Lake Norman to Uptown Charlotte Living: Mike Carpino Realtor from Lake Norman to Uptown Charlotte, NC (Lake And Town Realty)

New Social Media Craze - "Foursquare"

Has anyone else heard of this new social media gadget called Foursquare? I am not sure what to make of it or how it could possibly enhance our industry but thought you may want to read about it. Click link below to read the article from today's Charlotte Observer.

Foursquare Article

Now is the world getting crazy or should we just embrace this new technology let it help us to market ourselves and business? I surely would not want young kids to start giving out their location for everyone to see. However, are we not as Realtors trying to promote ourselves as much as possible to make potential clients believe we are experts in the areas we sell or buy?

Well, I have registered to use "foursquare" but I am waiting on gettiing my new iPhone so I can download the application. If anyone has already started to use this feature and would like to share their experience I would love to hear about it.

 

 

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Waterfront Homes for Sale on Lake Norman under $400,000.

Have you ever dreamed about waking up to a early sunrise coming over the Lake horizon or pulling your boat up to a private dock? Well, your dream may just come true.

Waterfront Homes have now become more affordable around Lake Norman, NC. It was once unheard of to think you could get lakefront property for less than $500,000, but the economy has lowered that number considerably.

Nestled on the banks of beautiful Lake Norman are the towns of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville. These unique towns present a wide array of leisure amenities for visitors and guests including upscale shopping, year-round golfing, fishing and other water activities.  Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in the Carolinas, is THE place for fun in the sun! Created in 1963 by Duke Energy, Lake Norman is 34 miles long with 520 miles of shoreline.

Lake Norman offers numerous attractions to explore. From Lake Norman, you may enjoy the ease of traveling anywhere in the state. We're just north of Charlotte, and the mountains and coast are only a short drive away.  Whatever your desire, find it outside your door in Lake Norman!

 

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Charlotte NC Home Sales Increase 8.3 percent over January 2009

The number of real estate closings in the local region for January 2010 (1,363) increased 8.3 percent over January 2009 when closings totaled 1,258, according to the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association, which reports on the region's residential real estate market using Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. Closings were down 10.7 percent from December 2009, however, the CRRA January 2010 report indicated.

The average sales price for January 2010 ($200,592) increased 6.1 percent compared to last year's average sales price of $189,048. However, January 2010's average sales price decreased slightly, 5.2 percent, over December 2009's average sales price of $211,705.

The average listing price of solds in January 2010, $229,214, increased 9.3 percent over last January's average listing price of $209,711. And although the residential pending contracts reported in January 2010 remain nearly unchanged when compared to January of last year, pending contracts increased 25 percent from December 2009 to January 2010.

CRRA sees this data as definitive good news.

"Pending contracts are seen as a great gauge of future sales," said Lyn Kessie, 2010 association and CMLS president. "Considering that pendings are up 25 percent over December, this could be a sign of increasing demand in our local market." Kessie added that buyers need to be aware that the extended, expanded homebuyer tax credit will expire soon; contracts need to be in place by April 30, 2010 to qualify for either the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit or $6,500 repeat-buyer credit.

There were 5,571 new residential listings in January 2010. The average number of days a property was on the market from the time it was listed until it closed was 149.1, which is 5.3 days longer than last December 2009.

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Best Customized Real Estate Reports Charlotte and Lake Norman!

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Our first family College Basketball game at Davidson College.

The boys started playing organized basketball this year, so yesterday my wife and I took them to their first College Basketball game at Davidson College. Located only 20 minutes from our home in Huntersville, NC it was a great opportunity to expose our boys to "big boy" basketball.

It turned out to be a great afternoon with the family and they are still talking about it today with their friends. I believe they are now Davidson Wildcat fans for life.

Davidson is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for 1,700 students located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, N.C. Since its establishment in 1837 by Presbyterians, the college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently regarded as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Through The Davidson Trust, the college became the first liberal arts institution in the nation to replace loans with grants in all financial aid packages, giving all students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. Davidson competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding Honor Code is central to student life at the college.

As you can see Davidson would be a great institution to attend and we would be very proud parents if they were able to get accepted. Can anyone say "Scholarships"?!!

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Langtree at the Lake and Larkin development may get millions in stimulus money.

The Lake Norman region has been waiting patiently for the new Langtree at the Lake development to begin construction. However, tax issues have plaqued the project and prevented any construction.

Well here comes the government to help bail out both the Langtree project and Larkin development. Here is an excerpt from our local newspaper that gives hope for the projects to start moving dirt again.

An Iredell County government financing authority agreed last week to let the planned Langtree at the Lake and Larkin developments seek state approval for a combined $41million in "recovery zone bonds."

The bonds are part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, intended to help reignite the economy. States approve and allocate the bonds.

The developments would obtain private financing for the bonds, so taxpayers wouldn't be at risk if the projects fail, officials said. Still, the county and state have to make sure the projects are fiscally solid enough to be able to obtain the financing, and the developments will create lots of jobs.

