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.

Instead, Quail Hollow Club is all about 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 offers a members-only area during the Wells Fargo tournament. The building features a large gathering space, a kitchen, and a bar with 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 7 and 17, as well.

The bunkers throughout the course...

Whether you're buying or selling a home in Charlotte, or the Charlotte Metro area a Realtor® is a must. There are so many good reasons to go into this massive financial transaction with an expert by your side, and while you may be able to do it yourself, this type of transaction should never be treated as a DIY project.

Ask yourself: Are you well-versed in real estate law? Do you understand any recent changes to the laws impacting real estate? Are you familiar with homeowner's associations in the area? Do you know the Charlotte Communities like the back of your hand?

Unless you answered YES to all of these questions, you NEED a Realtor®. Here are several great reasons why you should always hire a Realtor® when buying or selling a home.

IT'S A HUGE FINANCIAL TRANSACTION

For most people, buying or selling a home is one of the largest financial transactions of their life. Hiring an expert to ensure the "t's" are crossed and the "i's" are dotted is just smart. Without an expert by your side, a small mistake could end up costing you thousands of dollars.

REALTOR'S ® ARE EXPERT NEGOTIATORS

We all like to think we are great negotiators, but you probably don't negotiate for a living. Realtor's ® negotiate real estate deals every single week and they know exactly what to expect. They also know a bad deal when they see it.

Selling and buying real estate comes with plenty of challenges. One of the main challenges is making sure you can get the right deal. Negotiating is vital to a good real estate deal and you need an expert:...

Charlotte is filled with amazing neighborhoods and places to call home. From NoDa to Myers Park, you can choose from neighborhoods throughout the city that fit your style of living. However, the Greater Charlotte Area also offers great towns with real Main Streets.

If you prefer the feel of a small town over an urban neighborhood, you're in luck. You can live close enough to enjoy big-city amenities, while keeping the small-town feel, gives you the best of both worlds.

When you start shopping for a home in one of the Charlotte suburbs, you might be surprised at what you find: wide sidewalks, ice cream shops, coffee cafes, fine dining restaurants and plenty of shopping will greet you in these downtown havens. Here are five of the very best towns near Charlotte with a real Main Street.

MATTHEWS, NC

One of the best suburbs of Charlotte and certainly one of the top downtown areas, Matthews has so much to offer. It's filled with great places to shop, dining and plenty of entertainment.

Central to the Matthew’s experience is Renfrow’s Hardware, a mom and pop operation a 120-year history at the town’s center. They specialize in American-made products, local honey, seasonal produce and a large selection of unusual and common hardware products.

Next door is the Matthew’s Community Farmers Market,...

Curb appeal is a crucial step to selling your home. Your home’s first impression not only matters when someone arrives for a showing, but also when they’re scrolling through online listing pictures.

Whether the listing is seen on social media, online listings, or in person, your home may lose a potential buyer before they've even stepped inside your home to see the magic of all of your updates. Upgrading your curb appeal game will get more eyes on your home and more feet in the door! Here are some quick and easy steps to get you started. 

PAINT 

If you have the funds, or your home is in need of a fresh coat of paint, doing a full paint job on the exterior will give your home a facelift, but the exterior of your home doesn't need to be completely repainted. A fresh coat of paint on the front door and a few touch-ups here and there can go a very long way.

You can try giving a fresh coat of paint to fences, garage doors, the mailbox, or any other exterior features to give your home a cohesive look. 

LANDSCAPING

Mowing the lawn is a start, but planting fresh flowers, trimming bushes, and the right landscaping can truly transform a home. When you’re trying to sell your home, landscaping offers one of the most affordable ways to add curb appeal. Find a local plant nursery to help you decide what a great look for the season. Planting the right flowers at the right time will make your home feel fresh and full of life!

If you’re stumped about where to begin, think “symmetry.”...

Forecasts predict that winter 2020 in the Carolinas will be warmer and rainier than usual. Still, it’s never a bad time to think about winterizing your property to protect the value and integrity of your home. 

There are dozens of ways to fully weatherproof your home, including hiring a weatherizing professional, but if you’re a homeowner on a tight budget, there are quick and easy steps to help shore up any potential problem areas and save you money on energy costs. 

Here are some indoor and outdoor tips to get you started on winterizing your today:

DRAIN YOUR PIPES

Inside your home, turn off the valve that sends water to your spigots. Next, turn on your spigots to clear all of the water out of them. This will prevent pipes from bursting if there is a sudden cold snap that causes water to freeze and expand inside your pipes. You can also remove your attached garden hoses and store them in the garage to extend their life. 

CLEAR DEBRIS FROM GUTTERS

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This year, fall festivities are running a bit differently. Many of the usual gathering spots are adjusting to social distancing guidelines by requiring reservations ahead of time, while others have canceled seasonal events altogether. Charlotte, NC, and surrounding areas are no different. 

