Charlotte Real Estate

Up Close & Personal

Simple Steps for Spring Cleaning Without the Stress

Spring is the perfect time to clean up your home and lighten the load of everyday maintenance. But with so much to do, the task can seem overwhelming. Try these simple tips to spruce up your home and brighten your outlook:

Clear the Clutter Put a box or two in the center of every room and then clear the clutter from closets, cabinets, the garage, garden shed and other storage areas both inside and outside the home. Wash the Doors and Windows Doors and windows take a lot of abuse, so it’s no surprise they tend to build up dirt, grime and unsightly stains. Begin by removing curtains and blinds for a deep clean, and then tackle tracks, screens and sills with a gentle solution. Tough stains around doorknobs may require a quick touch-up of paint, but the results are worth it. Floors and More Rent a commercial-quality carpet-cleaning machine or consider having a professional do the job for you. Either way, it’s important to clean the carpets and upholstery in preparation for spring. Research shows that humans lose an average of seven pounds of dead skin each year, and most of it ends up in carpets, the couch or other fabrics. Breathe Easy For the ultimate spring clean, be sure to include the air vents, ceiling fans and central air filters. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homes that have been sealed tight over a long winter are prone to air quality problems that can make asthma, headaches and allergies even worse.

Charlotte--Does Moving Up Make Sense?

6 Questions to Ask Yourself Our market is like many around the country. Buyers are extremely happy but sellers, not so much. Life goes on—marriage, divorce, new babies, downsizing—and most times, owners will face the decision to sell in order to meet the needs of their family regardless of the market.

These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move.

1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, but if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.

2. Has your income or financial situation improved? If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving.

3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood? The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down in for good. For example, you may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district.

4. Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on? Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.

5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market? If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy also will be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home.

6. Are interest rates attractive? A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.

If you would like to discuss the Pro’s & Con’s of a Move-Up,

Please Call Me!

(704) 968-6845

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March 2010

Alisa Bellamy, ABR, CRS, CDPE Alisa Bellamy, ABR, CRS, CDPE

(704) 968-6845

www.ThinkCharlotteHomes.com

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Adding or Replacing: Tell your agent whether you will be adding to or replacing the current policy in order to obtain the best rates and coverage options. If you are replacing the current policy, most underwriters allow 14 to 30 days for notification. Premium adjustments are frequently required and may leave you underinsured if the new vehicle is involved in an accident.

Fill That Gap: Buying a car or truck is typically the second largest expenditure most people make, so it isn’t surprising that car loans or financing is necessary. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes possible to owe more than a car is worth after driving it off the lot. To avoid large gaps in coverage, most underwriters offer “gap insurance” designed to pay off large loans in the event of a major loss.

If you’re planning to purchase a new car, be sure to obtain insurance well in advance. Even if your policy does provide automatic coverage, it may not be sufficient to cover the cost of repairs for a more expensive vehicle. Following are some tips to help you get the right insurance when making a purchase.

Call for Quotes in Advance: Obtaining a quote in advance for the make, model and age of the vehicle will provide a full picture of the total cost of ownership for a new car, and it’s often possible to have a policy put into effect before driving the vehicle off the lot. Although most underwriters extend coverage to new cars purchased, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Verify that automatic coverage is in effect as well as the number of days required for notification.

Words-Worth: Your Monthly Dictionary Dose

latent Pronunciation: /LAY-tent/ adj: present but not active “The artist’s talent remained latent since he was not given opportunities to express himself.” saporous Pronunciation: /SAP-or-us/ adj: tasty “The ceremony was followed by a saporous feast prepared by a renowned chef.” persiflage Pronunciation: /per-si-flazh/ n : light talking or joking “Behind his screen of persiflage, he was worried.”

Source: coolquiz.com

Quick Quiz

Each month I’ll give you a new question.

Just email for the answer.

What actor is known for linking to other actors through chains of movies they’ve been in together?

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So thanks for continuing to pass this newsletter on to people you care

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Buying a New Vehicle? Make Sure You’re Insured

The Charlotte Market

Sales Reporting 1/6/10-2/5/10:

New Contracts: 1466

Closings: 1364

Average Sales Price: $200,592

Mortgage Rate: 4.98%

Avg. Days on Market: 112.9

Total Listings Closed: 1364

Total Listings on Market : 23,225

Months of Inventory: 17.02

(The time it will take for all inventory to sell based on

the current number of homes selling each month.)

SPECIAL Buyer Programs

FHA Mortgages

3.5% Min Down Payment; Max Loan Amount $303,750

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$100 Down Payment using an FHA mortgage to buy a HUD Home.

Fannie Mae

Buyers receive up to 3.5% for closing costs or Appliances.

