selling Archives - Alford Realty Group

Lake Norman Utilities List

May 25, 2017 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

When it comes time to move in the Lake Norman area you are probably going to be in need of a Lake Norman Utilities List. This list includes the most popular utility services for Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville and Troutman. If you are still thinking about making your move but haven’t purchased one yet or put your current home on the market and are looking for a real estate professional, Lisa Alford, Broker– Alford Realty Group with Southern Homes of the Carolinas would love to help. Call, text or email 704-408-2834 Lisa@AlfordRG.com.

🔥 Gas

Mooresville: PSNC 1-877-776-2427 http://www.psncenergy.com/en/

Cornelius: Public Service of NC 704-664-3482

or Piedmont Natural Gas 1800-752-7504 http://www.piedmontng.com/

Davidson: Public Service Co of NC 704-664-3482

Huntersville: Piedmont Natural Gas 1800-752-7504 http://www.piedmontng.com/

Troutman: Lake Norman Propane 704-892-3444

☎️ Phone and Internet

Mooresville: Internet/cable: Time Warner Cable 1-866-336-5608 www.TimeWarnerCable.com

or Windstream http://www.windstream.com/ (855)575-7625

if in town: MI Connection 704-660-3840 http://www.mi-connection.com

Cornelius: Internet/cable: Time Warner Cable 1-866-336-5608 www.TimeWarnerCable.com

Davidson: Internet/cable: Time Warner Cable 1-866-336-5608 www.TimeWarnerCable.com

Huntersville: Internet/cable: Time Warner Cable 1-866-336-5608 www.TimeWarnerCable.com or Prestige Cable 704-663-6632

💡 Electricity

Mooresville: Duke Energy 1-800-777-9898 www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina/

Energy United 1-800-522-3793

Cornelius: ElectriCities – 704-948-0550 or Duke Energy 1800-777-9898 or Energy United 704-892-0278 or 1800-636-2371

Davidson: Duke Energy 1800-777-9898

Huntersville: Duke Energy 1800-777-9898 or ElectriCities 704-948-0550

Or Energy United 704-892-0278 or 1800-636-2371

Troutman: South Iredell Electric 704-663-5829

🗑️ Garbage/Trash Pickup

Mooresville: (if in town) city services contact: Mooresville 704-663-3800 http://www.ci.mooresville.nc.us/150/Business-Office-Water-Sewer-Billing

Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a small service company that services your neighborhood. You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is.

Cornelius: www.Cornelius.org 704-892-6031 or 704-333-7825

Davidson: www.ci.davidson.nc.us or Allied Waste or BSI – 704-393-6900

Huntersville: Waste Management 704-279-4890

Troutman: www.TownofTroutman.org

🚰 Water & Sewer

Mooresville: If you are in town- city services contact: Mooresville 704-663-3800 http://www.ci.mooresville.nc.us/150/Business-Office-Water-Sewer-Billing Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood. You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is. Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

Cornelius: City of Charlotte 704-336-2211 Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood. You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is. Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

Davidson: City of Charlotte 704-336-2211 Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood. You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is. Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

Huntersville: City of Charlotte 704-336-2211 Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood. You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is. Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

Troutman: www.TownofTroutman.org also, Troutman Sewer 704-528-7600 Note: if you are not in the town limits, you likely have a service company that services your neighborhood. You should check with your agent (or a neighbor) as to whom that is. Or, you may be on a well and septic tank, again, check with your agent or a neighbor.

