In this month’s newsletter:
1. Happy Flag Day, June 14th 2014!2. 6 Seller Secrets for This Summer’s Real Estate Market3. The Benefits of a Well Maintained A/C System4. HUGE List of Free Summer Fun Ideas for Kids Around Charlotte
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Flag day is right around the corner on June 14th, 2014!
Flag day represents our unity as a nation. Take a moment to show respect for our flag’s glorious history,
and those who designed this symbol of our independence.
and those who designed this symbol of our independence.
Don’t forget to brush up on your Flag Etiquette for this special day!
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6 Seller Secrets for This Summer’s Real Estate Market
1. Right Now = A Great Time To Sell
The winter home selling season was crippled by the polar vortex, especially in the east and northeast,
so there’s pent-up demand from buyers who’ve been waiting for better weather to brave the house hunt.
Mortgage rates are still at historic lows, so buyers ARE poised to buy and ready to hit the streets.
The winter home selling season was crippled by the polar vortex, especially in the east and northeast,
so there’s pent-up demand from buyers who’ve been waiting for better weather to brave the house hunt.
Mortgage rates are still at historic lows, so buyers ARE poised to buy and ready to hit the streets.
2. Know Your Numbers: 60 percent
Sixty percent of all homes in 2014 will be bought and sold from May to August.
Putting your home on the market at the beginning of the selling season will help your chances of snagging a
winning offer before buyers turn their attention back to school starting in September.
Sixty percent of all homes in 2014 will be bought and sold from May to August.
Putting your home on the market at the beginning of the selling season will help your chances of snagging a
winning offer before buyers turn their attention back to school starting in September.
3. Price It Right
Many metros in the country have seen double-digit price increases in the past year. But this last quarter,
prices started to slow nationally – and pricing is a critical component to getting your house sold. With this fluctuating
market, you need to look at comps of similar homes in your area, and recency matters:
make sure you’re looking back no more than 60 days. The sale price of homes that sold recently paints a much better
picture of what to expect than the price of homes that sold six months ago (or of homes that have yet to sell).
Many metros in the country have seen double-digit price increases in the past year. But this last quarter,
prices started to slow nationally – and pricing is a critical component to getting your house sold. With this fluctuating
market, you need to look at comps of similar homes in your area, and recency matters:
make sure you’re looking back no more than 60 days. The sale price of homes that sold recently paints a much better
picture of what to expect than the price of homes that sold six months ago (or of homes that have yet to sell).
4. Bidding Wars Aren’t Back (Phew!)
Bidding wars were common in the summer of 2013, but we’re hearing less about them right now.
So don’t bank on fielding two or three offers at once. There is, however, a good chance that you’ll still
get the one that will be a win/win for both you and the buyer.
Bidding wars were common in the summer of 2013, but we’re hearing less about them right now.
So don’t bank on fielding two or three offers at once. There is, however, a good chance that you’ll still
get the one that will be a win/win for both you and the buyer.
5. It Pays To Be Ahead Of The Curve
Trying to get a jump on the competition? Right now we’re on the cusp of prime selling and buying season,
and if you list soon, you’ll have less competition. Since it’s still early, your home can have its ‘moment in the spotlight’
Trying to get a jump on the competition? Right now we’re on the cusp of prime selling and buying season,
and if you list soon, you’ll have less competition. Since it’s still early, your home can have its ‘moment in the spotlight’
more than it will when inventory increases – and the buyers who are braving the cold to house shop are clearly motivated.
6. Make It Pop Off The Computer (Or Smartphone) Screen!
In this new mobile era, a huge percentage of buyers use apps to start their home search. And that percentage
is expected to rise this year as more buyers take advantage of easy access to the wealth of information online.
Get in on this trend by making sure your home pops on those computer screens. Great homes with mediocre
In this new mobile era, a huge percentage of buyers use apps to start their home search. And that percentage
is expected to rise this year as more buyers take advantage of easy access to the wealth of information online.
Get in on this trend by making sure your home pops on those computer screens. Great homes with mediocre
quality photos will be quickly discarded and ultimately get less showings.
Sellers should insist that their agent take the time to beef up their online listing so the quality of
the home jumps off the screen and gets buyers’ attention.
Sellers should insist that their agent take the time to beef up their online listing so the quality of
the home jumps off the screen and gets buyers’ attention.
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HUGE List of Fun and Free Summer Activities for Children Around Charlotte
Your kids can have fun in the Charlotte area this summer without putting a hurting to your wallet!
Roller Skating
Skate For Free is a national program that allows kids to roller skate for free this summer
in many rinks across the country. Two rinks in Gastonia are participating.
in many rinks across the country. Two rinks in Gastonia are participating.
Bowling:
Several bowling alleys in the Charlotte area are participating in programs that allow
kids to bowl for free all summer. In some cases there are great deals for adult family members as well.
Several bowling alleys in the Charlotte area are participating in programs that allow
kids to bowl for free all summer. In some cases there are great deals for adult family members as well.
Free Swim Lessons:
Charlotte’s two public outdoor pools, Cordelia Pool at 2100 N. Davidson Street, and Double Oaks Pool,
at 1200 Newland Road, offer free swimming lessons throughout the summer.
Charlotte’s two public outdoor pools, Cordelia Pool at 2100 N. Davidson Street, and Double Oaks Pool,
at 1200 Newland Road, offer free swimming lessons throughout the summer.
Reed Gold Mine:
Reed Gold Mine, just a short drive away in Midland, is a great outing for kids.
It’s free to tour the mine. Pay just $3 to pan for gold.
It’s free to tour the mine. Pay just $3 to pan for gold.
