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Investigate the four Villages at Brayden

Fort Mill, SC has become a fantastic place to live, especially booming in the last few years. There are so many amazing new neighborhoods that it can be hard to keep up. One of our favorite new developments right now is Brayden. There are four different Villages with different architecture, style, and floorplans. They are called the Villages, the Enclave, the Arbors and the Woodlands.

  • Brayden – the Villages has single-family homes from $321,900. These homes have 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and at least 2,167 square feet. Two car garages are standard. There are four different floorplans available all with open floorplans, plenty of storage, and lots of natural light. There are many sites to choose from and many quick move-in homes as well.
  • Brayden – the Enclave has single-family homes starting at $383,900. These homes have between 3 and 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 bathrooms and 2,804 to 3,591 square feet. These homes have generous porches, gourmet kitchens and wooded lots. Many of the homesites have already been claimed, but there are still opportunities to get in on the Enclave.
  • Brayden – the Arbors has single-family homes from $420,900. Four or five bedrooms, 2.5 to 5 bathrooms and 3,288 to 4,205 square feet. Homes here may have brick exteriors, 2 or 3 car garages, large foyers, butler’s pantries, game rooms, and sumptuous owner’s suites. There are still many opportunities to get in on the Arbors.
  • Brayden – the Woodlands has single-family homes from $559,305. There are two quick move in homes and the model home available in the Woodlands. They have between and 7 bedrooms, 5 to 6 bathrooms, and over 4,000 square feet of living space. Some even have full basements. Homes here have more luxury features including heavy mouldings, trey ceilings, hardwood flooring, owner’s suites, guest suites and more.

Homes in The Villages at Brayden are within award winning Fort Mill School District. Children would currently attend Gold Hill Elementary, Gold Hill Middle, and Fort Mill High Schools. Please verify school assignments as they are subject to change. There are also many private school, preschool, and daycare options close by.

Fort Mill has grown so much in recent years that there are plenty of places to shop, dine, and enjoy the outdoors so there is no need to leave. There is however, easy access to I-77 making Uptown Charlotte a quick commute. There are plenty of museums, sporting events, restaurants, nightlife, live music venues, and more in Uptown. This quick highway access also gives you  access to SouthPark Mall with world class dining and shopping.

CalAtlantic Homes is the builder for The Villages at Brayden. They have preserved natural wooded areas and ponds in the neighborhood. Besides the natural features, there is a private resident’s club with competition pool, and pocket parks throughout including fitness and playgrounds.)

It costs you nothing to bring a Realtor with you when you look at new homes, and you have everything to gain having a professional on your side helping you to navigate the process. If you are interested in a home in any of the four Villages of Brayden, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view listings on our website here.

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New Homes coming to Arrowood Station

Colorado based homebuilder Century Communities recently closed on its purchase of nearly 50 acres near Arrowood Station, south of Arrowood Road, between England Street and South Boulevard in south Charlotte where it will develop for-sale townhomes in a community called Hadley Park. Century will deed back part of the land to another developer for an apartment project.

The townhomes will be only minutes away from the Lynx Blue Line making a commute a breeze. There are numerous shops and restaurants in the area. It is also a quick trip to Uptown Charlotte for live music, sporting events, museums, restaurants, and nightlife. SouthPark Mall is also a short drive away boasting world class shopping and dining and also hosting the summer pops concert series.

Century Communities is a top 20 U.S. homebuilder. They build single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and flats across the country. Main markets for their homes are Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina and Utah.

Century Communities includes two luxury brands, Jimmy Jacobs Homes, and Grand View Builders. Wade Jurney Homes and Century Complete are their brands most likely to be involved in the Arrowood Station project. They are more affordably priced and cater mostly to new homeowners and they try and give you the most home for your money.

Expect a range of floorplans to fit many different needs. Planning is in process now so we should soon see elevations, floorplans, and renderings. We will keep our eye on this project to see when any new information is available.

If you are interested in a townhome near the light rail lines, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also create custom searches for listings on our website here.

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Pulte Re-imagining South Charlotte Project

We reported in April that Pulte was working on getting zoning approval for a project on Starmount Cove Lane just off South Boulevard. They were denied the zoning change they had been seeking and are working on a new plan for a smaller, single-family residential development.

