Lake Norman Real Estate

All things Lake Norman, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson NC & More

  • Home
  • Search Listings
    • Search Our Listings
    • Search Our LKN Towns
    • Search All Listings
    • Search For Town Homes / Condos
      • Cornelius Town Homes / Condos
      • Davidson Town Homes / Condos
      • Denver Town Homes / Condos
      • Mooresville Town Homes / Condos
      • Huntersville Town Homes / Condos
    • Search For Land
      • Cornelius Land
      • Davidson Land
      • Denver Land
      • Mooresville Land
      • Huntersville Land
    • Search Commercial Properties
      • Cornelius Commercial Properties
      • Davidson Commercial Properties
      • Denver Commercial Properties
      • Mooresville Commercial Properties
      • Huntersville Commercial Properties
    • Search For Rentals
      • Cornelius For Rent
      • Davidson For Rent
      • Denver For Rent
      • Mooresville For Rent
      • Huntersville For Rent
    • Christy Walker Recent Sold Properties
    • Neighborhood Analyzer
    • Search For Homes Globally
  • Communities
    • Cornelius
      • Antiquity
      • Blue Stone Harbor
      • Caldwell Station
      • Crown Harbor
      • Heritage Green
      • Heron Harbor
      • Jetton Cove
      • Oakhurst
      • The Peninsula
      • Westmoreland
    • Davidson
      • Bailey Springs
      • McConnell
      • River Run
    • Denver
      • SailView
      • Verdict Ridge
      • Westport
    • Huntersville
      • Beckett
      • Birkdale Village
      • Cambridge Grove
      • Cedarfield
      • Centennial
      • MacAulay
      • Monteith Place
      • Monteith Park
      • Mirabella
      • Northstone
      • Skybrook
      • The Hamptons
      • Vermillion
    • Mooresville
      • The Farms
      • The Point
  • Buyers
    • Search Our Listings
    • Search All Listings
    • Search For Homes Globally
    • Moving Checklist
    • First Time Home Buyer
    • Relocation
    • Contact Our Buyers Agent
    • Buyer Testimonials
    • Christy Walker Recent Sold Properties
  • Sellers
    • Your Homes Value
    • Updates To Consider
    • Seller Tips
    • Sellers Pre-Inspection Checklist
    • Seller Testimonials
    • Marketing Plan
  • Town Info
    • Cornelius Real Estate Information
      • Cornelius Golf Clubs & Parks
      • Cornelius Restaurants
      • Cornelius Shopping
      • Cornelius Schools
    • Davidson Real Estate Information
      • Davidson Golf Clubs & Parks
      • Davidson Restaurants
      • Davidson Shopping
      • Davidson Schools
    • Denver Real Estate Information
      • Denver Golf Clubs & Parks
      • Denver Schools
      • Denver Restaurants
      • Denver Shopping
    • Huntersville Real Estate Information
      • Huntersville Golf Clubs & Parks
      • Huntersville Restaurants
      • Huntersville Shopping
      • Huntersville Schools
    • Mooresville Real Estate Information
      • Mooresville Golf Clubs & Parks
      • Mooresville Restaurants
      • Mooresville Shopping
      • Mooresville Schools
  • Blog
  • Our Team
    • Christy Walker
    • Kim Wilson
    • Kristen Heaney
    • Keller Williams
    • “Global Reach, Local Expert”
    • Luxury Division
You are here: Home / Archives for Uncategorized

5 Ways to Protect the Floors and Carpets When You’re Moving

December 28, 2020 by Megan Mkt Leave a Comment

Whether you’re moving into a new place or out of an old one, you have to be mindful of damaging the floors and carpeting. Here are five ways to do just that!

If you’re like us, the whole process of packing your things and moving from Point A to Point B feels more like a hassle than the beginnings of a new life. This is especially true if you’re moving out of a rental and you need to make sure you get your security deposit back. If the floors are damaged, you can kiss that money bye-bye. 

Regardless if you’re moving in, moving out, or cleaning house due to COVID, it’s going to be a stressful time. However, here are just a few ways you can reduce that stress when moving simply by protecting the floors.

1. Light boxes are easy to carry

You know how they say, “Work smarter, not harder?” Well, that can definitely be said when you’re moving boxes! Instead of trying to cram as much as you can into each box (less boxes = less to carry), try not to fill the boxes so they weigh over 20 pounds. Sure, you may have to carry more boxes, but you are less likely to lose your grip along the trip. Not only would the contents be broken, but the floor could be damaged too!

