Posted on

Spotlight: Waverly

South Charlotte is home to the new Waverly community that is rapidly becoming the jewel of South Charlotte. Builder David Weekley Homes is building single-family homes and townhomes in this amazing neighborhood that combines 90 acres of living, shopping, dining, parks, walking trails, and The Terrace.

Located at the intersection of Providence and Ardrey Kell Roads, Waverly is positioned with great access to Ballantyne, SouthPark, and easy access to Uptown Charlotte. With easy access to I-485, a trip to Uptown will take you around 25 minutes. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is also just a 25 minute drive away.

The master-planned community of Waverly is built with a mix of styles, from traditional to craftsman to European architecture. The Terrace is the central plaza with outdoor dining, water features, and artwork. This main gathering space is home to community events throughout the year as well. Waverly is pedestrian-friendly with walkable areas throughout containing pocket parks, tree-lined streets with sidewalks, walking trails, and window shopping.

Whole Foods Market is an anchor of Waverly. There are also many options for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Onsite medical offices and facilities are a great resource for families. There are also many other shopping, dining, and entertainment options just a short drive away.

Students in sought-after Waverly attend highly-desirable South Charlotte schools. They include McKee Road Elementary School, JM Robinson Middle School, and Providence High School. Please verify school assignments as they are subject to change. There are also many options for private schooling, pre-school, daycare, and mother’s day out programs close-by.

Single-family homes in the Waverly Village Collection begin in the $442,000’s and range from 2,424 – 4,069 square feet. Waverly Townhome Collection starts in the $382,000’s and range from 2,056 – 2,162 square feet.

This great location is booming with large projects including the 72 acre Providence Farms and 180 acre Rea Farms surrounding Waverly. There are existing homes and new construction homes still available. If you are interested in Waverly or any other development in the area, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.

Posted on

Townhomes Coming to Ardrey Kell Road

The re-widening project on Ardrey Kell Road can’t come soon enough. There are so many exciting projects coming here in the next few years. This area is booming so fast and there is no end in sight for the growth. Between master planned communities, retail, parks, there are plenty of options for any type of family.

If zoning comes through, there will soon be even more options to choose from. Century Communities has recently filed a rezoning petition with the City of Charlotte with plans to build up to 245 new townhomes on a 37 acre plot across the street from Ardrey Kell High School.

The site is currently occupied by several large homes on partially wooded lots. The plan calls for dense blocks of attached homes built around an internal street network. This would make the development walkable and could end up with a European town flair.

There will be two different access points for the new project from Ardrey Kell Road and Wade Ardrey Road. This would be really convenient for homeowners so they can hopefully avoid traffic.

Homeowners in this new project will have fantastic schools serving them which is a big draw for many families. Please verify school assignments as they are subject to change.

Century Communities has been extremely busy in the Charlotte area in the past few years. They are also going to be building 329 townhomes on 50 acres next to the Arrowood light rail station on the Blue Line. It remains to be seen if this new project will be similar. The Arrowood project has a price point starting in the $200,000’s.

Charlotte City Council will hold hearings on the plan and will then vote on it in the coming months. Once the plan is approved by City Council, expect building to commence soon after.

If you are interested in this or any other project in the Charlotte area, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.

Posted on

October Market Report

The Carolina Multiple Listing Service has released their monthly report and the news looks pretty familiar. Supply is down with low inventory woes persisting while demand is up. Home sales rose year over year and pending sales show that demand is still strong in the area. These numbers all come from the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association’s monthly sales activity report.

Closed sales were up 2.6% last month from 3,572 last year to 3,664 this year. New listings were up year over year as well. In 2016 there were 4,205 and in 2017 were up to 4,336 representing a rise of 3.1%.

Pending sales, also called new contracts for sales are the big story this month. They rose 15.4% from 3,617 to 4,173. This strong demand is a great indicator that the market will continue to stay strong for some time to come.

Median sales price was up from $210,000 last year to $223,000 this year, a 6.2% increase. Average sales price was also up 4.2% from $256,812 up to $267,615.