📺 TV & Cable

Time Warner Cable 1-866-336-5608 www.TimeWarnerCable.com

Windstream http://www.windstream.com/ (855)575-7625

Dish 1-866-359-3584 www.dish.com

Direct TV 1-888-777-2454 www.directv.com

In Town of Mooresville: MI Connection 704-660-3840 http://www.mi-connection.com

In Towns of Cornelius, Davidson & Huntersville: Prestige Cable 704-663-6632 or Time Warner Cable 1-866-336-5608 www.TimeWarnerCable.com

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Waterfront Condos and Townhomes
Mooresville Golf Course Homes
Mooresville 750,000 to 1,000,000
Mooresville 500,000 to 750,000
Mooresville 350,000 to 500,000
Mooresville 250,000 to 350,000
Mooresville 100,000 to 250,000
Lake Norman Waterfront below 400,000
Lake Norman Waterfront 800,000 to 1 million
Lake Norman Waterfront 600,000 to 800,000
Lake Norman Waterfront 400,000 to 600,000
Lake Norman Waterfront 1 million to 2 million
Lake Norman Waterfront over 2 million
Lake Norman Foreclosures and Short Sales
Huntersville homes 750,000 to 1 million
Huntersville homes 500,000 to 750,000
Huntersville 350,000 to 500,000
Huntersville homes over 1 million
Huntersville Golf Course Homes
Huntersville below 150,000
Huntersville 150,000 to 250,000
Davidson Golf Properties
Cornelius Homes under 150,000
Cornelius Golf Course Homes
Mooresville over 1 million
Davidson 100,000 to 250,000
Davidson 250,000 to 350,000
Davidson 350,000 to 500,000
Davidson 500,000 to 1 million
Davidson Golf Course Homes
Cornelius 150,000 to 250,000
Cornelius 350,000 to 500,000
Cornelius 500,000 to 750,000
Cornelius 750,000 to 1 million
Cornelius over 1 million
Cornelius Golf Course Homes

Spring 2015 Real Estate Market Trends

May 11, 2015 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

It’s always good to keep up with the real estate market trends in your area. Here in the North Charlotte and Lake Norman area we were told it was going to be a great spring in the real estate market this year. Boy were the experts right! We are having an amazing year! We are still seeing good gains in value and we are still suffering from not having enough homes for buyers to choose from. The basic laws of supply and demand are in full force in our real estate market. In fact, I have spoken with several agents in different locations in the Southeast and it seems that most of the major towns in the Southeast are experiencing the same type of market.

What type of market is it? It’s a seller’s market! If you aren’t really sure what a seller’s market is (most of us haven’t seen one in quite some time), it can be explained by simply stating that sellers are more in the driver’s seat of transactions. There are fewer homes for buyers to pick from and the demand from buyers is high, very high in fact. Seller’s who are ready to sell are finding that they are able to sell very quickly and are getting more for their homes than they were just a year ago. In fact, the overall transaction is better for the sellers as buyers are not able to put as many demands on sellers.

For the buyer, it’s game on time! Buyers are having to be far more competitive in their actions to be able to purchase a home. They have to be ready before they ever go out looking (pre-qualified with a lender and no home to sell). A buyer must be ready to act quickly in this market too or risk loosing the home they like. If they find the home they want, they really need to go ahead and make an offer on it and have it be a good offer or they can risk loosing the home to another buyer. We are seeing multiple offer situations which can be much worse for the buyer than if the buyer just made a good strong offer right from the get go. If they try to get a better deal out of it, those negotiations take time. During that time, other buyers may very well come along and quickly turn it into a bidding war.

Let’s take a look at the overall Charlotte market from April 2014 to April 2015. We see that the median sales price has jumped in one year from $170,000 to $181,000. That’s a rise of 5.5% which is very good and would make any seller jump for joy!

Now let’s take a look at the Mooresville area market from the same time period of April 2014 to April of 2015. We see that the median sales price has jumped in one year from $215,000 to $236,000. That’s a rise of 8.0%!! One can see that our Lake Norman market is just on fire right now!

Whether you are a buyer or a seller you need to be aware of the market conditions and what that means to you as a buyer or seller. Lisa Alford with Alford Realty Group stands ready to help you understand the market and navigate your way to the best deal possible. Lisa truly believes in treating each of her clients like she would want her family member treated. Any of her former clients will confirm that, see her reviews here. She also puts a high priority on client education. She believes that educating the client is the best way to help them make smart decisions. Contact Lisa today to get started!

