What's New In Uptown Charlotte?? Skye Charlotte Condos

             What's New In Uptown Charlotte?? Skye Charlotte Condos

Uptown Charlotte's latest development located on the corner of East 3rd Street and S. Caldwell. This 67 luxury unit mixed-use addition includes 2 penthouse suites, 172 hotel rooms and a rooftop restaurant on the 20th floor with indoor/outdoor seating. 

Interested in buying? Call me 704-839-6005

Building Amenities:

5 high-speed elevators
24-hour security
24-hour concierge
Fitness Center
Club room and kitchen
Rooftop pool
Valet laundry service
Theatre Room
Ground Floor Retail

http://www.skyecondos.com/ 

Are Buyers More Concerned About Finding The Best Home vs Loyalty To Their Agent??

Hey there everyone!! Well another blog post from your local NC real estate agent, the one and only Yolanda Hayes AKA Sold By Yolanda.

Lately  I have started to notice more and more buyers are focused on how they can get the best home vs working with the best agent. I find this more so with internet buyers looking to relocate to another city/state. Ok, so a buyer begins their home search and contacts an agent in the new city online...they share information, explain their timeframe, what type of house they are looking for, price range etc. Agent begins email them homes via email for several weeks and BAM!! Just like that, the agent finds out that the buyer have came to town for a visit and bought a house with another real estate agent. So where is the loyalty when it comes to a buyer and the real estate agent that they contacted online?

To be honest, most buyers today do not care which agent shows them a house. All they care about is who has the key to open the door to let them inside. They are not thinking about the time the agent they contacted online has invested, why? Because they either 1. don't understand how we get paid 2. so excited about getting the home that they are just not thinking or 3. no loyalty, trust or commitment was build between both parties. So now, who is a fault? I have to say THE AGENT

The online agent should set the expectations upfront. A buyers focus is a home and the agents focus should be how to gain loyalty. Loyalty and trust goes both ways so ask questions! Agents, find out if they are working with other realtors or even considering it. If they cannot commit to you then you cannot commit to them...it's a 2-way transaction. Buyers, if you cannot commit to 1 agent please do as much research on your own vs asking an agent to work for you for free and/or give the agent the impression that you are going to hire them.

That's all I have to say in today's blog. Just something that needed to addressed because another agent or buyer could be in this situation right now. Have a great week everyone!!


www.soldbyyolanda.com 
704-839-6005

NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corp of America)

                                   NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corp of America)


   As a real estate agent where 99% of my customers are home buyers I hear a lot of negative feedback about the NACA program. I hear "it's too hard"..."they don't know what they are doing"..."they require too much"..."it takes too long". OK....I get it and I agree that it is a tough program HOWEVER did you know there is no down payment, no closing cost AND no credit score requirement???


This a great program to jump start a new lifestyle of home ownership and stop the cycle of renting. NACA's requirements for loan approval are the same as most companies that are willing to take all the risk on investing  in YOU. So I agree with them that you must:

1) Have at least 3 active lines of credit for 12 months or more

2) No late payments within the past 12 months

3) Full time employment with 2 years of income tax returns

These are the TOP 3 issues that buyers...since this is my blog, I'm going to be blunt and very honest...IRRESPONSIBLE BUYERS are having. When they are told "I'm sorry but because you had a late payment 2/2/13 you cannot buy for another year 2/2/14"; they leave pissed off and speak negatively to friends about NACA. NACA did not cause you to pay your car payment late! Instead of getting upset and becoming "offended", the reality is that I'm speaking the truth. Listen, a delay is not a denial so hang in there and utilize the waiting year to focus on paying your bills on time and saving for moving expenses.

For support to help get you through this program, call me today! I am a Realtor that stands by your side and follows up with you on a monthly basis to help keep you on track. You are the only one that can dictate how quickly you move through this program...think about it!

Yolanda Hayes
704-839-6005
www.soldbyyolanda.com 

What Is the Difference Between Down Payment and Closing Cost? Part I

Many first time home buyers are starting to realize that it takes more than a GREAT DEAL on a property to achieve the HOME OWNER title. Attending a home buyer education course, becoming mortgage ready and being a "serious" buyer are the 3 elements to successful home ownership.

In Part I, I want to explain the difference between down payment and closing cost. When it comes to purchasing a home, you want to be prepared to pay a down payment. Down Payment = Investment! The mortgage lender is willing to invest 96.5% taking the greater risk and to show that YOU are serious, they require for you to invest the remaining 3.5% of the full loan amount. Have at least 3.5% of the loan amount saved and ready to use towards your future prior to starting your home search. Yes, there are several down payment assistance programs available... IF YOU QUALIFY. However, if you are a ready, willing and able home buyer, a program should not determine your future of becoming a home owner. Budget and save!

There are several people involved in the home buying and financing process that you will never meet. Guess what, they have to get paid for working on your behalf. The time and fees associated with getting your loan approved, preparing your paperwork and getting those keys in your hands are called Closing Cost. You have the underwriter, appraiser, title search, attorney, lender, application fees, taxes, property survey and much more are paid upon the closing date. This amount could range between $3000-$5000. Yes, in most cases you can negotiate that the seller of the home pay the cost for you or at least 50% but there are no guarantees...so be prepared to pay it yourself.

Before you contact a realtor and begin your home search, know what's involved to becoming a home owner. Many future buyers have joined my "No Buyer Left Behind" program where I assist you with budgeting, savings, debt repayment and home buyer education. Contact me today to find out more information!

Midwood Neighborhood Living, Charlotte Plaza-Midwood

                            Midwood Neighborhood Living, Charlotte Plaza-Midwood

Why Do People Live Here? 