Inventory continues to be low. This helps drive up prices as demand remains strong. There is only a 2.4 month supply of homes in the Charlotte region right now. A balanced market is generally considered to be a 6 month supply. That’s when buyers and sellers have the same power in a transaction. Right now it is considered a strong seller’s market. This 25% decline from last year means that the possibility of multiple offers on a property are more common as is bidding above list price to win a property. Last year at this time, there were 11,760 homes for sale and this year there are only 9,539.

Homes are staying on the market for fewer days as well. From listing to closing homes are on the market for an average of 89 days. Compared to 104 days last year, this represents a decline of 14.4%.

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

Posted on

Belton Street Underway in Sedgefield

Sedgefield is getting a new development bringing luxury homes at more approachable prices than in Dilworth or Myers Park. Builder David Weekly Homes is behind the project which will replace one-story duplexes with 41 new homes. These homes will be a combination of single-family and paired villas. They are being built by the Central Living division at David Weekly Homes which focuses on high-density, for-sale housing.

The paired villas are a new trend in upscale duplexes. These work a little bit differently than a traditional duplex with each side of the building sold separately. This makes them more like a two home townhome than a traditional duplex. They will have low-maintenance exteriors and a great small community feel.

Homes here will range in size from 2,500 to 3,100 square feet. Expect these homes to be packed with luxury features. The model home currently under construction features a covered porch and owner’s retreat with private balcony. The model home should be completed in January. Expect gourmet kitchens, ample storage, home offices, spa-like bathrooms and more. There will also be many options to make these homes truly unique for your family.

Homes in Belton Street will start around $500,000. Students living in the neighborhood attend award winning Selwyn Elementary, Selwyn Middle and Myers Park High Schools. Please verify school assignments as they are subject to change.

Belton Street is located just east of South Boulevard, within walking distance to the LYNX light rail. This is a great walkable location with grocery stores, entertainment, restaurants, and more within a quick walk. There is also easy access to Uptown Charlotte, SouthEnd, I-77, I-277, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. A quick drive will have you at SouthPark Mall with even more options for world class shopping, dining, and entertainment.

If you are interested learning more about homes in Belton Street or any other development in the Charlotte area, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.

Posted on

You have a few more days to get to the Southern Christmas Show

This weekend is your last chance to visit the Southern Christmas Show’s 50th anniversary celebration. This Charlotte tradition started in 1967 and is a great place to get ideas, visit Santa, and make memories.

The theme of the Christmas Show this year is silver and gold. Expect to see lighted trees, decorations, The Enchanted Village and the big guy himself Santa. The Park Expo and Conference Center is the home of the show again this year. People of all ages get caught up in the wonder of the season here.

From the show entrance to the walk along Christmas Tree Lane, the Southern Christmas Show will delight your senses. Here you’ll see all of the latest, best designs and products of the season. Exhibitors and designers work all year to come up with displays and booths to celebrate the season.

Designer decorated trees, mantels, wreaths, and doors line Christmas Tree Lane. Special designer rooms are filled with holiday decor to get you in the mood. There is also an entertainment stage with dancing, singing, and holiday-themed competitions.

There are plenty of holiday inspired culinary treats for you to eat at the show or take home. You can also purchase portraits with Santa himself. Proceeds from the photos benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children. They are $10 for one, $18 for two, or $25 for three.

You can purchase tickets in advance, $19 for adults, $3 for children 6-12. You may also be able to purchase tickets at the door if any remain. The show is open each day until Sunday November 19th. Hours are 10 am until 9 pm for Wednesday – Saturday, Sunday 10 am until 6 pm.

If you are interested in having a new home to store all of the wonderful decorations you purchase at the Southern Christmas Show, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.

Posted on

Greenbrier Coming Soon to Waxhaw

Waxhaw has an amazing new neighborhood where you can get in on the ground floor. Greenbrier is located just off Potter Road south of New Town Road in Union County. This location gives you all of the great schools with lower Union County taxes. You are just minutes from shopping in Weddington or a stroll through charming downtown Waxhaw. A commute to Uptown Charlotte or a trip to Charlotte Douglas International Airport are around 40 minutes.

