The Charlotte Condo Loft

For the ultimate in luxurious boutique Charlotte condominium living, Trust Charlotte.

Yes, that’s the name of the unique luxury residence that boasts only 8 custom designed homes with just about every amenity you could desire. The Trust Charlotte is a boutique Charlotte condominium, located in the former Home Federal Savings and Loan building, at 139 Tryon St. The 1967 modernist structure has adapted well to house stylish contemporary Charlotte condominiums, which are all one-of-a-kind.

Enter into elegance as you step into the grand mezzanine marble entrance. One of the nice things about living in a former bank building is that you actually have your wine cellar and lounge in an authentic bank vault!

Every one of a kind unit features 360o pivoting window walls, extended ceiling height, Viking Designer Series appliances, a home automation system, secure private parking and storage space, a recessed outdoor living space with sliding doors and gas grills and of course, imported granite counter tops and hardwood floors.

Amazing views of uptown Charlotte are yours also from the Grand Roof Terrace. This area includes an outdoor kitchen, comfortable seating, a water wall, and lush landscaping. It’s your escape in the middle of the prime area of town.

Priced from $600k to $2 million, these luxurious unique Charlotte Condominiums are a true find for upscale, urban living. Contact me today about touring these unique homes at Trust Charlotte.

And remember, when you buy with CondoDomain, we give you money back at closing.

Lets talk about the “f” word – Foreclosure. We’ve seen a lot of attention lately to President Obama’s plan to help distressed home owners avoid foreclosure, and relieve the pressure of those drastically reduced priced  homes on the market.   And of course, we’ve seen this rant and this response.

What does this mean for you, the buyer of a condo here in Charlotte? Is a Charlotte Foreclosure a good deal for you? Will action by Congress keep you from getting an unbelievably good deal, or sweeten the deal more for you?

First, the basics of the plan. The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan will not go to speculators, and is intended for owner occupied homes. The Treasury will partner with lenders to reduce monthly payments, bringing down rates so that the monthly payment is no more that 38% of the borrowers monthly income.

Then further reductions will be matched dollar for dollar with the lender to bring the interest down to a 31% debt to income ratio. The modifications will be in effect for 5 years.

These apply to conforming loans only – jumbo loans, non conforming loans don’t qualify. If a mortgage is not held or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, or if a loan is more than $417,000, the homeowner won’t qualify for relief. If foreclosure is imminent, further incentives are offered to lenders to consider alternatives, such as short sales. Encouraging sellers and banks to use the short sale option is beneficial to them, and also to you, the buyer.

If the loan is not guaranteed by Fannie or Freddie, then the lender may rewrite the loan, but this is voluntary. While there are incentives for them to do this, it is not a guarantee.

Because of the sheer number of foreclosures pressuring the market in some areas of Florida and California, housing prices have dropped so much in those states that there is no way to re write the loan and have a reasonable loan to value ratio. The plan proposes to cap the ratio at 105% – far too low for some home owners who have seen a 50% drop in their home value since they obtained a mortgage.

So a homeowner who bought in 05-06, in a market where $417,000 plus a downpayment bought very little for the money, likely has a non conforming mortgage. Their property value has declined steeply, and they are in trouble and staying in trouble. However, they may qualify for some of the incentives to avoid foreclosure if their lender agrees. If these properties are offered as a shortsale, the price benefits the buyer.

The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan will help some people, and give lenders the incentive to accept alternatives to foreclosure. For buyers, the prices now are great, whether you buy a short sale or an Baltimore foreclosure. You want to build equity further down the road. Reducing the number of foreclosures and distress sales on the real estate market will relieve the pressure on prices – and give us a truer sense of the market value of our homes.

Ultimately, a total economic recovery will stimulate the real estate market, because people will have jobs, income, and not be selling their homes due to “distress”.

We can show you Charlotte condos in your price range that are a great buy now, and likely to build equity for you later in a recovered market. Some are distress sales, short sales, and some are Charlotte Foreclosures. And, they’re wonderful places to live.  Call us,  and remember – when you buy your home with Condodomain, we give you money back at closing.

Courtside Condominiums are right at the heart of it all in Charlotte. Just blocks away from restaurants, transportation and the Epicenter, you are in the neighborhood of Bobcat Arena. Now if you are a Bobcat fan, how much more convenient could this be?

