I’ve decided to change direction of what I was originally thinking of writing here in this blog. Instead of big Charlotte, US, rest of the world real estate news (which every other Realtor seems to want to cover ad naseum) I thought I’d share with you the weekly trials, tribulations and bizarre incidents I invariably trip over during my tenure as a Broker-in-Charge at Wilkinson and Associates. Goodness, since I started hiring agents into the company and then tackling issues and problems from the sublime to the ridiculous, I think I have material for a good book never mind a blog posting from time to time!

To kick off; this weeks bizarre tale award goes to one of our agents who took a condo listing which subsequently went very wrong and the owner asked, no demanded, a release of listing contract. Not unusual in itself you might think? Until I received the following e-mail from the owner who clearly has either a very vivid conspiracy theorist imagination or is just simply a sandwich short of a picnic. The following excerpt (cut down for brevity) was a follow up to myself and the agent to honor his request for termination of his contract:

(Name of agent)

You are a criminal and part of a violent Crime and therefore potentially physically dangerous. The 10:00 meeting is probably an ambush for an assault by you and your accomplice upon me. Therefore it is cancelled. You are forbidden to enter my home under any circumstances. If you try to I will immediately call the Police. I want my Condo off the market. Fax or email me any paper I need to sign, I will fax or email it back to you.  I do not Legally owe any fee for this. Include your fax number. Come to my home and remove that lock. Leave my key under the outside doormat. I want that lock off whether my Condo is listed or not and that is my Legal Right. The more Crime you committ the more serious your punnishment – the longer your Prison term. I am certainly going to press Criminal Charges against you at this point. That is no threat and no insult, it is simply stating the facts and the Truth which I can prove.. Of course you won’t admit you are a Criminal. You will bear the consequences for your actions like anyone else. You will receive a fair Trial – count yourself lucky for that.

Mr. Corfield: You have not returned my calls. I am not suprised at that, however it is a bad sign for you and your Company. As stated above, this is a very serious Criminal Conspiracy Mr. (agent name)  is involved in. It is being “addressed” at the highest levels of the US Government. I am in fact in Communication with President Obama on this matter and have his support and Protection as well as that of the Federal Government in general including Law Enforcement. Those complicit in this Crime who believe they will “get away with it” like Mr.(agent name) are wrong. The Prisons are filled with Criminals who thought they would “get away with it”. Corruption notwithstanding, this still is a Constitutional Republic, where the vast majority including those currently in Power, respect, and obey the Law. That is why I am fundamentally safe and can send this Truthful Message in complete safety. Individuals like Mr. (agent name) and even more dangerous Criminals involved in this Criminal Conspiracy need to GET THIS MESSAGE.

This week is a big one in our efforts to extend the homebuyer tax credit.  The Senate Finance Committee is expected to consider an amendment to an unemployment insurance bill that would extend the homebuyer tax credit to the middle of 2010, increase the income limits, and remove the first-time homebuyer restriction.  U.S. Senators Dodd, Lieberman and Isakson are co-authors of this amendment. 

As we get closer to the Nov. 30th expiration of the current Homebuyer Tax Credit, North Carolina REALTORS® continue to make their voice heard in Congress.  So far, almost 170,000 responses have been generated across the country with approximately 7,000 of those from right here in North Carolina. At 20.5%, this is by far the highest response rate here in NC for a Call for Action.   There are a total of 14 states that are over 20 percent and we have the largest REALTOR membership of those 14 states.  NC REALTORS® Political Specialist David McGowan has spearheaded North Carolina’s response efforts, which has been fueled by increased participation in the Broker Involvement Program.

Also, NC REALTORS® President Sandra L. O’Connor is contacting US Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan to encourage them to support the Dodd, Lieberman and Isakson amendment.  And we have initiated an effort to have NC’s local board presidents do the same.

As a long serving Realtor myself its important to me that we see this intiative through to keep our economy from stalling.

Contact me for all of your south charlotte real estate needs!

After a 5 week hiatus work has once again begun on completing One of Charlotte’s 50 story high rise condo projects-The Vue. The Vue’s international syndicate of lenders had been worried about disappointing condo sales in the south charlotte real estate uptown market.

Dan McLean, CEO of MCL Cos. of Chicago, said work could resume at the 50-story luxury tower this week. The tower’s general contractor, R.J. Griffin & Co., announced late Monday that it had finally received payment and would restart construction “promptly.”

McLean said the new loan agreement gives him an additional year – until the end of 2012 – to sell out the building. Units in this south charlotte real estate project are listed for $319,000 to $2 million-plus. Slightly more than 50 percent of the tower’s 409 units are currently under contract.

Time is running out for South Charlotte real estate first time home buyers to take advantage of the $8,000 home buyer tax credit. Congress has not expressed whether or not they will extend the credit so you should plan, as of now, that your deadline is November 30 to close on your home.  Also, keep in mind you need to allow at least 45 days from acceptance of contract to close.

1. Use a direct mortgage lender

Buyers have an option of utilizing a mortgage banker or a mortgage broker to obtain their mortgage.  It is absolutely critical that you close on or before November 30 a direct mortgage lender (mortgage banker) will have more control and should ensure that it closes on time as opposed to a broker.

2. Stay away from certain houses!

At this late date, first time South Charlotte real estate home buyers should stay away from pre-foreclosures (also known as short sale properties) and to-be-built new construction homes.  Rarely does the pre-foreclosure process take less than 45 days for a response from the bank. 

3. Get the lender what they need ASAP

You want to head off any unforeseen issues ahead of time with your mortgage so once you have decided which lender you are going to work with, ask them for what documentation they require to approve your loan and send it to them right away. 

4. Lock in your rate

New disclosure laws are in effect and could delay your closing!

5. Do all inspections right away

Schedule and perform all home inspections within 3 days of contract acceptance. By performing your inspections soon after contract, the buyer knows the type of property they are buying and if they wish to proceed. Sellers are sometimes reluctant to fix needed repairs. Today, many sellers are just happy to have a buyer and will fix most reasonable repair items with little hassle.  However, by doing the inspections quickly, you will know if you’re dealing with a seller who may be unreasonable.

6. Don’t wait until November 30 to close!

November is a short month due to Thanksgiving. Once the third week in November rolls around its time to close. Get to closing before all the family soiree’s and parties start. You never know if you may need a few extra days to see you through!

Visit my website South Charlotte Real Estate today for further information!