Costello Real Estate & Investments Blog | Costello REI

Shopping online is far past the fad stage. No longer are people just shopping for gifts at the holidays online. Today, many home buyers perform an online home search before they ever see a single property in person.

In fact, some buyers never see the property in person before agreeing to buy it. With so many options to choose from, narrowing down the possible properties online makes sense. However, when you get ready to search for your next home, it's a good idea to understand some of the differences between an online home search and an in-person home search.

The Feel of the Neighborhood

It's impossible to get a feel for the neighborhood if you're searching for a property online. Sure, you can search the neighborhood for information about it, but you won't actually be able to feel the vibe or walk the area to see how you like it.

With an online home search, you just don't have the option to see how the neighborhood feels to you. It's best to take your online search and turn it into an in-person search when you think you have a good choice. Then, you'll get to experience the neighborhood and see how you like it.

Photos May Not Be 100% Accurate

Online pictures are great and help you get a feel for the property. However, they are not always the most accurate representation of the property. Often, the online images you see represent the very best of the property and don't show off the home the same way it shows during an in-person search.

Some of the rooms may look bigger through online pictures. You may also only get to see the home from a specific angle. It's also likely the home was staged for the picture and it can be hard to separate the staging from the actual home without seeing it in person.

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It's not uncommon today, for a home buyer to buy a house without ever seeing it in person. This happens with military men and women often because they must move whenever they are re-assigned.

Many others in business also must relocate quickly and may not have the time to find a buyer before they relocate. Carrying a mortgage on two properties can be difficult and if you're not there to find a buyer, it can become a stressful situation.

Not only will most home sellers count on the funds from the sale for the down payment on their next home, but they may also struggle to get approved while carrying another mortgage. The answer, for some, maybe to sell to an I-buyer.

What is an I-buyer?

An I-buyer is a company online willing to make an offer on your home without wasting much time. Often, they will make an offer sight unseen, based on the valuation model for the home. While these types of buyers are usually larger companies looking to flip the property, sometimes, they are individual buyers.

An I-buyer can be defined as someone that only saw your property online and is willing to make an offer very quickly. Maybe they are in a similar situation as you and need to relocate quickly. In other circumstances, it could be a company in the business of buying homes sight unseen, putting in a little work, and reselling the home.

Convenience: The Major Benefit Provided By I-Buyers

I-buyers provide many benefits to those needing to sell their home quickly. However, the main benefit they provide is convenience. When you need to move your home quickly, an I-buyer can step in and make this possible.

Typically, when you sell a home, you take the time to hire a real estate agent, make repairs, do a little remodeling, stage the...

An incredibly prestigious country club found in Charlotte, you may spend some time on the waitlist before you become a member of the Quail Hollow Club. This isn't a typical country club and doesn't cater to families as much as many others in Charlotte do.

Instead, Quail Hollow Club is all about men and golf. It's an expensive club and it's incredibly difficult to become a member, compared to other Charlotte country club options.

History of Quail Hollow Club

It all began in 1959 when James J. Harris held a meeting to mark the beginning of Quail Hollow Club. The club was founded by 21 men and filed its certificate of incorporation in 1960. The club started with just over 257 acres of space to provide all the club activities.

The clubhouse was designed by Charles W. Connelly & Associates and opened in September of 1967. It was designed with a southern style with a white exterior. Later in 1999, the clubhouse was redesigned to provide a more open feel. It features a grand ballroom, a library, a card room, a main kitchen, 15 fireplaces, locker rooms, lounge areas, grills, and more.

A members' pavilion was constructed in 2008 near the 18th green. This pavilion offered a members-only area during the Wells Fargo tournament. The building features a large gathering space, a kitchen, a bar and oak paneling throughout.

At the same time, the swimming pool was re-done and connects to the members' pavilion. There's also a tennis shop, which was rebuilt at the same time.

The history of Quail Hollow Club includes the golf course opening in 1961 with modifications made to 4 holes by Arnold Palmer in 1985. The course was reconstructed by Tom Fazio in 1997 and the practice facility was reconstructed in 2001. Rock walls were added to both hole...

When it's time to sell your Charlotte home, curb appeal matters. You have to make your home as appealing to buyers as possible or you may not get the offers you desire.

Creating incredible curb appeal isn't always easy, but it doesn't have to be expensive or difficult. There are several ways to go about creating incredible curb appeal before listing your home. Here are ten ways to boost your Charlotte home's curb appeal in just a weekend.

Paint

If it's time to sell your home, you will find that paint will quickly become your best friend. While it's probably necessary to paint some of your interior rooms, painting the exterior access areas is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to boost curb appeal.

