Mary Renter has been contemplating purchasing a home for many years. Now, more then ever, she does not think her dreams will come true. Mary, like most people in her situation, are concerned about the hundreds of National, Regional, and Local Mortgage Lenders and Brokers that have closed down. She is concerned that the secondary market has forced the remaining mortgage companies to tighten their credit requirements: Lower Loan To Value - Greater Down PaymentHigher Credit ScoresStated Income Loans are more difficult to get - some states they have been outlawedSpecialty Niche Programs have disappearedMary Renter just does not know what to do. Many people like Mary just do not realize how powerful both the FHA and the USDA Mortgage Programs are. Highlights of the USDA Mortgage: Permits 100... 10/10/2007

My good friends and I went to Carrigan Farms in Mooresville, NC to pick our own pumpkins, drink some cold apple cider, pet the baby goats and cows, and take a HAY RIDE! This is the closest place I know in the Lake Norman area where you can visit a real 12 acre pumpkin patch (Iredell county). If it hadn't been so hot, we might have had a better time though! When the weather cools down, take some time to check it out. We saw cars from different states in the parking lot on Saturday so I imagine that they get a lot of traffic from their internet site. Carrigan Farms is located off Exit 36 on I-77. Take Hwy 150 and go East for a few miles. Pass Hwy 801 and keep going past Cherry Grove. You will see the farms and signs on the Left. www.carriganfarms.com These are the Pumpkins we picked! $8 a... 10/10/2007

Why Do I love this Mooresville, NC restaurant? Many reasons! Including: Famous people eat here (think race car drivers) The food is excellent! Tons of sushi rolls and asian-american themed food The outside patio is fun and the fans are great The XL tv inside is always showing the headlines Joel is always running around and patting you on the back (He's so nice) The sushi appetizers are famous around town They have good wine. It's always the happening place in Mooresville and the Lake Norman area! If you are visiting Mooresville, then please check this place out!!! And, By the way, I always get #84 "nirvana roll" or the "Chicken Fried Rice" with extra shrimp sauces. Check it out today!!! 270 WILLIAMSON RD., MOORESVILLE, NC 28117 email:  joelsgrill@aol.com FIRST COME FIRST SERVED SEATING ... 10/09/2007

 Mark your calendars!  The inaugural Historic Mooresville Tour of Homes is coming on October 19th and 20th.    For those of you who have not yet visited the historic downtown Mooresville area, or who love our historic neighborhoods like I do,  this is a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of the history behind nine of our some of our wonderful historic homes never before opened to the public and all very different from one another.  The tour also includes three historic buildings in downtown Mooresville.      The event consists of a VIP Reception on Friday, October 19th from 6-9 which is going to be held at the 1906 Brawley-Cashion home and will be catered by Soiree Restaurant.  On Saturday, October 20th from 10:00a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday October 21st  from 1-5p.m. visitors will recei... 10/08/2007

 Mooresville, NCThe Point is one of Lake Norman's premier custom home communities and is located in Mooresville. Large home sites surround the Greg Norman designed golf course and over 18 miles of lake front shoreline.The upscale but casual country club environment offers a variety of amenities including a tennis club, The Point Club (golf clubhouse), pool area, kid's playground, and a Nantucket style-Village that includes cobblestone streets, a Tavern, General Store, Meeting House and Village Green. For special events, "The Lake Club" a banquet style facility offers a lakefront meeting area that is often a popular choice for wedding receptions and corporate gatherings do to its striking views and elegant décor.Homes at The Point are built from a list of preferred builders and are requi... 10/06/2007

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT GUARANTEED RURAL HOUSING MORTGAGE PROGRAM BENEFITS 100% financing based on appraised value (loan amount may exceed appraised value by 2% Guarantee fee, divide appraised value by .98) 30-year fixedAbility to Refinance - Rate reduction only - no cash back - Reduced Guarantee Fee of .5% Only existing GRH and Section 502 Direct loans are eligible for refinance -Streamline Process No monthly mortgage insurance. One-time guarantee fee of 2.00% No payment reserve requirements No downpayment No First-time homebuyer requirement No maximum. If greater than 6%, comment from the appraiser required 100% gifting permitted. Donor must be disinterested third party INCOME AND RATIOS 29/41 – exceptions encouraged with compensating factors and RD concurrenceInclude all installment ... 09/27/2007