Built in 2006, Courtside is a 17 story Charlotte Condominium tower with 107 residential units with a six story parking garage, and retail space. This Charlotte condominium is truly an opulent modern building in a prime location. These Charlotte Lofts are one to three bedrooms, and all homes feature 10-foot ceilings, bamboo flooring, granite countertops, and private balconies. Priced from $200K on up, these modern Charlotte Condominium Lofts have up to date loft design, floor to ceiling windows, and the usual high quality finishes the discriminating buyer is looking for. The open loft floor plans let in light, and give you well planned space.

Best of all, you are at the heart of Charlotte’s uptown area, close to your work, entertainment, shopping, friends, and great lifestyle. The fun of NoDa is a short ride away, and of course, you are in the center of the vibrant First Ward.

Living at Courtside is surprisingly easy and affordable. Contact me for more information today. And remember….When you buy with CondoDomain in Charlotte you save thousands via our commission refund business model. On average our clients get back more than $10,000 cash back at closing!

So what is the story with the stimulus and the tax credit for first time home buyers anyway? How different is it from the tax credit that already exists?

Originally, a $15000 credit was discussed, one that would be open to all home buyers who had not purchased within the past three years. This would have carried a 19 billion price tag. Congress reduced it to $8,000. But you still are eligible if you have not owned a home within the past three years.

Congress missed a great opportunity to stimulate many local housing markets. With lower prices, low interest rates, and a large tax credit, first time buyers and those starting over after three years could have had some leverage to enter the market and relieve the backlog of inventory. $8000 is not nearly so dramatic, especially since we’ve got a $7500 credit now. The main difference is that this credit does not have to be repaid. It is also not available to those in upper income brackets.

You can claim the $7500 credit on your taxes you will file for 2008. If you buy now, you can claim the credit on the tax return you file in 2010.

Of course, when you buy your Charlotte condo with us, you don’t have to wait to file your taxes for us to cut you our own “stimulus” – we cut you a check at closing. And our check might be larger than $8,000.

Let’s say you buy a Charlotte condo at The Garrison at Graham or Courtside for 500,000. The buyers commission that we collect from the seller will be around $15000. Commission rates and agreements are negotiable, and may vary. But our flat fee for representing you is only $5000. So we cut you a check at closing for the difference, which is $10,000.

But you’re in the price range for about 250K at Fifth and Poplar. Well, same math. Assume our commission for representing you, the buyer, is around $7500. But our fee is still $5000, so you receive the difference at closing of $2500.

So lets see – we still have low interest rates for qualified buyers (that’s you) a lot of Charlotte condos on the market for the qualified buyer to choose from (again, that’s you having fun house shopping) and now if you are a first time home buyer you get an $8000 credit on your taxes next year (that’s you doing the happy dance in April 2010). AND WE GIVE YOU MONEY BACK AT CLOSING.

Give us a call, we’ll find the right Charlotte condo for lucky you!

Photo Credit: Scott Hartis, LiveUptownNow.com

Trademark Charlotte is one of the best locations for you to have an upscale, urban home in our city. Located at 333 W. Trade St, with Charlotte condo residences priced from $200K to 700K, this popular spot is going to become more lively thanks to the retail space on the first floor.

The most recent store, O1NE, is due to open its doors to the public this week.   O1NE is a Skate and Snowboard boutique! Charlotte’s a pretty active city, and now we have an opportunity to buy the best
equipment for having the most fun!

Now, this is not without some controversy. Word has it that there are some concerns in the community about this store – chiefly that the clientele may practice tricks on the outdoor sculptures around the building. But here’s our idea about that – Charlotte has several skate parks - Methodist Home, Grayson Park, and Extremes. These are well suited for all the stunts and tricks that serious skateboard enthusiasts will want to try.  Meantime, you’ve got another great store with quality merchandise in the area.

If you live at Trademark, you are blocks away from a Harris Teeter grocery store, four blocks from Bank of America Stadium, and five blocks from the Charlotte Bobcat’s arena. Chances are that you are no stranger to having good times and fun with sports and games.

On the seventh floor of Trademark, you have a 12,000 square foot terrace with heated pool, dog friendly area, exercise room, and a community room with a 42 inch plasma TV. Your Charlotte condo home has 10 foot ceilings, private balconies, and high quality finishes, including hardwood floors and granite countertops.

Uptown in Charlotte’s 3rd ward, you have no shortage of fun in the neighborhood surrounding the Trademark. And now you have a fun new store to go with this active, exciting neighborhood.

Charlotte’s dynamic energy pulses through the NoDa community. This great location is home to Charlotte’s art scene, and it’s an important center for art and artists. In the center of it is Fat City.