Why winter may be the best time to sell your home

January 9, 2015 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

For many people thinking of selling their home in the Lake Norman and Charlotte area they wonder when is the best time to sell your home? Most people tend to think the only correct answer is spring or early summer but that is not necessarily true. Winter is actually a great time to sell your home! There may be higher numbers of buyers out looking at homes in the spring and summer, but one should not overlook the possibility of selling in the winter. During the winter months, the real estate inventory or number of homes on the market is much lower and the buyers do not have as much to choose from. We find that typically, the buyers in the winter months are more serious, more focused buyers and are quicker to make a decision to purchase. Part of the reason for that is that the competition from other buyers is so much higher because of the low inventory of homes to choose from. Another factor is that buyers are not as busy in the winter months with other activities like sports, trips, events and other things that take away from their ability to go and see homes.

First, let’s take a look at some statistics to see what happens in our real estate market in December. Alford Realty Group works the Lake Norman and North Charlotte area real estate market so we will take a look at those numbers. Looking at the single family residence statistics in our market there there has been a 11.5% decrease in the number of homes available for sale during the month of December over the last two years. During that same time period the number of closed sales has increased by 25.7%. Also, during that same time period the average sales price has climbed by $24,368. This is a result of the basic laws of supply and demand along with the improving health of the real estate market. The total number of months of supply on the market has dropped by 32.3% for December during last two years as well. The average number of days on market is now only 50 days, down 35.3% from two years ago during this same time period!

These are some pretty interesting statistics. We need to think about what does all of this data tell. For starters it’s showing us that the real estate market is doing great! For anyone who owns real estate, they know that’s great news! However, if you are looking to sell your home anytime soon, it also tell us that winter is a great time to sell your home! By looking at these facts one can easily tell that selling in the spring or summer may not actually be the best time to sell your home. There are buyers are out there and they want to buy your home. Not only that, but because of the low inventory, you may wind up getting more for your home now then you would if you waited until spring. Again, it’s simple supply and demand. In the spring, the supply of homes available on the market goes significantly higher.

If you are considering selling your home, it’s a good idea to at least go ahead and speak with a real estate agent now. Ask them about how home sales are doing this winter in your local market and what your home is worth in today’s market. If you live in the Charlotte or Lake Norman area, we at Alford Realty Group would love to be of assistance to you, contact us today! If you don’t live in our area, contact us anyway. We have a very large network of agents across the country and we’ll be happy to find a great real estate agent to help you out, and it won’t cost you anything.

How to Prepare for an Open House – and Showings

January 2, 2015 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

It is very important to have your house looking it’s best for an open house and for showings. Remember that buyers are comparing your home to all the others they see on the market. That includes brand new professionally staged homes and other resale homes on the market that is similar in size, etc to your home. You, as a seller, are in a competition with other sellers for the buyers. Here are some tips to help you win!

For many homes and markets, professional help from someone in “staging” makes good financial sense. Like this video says, check your staging options first.
If you are doing it yourself, here are 5 key tips.
One – Depersonalize.
You want the buyer to envision this house being their home.
Remove the things that make it YOUR home – photos, awards, collections, and STUFF.
Two – MOVE the stuff.
It’s tempting to shove things in closets and attics but your prospective buyer will see a much smaller house if those spaces are full.
Move it to a storage space or a friend’s garage.
Three – Warm it up, make it feel like and inviting home
Baking bread or cookies
adding fresh flowers
and colorful pillows and throws
are touches used by professional stagers to make a place warm without your stuff.
Four – Light it up!

Light sells homes, many builders put much higher wattage bulbs in their light fixtures to make the place look brighter and more appealing.
Clean windows, inside and out.
Light bulbs all working and curtains open or even gone.

