DENVER, NC: Get ready for boating season! On March 31st, 2012 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm vessel safety inspectors from the Lake Norman Flotilla of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be at Lake Norman Realty’s Denver office, 1818 Hwy 16 N, to conduct vessel safety inspections.

The event will help ensure boats are “safe from bow to stern.” Upon successful inspection, a decal is affixed to the vessel, indicating all required equipment is aboard and functioning properly. This decal is also known as “The Seal of Safety” and indicates to law enforcement agencies that the boat is equipped with the required safety items. If the boat does not pass, the boat owner will be given information on how to successfully pass. These inspections can help keep boaters safe and also prevent unwanted tickets during lake outings. Inspection time per boat will be approximately 10 minutes. The primary goal of a safety inspection is to discuss with boat owners the required safety equipment and safety features specific to their boat. Results of the safety inspection are not reported to anyone.

Fun giveaways, games for children, and popcorn and drinks will be provided by Lake Norman Realty. Also information on the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on hand.

For more information on the Lake Norman Coast Guard Auxiliary:http://a0541708.uscgaux.info/index.htm.

For questions on the event, please contact Eric Taylor at 980-297-0141

I have been using Ken Gingras, with Housemaster for over 8 years, and found that he is one heck of an inspector.  He has never missed an issue and can easily provide you with qualified vendors and what you truly need to be concerned about with your new home.

Some issues can be scary to a buyer, but Ken and I know exactly what can be handled with ease and what can not.  As Ken has often said, there is absolutely nothing that can not be repaired.  He is a true professional and provides many different services, such as Termite, Radon, and more.  He has update equipment that most inspectors do not have.

Don’t be fooled.  All home inspectors are not alike and I put my reputation on the line for Ken with Housemaster.

Check out the information below on their complimentary Termite Inspection (a $75 value)!  Awesome!

HouseMaster Home Inspections

Congratulations to Michelle Nantz – Associate of the Week!
This week’s Associate of the Week was nominated not only by our Leadership Team, but also by her friend and associate. This week’s recipient has definitely earned the title for her commitment and professionalism! This week’s Associate of the Week is Michelle Nantz. Nominated by the Leadership Team and Eric Taylor, here’s what Eric had to say about Michelle:
Michelle is:
-At the office before 9am almost daily
-Balances work schedule with her family’s needs on top of her husband working out of town all week. And since her Mom passed she has a LOT of family needs placed on her!
-Prospects daily and drives the other agents around her to perform at a higher level both professionally and in their daily interactions within the office and out in public
-She is never seen in the workplace in less than professional attire
-She pushes both agents and admins. to be better by providing suggestions instead of just complaining about a situation
-She takes her clients needs extremely serious and works hard to get them the best results
We couldn’t agree more! Congratulations Michelle!

Lake Norman Realty, Inc. is the only brokerage firm in the Lake Norman/Charlotte region Associated with the renowned International Who’s Who of Luxury Real Estate.

Click here to View our Luxury Property Presentation

Start your Luxury Home Search Now… http://www.lnrluxury.com/Listings.cfm

Looking for a Professional Luxury Real Estate Specialist?  Look no further.  Call Michelle at (980) 722-4971.

Listing by Lake Norman Realty, Inc. at a mere 8 Million.  Waterfront on Lake Norman.

Beyond the Headlines: Recognizing Opportunities in Today’s Real Estate Market

By Abigail Jennings

It never fails. Wherever I go I am asked, “So, how’s the market?” I always enjoy

answering this question and discussing the “new normal” of today’s real estate market.

Our market today offers historical opportunities rich with possibility.

Perhaps one reason I’m asked this question so often is that news reports have a way of

confusing the issue. Many times we hear sound bites announcing definitively, “Home

prices on the rise,” or, ”Sales were up last month,” only to hear a seemingly conflicting

report the very next week! When evaluating what we hear on the news, it is critical to

listen for the data behind the report. Were the statistics local or national? Did the

numbers refer to units sold or the total volume of sales? Was the report based on the

average or median sales price? Often, the news report is so short it fails to mention these

very important pieces of information, rendering the headlines somewhat hollow to say the

least. The cumulative effect of these often-too-superficial reports is to make the real

estate market seem more volatile than it actually is.

In a nutshell, our real estate market continues to be affected by the Wall Street downturn

our country experienced several years ago. The 100% loans made to homeowners at the

height of inflated home prices, and the job loss created by the ripple effects of the

banking crisis have both been key components defining our current housing market.

Most homeowners who are secure in their jobs and homes do not fully understand the

repercussions of their neighbors’ misfortune on their home’s value. Unfortunately, the

sale prices from these distressed sales become the market comparables for all the homes

in the community and continue to lower home prices. Until the thousands of pending

short sales and foreclosures become finalized, it will not be possible for our home prices

to finally settle.

With that being said, I hope I did not scare any potential buyers or sellers off! Although

this news paralyzes some into steering clear of real estate today, in fact, it is quite the

opposite. Now is truly a phenomenal time to buy. Growing up in the Lake Norman

region, I always heard people talking about missed opportunities to buy a waterfront lot

for a few thousand dollars in the 1970’s. Today, I believe our real estate market offers

possibilities similar in their historical importance. Even homeowners who are waiting to

sell their home hoping for more equity in the future may want to rethink their delay in

entering the market. Today’s money will buy “more house,” and when combined with

interest rates at extraordinary lows, the opportunities are truly historical.

