Lexie Longstreet's Q&A

In Charlotte they range from $300 - $400 for a small house or condo.  As the houses go up in size the cost of inspections goes up from $400 - $750 depending on the inspector, size and if you bring in separate inspectors for heat and air, or plumbing inspections.  You will also want to have  termite inspection which runs from $60 - $75.  I recommend you get a different person to inspect for termites.  This will give you another set of eyes.  If you are buying a home out in the country that is not on city water and sewer you would also need a well and septic tank inspection.  If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.  [website deleted by Zillow  moderator.  Please refer to our Good Neighbor Policy for posting guidelines]

The city of Charlotte had a period in which you could dispute the new tax valuation.  That period ended a couple months ago.  If you tried dispute it and just received a notice that they were not going to change your valuation they may have given you another period to protest that decision.Your best bet is to pay an appraiser to do a written appraisal of your home and submit that to the city.  Unfortunately, the appraiser is going to be looking at the same comparable sales that the city looked at.  Unless your home is different than what the tax records show (for example they think you have 4 baths, but you have 2)  you probably won't get much of a reduction.  However, if the potential savings is worth the cost... I say go for it.  You never know... you may come out ahead. 

Sandgluff... I know how you feel.  I think you are in Charlotte NC and I have to tell you, if you are, that you are in a tough market.  Multiple offers are starting to happen, especially on houses that have been on the market, and dropped their prices repeatedly.  At some point... they are just a good deal... and people jump.  This whole "verbal" offer thing is happening more and more, because agents are just tired of writing up "lowball" offers... but eventually it backfires. The house could have had another low ball offer on it, and when those people got wind of your offer... they just jumped back in. What ever happened the listing agent should have called for "highest and best" offer.  That would have gotten her clients the best deal.  But maybe the other deal was cash, had a better closing date, and was more money... and had a drop dead date - so they took it.  If you really want this house, I would suggest your negotiate a back up contract on it.  With the new NC Offer to purchase the current buyer can back out for "any reason or no reason" during their Due Diligence Period.  They might go to the seller and try and get them to cut their price during this period.  If you have a back up offer in... those sellers might just give those buyers the "heave ho" and you might still get the house.  Or you can wait and see if the contract falls apart.  But I would go for the backup contract... if you really want this house. I would suggest your agent meet and present your back up offer in person.  And I would suggest you send a personal letter along with it saying how much you like their house...  Trust me, this works.

It is hard to tell from your question.  Where is the house located. Most homes in Mecklenburg county would have high speed internet available... it might not be in the house currently.  

The MLS number should feed automatically from you agent's listing thru several sources.  If you look at the listing and see where the info to Zillow is coming from:  Go to your house lisitng page and scroll to the very bottom.  You will see your agents name and a thing that says List Source.  Your agent can make sure that it is being fed correctly and the MLS number should show up.

You can use our home search at [link removed by moderator] and when you do your search enter the school: elementary, middle or high, that you want to target. Scroll down to the bottom of the home search criteria.   As long as the listing agent has listed the school in the MLS, you will get the listing. If you would like more info on schools or find a house without the schools don't hesitate to ask us.... we can help.

She needs to work with an agent... and she needs to be upfront with her tenants.  I's hard enough to sell a $100,000 house with tenants ... but it would be impossible to sell something for 5 mllion!  No buyer is going to want to buy a house they can't see.  That is nutty. She can have her tenants and her agent make arrangements for showings that satisfy all parties.  She could offer a bonus to her tenants if the home sells fast or for a good price... for keeping it in showing condition.  To be honest depending where the property is .. she may not have more than one showing a month anyway.  I think she needs to be realistic about marketing a property.

I don't think you should over do it in this market.  I would suggest you just paint the cabinets and change the hardware... to give them an updated look.  If you can just change the formica to a nice looking one... they have some good looking ones now.  Try not to spend more than $1000.  Hopefully $700.  

I don't think they want to sell this house, I actually sold it to them!  The have done a great remodel on it.  But I can ask them.   If you are looking for a contemporary in that area I know of several that might want to sell.  And specialize in modern homes.  I know of a great sea ranch that needs a little updating on an acre lot in Foxcroft.  Just let me know if I can help you.You can also search all the modern homes on the market at this custom link.    Charlotte Modern Home SearchLexie LongstreetSavvy + Co. Real Estate704-560-4604

Yes it did sell at the end of October.  The sales price was 104800 with 4800 in closing cost paid by the seller.  So a net of $100,000 to the seller.