The original plan Pulte put forth was for 95 two-story townhouses. They would sit on a 9.1 acre site about a half-mile from the Lynx Blue Line station at Arrowood. City council members expressed concerns about density, design, parking, accessibility, and lack of open space. Community members additionally questioned stormwater runoff, trees, buffers, the scale of the project, and potential for conversion into rentals.

It appears that Pulte scrapped the original plan in it’s entirety and will develop detached single-family residential homes on the site. Current zoning will allow 43 lots on the 9.1 acres. The parcel was rezoned in 1999 to allow density of 8 units per acre and with the new plan, Pulte will not have to rezone with the new plan. This would leave each home with a small, easy to maintain yard.

There is no price point yet published for the new project. The original plan, now scrapped, called for three bedroom units between 1,492 and 1,600 square feet to start in the $190’s. Pulte has said the homes will be similar to their Woodbury project in east Charlotte. Homes in Woodbury are between 3 and 4 bedrooms and prices range from the $180’s to the $260’s. The image above is of a home in Woodbury.

Pulte is now working through the planning phase of the project. They expect to break ground after they close on the deal in the fourth quarter of this year. Residents should be able to move in by late 2018 if all goes according to plan.

If you are interested in a new home along the Blue Line in South Charlotte, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view listings on our website here.

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Is renting or buying the best bet in Charlotte?

Home prices have been rising in the Charlotte region for the past few years with no apparent end in sight. Case-Shiller’s S&P CoreLogic home price index has prices 6.7% higher in March. This is well above the 4.3% year over year increase they reported in March of 2016. It also far outpaces the national average of 5.8% which represented a nearly three-year high.

Unusually low inventory of homes takes much of the blame for the price hikes. People are staying in their homes rather than selling and moving up. Mortgage interest rates are also on the rise which may deter some sellers as a new mortgage would have higher carrying costs. This could contribute to the current trend as it keeps inventory low and prices going ever higher.

With all of this news, you might be thinking that renting might be a better option, but is it? According to home real estate website Trulia, buying remains a more cost-effective option than renting. Trulia’s study shows that purchasing a home in Charlotte is 39.4% cheaper than renting. This assumes that buyers have a 20% down payment, have a 30 year fixed rate mortgage and stay in the property at least seven years.

However, Trulia’s study shows that renting appears to be making up some ground. Home prices have been escalating faster than rental prices. Rental rates from 2016 to 2017 have dropped 0.4% while home prices increased 7.5%.

For now, buying a home in the Queen City is a pretty safe bet. If you are interested in making the jump into homeownership, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also create custom searches of home listings on our website here.

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Dilworth South Starting Pre-sales This Summer

All of the zoning hurdles have been jumped and developer Rockwell Capital is ready to begin construction on Dilworth South. This development will feature ten single family homes, a four unit quadruplex, and a 48 unit condominium building. Located just behind Mac’s Speed Shop on South Boulevard, this roughly two acre project is in prime location in Dilworth and close to the Lynx Blue Line.

The land is currently home to some small older homes and commercial buildings which will be razed to make room for the project. Bounded by Euclid Avenue, Atherton Street, and Marshall Place, most of the project will face Euclid Avenue.

Expect the single family homes to be an average of 4,300 square feet and start at $1.2 million. The rear load garages will have access from Marshall Place. Exterior styling will be craftsman inspired with generous porches. Interiors will be luxe with attention to detail, style, quality, and function.

The quadruplex will face an interior courtyard between some of the homes and the condominium building. Two different sized units will make up the space. 1,150 square foot units on the bottom level and 2,250 square foot units on the top level. There will be parking underneath and a commercial elevator. Expect the smaller units to start at $365,000 and the larger units to start at $690,000. These thoughtfully designed units will focus on luxury and comfort.

The condominium building will have one and two bedroom units starting around $230,000. They will feature modern design and open floorplans. Units will range from 742 to over 1200 square feet. The largest units will be the corner units and will include large outdoor balconies for additional living area. A fitness center will be adjacent to the courtyard.    

Pre-sales for the entire project should begin this summer with construction expected to begin in the fall. If you are interested in this or one of the other exciting projects along the light rail lines, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.