2. Wrap up and stay safe

As you pack, you need to keep safety in mind so that’s why you pack the boxes lighter than you might be inclined to do. However, you should also pay attention to how you’re carrying things like tables and chairs. You’ll want to be careful moving anything with legs because the legs could scratch the floor and the walls – which doubles the damage! To prevent this from happening, wrap the legs with towels, old shirts or rags and secure them with duct tape. With these coverings, you can breathe a little easier while moving that bulky table through a narrow doorway.

3. Furniture sliders are your best friends

For the heavier items you need to move, like dressers, bookshelves, desks and the like, you and your buddies don’t have to eat your wheaties and pray no one loses their grip as they’re carrying them in or out of the house. Furniture sliders make it incredibly easy to move large furniture pieces without throwing your back out. All you have to do is lift the furniture high enough to slide the furniture slider underneath. Then, viola! The furniture can glide easily on the floor without marring the hardwood!

4. Use dollies or carts with rubber wheels

Although we mentioned that you should pack your boxes lightly, that doesn’t mean you have to make more trips than necessary. You can get a dolly or a cart with rubber wheels, load it up with items and take it to your vehicle. The rubber wheels won’t damage the floor and it’ll save you from unnecessary trips. If you have carpeting, just be mindful of dirt and mud because it’ll stain the carpet, which could also hurt your chances of getting your deposit back. 

5. Cardboard, blankets and towels to the rescue

The last bit of floor-saving advice we have is to use floor coverings! It could be cardboard, old blankets, towels, or even rugs. By laying these items down on the floor and securing them with duct tape, you don’t have to worry about tracking mud or dirt throughout the house. You don’t have to worry too much if something drops on the floor and scuffs up the finish. You don’t even have to worry about the floors becoming stained because you didn’t realize something was leaking when you were moving. 

Moving houses doesn’t have to be stressful, but we know it’s inevitable. With so much to be mindful of, at least these tips will let you focus on other details than worrying about scuffing the floor!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: moving, Moving Ready

November 2020 Market Update!

December 21, 2020 by Megan Mkt Leave a Comment

November 2020 Market Update

Check out the November 2020 market update for Mecklenburg County! To learn more about the markets in other counties of North Carolina, click the link below.

LEARN ABOUT OTHER NC COUNTIES:

Charlotte-Region_LMU_2020-11.pdf (carolinarealtors.com)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: lake norman real estate market, market, market update

How to Get Your Finances in Order Before Buying a New Home

November 23, 2020 by Megan Mkt Leave a Comment

How to Get Your Finances in Order Before Buying a New Home

As exciting as buying a new home can be, it’s a process that also requires significant planning and preparation. In addition to choosing a neighborhood and finding a reputable realtor to work with, sorting your finances is another critical step when starting your hunt for a new home.

Organizing your finances ahead of time will give you peace of mind and can even help expedite the home buying experience. If you’re considering buying a new home, here are five factors to  consider before taking on this new financial commitment:

  • Determine How Much You Can Afford

As you prepare for homeownership, your first priority should be determining how much you can spend on a home. Overestimating your budget could jeopardize your financial health. However, by determining how much you can afford in monthly mortgage payments, you’ll be able to filter out any homes that are not within your spending limits.

As a general rule, it’s better to stay conservative with your estimates. Stretching your funds too thin might make it more difficult for you to save money or even cover your existing expenses. To avoid this, try to keep your mortgage payments below 30% of your net income as this will ensure you save for other life expenses, such as retirement or your children’s education.

  • Save for a Down Payment

Once you’ve decided that you want to buy a home, it’s important to jumpstart your savings as soon as possible. A larger down payment means you’ll own more of your home right off the bat and can also help you get rid of private mortgage insurance faster.

How much you’ll need to save will largely depend on the type of mortgage you choose. For instance, if you’re a first-time home buyer or have less-than-perfect credit, you may want to opt for an FHA loan. Whereas conventional mortgages require a higher credit score and a down payment of up to 20%, the requirements for FHA loans are more lax and require less money down. Depending on the type of loan you choose, you can adjust your saving goals accordingly.

  • Factor in Closing Costs

As you prepare your budget, you should also factor in unexpected closing costs, which are the expenses related to finalizing your mortgage. When overlooked, these expenses can be a sticker shock to homebuyers as they can tack on anywhere between 2% to 5% of your home’s purchase price (between $3,000 and $7,5000 extra on a $150,000 home).