Lake Norman has a wealth of fun things to do. I will write about more things to do in other parts of lake norman but I started with Mooresville first, since I live here!Here are a couple things to do in Mooresville:QUEEN'S LANDING - 1459 River Hwy, (704) 664-2628LAKE NORMAN'S Fun, Waterfront entertainment center. Located about 30 minutes north of Charlotte and you can tie up by boat or drive up by car! There is a Floating Dock Bar and Jack's Lakeside Grill offers a variety of lunch specials. If it's done being remodeled, you can play mini golf or bumper boats. Casual lunch cruises on The Catawba Queen,a replica Mississippi River Boat. The cruises are about 1 and 1/2 and there is a full bar. There is also a romantic 2 ½ hour dinner cruise on the "Lady of the Lake", a 90 ft luxury yacht, ... 09/15/2007

 Whether you are relocating to the Lake Norman area or have lived here for years, unless you frequent downtwon Mooresville you may not be aware of all of the exciting changes and developments.  In 27 Reasons to Visit Historic Downtown Mooresville Part 1 and 27 Reasons to Visit Historic Downtown Mooresville Part 2,  I focused on some of the wonderful shops and restaurants in Downtown Mooresville.  The downtown area is also home to many of the Town of Mooresville's services and entertainment:14.  The Charles Mack Citizen's Center is a new 60,000 square-foot facility which is home to the South Iredell Senior Center, The Mooresville Recreation and Parks Department and the Mooresville Downtown Commission.  This truly beautiful facility has large and small meeting rooms available to rent for ... 09/15/2007

  Do you ever hear about something and dismiss the seriousness of it almost immediately because it is just too silly?  When I originally heard about Mooresville's Dachshund Race I simply laughed.  The image of the little weiner dogs running in a race was so cute that I decided I really wanted to go just for the sheer fun of it all.  When I decided to write a blog about the event I started asking questions and the answers simply blew me away.  Not only is this a serious event, but "ringers" are brought in from other states much to the displeasure of the local dachshund owners. Check out Floridian wonderdog Sammy and you will understand that he is in a league all his own:                                                         Sammy has won 37 of 38 races in 5 states!So, it turns out ther... 09/06/2007

If you haven't visited our Historic Downtown Mooresville recently, you will be in for a pleasant surprise.  Many of the storefronts have been or are in the process of being beautifully restored; the street improvements including brick crosswalks and inlaid brick sidewalk details, new decorative lamp posts and benches are complete; and SEVEN buildings have been purchased by developers who are planning some very exciting tenants!  Here is a continuation of my list of 27 reasons to visit downtown Mooresville:                                                                       Mary Ellen's Flowers 6.  Mary Ellen's Flowers is a family-owned and operated florist offering fresh and silk flower arrangements, plants and gifts.  Their shop serves the Mooresvile, Davidson and Cornelius areas.  I... 08/14/2007

The Langtree at the Lake exit 32 project is underway. This estimated $800 million living experience will include just about everything someone to live a life of luxury and enjoyment at Lake Norman. The 150 acre resort style community will be anchored by a number of 2 to 6 story luxury condominium units. Loft condos will start around $300,000 and lakefront condos will range from $600,000 to $2.8 million. In addition the Langtree at the Lake amenities will include a yacht club, par 3 golf course, 2 hotels and a convention center multiple pools outdoor kitchen area, whirlpools and walking trails/paths. Commercial space willl also have a major role in the Langtree project an will include 225,000 square feet of  space that will be used various business' including hotels, a bank, a drug store... 08/12/2007

 When I first moved to Mooresville I thought I had to drive all the way to South Park to find upscale stores.  I was so wrong! One of the unfortunate truths about the Lake residents is that we tend to stay West of the I-77 with the exception of an occasional trip to the DMV or to some of the big box stores like WalMart along HWY 150.   I urge everyone to take the time to visit Main Street; explore, take advantage of, and support the fine shops, restaurants and public services.  Here are 27 reasons why:THE GARDEN PARTY                                       1.   The Garden Party (www.the-garden-party.com):  The Garden Party is one of those stores that you need to allow  lots of time to explore.  Walking through the front doors you will feel like you are entering an elegant home and garden... 08/11/2007

You could come because there are going to be over 40 of North Carolina's top artists selling everything from oil paintings to gorgeous turned-wood pieces that would light up anyones home.You could come to MEET these artists and even commission someone like William Sundberg to paint a special remembrance of a favorite classic car, boat or motorcycle.  You could come to the Friday Evening Charity Gala and bid on over 40 donated pieces of art in our silent or live auction and enjoy a delicious catered buffet dinner by Nancy Brody, Shelton Vineyards Wine and music by Night Shift.  Only 350 tickets are sold to this special evening and we sell out every year! You could come and bring your children so that they can enjoy the art and the many children's activities. You could come to say hi to m... 07/23/2007

