But if you did not jump on the home buyer tax credit train in time, there are still plenty of great reasons to purchase a home in our current market! 

Interest rates are currently at a 50 year low!  In many cases around Charlotte, buyers are able to purchase homes with less money per month than they currently pay in rent.  Even if you currently own your own home, now is a great time to transition into your next home.  With interest rates this low, payments on a larger home are often the same as your current home.  Whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, the savings can be tremendous.

Currently in Charlotte, we are in a buyer’s market.  If low interest rates are not enough to convince you to buy, consider the fact that many homes are currently on the market in Charlotte for unbelievably low prices.  Many times the owners of these homes are very motivated to sell.  This means a great deal for prospective buyers.

Last, consider the tax benefits of owning your own home.  With the suggestions above, you can currently buy a home in Charlotte at a great price, with amazing financing, paying less than you’re currently paying in rent, and at the end of the year you get to reap the benefits of owning your own home.  The ability to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes is icing on the home owner cake.

So, don’t be discouraged if you missed the home buyer tax credit, there are still a ton of exciting reasons why you should buy a home in the Charlotte area.

If you have any questions about the Charlotte Real Estate market or would like help finding the perfect home, don’t hesitate to give me a call!

The United States Department of Agriculture is trying to encourage rural development by providing buyers with lower incomes a source of financing for the purchase of their home.

USDA home loans around Charlotte, NC do have a few restrictions such as area in which the home resides, income limitations, and credit scores. The home must be located in an eligible rural area that is determined by the USDA. Some portions of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County qualify for USDA home loans, and much of the areas in surrounding counties of North Carolina & South Carolina such as York, Lancaster, Union, Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Rowan, and Cabarrus qualify for the USDA financing.

With financing becoming tougher to obtain on your new home, USDA may be the perfect choice for your next home. To find out more about homes around Charlotte, NC that qualify for USDA home loans or to find a lender that can offer you USDA financing, call or email me today. I would be happy to help you find the perfect home in a USDA eligible area.

1. An Advocate for You
In the state of North Carolina, a listing agent(the sellers real estate agent) works in the seller’s best interest at all times during the selling of the home.  This means if you call a phone number on a “For Sale” sign and ask the agent to view the home, you should be cautious what you tell the agent, as the agent will relay any important information back to their sellers.  A buyers agent can be your advocate during the process and will keep all information confidential. An example of this that I really like is referees in the Super Bowl.  If your team was playing in the Super Bowl, you would not like the idea of the opposing team’s coaches acting as the referees for the game, would you?  Keep in mind that the other team would love it if their coaches were the referees… Just like a listing agent loves it when they get to work with buyers that are not working with a buyer’s agent.  It lets them control the situation and have the upper hand at all times for their seller.

2. Education & Experience
In North Carolina, a real estate buyers agent has many hours of education in the local real estate laws.  They can navigate the real estate waters and explain each step of the process in terms you can understand as a buyer. Experienced buyers agents will have the knowledge to advise you when tough decisions arise during the home buying process.

3. Neighborhood Knowledge
Charlotte Real Estate agents are constantly taking a communities pulse and understand the real estate dynamics of individual neighborhoods.  The knowledge of specific areas will help you as a buyer to make the most informed decision when purchasing a home.

4. Expert Negotiator
Having an experienced negotiator working for you can mean the difference between saving thousands of dollars on your home purchase and possibly not getting the home at all.  A Real Estate buyers agent knows the ins and outs of negotiations and will work to get you the best terms and price on your home.

5. Price Guidance
Determining whether the listing price of your dream home is a good deal or not can be a confusing concept.  A buyers agent will research comparable homes in the area that sold recently and inform you of their expert opinion as to the value of the home.

6. REALTOR® Resources
A Charlotte buyers agent will use all available resources as an agent and a REALTOR® to help you search for and find that absolute perfect home.  A good buyers agent will have previewed many of the homes you’re interested in and will be able to provide you with details about the property that you can not find through a simple internet search.

7. Discuss your Financing Needs
A real estate agent can discuss your financial situation with you, and help guide you to the proper experts to help you accomplish your goal of buying a home.

8. Professional Networking
As real estate agent in the Charlotte area, it is a must to network with other industry professionals regularly.  A buyers agent can provide you with contacts for experts you will need when buying a home, like real estate attorneys, home inspectors, surveyors, and lenders.

9. Loads of Paperwork
Paperwork is a necessary evil when buying or selling a home.  A real estate agent will complete much of the paperwork for you, keep it all organized, and always keep your abreast of key dates you may need to remember in the contract and throughout the closing process.

10. You closed on your Charlotte Home, Now What?
After you’ve closed on your new Charlotte home, it is almost guaranteed you will have questions about something.  When you’ve worked with a buyers agent on the purchase of your home, they continue to be your real estate resource even after closing.  You can go to them anytime for expert real estate advice.

This all changed this month when HUD decided to waive the rule and for the next year allow buyers to obtain FHA mortgage insurance on foreclosed bank owned properties as well as properties flipped by investors. There are a few limitations to the waiver, but for the most part, this will open up many opportunities for buyers currently looking for good deals.

Investors can now purchase these properties with confidence that they can renovate the home in as few days as possible and list it for sale quickly for any and all buyers to purchase.

If you’re interested in buying a foreclosed, distressed, or recently renovated home in the Charlotte area, and you’re searching for a great deal, give me a call and I can update you on the latest properties that fit your needs.