The Fat City Deli was a landmark on North Davidson, (that’s what NoDa means) and an important spot during the  turn around of this neighborhood. North Charlotte was a mill area in the early 1900s, but in the 1980s artists found that the loft buildings were beautiful, functional, and a great location. Today, NoDa is a thriving urban community.

Today, Fat City Lofts are built within the facade of the famous deli, preserving the history while moving forward with a bold new design. This Charlotte loft building is in the urban minimalist style, with double height loft residences, balconies, terraces, and even graffiti style art on one side of the building. Some lofts are three levels.

Ovesized windows, large closets, open floor plans define this urban life. Fat City Lofts features well appointed Kitchens, open views, and interior mezzanine levels. True loft design, these Charlotte Lofts have 10 and 20 foot ceilings. Steel staircases are in the two story residences, and scissor stairs in the three story residences. The building is fully wired for high speed internet and cable.

Call me to tour this dynamic urban lifestyle today. These lofts are selling, and there are not many left.

When you buy with CondoDomain in Charlotte you save thousands via our commission refund business model. On average our clients get back more than $10,000 cash back at closing!

The economic stimulus bill that is before Congress will not give you a $15000 credit as a first time home buyer, but it will give you one of up to $8000. That’s only $500 more than the present $7500, but this time, there are fewer limitations. At present, you have to pay the $7500 credit back over fifteen years. The new $8000 credit will not have to be paid back unless you sell within three years. And we sweeten the deal too, when we give you cash back at closing. Prices and interest rates for qualified buyers are still low.

So if you are a first time home buyer, looking for a Charlotte Loft, Central 27 might be just the home for you. Built in 2007, these new Charlotte lofts are in the heart of the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood, and are located close to a grocery, shopping, library, and restaurants. One bedroom residences are now priced from the mid 100K range. Prices, interest rates, an expanded tax credit, and our cash back at closing. What are you waiting for?

Central 27 is a traditional Charlotte loft, with exposed ductwork, concrete, and industrial roll up eight foot windows that let in the light – or the beautiful day as you choose.

Opportunities like this one will not last.

When you buy with CondoDomain in Charlotte you save thousands via our commission refund business model.  On average our clients get back more than $10,000 cash back at closing!

Celebrate Valentines Day in Charlotte with our gift to you – money back at closing, and world class service in assisting you as you look for your perfect home. And just in honor of the occasion, we have a nicely wrapped up candy box of some of Charlotte’s most delicious properties!

We know its a reach for most buyers, but we love Encore Charlotte. This building is unique among Charlotte condo residences because of the design for door to door parking at the high rise level. In most luxury buildings we talk about the pool, the services, the types of appliances, and windows – well you have those here, but you also can step out of your car and into your home, privately, even on the top floor. This design is innovative, comfortable, and says welcome to the 21st century.

We love the energetic Fourth ward, and our choice here is Fifth and Poplar. We love the live work concept in Charlotte condo residences, and here you can certainly walk to work, to transportation, and to all the attractions. We like the convenience of a gourmet grocer right in the building. And the luxury amenities of a fitness center, pool, outdoor bar with fire place, and putting green make it all the more sweet for the sweet – and that’s you.

Garrison at Graham is scheduled for completion in May 2009, and we are really looking forward to these bi level brand new lofts gracing Center City. The spectacular views, location, and upscale amenities certainly make this the sweet spot of Charlotte.

Charlotte condo living is exciting in NoDa, and here we love NoDa 18 and Fat City. These lofts are modern, well appointed, and part of the hip and funky life of NoDa.

Don’t forget, we top off our valentine offering with a dollop of a year round sweet deal – when you buy with CondoDomain in Charlotte you save thousands via our commission refund business model.  On average our clients get back more than $10,000 cash back at closing!

We have another reason to be proud of Charlotte, and enjoy the growth our city has experienced even during the recent economic downturn. Bizjournals has ranked Charlotte number 2 in small business vitality. We are topped only by Raleigh, NC. Now what does that tell you about this region?

It says that unlike major cities that have overbuilt and topped out the housing market during the boom, Charlotte has seen sustained growth in population and business opportunities. That translates into construction, housing, education, and a better quality of life for all residents.

And it means that in a  climate that is friendly to small business and entrepreneurs, we’ll continue to attract bright, innovative people who will continue to build businesses, create jobs, and increase the prosperity of our way of life.

Small business was defined by Bizjournals as being a private-sector employer with 99 or fewer employees. Charlotte consistently showed growth in population, the number of new small businesses, and a 15.4 percent job growth between 2002 and 2007.

