The Angle – Page 24 – New Angle Realty

October 21, 2016

Affordable Mixed-Use Development in Dilworth at Strawn

Dilworth is one step closer to having a new mixed-use development. The current site of Strawn Cottages and Strawn Tower will be totally overhauled to meet current demand. Located on South Caldwell Street, the property is also bounded by South Boulevard, Templeton Avenue and Euclid Avenue. This is a prime location just outside the I-277 loop, just a block away from the Dowd YMCA. Also two blocks away is the Bland Station on the Lynx Blue Line light rail.

The original Strawn Tower built in 1970 was just renovated and will remain onsite

Charlotte has been growing at a tremendous rate, and rental rates have been steadily rising. For this reason, city council has pledged to include 5,000 more affordable units in the next three years. This project, that has been in the works for years, will help meet that goal.

The 16.2 acre project will include 725 mixed-income apartments (145 of which will be affordable), 20 for-sale townhomes, 57,000 square feet of retail, a 330,000 square foot office building, and a hotel with 180 rooms. There will also be a central park, healing garden, and numerous other amenities.

The Fallon Company out of Boston was just selected as master developer. The $330 million project is expected to be underway late in 2017 or early in 2018. Fallon has selected architecture firm Odell to design the master plan. More renderings should be available from them soon.

Original Strawn Cottages to be replaced with a robust new development

Strawn Tower, containing 170 affordable housing apartments for ages 55 and older, was just renovated and will remain onsite. Residents will be relocated during construction, with the chance to return when the project is completed.

The new plan will be built in phases, with 160 mixed income apartments (20% of which will be affordable), and the hotel to be first.

Horizon Development Properties, Inc., a division of Charlotte Housing Authority subsidiary, has set hiring targets for the master developer. According the the Charlotte Business Journal “30% of the project’s development cost should be awarded to qualifying women-owned and minority-owned business enterprises. The project is also expected to provide job-training and hiring opportunities for low-income individuals.”

To read more about this development in the Charlotte Business Journal, click here.

To read more about this development in the Charlotte Observer, click here.

October 19, 2016

Explore The Metropolitan

Just east of Uptown Charlotte is a highly walkable area called the Metropolitan. This mixed use development is home to shopping, entertainment, and condos. The Metropolitan is an all inclusive village. Once here, you never need to leave.

This week it was announced that Gigi’s Macaron, a French pastry shop will open in the Metropolitan in November. Gigi’s is a franchise with 40 locations. They specialize in handmade macarons with 20 flavors with assorted fillings. Also on the menu are gourmet chocolates, French gelato, European-style coffees as well as classic French pastries and homemade candies.

Gigi’s joins a long list of other retailers and restaurants in the Metropolitan. Anchor stores are Target, Best Buy, West Elm, Trader Joe’s, Marshall’s, Staples, and Modern Salon and Spa. There are also ten restaurants, a cleaners, Xtend Barre fitness, and a bank all on site.

The Metropolitan was once the home of the first enclosed shopping mall in the Southeast. It was called Charlottetown mall. Originally built in 1959, the mall flourished for a while before declining, having renovations, changing retailers, and ultimately closing in 1988. In the early 2000’s, the mall site was bulldozed and built into the mixed use development it is today. It is busy and thriving once more.

Located at the intersection of Charlottetowne Avenue and S. Kings Drive, The Metropolitan is just outside the I-277 loop. This means it is only 1.5 miles to the center of Uptown. Drive to the airport in only 15 minutes. The Metropolitan is surrounded by Uptown, Myers Park, Dilworth, and Elizabeth, some of Charlotte’s most desirable neighborhoods. It is also adjacent to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway offering biking and walking trails outside your door.

Homes in the Metropolitan range from efficiencies to luxurious penthouses. They are open spaces, most with balconies, open kitchens, and lots of storage. Currently there are 6 units on the market. They range from a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, with 679 square feet to a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, with 1,997 square feet. List prices range between $230,000 and $750,000. In the last year, homes in the Metropolitan have sold between $164,000 and $790,000 for an average of $348,211.

October 16, 2016

Check out Fairfield Plantation

Affordability and great location are the hallmarks of Fairfield Plantation in Stallings, NC. The original part of the neighborhood was built in the early 1970’s to the 1980’s by Trotter Builders. It features quaint homes, many of which are on cul de sac lots. The newer section of the neighborhood was built around 2012 by True Homes. These homes are larger and have lots of storage and great kitchen and living spaces.

Union County taxes and a price point between $140,000 to $295,000 make Fairfield Plantation even more attractive. With loan rates at historic lows, now is a great time to buy a home.

Located in the Stevens Mill area of northern Stallings near the intersection of Lawyers Road and Stevens Mill Road, Fairfield Plantation has easy access to I-485 and Highway 74. Commute time into Uptown Charlotte is approximately 35 minutes. More extensive shopping in Ballantyne is 15 minutes away, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is only 11 miles away.

Stevens Mill Crossing shopping center is just down the road containing a grocery store, restaurants, a day spa and more. Just down Lawyers Road are Emerald Lake Golf Club and Charlotte National Golf Club. A quick hop down I-485 will take you to Mecklenburg County Sportplex and Matthews YMCA. Also close by are a new medical park and hospital, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Concord Mills outlet shopping.

