Pump Up Your Credit ScoreThough the exact breakdowns of what credit score garners what interest rate vary from lender to lender, all will tell you that credit score does indeed play a role in the kind of financing you can receive. If you are interested in buying a home and taking out a mortgage to do so, your credit score must be something you spend some time thinking about and possibly investigating in order to make it better. The difference between two interest rate brackets can mean thousands of dollars of savings, so just how do you go about raising that score?Know Your Credit HistoryFederal law has allowed every consumer the ability to pull their own credit report each year from all three of the accredited companies in the United States that offer credit history services. In doing ... 02/01/2013

Start A Kitchen Herb Garden There is nothing like fresh fruits and vegetables from your own garden to give your health and taste buds a treat. Starting a kitchen herb garden is a great and easy way to give your food the fresh taste of summer all year round, and it is easy and inexpensive, too! Pick A Spot That Gets Good Light Most herbs require a good amount of sunlight to grow, so choosing a spot where they get direct light is important to making sure your herbs flourish. If your kitchen doesn’t get sufficient light, consider moving your herbs to a room that gets better light or purchasing an indoor herb garden kit that has a grow lamp. Choose A Good Selection Of Herbs While there are great herb garden starter kits that offer a useful selection of herbs, if they are not herbs you use ... 01/30/2013

The line between buying and renting can often be a fine one for people just starting out and wondering which is right for them. The benefits of buying and the attractive prospect of having equity in a home often weigh against the less restrictive nature of renting and the deferred responsibility of home repairs through renting. Making the decision can depend on a variety of factors, but perhaps biggest among them are the general real estate appreciation seen in the area and the time you plan to be in the property.Real estate market appreciation can be a difficult figure to tie down in regards to a particular area. A considerable amount of data and time is needed to properly do homework on the expected appreciation on a certain home. We have all heard stories about booming areas that hav... 01/30/2013

First Friday In Waxhaw, NC: A Romantic Evening On February 1, 2013 In Historic, Downtown Waxhaw Looking for the perfect way to celebrate with your Valentine? Why not come out to Waxhaw's First Friday February event on February 1st, which will celebrate Valentine's Day? It's a great event whether you come just with your sweetheart or with the entire family. Enjoy: Romantic music played throughout the historica downtown area. Free carriage rides Culinary delights at local restaurants Shopping for Valentine's Day gifts Kids can have fun making Valentine's Day cards for Mom and Dad. Date: Friday, February 1, 2013Time: 5:00 - 9:00 PMLocation: Historic Downtown WaxhawAdmisson: Free   First Fridays in downtown, historic Waxhaw are organized by the Small Town Main Street Promotions Committee. ... 01/29/2013

    A Great Place to Eat .. Maxwell’s Tavern in Waxhaw, NC     This evening I met friends at Maxwell’s Tavern in Waxhaw, NC.                                                                                             They are open everyday except for Monday.   Everyday they offer some great specials and todays specials were…   Thursday Specials*** Lunch-Pizza Quesadilla, Hamburger Steak with Grilled Onions Dinner-Two Thick cut Blackened Pork Chops with two sides At the bar-$4 Founders Porter Stout, $6 Firestone Merlot, $6 Crown and Ginger Bread Bowls are still available! Fill them with homemade Chili or Chicken Tortilla Soup   I had a pulled pork barbecue sandwich and it was delicious!  They give you huge portions and great prices!     I just recently discovered this great restaurant an... 01/24/2013

Open Houses….Boring….NOT!!!                                                     Yesterday I had the privilege of holding an open house at one of my new listings… 1306 Dobson Drive in Waxhaw, NC., 28173   So many complain and belly ache about holding open houses.  ·        They are so boring ·        There is nothing to do ·        No one stops by to preview ·        It is a total waste of time   Well, let me tell you…I had 21 people come thru my open house in 2 hours and only one couple had an agent.  I had no time to sit down.  It was show time!!   It was so much fun.  It was revolving doors all afternoon. Open Houses....Boring....NOT!!!   Planning ahead, Getting the word out that there will be an open house, Placing directional signs in key locations and Choosing to hold an open house... 01/21/2013

