Beautiful Brick Front Home. Kitchen Floor Tile, Crown Molding on Cabinets, Tile Backsplash, Large Pantry, Stainless Steel Microwave, Dishwasher & SmoothTop Stove, Granite Countertops & Undermount Sink. Large Almost 3rd Acre Cul-De-Sac Lot. Irrigation System. Security System. Near New Super Walmart. Playgrounds, Pool, Basketball, Tennis. 

This former model home with 3,000+ square feet of heated living space is in impeccable, move-in condition and still shows like a model home! The home’s exceptional floor plan is designed for entertaining family and friend and provides three large living and entertaining areas, as well as three bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms.

The home features an open, flowing floor plan with large, sunny rooms throughout, including a formal living or dining room, great room, kitchen, dining area, and keeping room. The spacious master suite with room for a sitting area and large en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet is a true sanctuary. The large bonus room on the second floor is great flex space—use it as a third living/entertaining space, children’s playroom, home office—and a perfect “hub” for the second floor.

Some of the wonderful features of the home include surround sound wiring; custom blinds throughout; neutral paint and carpet; keeping room; walk-in closets in all bedrooms; large utility/mud room on the main floor plus a large utility/laundry room on the second floor; security system. All appliances, including fridge, microwave, and washer/dryer convey.

The rocking chair front porch provides a welcoming introduction to the home. The large, two-car garage features automatic door opener. Lots of professional landscaping both front and back.

Private, wooded back yard and patio with brick pavers offer great space for outdoor living and entertaining.

Low Cabarrus County taxes. Excellent Cabarrus County schools. Minutes from: Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Concord Mills Shopping Center, primary local roads and interstates, and UNCC and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Move-in ready 4 bedroom/3.5 bath home built in 2006, situated in the heart of Ardrey, a unique neighborhood in the prestigious Ballantyne area of south Charlotte, featuring  historically authentic architecture and unequalled attention to detail and aesthetics.  In 2005 Ardrey was named North Carolina “Community of the Year” by the NC Homebuilders Association in recognition of its singular charm and timeless appeal.

The home’s open, flowing floor plan with 3,400+ square feet of heated living area is perfect for both casual family living and more formal entertaining. Special features of the home include: a first floor master suite with spa-like master bathroom; cook’s kitchen with large center island, stainless steel appliances, and granite; large formal dining room; great room with fireplace; home office; second floor loft; third floor studio/crafts room; screened porch; backload garage. Extensive hardwood flooring, 10 foot ceilings on the first floor, 4-piece crown molding are just a few of the quality finishes throughout the home.

The neighborhood “setting” with sidewalks and front porches on all of Ardrey’s homes, encourages interaction among its residents and takes you back to a time when neighbors shared an enduring sense of community. The many distinctive elevations create a varied and interesting streetscape.

Ardrey was built as a “tree save” neighborhood with 53 acres of common space, which includes 12 named parks, clubhouse, pool, fitness center, bocce court, dog park, children’s playground, and a 34 acre nature preserve.

The home is perfectly located with easy access to shopping, top Charlotte schools, primary local roads, I-485, golf, fine dining, and recreation. Monthly HOA fees include lawn maintenance.

Don't miss this chance to build on this unbelievable piece of land! It has 11+ acres of rolling knolls, open field, forest, and a perfect spot (has been previously and could be again) an inviting pond.  Watch the deer and wild life up close from your own private escape. Have a dream of a home with a large organic vegetable, herb gardens or just a beautiful home site that is located close into town so that it is convenient for getting to work, shopping or schools, look no more because you have found it!  Offered below tax value!!!!

Call Donna Boyce at 704-717-5315 with any questions.

Large, 5 bedroom, brick front home with covered front porch situated on a safe and quiet double, cul-de-sac street. Home features formal living and dining rooms, family room, gracious foyer, cook’s kitchen, bonus room/5^th bedroom, master suite, conveniently located second floor laundry room. Oversized two-car garage has plenty of room for storage. The home is in immaculate, move-in condition, tastefully decorated with an exceptional floor plan that provides three living/entertaining areas, and shows like a model.

The cook’s kitchen is bright and open with 42 inch, raised panel cabinets, granite counters, tile backsplash, tile floors, stainless steel appliances, double pantry, granite serving bar. Adjacent to the sunny breakfast area with tile floors and plenty of room to seat 6-8 for those more informal gatherings.