Fairfield Plantation is a rare older neighborhood with lots of modern amenities. There is a Homeowners Association, walking trails, swim club, playground, recreation area, tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball court, fishing pond, community garden, and gazebo. The pool area/clubhouse has a lifeguard on staff.

The tree-lined streets of Fairfield Plantation are lined with homes of many styles. There are ranch homes, two story, and bi-level homes. In the older section, many homes have full brick exteriors. The newer section is mostly two story homes with 4 or more bedrooms.

A Recently Sold Home in the Original Section of Fairfield Plantation

Fairfield Plantation is part of the Union County school district. Homes here can feed into either Fairview Elementary or Stallings Elementary School. They then feed into either Piedmont or Porter Ridge Middle School. High School will be either Piedmont or Porter Ridge. Please confirm school assignments as they are subject to change. Please check with Union County Public Schools for current assignments based on address. All feeder schools for Fairfield Plantation are rated 8 or higher by CarolinaSchoolHub.

In the past year, homes in Fairfield Plantation have sold for between $151,500 and $297,000. There are currently 3 homes on the market, one in the newer section and two in the original section. They range from a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath with 1,510 square feet for $138,900 to a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath with 2,490 square feet in the new section for $275,000.

If you want to get in on one of the fastest growing areas of metro Charlotte, NC at an affordable price with plenty of amenities, contact one of our Realtors.

October 12, 2016

Spotlight: Candlewyck

Picture yourself living in a tight knit community. A family-friendly place where kids ride their bikes and get called inside at dark. A neighborhood with some of the best schools in the city. The popular SouthPark neighborhood of Candlewyck has that and more.

Built mostly in the 1970’s, Candlewyck has a wide variety of architectural styles. There are 205 homes and 107 patio homes in the community. Homes are usually in the 1,800 to 3,500 square foot range. Many have been extensively updated.

Neighborhood amenities include a salt-water lap swim pool with two diving boards, a playground, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, tennis courts, a pond, a dog park, wooded walking trails and plenty of green spaces. The Barracudas swim team is very popular with kids ages 4-18 and is run by parent volunteers. The HOA is very active, sponsoring many events for kids, adults, and the whole family throughout the year.

Candlewyck is currently zoned for Olde Providence Elementary School, Carmel Middle School, and Myers Park High School. All three schools are rated 10 out of 10 by CarolinaSchoolHub.com. Please note school assignments are subject to change.

A stunner sold earlier this year in Candlewyck

Candlewyck is located north of Highway 51 just off Providence Road, directly south of Rea Road. 30 minutes away is Charlotte Douglas International Airport. 22 minutes away is Uptown Charlotte. SouthPark Mall is 15 minutes away and offers dining, shopping, and entertainment.

South of Candlewyck by just three minutes is the Arboretum. This area is home to shopping, groceries, dining, movies, fitness, and more.

In the past year, homes in Candlewyck have sold for between $160,000 and $305,000. The average sale price was $232,082. As of October 11th, there are 4 homes on the market in Candlewyck with one under contract. Homes range in size from 1,800 square feet up to 3,520 square feet. List prices range between $219,900 up to $379,918. All homes listed at this time have at least 4 bedrooms, and 2 and a half bathrooms.

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 8, 2016

Value, Convenience and Amenities in Indian Land’s Arlington

Right off highway 160 near the intersection with highway 521 in Indian Land, SC lies the popular subdivision of Arlington. Homes are affordable, but contain luxury features. Neighborhood amenities match much pricier master planned communities. Sound too good to be true? Arlington has that and lower South Carolina taxes!

Arlington was built in the early 2000’s and contains homes mostly in the 1,500 to 1,900 square foot range. Most have low maintenance vinyl siding and small easy to maintain yards. Some have first floor master bedrooms. Prices typically range between $160,000-$190,000.

Arlington amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, clubhouse, and fitness center. The neighborhood is also extremely walkable with sidewalks on all streets perfect for an evening walk or for the kids to ride their bikes.

Currently, Arlington is zoned for great Lancaster County Schools. 4 minutes away is Harrisburg Elementary School, 8 minutes to Indian Land Middle School, and 9 minutes from Indian Land High School.

The commute into Uptown Charlotte takes just 29 minutes without traffic. You could also park and ride the Blue Line in from I-485 station 15 minutes away. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is 33 minutes away without traffic. Shopping is also convenient with Ballantyne just 3 miles north.

In the last year, homes in Arlington have sold for between $165,000 and $190,000. Currently there are 4 homes on the market ranging in price from $174,000 to $200,000. One of the homes is under contract. Of the other three, two are three bedroom, two and a half bathroom, the other one is a three bedroom, two bath. All have open floor plans and abundant storage.

Arlington is a community based around convenience, amenities and value. Get in on an affordable home in this high growth area of Indian Land today!

October 6, 2016

Remodeling Tips

Remodeling a home can be an exciting project, but if you’re not prepared, it can quickly become a headache or even a nightmare. Remodeling a dated home can significantly increase the value of your home if done correctly. Here are a few tips so you can get it done right the first time.