Painting the entire exterior would be great, but you don't have to go this far. If you simply paying the doors, shutters, and trim, you can add plenty of curb appeal to your home.

Make sure you consider the current color trends for home exteriors and match the right color to your home's style. Since paint is typically around $20 to $30 per gallon, this job can be done for less than $100 and in just a few hours.

Replace Exterior Light Fixtures

If your exterior light fixtures are outdated or simply not in good shape, you can replace them for more curb appeal. You will need to make sure the new lighting fixtures have the same type of mounting system or this could become a frustrating job in a hurry.

Most outdoor sconces can be found at home improvement stores for about $20 or $30 each. You don't need an electrician to replace the outdoor lights as this is certainly something a good DIYer can handle on their own.

If you...

The New American Economy (NAE) recently selected Charlotte to receive the very prestigious "Gateways for Growth" award. This award is given to cities with specific qualities and Charlotte is one of the 14 cities receiving the award.

In order to receive this award from the NAE, a city must show a wide range of resources for developing strategies for the following:

• Integration of immigrants
• Promoting the inclusion of all residents
• Fostering economic growth

The cities receiving the awards will also be given technical assistance, matching grants and research grants from the NAE and Welcoming America. The grants will help to support the city's welcoming strategies. In addition, the Gateways for Growth helps to serve as a network for local communities to help each other with their strategies.

Cities Receiving the Gateways for Growth Award

Along with Charlotte, NC, the following cities will be receiving this award:

• Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Flint, Michigan
• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Lexington, Kentucky
• Lowell, Massachusetts
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Northern Kentucky
• Roanoke, Virginia
• San Antonio, Texas
• Toledo-Lucas County, Ohio
• Wayne County, Michigan

Cities will gain plenty of benefits and resources from this award. Some of the resources given to these cities will include:

Planning grants from Welcoming America and the NAE

Research reports from the NAE customized for each city based on economic and demographic contributions from immigrants in the communities

Technical assistance from Welcoming America and the NAE in each city to ensure the city can draft, execute, and...

Interest Rates Hit New 12 Month Low!

With the golf season just around the corner in Charlotte, it may be time to consider your options when it comes to joining a country club. While the Charlotte Country Club is the most respected and hardest of the country clubs in the area to get into, maybe this year is your year.

Even if you don't get into this club, you can at least get your name on the waiting list.

How it All Started

The Charlotte Country Club wasn't always known by that name. It was started as The Mecklenburg Club and was the first club found to the west of the city. When it first opened, the activities only included fishing, boating, picnics, and card games.

The name of the club was established in 1910 as the Mecklenburg Country Club. However, it was changed in 1917 to the Charlotte Country Club. At the time of the club's establishment, golf was just beginning in the United States. In fact, in 1910, there wasn't a single golf course within 50 miles of the city.

When the club first opened, it included a red brick house, which was remodeled and enlarged to become the clubhouse. A new clubhouse was completed in 1931 and held a gala opening event with more than 1,000 members in attendance. In 1989, this same clubhouse was remodeled and additions were made to make it even better. Another grand opening event was held with an open house and a formal dinner dance.

The first nine holes of the golf course were established, along with tennis courts, but the second nine wasn't completed until 1915. The original course was designed by Donald Ross and later renovated by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Tyler Rae, and Ron Prichard.

The original golf course measured 6,226 yards, which was very long for the time. It provided...

Do you love the mountains? Are you thinking about relocating to Charlotte or do you already live in the Queen City? You can take a mountain day trip from Charlotte any time of the year. Here's a look at a few of the best options.

Hendersonville

The right time of the year for a day trip from Charlotte to Hendersonville is during the NC Apple Festival. This event offers plenty of fun and it's one of the best in the area. Hendersonville is known as the apple capital of North Carolina and even if you don't come during festival time, there are plenty of places for apple picking.

You can also enjoy the Downtown Hendersonville area and the fall season will provide plenty of hayrides, pumpkins and so much more. This small mountain town is less than two hours from Charlotte and has plenty to offer for a great mountain day trip.

Asheville

Of course, you cannot go wrong with a day trip to Asheville. The only issue you might find is that you may want to stay for a week instead of just the day. If you live in Charlotte, however, you can visit Asheville often as it's just two hours from the Queen City.

When you arrive in Asheville, you will want to enjoy plenty of scenic views. You will also want to eat at one of the fine restaurants here and you may even want to relax at the Grove Park Inn spa. The area is filled with great hiking and incredible art galleries. It's also known for the Biltmore Estate. There's so much to do here you'll likely want to come back over and over again.

