Cornelius Luxury Homes

When people think of luxury real estate, homes in Los Angeles or New York City come to mind. A great thing to note, however, is that luxury homes can be found almost anywhere. For instance, did you know that there are luxuries Los Angeles style homes in Cornelius, North Carolina? As a North Carolina resident and real estate broker for Charlotte and surrounding areas I see my fair share of beautiful homes. Therefore, I chose three Cornelius luxury homes to prove that you don’t have to live in a well-known, overly expensive city to own a gorgeous home.

At just shy of $5 million, this Cornelius luxury home is not only a beautiful view from the inside but has just as a beautiful view from the outside. The four bedroom and six bathroom home has a master suite and walk-in closet any woman would love. The fully equipped kitchen would make any chef jealous with double ovens, and a cooktop gas and grill stove. The dinning room is also a sight in itself with a beautiful domed ceiling. Some other great attributes to the home include the wine cellar and wet bar that serves the house and another that serves the outside. In addition to the wet bar, the outside is also air conditioned and heated with a gorgeous view of the lake.

The second Cornelius luxury home I chose to highlight is about $400,000 less expensive but offers just as much, if not more, as the previous home. This European style home has five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, and a magnificent view of Lake Norman. The two-story waterfront home has a boathouse with a boatlift for easy access to the water. Even family and friends can have a waterfront view, as the guest home, which has one bedroom, a den, kitchenette, loft and boat storage, overlooks the water. Although, with such a great view, your guest may become a permanent resident. On top of the great view from the inside of the home, the outside is just as magnificent with a manicured lawn, outdoor fireplace, and a private pond that includes a waterfall.

The third Cornelius luxury home I chose, but certainly not the last in the area, is a two-story private community home. With six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, the custom waterfront home includes barrel ceilings in the dinning room, coffered ceiling in the library, a grand curved stairway, arched windows, along with a wine cellar and an elevator. The exquisite home also includes a chef’s kitchen with top of the line appliances. If the view of Lake Norman isn’t enough, an outside balcony overlooks the in-ground heated pool, with an attached hot tub. A great view of the water no matter what window you view form.

After a brief synopsis of these beautiful Cornelius luxury homes hopefully its clear that you don’t have to move to an expensive city for a luxury home. On top of magnificent custom homes in a smaller populated town, most provide a waterfront view of one of North Carolina’s most beautiful lakes - Lake Norman.

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

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About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children.

Huntersville Real Estate

            Huntersville Real Estate can be a hot commodity. Located just outside of Charlotte, the town provides everything the largest city of North Carolina provides but with a much smaller population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Charlotte’s population in 2010 was 731,424 with Huntersville at just a fraction of that number with 46,773 listed as its population. Despite being extremely smaller compared to Charlotte, there is no shortage of things to do and homes to see.  

Gorgeous luxury homes, family homes, and townhomes make up the Huntersville real estate and below are three I chose just to give you a glimpse at what the beautiful town has to offer.

The first is a lavish three story stone and stucco home. Known as the Misty Ridge Lodge, the home gives the appearance of an exclusive mountain resort, minus the frigid temperatures. Instead of a view of the mountains, the home is located just minutes from Lake Norman where snowsuits can be traded in for swimsuits. The recently built home is also big enough for multiple families to stay in with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

The second of the Huntersville real estate that I chose is a home at nearly three-fourths the price as the first but still just as beautiful. With five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the brick home has recently seen numerous upgrades, including new granite and hardwood floors. Similar to the first, this home also has three-story’s and a three car garage. A major attraction to this home, especially for a golf enthusiast, is the location as it conveniently sits on a golf course. 

Finally, to provide a full glimpse of the Huntersville real estate, the third home I chose is a lovely townhome in one of the most convenient locations in Huntersville. The two bedroom and three bathroom vinyl townhome is ready to move in with recent upgrades to the hardwood floors, neutral interior décor, and landscape details. The community provides a golf course, tennis courts and playgrounds, and is walking distance to one of the most distinct shopping centers in Huntersville, known as Birkdale Village.

As you can see from just three of the homes I picked in Huntersville, the town offers a home for people looking in all different price ranges but with equal beauty. From the lavish to the practical family home, a home in Huntersville will not disappoint.