 Today's headline in the Mooresville Tribune reads:  "Mooresville joins list of top places to live".    Officially, we were #65 out of 100 on Money Magazine's annual Best Places to Live list.  As James Justice, our Town Manager said in the Tribune article: "This particular accolade supports what many of us already know, and that is Mooresville is a great place to live." According to Money  Magazine, "For this year's list we focused on smaller places that offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community".   Well, this is simply validation of what I discovered three years ago while researching on the Internet and why my family lives here today!  For a town of 23,100 to have great schools, miles of shoreline on bea... 07/18/2007

Since January 1, 2007, 5797 homes have been sold. Mooresville is a rapidly growing area and home to many of the top NASCAR Teams and Lowes Home Improvement Corporate. The average sale price of a home in the Mooresville area is $385,979 do to the price of lake front property on Lake Norman. Homes in Mooresville can be found between $175,000 and $3.5 million. Homes are selling for 97.43% of the list price and are on the market for an average of 99 days. Updated: 7/1/07Zip Codes: 28115, 28117Mooresville is just 25 minutes north of the city of Charlotte and is part of the Lake Norman shoreline. Part of one of the hottest Real Estate markets it really has is all! You can live on beautiful Lake Norman; you're just 1 hour from the mountains, just 3 hours from the ocean and best of all great we... 07/13/2007

Mooresville, NCThe Point is one of Lake Norman's premier custom home communities and is located in Mooresville. Large home sites surround the Greg Norman designed golf course and over 18 miles of lake front shoreline.The upscale but casual country club environment offers a variety of amenities including a tennis club, The Point Club (golf clubhouse), pool area, kid's playground, and a Nantucket style-Village that includes cobblestone streets, a Tavern, General Store, Meeting House and Village Green. For special events, "The Lake Club" a banquet style facility offers a lakefront meeting area that is often a popular choice for wedding receptions and corporate gatherings do to its striking views and elegant décor.Homes at The Point are built from a list of preferred builders and are requir... 07/08/2007

The new exit 32 at Langtree off of Rt.77 is now underway. Construction for the new exit and $800 million mixed real estate development project is at full speed ahead. Atrium at the Lake Development, LLC a partnership between Mooresville - Land Acquisition and Investment and Atrium Development based out of Columbia, South Carolina will be heading up the project. In early December 2006 the Mooresville Town Board unanimously approved the plan which will be catered to Professionals and Active Retirees. Langtree at the Lake will of 128 acres of beautiful water views, preserved shoreline and other natural landscape that will compliment outdoor activities. The upscale living/working environment will include luxury residences, class A commercial space, a marina, impressive yacht club, four sta... 07/08/2007

In the Lake Norman area you can find a number of really hot residential areas but there are not many that match up to Walden Ridge. Walden Ridge is a custom home community located just minutes from downtown Mooresville near Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and offers big lots and a whole lot of house for the money. Floor plans range from 3100 t0 8000 square feet and the majority were designed by award winning custom home designer Frank Betz. Prices range from the $500's up into the $800's for some of the basement lots. The Builders are anchored by Mid-Atlantic Custom Homes who are building on the majority of the lots. Other featured builders include Shoreline Luxury Homes, Shaw Custom Builders, Pointe Construction and Seger Builders. If you are looking for a new home in this price range Wald... 07/08/2007

Lake Norman Residential Real Estate Sales Analysis  So what is really happening so far in 2007 in real estate sales in Lake Norman and what trends do I see?  First of all, you shouldn't go by news articles about North Carolina or even Charlotte.  Like the saying "politics is local", real estate sales trends vary, sometimes significantly, by community or even location within a community.  For instance, waterfront properties are selling at a different rate than properties near the lake and certain price ranges of properties are selling faster than others.  Knowledgeable active Realtors in the Lake Norman area will tell you that, yes, our Lake Norman market has indeed slowed down.  We are definitely seeing more price reductions even though this is historically our peak market season. But, ... 05/21/2007

1st Annual RE/MAX AT THE LAKE 5K  (ONLY 3.1 MILES)JUNE 2, 2007 8 am (Starting in Mooresville at the Mount Mourne Volunteer Fire Dept) click here for directions-------------> http://www.remaxatthelake5k.com/  NOW IS THE TIME TO SIGN UP IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN OR WALK!!! This will be an excellent NETWORKING opportunity! You will get a free t-shirt and goodie bag (while supplies last) and you will get to support:CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK and the Mount Mourne Volunteer Fire Department.  Go to the website to read more about what we are doing for this great cause!!!P.S. THE WEBSITE TAKES CREDIT CARDS!!!!!! THANKS! 05/16/2007