Serene and spacious master suite features a trey ceiling with designer fan/light, crown molding, and spa-like, en-suite master bathroom. Master bathroom offers a garden tub, separate shower, private WC, raised double-sink vanity, upgraded light fixture, large walk-in closet, linen closet, and picture window.

Oversized bonus room is perfect for use as a rec room, a media room (surround sound is pre-wired), children’s playroom. Or use it as a fifth bedroom. Truly great flex space!

Flat, wooded back yard and patio are great for outdoor living and entertaining.

Low Lancaster County taxes. Minutes from prestigious Ballantyne in south Charlotte. Close to shopping, fine dining, entertainment, golf, primary local roads and highways.

Community amenities include: pool with water slide, tennis courts, fishing lake with fountain, children’s playground, basketball court, recreation center.

Home offers a one-year Old Republic Home Owner Warranty, a Job Loss Protection Program, and is eligible for no-money down, 100% USDA financing to qualified buyers.

Whole Foods Market, one of the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced results from its annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker survey conducted by Harris Interactive, which found that two out of three (68%) U.S. adults have changed their cooking and eating habits because of the current state of the economy, with about half (51%) eating dinner at home more often and more than a third (37%) budgeting food shopping trips more strictly. 

At the same time, the survey found that the majority (76%) say they do not want to compromise on the quality of the food they buy, regardless of current food prices. While three in four (75%) also continue to purchase natural and/or organic foods in the same quantities as they always have, nearly two-thirds (65%) of consumers surveyed say they would like to find ways to be able to buy these foods within their budget. 

“We recognize that shoppers should be able to cut costs, not corners when buying natural and organic foods,” says A.C. Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for Whole Foods Market. “This research is in sync with what we are seeing right now with our customers as they are taking advantage of our in-store value programs and specials, and they are turning to us for meal planning and ideas more than ever before, especially via our website.” 

Of the adults who said their grocery shopping habits have been affected by current food prices, half (54%), are using more coupons are more likely to comparison shop (50%), and are more likely to buy private label/grocery store brands (45%). Interestingly, four in five adults (80%) think the price of groceries, in general, has increased since this time last year, according to the survey. However, according to the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index release for July 2009, the food at home index has declined for the seventh time in the past eight months for a total decrease of 2.6% from its peak in November 2008. 

Learn to Cook. Learn to Save. Eat Healthy.

The survey found that most adults (79%) cook at home. More than half (54%) saying they do so to save money, while 44% of respondents say they simply enjoy eating their favorite foods in the comfort of their home and 41% say they cook at home to ensure they are eating healthfully. 

Among parents who provide breakfast, packed school lunches and/or after-school snacks for their children, nearly half (45%) say they would like to find ways to provide these types of healthy foods within their budget, and some (20%) insist on providing these healthy food items, with little attention to price. 

Additional survey results include:

-Three in four (73%) continue to purchase natural and/or organic foods. Three in four (75%) continue to purchase natural and/or organic foods in the same quantities as they always have.

-The majority (76%) say that they don’t want to compromise on the quality of the food they buy regardless of current prices.

-Two out of three (65%) say that they would like to find ways to be able to buy natural and/or organic foods on a budget.

-Four in five (82%) say the way they shop for groceries has been affected by current food prices. Of these adults, 54% indicate that they are using more coupons, 50% are more likely to comparison shop and 45% are more likely to buy private label/grocery store brands.

-Most adults (68%) say the economy has affected their cooking and eating habits. About half (51%) say they now eat dinner at home more often, more than a third (37%) say they budget food shopping trips more strictly and more than one-quarter (28%) say they focus meals on inexpensive pantry staples like beans and whole grains.

-Most adults (79%) say they cook while only 22% say they don’t cook often or at all. Over half of all adults (54%) say they cook because it saves them money while 44% say they cook because they like to enjoy their favorite foods in the comfort of their own home.

-The majority (87%) of parents of kids aged 3-17 say they provide breakfast at home, an after-school snack (70%) and a packed school lunch (55%) for their kids. Of these parents nearly half (45%) say they would like to find ways to provide healthy breakfasts/lunches/after school snacks for their children within their budget. Another 40% say they try to provide breakfasts/lunches/after school snacks for their children in reusable containers while 26% try to provide them in disposable items such as sandwich bags and paper lunch sacks.

-One in five parents (20%) who say they provide breakfast at home, an after-school snack and a packed school lunch for their kids aged 3-17 say they try to look for the most convenient -not necessarily the healthiest foods- to provide, while the same percentage of these parents say they insist on providing these items with little attention to price.

