Happy Holiday / Charlotte Jobless Rates Dip

I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Weekend!  I've never served in the military but that does not mean that I do not appreciate what our veterans have accomplished so I can be here today writing this post.  To those of you who have lost loved ones while serving in the military, know that your loss is close to my heart.
Charlotte jobless rates have are slowly but surely dipping to lower levels. As we all know, the economy won't make a full recovery until unemployment is lowered.  Read Charlotte Jobless Rates

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor

http://www.bryantstadler.com/

Piper Glen Estates in South Charlotte, NC

Piper Glen Estates is Golf/Swim/Tennis Community located near Hwy 485 in South Charlotte.  The community consists of Custom Built Luxury homes along with Executive Style Townhomes located near the Club House.  For a glimpse of just how nice the Townhomes are, CLICK HERE.  The community boasts the TPC at Piper Glen (designed by Arnold Palmer) and the Heritage Group Golf Course.  With great access to Stonecrest Shopping Center, Ballantyne Village and Blakeney Shopping Center, Piper Glen will continue to be one of South Charlotte's most Highly Sought After communities!

TPC Piper Glen

Situated within the historic city of Charlotte, North Carolina, TPC Piper Glen has become legendary for its unique combination of beauty, challenge and pure playability. TPC Piper Glen is a non-equity club operated by Heritage Golf Group and is a member of the TPC Network of properties nationwide.
The Arnold Palmer designed par 72, 6,853 yard course  offers golfers the challenge of strategic choices for each shot, while maintaining a natural balance of sequence, length and configuration.

Clubhouse

Relax and reconnect with friends, family and colleagues in the spacious Clubhouse.

• 35,000 Square Feet of Classic Elegance
• Casual and Fine Dining
• Private Event Planning
• Banquet Facilities & Private Meeting Spaces
• Full Service Locker Rooms with Club Storage Facilities
• Award-Winning Golf Shop, Recognized as "Golf Operation of the Year

Tennis

Piper Glen offers more than just golfing. The Members and guests enjoy year round tennis activities on the eight lighted clay courts.
Whether you're looking to improve your backswing or are just picking up the sport, year-round instruction is available with the trained Tennis Professionals. Piper Glen hosts junior and adult programs and other private or group instruction, as well as week-long clinics.

Swimming

The swim facility at TPC Piper Glen is a lively summer afternoon hot spot. Piper Glen swimming facility offers competitive inter-club swimming in the Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, as well as professional instruction and numerous activities; you'll find you never want to leave. 

(Detailed Amenities direct from Piper Glen Website)

         

Piper Glen Country Club

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor
http://www.bryantstadler.com/

NAR Reports Top 5 Housing Markets in Q1 2011 ... Charlotte is #1

It's nice to see positive news on Charlotte, North Carolina.  Charlotte came in #1 on the top 5 list of housing markets on the rise! Read Article

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor

http://www.bryantstadler.com/

Charlotte Market Stats for April 2011

Here is my latest newsletter highlighting the real estate market for April 2011 in the Charlotte, NC market.  This newsletter is a great snapshot of current trends in our local market.

May Newsletter

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor
http://www.bryantstadler.com/

Sometimes the Fit isn't there Between Agent & Client

This post is somewhat bitter-sweet but I feel it is information that needs to be shared.  At 10 a.m. this morning, I pulled a yard sign from a clients home to allow them to seek representation elsewhere.  After a 3 weeks of discussing a new pricing position, we could not come to terms and I let them out of there contract.  I never enjoy turning loose business, but the reality is that I am in the market to sell homes....not to list them. We parted on good terms and I truly care for this young couple a lot & wish them the best of luck.  I actually left feeling a big weight off my shoulders and I'm sure the client can say the same.
Where did I fail as a realtor?  Easy answer:  When I listed the home.  From our first meeting I was upfront with them on what the market showed their home was worth.  Remember, my opinion of value nor the opinion of the homeowners value means squat.....the market dictates a property's value.  We came to terms on a price and agreed to re-evaluate after 30 days of market time.  Well, 30 days came and went and we had no action.  We were clearly being rejected by the market.  We discussed this and decided to go out and view some competition.  After a day of viewing homes, I figured we could finally come to terms with a price reduction.  No go.  At this point in time, it was best that both parties go our respective ways.
Lesson Learned:  Sometimes it just plain stinks to have to tell someone the true value of their home but it comes with the realtor cap.  I've never shied away from this duty ... except once...and look how it turned out.  Well, this I can say for sure:  Although I'm disappointed in the turn out, I AM a better Realtor today because of this occurence!

