Positive news has flooded the real estate industry within the past couple of weeks, which all holds true for our local Charlotte real estate market! Not only do signs point to now being a great time to buy a home in Charlotte, but things are turning around. Signs also point to now becoming a great time to sell a home!

As your Charlotte real estate agent, it’s vital that I help you keep up significant real estate news. Therefore, allow me to share the main points in this recently press release from the National Association of Realtors:

• Median existing single-family home prices are firming and stabilizing in most metro areas! In the first quarter of 2012, the median home price rose in 74 out of 146 metro areas. These numbers are based off of closings in the first quarter of this year, compared to the first quarter of 2011. One factor for this, according to the NAR press release, is that homebuyers in these areas have the necessary income needed to buy a home, thanks to the low mortgage rates.

• Inventory for homes for sale has decreased in the first quarter. At the end of the quarter, there were 2.37 million existing homes for sale, which is 21.8 percent lower than the amount available at the end of the first quarter in 2011. With that said, the press release also mentioned that there is a broad shortage in lower priced homes throughout the country, so the homes that are available are set at a higher, more stable price range!

• Even with the low inventory, Americans are out to buy homes! Existing home sales increased 4.7 percent in the first quarter of this year, which is higher than the amount sold in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 5.3 percent higher than the amount sold in the first quarter of 2011! In fact, this was the highest first quarter sales since 2007.

• Aside from the national average, in the East, existing home sales rose a whopping 8.6 percent in the first quarter and were 6.6 percent above what they were in the first quarter of 2011. Our part of the country had the highest increase of them all!

With a lower inventory of homes for sale, home sellers can negotiate higher listing prices than they could in the past few years. Add in that homes are still selling, with increased home sales, and that home prices are stabilizing and expected to improve within the year, this all points to a great time to sell your Charlotte home!

So wait, it’s becoming a good time to buy a home AND to sell a home in Charlotte, NC? No wonder NAR proclaimed 2012 to be the year of housing recovery!

As your Charlotte real estate agent, I want to make sure you understand the significance of this positive, exciting news. After we’ve lived through a strong buyer’s market, it’s great to see the two sides begin to balance out. As a home seller, you could wait to sell to see if home prices continue to increase. However, do know that inventory will continue to increase as well when that happens. If you want to get ahead of the crowd, NOW is the time to sell in Charlotte!

Either way, contact me to begin the home-selling process. Check my website for tips on selling, and contact me for local information on what homes are selling for in the Charlotte real estate market. Together we will make sure your Charlotte home sells for the best possible price!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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Are you familiar with the short sale process? According to this ForeclosureTruth.com article, 2012 is the year for short sales! While foreclosure and REO numbers decreased, short sales to investors were up almost five percent over the six-month period ending February 2012!

While short selling has numerous pros over foreclosing, one dilemma with short selling is how long the process can take. Fortunately, steps are being taken this year to shorten that period! Bank of America is making changes to its short-selling procedures that will shorten decision time to 20 days, according to this Inman News article. Since then, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced plans to shorten the process as well.

What does all this mean? Short sales are the way to go in Charlotte, NC when you have a distressed property to sell! Feeling like foreclosure is your only option can be disheartening and overwhelming. To learn more about the benefits of choosing short sale over foreclosure, visit my short sale website. If you decide it’s something that interests you, let us help you find out if you qualify.

To see what my short sale listings look like for the Charlotte, NC area, check out these three:

Exceptional full brick home that shows better than a model! Open two-story foyer, formal dining room with trey ceiling and accent lighting, formal LR with bay window. Two-story great room with huge palladium window, accent shelves and FP. The open kitchen is loaded with stainless steel appliances, intimate breakfast nook and gleaming hardwoods. Master on main level with bay window and glamor bath.

Pre-approved short sale! Very nice midrise unit located in the heart of Harrisburg. Within walking distance to restaurants, shops and schools. Nice condo community. Features an efficient kitchen, breakfast and open family room. Both bedrooms are spacious and offer good sized baths.

To view the listings in their entirety, you can visit my Featured Listings page.  

Think short selling is the right option for you? Contact me, your Charlotte real estate agent! I can answer all of your questions and help you find out if you and your home qualify for a short sale. Short sales don’t damage your credit score like foreclosures, don’t show up on your credit score, do not affect your employment opportunities and don’t prevent you from buying a home in the future.

