Buying Concord, North Carolina real estate is exciting, but it can also be an intimidating prospect. A home is so much more than an everyday purchase; not only is it the place you and your family will be living, but there is a huge financial commitment involved.

Whether you've found a Concord condo for sale you're ready to call your own, or if a Concord home seems perfect and move-in ready, be sure and take the time to look out for these common red flags that might indicate not all is as well as you hoped.

The level of surface care:

You might be really good at seeing a home's true potential, even if the last owners didn't pay too much attention to things like landscaping, fresh paint, or even a very high level of cleanliness. Beware, though — if a house doesn't look great on the surface, chances are the previous homeowners didn't do a whole lot of more intensive maintenance, either. Be sure and hire an inspector to look at things like plumbing, electric work, and other deep-seated problems.

Moisture in the air or in the structure:

Water and other moisture-related damages can be some of the most expensive to repair — and the easiest to hide with a fresh coat of paint and a few scented candles. If the home feels musty or if there is a lot of moisture in the air, you'll want to be wary of mold issues and other rot problems. The same is true of water damages related to plumbing or a bad roof.

The neighborhood as a whole:

If you drive down the street and notice several houses for sale within the same neighborhood, you might want to take a look at the state of things in that area. Property values in that area might be falling, or there could be an environmental or sound issue that people are trying to escape. You might also find that a high concentration of rental properties can decrease quality of life in the neighborhood.

Big-ticket items:

Hire someone to look at the most expensive things to repair in a home. The roof, the plumbing, the electric system...all these things wear out over time, and it's not necessarily anyone's fault. But if everything in the house is about five years away from needing to be replaced, you should make sure you'll be financially able to handle a sudden onslaught of repairs.

Off-limit rooms:

If the Concord homes for sale you're looking at are owner-occupied at the time, it might seem perfectly natural that they have one or two rooms that aren't for public viewing. However, don't buy the home until you've gotten a glimpse behind closed doors. You never know what kinds of damages might be hiding in there.

Visible cracks:

Cracks can and do happen to the walls when a house settles, but they shouldn't be so bad they indicate possible structural damage or a shifting foundation. Have a home inspector look twice at any cracks or doors/windows that don't open and close properly.

One of the best things you can do to ensure you buy a home that won't give you any post-purchase surprises is to hire a home inspector who can sign off on the home and let you know about any potential problems you'll have later on down the road. Although the cost might put you off, it's better to consider Concord NC homes you know will not only keep your family happy, but keep you safe, as well.

Finding the right home in Concord isn't always as easy as relying on a checklist of square footage, number of bathrooms, and the upkeep of the yard. Although these types of features are important when determining where you want to live and raise a family, another important consideration is the neighborhood where your dream home is situated.

Concord North Carolina homes for sale are noted for their family-friendly communities and idyllic backdrop, but that doesn't mean that every home is ideally placed. Before you purchase a home in any North Carolina city, it's important to research what the rest of the neighborhood has to offer.

Schools

Schools are often the number one consideration when it comes to choosing a good neighborhood in NC. If you have kids, the reasons are easy to spot: you want your children to have access to a good, safe education. However, even homeowners without kids need to keep this issue in mind, especially if you plan on selling the house some day. Top-rated schools will not only keep your property value high, but they'll also serve as an appeal to potential homebuyers in the future.

Crime and Sex Offenders

Few people want to live where they feel unsafe or fear for their families. That's why you should always check the crime rate and search for registered sex offenders in the area. Never take a neighborhood at face value; a place that looks charming during the day might have a high rate of break-ins, while a neighborhood that looks less savory might actually have a strict neighborhood watch program in place and several policeman living nearby.

Walkability and Livability

Concord neighborhoods are generally good places for a slower pace of life. Concord streets are perfect for taking a scenic evening stroll. When determining where you want to live in North Carolina, keep in mind what is more important for your lifestyle: being near amenities, or being near other families with similar goals as you.

The same is true for things like construction zones, garbage plants, train tracks, playgrounds, dogs, or industrial zones nearby. Make sure you take a walk through your potential neighborhood during the day and in the evening to see what types of noises, smells, and sights you will have to get used to.

The Neighbors

Nothing tells you more about a neighborhood in Concord than the neighbors. Does everyone keep their homes and yards in good order? If a visually-appealing community is important to you, you might want to look around to make sure everyone else feels the same way. You might also want to investigate why. Is upkeep important to the neighbors, or is it held in place by strict homeowners' association rules? Are you ready to make the same level of commitment?