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor
www.BryantStadler.com

What to Do in Charlotte during May 2011

I found this link useful for researching events in Charlotte, NC for 2011:  Click Here  My wife is a concert enthusiast so we are always keeping our eyes and ears open for quick access to local event information. Check out these links for events other than concerts:

• Concerts
  Conferences
  Education
  Family
  Festivals
  Film
  Food
  Fundraisers
  Galleries
• Health
  Literary
  Museums
  Neighborhood
  Networking
  Nightlife
  On Campus
  Organizations
  Outdoors
• Performing Arts
  Pets
  Politics
  Sales
  Science
  Spirituality
  Sports
  Technology
  Other

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor
www.BryantStadler.com

Sunday Brunch at LuLu in Plaza Midwood

I'm a huge fan of the Plaza Midwood area in Charlotte, NC.  Partly due to the fact that the neighborhood is great for people watching; partly due to the mature neighborhoods and fresh lifestyle; but mostly because there is an eclectic choice of dining experiences. 
My family and I met some friends for Brunch at  LuLu on Sunday.  We were fortunate we called ahead for reservations, as to no surprise, there was a hefty line for seating.  The brunch menu offered a wide variety of choices for the adults and even had something for children.  I enjoyed the Country Benedict while everyone else ordered a Quiche.  All in all, the food was outstanding, the service was great but the prices were a little steep (roughly $60 for entries with no apps or drinks).  I'd recommend LuLu to friends as the atmosphere is interesting (building is an old home in Midwood) but the location is about a mile off the beaten path on Central Blvd.

LuLu Location

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor
www.BryantStadler.com

A Fannie Mae Experience

I had the pleasure last week to write an offer on a Fannie Mae property in the Huntington Forest subdivision of South charlotte.  In the last 12 months, I’ve been a part of at least 12 distressed property closings either on the list or sale side of the deal, however, this is my first Fannie Mae Transaction.   To this point, it has been an unbelievably easy transaction.  Here it is:

1)       We viewed the property and comparable properties

2)      We ran a comparative market analysis for past 12 months in the neighborhood.

3)      We drew up the offer and submitted as good homes Sale Quick!

4)      In less than 24 hrs, Fannie Mae countered and we accepted….WOW! 

I’m used to these transactions dragging on for days before the banks respond and usually by the time the bank responds, you find yourself in a multiple offer situation!  Fannie Mae made necessary repairs before the home hit the market and I don’t see much of a chance of this thing falling through as the communication is Top Notch.  I’ll let you know how it goes as we are scheduled to close by 6/11/2011.

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor

www.BryantStadler.com

Search for Charlotte, NC Summer Camps in 2011

For those of you finding yourself in a quick pinch for summer entertainment for the kids, I ran across this search in the Charlotte Observer which will help expedite your search for summer camps....Click Here.  As an FYI....I've heard great things about Camp Thunderbird and I know the local YMCA's offer great programs.  Good Luck! 

On another note, I notice some bad press about lagging sales for April compared to March.  Just like the press to try to burst the balloon when the tables are turning!  I'll pull some stats for my next post so we can get the details straight from the MLS source.

Bryant Stadler, ePRO
www.BryantStadler.com

Charlotte, NC Schools receive "School Quality Reviews"

Schools located within the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District have or will participate in a School Quality Review.  This review is designed to create a clear picture of the quality of education a child can receive in each respective school.  Schools graded include PreK, Elementary, Middle, High, Alternative School and  Exceptional Children Schools.  Although some reviews took place a few years back, most have recently participated within the last year.  I found this information particularly useful! 

OUTLINE

The two-day review is led by a team of three highly experienced and trained educators.  Each school receives a qualitative investigation of six criteria:

• Achievement
• Learning and Teaching
• Curriculum
• Leadership and Management
• Learning Environment
• Involvement of Parents and the Community 



CLICK HERE FOR REVIEWS

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor

http://www.bryantstadler.com/

Charlotte Hosts the Wells Fargo Golf Championship

It's that time of year again when Quail Hollow Club hosts the annual Wachovia Wells Fargo Championship PGA event.  We are proud to call our Queen City host for this annual Golfing event and I know that those spectators traveling to Charlotte will enjoy the accommodations.  I've attended the event several times but won't be so fortunate this year as work is keeping me from attendance.  Truth be known, I can hold off for another year to wait for my 7-year-old to get another year of maturity under his belt ... he's a HUGE golf fan but I doubt he could handle 6 hours of watching golf at this age. 
If you happen to be traveling to see the tournament, make sure you take the time to sneak in some sight-seeing.  I highly recommend enjoying some of the fine restaurants in the Dilworth and Midwood areas.  For fine shopping...South Park will fit the bill.  Take a tour of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown or simply catch some sun and libations at Ballantyne Village.  Click Here for more "things to do" in Charlotte and above all else, take the time to relax and take in what Charlotte has to offer!

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor

www.BryantStadler.com