Zillow Advice RSS: Question-Discussion-Guide,Home Buying,Charlotte- NC

how do I get a list of upcoming open houses

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:31:00 GMT

1 reply

$6500 Tax Credit and Rental Property

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:49:00 GMT

We recently sold our primary residence, which we lived in for 7 years. We also have a rental property that we bought in 2006 â€“ we have had tenants in it since then. Are we eligible for the $6500 tax credit since we lived in our primary residence for over 5 yrs? Or will our rental property keep us from qualifying?

6 replies

Looking for Short Sales in NC?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:44:00 GMT

Many buyers are hearing about "short sales" but don't know that there are plenty of reasonably priced homes which are great deals right now. Seller's know the market is down, and many are listing at current market values-- meaning you can still save a huge amount, because many sellers want to also purchase a new home.

Also, many "short sales" are difficult to find without a Realtor who can access the hidden sections of the MLS. I know of 3 such short sales right now! Literally HALF off the original sales and list prices.

1 reply

what is the difference between tax value, appraisal value, and insurance value of a home

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:45:00 GMT

I am looking to close on my first home. The appraisal is very low compared to the tax value and what the insurance company is telling me the home is worth. How do I know who to believe?

5 replies

I have an active listing on Zillow - 6614 Brenock Ln, Charlotte, NC 28269. I can't find it in searc

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:21:00 GMT

I can find it when I log into my account, but if I pretend I'm a consumer and do a search of Charlotte homes, this listing doesn't appear. Can you please advise?

1 reply

I am looking for an inexpensive modernist house or A-Frame on a wooded lot in the Charlotte area.

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Outside Mecklenburg County would be nice. Needs to be low crime area with easy highway access. Might consider small "bar-shaped" house without gables that I could put a modernist facadectomy on. No HOA unless they appreciate their houses.

3 replies

Why are you (Agents) all over Zillow as FSBO? If you are an Agent you should be labeled as such!

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:53:00 GMT

It wastes my time when I am looking for specifically those home owners that want to sell their homes themselves! Some people will offer more creative choices than Agents with a RE Company can do. Sorry but this is the truth and you are in the wrong category here. A little integrity issue I would claim! TY

3 replies

what does the tag/icon "make me move" stand for?

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:04:00 GMT

6 replies

How do I find search button by MLS number on the Zillow website?

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:36:00 GMT

2 replies

Do I need my own Realtor to see a Foreclosure home or can i deal directly with the listing agent?

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:43:00 GMT

I've found a foreclosure home that I'd like to see more of and possibly make an offer on. I have been pre-approved but have not found a realtor yet. Is it okay to deal directly with the listing agent? Or am I putting myself at greater risk?

76 replies

Offer Making

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:06:00 GMT

What is the normal rule of making an offer? Also what % works when a person really want the house and the seller won't bend. House purchased a few years ago overpriced, seller wants same price today. House estimated for less today.

6 replies

Charlotte, NC: Local Home Prices Rise, Best Among 20 Markets

Tue, 26 May 2009 18:35:00 GMT

Charlotte Article from 5/26/2009

12 replies

Land / Commercial / Custom Builders / Subdivision Lots still selling

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:07:00 GMT

I've seen more interest in these types of transactions in the past few months. From re-marketed lots and complete subdivisions, to commercial buildings and office condos. Even unfinished custom homes sold for less than foreclosures.

Of course residential properties which fit the mortgage loan limits, but that's to be expected.

What's happening in your area? Any types of transactions that you see are hopping?

1 reply

I can't pull up a valuation for a out of town property?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:33:00 GMT

2 replies

Half Price Homes for Teachers / Police / Firefighters / EMTs

Wed, 27 May 2009 21:00:00 GMT

It's true. HUD offers half-priced (50-percent off List Price) on HUD Homes through their Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program.

In Charlotte there were four homes sold last week using this program. They sold for as low as $33,500. There are some requirements, and the list of homes comes out Each Friday. Offers must be submitted by Tuesday.

Contact me via my profile for more information.

The home in the photo above sold last week for $44,250. It was built in 2004, and has 1738 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. A property detail report is available.

5 replies

Do You Qualify for the $8000 Stimulus Tax Credit?

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:11:00 GMT

If you earn less than $75k as an individual, or less than $150,000 as joint filers on your tax return the answer is likely YES.

If you earn over those limits do you lose all of the benefits? NO. Not necessarily. The credit starts to phase out between $75k and $95K, or between $150k and $170 on a joint return.

What if you're lower income and you don't file taxes? You still qualify. Simply file a tax return showing that you don't owe any taxes, and you can qualify for the full tax rebate in the form of a refund check sent to you. AND it doesn't have to be repaid! As long as you keep the home at least 3 years.

I actually have a married client who has qualified for exactly this situation. They qualify for down payment assistance, allowing them to get 100-percent Financing on a $95,000 loan, and they will get an $8000 check back. And based on their loan, that's nearly a full year's payments! AND, they're going to save nearly $150 off of what they were paying at their current rental apartment. And they're getting twice the space as their apartment in a two story townhome, with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, all appliances, and a 1-car garage!

15 replies

New tax credit

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:57:00 GMT

My husband and I are getting ready to buy a house. Before we were married, he purchased a home 2 years ago as a principal residence. It is now a rental and we are living in an apt until we purchase. This will be my first purchase. Due to a change in jobs, he is now a 1099 employee. The mortgage will be in my name only and he will only be on title. By purchasing in my name only, am I eligible for the tax credit?

3 replies

$8,000 tax credit to be used as down payment--- HUD Secretary

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:36:00 GMT

Just got this in an email and wanted to share with everybody.-- Chip

We've been receiving calls all day about the "announced" monitization of the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. "Where's the ML?" Well, there ISN'T one yet... HUD Secretary Donovan appeared at a NAR function earlier today, and this is an exact excerpt of his remarks: "We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a downpayment. So FHA will permit trusted FHA-approved lenders and HUD-approved nonprofits, as well as state and local governmental entities to "monetize" the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. We think the policy is a real win for everyone, ensuring that borrowers can tap into the numerous organizations that are already part of the FHA network to receive this additional benefit. FHA will be publishing the details shortly." Okay - so what does that MEAN? It means that they are about to "officially" put their stamp on approving the process (and authority) on who/where/why/when a first-time homebuyer can get a LOAN for the $8000 tax credit - to be used as part of the required down payment!

2 replies

Do you guys think you could answer the questions first, then the friendly banter?

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:43:00 GMT

Every time I look at a house someone else buys it just before I can buy it. Do these guys buy low and sell high?

4 replies

Are there any hard-money lenders in Charlotte NC that dont base the loan on credit scores?

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:01:00 GMT

Great deals dont last long! Where are the private investors in Charlotte who focus on the deal?

0 replies