Also, you'll want to determine the types of people who live nearby. Is there a large percentage of young families? Teenagers? Professionals who are rarely at home? Although these things can and will change, they will tell you a lot about the overall neighborhood culture.

Neighbors also matter when it comes to the type and sizes of homes they have. Are there a large number of foreclosures? That could indicate a lowering neighborhood value. Are the other houses very different than yours in terms of value? (Note: Being surrounded in houses much higher in value than yours means that you may pay more in property taxes. Houses with a lower value means that you may end up having a difficult time selling in the future.)

Buying Your New Concord Home

Buying a home with Concord North Carolina Realtors, whether it's in the center of Concord or on the outskirts, is a big undertaking. It's important to look beyond the physical structure of your dream house to notice all that's going on around you. After all, the place you call home is about more than four bedrooms and three baths; it's about your way of life.

If you're ready to learn more about purchasing a home in NC, contact Jeffery Ketner today. We'll match you with the perfect home — including neighborhood amenities.

If you're getting ready to sell a home in Concord, you probably have a checklist of ideas for making your home more marketable. North Carolina homes tend to sell better when they have more immediate appeal; for example, well-tended yards, impeccable siding, and a welcoming kitchen can go a long way in enticing homebuyers in the area. There are a number of ways you and your real estate agent can work together to make these things happen, and one of the best ideas is to ensure that you're engaging all of the senses.

Sight

When preparing your Concord home for sale prior to viewing, you should pay attention to both the big picture and the details of your house.

For a bigger picture viewpoint, try to see everything with fresh eyes. When you pull into the driveway, what overall impression does the house give you? Is it clean and well-cared for? Does it look like the sort of place a family would want to live?

Then, as you walk up to the front door, pay closer attention to the little things: the state of the flowerbeds, a cracked panel of siding, or an unsightly satellite dish at one corner of the house. These little things are often the easiest to fix in terms of time and money.

Do the same thing as you walk through each room of your house. Take a quick survey from the doorway, and then walk through to make note of smaller defects. Different homebuyers look at different things, so it's best to ensure that even the littlest problems are attended to.

Sound

The sounds of an ideal North Carolina home are pleasing to the ear, and you should do your best to keep them that way. Avoid running any noisy appliances when you're expecting potential homebuyers to stop by. Televisions, radios, and even kids playing outside can all contribute negatively to the experience. When possible, you should either opt for silence (to demonstrate the peacefulness of your home) or use light background music that won't be offensive to anyone. If you live near the water or wilderness, you might also open a few key windows to let in the most natural sounds.

Smell

It's long been held as a "rule" of real estate that you should bake cookies or light a vanilla-scented candle when you show your home. These traditional smells are ones that most people associate with happy memories, which can trigger better feelings about your NC home for sale. While you don't have to stick to traditional baking smells, the idea is a good one. However, if you use scents, choose ones that are inoffensive, are hypo-allergenic, and aren't too obvious. You can also choose smells suited to particular rooms. Light and airy scents are well-suited to bathrooms, while the baking smells tend to do better in living rooms and kitchens.

Touch

In most cases, you don't want people walking through your home to touch your personal possessions. However, the sense of touch can be important. Plush carpeting is welcoming in bedrooms and living spaces, while cool hardwood or tile makes a kitchen feel cleaner and more efficient. Crisp, clean appliances promise a treat for the fingertips even if the potential homebuyers don't make actual physical contact.

For the sense of touch, it's best to promise a great tactile experience, rather than actually provide one. Place soft furnishings next to clean architectural lines. Throw a cozy blanket over some leather furniture. Choose draperies that are either light and airy or heavy and warm, depending on the mood you want to set.

Taste

When you have an open house in Concord, keeping appetizer trays on hand can go a long way in making a good impression. Elegant sandwiches, tasty tarts, and other bite-sized treats cause people to linger and take a better stock of their surroundings. Food at a open house, while potentially messy, is also more likely to draw other real estate agents. At the end of the day, greater exposure — whether it's potential buyers or real estate professionals other than your own agent — means a greater likelihood that your home will sell quickly and easily.

Selling an NC Home

A house is more likely to sell if it seems like a home. When you engage all the senses, you're doing more than showcasing the physical features of your house — you're demonstrating how comfortable and welcoming it is. And in today's Concord NC Real Estate market, taking those few extra steps can make a huge difference in how quickly your Concord home sells.