Don’t let this option pass you by. Visit my short sale website, check out my Charlotte real estate market listings and contact me when you’re ready to find out more!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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As the Charlotte real estate market gains popularity this time of year, so too does the desire of Americans to buy a home! Even with the housing crisis that we’ve experienced for the past few years, a recent poll by Fannie Mae, and reported on by the National Association of Realtors, found that two-thirds of renters want to purchase a home in the future! Homeownership is still the American dream!

Are you one of those renters wanting to make the switch? As this recent NAR article reports, 15-year mortgage rates dove to their lowest on record. They hit 3.11 percent last week, while 30-year mortgage rates are also hovering at their all-time low.

This means that homeownership is more affordable than ever! Houses are sold for affordable prices in a buyer’s market, especially short sale properties, and mortgage rates make owning a home cheaper than renting! Why wouldn’t you make the shift?

While you take your time making this important decision, do know that a recent CNNMoney.com article named the 10 fastest growing U.S. cities, and one was Charlotte, NC! Charlotte saw a 64.6% population growth between 2000 and 2010. Our city is a popular one, so homes often get snatched up fast. Buying a home in Charlotte is not a decision you want to sit on at this time of year!

If you still aren’t convinced that now is the time to buy, here are some more recent media articles that might convince you:

• DSNews.com states that the housing crisis will end this year as banks loosen credit standards. This is important news for all the renters that are nervous about being accepted for a mortgage loan!

• The majority of real estate professionals believe that the real estate market will improve by 2013. That means if you buy now, and then the market improves, the investment opportunity for you is huge! 

• NAR found that while home sales slightly dipped in February, they are still much higher than they were a year ago, which has been the trend this year. In the spring Charlotte real estate market, home sales will definitely surge as more and more people jump on board with buying a home! 

When you make the commitment to buy a home in the Charlotte, NC area, check out my website for tips on how to get a mortgage, how to use a mortgage calculator to figure out mortgage payments for any of my listings, relocation resources and so much more! As your Charlotte real estate agent, I am here to help you every step of the way on your home-buying adventure in Charlotte.

Contact me today when you’re ready to embark on the American dream!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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When you’re ready to sell your home in Charlotte, NC, you’ve got to choose an agent that stays on top of real estate trends and will know how to get the job done fast! You don’t want to become a house that sits on the Charlotte real estate market for years, untouched by potential homebuyers. You want to be a home seller that can successfully sell your home in a short time and at a good price. As your Charlotte real estate agent, I can help you do that.

One of the many real estate designations that I have is CRS, which stands for Certified Residential Specialist! This is a prestigious certificate that less than one percent of the Realtors in the Charlotte, NC area have! According to the CRS website, CRS is the highest designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The Council of Residential Specialists is an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.

To obtain this title, I went through an extensive training course that taught me how to become more effective with listings, selling, pricing and more. Last year, I listed over 50 homes and sold 36! I have a unique marketing plan that I tailor-make to move homes in 64 days or less.

As a home seller in the Charlotte, NC area, how does this sound to you?

I know methods that will get your home sold fast, which is important in a buyer’s market. Home sales are up, which means that homes are selling in Charlotte right now! Let me help!

If you’re looking to buy a home in Charlotte, I have an abundance of listings on my website from the Charlotte real estate market for you to check out. Below is an example of one of my Featured Listings. As a seller, you can get an idea of what your listing would look like on my website:

Price: $310,000

Address: 5100 Boulware Court 18, Charlotte NC 28277

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

Partial Baths: 1

Area: 05 - Mecklenburg County (S)

County Name: Mecklenburg

Sub Area: 5 S. Mecklenburg-8 Subarea

Subdivision: Providence Crossing

Acres: 0.83

Type: Single Family

Description: Nearly one-acre lot situated in a cove amidst mature landscaping. Honorable mentions: heavy moldings, gleaming hardwood floors, fireplace, 12-foot ceilings, dual staircase, full brick, large living areas and semi-private backyard. Glam master suite offers garden tub, separate shower, water closet, dual vanities, vanity seat and walk-in closet. Home is ready for immediate occupancy!

For the full listing, click here. 

