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Lake Norman Waterfront Condos

Lake Norman waterfront condos for sale in Catawba, Cornelius, Denver, Mooresville, Sherrills Ford, Statesville and Terrell. Updated daily with new Lake Norman waterfront listings and price changes. Bookmark this page or sign up for automatic email alerts on new Lake Norman waterfront listings & price change updates on Lake Norman waterfront real estate.

Contact a licensed Lake Norman real estate agent now @ 866-LakeNorman (866.525.3667) with any questions or to schedule an appointment to view any of these waterfront condos.

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Lake Norman Waterfront Homes For Sale

Lake Norman waterfront homes for sale in Catawba, Cornelius, Denver, Huntersville, Mooresville, Sherrills Ford, Statesville, Terrell and Troutman. Updated daily with new Lake Norman waterfront listings and price changes. Bookmark this page or sign up for automatic email alerts on new Lake Norman waterfront listings & price change updates on Lake Norman waterfront real estate.

Contact a licensed Lake Norman real estate agent now @ 866-LakeNorman (866.525.3667) with any questions or to schedule an appointment to view any of these waterfront homes.

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Americans Agree: Real Estate Best Long-Term Investment

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By Suzanne De Vita

Signaling growing confidence in the housing recovery, a majority of Americans once again named real estate the best long-term investment – a trend now continued for two consecutive years, according to a recently released Gallup poll.

Real estate edged out long-term investment options like stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs and bonds, with 31 percent of Americans favoring housing for long-term gains. Twenty-five percent of Americans named stocks/mutual funds as the best investment long-term. Gold dropped from frontrunner in 2011 and 2012 to third, while savings accounts/CDs fell to 15 percent. Bonds dipped to just six percent.

The findings represent a significant change in consumer sentiment akin to the ongoing recovery. Notably, more Americans preferred savings accounts/CDs in 2012, as financial security remained critical for many in the wake of the crash.

Moreover, all major gender, age and income groups topped or tied the preference for real estate, coinciding with a number of recent initiatives set to increase opportunities for a diverse range of would-be buyers. These include the Fannie- and Freddie-backed three percent down payment program and the reassessment of credit strictures that have historically prevented borrowers from obtaining a mortgage.



Between July 2002 and April 2007, preferences for real estate fluctuated with the market, peaking at 50 percent during the boom and sinking to 37 percent as the economy nosedived. Preferences for real estate continued to fall through 2008 and 2009.

The Gallup poll was conducted April 9-12, 2015 from a random sample of 1,015 adults aged 18 and older living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For a complete look at responses, questions and trends, click here.

Mike Spruell
Realtor®/Broker/ePRO
The Lake Norman Homes Team
Southern Homes Elite
www.LakeNormanRealEstate.pro
866-LakeNorman
704-907-7907

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

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Q: Where Can You Find Fixer-Uppers?

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A: They are literally everywhere, even in wealthy enclaves. What sets them apart is price.  They have lower market value than other houses in the immediate area because they have either been poorly maintained or abandoned.

To determine if a property that interests you is a wise investment will require a lot of work. You will need to figure out what the average home in the area sells for, as well as the cost of the most desirable ones.   

Experts suggest that novices avoid run-down properties needing extensive work.  Instead, they recommend starting with a property that only needs minor cosmetic work – one that can be completely refurbished with paint, wallpaper, new floor and window coverings, landscaping, and new appliances.

Also, keep in mind that a home price that looks too good to be true probably is. Find out why before pouring your hard-earned money into it.

When looking for a fixer-upper, some experts suggest you follow this basis strategy: find the least desirable home in the most desirable neighborhood. Then decide if the expense that is needed to repair the property is within your budget.

 

Mike Spruell
Realtor®/Broker/ePRO
The Lake Norman Homes Team
Southern Homes Elite
www.LakeNormanRealEstate.pro
866-LakeNorman
704-907-7907

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

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Report: Minor Home Improvements Offer Best Return

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A recent release by the Appraisal Institute advises homeowners to choose upgrades instead of major remodeling projects to see the greatest potential return on investment.

“In general, simpler, less expensive projects have the best cost-to-value ratio,” says Appraisal Institute President M. Lance Coyle, MAI, SRA. “With the spring home buying season around the corner, homeowners should invest in projects that are most likely to preserve the value of their homes.”

According to Remodeling magazine’s most recent Cost vs. Value report, only five projects saw their cost-to-value ratios rise in 2014: roofing replacement, garage door replacement, 20-gauge steel entry door replacement, vinyl siding replacement and fiberglass entry door replacement. Among projects with the biggest declines were two-story additions, composite deck additions, master suite and kitchen remodels.

Other minor projects with potential major payoffs, says the Cost vs. Value report, are mid-range and upscale garage door replacements, manufactured stone veneer, mid-range window replacements and minor kitchen remodels.

Coyle says that some homeowners might choose to fund home upgrades with tax refunds. Before calling a contractor or heading for the home improvement store, however, he says they should consider if the improvement is in keeping within community norms.

“It’s possible that consumers won’t be able to recoup the cost of the upgrade when the home is sold, so it’s important to meet, not exceed, what’s standard for the neighborhood, and to also consider expected length of time in the property,” Coyle says.

He also says that making routine home repairs is essential to maintaining a home’s value. A house that has been well maintained likely will have a higher value than a similar house that is in disrepair, Coyle says. For example, replacing worn out trim boards may in certain situations not add any additional value to the home, other than to preserve the value that would be likely as evidenced by sales of similar homes in the area that do not have worn-out trim boards.

For an unbiased analysis of what their home would be worth both before and after an improvement project, a homeowner can work with a qualified real estate appraiser to conduct a feasibility study.

During a feasibility study, the appraiser will analyze the homeowner’s property, weigh the cost of rehabilitation and provide an estimate of the property’s value before and after the improvement.

Some green and energy-efficient renovations – such as adding Energy Star appliances and extra insulation – are likely to pay the homeowner back in lowered utility bills relatively quickly. Lower utility costs also are a draw for potential homebuyers. When valuing a home, the appraiser evaluates local supply and demand for green and energy-efficient properties and features.

For more information, visit www.appraisalinstitute.org.

Mike Spruell
Realtor®/Broker/ePRO
The Lake Norman Homes Team
Southern Homes of The Carolinas
www.LakeNormanRealEstate.pro
866-LakeNorman
704-907-7907

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

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