We are affected by all the economic woes that have beset the United States in recent years – but we are in a better position to withstand any recession and recover quicker than other areas of the country. We are not losing jobs, we are not losing population.  Charlotte is still attracting growth. That translates into sales of real estate, houses and condominiums.

With the current stimulus before Congress set to include a credit of up to $15,000 for first time home buyers, low interest rates, and a variety of choices in Charlotte Condominiums, this is a great time to invest in Charlotte as a home and a workplace. The living here is very good – and so are the prospects for employment and entrepreneurial growth.

To discuss relocating to Charlotte, NC, and touring available Charlotte Condominiums, contact me today.

Here in Charlotte, we are fortunate to be home to versatile architectural design which sets the traditional and historic, and the contemporary and innovative side by side.

Steelhaus is a contemporary Charlotte loft in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood, where it is among an eclectic mix of architectural designs and cultures. A development of the Conformity Corporation, Steelhaus infuses new style into a mix of an artistic and historic neighborhood.

Priced from 100K to 300K, these Charlotte lofts are for artists and for residences, and they are among the most affordable of newly constructed loft spaces. Residences feature nine foot smooth ceilings, and commercial/artist spaces have 12 foot ceilings. Each residence has a covered walkway to the individual entry door, carpet/tile flooring with laminate in the kitchen, energy efficient appliances, generous windows which let in light and views, standard Cat 5 wiring, versatile track lighting, and cable jacks in living room and bedrooms. Upgrades for kitchen appliances, countertops, and flooring are available.

This is an opportunity to own your Charlotte loft in a dynamic neighborhood, surrounded by convenience, community, and quality construction.

Remember when you buy with CondoDomain in Charlotte you save thousands via our commission refund business model.  On average our clients get back more than $10,000 cash back at closing!

Sitting on The Green is the most prestigious of all Center City properties, The Ratcliffe. This midrise Charlotte Condo which dates from 2002 is an innovative design with an underground parking deck, and a passive park atop the parking deck. Yes there are fish fountains, and landscaped walkways with motion activated stone walls, but there are also built in riddles on the ground, chess boards built into stone tables, a hopscotch, and lots of lunchtime company. And in the winter, the park features an ice skating rink.

60,000 square feet of retail and office space surround the park, and residential and retail shops open to the park from an arcade.

The design of the contemporary Charlotte condo incorporates the best of the old and the best of the new. The Ratcliffe is named for the historic flower shop on the ground level. This shop was moved during construction and then replaced in its original position with the building constructed around it. The prime location on North Tryon assures you of instantly having the best of Charlotte at your doorstep.

Standard amenities in these Charlotte Condo residences include world class views from large expansive glass windows, gourmet kitchens with upscale appliances and granite countertops, and luxurious options. Some residences will include double custom closets in the master bedroom, two person whirlpools, and separate water closets with 2 person shower.

Within the retail space, you have access to the Ratcliffe on the Green, Aquavina, and Irish Blessings Bistro and Wine bar, to name a few. You are never at a loss for things to do and interesting places where you can meet with friends here.

Call me to tour this prestigious and unusual lifestyle opportunity at The Ratcliffe, a premier Charlotte condo.

Uptown Charlotte is home to one of the most unique condominium developments anywhere. Encore Charlotte is a modern new luxury condominium, attached to the Carolina Theater. The construction of this opulent tower is part of the overall restoration of the theater, and renovation of the entire neighborhood.

This luxury Charlotte Condominium has everything you would expect in upscale living – and more. Sure, you’ll have your European style kitchen with premium appliances and counter tops, a roof deck with lap pool, and one full residence per floor. Of course you’ll enjoy 10 foot ceilings, the spaciousness of open floor plans and floor to ceiling windows. Certainly your master bath with include a separate glass enclosed wet room/shower,a freestanding stone bathtub, and quartz vanity. And certainly, you are at home on Charlotte’s most prestigious block, the corner of 6th and North Tryon.

The unique feature of Encore Charlotte is that you are able to have a private garage attached to your residence – even on the 20th floor. The parking system uses a high powered elevator with a state of the art guidance system. It takes less that a minute for you and your car to reach the 20th floor. The elevator takes you to your own private 2 or 4 car garage, integrated right into your residence. No more walking from the parking garage, or unloading groceries up and down an elevator.

Imagine, being on top of the world here, and having your car parked right outside your door, in your own private garage!

The innovation and sophistication of this Charlotte Condominium is truly unique, and fitting of a world class address. Call me for updates on Encore Charlotte, and to have a tour of the development.