Have a plan. I know it seems basic, but having a great plan of how you want the project to go and what to do if things go wrong can really save you heartache down the road. The plan should include not just drawings of what you want the finished project to look like, but also contingencies and a slush fund for project overages. This can also mean buying items early at a discount if you can find them online or locally.
Find a great company to help you do the remodel. Make sure to research them in the Better Business Bureau. Check for reviews online. Ask for references and call them to see if they had a good experience. Did their project come in on time and on budget. Make sure you can get along well with them and that you trust them. Assure that you can get in contact with them if you have a problem. Ask if you can tour a current jobsite so you can see what you might be able to expect.
Be sure that you are a good customer for your remodeler. This means cutting checks on time as well as being pleasant, calm, honest, and appreciative. The better you get along with the remodeling team, the better job they will want to do for you. Expectations for both sides should be written up in a detailed contract so you and the remodeler have a clear understanding.
Manage your expectations, especially if you are living in your home during construction. Living in a construction zone can be really stressful so try not to take it out on the team doing the work. Dust and debris can make even the most patient home owner get on edge. If you need to, set up a temporary kitchen or stay with relatives or in a hotel during the worst of the demolition phase. Also, pack away any valuables and protect furnishings so there is no chance of accidental damage.
Be a good communicator. Nobody can read your mind so be sure you are heard correctly. There’s nothing worse than a miscommunication that costs time and money. This also means that when your project is complete you thank your team and leave them appropriate reviews.

No matter if you are fixing up your home to make it better for you, or make it a more attractive property to sell, these tips should help you make the most of your remodel experience.

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.

October 2, 2016November 11, 2016

Spotlight: Ashbrook

West Elm announced this week they are building a boutique hotel in SouthEnd. This hotel is in response to consumer demand and to compete with services like Airbnb and HomeAway. The West Elm HOTELS will be a partnership between the retailer and DDK, a hospitality management and development company. The project will be a new construction building at the Design Center of the Carolinas on Camden Road.

West Elm HOTELS will marry the design of their popular retail stores with the mood and identity of Charlotte making a unique experience. Amenities should include 150 rooms, restaurant, cafe, bar, and rooftop and events spaces. The hotel is expected to be finished in 2018 or 2019.

What better place to have guests stay when you live in the Queen City? Just down the road from the new hotel site is Ashbrook. Ashbrook is located just down South Boulevard off Scaleybark between Reynolds Drive and Woodlawn Road. Park Road forms the Eastern border. This location is perfect as you can walk right around the corner, literally, toPark Road Shopping Center. Nightlife is also walkable on Montford Drive. Just a few minutes away is great shopping at SouthPark Mall. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is just down Woodlawn Road for total time of 20 minutes. Uptown Charlotte is just 15 minutes away. Hop on the light rail at Scaleybark station in 4 minutes for an easy commute.

Ashbrook is an established neighborhood in the Myers Park High School district. It is comprised of homes built in the late 50’s and 60’s. Most of the homes are brick ranches and split-levels. In recent years, many younger families have joined neighborhood originals and begun the process of updating and upgrading homes in Ashbook. This means there are still opportunities to get a reasonably priced home here to make your own.

In the past year, homes in Ashbrook have sold for an average of $394,889. As of October 1st, there are 4 homes on the market in with 2 under contract. They range from $389,900 for a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath with 1,878 square feet to $850,000 for a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath with 3,576 square feet.

September 30, 2016

Spotlight: Mint Hill’s Belle Glade

Just South of Albemarle Road at the Southeast corner of Arlington Church Road and Cabarrus Road sits a new construction neighborhood called Belle Glade. This Mint Hill community has homes already completed, or you can customize your home during the building process.

The Elements collection from Builder True Homes features homes starting in the low $200’s. Semi-custom floor-plans range in size from 2,309-4200 square feet. These homes feature open concept living spaces, plenty of storage, large kitchen islands, stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring and more. With 14 floor-plans to choose from, there really is something for everyone in Belle Glade.

Homes in Belle Glade have between 3 and 5 bedrooms and between 2-4.5 bathrooms. Many plans have home offices, built-in cabinetry, trey ceilings, mud rooms, second floor laundry rooms and many coveted additional features.

Just 77 home sites all around a third of an acre comprise Belle Glade. While Belle Glade may lack the amenities of larger master-planned communities, it is poised to be a quiet tight knit community.

The location is great too, with easy access to I-485, a commute isn’t a chore. Belle Glade is 35 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and 30 minutes from Uptown. Shopping is convenient as are fitness centers, grocery stores, dining, movies and more.

In the past year, 7 homes were sold in Belle Glade at an average sale price of $271,192. Currently there are 5 homes on the market with 3 under contract. One of the homes is completed, and the other 4 are under construction.

Make sure to bring your Realtor from New Angle with you before you sign any paperwork with a builder. Your Realtor will be able to give you invaluable advice about how to up-fit your floor-plan. They will also be able to tell you which features will be best to have for later resale, and they can help you draft the most advantageous contract. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call.