Yours could be next! Contact me to get the home-selling process started for your Charlotte, NC home. As a buyer, contact me for help finding the home of your dreams in the Charlotte area! The Charlotte real estate market is ready for you, and with my CRS designation, I am the Charlotte real estate agent you’ve been looking for!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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It’s Easter weekend in Charlotte, NC! Flowers are blooming everywhere, with every bright color reminding us of how everything comes back to life at this time of year. It’s a beautiful time to live in Charlotte, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate around town!

There are tons of fests, egg hunts, Easter Bunny appearances and brunches to keep you social and joyful this holiday weekend in Charlotte. To help you plan your weekend and Easter morning accordingly, I’ve put together information on some of the biggest events you won’t want to miss. As your Charlotte real estate agent, I want to make sure you don’t miss a beat around Charlotte!

Here’s what’s going on:

• Keep your Easter weekend open by celebrating with your young kids in the community on Thursday! Bring them to the Iredell County Public Library for an indoor Easter egg hunt in the downstairs level of the library. They will provide baskets for the children. It is for children ages three and under, so you don't have to worry about older kids trampling them! 

• If you’ve got plans for Easter morning, don’t worry. On Saturday, a whole day’s worth of Easter activities will take place at Rural Hill in Huntersville, NC! The event is free, but you do need to register beforehand. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., children can enjoy Easter egg hunts, spoon races, photos with the Easter Bunny, hayrides and inflatable bouncers!
  

• On Easter morning, beginning at 9:30 a.m., bring your kids to a free Easter Egg Hunt at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte! One hunt will take place at 10 a.m. for children in preschool or younger, and the other will take place for children kindergarten through fifth grade at noon. The event will also feature inflatable bouncers, slides and games. The adults can enjoy live bands, and the whole family can enjoy an inspirational Easter service at 10:30 a.m. 

• Charlotte has so many dining options available for Easter Sunday, it’d be nearly impossible to choose one off the massive list without knowing more information! One that has gotten a lot of attention is Easter Brunch at the Charlotte Marriott SouthPark Hotel. For $39 per adult and $19 for children ages six to 12, the brunch will take place in the classy Morrison Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From an omelet station and thick-cut French toast, to shepherd’s pie and seared salmon, there will be something for every taste.  

Now that you have a better idea of what's happening around Charlotte this weekend for Easter, hopefully you can successfully plan it so that everyone in your family is happy! If you’d like to see a full list of egg hunts and activities this weekend, click here.

As your Charlotte real estate agent, it’s so important to me that you have fun and enjoy your time in the great city of Charlotte! Also, it’s important to know that when nature springs back to life this time of year, so does the Charlotte real estate market.

Let me help you buy a home of your dreams in Charlotte, or let me help sell your Charlotte home! The Charlotte real estate market is recovering, there is no need to wait! Contact me now or after your fun Easter weekend in Charlotte, NC! Happy holidays!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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Housing market predictions are looking up in Charlotte, NC! Home sales are increasing and low mortgage rates are holding steady, but slightly increasing. If there were ever a time to buy or sell, now is the time to do it. Hopefully, the market will begin improving once you achieve your real estate goals and it’ll all go uphill from there.

If you have found it difficult to pay your mortgage since the economic downturn, you might be considering a foreclosure. Foreclosure numbers have been increasing for quite some time now, so you’re not alone. However, the implications of foreclosure include a significantly lowered credit score, a devastating mark on your credit report, difficulty buying another home someday, employment jeopardy due to credit checks, relocation for your family and much more.

Instead of a foreclosure, how about considering a short sale? There are many advantages to choosing a short sale over a foreclosure! To name a few:

•      A successful short sale could result in your credit score lowering as little as 50 points and affecting you for only 12 to 18 months.

•      A short sale is usually reported as “paid in full” and doesn’t affect your credit history. This is a huge plus, considering foreclosures could remain on your history for 10 years or more!

•      If you’d like to buy a home again, most mortgage lenders say those that have undergone a short sale can receive a reasonable interest rate in less than two years.

•      Since a short sale doesn’t appear on a credit report, it will not challenge your current or future employment status.

Fortunately, as your Charlotte Real Estate agent, I also have a Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) certification and can help you find a solution for your distressed property circumstances. Check out three of my current short sale listings below as examples of what your listing would look like!

Also, if you’re interested in buying an affordable home in the Charlotte real estate market, let me know! I have more beautiful short sale homes available for you to look at in Charlotte, NC.