Dan Nicholas Park:
Also a short drive away, Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury is definitely worth a visit or two this summer.
Everything there is either free or just a couple bucks, including an old-fashioned carousel, a mini-train ride,
sprayground, nature center, paddle boats, mini golf, animals, and gem mining.
Everything there is either free or just a couple bucks, including an old-fashioned carousel, a mini-train ride,
sprayground, nature center, paddle boats, mini golf, animals, and gem mining.
Drop-in Day Camp at Gaston County Museum:Gaston County is offering a free drop-in day camp for kids age 5-12 on Thursday mornings starting June 12.
Kids will learn about life in the 1800s through hands-on activities.
Kids will learn about life in the 1800s through hands-on activities.
Cheap pools and free spraygrounds:
Charlotte Park and Rec’s spraygrounds and swimming pools opened for weekends and will be open every day
of the week starting soon. The spraygrounds are free and the swimming pools cost just $1 to visit.
Charlotte Park and Rec’s spraygrounds and swimming pools opened for weekends and will be open every day
of the week starting soon. The spraygrounds are free and the swimming pools cost just $1 to visit.
Free outdoor movies:
Once again, several Charlotte area locations are showing free outdoor movies this summer.
Once again, several Charlotte area locations are showing free outdoor movies this summer.
$1 (or less!) Weekday Morning Movies:
Many Charlotte area movie theaters are offering weekday movies for $1 or less for kids.
Many Charlotte area movie theaters are offering weekday movies for $1 or less for kids.
Summer Reading Programs:
In addition to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s great program, several bookstores offer kids prizes for
summer reading. Read about three Charlotte summer reading programs.
summer reading. Read about three Charlotte summer reading programs.
Kidgits Summer Camp at Concord Mills:
It does cost $5 to join the Kidgits Club, but that’s for the whole year. After that all the activities are free, including this
“summer camp” at Concord Mills. Mondays through Thursdays from June 23rd through July 17th there
will be kids’ activities at Concord Mills, including music, movies, science, mini-golf and more.
It does cost $5 to join the Kidgits Club, but that’s for the whole year. After that all the activities are free, including this
“summer camp” at Concord Mills. Mondays through Thursdays from June 23rd through July 17th there
will be kids’ activities at Concord Mills, including music, movies, science, mini-golf and more.
Outdoor concerts:
Free summer concerts are held all over the Charlotte area. These are family-friendly and sometimes include
special activities for kids like face-painting and bounce houses.
Free summer concerts are held all over the Charlotte area. These are family-friendly and sometimes include
special activities for kids like face-painting and bounce houses.
Terrific Tuesdays at ImaginOn:
ImaginOn is presenting free performances for kids on Tuesdays at 11am and 1pm.
Although they are free, tickets are required and they go quickly. You can reserve the tickets online.
ImaginOn is presenting free performances for kids on Tuesdays at 11am and 1pm.
Although they are free, tickets are required and they go quickly. You can reserve the tickets online.
Libraries:
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries offer free activities and events for all kids, from babies up through teens.
Search their events listings for dates, time, ages, and the type of event your child is interested in.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries offer free activities and events for all kids, from babies up through teens.
Search their events listings for dates, time, ages, and the type of event your child is interested in.
Free crafts and projects:
Michaels, Lakeshore Learning, Lowes, and Home Depot all offer regularly
scheduled free crafts and projects for kids on Saturdays.
Michaels, Lakeshore Learning, Lowes, and Home Depot all offer regularly
scheduled free crafts and projects for kids on Saturdays.
Energy Explorium:
Always free to visit, Energy Explorium at McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville gives kids a chance to
learn about energy, weather, the environment and nature through interactive activities at the visitor’s center.
There’s a mile-long walking trail along the shore of Lake Norman and a picnic area.
Always free to visit, Energy Explorium at McGuire Nuclear Station in Huntersville gives kids a chance to
learn about energy, weather, the environment and nature through interactive activities at the visitor’s center.
There’s a mile-long walking trail along the shore of Lake Norman and a picnic area.
Nature Centers:
Charlotte Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation operates three nature centers, each within a nature preserve,
Reedy Creek, McDowell and Latta Plantation.
Reedy Creek, McDowell and Latta Plantation.
ImaginOn:
ImaginOn is a joint project of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.
It contains the Spangler Children’s Library and presents dynamic shows for kids of all ages.
Although tickets are required for theatre presentations, visiting ImaginOn is always free and there’s plenty to do.
ImaginOn is a joint project of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.
It contains the Spangler Children’s Library and presents dynamic shows for kids of all ages.
Although tickets are required for theatre presentations, visiting ImaginOn is always free and there’s plenty to do.
Lego Mini-Build:
The first Tuesday of every month, the LEGO Store in Concord Mills holds a free mini-build for kids,
who get to build a little model and take it home with them.
The first Tuesday of every month, the LEGO Store in Concord Mills holds a free mini-build for kids,
who get to build a little model and take it home with them.
Greenways:
Mecklenburg County maintains over 35 miles of developed greenways, and more are on the way.
The greenways run along creeks and are a great place to walk and ride bikes.
Mecklenburg County maintains over 35 miles of developed greenways, and more are on the way.
The greenways run along creeks and are a great place to walk and ride bikes.
UNCC Botanical Gardens:
UNCC Botanical Gardens include two outdoor gardens to explore, and a greenhouse.
UNCC Botanical Gardens include two outdoor gardens to explore, and a greenhouse.
Kids love the butterfly terrrace, Asian Garden, bridges and ponds with waterfalls. It’s free to visit.