Click on this link http://www.applehouserealty.com/frames.asp?URL=http://applehouserealty.housingtrendsenewsletter.com for the latest Salisbury, NC news, Concord, NC news, other local & national real estate news!

What is an Eco-Friendly Home?

• Energy-efficient features, including appliances and windows with the Energy Star rating. This can also be accomplished by doing simple things like using more efficient lighting fixtures and light bulbs.
• Water-efficient features, including Energy Star ratings on toilets, showers, faucets, dishwashers, and washing machines. At a more advanced level, this can include water recirculation systems and on-site wastewater treatment systems.
• Resource-efficient features, which generally come from structural changes that have to do with house size and layout, window placement, heat conservation efforts, and even using fast-renewing resources (like bamboo) for the floor or other building materials.
• Quality air features, which provide good ventilation without introducing toxins into the air either inside or outside the home.
• Outdoor features, including landscaping that contributes to the local vegetation, and the use of permeable materials for driveways and walkways. Water waste should also be reduced wherever possible.

Purchasing a Green Home

Interested in buying Concord, NC homes or Concord, NC real estate that has been Foreclosed on? You’re not alone. A lot of folks are interested in buying foreclosed or distressed properties. If you’re one of those buyers looking for Concord, NC homes for sale, here's a tip to help you determine if you’re a suitable buyer for Foreclosed and/or Distressed Properties . 

Requirements for Buyers of Distressed Properties:
o You should have few to no contingencies. You must have proof of funds or pre-approval letters ready when you begin your search. Otherwise, you’re likely to lose out on the really good buys. If you're buying with "cash" be prepared to make an earnest money deposit equal to 10% of the purchase price.
o Don’t need to sell your current home before purchasing.
o You must be patient and willing to wait out the months of delay but then able to move quickly—sometimes within 5 days—to close once all agreements are finalized.
o You shouldn’t need any assistance with closing cost and, if needed, not more than 1%.
o You should have the resources necessary to repair and rehab the property, if needed and willingness to spend money on the property, before it actually is yours, in order to bring about the closing.
o Willing to enter into an Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement and be responsible for compensation to their Buyer Agent should it not be paid by the Seller.
o Remember, the bank (mortgage holder) sets the rules and determines the outcome. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the risks involved in buying these type properties. 

Whether you’re looking for Kannapolis or Concord, NC real estate or Salisbury, NC real estate, don’t try to buy a distressed property if you aren’t suited to do so. If you don’t meet the requirements above, you’re wasting your time! Focus your attention on a more conventional purchase. Not all distressed properties are good deals and not all conventional sales are bad deals. Even though you may not be suited to buy a distressed property, because there are so many distressed properties on the market, you can still get an incredible deal on a conventional purchase.

Apple House Realty Inc. and its agents have access to all Kannapolis or Concord, NC homes, Salisbury, NC real estate and surrounding areas through the Multiple Listing System. Whether its a foreclosed or distressed property, or not, no matter what real estate firm has it listed for sale the chances are excellent that Apple House Realty can help you save thousands on your Salisbury, Kannapolis or Concord, NC home or real estate purchase of foreclosed or distressed properties.

Just give us a call at 704-633-5067 if you'd like one of our Buyer Specialists to assist you.

Trading Up in Concord: Selling One Home while Buying Another One of the trickiest parts of the North Carolina real estate market is finding a way to coordinate your finances and your family while you are moving from one home to another. It is extremely rare to have a situation in which you buy and sell your home within the same week — which is pretty much the only way to time everything so that you have a place to live and only one mortgage payment at a time.

If you don't want to make any changes to your family finances, you have two basic options: you can sell your house first, or you can buy a new house first. Both options come with pros and cons.

Sell Your NC Home First

This might seem like the better financial move. After all, selling your Salisbury home and knowing exactly how much money you'll have to spend on your next house is the best way to avoid getting in over your head, money-wise. This is also a good way to ensure that you won't have two house payments at one time, since you won't buy another house until the first is off your hands.

However, anyone who has chosen this option will tell you that it isn't 100 percent foolproof. You might feel pressured to find a new home quickly, and end up overpaying for a new house or making an offer on one you aren't all the way in love with. Your other option, to move into an apartment or with your family until everything is settled, can be a huge hassle. Moving once is hard enough. Moving twice is a huge undertaking.

