Podcast August 13, 2007
Beginnings ARE Difficult…Especially When Defining Charlotte’s Condo Market
Many of us in the real estate profession are shaking our heads in wonder, amazement and amusement about the Condo landscape in and around Charlotte, NC. So what must the general public be thinking? Or how about the developers and builders? And the mortgage folks? Then there’s the planning commission, the zoning department, the water and sewer department, Light Rail. Oh, and let’s remember, the management companies. Oops, then there’s current events-the mortgage debacle. And past events, the cycle of overbuilding-the lure to investors in an energetic, glitzy market. Oh, my-where do I start?
With the basics.
I believe that there are many levels available for scrutiny and I have learned that old axioms age well because of their simple truths.
Cycles:
Many years ago in Uptown Charlotte NC, condominiums in Center City Charlotte were built in http://www.athomecharlotte.com/walking/index.htm Fourth Ward and in Third Ward. They were, by and large, smaller complexes, except Springfield Square and by the sheer nature of Condominiums then, pretty avante-guard. Locale lenders encouraged this residential concept and granted loans to encourage buyers…many of the loans, however, were adjustable or balloons of 5 to 7 years. And as time rolled forward and folks were moving up and out, re-financing became tough and selling became tougher. Enter rental property. Then, of course, any buyers who would come would have a tougher time getting a loan because of the higher investor ratios. Condominiums got a bad name. Not because of the concept but because of the variables in the marketplace. Cycles happen. (to be continued)
Less is More.
Charlotte, NC used to be a sleepy southern town. For many years Charlotte ranked in the top markets, the ADI…Charlotte was a great test market for the likes of Proctor and Gamble…but no one else except the natives could differentiate between Charleston, Charlotte, Charlottesville or Chapel Hill. We were safe. You couldn’t find us easily. So we had condominiums and townhomes in the inner circle around downtown/uptown Charlotte, condominiums out a little…Raintree, Quail Hollow, SouthPark (before it was SouthPark), on the East side off Central, off Kilborne, off Hickory Grove (now W.T. Harris), out Mint Hill way, off Lawyer’s Road…and then an accelerated spurt in the late 70’s, early 80’s off Carmel. But you get my drift. We had condos and townhomes…and once again, the tick of the cycle. The builders in my opinion overbuilt. (to be continued).
Buyer Beware.
I have a friend who says of the world, how can you do anything well when you are trying to do everything? I see that now in new construction: poor building materials, poor construction. Lack of attention to detail. Re-direction of responsibility. And on the buyer’s side: lack of knowledge, lack of qualified representation, lack of patience. (to be continued.)
No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
Free furniture, free closing costs, free home owner’s dues, free mortgage, free moving…
Hang-on to your hat because there is almost always an underlying reason. Builders are rarely going to give anything away unless they need to…and if they need to, the buyer needs to be able to read the signs…and make the situation work for them. We live in a capitalistic society and it is driven by profit. Money. (to be continued.)
Thanks for tuning in...got questions? I am listening.Lynnsy Logue, The Real Estate Lady/ Condo CanDo, Charlotte, NCCharlotte's Condominium Specialist
Beginnings ARE Difficult…Especially When Defining Charlotte’s Condo Market
Many of us in the real estate profession are shaking our heads in wonder, amazement and amusement about the Condo landscape in and around Charlotte, NC. So what must the general public be thinking? Or how about the developers and builders? And the mortgage folks? Then there’s the planning commission, the zoning department, the water and sewer department, Light Rail. Oh, and let’s remember, the management companies. Oops, then there’s current events-the mortgage debacle. And past events, the cycle of overbuilding-the lure to investors in an energetic, glitzy market. Oh, my-where do I start?
With the basics.
I believe that there are many levels available for scrutiny and I have learned that old axioms age well because of their simple truths.
Cycles:
Many years ago in Uptown Charlotte NC, condominiums in Center City Charlotte were built in http://www.athomecharlotte.com/walking/index.htm Fourth Ward and in Third Ward. They were, by and large, smaller complexes, except Springfield Square and by the sheer nature of Condominiums then, pretty avante-guard. Locale lenders encouraged this residential concept and granted loans to encourage buyers…many of the loans, however, were adjustable or balloons of 5 to 7 years. And as time rolled forward and folks were moving up and out, re-financing became tough and selling became tougher. Enter rental property. Then, of course, any buyers who would come would have a tougher time getting a loan because of the higher investor ratios. Condominiums got a bad name. Not because of the concept but because of the variables in the marketplace. Cycles happen. (to be continued)
Less is More.
Charlotte, NC used to be a sleepy southern town. For many years Charlotte ranked in the top markets, the ADI…Charlotte was a great test market for the likes of Proctor and Gamble…but no one else except the natives could differentiate between Charleston, Charlotte, Charlottesville or Chapel Hill. We were safe. You couldn’t find us easily. So we had condominiums and townhomes in the inner circle around downtown/uptown Charlotte, condominiums out a little…Raintree, Quail Hollow, SouthPark (before it was SouthPark), on the East side off Central, off Kilborne, off Hickory Grove (now W.T. Harris), out Mint Hill way, off Lawyer’s Road…and then an accelerated spurt in the late 70’s, early 80’s off Carmel. But you get my drift. We had condos and townhomes…and once again, the tick of the cycle. The builders in my opinion overbuilt. (to be continued).
Buyer Beware.
I have a friend who says of the world, how can you do anything well when you are trying to do everything? I see that now in new construction: poor building materials, poor construction. Lack of attention to detail. Re-direction of responsibility. And on the buyer’s side: lack of knowledge, lack of qualified representation, lack of patience. (to be continued.)
No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
Free furniture, free closing costs, free home owner’s dues, free mortgage, free moving…
Hang-on to your hat because there is almost always an underlying reason. Builders are rarely going to give anything away unless they need to…and if they need to, the buyer needs to be able to read the signs…and make the situation work for them. We live in a capitalistic society and it is driven by profit. Money. (to be continued.)
Thanks for tuning in...got questions? I am listening.Lynnsy Logue, The Real Estate Lady/ Condo CanDo, Charlotte, NCCharlotte's Condominium Specialist
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