5930 Amity Place,  Charlotte,  NORTH CAROLINA 28212

Short Sale Opportunity! Nestled in a mature neighborhood within 5-10 minutes of Uptown Charlotte, this home has endless possibilities! Full brick with wood accents yield to a low maintenance exterior and solid appeal. Open kitchen with breakfast bar, and spacious dining with bay window. Basement offers access to the patio. Rear load one car garage, and spacious private backyard!

11535 Stewarts Crossing Drive,  Charlotte,  NORTH

Pre-Approved Short Sale! Can close within 30-45 days!! Nice home with an open floor plan. Kitchen with island, 36-inch maple cabinets and eat-in kitchen table area. Nice deck overlooks a private back yard. Rocking chair porch and mature shrubs enhance curb appeal.

2104 Pimpernel Road,  Charlotte,  NORTH CAROLINA 28213

Lovely two-story home has lots of potential. It features an open kitchen with an island and breakfast nook. Separate laundry area with storage. Spacious family room with a cozy marble surround fireplace and ceiling fan. Split staircase leads to a bonus room on one end and three spacious bedrooms on the other. Master bedroom features a cathedral ceiling, walk in closet and private bath with garden tub!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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The spring real estate market is taking off in Charlotte, NC! While year-to-year real estate statistics cannot be predicted, certain times of the year do certainly pick up, and spring is one of them. As a Charlotte real estate agent, I don’t want you to miss out on this ideal opportunity for buying or selling a home in Charlotte!

Home prices and home sales are up in numerous places across the country, meaning that now is the perfect time to sell your Charlotte home! Mortgage interest rates are still at or near historic lows, making this an affordable time to buy a Charlotte home! The Charlotte real estate market isn’t going to wait for you to be ready, though. You’ve got to act on the opportunity!

How do you choose the right Charlotte real estate agent to help you? It’s a serious decision. Not only will you spend a good amount of time with this person, but you’ll also be sharing a lot of personal, intimate details with them. It’s important that you trust them and enjoy their company.

How do you ensure that? A recent Trulia article explains what is most important to look for:

·         Choose someone that is trusted and respected in the community. Whereas so much is done on the computer these days, this is something you can do in person. Talk to your friends and acquaintances wherever you go in the community. Ask around at your church, gym, restaurants or your child’s school. If you’re moving to a different location, search for testimonials.

·         Check out their online presence. See how much information is on their website and whether they actively use Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites. The more involved they are in the community and with sharing local event and real estate information with the community, the more informed they’ll be about the location.

·         Don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is the only way you’ll find out if you’re compatible with the Charlotte real estate agents, and if they can help you with what you’re looking to achieve. If you’re first-time newlywed buyers, look for an agent who has helped other first-timer buyers. If you’re relocating and need to sell fast or from a distance, find an agent who has done that.

Basically, it’s important to find a Charlotte real estate agent with established success, credibility and experience with what you need from them.

I would love to be your Charlotte real estate agent! I’ve been an agent since 2000 and am very familiar with the Charlotte area. I’m ranked among the top RE/MAX professionals in the area and receive lots of clients on a referral basis. Past clients of mine enjoyed working with me enough to refer their loved ones to me, which is the greatest feeling! If you’d like to contact past clients of mine, I’d be happy to help.

I run a client-focused business that ensures every individual’s unique needs are met. That is key. I also have a Facebook page and Twitter that is updated daily about local community events, news and real estate updates. Check those out, browse my website and let me know if you have questions!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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Spring is definitely in the air now. Not only are Charlotte, NC temperatures heating up, but this week is the annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day! If you’ve spent this holiday in Charlotte before, you know how much our city goes all out for it. This year, St, Paddy’s Day even falls on a Saturday, making it perfect for celebrating over the weekend!

Saturday is when Charlotte, NC is hosting its 16th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival! With over 60,000 spectators at last year’s parade, I’m letting you know as your Charlotte Real Estate agent that this is a local event you don’t want to miss!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The parade is free and open to everyone in the Charlotte, NC area that would like to be Irish for a day. It begins at 11 a.m. at Tryon and 9th Street in uptown Charlotte, and it marches south to Tryon and 3rd Street. Every year there is a Grand Marshal, and this year, Charlotte will honor Bill Duffy, a 23-year veteran of the sports industry.