Skyecroft, A Charlotte Luxury Neighborhood - Waxhaw NC ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD Imagine living along a European countryside that boasts a location that is also in close proximity to the city!  Skyecroft, a Charlotte luxury neighborhood, located just across the Mecklenburg County line in Waxhaw, features a beautifully landscaped streets and lots with impressive water features, serene walking/jogging trails and pure pizazz!  Discover one of Charlotte’s most popular, gated neighborhoods in Skyecroft.  Amenities include an impressive clubhouse, a Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, lighted tennis courts and an adjoining lake.  Imagine living the Skyecroft lifestyle! Large lots feature regal, European architecture surrounded by mature, breathtaking landscaping as you traverse the lantern-lit s... 01/19/2013

  Stewart’s Village Gallery in Waxhaw, NC is a small shop/boutique full of wonderful treasures.   Anytime that I need a special, one of a kind, gift I head to Waxhaw to visit the Village Gallery.   This gallery opened in 1993 and I love their mission statement…   “Bring the best of American Crafts together with great customer service in an inspiring and comfortable setting.   They offer a variety of mediums to choose from..   ·       Pottery   ·       Jewelry   ·       Iron   ·       Metal   ·       Glass   ·       Wood Working   ·       Garden Art   ·       Bill Stewart…signed pottery   Recently I visited for I needed some special gifts for special people.  While there, one piece of pottery caught my eye and it was a signed piece by Bill Stewart.  Love it! If you get a chance to visit ... 01/15/2013

Are Foreclosures Worth The Risk?Many home buyers and real estate investors have been prompted by steadily increasing interest rates to be more aggressive in their hunt for bargain homes. Competition for the best-priced and most attractive homes has only increased in most real estate markets and because of that intensity, foreclosures are drawing more and more interest from prospective home buyers and investors.While foreclosures certainly offer some financial benefits, there are also risks involved, as you might expect. Not every foreclosure is the same and while the interest in them is growing, you need to be aware of what to look for when evaluating whether or not a foreclosure opportunist is right for you. Here are some things to look for.Pre-ForeclosuresPre-foreclosure properties ca... 01/14/2013

The Ultimate Selling Buzz Word: Curb AppealChances are, in the mind of a potential buyer, your home is not the unique gem that you might think see it as. It can be hard to understand that, but most homes have a pretty basic structure that might change from home to home but does not vary greatly overall. If you are aiming at creating that elusive buzz word, curb appeal, understanding that and playing up the strengths you do have can help you tremendously.Curb appeal can help you cut through a lot of the hassle of selling your home buy motivating buyers to want your property before even setting foot inside the real estate. With a surplus of interested buyers, you can skip the process of even hiring a real estate agent and simply sell it to one of the interested parties that has demonstra... 01/13/2013

An easy action that takes just 20 seconds can cut your risk for catching a cold, flu or other contagious diseases by up to 51 percent, recent studies show. And if everyone made it a regular habit, one million deaths a year would be prevented, according to the Centers for Disease Control, which calls this habit the single most important way to avoid spreading infection. Frequent hand washing with soap and water can save you money—and misery—by helping you avoid medical bills, missed workdays, or having to stay home with a sick child. And you’ll also protect your friends and family: A CDC survey found that 40 million Americans a year fall prey to illnesses spread by hands, which can harbor up to 500,000 bacteria per square centimeter. The 11 Germiest Places in Your Home Clean Hands Save L... 01/11/2013

Enhance Your Investment For SaleThere comes a time during the course of any real estate investment when it becomes clear that selling off the property is the best course. When that time comes, getting the most out of your piece of real estate is crucial to seeing the big payoff at the end of the real estate investment experience that you have been expecting over the course of the investment, often many years.When selling your personal home, improvements like new landscaping and new interior work can net big benefits in a raised sale price. Investment properties are much different and going through those types of improvements are nice, but they will not add real value to a property that is being investigated by potential investors.Raising the value of your investment property goes beyond... 01/09/2013

COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS - Did you price your Real Estate right?Comparing Sales of Existing Homes and How Those Comparables Affect The Real Estate Offer PriceHome pricing is the most important factor to consider in order to sell your home quickly and easily.The usual mistake made by the seller is that their asking price is way too high. You cannot fool the market. It is best to price your home right because if you overprice it and it stays in the market for a long time, buyers will lose interest, thinking that it has not sold because something is wrong with it, or other homes in your area similar to yours may be selling at a more realistic price. Pricing your home correctly will save you a lot of time and frustration. Generally, most of the best and highest offers come during the fir... 01/08/2013

