Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Sept. 21, 2006, edition 1 / Page 20
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mM http://www.thecharlottepost.com 15ie Charlotte ^ost THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 6D REAL ESTATE A place you can call home September 11, 2001 will be a day that most of us will ever forget. A disaster like this has a way of making us re-evaluate our lives, and priorities. A good number of Americans have started spending more time at home and family and home activities have re-emerged. Patriotism has gone through the roof The American dream stiU lives. Current interest rates are still very favorable and it is stiU cheaper to own a home than it is to rent. The real estate market goes through favorable and less favorable buying and seUir^ cycles just as our economy goes through high and low ‘ inflation stretches. Inflation indicators however, strongly influence the bond market which in turn influences interest rates. This inflation see-saw triggers the direction of interest rates. Higher inflation usually means lower interest rates, where as lower inflation usually lead to higher interest rates. So is inflation rurmir^ rampart, or under control? Is the economy still picking up steam, or moderating? The bond market wasn’t sure how to react to the somewhat mixed economic mess^es last week. It is bdieved that the next two upcoming economic reports wiU determine tire direction of rates in the near future. The current real estate market in Charlotte favors buyers. It is not uncommon for sellers andbuilders to pay buyers closing costs. There are deals to be made and buyers are getting them today In addition to paying buyers closing costs, most builders are offering other very attractive home buying incentives and concessions. A majority of new homebuildei's offer in-hoxise purchasing programs if you use their preferred lenderfsj. You need not be a first time homebuyer to qualify Even the Department of Housing and Urban Development inventory of homes is quite large at this time. HUD has recently reduced some of the asking prices on homes in an attempt to move their inventory HUD is also offering repair escrows to fund property deficiencies on a number of their homes. Remember aU HUD owned properties are vacant and available for immediate occupancy If you act now you could easily be in a home as early as Christmas, or even Thanksgiving. There is no time hke the present if you are contemplating home ownership. If we stop living our normal lives then terrorism wins. It’s been over five years since the attack on America. The real estate market has responded by making it easier to qualify for affordable housing. Home interest rates are currently still favorable for home purchasing. Home prices are ako currently stable. New homes are being built and are available for sale, yet some of us are still afraid to take the plunge into home ownership. ROLAND K. HAWKINS is a Real Estate Agent with Ooldwell Banker United Realtors. He can be reached at (704) 840-5762 or via the internet at wwTivrolandhawkinscom What’s wrong with these windows? . PHOTO/ARA CONTENT One of the most visible indicators of high humidity is the windows. ARJ7CLE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION Did you know that a family of four can generate up to 18 gallons of water in the form of humidity inside a home in a week? AU that water stemming from cooking, showering, washing and dryit^ clothes, and even breathing, has to go somewhere. One of the more visible indicators of high humidity in a home is the windows. If your home contains excessive moisture and it’s cold outside, the first place you’d see it is on your windows. This does not mean there’s a problem with your windows, according to the TOndow & Door Manufacturers Association and manufacturer Peachtree Doors & Windows. “Older homes tend to have more cracks in their construction which allow natural air into the home and help reduce moisture,” said Jeff Kibler, brand manager for Peachtree. “Newer homes, however, are much tighter and therefore trap moisture in. ” Humidity is generated by cooking food, running the dishwasher, filling the sink witii hot water, showers, hot tubs, washers and indoor- vented dryers, basements and crawl spaces that channel dampness from the ground into the home, breathing and perspiration. Is it damaging to windows? Occasional beads of moisture on the ^ass after a hot