Five – Go Away.
Don’t hover – leave.
Pack for a day trip for open houses or a shopping trip for showings and have your realtor tell you when to return
Buyers won’t envision themselves buying if you’re around, in fact they will leave ASAP because they feel uncomfortable
Depersonalize and move stuff out;
Warm it up and light it up.
Then leave and let the realtor do their job.

Granite vs Quartz Countertops

November 17, 2014 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

There seems to be a lot of quartz counter tops going into homes in the Charlotte, Mooresville and Lake Norman areas lately. Although many homeowner’s are sticking with granite. I wondered, what’s the advantage of one over the other? So, I did some investigating. Here’s what I found:

Granite counter tops are quarried directly from the earth as a single piece. They are all natural stone and have been taken out of the earth as large blocks that can be cut into individual slabs and then polished.

Quartz counter tops are made from a crushed quartz mixed with a small amount of resin. They are manufactured in a variety of different patterns and colors.

Pros and Cons of Granite:

Designs are not uniform, it is as nature created it. Some people may love this and others may not.
Granite needs to be sealed before they are used and again every year for as long as you own the counter top.
Granite is porous and can only be considered stain-resistant if it has been sealed.
Because granite is very porous it can harbor bacteria. However, a proper sealing (and you must remember to seal annually) will help cut down on this concern.
Granite counter tops are very durable but are not indestructible. They can chip, break or get scratched. But if treated with care they can last a lifetime.
The seems will show, no matter what you do the seems will show.
Granite is more likely to stain than quartz.

Pros and Cons of Quartz:

Quartz counter tops are just as strong as granite but also have added flexibility due to the resin mixed in. This makes them easier to install. However, they are heavier than granite and need to be professionally installed.
Quartz is non-porous and does not need sealing – ever. That’s a lot of time and effort being saved over the years.
Because Quartz is non-porous it will not harbor bacteria.
Quartz counter tops are very durable and are stain resistant but are not indestructible.
One big drawback is if the counters are exposed to direct sunlight over a long period of time they can start to discolor. So if you have a portion of your color that gets direct UV rays, after a long period of time it may look a little different than the rest of the counter top.

Cost

The quartz counters will typically cost you a little bit less from what I can tell unless you go with a very low end granite slab. Either way the cost difference won’t be very much.

Either of these two counter tops will make a lovely addition to any home and will help increase your home’s value. Call me today for more ideas on how to increase your home’s value in today’s market!

I hope this helped some of you, I know I learned a lot from researching the information. If you are looking to purchase a home with either granite or quartz counters I can certainly help you find the right one and make your buying experience a pleasant one. Visit my website www.AlfordRealtyGroup.com today to get started or to look for useful buyer or seller tips!

How to Stage a Home for Sale

November 5, 2014 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

If you are considering selling your home, you probably want to know how to stage a home for sale. Here in the Lake Norman area as with many areas, it is estimated that only 10% of home buyers can visualize the potential of a home. That means 90% can’t look past the imperfections that you don’t even notice anymore.

Ever notice that when you walk into model homes they are warm and inviting? You can have that same house built with the same colors and everything and then notice 3 months later that it doesn’t look anything like that model home. The difference is staging!

I asked my friend and favorite professional home stager Amy Simmons to provide some tips for home staging. Amy says the goal of home staging is to keep your home comfortable for you while showing your home in it’s most positive light and allowing your buyer’s to see how easily their family will fit in it too! Here are some of the tips she offered that all of us can easily incorporate:

Outside Tips:

Spruce up the outside of your home for curb appeal buyers see your home from the outside first. In fact, they are already forming an opinion of your home before they ever step foot inside. They walk around and look at the outside. They have to stand in the doorway waiting for their agent to unlock the door. Present the outside of your home as if it were the star in a movie! Make them excited to go inside.

Pressure wash your home
clean up flower beds
Put fresh paint on the shutters and doors if needed
Consider replacing/updating the door knob and light fixtures
Spruce up the porch, add a bench/chair if you can, add flowers or greenery
How do the porch railings look – do they need painting?