Closing costs may include lender fees, home appraisal and inspection, title fees, property taxes, escrow fees, and interest. While you may be able to fold them into your monthly mortgage payments with interest, paying out-of-pocket is the most cost-effective way to cover these costs. That said, they should be factored into your savings goals, as well.

  • Raise Your Credit Score

When applying for a mortgage, lenders look at your credit history to determine your credit-worthiness. Prior to applying, check your credit score and verify that all of the records are accurate. If you spot any errors on your report, be sure to dispute any false claims immediately as mistakes could hurt your chances of loan approval.

While there is no secret formula to raising your credit score, in general, you’ll see improvements to your score if you focus on limiting your credit usage, refraining from opening new lines of credit, and paying all of your monthly bills on time. Boosting your credit score can have a big impact on the type of financing you qualify for and can save you a significant amount of money over the life of your loan.

  • Pay Down Outstanding Debt

In addition to checking your credit score, lenders will assess your history of paying your debts and look at how much outstanding debt you currently have. Some debt won’t necessarily hurt your chances of mortgage approval, but lenders will want to see that you’re responsible with managing your debt.

One of the most important metrics used to assess your creditworthiness is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which is a comparison of your current debts and your income. You can calculate your debt-to-income ratio by dividing your monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income. Unsurprisingly, the lower your DTI, the more favorable your loan terms will be, so it’s best to pay down your debts when possible or explore additional streams of income.

Buying a home is a significant financial undertaking that can be equal parts exciting and stressful. With proper financial preplanning, you can ensure a smooth home buying experience.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Buying, Christy Walker & Associates, credit score, financing, new home

October 2020 Market Update!

November 21, 2020 by Megan Mkt Leave a Comment

Check out the latest Market Update for Mecklenburg County!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: lake norman real estate market, market update, Mecklenburg county

Answering FAQs About Homeowners Insurance Amid COVID-19

November 16, 2020 by Megan Mkt Leave a Comment

The Coronavirus pandemic affected the home insurance industry in many ways, and insurance agencies throughout the United States had to adjust the way they do things. One of these changes is the use of technologies like video conferencing and remote working. While companies have been using these trends way before the pandemic, they have become the go-to solutions for many businesses nowadays, including insurance companies.

Insurers are not the only ones adapting to these changes, though, as homeowners also have a lot of adjustments and learning to do. The new normal way of doing things can be challenging for policyholders, too.

If you are a homeowner with a current policy or plan to purchase one soon, it’s best to first talk to your insurance agent. To give you an idea of what to expect, here are important homeowners’ insurance policy FAQs that focus on adjustments made in the light of COVID-19.

Homeowners Insurance FAQs in the Time of COVID-19

Can COVID-19 affect my homeowners’ insurance coverage? Do I need more coverage because of the virus?

COVID-19 will not directly affect your homeowners’ insurance coverage as the virus does not infect homes, structures, and personal belongings. Additionally, your policy has no pandemic exposure coverage and provisions. It is a good idea, though, to talk to your insurer and conduct a review of your plan to ensure that you have the right coverage. Provide your agent with an updated inventory of your property and personal belongings, as these will be useful if you’ll need to file a claim.

You may also want to inquire about additional liability coverage if you work from home and your children are homeschooling or online learning. Some insurance agencies offer cover for homeowners who are working at home. It is important to note, though, that business visitors are not allowed inside your property.

Also, ask your insurer about additional coverage as you might need it if you rented out rooms but had to stop because of the pandemic. Most insurers recommend stopping short-term rentals for the duration of the global health crisis.

 

I am a new homebuyer and I plan to get my home insured. What changes should I expect?

One of the main requirements for purchasing homeowners insurance, whether yours is a new home or not, is an inspection of the entire property. Since person-to-person interaction is still prohibited, insurers use technology to carry out the activity. You can set up a video conference with a representative from the agency or send photos and videos of your property and belongings.

Likewise, some insurers allow in-person inspections, but they strictly follow social distancing protocols. Instead of walking around the house with the company representative, you’re allowed to isolate in one area and monitor the activity from there. It’s really up to your insurer; you’ll have to come up with a compromise that’s beneficial for both parties. 

If I were to file a claim, what would I do?

The first thing you need to do if you have a claim or are about to file one is to inform your insurance agent. With the new normal way of doing things, getting things started right away is essential as new processes are considered.

