Ballantyne – Page 8 – New Angle Realty

November 10, 2016

Get to know Charlotte

With the election finally behind us, it’s time now to figure out how to move forward as a united people. Up and down your street, you probably have neighbors who think and act pretty differently than you do. That’s part of what makes this country great. If everyone did everything the same, this would be a really boring place.

One outcome of this election, is that it has made people focus on their communities and their towns. We have a pretty great one here. Charlotte and surrounding areas have so many great places to play, eat, be outside, watch a game, see a show, peruse a museum and on and on.

Charlotte is now the largest city in the state of North Carolina. It is also the second largest city in the Southeastern United States behind Jacksonville, Florida. Charlotte was listed this year as the 13th fastest growing city in the nation by Forbes.

We have the best weather, four distinct seasons, but rarely bitter winter weather or scorching summer temps. We are located right in the middle between the mountains and the beach for easy weekend trips. World class companies are headquartered here. NFL football, NBA basketball, minor league baseball, and NASCAR all call us home.

Charlotte is also home to amazing water features. Lakes Norman and Wylie are big draws for boaters. The catawba river has hiking, mountain biking, the whitewater training center, and more.

Charlotte is home to many institutions of higher learning. University of North Carolina Charlotte, Queens University, Johnson C. Smith University, Central Piedmont Community College, Johnson and Wales University, Davidson College, Belmont Abbey College, Wingate University and Winthrop University all help draw young people to the region.

Charlotte has a plethora of museums and theaters and a thriving artist community. Fabulous parks can be found throughout the city for exercise and fresh air. We even have quirky little places like the Lazy 5 Ranch drive through zoo.

If you or someone you know is looking to relocate to the Charlotte region, let us know and we will gladly help you on your journey.

October 29, 2016

Urban Land Institute report musings

The Charlotte Market appears strong at the moment, but according to a survey by the Urban Land Institute, it has slipped from #3 down to #9 in the country. The Institute ranks cities across the nation to see which are the top 10 markets for investment. Per their mission statement, The Urban Land Institute is “an independent global nonprofit supported by members representing the entire spectrum of real estate development and land use disciplines.”

The survey stated that HB2 was part of the cause for the city falling towards the bottom of the list. There have been substantial monetary losses due to sporting event cancellation that are responsible for a cooling in the market. HB2 has also dissuaded many large corporations from investing further in the region at this time.

Industrial development remains strong in Charlotte and is expected to continue. Multi-family development is expected to stall. There are multiple multi-family projects underway in the Queen City at this time. It remains a waiting game to see if the demand lives up to the new supply that will soon be available. This could be a strong predictor of future multi-family projects.

Single family homes appear to be holding steady, but there is less inventory available than at the same time last year. This could be people waiting out the uncertainty before listing their homes. It could also be that nobody wants to leave here so they are less likely to list their homes. There has also been a population increase here in the area so there is still high demand for any home that is listed.

Charlotte remains a strong market at the moment, but with continued fallout from HB2 and rioting, it is not as strong as it once was. Time may heal a lot of these wounds. Charlotte still has a lot of things going for it. There is no lack of jobs here. The weather is fantastic. Location is great, being midway between the mountains and the coast. Rich history and culture abound here. The arts community is thriving. There is great diversity. If we can weather this storm, there should be continued growth.

If you would like to read more about the survey by the Urban Land Institute, click here.

October 28, 2016

September Market Analysis

It’s been a bit of a bumpy ride in the Charlotte area over the past few months. Between HB2 and rioting, not all of the dust has settled yet. One place that doesn’t seem to be seeing the dramatic effects yet is the housing market. That may change as we see the numbers for October next month, but for now, we still have a strong seller’s market.

Based on the report from the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association, if you look at the entire Carolina MLS Region, compared to last year, we are doing better in all of the major metrics. New listings, pending sales, and closed sales are all up from last year. Median and average sales price are up. Homes are staying on the market for less time. Inventory is down from last year from 4.2 months to 3 months. A balanced market has 6 months of inventory so this is a substantial shift with the seller having much more power than the buyer in a transaction.

If you look at Mecklenburg County, inventory is down from 4,539 to 3,513 homes. This represents a drop of 22.6%. There has been a rise in the number of homes closed, but not a corresponding rise in new listings. This could be because of fear for the market due to recent events. It could also be that people are moving here and not leaving so we have a lack of housing right now. It could be the time of the year as there is a natural slow-down as we approach the holidays.

Union County follows the same trends except they also have fewer new listings than last year. Uptown Charlotte is similar to Union County with fewer new listings, but they also have fewer pending listings and have seen a downturn in the Average and Median sales prices. This might be a more direct result of HB2 business losses and riot aftermath.