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Spotlight: Bromley Estates

Bromley Estates doesn’t need anything else to make it more attractive to buyers, but it recently got more. A new Whole Foods opened in Waverly right down the road on May 23rd, giving residents a great new choice for shopping. Besides grocery store offerings, the new Whole Foods has a verandah with lawn games, a bar and seafood restaurant called The Queen’s Pearl, a Korean and Japanese street food restaurant Kei Jei, and Instacart delivery service. These add to all of the other offerings in Waverly that make it so residents of Bromley Estates in Weddington don’t have to travel far for any convenience.

If you desire to explore further from home, there is convenient access to I-485 making Ballantyne, SouthPark, Uptown Charlotte, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport easy trips.

Homes in Bromley Estates are stately and luxurious. There is a mix of existing and new construction homes so you still have the opportunity to build the dream home for you and your family. Homes have wooded sites, 10’ main floor ceilings, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens, luxurious master suites, opulent baths, and three car garages. There are seven home designs ranging from 3,200 to over 5,000 square feet. The master can be upstairs or downstairs depending on the plan. There are also ranch-style designs available.

Home typically have at least 4 bedrooms and at least 3.5 baths. Studies and playrooms are also included in most homes. Some homes have views of the sparkling lake, natural areas, or numerous walking trails. Some homes even have walkout basements. Lots are generously sized, with many close to an acre in size.

The location for Bromley Estates is in prestigious Weddington, with low Union County taxes. Even with lower taxes, the schools here are top rated. Children in Bromley Estates attend award winning Antioch Elementary, Weddington Middle, and Weddington High Schools. Please verify as school assignments are subject to change. There are also many private school options nearby.

If you are interested in a home in Bromley Estates, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view homes on our website here.

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Get in on in Demand Sharon Woods

Sharon Woods began to be built in the 1970’s and hasn’t stopped being a popular destination. With large beautiful homes on large lots, homes here are highly sought after, and rarely hit the market. SouthPark mall is within walking distance, as are great schools, businesses, and fitness facilities.

Homes in Sharon Woods are generally larger than any homes in nearby Beverly Woods. Most are around 4,000 square feet and have typically 4 to 5 bedrooms and 3-4 bathrooms. Many of the homes feature full basements, original hardwood flooring, extensive millwork, custom built-ins, gourmet kitchens, luxury bathrooms, and much more. There is a mix of brick ranches, colonials, and new homes to choose from.

Lots here are generously sized, most close to or over half an acre. Mature trees, meticulous landscaping and well tended lawns are a hallmark of the area. Sharon Woods feels remote and tucked away, but is only 6 miles from Uptown and about a mile from the center of bustling SouthPark.

Park Road Park is just down the road with 122 acres of green space. The park includes basketball courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, and an 11-acre lake. Phillips Place and the Harris YMCA are also nearby. Specialty Shops on the Park, the Farmers Market, Whole Foods, and Symphony Park are all just a few minutes away.

Children in Sharon Woods attend prestigious Sharon Elementary, Alexander Graham Middle and Myers Park High Schools. All three award winning schools earned 10 out of 10 by Carolina School Hub. Please verify school assignments as they are subject to change. There are many private school options close by as well.

Expect homes in Sharon Woods to average around $630,000, with some homes costing far more. New luxury homes on these generous old lots fetch much higher prices.

These homes don’t come up for sale often. If you are looking to purchase a home in Sharon Woods, call us at (704) 525-4045. You can also save searches and view listings on our website here.

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Spotlight: Fairmeadows

Fairmeadows is one of the hidden gems of SouthPark. Walking distance to SouthPark Mall, the neighborhood also boasts a great tennis and swim club, large lawns, and top rated schools. All of these great features, yet average sales price is just $410,270.

Originally built by Crosland back in the 1950’s and 1960’s, Fairmeadows homes are mainly brick ranch or split-level style. Many of the homes have been updated and modernized to meet today’s lifestyles, but there are plenty of opportunities to buy a home and modernize and personalize it. Homes typically have 3-4 bedrooms and 2-3 bathrooms. Lots are large, most around a half-acre so there is room to expand homes here and many have additions of screened porches, and some even have added second floors.

