My Neighborhood Wine Bar Lifestyle – Yn Wine Cafe (Dilworth)

Wine can be an enjoyable part of life.  In fact, medical professionals encourage one or two glasses of wine per day to maintain good health.  This blog will highlight some of my favorite wine bars in Charlotte, NC on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis.

When Yn Wine Cafe first opened next to 131 Main Restaurant at 1315 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203, it was like visiting a “Speakeasy” as there were no signs, just a door.  Now there is a large sign to point the way to one of Charlotte’s most intimate wine bars.  It has subdued lighting and cozy seating.  Great for a date or just to relax with some good wine. Yn Wine Cafe Interior

Yn serves a wine by the glass menu as well as bottles.  The selection changes regularly keeping your choices fresh.  They also offer daily specials that vary but sometimes include half price bottles.  With the warmer weather, Yn offers live music on their patio. There is a friendly, knowledgeable staff willing to give you advice on their favorites. What’s not to like! Yn Wine Cafe – No Whining Allowed, Just Wining! For more details, click Here

Besides being a REALTOR®, I am also a Wine Sommelier.  This is a fancy French term for someone (me) who studies wine and matches a particular wine to my client’s likes for food or entertaining or just casual drinking.  As a REALTOR®, I also match properties to my client’s likes.  Both professions should improve my client’s quality of life. Drop me a comment and I will share your favorite wine bar in Charlotte NC or make a personal wine selection for you.

Cheers!

Craig Brown

Broker/Realtor®
My Townhome Realty
Uptown Office
704-905-0389
Craig@Mytownhome.com
Posted in Attractions, Charlotte City Guide, Charlotte Neighborhoods, Dilworth | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Real Estate Coaching Helps Increase Business

Tiger Woods uses a coach not because he doesn’t know how to swing a golf club. He uses a coach to fine tune his swing and improve his performance. Real Estate Sales is no different. Even experienced sales people need reminders and refreshers on how to approach new business and market changes as well as how to move potential clients along in the sales process. Investing in ongoing training and development will go a long way to securing more business.
At the My Townhome family of companies, we provide ongoing mentorship and coaching programs to each of our agents….new and seasoned agents alike. Could you, like Tiger Woods, benefit from an experienced coach/mentor?
Call today for more information. You’ll be glad you did.
980-219-6000
careers@mytownhome.com

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My Neighborhood Wine Bar Lifestyle

Wine can be an enjoyable part of life.  In fact, medical professionals encourage one or two glasses of wine per day to maintain good health.  This blog will highlight some of my favorite wine bars in Charlotte, NC on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis.

I live on the edge of Dilworth in Selwyn Farms, close to both Dilworth and Southend neighborhoods.  A longtime favorite haunt of mine is Bonterra Dining & Wine Room at 1829 Cleveland Avenue and Worthington Avenue (http://www.bonterradining.com/). Located in a remodeled 110-year old church, Bonterra offers one truly unique feature: 200 wines that can be purchased by the glass. This is great place to expand your wine knowledge by sampling whites and reds.  It’s a very casual setting and the friendly staff is always willing to let you sample a sip or two to find your right wine.
 

Besides being a REALTOR®, I am also a Wine Sommelier.  This is a fancy French term for someone (me) who studies wine and matches a particular wine to my client’s likes for food or entertaining or just casual drinking.  As a REALTOR®, I also match properties to my client’s likes.  Both professions should improve my client’s quality of life. Drop me a comment and I will share your favorite wine bar in Charlotte NC or make a personal wine selection for you.

Cheers!

Craig Brown

Broker/Realtor®
My Townhome Realty
Uptown Office
704-905-0389
Craig@Mytownhome.com


Posted in Attractions, Southend | Leave a comment

Investment Financing Options

Today’s real estate market is ripe with opportunities for investment. The challenge many people face is a two-fold challenge. The first challenge is the risk associated with investing in real estate. Buying real estate in an economy showing the first signs of recovery from a significant decline is risky because of the possibility for a double-dip recession. Since real estate is not a liquid asset, the investment in real property tends to have a longer horizon than CDs, stocks, or bonds. If a person recognizes the risks of investing in a recovering economy and is willing to invest in real estate, the challenge of paying or financing the investment often arises.