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

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About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

Lake Norman Real Estate Waterfront

One of the great attractions about living in Mooresville, NC is the beautiful view of Lake Norman. I mean, what could be better than relaxing on a boat on a lazy Sunday afternoon while enjoying the company of your friends and family? Actually there is something better, and that’s waking up every morning with that as your view. If you’re looking for a home with a spectacular view, easy access to the water, and the mirage that your own a constant vacation then these homes are for you. These three Lake Norman real estate waterfront homes ready to be bought by someone who loves luxurious homes, and more important, spectacular views.

The first home, located in Mooresville, is a beautiful family home with three bedrooms and three baths. Some of the great attractions include a covered boat dock with a private lift, boat slip, floating dock, hot tub, and on top of that, waterviews from majority of the rooms. The waterfront master bedroom has access to a private patio with a spa. All that’s missing here is some room service.

The second Lake Norman real estate waterfront home is three levels of lake living. The four bedroom and five bathroom home has an open floor plan with a spacious kitchen and great room. The exterior is just as beautiful with a covered back porch overlooking Lake Norman. The private backyard comes with a boat lift, boat slip and floating dock, perfect for any boat owner.

The third Lake Norman real estate waterfront home, but certainly not the last, is a home located in one of the most lavish neighborhoods in Mooresville. Located in The Point Lake and Golf Club, the private community not only has a spectacular view of the lake every where you turn but access to a golf course, tennis courts, and so much more. This house in particular has a fenced in yard with an in-ground pool, hot tub, and an outdoor fireplace that makes you never want to leave your backyard. Of course, there is a reason to leave you’re a backyard and that’s to enjoy the beautiful lake!

For a look at more Lake Norman real estate waterfront homes check out our latest YouTube video below.

About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

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Finding the Right School in Mooresville

Moving to a new home can be a hectic time especially when children are involved. Finding the right neighborhood with the perfect school is a necessity but sometimes time and stress of finding the perfect home interferes with such necessities. If you’re moving to the Mooresville, North Carolina area there is an ample amount of schools to choice from each providing their own unique qualities.

There are 35 schools, ranging from elementary to high school, and public to private, within the Iredell - Statesville district. The Point Lake and Golf Club, which I moved to four years ago with my family, has seven schools within close proximity. Four are elementary schools: Woodland Heights Elementary School, Mooresville Christian Academy, Lakeshore Elementary School, and Lake Norman Elementary. Three of the four are public schools. Each have relatively the same number of students, but differ in their student to teacher ratio. A plus for parents wanting more one-on-one time for their child in school. For instance, Lakeshore Elementary School has 707 students attending with 21 teachers, making the student teacher ratio of 31 to 1. While Lake Norman Elementary has 593 students attending with 37 teachers, making the student teacher ratio 19 to 1. Both school, however, received four out of five stars on the Market Insider website, meaning both area a great choice!

If you have children in grades sixth through eighth there are two middle schools of choice.  Both received excellent ratings but differ slightly in the amount of students attending. Lakeshore Middle School, a public school, has around 593 students. Brawley Middle School, also a public school, has an estimated 734 students.

As for high schools, Lake Norman High School is the closest in proximity. With an estimated 1946 students and 65 teachers for ninth through twelfth grade, there is a 27 to 1 student teacher ratio.

Some other interesting facts that future homebuyers in the Mooresville area may be interested in is the learning procedures. The district is considered to have a medium to high technology index, meaning there is increased awareness in a student’s use of computers, which is proven to be a necessity in the 21st century.

With an estimated 22,000 students in the 35 schools located in the Iredell – Statesville district it’s important to find the school that meets your child’s needs the best. Many future homebuyers forget that choosing a home involves more than finding a place with a big enough pool for entertaining or a garage big enough for three vehicles. When children are involved in a big step such as choosing a new home it’s important to think of factors such as school size, how many teachers there are, and the student teacher ratio to ensure your child receives the best education.

If you’re looking outside The Point neighborhood in Mooresville, my website provides a simple search of the schools by inputting the zip code of your choice.  Now your search is just a couple clicks away. 

