Lake Norman and Charlotte Homes

As a Realtor with Estates And Condos Realty, I am involved on a consistent basis in the home inspection process. As a rule, inspectors here in North Carolina follow a set of guidelines set forth by the North Carolina Home Inspectors Association. Here is an example that happened on July 10, 2007.

The inspection took place at 10:00, in the neighborhood of Macaulay in Huntersville. The home is approximately six years old and was built by St Lawrence Homes. Macaulay, as a development was built by four construction firms. They were: St Lawrence Homes, Ryland, Shea Homes and DR Horton. The quality of construction had a direct influence on the outcome of the inspection.

We spent approximately 2 hours going over the home with a fine tooth comb and only came up with the most minor repair issues, mostly related to homeowner use over time. Some system adjustments were recommended, but the final cost was minimal in scope.

Buyers who select a reputable service can depend on obtaining a full scope “sight inspection”. This means that the inspection is a “look” at the property at a given point in time. These services are not technically exhaustive, but do provide a professional assessment of home condition where a consumer might not know what to look for when reviewing a home.

In buying a home, look for quality of construction, as referenced by your Realtor. Any of the homes in this particular neighborhood, Macaulay, would be good choice, but the adjoining development of Birkdale is also a fine example of quality construction that, when maintained, will provide the home owner with many years of comfortable enjoyment.

Call Ben Wirtz, Realtor and Partner Toll-Free at 1.888.88ESTATE of Estates And Condos Realty

July 6, 2007

Macaulay subdivision Huntersville

For Those Who Know, Macaulay in Huntersille, North Carolina is the place to be.

Located just a short drive from Charlotte, in Huntersville, the neighborhood of Macaulay awaits the wise homebuyer with amenities that anyone who comes here will appreciate.

The common areas of this sought after neighborhood include a waterfall, reflecting pools, walking trails and a neighborhood “Green Zone”

The Macaulay community pool and club house exemplifies what a neighborhood facility should be.

Homes in Macaulay are in great demand and typically well kept properties will not be on the market long when they go up for sale. Average pricing starts from the low $300’s to over $500,000, with a multiplicity of types of homes and styles of interior.

July 1, 2007

Macaulay Homes Huntersville

Homes in the popular Macaulay subdivision in Huntersville, NC sell very fast, just like the above home located at 14500 Harvington Dr., Huntersville, NC 28078

When Ben Wirtz, Real Estate agent with Estates And Condos Realty in Lake Norman recently showed properties in the sought after subdivision of Macaulay, in Huntersville North Carolina. Before showing, he had done lots of research about the homes that are for sale in the neighborhood, to give his clients the best of service.
He noticed that the "Days on Market" for the homes there was very brief before they went under contract.
He also noticed that homes sell for, or sometime above asking price, due to sometimes multiple offers on a single property. The very attractive community with it’s neo-traditional and craftsman styling, features a community pool/club house and play area.

Huntersville Real Estate has been experiencing exponential growth in the last years and neighborhoods like Monteith Park and Vermillion, The Hamptons, North Stone Golf & Country Club just to name a few.
All these developments are continuing a rise in property prices due to the high demand in Lake Norman Real Estate.

April 21, 2007

Lake Norman News and Views

Oliver Hofmann and Ben Wirtz, both former Allen Tate real estate agents have united to form Estates And Condos Realty in Cornelius Lake Norman.
Disappointed by the inflexiblility of Allen Tate's structure and their low commission structure for their Realtors, they decided to leave the Allen Tate Company and implement a company policy where their Charlotte and Lake Norman real estate agents are able to earn 100% commission.
Oliver Hofmann and his Partner, Ben Wirtz, SBSSGBVP (don't ask) of Estates And Condos Realty give their agents the opportunity to negotiate their own listing commission, unlike the folks at Allen Tate.
Estates And Condos Realty is a full service real estate brokerage that offers discounted commissions to the sellers, while offering more than the traditional brokerage do!
Most consumers associate nothing good with discount brokerages. The fact is, the work is the same whether an agent sells a house for $60k or for $3Million. Why should he get paid so much more for the same work we asked ourselves and decided to start our brokerage giving sellers a brake on their commissions.
We take either 0.99% for a Lake Norman waterfront listing or 1.99% for a non waterfront home while still paying the full 3% to the co-operating broker who brings the buyer making it a total of 3.99% or 4.99% commission to you.
So why are you still paying 6% commission you might ask yourself?

Call Oliver at 1-888-321-LAKE or Ben at 1-888-88ESTATE to list your Lake Norman Real Estate.
We at Estates And Condos Realty have our own in house SEO (search engine marketing) expert who can get your home for sale to the top of Google within days. Who else can do this for your home?!

April 19, 2007

Lake Norman Visitors Guide

Lake Norman State Park

Lake Norman State park is situated in the North Lake Norman area. Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake in the state. When filled to capacity, it offers 520 miles of shoreline and a main channel 34 miles in length! It has earned the nickname, the "Inland Sea." The Lake Norman State park offers 13 miles of the shoreline which also provides boating access.

The state park also boasts its own 33-acre lake where fishing and boating are enjoyed. Visitors can enjoy the hiking trails, picnic areas, and the campgrounds.

Park Hours areNovember-February, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. March and October, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. April, May, September, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. June-August, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Christmas DayPark office hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays Closed state holidays

Pedal boats and canoes are available for rent. They are available daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the summer and are available from noon to 4:15 p.m. on weekends in spring and fall.