South Carolina, Fort Mill and Rock Hill are seeing the same trends. Fort Mill closed 30.3% more sales this year than last year at this same time. Rock Hill on the other hand saw a decrease of closed sales from last year of .7% but was similar on all other metrics. Both saw a decrease in inventory to 2.5 months available. This is much lower than the balanced market 6 months.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few months. We will be sure to be on top of the data so we can help you better prepare for your future sales and purchases.

October 25, 2016

Get to know Edinburgh

On Providence Road West, between Johnston Road (Hwy 521) and Lancaster Highway sits the community of Edinburgh. 137 homes right near the South Carolina border make up this small starter home neighborhood. Edinburgh is just south of Ballantyne Country Club and only two miles away from I-485. This makes a commute to Uptown Charlotte about 25 minutes. The airport is also about 25 minutes away.

Edinburgh is located near some of the best shopping around. A short drive away will take you to Ballantyne Commons, Carolina Place Mall, Stonecrest, Blakeney and more. Ten miles north is SouthPark Mall with world class dining and shopping. There is great dining close by as well as a grocery store 2 minutes away.

Entertainment is also close by with Carowinds Amusement Park and Charlotte Knights baseball just across the border in South Carolina. Regal Cinemas at Stonecrest, the Arboretum Cinema and Ballantyne Village Theatre are only 10-minute drive away.

Fitness options are also close by. Sara’s YMCA in Ballantyne is 6 minutes away. Ballantyne Country Club is right around the corner for great golf. There are various fitness centers close by as well as a full service spa.

Edinburgh is zoned for fantastic schools. Ballantyne Elementary School, Community House Middle School, and Ardrey Kell High School are all top rated by Carolina School Hub. Please be sure to check on school assignments as they are subject to change.

This beauty sold earlier this year for 106% of list price.

Homes in Edinburgh are generally in the 1,800 to 2,000 square foot range. There have been 28 homes sold in Edinburgh via the MLS since January 1, 2014 with an average price of $202,874. As of October 24th, there are two homes on the market in Edinburgh, both under contract. They are both 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath homes with hardwoods, stainless appliances and bright interiors.

If you or someone you know is looking for homes in Edinburgh, contact our Realtors. We can let you know as soon as one becomes available.

October 11, 2016

Rental Rates Rising in the Queen City – Great Time to Buy

Now looks like a great time to upgrade from renting to buying. Zillow predicts a rise in rental rates of 3.2% over the next year in Charlotte. This is well above the nation’s average of 1.7%. With interest rates remaining at historic lows, what have you got to lose?

If you are still on the fence, here are some advantages and disadvantages of buying a home you might want to consider.

Advantages:

Greater Privacy. Buying a home, unless it’s a condo or townhome, means you don’t share walls with anyone. This can be great if you want to play loud music, host a dinner, or just have a dance party. This also means fewer restrictions on pets, children, number of cars, etc.
Investment. Typically, homes increase in value over time building equity. This can make for a great nest egg for the future, or to help you move up to a bigger home from a starter home. If you pay your mortgage in a timely manner, it can also boost your credit score.
Stability of costs. If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, your costs are much more predictable with no hikes in rent. You may still have fluctuations in utilities and taxes.
Tax advantages. The mortgage interest and property tax portions of your mortgage are tax deductible. This can mean the difference between owing taxes and getting a refund. Because mortgages are front loaded with interest, you typically have the largest tax write off in the first years you have a mortgage with deductions diminishing each year until you fully pay off the mortgage.
Community ties. A mortgage is a long-term commitment, typically 30 years, and can help tie you to your community more tightly than renting. Renters can be more transient as the commitment is typically for 1 year.
Personalization. You can paint the walls whatever color you like, heck, you can take out walls or build new ones. When you own, you have much greater freedom to upgrade you home from upgrading, to updating, to changing completely.
Second income stream. When you own a home, you have the potential to rent out a room, make your home a vacation rental, or buy a duplex and rent out half. There are many ways to have someone else help pay your mortgage.

Disadvantages:

Commitment. It is much harder to sell a home than break a lease. This makes it harder to move to another city.
Maintenance. When you own, there is no landlord to take care of a leaky toilet or broken air conditioner.
Expense. Typically buying your first home requires a down payment, closing costs and moving expenses. This is usually much higher than security deposit and first month’s rent for a lease agreement.
Investment. Any investment carries some risk. Your home may not appreciate much in value, especially in the first few years. It can take 3-5 years in a mortgage to come out ahead compared with renting.

If you think you are ready to take the plunge into homeownership, one of our Realtors would love to work with you.