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

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About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

Looking for a home in Mooresville?

One of my favorite things to look at when searching the latest real estate news is Today show’s real estate expert Barbara Corcoran series of what a home buyer can get for X amount and less. Some are reasonably priced, while others make you ask – is that all you get for that much money? The most recent one showcased was what a home buyer could get for $200,000 and less. She found homes in Phoenix and Nebraska that were very reasonable for their price range, but it got me thinking of all the homes you can buy in that price range in Mooresville, NC.

Through a simple search for homes for sale in Mooresville, 300 results were found for $200,000 or less. More impressive is the variety of homes for sale in that price range. For example, everything from ranch style homes to waterfront condos were listed in the search.

Like Barbara Corcoran I thought I would showcase some of the homes that toped my list. Going from cheapest to most expensive, is a condo for $167,500. The condo comes with a garden tub, wet bar, laminate floors, and all the appliances. Each of the two bedrooms has a private bathroom. But what really makes the condo worth the price is the gorgeous waterfront view of Lake Norman. Although, the complex is also perfect for a buyer who doesn’t like the hassle of taking care of a lawn.

Next is a ranch style home priced at $189,999. The open floor makes the home appear double in size. Everything from the kitchen to the sunroom is spacious. Perfect for a large family or someone with lots of belongings. What adds to the already excellent features of the house is the amount of storage space.  On top of the large attic in the home is the garage shop located outside behind the in-ground pool. Great for the handy man in your life or those 10 boxes of Christmas decorations. The home is also within walking distance to Lake Norman.

If you want the best of both worlds, meaning a ranch home with a waterfront view than the next home for sale in Mooresville is for you. Priced at $195,000, the L shaped front porch provides that country atmosphere. You can easily picture yourself sitting in a rocking chair with a sweet tea in your hand. Along with the stone fireplace and open floor plan, the home also provides three bedrooms and two full baths.

Finally, topping my list of homes for sale in Mooresville within the $200,000 price range is a suburban home priced at $197,590. Moving away from the water, this home sits in a quiet neighborhood, perfect for a growing family. The two-story home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a formal living room and dinning room. My favorite feature, however, is the upstairs loft, which looks over the spacious downstairs. While Corcoran showed some great homes located throughout the country, there’s no need to leave North Carolina after looking at these homes for sale in Mooresville.


For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/


Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

What to expect in 2012

Everyday new articles and studies are coming out trying to predict what 2012 will hold for the housing market. Depending on which one you read, or want to believe, it’s either going to see a steady increase or remain stable, which to me means no one knows. Although I recently came across this video that attempted to not sugar coat the reality.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/msnbc-tv/45790517/#45790517 

Rick Newman, chief business correspondent for U.S. news and world reports, confirmed that the real estate world may not be completely back but we are heading towards what might be a recovery. While this is evident since there’s only one direction to go after hitting rock bottom, Newman did admit that it’s taking way longer than anyone expected.

The latest numbers show that the depressed housing market is making baby steps. Construction of new homes in November was up 9.3 percent, which is the fastest pace in a year and a half. New home sells were up 1.6 percent in November, with existing home sells up 4 percent. Even foreclosures are down almost 16% compared to last year at this time but as Newman added, this would be good if it was normal housing market, which it’s not.

For example, numbers are still way worse than they were 5 to 7 years ago. With that said, what may have been the “normal” in 2005 and 2006 may not be a realistic normal for us in 2011 and 2012.

As for the foreclosures, Newman stated that these are not accurate numbers cause there has been a huge delay in foreclosure procedures. So there will be a spurt in foreclosures in 2012.

Overall, the housing market reflects the economy. A need for jobs and increase in income go hand-in-hand with how successful other markets are, such as the housing market. Another factor to consider is where you live. Some states are seeing more progress than others. For example, Trulia.com recently released its top markets to keep an eye on for 2012 that are seeing a steady job increase. These places include Texas, California, Massachusetts and New York. Some surprising picks, considering the cost of living in these states. But as Truila.com put it “prices are stable, and the economy has weathered blow after blow and is expanding,” therefore, lets enter the New Year thinking positive. 

