Tag Archives: Carolina real estate

Want to Move to a “Green” Location? Consider Charlotte

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1158957_green_houses aref featInvesting in energy-efficient products and green building not only protects the environment, but it protects your family as well. Buyers looking for a healthy, “green” location for their families should consider the purchase of Carolina real estate in Charlotte, N.C.

Recently, Charlotte was named as one of the top 25 cities with the most energy-efficient buildings that received the EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2010. Among the facilities that are eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR label are K-12 schools, supermarkets, bank branches, financial centers, places of worship, hospitals, offices and retailers to name a few. Your family probably frequents these types of locations often, if not on a daily basis.

So, why is this important for your family? Did you know that nearly 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from energy use in commercial buildings? However, ENERGY STAR certified buildings emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide and use 35 percent less energy than average buildings.

To qualify for the ENERGY STAR rating, a building must perform better than at least 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, and be verified by a licensed professional engineer or a registered architect.

Tell us what you think: How important is energy efficiency to you?

For more information about Charlotte’s ENERGY STAR certified buildings, visit the ENERGY STAR website.

Home Builders Univeristy Offers Flexible Classes

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HomeBuildersUniv_Logo squareBuilders in the Carolina real estate market know that their industry is fluid and constantly changing. What works today may be obsolete in a year or even months. Because of this, it is important to stay on top of the latest trends and developments. That’s why Home Builders University (HBU) is a great resource for continuing your online education.

Worried about fitting classes into your busy schedule? Stop and resume courses as necessary and learn at your own pace. HBU offers flexible courses that are available whenever you need them.

The University is currently offering a class called Building Exterior Shell Training (BEST).

This course takes students through real-world experiences and teaches them how to prevent common construction errors. Mark LaLiberte, an expert in the building industry, will provide insight into things that are often overlooked by professionals. And for builders who want to continue learning outside the class, downloadable checklists and guidelines are available.

HBU is focused on keeping builders up-to-date with what’s happening in the industry. Anyone interested in learning more should follow HBU on Twitter, Facebook or visit the blog. Builders should check these sites frequently to learn about upcoming classes on topics like social media and green building. For information about how HBU works or to register, visit the Home Builders University website.

RealtyJoin 2.0, Enhanced Networking Site for Industry Professionals

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RealtyJoin screen grabIf you enjoyed connecting with others in the home building and Carolina real estate industries on RealtyJoin, then you’ll love the new and enhanced RealtyJoin version 2.0 that offers even more opportunity network.

RealtyJoin is the first social networking site for the entire real estate industry, serving buyers, sellers, architects, contractors, brokers, suppliers, investors, builders, designers, agents, REALTORS® and other industry professionals in the United States and Canada.

The redesigned site does everything that the original version of RealtyJoin did, but better. RealtyJoin 2.0 is user-friendly and includes upgraded navigation, enhanced profiles, video options and the ability to add photos and post status updates. There is even a WordPress blog for every user for enhanced social networking and improved interaction.

Plus, RealtyJoin users have the opportunity to connect with many high profile real estate groups including the Atlanta Board of Realtors®, Foreclosure.com, Southeast Valley Regional Association of Realtors® and RIS Media as well as award-winning and nationally syndicated columnist, blogger, bestlling author and radio talk show host Ilyce Glink.

The best part is- you get all of these great features and opportunities for free at the introductory level. For those who wouldlike further upgrades and enhancements, RealtyJoin will launch premium and executive memberships over the next several months.

For more information about RealtyJoin 2.0, visit the website, “like” RealtyJoin on Facebook or follow RealtyJoin on Twitter.

Tips For Renting Your Carolina Real Estate

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for rentWould you make a good landlord? The job description doesn’t fit everyone. You may want to check out some tips for making your role as a landlord successful before you decide invest in Carolina real estate.

There is a lot of talk about investing in real estate or renting out your real estate now due to the state of the housing market. Some people are looking into the opportunity to snatch up investment properties while housing prices and interest rates are low. Others need to move in order to follow a job, but they’re current mortgages are underwater. Rather than selling at a loss, they’re opting to hold on to the property and rent it out for a time.

The Equifax Personal Finance Blog has tips for you to remember before you make the leap into renting property. Real estate expert Ilyce Glink’s article, “Real Estate Investing: How to Be a Good Landlord,” offers the benefit of her own experiences renting out properties. She also gives a summary of suggestions offered by Robert Shemin, author of Secrets of a Millionaire Real Estate Investor.

  • Don’t expect to become friends with your tenants. Keep it a business relationship because friends may expect more leeway or special treatment – perhaps being late on the rent payment or requesting extras for the home.
  • Be very clear about expectations and policies.
  • Use your current good tenants to help find your next good tenants by enlisting their help.
  • Always run a credit check on potential renters.

And what does your perspective tenant’s car have to do with anything? You’ll have to follow the link to the Equifax Personal Finance Blog

http://www.equifax.com/blog/ to find out!

Why Mortgage Credit Insurance Isn’t the Best for Your Carolina Real Estate

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Carolina real estate insurance

With continuing news of the foreclosure crisis in the U.S., many (city) homeowners are looking for ways to protect their homes and families if they should lose their jobs, become disabled or pass away. Mortgage credit insurance ads are tempting – the product promises to take care of your mortgage in the case of family crisis. But the Equifax Personal Finance Blog offers a warning in the recent article, “

Avoid the Scam of Mortgage Credit Insurance.”

Insurance expert Linda Rey, author of the article, gives two primary reasons mortgage credit insurance is not a preferred option for most homebuyers. First, it’s very expensive. Other insurance options exist that can help with your mortgage and other expenses if needed.

Second, mortgage credit insurance covers a declining liability. As you pay down your mortgage, your policy covers less and less. But your insurer will continue charging you the same high rate.

What other types of insurance does Rey recommend? Disability and term life insurance. She says they help in several different situations and can cover expenses ranging from housing, to medical to other debt obligations.

Rey warns against using a mortgage lender who tells you that mortgage credit insurance is a requirement for your mortgage. Shop around for a lender who doesn’t use practices such as this, which Rey considers “predatory.” The legitimate insurance you may be required to buy is Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI is required on most mortgage loans that are for more than 80 percent of the home’s value. It is a protection for the lender, not the borrower.

You’ll find more information on different types of insurance at the

Equifax Personal Finance Blog, a favorite source for credit, tax, insurance, retirement and real estate information.