Call Alisa today at (704) 968-6845 for

All details!

CUTE House for Sale!

3737 Dashiel Drive ● Charlotte, NC

Asking Price: $125,000

3 Bedrooms/2 Baths & Clean! Close to UNCC

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Sudoku instructions: Complete the 9x9 grid so that each row, each column and each of the nine 3x3 boxes contains the digits 1 through 9. Contact me for the solution!

Recipe: Bread and Butter Pudding

- 10 thick slices of bread - 3 eggs - 3 cups full-cream milk - ½ cup extra-fine granulated sugar - 1 tsp vanilla extract - butter

Preheat oven to 320°F and grease an ovenproof baking dish. Spread both sides of your bread with butter and arrange them in the baking dish.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla extract until well combined and a little frothy. Pour this over the bread in the baking dish and allow it to stand for three minutes.

Place the baking dish in a deep baking tray, and sprinkle the dish generously with sugar. Pour hot water into the tray so it comes up to about halfway up the sides of the baking dish, and bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes. The pudding is done when the top is golden brown and crispy, but it gives a little wobble when you shake the dish. Let it stand for 5 minutes, and then serve warm with vanilla custard.

About Math “As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.”

Albert Einstein

“In mathematics you don’t understand things. You just get used to them.”

Johann von Neumann

“I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning.”

Plato

Fun Facts About St. Patrick’s Day

Following are some things to remember about St. Patrick’s Day, March 17:

1. St. Patrick’s original name was Patricius, and experts believe he was born in Wales or Scotland, not Ireland.

2. The original color associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green.

3. St. Patrick’s Day was an alcohol-free holiday in Ireland until the mid-1970s.

4. The shamrock was used by St. Patrick to symbolize the Christian Holy Trinity. St. Patrick was also responsible for the Celtic cross which was created by blending the pagan sign of the sun with the Christian cross.

5. Guinness stout, arguably the beer of choice for St. Paddy’s Day celebrations around the world, has fewer calories than a pint of low-fat milk or even orange juice.

When Should You Take Social Security Benefits?

We Can't Move Forward Until You Mail It Back.

Look For Your Census Form In Mid-March

www.2010.census.gov

Sunday, March 14, 2010 - The Story of Daylight Saving Time

Spring ahead and fall back. It’s a little ditty that’s been used for nearly 100 years to remind people which way to turn their clocks twice a year. But daylight saving time (DST) is often misunderstood.

Benjamin Franklin is usually given credit for creating DST, but the idea was actually presented by William Willet, a house builder in London, England. The concept never gained acceptance during his lifetime, but it was finally implemented during the First World War to save coal. The United States and other nations soon followed suit but only on an optional schedule, which led to some confusion.

In 1966, Congress ended the confusion by requiring that DST be implemented uniformly, although Arizona, Hawaii and Indiana still opted for their own systems.

Today, more than 70 nations recognize DST, including most industrialized nations except for Japan. In most states, DST begins this year on Sunday, March 14.

Critics argue the additional hour of daylight results only in confusion, people being late for work and missed appointments, while advocates cite the positives to be derived from energy savings, as well as health benefits from increased exposure to sunlight.

If you’re nearing retirement, it may be time to consider whether you should take social security benefits early, on time, or late.

To make such a decision, it’s important to know how Social Security works.

Full benefits are available as early as age 65, depending on your date of birth. You may receive benefits at age 62, but your benefits will be reduced. Or you can delay benefits until age 70, in which case your benefits will increase.

When choosing which option is best for you, there are many factors to consider.

Two major factors are your life expectancy and whether you actually need to support your living expenses.

To understand why, remember that Social Security calculates monthly payments so that if you start early, the smaller payments received over a longer time could total the same amount as if you had started receiving benefits at normal retirement age.

On the other hand, if you start late, the bigger payments received over a shorter time could total the same amount as if you had started receiving benefits at normal retirement age.

However, all these calculations are based on your normal life expectancy.

If you live beyond that life expectancy, then delaying benefits will result in higher monthly payments and a potentially higher lifetime total.

If you don’t expect to reach or exceed your life expectancy, then it may make sense to start as soon as allowed.

There are many other factors to consider in deciding when to take Social Security benefits.

Before you make a decision, it’s wise to seek advice from a professional.

www.ThinkCharlotteHomes.com Alisa Bellamy, Alisa Bellamy, Alisa Bellamy, Alisa Bellamy, ABR, CRS, CDPEABR, CRS, CDPEABR, CRS, CDPEABR, CRS, CDPE ● (704) 968 (704) 968 (704) 968 (704) 968----6845684568456845 RE/MAX Metro Realty ● 7300 Carmel Executive Park Drive, Ste. 200 ● Charlotte, NC 28226