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

Charlotte Homes for Sale

I was recently talking with a hopeful buyer who lives in New York and is looking to move to Charlotte. The first words out of her mouth were “I need something cheap.” As a previous resident of New York I could sympathize with the cost of living there. But then she added that she was having trouble finding a reasonable price in Charlotte. Knowing from experience that the price of living in New York to Charlotte is like night and day, I knew we could find something in her price range. Not even knowing her price range, I gave myself a quick challenge – Find homes that are relatively new on the market for $100,000 or less. Here are my picks, from the least expensive to the most expensive, of Charlotte homes for sale.

First, is an attractive ranch style home priced at $94,900. The beautiful manicured lawn provides a perfect presentation to the clean and spacious interior. The three bedroom and two bathroom home is perfect with a family with kids or animals that like to run with the large, wooded backyard. Inside you have an open great room layout that showcases the vaulted ceilings, while your attention is also drawn to the fireplace that sits next to the French style doors. The kitchen is spacious enough for a whole family to help with Sunday dinners or perfect for entertaining.

The second charlotte home for sale that caught my attention was one priced at $99,900. The two main reasons is “newly remolded” and “move-in ready.” Dark hardwood floors run throughout the two-story home in the kitchen, living room and hallway, with matching cabinets in the kitchen. A light toned brick fireplace with a white mantel ties in well with the open living room, while the two bedrooms and two bathrooms are accented with wall-to-wall beige carpet, and black counters in the bathroom.

For the third Charlotte homes for sale pick I chose a three-floor condo priced at $100,000. The open floor plan and newly granite bar separating the kitchen and living makes it perfect for entertaining, while the balcony attached to the two master bedrooms over looks the golf course and pond. The country club atmosphere is all about location and price. For one, the condo is surrounded by some of Charlotte’s best dinning and shopping areas. The price is also a steal as the average listing price in this area is $179,500. Talk about a deal!

While there are plenty of Charlotte homes for sale priced at $100,000 or less, hopefully this gives you a good idea that you can find any style home you are looking for no matter where you decide to live.

For more beautiful Charlotte homes for sale check our video below:

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children.

Luxury Homes in Mooresville

After searching through the latest real estate news I came across an interesting article concerning the increase in people purchasing luxury homes. Interesting due to the fact that I also came across articles discussing the struggling economy and a lack of homes being sold. The article in reference, however, is “Luxury Real Estate Booms in San Antonio,” which points out that luxury real estate in San Antonio appears to be outperforming the rest of the housing market. Custom builders are starting more million-dollar spec homes, those built on speculation before a buyer is in hand. And even within luxury neighborhoods, sometimes it's the most expensive homes that are selling the fastest.

"In every unit, the most expensive stuff sells first," said Charlie Hill, vice president of Cordillera Ranch Development Corp. "It's staggering. The bigger challenge for us is going to be to get the builders going quickly enough."

At Cordillera Ranch in Boerne, 35 homes are under construction, and another 20 have submitted plans for approval, with an average price for just the house - not the lot - at around $1 million, said Hill.

As a realtor in North Carolina, and more specifically Mooresville, I see my fair share of luxurious homes. On top of that is the gorgeous scenery that accompanies the luxurious homes. Lake Norman is just one of the many bonuses about living in Mooresville and being able to have the lake as your everyday scenery makes it feel like you’re on a permanent vacation. With so many of the luxurious homes located on the lake, exteriors such as boat houses, boat lifts, and decks accommodate the waterfront homes. The inside of the homes is just as beautiful, as well.

The difference between North Carolina and San Antonio is the prices of these luxurious homes. While the median home price across San Antonio is up about 2 percent for the year, it's risen 3.3 percent in the $750,000-and-up category, said Jason Glast of Keller Williams Luxury International.

John Flournoy, managing broker with the Phyllis Browning Co., said most people are expecting a strong 2012 for homes priced at $500,000 and up. Sure there are the homes that cost over $1 million in Mooresville, but an average price range for this area is well below the $500,000 mark, and the homes are just as beautiful!


View the video below to see more luxury homes for sale in Mooresville.