Still, there are plenty of ways to satisfy the need for crisp autumn air so you won’t have to feel like you’ve missed out on the season! Here are a few of the activities in close proximity to the Charlotte and some that are farther, but still close enough for a fun day trip.


Uptown Charlotte 

Truist Field Pumpkin Patch

Residents of Uptown Charlotte don't need to make a long trek to join in the fun. Truist Field, home of the Charlotte Knights minor league baseball team, is transforming the outfield into a pumpkin patch on Saturday, October 10th.

*Reservations required: You’ll need to purchase your pumpkin in advance and choose a time slot to attend.

What: Pumpkin picking, pumpkin decorating stations, fall-themed treats, music
Where: Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Pumpkins starting at $10
When: Oct 10, 10 A - 5 P

Flicks At The Field

The Charlotte Knights are also hosting a movie series at Truist field this fall. Movies will be shown on a giant screen, and seating is very limited, so make your reservations as soon as possible.  

What:  Outdoor movies!
Where: Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, ...

 

What You’ll Discover When You Come To Plaza Midwood

Plaza Midwood is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Charlotte and has earned a reputation for its unique mixture of down-home diners, innovative cocktail bars and hip music venues. Recent years have brought the addition of new yoga studios, boutique clothing shops and small businesses with wares that are out of the ordinary.

You may know quite a bit about this amazing neighborhood, but there is so much to discover as this thriving cultural center is growing and changing. 

If you are a foodie, a live music enthusiast, or you want to maintain an active lifestyle in an urban environment, this neighborhood is a great fit for you. 

Plaza Midwood is also a great place to call home with houses ranging from historic and well maintained, to modern and sleek, as well as, plenty of newly constructed apartments and condominiums. 

If you are considering moving to Plaza Midwood, you'll want a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the area. There are lots of hidden gems in tucked away nooks where your home is waiting to be discovered. 

Here are some things you may not know, but should, about Plaza Midwood. 

Walkable & Engaging Environment

Plaza Midwood is one of Charlotte’s most walkable boroughs. The City of Charlotte’s recently expanded bike lanes and brick-lined sidewalk renovations have made it, even more, pedestrian-friendly for those living in the area. 

Several new murals by local artists liven up the neighborhood facade, adding pops of color to your Sunday afternoon stroll. Walkability expands beyond...

When staging a home, our first tip is to hire a professional!

Professional stagers know what appeals to the most buyers, which is what you want your home to do. Have them come through and do a consultation with you to determine what needs to be done.

A great stager will work with you to find a solution that not only showcases your home in the best light, but also works within your budget.

According to the National Association of Realtors, “A staged home will sell for 17% more on average than a non-staged home, and 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less. That is statistically 87% faster than non-staged homes.” Your Realtor should be able to provide you with referrals to a great stager in your neighborhood.

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Buying a home doesn’t need to be scary or stressful!

The most important thing for New Home Buyers or First-Time Home Buyers to know, in any market, it that it’s important to find a Realtor® and a lender they trust, who are willing to take the time to educate them and walk them through the process step by step.

It’s also important in this market for buyers to get a full pre-approval from their lender and work with their Realtor® to determine what their price point means in terms of today’s market. A great agent will help them understand the current market and what it means to them in terms of competitiveness, availability of homes, and whether or not they may need to compromise on some of their wants.

Finally, it’s important for new buyers to remember that while this is a big investment decision for them, they should also enjoy the process. You only get to buy your first home once!

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You don't have to go to a Christmas event or join a group tour to enjoy Charlotte during the holiday season. If you prefer a self-guided Holiday tour, there are several great options throughout the Uptown area. Here are some of the best choices.

Before we get into the list, it's important to note that The Christmas Village was moved from Romare Bearden Park to 7th and Tryon for this year. In addition, the official Uptown Christmas Tree was moved from The Square to The Christmas Village.

The Charlotte Christmas Village

The self-guided tour options in Uptown don't get any better than the Charlotte Christmas Village. You can enjoy this area of the city from 11am to 7pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 11am to 9pm Thursday through Saturday and from 11am to 6pm on Sunday. It's closed on Monday and open through Christmas Eve for the year.

Throughout the Christmas Village, you will find plenty of vendors with all kinds of options from bratwurst to cider to fudge and so much more. You can also get your picture with Santa and visit the official Uptown Holiday Tree.

Holiday on Ice

Outdoor Ice Skateing Uptown at the Nascar Hall of Fame Plaza. 10,000 Gallons of Water have transformed the Nascar HOF Plaza into a Uptown, " Metropolitain Winter Wonderland". This is an expiernce that you do not want to miss!

The Square

Found at 100 North Tryon Street, The Square is a great choice for a self-guided tour. You can also add in Thompson Polk Park and Founders hall as they are all found at the intersection of Tryon and Trade.