Linville

A wonderful little mountain town, Linville offers the incredible Linville Gorge. This is one of only two wilderness gorges in the entire country. It's found right inside the Pisgah National Forest and offers tons of hiking...

Charlotte Magazine spends plenty of time each year creating buzz around new restaurants, new chefs, and fun new food trends. They actual visit many of the restaurants and they only rank locally-owned choices. With that in mind, here's a look at the top 10 new Charlotte restaurants for 2019, in no particular order.

YUME

The menu is filled with unique options at YUME, but the flower-shaped Sakura sushi roll may be the dish they are most known for. They also offer a Sora box sushi, which is square-shaped and they provide unique ramen dishes, too. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or a meat-eater, you'll find something great on the menu to enjoy.

Along with the great food at YUME, diners also enjoy more than just standard domestic beers on the drink menu. They offer a Japanese lager and plenty of great cocktails to try. The restaurant is found at 1508 Mint Street in Suite A.

The Waterman

A new oyster bar found in the South End neighborhood, The Waterman offers lobster rolls, oysters four ways, fried fish sandwiches, and more. The appetizers are excellent and the dinners are even better. They also have a rooftop terrace perfect for the sunset.

If you're looking for a great view of Uptown Charlotte, head to the rooftop for a cocktail. The Waterman is found at 2729 South Boulevard.

Zeppelin

While Zeppelin is best-known for the incredible cocktails, this isn't a place to overlook the food menu. They offer some unique options, such as the Notorious P.I.G....

So, you've decided to move to Mooresville, NC. You'll be close to Charlotte and in a great location for enjoying plenty of fun. However, your decision-making isn't over yet. You still need to choose the right neighborhood in Mooresville, NC and find a top-notch real estate agent to help you.

Mooresville offers plenty of excellent neighborhoods and they are all a bit different. Here's a look at some of the best neighborhoods found throughout Mooresville, NC.

Bay Crossing

A waterfront neighborhood offering custom homes on larger lots, Bay Crossing provides many waterfront homes to choose from. It's a great choice for those seeking a smaller luxury community as homes can go for more than $1 million here. There are more affordable options under $500K, as well.

The Reserve at Langtree Plantation

A low-maintenance community offering excellent convenience to shopping, dining, and entertainment, The Reserve at Langtree Plantation provides high-end homes priced above $500K. This neighborhood is found in the Lake Norman area.

Beech Tree Bay

A luxury waterfront neighborhood in Mooresville, Beech Tree Bay offers homes priced from $700K and up. IT's a smaller community with just a handful of lots and waterfront homes. The community is very convenient to the nearby public schools, along with the shopping within the area.

Watertree Landing

Offering homes ranging from about $400K to $800K, Watertree Landing is a water view neighborhood in the Lake Norman area. It's a community with wooded lots of about a half-acre or more and some offer partial water views. The community also offers amenities including a swimming pool and clubhouse.

Woodleaf

A wooded community with homes ranging from about 2,800 to 5,500 square feet in size, Woodleaf...

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 11, 2019 -- Costello Real Estate And Investments (REI) continues to grow with the opening of a third office in Fort Mill, South Carolina.  Costello REI is headquartered in the South End area of Charlotte with additional locations in Raleigh, North Carolina, and newly opened Fort Mill, SC.

Valentine's Day always sparks a bit of romance, but you don't have to wait for a specific day of the year to spark romance in your relationship. If things have gotten a bit stale or you just want to connect with your partner on a deeper level, a Charlotte staycation may be just what you need.

The Queen City is filled with wonderful options for a romantic staycation for Valentine's Day, an anniversary or just for a random weekend away from ordinary life. Here are a few of the best ways to enjoy a romantic staycation in Charlotte.

Romantic Bed and Breakfast Options

If you want to enjoy a cozy spot with plenty of history and plenty to do nearby, the Morehead Inn is the right choice. This B&B offers history in the Dilworth neighborhood and plenty of things to do nearby. It was built in 1917 and offers an elegant choice with plenty of luxuries found throughout.

The breakfast is offered every morning and includes plenty of Southern favorites. You can also add a romance package with fresh flowers, chocolate covered strawberries, and Champagne.

The Morehead Inn is located close to some of the best choices for a romantic dinner, too. Enjoy a night out at 300 East, The Fig Tree Restaurant or Cajun Queen. You can also enjoy a relaxing day at the Re Salon and Med Spa. Those looking for even more romance will love the Dilworth Tasting Room, ...

Valentine's Day isn't the only day of the year for romance. While you should certainly plan something special for February 14th, Charlotte offers plenty of great date night ideas to spark romance any time of the year. Let's look at a few of the very best ways you can find romance in the Queen City.