A listing of the luxurious homes for sale in Mooresville can be found at: http://annstilesrealestate.com/community/area/Mooresville/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

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About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

 

Homes for sale in Charlotte NC

Being around different people every week I get asked all the time where I am from. I guess it’s my New York accent that’s the give away but when I ask in return where they are from rarely do they say North Carolina. But here we are. All living in the Charlotte NC area. So why is it you come to Charlotte as a tourist and end up becoming a permanent resident? The captivating attractions are definitely one reason, which you can read about in my previous blog “Charlotte NC – a place you have to see to experience,” but the homes for sale in Charlotte, NC are also something you can’t pass up.

For instance, the location of some of the homes for sale in Charlotte NC is breath taking. There’s beautiful mansion size homes near the Quail Hollow Country Club, a popular golf course that has played host to many of the top golfers in the country. One that comes to mind is a five bedroom, nine bathroom and an eight car garage. The brick veneer estate sits on over 2.5 acres with a waterfront view of the lake. And if it’s the water you love, then the in-ground pool in the back is the icing on the cake.

Another gorgeous home for sale in Charlotte NC is located just minutes from the Time Warner Cable Arena. For those unfamiliar, the arena, which is home to basketball and hockey games, as well as concerts, is located in the heart of the city. The great part about this home, however, is the four acres it sits on makes you feel like you’re in your own sanctuary, which is ironically the name of the subdivision. This particular home for sale in Charlotte NC has three levels with an elevator to get you from floor to floor. The home features several wings, with its own gym, wine cellar and basement. A home like this, with a location to die for, cannot be found just anywhere.

The Charlotte NC area is obviously a great place to visit with unique attractions such as the Discovery Place, The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the U.S. National White Water Center, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Although, you’ll most likely become a permanent tourist, just like us fellow non-natives of Charlotte NC, and with homes for sale like the ones previously mentioned how could you not. In Charlotte NC you get the best of both worlds, the attractions of a beautiful city and the chose of so many beautiful homes for sale. 

For a better look at some of the other homes for sale in Charlotte, NC check out our video “Charlotte NC homes for sale." 

For more information visit:http: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

Milestone for Ann Stiles Real Estate

      This week marks a big milestone for Ann Stiles Real Estate. After joining Wilkinson and Associates a couple months ago, Stiles closed on her first house since joining the company. Buyers Frank and Mary could not be more thrilled with their choice in home and their involvement with Stiles.

“We had a great experience with Ann as our realtor,” said Frank and Mary. “She was able to understand our needs, wants and desires, and show us homes that fit us perfectly.”

Their needs, wants and desires consisted of a home in North Carolina that was closer to their family and friends. “We only wanted to be in the Point Lake and Golf Club,” said Frank and Mary. “(Ann) really took the time to really get to know what we wanted.”

Before Stiles became involved, the house Frank and Mary bought was on the market for four years. With her 29 years of experience, she was able to find the right buyers for the Mooresville home and closed the deal in 30 days.

“Just by talking with Frank and Mary I could see their desire to live in a beautiful location that has all the necessitates they’ve dreamed of,” said Stiles. “As a resident myself in The Point I knew this neighborhood, and this house in particular, would be perfect for this family.”

For Frank and Mary the house had “location, location, location.” According to the homebuyers, the place located on Lake Norman offered all the bells and whistles they were seeking in a house. The low maintenance subtle brick and stucco home comes with a chefs kitchen with all the high end built-ins, oversized rooms overlooking the lake, a wrap around flag stone terrace, which is perfect for entertaining.

Now, Frank and Mary could not be more content. “I would highly recommend her services to anyone who is looking to buy or sell a home in the NC area,” said Frank and Mary. “This home is a dream come true.” What a great time to move into their dream home than right before the New Year!

About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

Location, location, location!

The pricing of homes, of course, changes depending on what state, and even what city you may live in. But how drastic is the difference? In a recent article, Today show’s real estate expert Barbara Corcoran dug a little deeper to see what types of homes you can get for $100,000 or less. In the five homes she chose the number of bedrooms ranged from two to four, with one even having three bathrooms. Some had a lot of rooms, but not a lot of room in them, while others were more spacious. An interesting perspective into what you “get what you pay for.”