Inside tips

DECLUTTER – this is the biggest thing that needs attention in most homes, pick up all those things that you know shouldn’t be lying around and put them away or get rid of them.

Bigger is better – We want the rooms to look spacious and comfortable. One of the best things we can do to start this off is to paint the walls a nice neutral color. Years ago we were told to stay away from white, but this is really a good idea when staging a home. Netural walls help the home look clean, crisp and provide a fresh palette for the buyer. Try a soft beige or even a cream to create a clean and welcoming environment. One of the newest trends is a light gray! Gray is a more modern color, so if your home style is modern, this might be a good choice for you. Also, consider hanging curtains that are the same color as the walls, this can also help a room look larger.

If you have a junk room, transform the space into a usable space. Give it definition and purpose. Bring in a table and a comfortable chair to create an office or place several overstuffed chairs or couch and use the space as a reading nook.

The kitchen seems to be the highlight of any house; even if the buyers don’t cook! With this in mind it is very important the kitchen gets your full attention. For old cabinets, try a coat of paint and updated hardware. Another great product is Rustoleum cabinet resurfacing kit. Counters should be free of clutter. It’s hard for a buyer to envision their life in your house if they see everything in your pantry and cabinets out on the counters!

Most of us are not using light properly. Lighting can create a warm and inviting space so try increasing the wattage in your lamps and fixtures. HGTV recommends that you aim for a total of 100 watts for every 50 square feet. Don’t depend on just one or two fixtures per room either. Make sure you have three types of lighting: ambient (general or overhead), task (pendant, under-cabinet or reading) and accent (table and wall).

Creating a welcoming environment on a conscious budget can be as easy as walking into your yard for fresh greenery. Fresh flowers or sprays of greenery on the center of a table bring color and create a focal point ot any room. Accessories are like the sprinkles on a cupcake! A piece of pottery, a candle stick, or even a stack of well-worn books can add a ton of visual interest to a room. Always remember the rule of thumb, place accessories in odd numbers in a triangle.

Of course, we always recommend that if you are trying to sell your home and really want top dollar for your home, take care of all the needed repairs. Nobody wants to walk into a home and see repairs that need to be made. It makes them immediately start thinking there could be even bigger issues going on. Present a home in great condition that looks beautiful and you will get top dollar every time.

If you are thinking of selling your home, please contact us today so that we can get you started on the right path to getting you the most money in the least amount of time possible. If you are wondering what your home is worth, simply provide your address here and we will get back to you shortly with an estimated value.

If you would like more information about Amy Simmons and how she can help stage your home either for sale or for living in. Contact her at AmyMSimmons@yahoo.com or visit her website here.

Want to sell your home faster & for more money? Home Warranty!

October 23, 2014 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

At Alford Realty Group, located in Mooresville, NC by beautiful Lake Norman, we are always striving to get our clients’ homes sold faster and for more money. We are continuously looking for better ways to position our clients’ homes on the market to make them stand out to buyers. We have always recommended that sellers offer home warranties with the sale of their homes to make them more attractive to potential home buyers. We were pleased today to find additional proof to back up that recommendation.

According to a new study released by the Service Contract Industry Council, homes that are covered by a protection plan sell faster and for more money than those without one. The study showed that homes with a protection plan sold on average 11 days sooner than those without one. The findings also show that homes with a home warranty sold on average for about $2,300 more than homes without a protection plan. The average basic home warranty typically cost between $350-$500. That’s a great return on your investment! Some plans, like the one we recommend (America’s Preferred Home Warranty) even gives the seller some coverages while the home is listed for sale.

The study results indicated that buyers are finding that the extra protection of a service contract can ease the home purchase apprehension. Home buyers also like the fact that the home warranty can be transferred to a new owner in the future so when the buyer is ready to sell the home will have an increased resale value.