In the parade, you can expect to see all of our local schools, bands, cheerleading and drills teams, police, fire, elected officials, businesses and more, along with visual floats, flags and the sounds of bagpipes!

Charlotte Goes Green Festival

Located on South Tryon Street, between 1st and 3rd streets, the fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish festival is geared toward the whole family, with something for everyone! The kids can enjoy the Celtic Kids Zone while the adults enjoy the large variety of food and beverages!  Admission to the fest is free.

The entertainment schedule runs from noon to 6 p.m. and includes The Walsh- Kelley School of Irish Dance, the Belfast Boys, Federal Clan Kings and more! It’s the perfect blend of Irish music, Irish dancers and traditional bagpipers.

Accommodations

The greatest part about this annual Charlotte tradition is you can enjoy a full day of fun right in your own backyard! At the end of the day, you can head to your Charlotte home and sleep peacefully in your own bed. However, if you have out-of-town guests coming to town, or you are a visitor to Charlotte, contact one of the 13 Marriott Hotels in the Greater Charlotte area. They are offering special rates for this weekend because of the festivities!

So when the weekend arrives, gather all your green garments and accessories. Whether you’re actually Irish or not, you are this weekend in Charlotte! As your Charlotte Real Estate agent, I want to make sure that you always know what’s going on in and around Charlotte, NC and have the time of your life here! It’s an incredible city to live in.

Interested in buying or selling a home in Charlotte? Contact me! The spring Charlotte real estate market is well on its way and ready for you to join. Happy St. Patrick’s Day and week!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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What do you love most about the Charlotte, NC area? I love that no matter what time of year it is, there is always a slew of events to partake in. For example, whether you enjoy music, gardening, beer or theater, you can find an event this week to enjoy in Charlotte. It sure keeps life interesting!

It’s important to take a break from your buying or selling real estate goals in the Charlotte real estate market once in a while, to take some breaths and relax, and to go out and enjoy some Charlotte, NC fun.  As your Charlotte real estate agent, I’d like to help you out by supplying a list of local events.

Which will you be attending in Charlotte this week?

·         Local concerts occur year-round, allowing you the chance to branch out and explore new sights and sounds. The more local the concert, the less it costs too! Tomorrow, you could enjoy the gospel sounds of Langhorne Slim, who just released and will be presenting his third album, “Be Set Free.” This will take place at Visulite Theatre at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $12 to $15.

·         Take a stroll down Michael Jackson lane on March 10 by attending “The Music of Michael Jackson” with the Charlotte Symphony. This will definitely be a show to see! From his early days with the Jackson 5, to his famous hits later on, singer and performer James Delisco will take your breath away as he and the Charlotte Symphony take you through 40 years of Michael Jackson’s artistic influence. This will take place at the Ovens Auditorium from 8 to 10 p.m.

·         Sunday is your last chance to catch the Broadway hit, Jersey Boys, before it leaves Charlotte. If you haven’t seen it yet, this 2006 Tony Award-winning musical about The Four Seasons will certainly entertain you, even if you don’t know anything about the rock and roll hall of famers! Just watching how for blue-collar kids turned themselves into famous rockstars is enough to pull your heartstrings a bit, not to mention the outstanding music. You can catch this at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center now through March 11.

·         The Orchid Spectacular has been taking place at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Charlotte since Jan. 20, but if signs of spring have you excited about gardening season now, stop by before the show ends on March 18! This event not only boasts 5,000 orchids, but it also showcases the explorers who risked their lives to discover new orchids, along with classes, lectures and more. Before you know it, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to start your own beautiful orchid garden (which will lend lots of curb appeal!). The Botanical Garden is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Before you know it, St. Patrick’s Day will be here, marking the beginning of Craft Beer Week here in Charlotte, among other celebratory holiday events! Until then, the four opportunities above should get you through this weekend no problem.

When you’re relaxed and socially satisfied, let’s dive back into the Charlotte real estate market! Inventory is down around the country, making this a great time to sell your home in Charlotte. Home sales are up and mortgage rates are low, making this a great time to buy a home in Charlotte as well! Contact me, your Charlotte real estate agent, and let’s make your real estate goals happen!

Zanthia Hastings
RE/MAX Executive Realty
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See South Charlotte Homes For Sale
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