The cheapest one Corcoran found was located in Dayton, Ohio. While the population is nothing compared to a New York City, with only 141, 527 people living there, it still offers quite the deal. At $64,900, the three bedrooms and one bath home is a cozy fit for any small family.

Not too far away in Chattanooga, Tennessee a homebuyer can get a two bedroom and one bathroom home for $87,500. Built in the 1930s, the beautiful architecture inside makes it a one of a kind home, with arching entryways and unique structure. From the south to the north, Corcoran chose her next in the state known for overly priced apartments.

Contrary to past beliefs, there are actually homes in New York that are reassembly priced and pretty spacious. For instance, a traditional colonial home that Corcoran found is priced at $89,000, with four bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Located in the small town of Irondequoit, NY, the family-friendly home sits on a quiet street, with a huge yard. This is also a great choice if you like the water and are not a big fan of the city. The small town is surrounded by a lake, a river, and a bay. If water does not interest your lifestyle than maybe Nebraska will.

For a greater price and less rooms, a homebuyer can purchase a two bedroom and two bathroom home in Omaha, Nebraska for $93,500. Location and convenience is two great factors for this townhome. Located across from a park and pool, there’s plenty of recreational activities for adults and children alike. The convenience part is also entailed in the up-keeping of the home. For just $84 in monthly association fee, a homeowner is provided with lawn care, snow removal, exterior painting, concrete repairs, water use and trash pickup. These may seem like menial tasks, but in reality saves a homeowner time and headaches.

Finally, the last and most expensive of the five chosen by Corcoran is located in Phoenix Arizona. The three bedrooms and three bathrooms home is worth every much of $100,000. The beautiful staircase, fancy columns, tall ceilings and spacious master rooms makes the home appear well more than the listed price. Who knew $100,000 could get you such a variety in homes choices. 

About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate


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Who’s buying in Mooresville?

On realtor.org, Gary Thomas posted quite the blog for thought. In the article “What Do Today’s Home Buyers Look Like?” he relayed some interesting statistics regarding today’s homebuyers, which was presented at the recent National Association of Realtors Conference. Some that stuck out to me personally was that fact that home buyers are now older than past years, have higher incomes, and are more likely to be married. This made me curious, if these are the overall statistics, where do the home buyers in Mooresville, more particularly the neighborhood I live in, stand in this equation.

With a simple zip code search on Market Insider I searched the area I live and found that the stats are not too far off. According to Thomas’ article, the median age of home buyers rose from 39 to 43. Not drastic, yet, but could definitely be an issue in the future. Another interesting statistic was concerning the number of married couples buying homes, which rose 6 percent, while purchases by singles and unmarried couples were slightly down.

In the particular zip code I live in the median age was 39, showing that the Mooresville area hasn’t increased or decreased from the nationwide statistics from last year. The percentage of married couples buying homes was at 55 percent. In addition, the market share for first-time home buyers fell to 37 percent in the past year, which is down from a record high of 50 percent in 2010.

Between homebuyers being older and more married couples buying homes this highlights something very important – a joint income is now needed to buy the dream home. Thomas believes the older buyers and lack of single home buyers is in relation to the difficulty of qualifying for a loan. “This is due to an overly restrictive mortgage credit environment,” said Thomas, “in spite of plenty of affordable housing.” Between the difficulties of getting a loan and the difficulty of finding a high paying job, or job in general, leaves younger people at an overall disadvantage.

As for the average income in Mooresville, the city was also average range. As stated previously, home buyers now make a higher income. According to the Market Insider, people in the particular Mooresville zip code I searched have a household income of $75-100K. This is out of roughly 2,600 households. In a close second were people with a household income with $50-$75.

Therefore, just because statistics may be increasing nationwide, doesn’t necessarily mean that the area you live in, or the area you hope to move to, is experiencing a drastic change. Do a little research in your area, and see where your city stands.

About Ann Stiles

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

The New Hotels to Stay During the Holiday’s

     With Thanksgiving now in the books and Christmas etching around the corner many people are traveling and trying to find the greatest deals on hotels. If you’re a frequent traveler and are tired of the ordinary hotels spend your next vacation staying in one the most bizarre hotels. Evidently they’re the next best thing to a five star. 