October 5, 2016November 11, 2016

Spotlight: Berkeley

Discover a gem of a neighborhood tucked behind all of the hustle and bustle of Providence Commons and Promenade at Providence. Located on the northwest corner of Providence Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway, just south of Raintree, Berkeley is a well established development with large homes and tree lined streets.

berkeleysign — Check Out The Berkeley Neighborhood

Built in the late 1980’s, Berkeley consists mainly of all brick homes, some with basements. Most homes are around or over 3,000 square feet and are colonial in style. There is great attention to detail in the homes, with many custom features and fabulous porches. Screen porches overlooking generous backyards are common. Storage abounds and many homes feature custom built-ins as well as large well appointed kitchens.

Berkeley is also home to a newer neighborhood of condos. Built in the early 2000’s to match the style of the single-family homes, Berkeley on Providence condos are generously sized, brick facade homes, most with attached garages. These homes can be as large or larger than some of the original neighborhood homes.

Location is fantastic, with shopping right around the corner. From grocery stores to home stores to restaurants, everything you need is a quick walk or drive away. Another reason to check out Berkeley is down the street near Providence and Ardrey Kell. It was just announced that Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s will be opening a location to replace their closed location in SouthPark. Chuy’s is a fantastic place to have down the road and will be direct competition with On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina. Queso and Margaritas await so you can’t go wrong.

Berkeley is currently zoned for Providence Spring Elementary School, J.M. Robinson Middle School and Providence High School. All three schools score 10 out of 10 on Carolina School Hub. Berkeley is also home to Charlotte Latin School.

Just around the corner from Berkeley are two different YMCA locations, Sara’s and Morrison. Also just outside the neighborhood is Mecklenburg Aquatics Club.

This stunner recently sold in Berkeley for 101% of the list price

As of October 5th, there are three homes for sale in the single-family portion of the neighborhood. The single family homes range in size from 3,176 to 3,283 square feet and range in price from $447,500 to $468,900. Homes have between 4 and 5 bedrooms and between 2.5 and 3.5 bathrooms.

There are also three condos for sale in Berkeley on Providence at this time. The condos range in size from 1,945 to 3,911 square feet and range in price from $249,500 to $349,500. The condos have between 3 and 4 bedrooms and between 2.5 and 3.5 bathrooms.

In the past year, homes in Berkeley sold for an average price of $500,905 so the current listings are a bargain in comparison.

September 15, 2016

Get to know Piper Glen Estates

Imagine living next to a championship level golf course designed by Arnold Palmer himself. Living in Piper Glen Estates would get you just that. Newly renovated, the TCP (Tournament Players Club) Piper Glen Club has golf, tennis, swimming, dining, and a kids club. You could work on your swing, host a business meeting in their conference center, or celebrate a wedding in their banquet rooms.

Homes in Piper Glen Estates are stately and unique. Most are well over 3,000 square feet and include luxury features to make you as comfortable as possible for a family dinner or when hosting a charity event. Homes here can start below a half million dollars and go up into the millions of dollars. Some of the homes also include private tennis courts, pools, saunas, exercise rooms, home theaters, and smart homes wired for all electronics.

This beauty sold earlier this year for $2M

While there are some new homes in Piper Glen Estates, most are existing homes. Some have been up-fitted with all of the latest features. Most include unique architectural details and many have views of the stunning golf course.

Piper Glen Estates is conveniently located north of I-485, South of Highway 51, straddling Rea Road and west of Providence Road. Ballantyne Commons is just a short drive away. Also close by is Providence Commons with more shopping and dining options. Take a short drive up Colony Road and be at SouthPark Mall in 20 minutes.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is just 25 minutes away without traffic and Uptown Charlotte is just 30 minutes away.

piperglensign — Welcome to your new neighborhood

Piper Glen Estates is currently zoned for McAlpine Elementary School, South Charlotte Middle School, and South Mecklenburg High School. Please check with the school board as school assignments can change.

As of September 15th, there are 23 homes on the market with 5 under contract. This is about 6 months of inventory which usually makes a pretty even market between buyers and sellers. The lowest priced home is a 4 bedroom, 2 full bath, 1 half bath home with 2,840 square feet listed for $460,000. The highest priced home is a 5 bedroom, 4 full bath, 2 half bath with 5,685 square feet listed for $1M.

August 26, 2016

Check out Carlyle

Walking distance to Ballantyne Town Center is the community of Carlyle. Carlyle consists of around 80 homes built in the late 1990’s in the transitional style. The neighborhood, just off Providence Road West near Johnston Road is mostly cul-de-sac streets with no through traffic. Homes here are one or two-story single-family homes averaging between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet.

Homes in Carlyle come with a variety of upgrades so you have an opportunity to get a fully remodeled home with hardwood floors, trey ceilings, custom built-ins, and stainless appliances. On the other hand, you can get homes that have not been as updated so you can put your personality into a home.