-Some of these parents (14%) also say they would like to provide healthy -breakfasts/lunches/after-school snacks for their kids ages 3-17 but are not always sure what the most nutritious option are and some (6%) say their kids ages 3-17 simply won’t eat healthy breakfasts/lunches/after-school snacks. 

For more information, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com. 

What you do to your garden in the fall can directly affect its success next season.Autumn is not merely a time to plant trees, grass and spring-blooming bulbs. It's also the time to "regroup" and fortify lawns and gardens in preparation for cool winter temperatures and spring blossoms.
Clean up
Now is the time to remove dying annuals and dead branches and leaves from trees and shrubs and toss them into the compost pile. Don't add diseased or insect-infected foliage to compost, as it can spread. Be sure to leave live material undisturbed, as pruning may produce new buds that will die during a winter freeze. "Roses are the exception to this rule," explains Jeff Jones, manager of Charleston Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina. "They are susceptible to cold and wind damage. Prune back about a third of the new growth," he advises.
Protect
In areas that receive winter snow and ice storms, fall is a good time to wrap shrub branches with twine, to prevent them from breaking under the weight of a winter wonderland. Simply secure twine to the shrub trunk and wrap upward in a spiral. Do the same in a downward spiral from the top and tie to the tree trunk.
Hedges can be protected by lightly clipping the sides to taper upward, so snow will not fall between branches. Jones also recommends draining irrigation systems to protect from them freezing. "It's a good idea to have yearly maintenance performed on irrigation systems in general," Jones says.
Divide and conquer
Many plants benefit from being divided every few years. Spring- and summer-blooming plants can be divided in the fall. Perennials with roots that spread or produce shoots from their base are the best candidates for division. Those that have dead growth in the center and young, healthy growth on the outside are ready to be divided and replanted as new and separate plants.

Love your lawn
Yes, summer is over, but mowing is not. Warm-season lawns (Bermuda, zoysia and centipede) need to be mowed less often in the fall, while fescue needs to be mowed more often. Depending on a lawn's condition, it will benefit from aeration (holes created to make soil less compact and encourage growth) once a year to once every few years. The job is made easier by renting (about $50 per day) a core aerator from a garden center.
After aerating, re-seed fescue and add lime if necessary -- a soil sample can be taken to your county extension service for testing -- followed by a slow-release fertilizer. Use a spade or shovel to apply top-dressing (a mixture of loam, horticultural sand and organic matter) evenly over a new lawn or stressed lawn (many lawns are stressed after a summer drought). Top-dressing improves the consistency of the soil and can be purchased pre-mixed.
When half an inch of thatch (debris that forms at the base of grass stems) builds up, remove it with a rake. This process, known as de-thatching, allows water, air and fertilizer to reach grass roots easily. It's best to de-thatch on an autumn day when the ground is moist. Don't worry if the lawn looks worse afterwards, as the benefits will be visible in a few months.
After aerating and de-thatching, feed with a starter fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron. The rate and frequency of fertilizing depends on soil and grass types as well as manufacturer instructions. Autumn is also the time to sod or sow any patches of lawn that are bare or need repairing. And finally, rake fallen leaves off grass regularly (add them to the compost bin) so they won't block sunlight or trap water.
Take steps this fall to ensure your grass will be green next spring.An ounce of prevention
Whenever possible it is best to anticipate and prevent problems in the garden. Fall's mild conditions provide the perfect opportunity to have the lawnmower serviced and to clean garden tools (try a solution of one-part bleach to nine-parts water). Also lubricate, tighten and sharpen tool parts as needed.
Grub control should be applied to lawns in the fall to kill grub larvae before they mature. And finally, apply a pre-emergent to warm-season grass to prevent weeds from popping up in the spring. According to Chris Theis, owner of Earth Works Landscape Company in Atlanta, the application of a pre-emergent is among the most important garden duties in the fall. "If you can only fit two projects in this fall, apply a pre-emergent and a winterizer (fertilizer) to warm-season grass and re-seed and apply a starter fertilizer to fescue," he says. "The key is to re-establish a strong root base in the yard after the stress of a hot summer."
It's that time of year -- so sip cider, go on a hayride and get busy on your fall gardening "to-do" list.

Source Meg R. Sparwath

An Excerpt from: Even Eagles Need a Push
by David McNally and Mac Anderson

Forgotten Your Dreams?