Home warranties give sellers a competitive edge. They also give buyers some peace of mind knowing that the everyday breakdowns than can occur on appliances at any time are covered. These warranties help homeowners avoid the unexpected, potentially larger repair and service bills on items like HVAC systems, plumbing and even roof leaks. A buyer and their agent should carefully review the plan to make sure it has the protections that the buyer wants. These plans can usually be upgraded to cover more items if the basic plan doesn’t cover everything the buyer wants it to. The home warranties that sellers provide usually come with a one year warranty to the buyer, the buyer can later purchase additional years coverage at their choosing.

2014 Chili Cook Off

September 29, 2014 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

Alford Realty Group had a booth at the 2014 Great Chili Cook Off in Mooresville, NC (Lake Norman area) on Saturday, September 27, 2014. The Cook Off was a great success! Such a fun day in Mooresville to get out and try a bunch of great chili, listen to music, dance and meet and greet with a bunch of our neighbors!

Alford Realty Group had a display set up of some of our listed homes for sale, free kitchen substitutes magnet, Panther’s schedules, and information for those looking to buy or sell a home in the Mooresville or general Lake Norman area. All of our employees were there to greet everyone, smiling and having a great time.

Alford Realty Group was having a contest in conjunction with Monarch Mortgage and there were several great prizes up for grabs including 2 gift baskets, $25 gift cards and T-shirts. Everybody who visited our booth was given a bag of candy to help cool their mouths after tasting all that hot chili!

The winners of Alford Realty Group’s contest were:

Chili Basket & T Shirt – Misty Phillips

Sausage & Cheese basket – Kristen Needham

$25 Gift Card – Ryan Barlaan

$25 Gift Card – Maria Diaz

T shirt – Stacie Bown

T shirt – Kelly Butner

Congratulations to you all! You will be contacted directly about how to pick up your prizes.

The winners of the Chili Cook Off itself were:

1st Place – SAKS Orthodontics

2nd Place – Eric Schriver

3rd Place – Mooresville Pediatric Dentistry

Best Restaurant Chili – Silver Spur Saloon

People’s Choice – Hospice & Palliative Care Hospice of Iredell Co.

Spirit Award – Future Fashion Designers

Appraisal and inspection BEFORE you SELL?

September 2, 2014 by lisaalford 4 Comments

If you are planning to sell you home in or around the Lake Norman area, it is important to get an appraisal and an inspection report first. There are a number of reasons for recommending this. Lake Norman area home values have gone up while the real estate market has continued to be a great market for both buyers and sellers. Making sure your home is properly priced and is in top condition will help YOU be ahead of the curve and will ultimately bring you more money and less headaches.

Reasons why you should get a home inspection and appraisal before you put your Lake Norman home on the market:

MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO BUYERS

One of the best reasons to get your Lake Norman area home appraised and inspected before putting your home on the market is that it will be more competitive and buyers will feel more comfortable. Too many people put offers in on homes only to find out there is something seriously wrong with the home. The buyers are then upset because they feel they have wasted money on getting a home inspection and are now scared to buy your home. More than likely, they will run. You will have lost a sale and they will be angry because they spent time and money (not to mention the emotional toll) on your home which they no longer want because they are scared of what else might be happening. You will still have to get the repairs done but have lost the buyer.

Getting your Lake Norman home appraised before listing it is equally important. In fact, it can save you lots of time and money! What if you were to sell your home only to find out that it actually appraised for a good bit more than it sold for? Or, what if you sold your home and then it wouldn’t appraise for the amount you sold it for? Both of these situations can be very upsetting for all parties involved. While many subdivision homes can be fairly easily assessed by a good CMA from your real estate agent, some of the lake homes or homes with land in our area are not so easy and errors can be made. A real estate agent can make an educated assessment of what your home should sell for but we are not appraisers and sometimes there can be a difference.