There is a voluntary neighborhood association in Fairmeadows that organizes community events and is responsible for upkeep of common areas. For an optional joining fee and yearly membership fee, residents can join the Fairmeadows Swim & Racket Club. The pool was renovated in 2015 and has kiddie splash pool, shaded pavilion and lounge areas. The swim team competes with local teams and is great for neighborhood kids.

Summer is a great time to get in on a home in Fairmeadows so you can walk to Symphony Park to enjoy the Summer Pops series. The season kicks off June 4th and concerts this year include blockbuster movies, jazz, Star Wars, Broadway and classic Americana. This year, you can also purchase premium tickets with VIP seating with shaded tent, reserved parking, and a chef-curated picnic basket from Reid’s Fine Foods.

Besides all of the things to do in SouthPark, Fairmeadows is convenient to the airport and is a quick commute to Uptown Charlotte. The Harris YMCA is right down the road for fitness and family events.

Children in Fairmeadows attend Sharon Elementary, Alexander Graham Middle, and Myers Park High Schools. There are also many private school options close by.

If you are interested in a home in Fairmeadows, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view listings on our webstie here.

Get more information and Summer Pops tickets here.

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Market Update

Last week we showed you the local trends for housing prices. This week, we have national numbers as well, released by the National Association of Realtors. They show that housing prices in metro Charlotte rose at nearly double the rate of the national median in the first quarter of this year. Median sales price of an existing single-family home in Charlotte grew year over year 13.4% to $209,600. Nationally, the median rose 6.9% to $232,100.

Low inventory factors into the high appreciation in Charlotte. There was a more than 20% drop in home supply in the Charlotte area, just a 2.5 month supply. This is well below the balanced market of 6 months supply, giving sellers a distinct edge in transactions.

Housing Analysis firm Metrostudy released figures on new home sales this week. They show that new homebuilding rose 16.4% from last year at this time to total 2,695. Additionally, the number of previously vacant new homes that are now occupied rose 23.5% to 2,725. Annual starts increased 7% to 11,372, and annual closings rose 10.6% to 10,922.

At the same time, the unemployment rate in North Carolina came in below the 5% mark in April according to newly released labor data. While this is still higher than the national rate of 4.4%, it is really encouraging. It also means that more people could be eligible for mortgages once they have enough job history in these new jobs.

There are some glimmers of a market correction on the horizon. Rental rates in the Charlotte area have showed a cooling trend in recent months. Housing markets across the nation are showing the same trend. Trulia published their report showing that 12.5% of rental listings had a price reduction to get tenants in. This could be a prelude to upcoming price cuts in the for sale market as well. We will keep you up to date on all of the market trends.

If you are in the market for a home in the Charlotte area, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view listings on our website here.

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New Speakeasy Coming to Park Road Shopping Center

A new speakeasy is coming to Park Road Shopping Center next month and you can already sign up to be a member. Called Dot Dot Dot, the speakeasy will feature cocktails and pair them with food, but the focus will be on the drinks.

Located at the rear lot of the shopping center, Dot Dot Dot might be tricky to find the first time you go. The entrance is just to the right of Blackhawk Hardware’s garden center, and just below the patio for Flying Biscuit. A long hallway will take you to the hostess stand and you will be buzzed into the interior of the bar.

The design and feel will be that of a 1920’s jazz and blues club, with a 37 foot long bar and copper accents. The 2,700 square foot club will hold about 100 people. Motown and Soul music will also be in the mix.

Dot Dot Dot is a members only club. To become a member, you pay a $10 fee and agree to the 12 house rules. These rules include no talking on cell phones, three guests per member maximum, and “don’t be a jerk”. Also included is to be patient as your cocktail is being crafted individually.

Anticipated hours for Dot Dot Dot are Tuesday-Sunday, 5 pm – 2 am. Look for the grand opening to be mid to late June.

There are plenty of other spots in Park Road Shopping Center that you could try out while you’re waiting for Dot Dot Dot to open. Sir Edmund Halley’s is a perennial favorite, as are Cantina 1511, Rocksalt, and Fuel Pizza. Right down the way, there are additional restaurants and bars at Montford with Sushi 101, Brazwell’s Pub, Duckworth Grill & Taphouse, Angry Ale’s and Park Lanes.

If you’re in the market for a home and you love Park Road Shopping Center and Montford areas, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view homes on our website here.