shower or steamirg food on the stove usuaUy aren’t a problem. However, if your windows are “sweating” without cause or for long periods of time, your windows could become , damaged. Wood frames and sash can warp and become difficult to operate. Paint or other finishes may peel or become discolored. Other areas of the home could also be damaged, such as insulation, erteiior siding and drywaU. What can you do? “The best way to combat condensation car your windows is to decrease the amount of moisture in the air,” Kibler said. “This may involve adding ventilation, eliminating sources of humidity or removing humidity fiom the air after it’s bear generated.” Tb lower the humidity in your home, you need to increase ventilation and decrease the sources of moisture. • Run exhaust fans in the bathroom during a shower, or in tiie kitchen while cooking • Take shorter showers and install water-restricting faucets - you’ll lower your humidity and your water bill, • Use the microwave, slow cooker, or outdoor grill more fi:equently • Check and reroute drainage away from your home to minimize the moisture in and arovmd the basement and foundation • Run a dehumidifier in basements and other damp areas • Tbm off your furnace humidifier or other home humidifier • Open drapes and blinds to allow warm house air to circulate across the windows REAL ESTATE / CLASSIFIEDS / REAL ESTATE FOR RENT Nia Point Apartments Brand New Lai^e Affordable Apartments! Pitts Drive Directions: Turn onto Tate Street from Beatties Ford Road 1/4 mile north of Brookshire Blvd. We aqcept Section 8 Vouchers! 2BR Rents ■■ $615 - $625 3BR Rents - $670 - $690 704-334-1940 Croslancl Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 6:00 NOW is a good time to move to KINGSPARK. We are still the ‘Westside’s Best Kept Secret’ Ask About The Summer Special Judy Williams, Manager 704-333-2966 tS LITTLE ROCK APARTMENTS Newly Renovated 2, 3, & 4 Bedroom Apartments Now Available Includes Central Air, Heat Dishwasher Garbage Disposal, Range & Refrigerator Rents are based on your Income Call 704-394-9394 Ext 13 Ask for Ms Perry LAND AUCTIONS FARM AUCTION- Franklin County, VA. 475+/-.acres offered in multiple tracts on Friday, October 6. Historic home-open and wooded land-convenient to Roanoke. Auction details with photos available at; www.woltz.com/. Call 800-551-3588 for a brochure.- Woltz & Associates, Inc., (VA#321), Brokers and Auctioneers. Dilworth it. OWN for $1,062/mo. I One Bed/One Bath Studio, one and two bedroom condominiums priced at $170s to $420s. Situated above shopping and rest- autanls and within walking distance of all that is Dtath. Featuring a waterfall-enhanced two-level courtyard arid rooftop terrace with views of tiptovm and Dilworth. Now offering upgraded interiors; ask on-site agent for details. Everything you want Right where you want it. Right now. 704.376.8878 1315 E A ST CONDOMINIUM 1315EAST.com *Noclostnsco?sanclnohomeciwner‘sduesfDroneyear. Uhlt[vtcea(Sl84,900ferurA #517. Offer available ttirough Myers Park Mortgage only. Payment assumes a 57t Interest only let mortgage at 6.62S%an(j a HELOC 2ncl rti^age al S.2$%wm a S% dmm payment (Call for cwrent APR) AD rates sut^bctiacge and based on bomma- qualification. For current rales and details call 704.342.^)01. P^mertfdoesnottndude GD = JPROPERTIES Iwww.grv4t9rep*rtiet.eo(n fH FOR SALE LAKE GASTON VA/NC 350 miles shoreline. Free Lake Map/Buyers Guide. Tanglewood Realty, Box 116, Bracey, VA 23919. www.TanglewoodRealty.com 1-800-338-8816. NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS- Gated community with spectacular views, public water including- fire hydrants, DSL accessibility, paved roads, nearby lakes; preselling phase IV $35,000+. 800-463-9980 www.theridgeatsouthmountain.com BANNER ELK RESIDENTIAL Condominiums. Magnificent view, cool mountain breezes, cascading creek. Exquisite, spacious floor plans. 2-Acre Density. Top-quality construction. Only 19 remain. Cali 800-633-4529 today, www.elkmont.info NO QUALIFYING ! •Assumable Loans • I Seller Finance • Lease Purchase* Work 4 Down Payment! New and Existing Homes Available! 704-926-7100 704-541-7100 www.McGaryRealty.com REALTORS Place Your Property Listings in The Charlotte Post Real Estate/Classifieds for only $18.00 per column inch or just $1.05 per word. Call 704-376-0496 ext 104 _
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 21, 2006, edition 1
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