As voted on by SmarterTravels top picks found hotels located throughout the World that they classified as their top bizarre hotels. Some of my favorites of the nine chosen in clued the 21st century of camping, a jet, a school and a boat house.

For the campers at heart that are tired of sleeping on the hard ground and cold meals in the morning, Treebones Resort may be the place for you. Located in California, the hotel provides tent-like rooms with wood floors, plush queen sized beds, and French doors that open to decks overlooking the ocean. That’s a far cry from the zipper doors on the flimsy tent that overlooks a campground. Included with the hot breakfast and comfy beds, are morning yoga sessions, and an outdoor sushi bar. You may say this takes all the fun out of camping, but the heated pool outside still lets you breathe in that pine smell from the forest.

Maybe you miss the smell of an airport or find that you sleep especially well while on a plane. Then Sweden is calling your name. The Stockholm Arlanda Airport offers a stay in a jumbo jet. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t actually fly anywhere). The Boeing 747 is sound proofed, offers a café and bar, as well as a luxury suite in the cockpit. Your view, however, maybe of an airport but if you choose the summer months guests can walk along the left wing’s observation deck to get a unique view of the nearby runways and air traffic above. Now that’s something to cross off your bucket list.

One that I found most amusing is the Kennedy School. No, that was not a misprint. It is an actual school in Portland, Ore. that has been transformed into a hotel. At the onetime elementary school house, you can sleep in class and even drink a beer in the brewery without having to fret dentition. The building actually dates back to 1915 and the original chalkboards remain, and now have a movie theater in the school’s old auditorium.

Finally, one of my favorite bizarre hotels that made the list was an imperial boat house beach resort in Koh Samui, Thailand. If a cruise is out of the questions or you tend to get sea sick then this unique stay may be for you. At the resort on Choeng Mon beach, the two-story rice barges have been converted luxury rooms and suites on the garden grounds overlooking the ocean or pool. You can have your stay on a boathouse without fearing another Gilligan Island repeat. 

About Ann Stiles:

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children. 

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

Look No Further, There’s an APP for That!

Thinking of a gift to get a family member or friend? If they are currently looking at buying a home look no further. With smart phones and iPhones becoming all the rage over the last few years, app’s now can be the perfect gift, and in this case, an app for house hunting.

After realizing the success of apps, last year The Houston Association of Realtors released an iPhone app and this past September released an Android App. So what does that mean and how is this suppose to help someone looking for a home?

The app works as a consumer property search portal and a members-only portable with multiple listing services. If you’re a member of the HAR, the free app allows you access to MLS date, their leads and listings, their brokerages' listing inventory, showing instructions, days on market, and various MLS reports.

Now this may seem a lot like a simple internet search, and that’s because it is. But having the app on your iPhone and Android adds to the convenience that everyone prefers. Now you no longer have to be near a computer or log onto the internet on your smart phone. The app is there and ready to narrow down your searches with just the tap on the screen.

According to the association, users can filter searches by property type, price range, lot size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage and school district, among other criteria. Listing details include a property description, tax information, agent and broker contact information, driving directions, and up to 16 photos. Registered users can also save listings and searches and sign up to receive email notifications when homes matching particular user-selected criteria are posted to HAR.com or when a saved listing's status, price or other listing information is updated. Other app features include a mortgage calculator, nearby open house search, and the ability to share listings via email

I like the idea of this app not only for convenience but also because agents and consumers alike can use the app to search for-rent or for-sale homes by automatically searching for homes nearby or typing in an address, ZIP code or MLS number. Unfortunately this app is only available for people living in or looking in the Greater Houston area.

The app is already ranked 94 in the Lifestyle category and No.11 under the keyword “real estate.” With technology always expanding, I have a feeling more people with jump on board the real estate app. 

About Ann Stiles:

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children.