Romantic Dinner Out

Maybe you want to keep things simple and just go out for a romantic dinner. Charlotte offers some of the most amazing restaurants and a few of them are perfect for romance.

When you want to go out for an incredible meal and you want to spark romance, you should head to the McNinch House Restaurant. This restaurant is found in a historic home and it was voted as the most romantic restaurant in Charlotte.

Along with the McNinch House, you can also find romance at:

• Soul Gastrolounge
• Mert's Heart and Soul
• Heirloom
• Stoke Charlotte
• Fork
• Kindred Restaurant

All of these restaurants offer a great choice for a romantic dinner for two.

Take in a Show

Maybe your idea of a romantic date is a Broadway show or an Opera. Charlotte offers plenty of theater options with the Booth Playhouse, ...

Over the past few decades, active adult communities have become a very popular option for "empty-nesters". These communities are also known as 55+ adult communities and they cater to those ages 55 and older.

An active adult community offers a great way for retirees to live or those without kids living at home anymore. Compared to a traditional senior living community, an active adult community offers amenities, activities, events, and more.

In addition to the many things to do, this type of community often offers health care facilities nearby, low-maintenance homes, and plenty of services to make life easier and more enjoyable.

If you're considering moving to an active adult community, it's important to know if you're ready. Here are a few pros and cons of living in this type of community to consider first.

Pros of Living in an Active Adult Community

When you decide you might want to live in an active adult community, it's important to consider why. Some of the benefits of this type of living might be exactly why you decide to live in an active adult community. Let's look at a few of the pros before we get into the cons.

Social Environment

Living in a 55+ adult community gives you access to plenty of social events and opportunities to make friends. This type of community offers all types of events and activities you can enjoy with your new friends, as well. You've spent several years working very hard and now you can relax and enjoy retirement with others that have done the same.

Amenities, Activities, & Events

An active adult community is built around an incredible amenities package, tons of activities and plenty of regular events. Often, these communities include a clubhouse...

A unique city with plenty to offer, Concord, NC is found in Cabarrus County. It was founded in 1796 and has become the home of some of the best tourist destinations in the Greater Charlotte Area, such as Concord Mills and the NASCAR Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The location of Concord is found about 20 miles from Charlotte. This provides residents with easy access to the city without the need to live directly downtown. If you're considering moving to Concord, NC, here are a few things you should know first.

Plenty of Dining

Concord is filled with great options for dining. If you love to eat out, you'll find something great for any meal of the day here. Carm's Cafe is a popular spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Punchy's Diner offers a 1950's atmosphere.

Those seeking the true southern food will love the Smoke Pit. Italian food is found here, as well, with Gianni's Trattoria providing fine Italian cuisine. Along with the many great restaurants, Concord is also home to several good trucks.

Excellent Events

Concord offers a Historic Downtown area and it's filled with events year-round. From live music to art walks to farmer's markets, there's always something going on in the downtown area. Small Business Saturdays are held every single month and plenty of annual events are also a part of the city's downtown area.

Plenty of Outdoor Fun

Starting with Frank Liske Park, you'll find plenty to do outside in Concord. This park covers 238 acres and provides fields for softball and soccer. You'll also find volleyball courts here, along with trails, picnic shelters, a refurbished barn and silo, and paddle boarding.

Along with the park, residents get to enjoy easy access to the Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium. While this may not be outside, it does...

Charlotte is a very popular place for those looking to relocate to a new city. In fact, about 109 people moved to Charlotte every day throughout 2017 and that number has stayed rather consistent throughout 2018.

Now, with 2019 here, it's important to understand which Charlotte neighborhoods are the best choices. Whether you're relocating from another city or state, or you're just looking to relocate within Charlotte, the top neighborhoods may have changed since you last looked them up. Here's a quick look at the top 15 Charlotte neighborhoods to consider when shopping for your next home.

Plaza-Midwood

Found on the top of just about every neighborhood list for Charlotte, Plaza-Midwood is a vibrant spot with plenty to offer. It's not far from Uptown, making it a very popular location. In addition, the neighborhood is filled with art galleries, restaurants and it's home to the Charlotte Country Club.

Dilworth

Known as the first streetcar suburb of Charlotte, Dilworth has been very popular for those relocating to the Charlotte area. It's filled with history and plenty of things to do. The location also makes it easy to enjoy most of what Charlotte has to offer.

Uptown

Also known as Center City and Downtown Charlotte, Uptown offers the top employers and plenty of commercial buildings throughout. It's also the home of the sports teams in Charlotte including the Panthers (NFL) and Hornets (NBA).

