The town of Matthews is hosting a “Free Holiday Performance” on Thursday, December 16th, at the Matthews Community Center.
The concert will be by the Matthews Concert Band and include musical commentary by Ken Conrad.
Matthews Concert Band Free Holiday Performance
Thursday, December 16, 2010
7:30-8:45PM
Matthews Community Center
Click Here for more information.
The Wells Fargo name has now taken the place of Wachovia on three buildings in uptown Charlotte.
One Wachovia Center, Two Wachovia Center, and Three Wachovia Center are now One Wells Fargo Center, Two Wells Fargo Center, and Three Wells Fargo Center.
There was no change made to the Wachovia bank branch located at the corner of North Tryon and Third Street, yet. That building is expected to be renamed sometime next year.
Bank of America has agreed to a a one-year sponsorship renewal with Charlotte Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports Inc.
The deal will give Bank of America title sponsorship of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup race and extends its partnership with the five tracks owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc.
The deal also makes Bank of America the official bank at Charlotte, Atlanta, Fort Worth, Sonoma, and Las Vegas speedways.
Are you behind in your mortgage payments, or concerned that you soon might be?
Have you received a preforeclosure letter from your lender?
First of all, don’t be ashamed. Millions of homeowners are in your situation – many times through no fault of their own. A job loss, a serious illness or other circumstances can put you in danger of foreclosure.
The economic downturn has led to many homeowners being “under water” in their loans, meaning they owe more than their home is worth, making it impossible to refinance.
If you’ve become one of those millions, don’t panic. Foreclosure, and its accompanying effect on your credit, is not inevitable. There are many options out there, and your circumstances may make one of those options feasible and desirable for you.
To keep your options alive, you need to communicate with your lender. Many homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure without ever contacting their lender.
This would also be a good time to consult with a tax advisor and a RE/MAX Executive agent. Thousands of RE/MAX agents are specifically trained to work with distressed properties, and will be able to help you explore foreclosure options.
Many lenders would rather not foreclose. They take a large financial hit on a foreclosure. So in many cases, they’ll consider viable alternatives. Some of these alternatives may keep you in your home.
While only certain homeowners will be able to take advantage of this alternative, it may be your best option because it keeps you in your home and typically results in the least damage to your credit.
Your lender may be willing to modify the terms of the loan, whether it’s reducing the principal, lowering the interest rate or other creative strategies to make the loan affordable for you. As part of the stimulus package, the U.S. government has programs to provide incentives for banks that use this strategy as an alternative to foreclosure.
This is the fastest-growing foreclosure alternative. Many lenders will allow a Short Sale, when the home sells for less than the amount of the loan. This is attractive for lenders because they lose less money than in a foreclosure. Also, Short Sales generally take less time than foreclosures, so the banks don’t have to carry the properties on their books as liabilities.
And it’s attractive for homeowners because the impact on their credit is far less than in a foreclosure. You may be able to buy another home in as little as two to three years after a Short Sale, compared with a typical seven-year wait after a foreclosure.
Short Sales are paperwork-intensive, and there are many, many details involved. If you’re considering this option, it’s critical to work with a trained real estate agent who knows all the steps required to successfully complete a Short Sale.
RE/MAX leads the real estate industry in agents who’ve completed the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) course or other specialized training. They understand the intricacies of these transactions, and they’ll be able to advise and counsel you every step of the way.
Find a qualified RE/MAX Executive agent in your area. Search for Certified Distressed Property Expert, Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource or Five Star Professional.
The U.S. Treasury has announced guidelines for streamlining and simplyfing the Short Sale Process.
Keep in mind that no matter which option you choose, there may be tax and other financial consequences. You should consult with a tax advisor or legal expert.
One of the biggest problems in foreclosures is that homeowners sometimes physically damage the property, or even sell some of the fixtures, before leaving. Needless to say, this is not a good idea. It may expose the homeowners to financial and legal liability. It also makes the properties much more difficult to sell.
To prevent this, some lenders offer a program called “Cash for Keys.” The homeowners receive a check for vacating the property within a certain time period and leaving it in good condition. If you have no alternative other than foreclosure, you should ask the bank about this option.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has 10 tips for avoiding foreclosure:
A RE/MAX Executive Sales Associate can help you through the entire process of buying a home, starting with the mortgage and continuing right through closing – and beyond. He or she can help you shop for the best interest rate and terms and, if you wish, suggest mortgage lenders.
Obtain a copy of your credit report and your FICO score and, if necessary, do what you need to do to improve it. The higher your FICO score, the better interest rate you can command. You can get this information online; your RE/MAX Executive agent can also help you. Contact several lenders and determine which one will give you the best deal.
By now you should have a good idea of how much home you can afford. This helps you narrow down your home search. You should also begin researching the neighborhoods in which you might want to live. Your RE/MAX Executive agent can help.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Would you prefer a newer home or an older one with established landscaping? Are hardwood floors a must? Is an updated kitchen important to you? Walk-in closets? Which features would you be willing to give up if you find the otherwise-perfect home?
Right here on charlottehomefinder.com, you can find listings that meet your criteria as well as neighborhood data. Identify properties that seem to be fits for you, take an afternoon and go on a driving tour. See what’s available in your price range and explore neighborhoods.
Your agent can add to the list of homes you’ve already identified – including ones that have just come on the market. Look at homes with a critical eye – does the floor plan work for you, is the property in good condition, would it be right for your lifestyle? In short, can you imagine yourself and your family living there?
Take notes at each home you visit. What do you like and not like? Narrow down your choices; re-visit homes in which you’re interested. See them at different times of the day.
When you’ve identified the home you want to buy, be prepared to help your agent prepare a written offer quickly. Your agent will be familiar with market values and will help you arrive at a price that gives your offer the best chance of being accepted.
At this stage, try not to become emotionally attached to a home. Your offer may not be accepted for any number of reasons. Have backup homes in mind. Be prepared to negotiate through your agent with the sellers.
Once Your Offer Is Accepted:
At Closing:
ENJOY YOUR NEW HOME!
Buying a home is probably the largest investment you’ll make in your lifetime. Having an experienced, knowledgeable RE/MAX Executive professional representing you in this transaction just makes good sense.
Buying a home is not like buying a car, a mutual fund or other commodity. It can be a life-changing event. RE/MAX Executive agents fully understand the real estate process – and just as important, they understand your local market.
Of course they know the right steps to take, but they can also help you avoid a misstep in your home purchase. If a new freeway is going to be built a few blocks away, they’ll probably know it. If you’re unsure about school districts, they’ll be able to direct you to answers. If you’re unsure of a builder’s reputation, they’ll know how you can confirm it.
Your RE/MAX Executive Sales Associate also performs another important function: minimizing the emotion involved in a home transaction. You may be in love with a home, but your agent can point out factors that might not make it right for you.