Speaking of history, let’s take a look back in time and see what we could have gotten in

2006, 2008, and 2010 in one of Lake Norman’s finest luxury waterfront communities. In

2006, $1.75 million would have bought a gorgeous home with a total square footage of

around 6500. In early 2008, considered by many to have been the peak of real estate

values, a neighboring home of 5300 square feet sold for almost the same money (just

over $1.7 million). In late 2010, the most recent comparable home on this street sold for

$1.4 million. But this one weighs in at over 7500 square feet, considerably more

spacious than either of the first two examples. And this pattern is fairly consistent in all

neighborhoods and price points throughout our region over the same time period. As you

can see, your money will buy you more in today’s real estate market.

For those of you with something a bit more luxurious in mind, a new property has just

entered our local real estate market which further illustrates my point. Chateau Lyon

offers not only the grandeur of scale, but also lavish attention to details beyond anything

else offered in our region. Built by furniture entrepreneurs Larry and Jane Hendricks,

this home cost over $22 million to build with elements and architectural features from

around the world. Situated on perhaps one of the loveliest sites in Alexander Island, a

cozy and exclusive neighborhood on the shores of Lake Norman, Chateau Lyon’s views

are as breathtaking as the home itself. The Hendricks spared no expense when building,

importing pinion stones hand-carved in the fields of Mexico, eighteenth century

handmade roof tiles from France, reclaimed 250 year-old heart pine plank flooring,

Biblical stone floors from the Middle East, as well as original paintings, gold-leaf

paneling, and fixtures directly from a 1901 reproduction of Marie Antoinette’s summer

home in Lyon, France; and much, much more. Although many of the home’s details are

precious antiques, this home is an astounding modern wonder with every “smart home”

feature you could imagine; creating the ultimate in the best of both worlds.

A rare gem of a home, Chateau Lyon captures the heart and mind of all who enter its

awe-inspiring halls. Its magnificent rooms each embody the spirit of this grand estate,

which feels like a visit abroad and a step back into history. It’s a historical bargain too,

as the once $22,000,000 castle is now offered at $8,000,000. So if you’re considering

calling Chateau Lyon home, don’t let the headlines dissuade you. After all in 30 years,

you don’t want to look back with regret on your missed opportunity to own a waterfront

castle for a mere $8 million.

Immaculate & Charming! This is a home you don’t want to miss.  Freshly Painted!  All Rooms throughout this home are Hardwood or Tile – NO CARPET!!  Attractive Hardwood Staircase with runner.  The Gas Log Fireplace with an intricate Wood Mantle. Bay Window Breakfast Nook looks out over the back yard. Open Floor Plan. All Appliances are Included – Built-In Microwave, Refrigerator, Range/Oven, and Dishwasher – all Like New. Warm Oak Cabinetry with Neutral Formica Counters.  Don’t miss the Powder Room on the Main floor which includes formica topped cabinetry.  A bonus room is located to the left of the foyer.  It makes a great Study, Formal Dining Room or play room with French Doors.  Upstairs the hallways include hardwood floors.  A Tray Ceiling is a lovely finishing touch in the  Master Suite. The lavish bath includes a Big Garden Tub and Cultured Marble Dual Vanity.  Separate Shower with Door.  Varying Ceiling Heights and Moldings in the bath are handsome.  Tile Floors in all baths. Don’t Miss the Walk In Closet. The Secondary Bathroom includes a Tub/Shower Combo, Linen Closet and Cultured Marble Vanity. Good Size Secondary Bedrooms. Over Sized Garage with a Man Door to the rear yard.  The Fenced Yard is Peaceful and Private Yard with Mature trees and bushes.  Patio for Entertaining.

Super Motivated! Superior Waterfront Home with Splendid Big Water Views from Both Sides of this Full Brick Home with Walk Out Finished Basement and Patio! Almost 300 Feett of Shoreline. Open Living Areas with Gleaming Hardwoods & Soaring Ceiling Heights Embellished with Intricate Trim and Arched Openings. Master on Main with Secondary Bedrooms and a Bonus Up. Basement is Planned as Second Living Area with Full Kitchen, Two Bedrooms, Den, Rec Rm and Full Bath!

This Waterfront Lot is Far Superior to Most on the Market with large Shoreline and Massive Views. Rip Rap Shoreline, Pier, Covered Boat Slip with Trex floored deck. Large Patio off Walk Out Basement with Hot Tub and Trex Floored Deck off Main Level Living. Substantial Windows throughout with a Perfectly Situated House to Take Full Advantage of a Beautiful Location.

SHORT SALE!  MLS 951478  $262,000 Firm

Situated in Bensons Creek, one street of Handsome, Custom Full Brick Homes. This Lush Lot has a hardwood canopy and a back yard that is Simply hard to leave w/a kidney shaped pool, large concrete patio & deck, lots of nooks for entertaining (incl one covered porch off the Master Suite) and incls the delightful sound of water passing over river rock into a goldfish pond. Gorgeous Upgrades thru out!

You are greeted by varying ceiling hgts and embellished columns with this open floor plan. Stylish hardwood floors and tile in the wet areas. Gas Log FP in the Great Room opens to a Breakfast Nook/Bar  & Custom Cabinetry topped with a Rich Granite Choice & Tile Back Splash. The Master Suite Includes an Interior & Exterior Sitting Area with Tray clg. Unique Tile Choices really make this a lovely BA.

Call for more information.