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

Tips for Selling Your Home during the Slowest Time of the Year

Statistics show that the slowest time of year for home shopping is the period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. In fact, the market usually doesn’t pick back up until April and May. The reasons are your usual culprits such as focusing on the holiday’s, the weather, and kids in school. But, of course, there are times when moving is out of your control.  Maybe a new job offer has you forced to sell your home and move across the country. Don’t fret; you can successfully sell your home even with the statistic against you.

In a recent article on msnbc.com, Dave Carpenter from the Associated Press gave five helpful tips in helping your home stand out in the Real Estate off season. Here are some of the ones I found most helpful.

First, he suggests taking care of any needed maintenance and repairs. The weather may be cold outside but no one wants to buy a home when the exterior looks like an abandoned home. Just as important as the exterior, however, is the interior. Home staging adds to the appeal of the home and one thing you have on your side during the holidays is great decorations. A Christmas tree in the corner filled with family ornaments and stockings hanging on the mantle can help the potential homebuyer picture their family celebrating the holiday’s there. But also remember to keep the decorations tasteful. Decorating your home like the Griswold’s will make your home appear to cluttered and is not recommended.

Another tip Carpenter proposed was displaying photos of your home in the summer. Now the potential homebuyer can picture how the home looks throughout the year. Lighting and wall colors can also help the home give that summer time feel. The winter means less daylight, which means less light entering your home. Open the drapes to let what natural light there is in, and set up extra lighting where need fit. As for the wall colors, we associate warm colors as inviting and welcoming so stick with neutral tones throughout the house.

Lastly, remembering the basics such as a clean home and pricing aggressively are just as important, if not more important, during the slow market times. I especially like this tip because home sellers tend to panic when they hear it’s the slowest time of the season to sell your home. This causes them to price their home way below value just to make sure it doesn’t linger on the market. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Simply review recent sale prices in your neighborhood and price your home competitively without having to lose a profit.

Give yourself a gift this holiday. Beat the statistics and successfully sell your home.

About Ann Stiles:

Ann is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children.

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan at: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles

Narrowing the Home Search to Fit Your Lifestyle

As I was browsing the internet for the latest Real Estate news I came across an interesting article that made me curious - what do you look for when buying a home? Spacious rooms? Two stories versus one? A garage large enough to fill with your ample amount of Christmas decorations? A recent study shows that qualities homebuyers use to find important when looking for home are now obsolete. Gone are the days when homebuyers wanted X number of rooms. Now are the days where homebuyers want to know what shops and stores are nearby. If the neighborhood is child and pet friendly, and what the median home price is in the neighborhood.

According to Heithaus, a real estate professional “Many industry studies show that home buyers start their search on the internet before they contact a real estate professional.” Because of these more detailed interests, sites are upgrading their home searches to include a “lifestyle search.” Now included are fun and entertainment, shops and stores, family and child friendly, highly rated schools, pet friendly, median home price, rural, urban and downtown, and public transportation. Consumers browsing online can now search first by the neighborhood and community features then by the available real time local listings.

KW Research added to this research by stating that one of the top things buyers are looking for is an affordable price, meaning price sometimes outranks location.

While it’s been four years since my family and I moved into our home I can definitely relate to what now interest homebuyers. With five kids I wanted to know that there were places my kids could entertain themselves at, such as a nearby park or playground. High-ranked schools, as well as the convenience of shopping centers were also another plus when we were deciding on where to live.

I like this idea of adding more “lifestyle searches” on Real Estate sites for homebuyers that are trying to narrow down their searches. The more detailed search will help not only the homebuyer but the Real Estate agent/broker, as well. Homebuyers will be able to gain a clearer sense of the top priorities they would like to see in a home and their agent/broker will be able to help them target their search.

So whether you are looking for a house that’s near a grocery store or one that has a community pool, the convenience of a “lifestyle search” is now available to make your home search quicker, successful and more enjoyable.

About Ann Stiles:

Ann Stiles is a real estate broker for Wilkinson and Associates. She began by selling homes in New York and has over 29 years of experience in real estate. After relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2008 she continued her passion for real estate. She currently resides in the Trump National Golf Club Community in Mooresville, NC with her husband and five children.

For more information visit: http://astiles.wilkinsonandassociates.com/

Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnnStilesRealEstate

Follow @AnnStiles