Greenbrier is the brainchild of True Homes and is an upscale community with a variety of designer choices. There are 20 floorplans available in their Traditions Collection which give you seemingly endless opportunity for personalizing a home here. These homes balance style, space and design to give you a truly unique living space.

Homes in Greenbrier can range from three to five bedrooms giving options for every size family. Flex spaces, gourmet kitchens, ample storage, and sumptuous master suites are in almost every home. Homes range from a modest 2,800 square feet to a grand over 4,000 square feet. This leaves many opportunities for home gyms, home offices, play rooms, home theaters or guest suites. Finishes can be customized as well, from lighting to cabinetry to fixtures, you can truly make a home in Greenbrier your own. Prices will start in the high $200,000’s and will go as high as the $400,000’s.

True Homes is a semi-custom and full custom homebuilder based in North and South Carolina. They pride themselves on providing the best homes with the best customer satisfaction. Greenbrier will be no different. There are a few homes currently under construction, and a model home will be finished soon. Until then, the model home in nearby Copper Run can show you an idea of what you can get in a home in Greenbrier.

Greenbrier is currently zoned for Western Union Elementary, Parkwood Middle, and Parkwood High Schools. Please verify school assignments as they are subject to change. There are also private school, daycare, preschool, and mother’s day out options close by.

If you are interested in learning more about the community of Greenbrier, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.

Posted on

Southern Living Inspired The Bramble Coming Soon

Fort Mill is soon to be the home of a Southern Living Inspired Community called The Bramble. Brought to you by custom builder and developer New Old, this project promises to be a showstopper. It is tucked away in a quiet nook near Baxter Village, one of Fort Mill’s most sought after neighborhoods. The area has top-ranked public schools, great shopping, entertainment, dining, and outdoor activities for the whole family.

Southern Living Inspired Communities is a collection of neighborhoods marked by charm, taste, and southern spirit. They are handpicked by the editors of Southern Living Magazine.

The Bramble is an exclusive community of just seven homes. They are hand-crafted custom homes offering a step back into a simpler, richer time, while providing all of the sophistication, innovation and refined opulence of modern luxury living. They are tucked in a wooded setting offering a serene and cozy escape from it all.

Homes in The Bramble are perfect down to the last detail. Copper lanterns line the streets welcoming you home to homes inspired by classic architecture. Styling of the homes is reminiscent of an elegant farmhouse or mountain craftsman. There will be nods to traditional and European styles. These homes will be truly modern luxury living. One of the homes has been selected to be designated as one of the elite Southern Living Inspired Homes. This means that the home will be open to the public for tours once it is completed. This means that these homes will be true showcases of style.

More than style, homes in The Bramble bring unsurpassed quality, livability and luxury together. Each home is exquisitely appointed with the finest features and materials for the highest level of custom detail. Pricing for these exclusive homes begins at $1,200,000.

If you are interested in learning more about these amazing homes, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.

Posted on

Tax Appraisals Underway

Currently, tax appraisers are visiting homes all over the Mecklenburg County area. They are in process of evaluating homes and formulating current pricing for homes all around the Charlotte Metro area. This is in preparation for the 2019 revaluation process where prices are set for what each property in the county is worth. The prices are then used to formulate tax bills which will be sent out to homeowners in January 2019 and will be due later that year.

Price per square foot numbers from a presentation by Mecklenburg County Assessor’s Office

County commissioners will spend much time over the summer and fall of 2018 setting policy used to calculate taxes. You currently get charged just under 82 cents for every $100 of value for your home. If you reside in the City of Charlotte, you pay the 82 cents plus 42 cents for each $100 of value.

Tax rates are not guaranteed to go up, but values of homes have been steadily going up and costs for government are always on the rise so it’s a good bet. Higher taxes on homes with high values can be another obstacle for potential homeowners.

The last time the county reevaluated homes was back in 2011. There were numerous issues with that reevaluation. Many suburban areas were assessed too high and there will millions of dollars refunded to the taxpayers after the process was completely done over. When all was said and done, values went up by around 11% from the previous evaluation in 2003.

This time around, we are expecting a much higher increase in valuation. The home price index is up about 50 percent, commercial prices are up 101 percent and retail prices are up 77 percent. This means that there could be many property owners that question the new valuations and will challenge them through a formal appeal process.