Carlyle is currently zoned for fantastic schools. As of this post, Carlyle is zoned for Ballantyne Elementary School, Community House Middle School, and Ardrey Kell High School. All three schools are currently ranked 10 out of 10 on Carolina School Hub. Please check with the school district as school assignments are subject to change.

Carlyle has a great location for so many reasons. Being in the heart of Ballantyne, you are close to world class dining, shopping, entertainment, cinema, grocery stores, fitness, parks, and much more. Carlyle is about 25 minutes away from the airport without traffic. Uptown Charlotte and all of the museums, nightlife, and sporting events are just 25 minutes away without traffic too. That makes for an easy commute.

As of August 25th, there are three homes in Carlyle on the market with two currently under contract. They range in size from 2,166 to 2,825 square feet and prices range from $279,900 to $350,000. Listed homes have either 3 or 4 bedrooms and range from 2 bathrooms to 2 full, 1 half bathroom, to 3 full bathrooms. In the past year, homes in Carlyle have sold for between $260,000 and $354,000 with an average sale price of $302,800.

August 25, 2016October 25, 2016

Spotlight: Williamsburg in Ballantyne

If you are looking for a full or partial brick established home with traditional styling for around $400,000, Williamsburg in desirable Ballantyne could be the right place for you. Williamsburg is located between Rea Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway just 2-3 minutes south of I-485. This area is host to fine dining, entertainment, shopping, fitness locations, and great grocery stores. From Williamsburg, you can be Uptown in 20 minutes, or in Lake Wylie in the same amount of time.

With around 450 residents, you won’t feel lost in the shuffle like you might in some of the larger neighborhoods in Ballantyne. Williamsburg has a homey feel and neighbors are friendly and kind.

Williamsburg is currently zoned for much sought-after public schools of Polo Ridge Elementary School, J.M.Robinson Middle School and Ardrey Kell High School. All three schools are rated 10 out of 10 stars by Carolina School Hub. Williamsburg is also close to many private schools such as Charlotte Latin, Charlotte Catholic School, United Faith Christian Academy, and The British American School of Charlotte.

Homes in Williamsburg typically have around 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 1 half bathroom, and close to or slightly over 3,000 square feet. In the past year, homes in Williamsburg have sold for between $307,500 and $415,000.

As of August 24th, there are 5 homes on the market in Williamsburg with 3 under contract. The first of the remaining two is a 4 bedroom, 2 full bath, 1 half bath home with 2,858 square feet on .42 acres. This home features a large wooded backyard, large bonus room, cul-de-sac lot and downstairs master. List price on the first home is $360,000. The second home is a 4 bedroom, 2 full bath, 1 half bath home with 2,770 square feet on .38 acres. This home was renovated in the last year and is listed for $425,000.

Search Homes In This Neighborhood

August 17, 2016

Olympic Training in the Queen City

With the 2016 Rio Olympics coming to a close this weekend, you might be dreaming of being a competitor yourself. If not for yourself, you might have big dreams for your children. Training for the Olympics is serious business with serious time commitments. If your family is helping an Olympian train, you want to live close to where training occurs so you aren’t always in the car.

The National Whitewater Center is an official Olympic training center right here in the Queen City. There may have been some trouble with amoebas in the water, but the facility has been drained, scrubbed, and is ready to help you achieve your Olympic dreams. Offering whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, flatwater kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rock climbing, zip-lining, ropes courses, canopy tours and mountain biking, the Whitewater Center can help you train for a wide variety of events. A home in or around Uptown Charlotte is perfect for training at the Whitewater Center. You will have quick highway access, while having all of the benefits of living uptown including museums, nightlife, restaurants, parks and more.

If Gymnastics are more your speed, there is the Charlotte Gymnastics Academy in South Charlotte just off South Boulevard. They have classes for kids ages 4-18, perfect for your budding Olympian. If you have a little tumbler, a great place to make your home would be Quail Hollow. You can get a great home just a quick drive away from the training facility. Quail Hollow also boasts Quail Hollow Country Club with a fantastic golf course. With mens and womens golf now in the Olympics, you could train there as well.

If you want all around training, or your child is too young to be specialized in any one sport, why not move close to a YMCA where you can train in many different disciplines to see which one might fit you best. Charlotte has many locations, most notably the Dowd YMCA in Uptown, the Harris YMCA in SouthPark, and Sara’s YMCA in Ballantyne.

If you are looking to move within the Charlotte area, or are looking to move here from somewhere else, contact one of our Realtors to help you with a smooth transition. We can help you find the home of your dreams close to everything you need to be healthy, active and happy. If you happen to train for and eventually get an Olympic medal, we would be so happy to be part of your journey.