After a change in head coaches at the University of South Carolina earlier in his career, Lou Holtz, then a defensive coach, found himself unemployed.

"I was unemployed for over a month, a long time for someone like me who had worked since he was nine.  I felt very defeated. Our savings account was down to four figures: around $10.95.  With a growing family to support, I was feeling pressure.  It would have been an unbearable period, if not for my wife.  She could not have been any more supportive or encouraging.  Beth never complained.  She went to work as an x-ray technician to help keep us in groceries.  She also brought me the motivational book, The Magic of Thinking Big, by David Schwartz, hoping it would help me feel less depressed.

In his chapter on goals, Schwartz writes that anyone who is bored by life has probably forgotten his or her dreams.  He invites readers to get back in touch with them.  As a first step, we are asked to list all the things we have ever wanted to accomplish:  I had a lot of time on my hands, so I took out a pencil and paper and divided my list into five categories:

1. As a husband/father
2. Spiritually
3. Professionally
4. Financially
5. Simply for excitement

It was the in fifth category that I let my imagination run wild.  Here are some of the things I included:

1. Jump out of an airplane
2. Land a jet fighter on an aircraft carrier
3. Travel the ocean in a submarine
4. Go white-water rafting on the Snake River at Hells Canyon
5. Be on the Tonight Show, starring Johnny Carson
6. Attend a White House dinner with the president
7. Meet the Pope
8. Go on an African safari
9. Become a scratch golfer and play the top 50 golf courses in the world
10. Run with the bulls in Pamplona (provided I was matched with a much slower person)

And on it went.  I had 107 goals on my original list.  Suddenly, I was looking at my life differently and was excited about the future.  When I told Beth that I was determined we do all of them, she said, "Gee, that's great, honey, but why don't you add "I want to find a job."  Good note-the list expanded to 108. So far, we've managed to achieve 102 of those dreams-including dining at the White House and meeting the Pope.  We're still working on the others.  From the moment I made that list, we became participants, rather than spectators, in our life.  You do the same and you'll find you don't want to spend so much time sleeping; you'll be afraid you might miss something! There are 26 other amazing stories in our Even Eagles Need a Push book.  So, come explore the power of encouragement and see how it can change someone's life forever...maybe even your own. (*Excerpted from You Gotta Read This Book, by Jack Canfield and Gary Hendricks)

The bad news is that in recent months, credit card companies have been ratcheting up interest rates and cutting card limits. It’s partly in anticipation of the new restrictions and partly a response to increasing default rates among recession-battered consumers who can’t pay their bills. “Regardless of the apparent consumer victory and the noble intentions behind the new law,” said Ben Woolsey, a consumer credit expert at CreditCards.com, “the unintended consequences—higher credit costs, less generous terms and higher prices across the board—could be the rule and not the exception.”

Credit card interest rates and fees overall are up an average 20% since January 2009, according to consumer savings website BillShrink.com, based on its survey of 150 major cards over the last seven months. Similarly, credit limits—the maximum amount you can charge on your plastic—have been cut back this past year for an estimated 58 million Americans—many of whom had high credit scores and no problems with their existing card. That’s according to a recent study by FICO, developer of the widely used consumer credit score.

“There’s been a lot of pre-emptive activity over the last six months in preparation for the law going into effect,” said Billshrink’s co-founder and president, Schwark Satyavolu. “A lot of banks are effectively trying to get in their changes in rates and fees now to make them egregiously higher before the law goes live.”

Under the changes that took effect in August, credit card companies must issue monthly bill statements 21 days before they’re due, instead of 14 days. And they must give card holders an extra month’s notice before raising interest rates—45 days instead of 15. And if you elect to drop the card and pay off the balance, you can do so at the old interest rate. There’s been some backlash to all the increases. Consumer blogs are rife with complaints about rate hikes on credit cards.

The fee hikes and other changes have been the trend this past year and will intensify through February, said Gerri Detweiler, a consumer credit expert with San Francisco-based Credit.com. “Issuers are experiencing increased charge-offs and defaults by customers who are severely delinquent,” where it’s much less likely they’ll be able to collect what’s owed.

The situation is “frustrating for consumers who are trying to do the right thing and make their payments on time but are really backed into a corner when a card issuer raises their minimum payment or interest rate and makes it difficult for them to dig out.”

