Charlotte Archives - Page 2 of 15

20 Jan 2014

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a national day of service. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a "day on, not a day off,” according to MLK.gov. For the past 56 years, the Allen Tate Companies have placed giving back to our communities at the forefront of our mission and vision. Our Realtors® and employees have, through the years, generously supported annual campaigns to benefit, United Way, arts and culture, public education and other organizations. One way we do that is through Tate Cares, our charitable giving program. Our focus on this day of giving back, as well what we...

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16 Dec 2013

Are we in a buyer’s or seller’s market?

by Allen Tate Companies

Buying, Carolinas, Charlotte, First-Time Homebuyer, Homeownership, Luxury Homes, Selling, Triad, Triangle, Upstate

I’m often asked how the real estate market is doing. Are we in a buyer’s market or a seller’s market? So what exactly is a buyer’s market? A Buyer’s Market is when we have more homes for sale than buyers. In this market buyers can leverage the over-supply of homes to their advantage and get very favorable terms such as lower prices, receive closing costs and can take their time with selection. Buyer’s markets are often identified with a depressed market or declining market and the obvious signs are very few offers in a buyer’s market - best offer is the only offer you received and it’s really low. So what exactly is seller’s market? A Seller’s Market is when we have...

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13 Dec 2013

Friday the 13th

by Allen Tate Companies

Carolinas, Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, Upstate

I know some people fear me because they fear my beard. Such people are called Pogonophobics, from the Greek words pogono (for “beard”) and phobia (“fear”). But while only a few Pogonophobics fear my beard, many more suffer from an affliction called Paraskevidekatriaphobia [pair- uh - SKEV - vee - day - CAT - tree - uh - FOE - bee – uh]. Paraskevidekatriaphobics harbor a deep, morbid fear of Friday the 13th. If today’s date is upsetting you, you may be among the world’s estimated 21 million Paraskevidekatriaphobics. Paraskevidekatriaphobia comes from the Greek words paraskevi (meaning “Friday”), dekatreís (for “thirteen”), and phobia (“fear”). For those who suffer from this widespread fear, 2013 has been a particularly difficult year as there...

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11 Dec 2013

I Love Real Estate

by Allen Tate Companies

Carolinas, Charlotte, Recruiting, Triad, Triangle, Upstate

I asked a group of Allen Tate agents what they were grateful for this holiday season. They replied, with much enthusiasm: “My job!” As you think about what gifts you hope to receive – or what the New Year might bring, perhaps it is a new career … one that brings YOU the joy that our real estate agents share. What do I personally love about real estate? Here’s my list. I want to learn something new every day, and real estate gives me that opportunity. I am a giver of joy. Telling first-time buyers that their offer has been accepted makes me forever a part of their home ownership experience. I can create my own schedule around my life. I wear many hats and I...

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29 Nov 2013

Safe Holiday Shopping

by Allen Tate Companies

Carolinas, Charlotte, Insurance, Triad, Triangle, Upstate

Holiday shopping has officially begun. As we go in search for the perfect gift for everyone on our list, there are a few things to remember to keep yourself – and your gifts – safe. • Shop with a friend. Thieves are most likely to approach someone alone. • Park in a well-lit area. Survey your surroundings before leaving your vehicle or approaching your car with your arms full of packages. • Make sure your car is locked. That’s a good practice anytime – not just when you’re shopping. • Keep your wallet close by and never leave it unattended. There’s no bigger panic than a missing wallet, and thieves can spot an easy target. • Ask the merchant to run your debit card as...

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20 Nov 2013

iBinge

by Allen Tate Companies

Carolinas, Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, Upstate

The nights are getting longer and the weather is getting colder…so I’m ready to cocoon in my Carolina home and binge. As alarming as that sounds, I assure you that I’m not doing myself any harm other than eyestrain and an ever-widening bottom. I’m referring to binge-watching, the latest television trend. To “binge” on TV is to watch voluminous hours of television in one long sitting. Are you guilty? My personal demi-god, Bruce Springsteen, recorded a song in the early 1990s called “57 Channels (And Nothin’ On).” 20 years later, I have hundreds of channels (and still nothin’ on), but thankfully I also have a DVR, on-demand cable, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, and Netflix. I have all the technology I need...

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8 Nov 2013

Carolinas’ Housing Recovery Marches On

by Allen Tate Companies

Buying, Carolinas, Charlotte, First-Time Homebuyer, Home Building, Homeownership, Relocation, Triad, Triangle, Upstate

In terms of the stock market, a long-term trend is categorized as one lasting a year or longer. Based on the first nine months of 2013, I’m comfortable saying that the housing recovery is clearly trending in the right direction. In September, we saw the third best month for home sales since 2009. Only July and August 2013 were stronger sales months than September. The numbers speak loudly. Allen Tate Company is averaging 45 listings per day, 68 sales per day and 57 closings per day – up 18 percent, 23 percent and 30 percent respectively over 2012. Year-to-date, Allen Tate has closed 16,758 homes, up from 12,758 at the same time last year. In the latest edition of Carolinas Market Update, I...

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4 Nov 2013

Rockin’ with the Carolina Panthers

by Allen Tate Companies

Carolinas, Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, Upstate

When I was in school, we heard a lot about the 3 R’s – reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic. Today, we’ve added another “R” to the list – rock. Just about every K-12 school in the Carolinas has a large rock in the school yard. I’m talking about the enormous painted boulder that serves as a banner, billboard, birthday card and display of every form of school spirit. The rocks may have originated because of our jagged Southern topography, but if you think about it, the school spirit rock is one of the first forms of social media. Always original, constantly changing and worth checking often, just to make sure you don’t miss something newsworthy. This year, Allen Tate Company found a really cool...

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30 Oct 2013

A Property Wish List Provides Focus

by Allen Tate Companies

Buying, Carolinas, Charlotte, First-Time Homebuyer, Home Building, Homeownership, Luxury Homes, Triad, Triangle, Upstate

When heading to the grocery store, it’s usually best to bring a list of what you want. That way, you don’t get distracted by splashy sales and promotions and forget to buy the items you really need. How about keeping a shopping list–or a wish list– handy during your house hunt? It’s easy to get sidetracked by gleaming new appliances and lose track of the essentials you were hoping for in the first place. Making a wish list ahead of time also helps you focus, and it can help your Allen Tate Realtor® by providing guidance into what matters most to you. Here’s a sampling of topics to consider including when jotting down your list: - What is your ideal price range? - How...

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28 Oct 2013

In-migration: The Benchmark of the Ages

by Allen Tate Companies

Buying, Charlotte, Homeownership, Selling

I grew up and spent the first third of my real estate career in Lancaster, Pa. During that time, I served on the local planning commission and proudly chaired it for many years. Most folks who are familiar with the area know it as “Amish country,” with travel and tourism a major revenue source. So you can understand it was a balancing act to maintain the beauty and tranquility of the endless Amish farms while promoting growth and generating infrastructure to support retirees moving in from New York and New Jersey. For example, a developer would often trade two farms for one, if the one had sewer and water in place. In-migration is a benchmark that all communities need to keep their...

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