LEADS TO HIGHER OFFERS

Another significant reason to get your Lake Norman area home inspected and appraised before listing it is the fact that it will lead to higher offers. Having an inspection and an appraisal in hand becomes a strong selling point. The buyer knows it has been recently inspected and are aware of any repairs, termites or other problems. The buyer also knows it will appraise for approximately what the asking price is and there are no surprises. Buyers don’t like surprises, especially ones that cost them time and money. Having an appraisal and inspection done also makes you a more honest seller in the buyer’s mind because you took the time and effort to make sure you are selling them a good home and/or are giving them a full report and not hiding anything. This makes the buyer feel more comfortable and often leads to higher offers since the buyer feels confident in the asking price and confident in the condition of the home.

LEADS TO MORE OFFERS AND LESS TIME ON MARKET

For the same reasons that getting your Lake Norman area home appraised and inspected before putting it on the market will lead to higher offers, it will also lead to more offers and less time on the market. Your agent will likely advertise the fact that your home is pre-inspected and pre-appraised, this will increase the number of people who are interested in your home. Once inside your home, your inspection report and appraisal should be proudly displayed where potential buyers can thumb through it and see for themselves what a great home you are offering for sale. This make them feel more confident and comfortable in making an offer right away.

SMOOTHER CLOSING PROCESS

After the offer is made and a contract is signed, the most important thing is to see that it goes to the closing table as smoothly as possible. Having your Lake Norman home appraised and inspected goes a long way toward preventing any issues between the contract signing and closing. After all, you have already taken care of the necessary repairs and we have already determined the value of the home. If not done in advance, those two things can be huge stumbling blocks and have lead to many contracts being cancelled. In fact, issues arising from them are probably the #1 reasons why contracts don’t close.

BOTTOM LINE

Many buyers think that some sellers will try to cover up problems and only show the best aspects of the home. Getting you Lake Norman home appraised and inspected will alleviate many concerns the buyers may have and help them to feel confident in their choice. Having these things done in advance allows everyone to focus on on closing the deal. It’s just good basic sales practice, you are providing all the information they need, answering any concerns they may have and providing PROOF that you home is as great as you say it is.

While nothing is guaranteed, getting your home inspected and appraised by licensed professionals puts you far above the crowd in presenting your home and yourself with the highest standards and allowing buyers to feel confident in your home and in working with you as a seller.

If I can help advise you on selling your home in the Lake Norman, Mooresville or greater Charlotte area, contact me today! I have years of experience with real estate transactions and I know the area real estate market.

A New Take on 50 Shades of Gray – for decorating!

August 25, 2014 by lisaalford Leave a Comment

Tired of the same old “real estate beige” in every Lake Norman, Mooresville or Charlotte area home you see? Well according to Realtor.com’s recent write up here so are many others. In fact, they say that gray is the new IT color for neutral. Gray allows for a sophisticated look allowing one to blend in blacks, whites and I think a single pop or two of color would look nice too 🙂 It also allows for a relaxed atmosphere and you can either brighten it up or darken it up depending on your taste, furniture, etc. just by adjusting the shade you choose.

According to the article, sum 58% of designers are predicting gray as the new go to color for neutral decorating. Others are also suggesting stark white as their favorite. In today’s market homes must appeal to the masses, be in top showing condition and look sleek and modern. For most buyers, the days of looking for a fixer upper are gone. They want a home that is ready to move into with very minimal (if any) changes/updates.

For years, we real estate agents have promoted beige for the best neutral color. The reason is that it doesn’t offend anyone and with a good neutral color, families can more easily imagine their own furnishings in the home. That’s the same reason we recommend taking down all family photos. The minute a potential buyer sees your family pictures (as sweet as those baby/wedding/family photos are) they stop seeing themselves in the home and start seeing you and your family in the home. That’s not what we are after, one of the biggest goals in showing a home is that the potential buyer will see themselves in the home.

For more tips on staging your home for sale, or to find out how much your home would sell for in today’s market, contact me today!

Lisa Alford