The county tax assessor’s office has made a number of changes this time around to be sure they don’t have a repeat of 2011. They have a better online system for appeals and disputes. There will be more staff to deal with issues. There will be better communication with homeowners, including helping them determine what neighborhood they are in. A simpler grading system is in place to identify the quality of buildings.

After this year, Mecklenburg county will move to a four year cycle for reevaluation. This means the next reassessment will be in 2023. After that the plan is to move to two-year cycles.

The county will have the option of lowering the tax rate to compensate for the higher values. Some reduction in tax rate seems likely, but taxes may still rise.

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

Posted on

Affordable Condos Cotswold Springs Coming to Cotswold

Cotswold has long been a desirable spot in the Charlotte area, but it is about to become even more so. There is a condominium project underway that will bring high-end finishes with affordable prices. There are 18 condos total in a project builder Main Street Properties & Development is calling Cotswold Springs.

Cotswold Springs is located at 935 McAlway Road, near the intersection of North Wendover Road and Beal Street. Right down the street is Grayson Skate Park and the other way is Oakhurst Park. There is easy access to Highway 74 with direct access to Uptown Charlotte for sporting events, museums, nightlife and much more. Cotswold Village Shops are just a quick drive away, as is the common market, publix, harris teeter, starbucks and plenty of other options. And just a little bit further will have you in SouthPark for world class shopping and dining.

Homes here range from just over 800 square feet to just under 1,200 square feet. There are three floorplans to choose from with one and two bedroom options with either 1 ½ or 2 bathrooms. Each home will have outdoor space, either a patio on the first floor units, or balconies for the higher units.

If Cotswold Springs is your new home, expect chic finishes. Solid wood cabinetry is standard as are 10 foot ceilings, quartz countertops, and in-unit laundry. All homes are pre-wired for fiber optic internet, with two connections per unit. There are plenty of smart upgrades available as well. The Smart upgrade package includes wi-fi enabled stacked washer/dryer, wi-fi enabled refrigerator, wi-fi enabled oven, smart deadbolt, smart thermostat, and network video doorbell.

If you are interested in a home in Cotswold Springs, they are pre-selling now. As of this writing, there are sixteen of the eighteen units left to choose from. Starting prices are in the low $200,000’s. Expect these homes to be completed early in 2018. For more information, call us at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.

Posted on

Custom Home Opportunities in Belle Grove

If you have been thinking about working with a custom homebuilder, now is a great time. Arthur Rutenberg Homes has homes available in many neighborhoods across the region, but there are two now available in Belle Grove in the Marvin area.

Original Ryan Homes Model Home

Belle Grove is a newer subdivision that was originally begun by Ryan Homes in 2015. They built just a few of the planned 25 homes, but have stepped back from the project. This has left an opening for custom homebuilder Arthur Rutenberg Homes to step in. They are offering two homes at a time and will eventually custom build the rest of the neighborhood.

Arthur Rutenberg has been a respected homebuilder since 1953. He built his first home and every home since on four cornerstones: design, craftsmanship, service, and responsibility. His company has unique designs that are continuously refined to be efficient and functional. They have plans that can be personalized, making each home unique to each customer. Completed projects include Stevens Grove in Matthews, and The Club at Longview in Union County.

A Proposed Custom Home by Arthur Rutenberg Homes

Belle Grove is located off Bonds Grove Church Road between Providence and Waxhaw-Marvin Roads, this is just past Barrington. Current school assignments are for Sandy Ridge Elementary, Marvin Ridge Middle, and Marvin Ridge High Schools. All three of these coveted schools are top ranked, award winning. Please verify school assignments as they are subject to change.

There is a brick and stone entrance that welcomes you into the large wooded lots, each around an acre in size. Homes in Belle Grove range from 2,800 to over 5,000 square feet, some with basement options. They contain many luxury features including grand entryways, custom cabinetry, outdoor living areas, spa style bathrooms and more.

If you are interested in building a home in Belle Grove, give us a call at (704) 525-4045. You can also view current listings on our website here.