Since real estate is such a large investment, a person with say $30k to invest has a few options. The first is to purchase a home for $25k with cash and to rent the property out. These lower rent homes pose unique and distinct challenges that require skill to handle appropriately. People have become very wealthy from purchasing inexpensive homes and renting them out. However, the wealth is built slowly over a long time. Purchasing homes outright and renting them to people can provide returns far beyond what would be considered good returns on other forms of investment (10%+). Investment in more affordable houses tends to provide stronger cash flows over the life of the investment with lower expected value when selling the home. Often, the properties that are available in this price range are foreclosures, which have become much more challenging to purchase recently.

If your appetite is for more expensive homes with higher rents, then you might look at investing in homes that would be more expensive than the amount of money you have to invest. In order to pay for this type of investment, the traditional method would be to get a loan for some percentage of the purchase price. Investment loans are available today but are difficult to qualify for. Generally, banks want to see about 20% down from buyers as well as strong financials and good credit. Additionally, banks don’t like to give loans to people who own multiple properties. Getting a loan for an investment property typically carries a higher interest rates than owner-occupied loans due to the increased risk of default. Leverage (a loan) allows investors to get higher returns on investment due to tax benefits of interest and depreciation of the home.

The other option available to people who want to invest in real estate is to partner with people who have similar interest. Partnering with like-minded individuals provides the opportunity to spread the risk of investment across multiple parties or properties while realizing the best returns available in the market through investment in opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible to you alone. Partnering with people with similar interest has unique challenges which include finding people with similar interest, finding investments of mutual interest, and setting up the partnership with a sustainable model that equally divides the responsibilities and clearly defines the requirements of each person. The risk of price decline is reduced by the number of people you have involved in the process while the returns are proportionate to your investment. Depending on your investment goals and the resources you have at your disposal, finding an investment partner could be a good move.
If you are interested in investing in your own home or purchasing an investment property, contact Tim today at 704-965-2535 to find out what avenues might be available for you to take advantage of the real estate market.

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How Can I Make enough Money in Real Estate to Quit My Job?

This is probably the most commonly asked question by real estate professionals. I have personally asked myself this question more than once as well as being asked this question by hundreds of real estate professionals during my career. Now I can state with confidence that I have a definitive answer for this question……YES, you CAN make enough money in real estate to quit your job. And you can make a predictable income as well. Here are just a few of the tools I can offer you to ensure your success:
• 3 Highly visible offices
• Mentorship program with proven tract record for success
• Support and training
• A reputation that will proceed you from one of the most respected companies in the business
• A team of professionals committed to your success
• No up-front expenses or desk fees
• Free print ads for maximum exposure
• Internet and social media
• Your own website…..free of charge
• Residual income opportunities to make consistent income through residual property management fees
It would be my pleasure to speak with you about your future in real estate. Let’s talk sooner rather than later.
Nancy LaBella
Broker, Director of Career Development
My Townhome, Maison Properties, My Home Leasing, MTH Real Estate Advisors
careers@mytownhome.com

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The Best Career Choice – The Best Time to Start

Have you been considering getting into real estate but have wondered the best time to enter?  Now is that time!  In fact, there were over 4,500 properties sold in Mecklenburg County alone within the past few months.

Here are just a few things to consider if you are thinking about getting into the real estate business:

  • Find a company that will support you as a new agent with training and a mentorship program
  • Speak to the company’s agents.  They are a great source of information when considering a company with which to affiliate
  • What sort of real estate does the company practice?  Single family, multi-family, commercial, investor relations, new construction, property management?  Find a company that is capable in supporting you in all forms of real estate practices to maximize your income potential
  • What sort of listings does the company presently have?
  • Are you interested in specializing in a certain area?  Be sure the company you choose can support you.
  • What are your expenses?  All companies are different so be sure to ask very detailed questions regarding expenses that you will incur both in the start up phase of your business as well as ongoing monthly expenses.
  • Be sure to investigate not only the company’s website but all the technological aspects available to you through the company that will directly increase your productivity.  Find out what it will cost you.

If you are considering real estate as a career choice, it would be my pleasure to share with you what you can expect and assist you in making the right move for YOU!  Email us at careers@mytownhome.com

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Make Money in Real Estate More Quickly

DON’T BE A STATISTIC. With over 2 million real estate agents, according to the NAR, becoming a successful real estate agent takes more than just sitting in the office and waiting for the phone to ring.  The first year drop-out rate is estimated to be from 40% to 80% due to inadequate training and preparation for curren market conditions.  

