Charlotte is the largest city in N.C. and the 17th largest in the U.S. Residents of Charlotte, N.C. are not the only ones who realize what a wonderful place it is to live! In the recent article “Best Cities for Housing Values, 2011“ by Yahoo! Real Estate, Charlotte was ranked 2nd in the country as the Best City to live, based on its vibrant economy, reasonable living costs, and great amenities!

Still need convincing?
CLICK HERE for more of what Charlotte has to offer and properties available in Charlotte and surrounding areas!

This office was designed by Charlotte’s very own Studio Fusion and does a great job of expressing who we are as a business – modern, classy and technologically savvy – which are all a big part in why Showcase is so successful. Scroll down to take a look at our new office and what we have to offer our staff and our clients!

CLICK HERE for more pictures and an idea of why these updates really “showcase” our brand!

Fact: A recent study in Berkeley concluded that every watt of energy generated by standard home solar panels is equal to a $5.50 increase in home value. With various incentives and discounted prices for installing a solar energy system, the solar panel can be an investment in itself. Aside from the financial investment, there is also the investment for a cleaner environment.

2. Myth: Solar panels are hard to maintain

Fact: A solar power system does not have gears or moving parts, thus the flat surfaces of the panels very easy to wipe clean. Requiring only occasional cleaning, ice sheets and snow also easily melts off and slides away once exposed to the heat of the sun.

3. Myth: Solar panels are ineffective in cloudy areas.

Fact: Clouds do not block the energy from the sun. Houses in Germany are proof that solar panels can work in any season. Storing energy through natural means can also be cost-effective for countries with cold climates as electricity is generally more expensive in those areas.

4. Myth: Solar panels do not work 24/7.

Fact: Most systems are built in such a way that the energy obtained during the day can be stored for later use. In addition, with solar panels, excess power is always produced at daylight. This excess is sent back to the grid which is used as substitute for other systems using fossil fuels. Because of this complementing nature of solar panel homes, residents get incentives or credit for the surplus energy.

5. Myth: Solar panels add to global warming.

Fact: As with any other product, the manufacture of solar panels require the use of fossil fuels since production always involves heavy machinery, transportation, and waste disposal. However, once the panels are made and installed, it starts offsetting the carbon emissions during its production. It can also even offset the carbon emissions made by other third-party processes.

In 2012, the housing market is continuing to improve as the U.S. economy moves forward on its slow but steady recovery. 

Demand in many areas and price points are now greater than supply and there has been upward pressure on home prices! In fact, there is so much good news to share that we are having a FREE MEETING on March 26^th from 6:00 – 7:30 PM at our NEW! Showcase Realty Charlotte location to present it all!

These are just a few of the topics we’ll cover:

• Housing market forecast for Charlotte, North Carolina, surrounding areas, and the United States 
• How to buy a home for as little as 3% DOWN! 
• Short sale update on how the process works and affects your credit score 
• What is a HUD home and how you can go about purchasing one, along with awesome programs that benefit buyers! 
• How to buy an investment property and simplifying the process with the right person guiding you!  
• And MORE!!! 

All Homes 66% Off!

I’ll bet you’d stop if you saw this sign at a builder’s subdivision!  Believe it or not, the cost of a home really is 66% off! With low prices and low interest rates the same home bought in 2005 is three times as affordable today than they were in 2005!  The following example should help you understand just how good the deals are right now. 

If you borrowed $200,000 to buy a home in 2005 and got a loan with a 6% interest rate, the interest would cost $12,000 per year or $1,000 per month.

That same home today can probably be purchased for about half its 2005 value, so your loan would be $100,000. The interest rate wouldn’t be 6%, it would only be 4% so you would spend only $4,000 per year or $333 per month!  One-third the payment FOR THE SAME HOUSE!!!

Worried prices are still falling?  Wouldn’t it be nice to know which areas are still falling in value and which are increasing? I have statistical evidence of what is happening in every price range, property type, and neighborhood in and around Charlotte.

This information will empower you to make smart decisions whether you’re buying or selling. If you’ve been thinking about moving up, down, or sideways, there is no better time. Hurry before the market heats up when school lets out!

Plan to attend our Housing Market Update on Monday, March 26^th from 6:00 – 7:30PM at Showcase Realty’s New Office in Southend Charlotte (1430 S. Mint Street Suite 106, Charlotte, NC 28203). Seats are limited, so register here to reserve your place. We will provide light snacks and door prizes to those who RSVP and attend!

Click the photo to purchase this heartfelt book and to get a brief summary of what it’s all about!

If you are having trouble clicking the registration link, CLICK HERE!