Buy a House First

If you've already checked out the Kannapolis real estate market and know exactly what you want, you might be tempted to make an offer before you sell your existing home. This is a great way to get the home you really want, since there is no pressure related to timing. You probably have a good idea of what you can afford and might even have a lender lined up and ready to go.

However, holding on to two houses at once can be a huge financial burden. In a buyer's market, it can take months (or even years) for your house to sell, and you might not be prepared to make double payments for such a long time. At the same time, you might need the profits from your first home to make a down payment on the second...a big problem if the timing isn't perfect.

Your Home Buying and Selling Options

Fortunately, there are options that will help you straddle the line between buying and selling. Here's what you can do to ease the transition:

Although there might be a little bit of work involved in the process of moving from one Concord home to another, the results are likely to leave you satisfied. As a second-time (or third, fourth, or even fifth) home buyer, you know what you want and how to negotiate to get it. And with Apple House Realty by your side, you're sure to find a solution that eases the transition.

o First and foremost, get prequalified for a loan. Otherwise, you don't know how much home you'll be able to afford. Then, select a Realtor (R) to serve as your Exclusive Buyer Agent and let him/her know how much you’ve been prequalified so he/she can tailor your home search accordingly. Just click on “Hot New Listings” to set up an automatic search for homes that fit your criteria.     

o If you have a Concord NC home for sale you’ll need to sell it before attempting to buy foreclosures or other distress sale properties and you should have it "under contract" before selecting the home you're going to buy. Go here for a FREE report on "27 Tips to Get Your Homes Sold Fast and for Top Dollar."

o Whether you're looking for Salisbury, Kannapolis, or Concord NC homes, determine exactly where you’d prefer to live. If you prefer a particular school system this may very well determine the area you choose. Of course, there may not be any foreclosures or distress sales available in that area so you should have second and third choices if you’re intent on buying foreclosures. 

o Determine the style of home you prefer. How many bedrooms, baths, etc. do you need? Again, with foreclosures & distress sales, you may have to make compromises. 

o Are you and investor? Are you interested in “flipping” the property or buying a home to fix-up and rent? Additional due diligence will need to be undertaken if you are planning to flip a home--especially in this buyer's market. To receive a FREE computerized email report listing the current Foreclosure properties in your desired price range and location click on "Foreclosures/Distress Sales."

Do not make an offer on North Carolina homes for sale that don't meet all your needs.  There are literally hundreds of North Carolina homes for sale in Concord and surrounding areas. Do not rush. Exercise patience. If the home you’re looking for isn’t available at this time, continue your search. Real estate is a revolving market. There are always new listings coming on the market. Setting up a Listing Alert and aligning yourself with one of the qualified Buyer Specialists at Apple House Realty will give you an advantage to access and view all the new listings that meet your needs the minute they come on the market.

 

If you'll follow the above tips, it should go a long way toward helping you find the home of your dreams.

As you know, we’re in a period where a lot of folks are interested in buying foreclosed or distressed properties. If you're in that category, here's a tip to help you determine if you’re a suitable buyer for Foreclosed and/or Distressed Properties .

Requirements for Buyers of Distressed Properties:
o You should have few to no contingencies. You must have proof of funds or pre-approval letters ready when you begin your search. Otherwise, you’re likely to lose out on the really good buys. If you're buying with "cash" be prepared to make an earnest money deposit equal to 10% of the purchase price.
o You shouldn’t need to sell your current home before purchasing.
o Must be patient and willing to wait out the months of delay but then able to move quickly—sometimes within 5 days—to close once all agreements are finalized.
o Don’t need any assistance with closing cost and, if needed, not more than 1%.
o Have the resources necessary to repair and rehab the property, if needed and willingness to spend money on the property, before it actually is yours, in order to bring about the closing.
o Willing to enter into an Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement and be responsible for compensation to their Buyer Agent should it not be paid by the Seller.
o Remember, the bank (mortgage holder) sets the rules and determines the outcome. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the risks involved in buying these type properties.

Don’t try to buy a distressed property if you aren’t suited to do so. If you don’t meet the requirements above, you’re wasting your time! Focus your attention on a more conventional purchase. Not all distressed properties are good deals and not all conventional sales are bad deals. Even though you may not be suited to buy a distressed property, because there are so many distressed properties on the market, you can still get an incredible deal on a conventional purchase.

Apple House Realty Inc. and it’s agents have access to all homes on the Multiple Listing System, distressed or not, no matter who has it listed for sale, and the chances are excellent that we can help a prospective buyer save thousands on their home or land purchase.