Midwood is a beautiful well kept historic neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. This single family community sits conveniently outside of Uptown Charlotte, Dilworth and Myers Park where it's believed to be one of Charlotte's most diverse areas. It's not uncommon to see neighborhood children playing in the streets, daily joggers and friendly community gatherings throughout the neighborhood. It's far enough from the main hustle and bustle of the city that residents don't feel overwhelmed yet conveniently close to shopping and fine dining.


Looking for a home in the Midwood Subdivision?

Interested in homes are for sale in Midwood? Click that link to find all the currently available home in this area of Plaza Midwood.

What's the Neighborhood Like? 

The homes you would expect to find for sale in Midwood Subdivision of Charlotte are generally going to range between 1100-1400 square feet. Most of the homes were built in the 1940's and since then, many of the homes have had updates and it's not uncommon to find homes that several different styles of homes from Traditional  to spacious Bungalow style. The smallest homes in the neighborhood start with 3 bedroom while the largest floor plan have a 3-4 bedroom layout. There are some great deals in the general area of Plaza-Midwood with foreclosures and short sales. Prices range from $200,00-$500,000.

What Schools will the Kids Attend?

Midwood subdivision in Charlotte Plaza Midwood is served by Shamrock Elementary School, Eastway Middle School and Garinger High School. To get the local school scores and more information about these schools check out the Charlotte school reports on my website.

Now You Really Want to Find a Home Here, Right? 

If you are interested in the current home for sale in Midwood Subdivision of Charlotte, click the link. Our for sale property information is a direct feed from the Charlotte MLS and is updated multiple times per day.

Contact me today! 704-839-6005 or email soldbyyolanda@gmail.com

Home Prices in Plaza Midwood Area of Charlotte, NC November 2012

Home Prices in Plaza Midwood Area of Charlotte, NC November 2012

Real estate market data for Plaza Midwood of Charlotte,NC provided by Yolanda Hayes of Wilkinson and Associates Real Estate 

Plaza Midwood Home Sales 

This area is in DEMAND so don't expect the number of sales to go down anytime soon. If you are considering buying, you can find great deals on a home in Plaza Midwood (Charlotte,NC) but having a good real estate agent who understands the market is KEY. Don't wait on the fence for too long, many of the listings are starting to sale within days of hitting the market as you can see from the graph below. 

Plaza Midwood Real Estate Report Summary 

The median list price in November for single family homes in Charlotte is$139,450. The list prices increased by 3.29% from the previous month.

The price per square foot for listings in this area is $111.

The median sale price in June forsingle family homes is $153,000. The sale prices increased by 19.06%from the previous month.

The price per square foot for sales in this area is $138.

Find Homes For Sale in Plaza Midwood of Charlotte, NC or to be notified when Plaza Midwood homes come on the market

To find out what your home is worth in the current market email me or call 704-839-6005

Yolanda Hayes - Broker/Realtor® 

Wilkinson & Associates Real Estate

8604 Cliff Cameron Drive Suite 110
Charlotte,North Carolina 28269
(c) 704.839.6005  (w) 704.393.0048

soldbyyolanda@gmail.com 

www.SoldByYolanda.com 

www.facebook.com/soldbyyolanda

3 Ways To Maintain A Good Relationship With Your Agent

Whether you are buying a new home or selling your current home, it's very important to keep a close and honest relationship with your agent. Once you have officially hired your agent there is a bond created. You and your agent will begin to spend more time together and eventually develop a friendship vs a business relationship. An agent protects you, fights for you and there for you during tough times just like a friend so you don't want to break that bond. Here are 3 ways to maintain a good relationship:

1) Trust and Honesty When you initially contact an agent, start off explaining your situation truthfully. There is an old saying in the business "Buyers Are Liars". Several people exaggerate their income, debt and credit scores when they actually don't have the ability to qualify for a mortgage loan. Save yourself the embarrassment...the truth will come out once the loan officer pulls your credit and ask for your bank statements. Once you have a trust bond and show that you are serious, your agent will stand by you and connect you with professionals to help build your credit and budget your income. If that trust is broken, your agent may not take you seriously and invest their time into their more serious prospects. 2) Communication Not responding to emails, text or phone calls when your agent is trying to get in contact with you is wrong on so many levels. Disappearing or M.I.A. in the middle of a transaction is a sure way to lose a deal. Make yourself available throughout the home buying process because there are deadlines to be met and documents to be signed and if you're not available this can make or break a deal. This puts your agent if a very bad space when the seller is demanding a response within a set time frame. I understand that things come up and you may not be able to talk on the phone but sending a quick text or email to respond to a question is not too much to ask of you. 3) Respect Your agent is licensed and trained so start off knowing that they are working on your behalf. Don't hire an agent then question their capabilities to get the job done. Try not to jump online and begin to work harder than your agent. If you have provided your agent with a "wish list" and the area you would like to live in, they will find the home. Real estate agents do not know every inch of the market but they have the resources to find the answers. Also, respect your agents time. They have to balance their time for family, friends and work just like you do so make sure you ask their work hours. I'm personally in bed by 9:30pm (I know I know...I have my Betty White moments) so when I receive a call at 10:30pm from a client asking about a property, they are not respecting my time. Only call your agent during their work hours unless they have given you permission to call late. Waiting until the following business day or sending an email is the best route. I hope these few little real estate tips will help you when you are ready to buy or sell!

Did You Know?

Tanger Mall Outlets have just announced that they are coming to Charlotte!! Yes, it's true. Plans have begun to develop a new 350,000 square feet Tanger Outlet Center in Steele Creek at the intersection of Steele Creek Road and I-485. Creating 300 construction jobs and 900 full-time/part time jobs once the mall opens. Steele Creek is one of the fastest growing residential area in Mecklenburg County so stay tuned!! Follow me on FACEBOOK