Realtors CAN THRIVE in today’s market with the RIGHT tools for SUCCESS.  Here are a few things you will need:

 * Up-to-the-minute market condition education and preparation for handling these conditions
 * Training and mentoring
 * Personal, one-on-one business development.  Always know where you’re going
 * State of the art marketing and technology is key in today’s market
 * Support, support, support, from a leadership team that is AVAILABLE and that CARES about you and you business
 
My Townhome Realtors are equipped to SUCCEED.  Are you?

Send email for more information to nancy@mytownhome.com.

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Avenue Condominiums in Uptown Charlotte

If you are thinking of Uptown Charlotte, most people automatically think of the highly anticipated Avenue Condominium.  Completed in 2007 by Novare Group, Avenue boasts some of the ultimate in highrise living with numerous amenities.  60% of the building was occupied by January 2008, which proves it was needed in Charlotte’s skyline. 

Avenue consists of 1 and 2 bedroom units totaling 386 in all.  In addition to living space, the building is connected to 6,700 square feet of retail space including restaurants as BasilStool Pigeons, and the Dandelion Market.  Most notably, the amenity deck of the Avenue is second to none including a health club-quality fitness center, resort-style pool deck with outdoor living room and fireplace, poolside clubroom with high-def plasma TV’s, internet stations, full bar, theater room and gaming area.  On top of this you also have 24/7 concierge services at your doorstep.   

Avenue Condominium is steps away from the center of Uptown Charlotte which allows you to take full advantage of what the city has to offer.  Inside each unit features contemporary finishes with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, floor to ceiling windows, and large balconies with stunning birds-eye views.

For the most up to date news on what’s happening in the Avenue, check out a dedicated Facebook page to the Avenue Condominiums or call Billy Shugart at 704.780.5581.

Written by Billy Shugart/My Townhome Realty

Posted in Fourth Ward, Uptown | 2 Comments

Control your Destiny

WHY WOULD I BECOME A REAL ESTATE AGENT???

  1. Financial Independence
  2. Client Satisfaction
  3. Schedule flexibility

Our agents find success directly correlated with those three qualities and so can you!

Real estate is an amazing career for anyone that enjoys helping people find their dream home, those not wishing to be tied to a desk from 9-5 every day and those looking for a career with NO income cap!

Agents at MyTownhome can practice buyer agency, seller agency, property management, new construction, commercial and more.  The MyTownhome companies are constantly changing with the market and times. 

Call today and find out if you have what it takes!

Kyle Frey Broker In Charge 704-942-1433 or Kyle@mytownhome.com

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Relaunch of Southborough Condominiums and Townhomes

In 2007, construction began on 69 townhomes and condos in historic Southend. Endorsed by Charlotte Center City Partners this was a great addition to the Southend Neighborhood. A team of experts came together to create the residential buffer between the new Lowe’s Home Improvement Store and the Dilworth Neighborhood. The original design for the site was performed by Land Design with a goal to minimize the impact of the commercial space by creating and an urban village atmosphere.

Southborough has been the talk of the town so many times. In the beginning of 2010 Southborough was a key component to help raise money for Pat’s Place, a Child Advocacy Center. A huge garage sale was planned and Southborough donated the use of its residential garages to support the cause with all profits going to Pat’s Place.

On October 1st, 2010, My Townhome Realty took over the sales efforts for Southborough and introduced new discounted pricing on the remaining 49 homes. My Townhome has assigned a team of experts to sell the remaining inventory in short order. The team will included My Townhome Realty owner T.J. Larsen, Sales manager Roselyn Langley, Brokers Billy Shugart, Mike Feehley and Nancie Woods.

We have collected a set of photos of Southborough:

View more of our South End townhomes pictures on the Southborough Photo Gallery. Also, for more information, feel free to watch a video that was featured on WCNC with Colleen Odeggard and TJ Larsen, or just call direct at 704.374.1252.

Written by TJ Larsen / My Townhome

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/03/28/1338969/dilworth-plans-whale-of-a-yard.html
Posted in New Construction, Southend | Tagged | 1 Comment