Market Yourself To Market OthersGetting through the real estate agent certification process can be the culmination of a lot of hard work studying, going to night classes and making a substantial time commitment to learning an entirely new craft. For many, a career as a real estate agent comes as a second or third career path and that can involve making some sacrifices to pursue an entirely new path in life.Now that you've got your real estate license in hand and perhaps a job with a company that will help you as you start out with some cold call responsibilities, you are ready to go about the lengthy process of promoting yourself in order to get the right to promote the homes of others. Business cards and handshakes will get you a long way in life, but as you just start out, you will ne... 01/02/2013

5BR/4.5BA Skyecroft Home for Sale |  $1,200,000 MLS# 2124295 Over 6,000 Square Foot Custom Home in SkyecroftEvery aspect of this spacious European, custom home was expertly and thoughtfully designed to maximize natural light and the highest spec level of both appointments and finishes.  Within the gated Skyecroft community, this home is beautifully situated on a large, private, level cul-de-sac lot and is surrounded by paver walkways and mature landscaping with window boxes that add to its quaint appeal.  The back of the property boasts a stunning view of a quiet, serene pond with soothing fountain, providing expansive water views from most rooms in the home. This gracious home is nested in desirable Union County, just across the Mecklenburg County line and offers residents zoning for t... 01/02/2013

Stay tuned for one spectacular home for sale in popular Skyecroft community!  Our sellers are busy preparing to list their stunning home in popular gated, luxurious Skyecroft community.  This home features the finest custom finishes and appointments that make this incredible home, truly one-of-a-kind.  Artfully designed, the beauty of this luxury home is that is offers the finest appointments yet, boasts a truly functional floorplan. And, if you think you've seen the most amazing kitchen in a home--you haven't seen this one!  Truly a WOW kitchen that is loaded with everything a gourmet chef could ever want!  There are 3 fireplaces, gracious secondary bedrooms, a luxurious main level suite and a master bedroom that features a sitting room larger than most dens and a princess balcony over... 12/16/2012

Discover One of Union County’s Premier Gated, Luxury Communities – SkyecroftSkyecroft – Imagine living along a European countryside that boasts a location that is close to the city!  Skyecroft features a beautifully landscaped community with impressive water features, serene walking/jogging trails and pure pizazz in one of Charlotte’s most popular, gated neighborhoods.  Amenities include an impressive clubhouse, a Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, lighted tennis courts and an adjoining lake. Imagine living the Skyecroft lifestyle!Large lots feature regal, European architecture surrounded by mature, breathtaking landscaping as you traverse the lantern-lit streets of Skyecroft.  Seclusion, privacy and serenity come to mind in this fabulous sanctuary community that is located just off of... 12/16/2012

When Real Estate Management Makes SenseThe choice to get involved in real estate investing is a large one and even after the substantial process of determining whether a particular investment is right for you, a number of decisions must be made as to how you are going to manage that property. One option for property management is hiring outside help to give you the luxury of having a hands-off approach to your investment property in exchange for giving up some of your potential profitability.Obviously, giving up some of the profitability of your investment property is a heavy price to pay but in some situations, the luxury of not having to take care of the day-to-day operations of a property is worth the cost. These are some questions that you should ask yourself about your investment p... 12/14/2012

Your Real Estate Double Agent Choosing a real estate agent is perhaps one of the most critical parts of the real estate process as that agent will become your closest ally in the long term effort to buy or sell a home. Real estate transactions are major milestones in a person's life and that real estate agent is the key person to be involved in making sure your wants and needs are met throughout that process. After that extensive process, you are then faced with a person that you have invested a great amount of time and effort in. Trusting that real estate agent to represent you fully at all times may seem to be at the foundation of a realtor's responsibilities, but there are other types of responsibilities those agents are motivated to serve that you need to be aware of. Knowing who is... 12/10/2012

We had an awesome time at the Waxhaw Parade! My girls Laurin (9) and Ava (5) are Cheerleaders with the WAA - Waxhaw Atetic Assocition and they were on the WAA Float. It seems the whole town came out today in celebration. Are you looking for a new home town for your next holiday? Our small town is great so come be a part of our future!   Picking Out The Perfect New Town Moving to a new city or state will always be a difficult transition, no matter what kinds of precautions you take. Bundling up all of your worldly possessions into one big van and setting them down on the doorstep of a new home in a strange city will always be at least a bit of an awkward experience. However, picking the right city can be the difference between struggling mightily and simply working through the transition... 12/09/2012