First of all, the claims procedure is slower these days because of social distancing and health and safety protocols. The adjusted process takes some getting used to.

Second, since face-to-face interaction is prohibited, insurance agencies now use technology to carry out their day-to-day activities. For example, many insurers use online tools and apps for procedures such as home inspections and the processing of claims. Virtual claims have become your best option for filing your claim.

In-person home inspections are too risky, so most insurers prefer to do an online inspection using video conferencing tools such as Zoom. While this may sound intimidating to homeowners, the online process can speed up the process a bit because interaction and feedback are immediate. Virtual claims procedures do not need mediators or intermediaries. 

What are the options for homeowners who were displaced by the pandemic and cannot afford the rates?

Home insurance providers understand how rough the pandemic has been to homeowners, especially those who were laid off from work or whose businesses collapsed. State governments came up with some adjustments that allow homeowners to pay off their policy. Insurers created a payment plan that provides homeowners with a considerable grace period for their payments.

 

What other changes or adjustments are home insurance companies doing?

Aside from the changes mentioned above, homeowners insurance companies are also practicing the following:

– Giving homeowners more time to work on home improvements and repairs vital for keeping their policies active.

– If the virtual alternative is not doable, insurers temporarily halt home inspections for interior and exterior structures.

– Service to policyholders continues despite the limitations of the pandemic.

– Call centers are operational and servicing homeowners with inquiries about their claims and losses.

– Reinstatement fees are waived, and payment plans are available for homeowners whose policies have lapsed as a side effect of the pandemic.

For a more detailed guide on home insurance in the time of COVID-19, talk with your agent or find one who can give you the information you need.

Guest Post written by: Rachael Harper

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: covid-19, homeownership

Safe Ways to Celebrate Halloween!

October 26, 2020 by Megan Mkt Leave a Comment

WOW! This whole year has been pretty spooky but now Halloween is approaching and we want to share some safe ways to celebrate!

TRICK OR TREATING:

  1. Make your cloth mask a part of your costum & remember a Halloween costume mask should NOT be used as a protective face covering.
  2. Carry hand sanitizer and make sure children are using it often and before enjoying treats!
  3. Keep your distance! Make sure that children are staying 6 feet from other friends or family members from outside of the household.

OTHER FUN STUFF:

If Trick or Treating isnt in the cards for your family this year there are still plenty of ways to get into the Halloween spirit.

-Attend a haunted maze or forest (outdoors)! Make sure that this maze is one-way and remember to keep your distance from other parties!

-Plan a Halloween scavenger hunt in your house or yard! Create spooky clues and have your kids/family hunt for yummy treats.

-Have a costume parade around your neighborhood. This is a great way to show off your costumes while keeping your distance and getting some fresh air! (Don’t forget your cloth mask)

-Host a socially distanced outdoor movie night for friends and neighbors! Enjoy a spooky movie

We hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!!

**Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/halloween.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/daily-life-coping/Trick-or-treating.pdf

Filed Under: Uncategorized

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 47
  • Next Page »

Featured listings

$1,299,900
4135 Halyard Drive
Norman Pointe - 5BR, 5.1BA
$269,500
202 N Toria Drive
Eastfield Estates - 3BR, 2BA
$289,900
15914 Beatties Ford Road
- 3BR, 1BA
$32,500
159 Harbor Ridge Drive
Harbor Watch - 1.52 acres
$289,900
15914 Beatties Ford Road
- 2.44 acres

Quick search

Property Type:

Area:

Subdivision/Complex:

Beds:
Baths:
Min. Price:
Max Price:
Features:
Basement
Fireplace
Garage
Golf
Master Downstairs
New Construction
Pool
Waterfront Property
Water view

Follow Us on Facebook!

Blog Categories

Our Blog Archives

Communities

Cornelius Communities

Davidson Communities

Denver Communities

Huntersville Communities

Mooresville Communities

Lake Norman Market Analysis

Christy Walker Check Out Our Blog

MENU
Home
Search Listings
Our Listings
Local Communities
Buyers
Sellers
Our Towns
Blog
Our Team
CONTACT US
The Christy Walker Team
Keller Williams Realty Christy@ChristyWalker.com
704.439.5300

19721 Bethel Church Rd
Cornelius, NC 28031

PLEASE FOLLOW & LIKE US

WEBSITE INFORMATION
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2019 Christy Walker Team | All Rights Reserved |