Those choosing Uptown will also enjoy plenty of restaurants, entertainment options, and shopping throughout. It's a popular spot and many come from other neighborhoods to play in the Uptown area.

SouthPark

One of the larger neighborhoods on the list, SouthPark offers plenty for residents...

No one denies that technology has completely changed the way we live.  It wasn't terribly long ago when having a PalmPilot meant you were on the cutting edge of the latest gadgets.  Now, within minutes of breaking my coffee pot, I can have one ordered that will arrive within hours.

Every industry has been shaken and the way we do business has to evolve.  You can either fight the change or embrace it head-on.  The same is true for how brokerages serve their agents and provide them the resources they need to thrive.  

To be perceived as more progressive, some newer real estate models are hailing the doom of brick and mortar real estate brokerages as an inevitable shift that they are ahead of.  They compare themselves with Netflix while contrasting brick and mortar brokerages as the Blockbusters that won't survive the shift.  

This is a great sales pitch that plays on the natural fear that comes from industry shifts in general. There is no doubt that an industry shift is taking place. They typically do when a customer's need is met in a new way and to stay in business companies are forced to evolve.  Again, think Amazon.  It wasn't online shopping the gave them the edge, it was free shipping.  For some reason, Walmart and Target have only recently jumped on board.

So, back to the sales pitch.  Is brick and mortar real estate on the way out?  

Let me start by saying that a real estate industry shift has NOTHING to do with a company having four walls.  In fact, Netflix also has a physical location where their employees work in Los Gatos, CA.  People having space to meet doesn't equate them being a relic like Blockbuster or Circuit City.  Those chains existed to advertise a product.  Brick and Mortar real estate offices aren't selling a product...

Right after you get done with the Christmas season, it's time to celebrate the New Year. Often, celebrating New Year's Eve gets forgotten or put off due to holiday shopping and other events. However, if you put off making your plans, you may have limited options for celebrating the New Year in Charlotte.

Make your plans now and you won't have much to worry about as 2018 comes to a close. Here are some of the best parties to enjoy ringing in the New Year in Charlotte.

Levine Museum of the New South

Found in the Uptown neighborhood of Charlotte, the Levine Museum will be providing a great New Year's Eve party to enjoy. The party will start at 9pm and the cost is $108.

This event is put on by the South Charlotte chapter of Jack and Jill of American. It's a fundraiser and provides a Harlem Nights theme. You will want to come dressed in your best flapper attire or in an ensemble from the 1920s. The night will include plenty of eating and drinking, along with dancing and more.

Tickets do include heavy appetizers from Mert's Heart & Soul, along with access to the museum and the party.

Bojangles’ Coliseum

A party held in East Charlotte, the Bojangles' Coliseum event will start at 8:30pm with a cost of $76 and up. This is a huge show and one of the most popular of the year. It will include The Avett Brothers performing for two nights and plenty more.

The Ritz Carlton

For those in the Uptown area, The Ritz Carlton may be the perfect spot for ringing in the New Year. They will have a party starting at 9pm at a cost of $44. This party will be held in their 7,000 square-foot ballroom with plenty to offer.

Tickets include passed appetizers, access to a photo booth and access to many bar stations. This will be an ultra-fancy party with plenty to offer those in...

The Town of Davidson, NC offers plenty of great neighborhoods to enjoy. It's a wonderful town to call home with its close proximity to Charlotte. Here's a quick look at some of the top neighborhoods found in Davidson.

Davidson Woods

A beautiful community found in Davidson, Davidson Woods offers custom homes built by the best area home builders. There are still plenty of opportunities for building here, while some of the homes have already been built. The prices range from the $400s up to more than $1 million with some of the homes providing complete custom options.

Park Creek

Another great neighborhood in Davidson, Park Creek is found on the east side of the town. It's a gated community with semi-custom homes and large home sites. The prices range from about $400K up to more than $600K here.

McConnell Farms

When you want something a bit more rural, McConnell Farms if the spot for you. Many of the lots here are large and wooded with plenty of home sites still available for building. It's a short drive from Davidson and offers homes starting in the $400s.

Runneymede

A horse-friendly neighborhood in Davidson, Runneymede provides wooded lots and plenty of estates with horse facilities. It's just a few minutes from downtown Davidson and offers plenty of luxury throughout. Runneymede is also known for providing plenty of privacy. The homes start in the $400s, but go up to $1 million.

Woodlands at Davidson

Found right on the Davidson, Huntersville line, the Woodlands at Davidson provides larger luxury homes with plenty to offer. It's a community found just minutes from downtown Davidson and not far from Huntersville. The River Run Country Club is just five minutes away, as well.

With larger,...