with sellers in the process of listing and selling their homes and property.  If you’re in need of help from a real estate professional, we’re only a call away.  You can reach me anytime at 980-230-9618 or email me at derylak@kw.com.

$8,000 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit – Charlotte, NC

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home but have been hesitant to take the plunge, you still have time! 

With the number of homes currently available in the Charlotte, NC real estate market and surrounding areas, it’s a terrific time for first time home buyers as well as move-up buyers to start shopping for the perfect home.  With the extension of the federal government’s $8,000 first time home buyers tax credit also came the addition of a $6,500 tax credit for buyers who owned their own home for 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years.  This is great news for families looking to upsize or downsize their current homes or just want a change in scenery.
The deadline to take advantage of these tax credits is a little tricky.  You must be under contract on a home by April 30, 2010, and you will have until June 30, 2010 to complete the closing of the transaction.  This means if you’re thinking about making the move, you have 3 months left to find the perfect home and write a contract.
As a REALTOR, I work with buyers all over Charlotte and surrounding areas as an expert buyer’s agent.  In most cases my services won’t cost you a dime!  I will help you search for the perfect home, assist you in writing and negotiating a contract, and walk you through the closing process making sure you’re informed and comfortable throughout the process.  I pride myself on making sure the home buying process is smooth and enjoyable for all my clients, whether it’s your first home or your third.
Call me today so I can begin to assist you in finding the perfect home in time for the tax credit!

Changes to HUD-1 Settlement Statement & Good Faith Estimate

If you’re thinking about buying or selling real estate in Charlotte this year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has made some key changes to two of the forms used in the process of a real estate transaction. HUD implemented these changes, effective January 1, 2010, to the HUD-1 settlement statement and the GFE or Good Faith Estimate. The Good Faith Estimate was the biggest change. It is now a standard form that all lenders will use. The new HUD-1 Settlement Statement will pull certain line items directly from the GFE.

The idea behind the changes to these forms was to help buyers better understand the terms of mortgages from multiple lenders by essential allowing them to compare loans “apples to apples”. The form is simpler than previous GFE’s, and the form spells out key terms of the loan in the very first section of the form.
Lenders will have to be committed to the numbers they provide in the GFE as the new rules require the numbers on the GFE to match the numbers on the HUD-1 at closing or in some cases be within a certain percentage of the original values.
The new forms should make the home buying process clearer for buyers, and it will require the lender to be accountable for the initial numbers it provided to the borrower during the loan application process. The lender, closing attorney and real estate agent will need to be very diligent during the closing process to ensure a smooth and timely closing.

HUD Waives FHA 90 Day Seasoning Rule – Charlotte, NC

As the number of foreclosures continues to climb in Charlotte and across the nation, investors are seeing terrific opportunities to buy distressed properties, fix them up, and sell them for a quick profit. However, HUD has a rule in place that does not allow buyers to obtain FHA mortgage insurance on any property that has not been owned by the current owner for at least 90 days. In our current market where many buyers are seeking FHA financing, this really puts a crimp on investors to buy these foreclosed and distressed properties.
This all changed this month when HUD decided to waive the rule and for the next year allow buyers to obtain FHA mortgage insurance on foreclosed bank owned properties as well as properties flipped by investors. There are a few limitations to the waiver, but for the most part, this will open up many opportunities for buyers currently looking for good deals.
Investors can now purchase these properties with confidence that they can renovate the home in as few days as possible and list it for sale quickly for any and all buyers to purchase.
If you’re interested in buying a foreclosed, distressed, or recently renovated home in the Charlotte area, and you’re searching for a great deal, give me a call and I can update you on the latest properties that fit your needs.

The Town of Ayrsley in Southwest Charlotte NC – Townhomes

Located in Southwest Charlotte, NC is the Town of Ayrsley.  Urban living at its finest, Ayrsley offers its residents a community complete with restaurants, shopping, parks and a large movie theater. 

Ayrsley real estate offers great townhomes built by some of Charlotte’s finest home builders, Ryan Homes and Calloway Homes.  They offer two and three story plans to fit almost any budget.
One of the big attractions of living in Ayrsley is the terrific selection of restaurants all located within walking distance of the townhomes.  Restaurants include a wide variety of tastes such as Wild Wing Cafe, The Red Lion, Portofino’s Italian Restaurant, Pan China, Bel Caffe Italian Coffee House, Saffron Indian Cuisine, Salsa’s Mexico’s Cuisine, Moe’s, Eat Here Now, and McHealthy Cafe.  Also, adjacent to Ayrsley along South Tryon Street  is a shopping center with several other restaurants and shops all within walking distance of the town houses.
Ayrsley Grand Cinemas 14 is great entertainment for the residents of the Town.  It is a very large theater, and one of the best in the areas.  Beside the theater you will find the Hilton Garden Inn, a very nice hotel convenient for guests.
The Steele Creek YMCA is located in the heart of Ayrsley and provides residents with a place to work out by using the weights and cardio equipment, or by enrolling in one of their many classes like yoga, tai chi, aerobics, martial arts, studio spinning, and many other classes.
Commuting from Ayrsley to uptown Charlotte is a short drive, only about ten miles, and because it’s situated at the I-485 & South Tryon juncturer, it is convenient to many other restraunts and shopping.
Begin your Ayrsley real estate search by clicking the link to your right.  For more information about townhomes for sale in Ayrsley, or if you’re thinking about selling your townhome and would like assistance, feel free to give me a call anytime at 980-230-9618.