“If you’re a customer with a good payment history, low debt and a strong credit score, you may be able to negotiate with your bank (card issuer) to reinstate your credit line or come to a happy medium on interest rates,” Detweiler said. But if you have high credit card balances, are falling behind on payments or having trouble making minimum payments, calling your card issuer could trigger more scrutiny of your account and lead to even bigger rate hikes, she said. If you’re struggling, Detweiler recommends talking with a credit counseling agency to get all your debt under control. Or look into transferring your balance to another card, although there are transfer fees you’ll need to consider. “It’s tricky to navigate and it can be incredibly frustrating when you’re trying to do the right thing,” she said.

About 85% of U.S. households pay credit card charges, primarily interest, according to a study by UC Davis graduate school economics professor Victor Stango and a Dartmouth College colleague, who analyzed data from 10,000 consumers between 2006 and 2008. Their study also found that 48% of those surveyed incur penalties for late payments or exceeding their credit card limits. “A lot of these fees are incurred because consumers are unaware of them or didn’t fully understand the terms they signed,” said Stango. Because credit card rates and penalties are “dramatically” changing now, Stango said it’s crucial that consumers pay attention to bills and letters from card issuers. “If you throw away the letter, you could be in for a nasty surprise two or three months later,” he said.

Until it all shakes out, “the best thing consumers can do is stay on top of these changes and evaluate their options regularly,” said BillShrink.com’s Satyavolu. “Keep more vigilant about your credit card choices, until the credit card industry stabilizes and figures out what fees and rates they’re going to stick with. A lot will keep changing over the next year.”

Source: Claudia Buck RISMEDIA

Some of the best remodeling projects involve making a home more energy-efficient — which also saves on monthly utility costs. Energy-efficient projects like double-hung window replacements (vinyl), which costs $10,537 for 10 windows, are high on the list, recovering 77 percent of their cost, while a bathroom remodel, which costs around $15,899, generates a 75 percent return on the investment.

The exterior of the house, which can be a major selling point for buyers, is another area where remodeling projects can leave a lasting impression. Consider siding replacement, which costs around $13,177, and generates an 87 percent return on the investment.

And don’t forget about the backyard either — an important feature when selling your home. Outdoor living areas can be a sanctuary as more and more Americans “nest” during these recessionary times. So consider adding a wood deck, which runs around $10,601, and recovers 82 percent of its cost.

Lowe’s and MONEY® Magazine have provided more information and project guidance on smart home improvement projects at Lowes.com/Homewise.

For more information visit:http://www.realtytrac.com/ContentManagement/RealtyTracLibrary.aspx?channelid=8&ItemID=5678

Source Realty Trac

Please click here to access your copy of the September Issue of "Real Estate CyberTips"

This month's issue includes the following tips:

* ARE THEY TELLING YOU THE TRUTH?

* WALK AWAY FROM YOUR CELL CONTRACT!

* TRACK YOUR WARRANTIES!

* SAVE ON YOUR SHIPPING COSTS!

We hope you enjoy the latest edition of "Real Estate CyberTips".

A jump in the national S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index suggests that the very steep price drops of the past few years may be over.

The country has seen a recent spike in foreclosures and defaults. As a result, in addition to new legislation to assist distressed homeowners, lenders have also been more willing to work with distressed borrowers to help keep them in their homes. Keep in mind that foreclosing on a home is very expensive for a lender and they really don't want to own your home!

If you or someone you know is in this unfortunate situation or may be soon, now is the time to act. Click here to find out about foreclosure options as well as about short sales versus foreclosures.

You don't have to be the next victim of foreclosure. There is help available--if you know where to look or whom to ask. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information and help. 

The Avon Walk Charlotte on October 24-25, 2009 presents a unique atmosphere where big city style meets down-home appeal. With a Southern ambiance all its own, the Queen City’s broad, tree-lined streets and majestic homes provide a beautiful scenic backdrop for the Walk. Charlotte has been named one of the “Top 20 Walking Cities” in the nation, joining the list at number four by Prevention Magazine. The landscape of Charlotte is ever-changing. What better way to see it than by helping others in the fight against breast cancer?

If you've never owned a home or haven't owned one in at least three years and want to take advantage of the tax credit before it expires, you need to be starting your home search now and making a commitment by the end of September/early October. It does take 45-60 days these days to close on a home/mortgage.

There have also been reports from Realtors around the country that the "almost last minute" interest in getting the credit has resulted in a flurry of home-buying activity in many markets, which in some cases is causing bidding wars and higher home sale prices. It's likely that the longer you wait to buy a home, the more you may pay in the end. The time to act is now!