Members of the Iredell County Industrial Facilities & Pollution Control Financing Authority unanimously agreed last week to allow the developments to ask the state to approve the bonds.

Larkin is seeking $25million in bonds. The mixed-use development will encompass 1,000 acres off Interstate 77 Exit 45 in Troutman. A boulevard will extend the development north to Exit 49A in Statesville.

Larkin is expected to create at least 1,100 jobs in its first five years, Larkin officials told the authority.

In December, Iredell County gave Langtree at the Lake the go-ahead to seek $9million in the same type of bonds. The developer was back last week to request an additiona $16million, after more bond money was projected to be made available.

The project, at Interstate 77 Exit 31 in south Iredell, is expected to create about 1,900 jobs from 2012 through 2015, Russ Rogerson, executive director of the nonprofit Mooresville/South Iredell Economic Development Corp., told the authority.

The N.C. Department of Commerce and the N.C. Local Government Commission will next consider approving the bonds. The Iredell County Board of Commissioners also will have to schedule a public hearing.

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Coral Sushi located at 9525 Birkdale Crossings Dr, Huntersville just across the street from Birkdale Village is now my number one sushi
restaurant now.

Are you always afraid to try a new sushi place because it may not be as good as the one you always go too? Well, my wife and I are always a little skeptical but we decided to venture out last night.

A fairly new place opened up without much fanfare and is kind of tucked away in a new shopping plaza across the street from the more popular Birkdale Village in Huntersville.

We arrived a little early because we were afraid of the Valentine's Dinner rush but had no problems getting seated. The staff was very cordial and the menu had a nice variety to choose from.

My wife ordered a Lee's Roll and Ichiban Roll. The presentation was great and the taste even better. I ordered the Deluxe Sampler and was "blown" away by how big the sushi pieces were. Not only were they a good size but the freshness and taste was outstanding.

There are a number of Sushi places I have eaten at in the Lake Norman area of Charlotte, but now consider Coral Sushi as my favorite.

Give it a try and you may be pleasantly surprised!


Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

 

Real Estate Buyers are still out there looking in the Lake Norman region of Charlotte.

Last night the Lake Norman region of Charlotte got close to 5 inches of snow. However, that did not stop people from looking at homes for sale.

I had an appointment myself this morning, but thought my clients may want to reschedule because of the wintry conditions. Not the case. They were still very anxious regardless of the road conditions.

Well, on my way to the property I noticed 2 other Realtors making their way throw the fresh snow to show property. One in my neighborhood of Stephens Grove and another in Victoria Bay where I had a showing.

Not only did the showing go well, but they are making an offer later today. The snow sure does make it look pretty around here!

Summer Camps Charlotte NC Region

You are considering a summer camp, but how to choose? There's a camp that is ideally suited for every child, providing a summer of growth and fun whether your child attends a day or overnight camp, a specialized or traditional camp. With a little help from the camp professionals at the American Camp Association, here's some sound advice that helps parents sort through the choices and benefits that camp delivers. As spring approaches, parents and children can look forward to planning for the future - a future that includes the opportunities for exploration and discovery that arrives with summer camp

When Is Your Child is Ready?
Children are ready for new experiences at different stages. Parents know their children best and these questions can help gauge whether this is the summer your child will start camp.

· What is your child's age? Children under age 7 may not adjust easily to being away from home. Consider the day camp experience to prepare them for future overnight camp.

· How did your child become interested in camp? Does your child talk about camp on a sustained basis? How much persuasion is necessary from you?

· Has your child had positive overnight experiences away from home? Has he visited relatives or friends? Were these separations easy or difficult?

· What does your child expect to do at camp? Learning about the camp experience ahead of time allows you to create positive expectations.

· Are you able to share consistent and positive messages about camp? Your confidence in a positive experience will be contagious.

A Camp for Every Child - The Perfect Fit
Camp can last for just a few days or stretch to all summer long. It's well worth the trouble to investigate the variety of choices offered by camps before your child packs a backpack. These questions help you consider the options.

 

Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704 301-9264
www.lakeandtown.com

Short Sale and Pre-Foreclosure Townhomes/Condos in the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Mooresville, Davidson and Denver.

Due to the economic meltdown the Lake Norman area of Charlotte has experienced a large number of distressed properties. That only enables a lot of buyers to capitalize on the outstanding buys. However, if you qualify for the First-Time Home buyer incentives you may want to start looking ASAP.

The major disadvantage of buying a short sale home is time (as long as you are purchasing a sound home with not major damages and sometimes the money saved outweighs this as well). If you have the patience and are not in the same situation as many home buyers (wanting to get in the home right now) then you may find a great deal.

The deadline for The First-Time home buyer incentive is May 1, 2010. That gives you just over 2 months go into a binding contract.

Mike Carpino
Owner/Broker
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704 301-9264