Privately owned boats and watercraft may access Lake Norman from the boat launch area located at the south end of the park. Use of the area is free, but cars must leave the parking area by the park's closing time.

Tent and Trailer Camping is available upon a first come, first serve basis. Tent pads, picnic tables and grills are available at 33 sites on a first-come, first-served basis for a fee. Occupancy is limited to one family or six people per site. Park gates are locked at the posted closing hours. Campers may not leave the park after closing or before 8 a.m. except in an emergency.

Group Tent Camping may be reserved by organized groups for a fee. Campers without reservations must confirm site availability with park staff before occupying a site. No more than 25 people are permitted on each site. Drinking water and restrooms are available nearby; picnic tables and a fire ring are provided at each site.

Community Building located near the group camping area may be rented for events. The facility has a large meeting room, kitchen facilities, restrooms and a fireplace. The building may be occupied between 8 a.m. and a half hour before park closing. Contact the park office to reserve the facility.

Education and Events are held regularly by Rangers about Lake Norman State Park. To arrange a special exploration of Lake Norman State Park for your group or class, contact the park office. Educational materials about Lake Norman State Park have been developed for grades 4-6 and are correlated to North Carolina's competency-based curriculum in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language arts. The Lake Norman program introduces students to aquatic organisms. The program also focuses on water quality and resource management, demonstrating how watersheds should be managed to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems and drinking water. Accompanying the program is a teacher's booklet and workshop, free of charge to educators.

Fishing is popular recreation. Fish in Lake Norman include crappie, bluegill and yellow perch, as well as striped, largemouth and white bass. The smaller park lake also has some choice fishing spots. Regulations of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission apply for both lakes.

Hiking is avaialbe in the park. The Alder Trail: begins this easy .8-mile loop at the parking lot near the swim beach. The trail crosses the picnic area, circles the peninsula between Norwood and Hicks creeks, and then skirts the edge of the lake. Take a short side path to the dam and view the spillway and gates that control the lake's water level before returning to the trailhead. Lake Shore Trail: The trailhead for this moderate but lengthy 6.7-mile trail is at the parking lot near the group camping area, but the trail may also be entered at several other points. Approximately a half mile from the trailhead, venture right or left for a loop around the peninsula bordered by Lake Norman and Hicks Creek. The trail follows the iakeshore, passes the family campground and returns to the trailhead. Take the Short Turn Trail for a shorter hike of 3.9 miles.Mountain BikingItusi Trail: Designed, built and maintained by volunteers, this 4.2-mile mountain bicycle trail winds through mature hardwood forests and offers a unique mountain bicycling experience. Novices as well as accomplished riders will enjoy the gentle but lengthy climbs of this single track trail. As volunteers continue their efforts to extend the trail, it will eventually cover a minimum of 10 miles. To protect the Itusi Trail from damage, the trail will be closed whenever conditions are too wet to allow riders. Accordingly, riders should contact the park prior to arrival to confirm that the trail is open.

Picnicking can be enjoyed by all who visit here! One of Lake Norman's two picnic areas is near the swimming area on a ridge overlooking the beach. Tables, grills and drinking water are provided. Another picnic area is located near the park entrance. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the woods. Picnic shelter areas available at each area and may be reserved for free. Restrooms are also provided at each area.

Swimming with lakefront swimming area and beach are located near the southernmost picnic area. Lifeguards may be present from 10 a.m. -5:15 p.m. daily from early June through early August, but call the park before your visit if you need to confirm that a lifeguard will be on duty.

N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation: 1616 MSC - Raleigh, NC 27699- (919) 733-1181

April 5, 2007

Macaulay Subdivision Huntersville NC

Lake Norman Area NC

Visit this group

Lake Norman Homes and Real Estate

Lake Norman Real Estate, as high in demand as ever this year is experiencing double digit gains per year.
Where else in the country can you find this in todays slowing real estate market in the USA.
Click on Search Homes to find your dream home in the Charlotte, NC area or call Toll-Free 1-888-88ESTATE to talk to our Broker in Charge, Ben Wirtz about a possible relocation.

March 14, 2007

Home Search Lake Norman, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson

Macaulay Subdivision, Homes For Sale Huntersville

MACAULAY SUBDIVISION, Huntersville

8038 Bytham Castle Dr
Huntersville, NC
$499,000
6 Bedroom
4/1 Bath
3 Story

7616 Aldbury Ln
Huntersville, NC
$412,900
4 Bedroom
3 Bath
2 Story

16320 Hallaton Dr
Huntersville, NC
$405,000
5 Bedroom
2/1 Bath
2 Story

8131 Cottsbrooke Dr
Huntersville, NC
$390,000
5 Bedroom
3 Bath
2 Story

14530 Harvington Dr
Huntersville, NC
$385,000
5 Bedroom
2/1 Bath
2 Story

15211 Hugh Macauley Rd
Huntersville, NC
$375,000
5 Bedroom
4 Bath
2 Story

14231 Harvington Dr
Huntersville, NC
$364,000
4 Bedroom
2/1 Bath
2 Story

15007 Almondell Dr
Huntersville, NC
$280,000
4 Bedroom
3 Bath
2 Story

14912 Carbert Ln
Huntersville, NC
$279,999
4 Bedroom
2/1 Bath
2 Story

15601 Seafield Ln
Huntersville, NC
$279,900
4 Bedroom
3/1 Bath
2 Story

14927 Almondell Dr
Huntersville, NC
$275,900
4 Bedroom
2/1 Bath
2 Story