Even though the Uptown Tree was moved to the Christmas Village this year, there is still a huge decorated Christmas tree at The Square. In addition, there are plenty of other decorations and it's a great place to get into the festive...

While Charlotte Area winters are mild compared to northern cities, you may still be wondering if you should sell your home during the winter or wait until the spring. Listing your home at the right time matters, but the winter isn't a bad time to list your home for sale. In many ways, it could be a perfect time.

November and December may seem like bad months for selling, but this isn't exactly true. Buyers are still out shopping for a new home and often, there are fewer homes on the market during these months. This might be the good news you were hoping to hear.

You may be thinking about how hectic it can be to work showings and open houses into your already busy holiday plans. However, if you have a home you'd like to sell in Charlotte, there are several advantages to getting it listed now. Here are some of the benefits of selling your Charlotte home during the winter.

The Internet is 24/7/365

In today's day in age, home buyers find you online first 95% of the time. There used to be a time when you couldn't search home listings any day of the week, at any hour of the day. Today's buyers will find you when it's convenient for them and that's good news for sellers in the winter.

With good online listing pictures and a good real estate agent on your side, you'll have a great chance of selling during the winter. The internet is your friend in this situation and as long as buyers can find your home, you'll have plenty of interest, no matter the time of year.

Less Competition

The spring will bring plenty of sellers flooding the market all looking to get their homes sold. However, during the winter, the number of sellers with homes listed on the market is much lower. In fact, you'll see about 15% fewer homes listed during November and December compared to...

Plaza Midwood is very popular and it's one of the oldest neighborhoods in Charlotte. You may know quite a bit about this amazing neighborhood, but you may not know it all.

The neighborhood is known for the incredible restaurants, unique bars, thriving culture, and arts scene and so much more. It's a true Charlotte institution and one of the best neighborhoods in the city. If you are a foodie, are an avid music enthusist, or an Art lover this neighborhood is perfect for you due to its rich and eclectic culture

Plaza Midwood is also a great place to call home with plenty of wonderful homes. Many of the houses here are historic and have been well preserved. There's also some new construction on the larger streets, as well as, condos and apartments. Many residents love the fact that the neighborhood is very walkable.

If you're considering moving to Plaza Midwood, you'll want a real estate agent familiar with the area. You will also want to learn all about the neighborhood and it's thriving culture!

While you may know some of the main facts about Plaza Midwood, you may not know everything. Here are some of the top things you may not know about Plaza Midwood.

WBT Radio Station

F.M. Laxton is a famous early resident from Plaza Midwood. He set up a radio transmitter in his backyard chicken coup back in the 1910s. Eventually, he became the founder of the WBT radio station, which was only the third licensed station in the entire county. This caused Charlotte to become a hotspot for music recording early when the industry was first...

The home buying process can be both exciting and stressful. Becoming informed and hiring the right real estate agent are two of the best ways to take the stress out of buying a house. While you certainly want to be informed on the buying process, you should also know what to ask your lender.

A big part of buying a home is taking out a mortgage. If you don't ask the right questions, you may end up with the wrong lender or loan. Here are a few of the most important questions to ask your lender when buying a house.

Which Loan Program Works Best for Me?

Every situation is different and if you don't ask this question, you may get a program your lender wants to sell you, not the right one for you. Whether you work a regular job or you work for yourself, there are likely multiple loan programs you qualify for with most lenders.

Our Partners at Movement Bank are here to help! Contact Team Romero today to get a head start on your loan process or with any questions that you might have in reference to getting pre-approved.

A good lender will take the time to get to know you and will figure out which mortgage is best for your situation. Make sure your lender does this or you may get stuck with a program that isn't right for you but paid the account executive a better commission.

How Much Will My Down Payment Be?

You don't need any surprises in the home buying process. However, with the current market, you may be surprised that you don't neccisarly need the traditional 20% down to buy a home. Before you go any further, find out how much the lender will require you put down to get...

Buying your first home should be exciting. However, it often comes with plenty of stress and can become rather overwhelming.

Last year, the real estate market experienced rather low inventory and many buyers were demanding affordable housing. This made the market sway towards the seller and buyers had to be on their toes to get the home they really want for a price they liked.

Regardless of whether it's a buyer's market, seller's market, or a balanced market, as a first-time homebuyer, you need to know what you're getting into. If you're planning to buy for the first time this year, here's a quick guide to help you along the way.

Your Credit Matters, so Start with Your Score

Pull your credit score and find out what it is. If you have poor credit, it's time to start here and work on getting your credit score up before you even attempt to buy a home. Even if your credit is good, but not great, you may want to do some work in this area first.

Your credit score will be used by any lender you try to get a mortgage from. They will pull your credit report and look at the score to help determine if you qualify and how good of an interest rate you may qualify for.

Speak to a Lender

After you've seen your credit score, it's time to speak to a lender. While not all will take your call and answer your questions, the ones that will are the ones you will work with when it's actually time to buy your first home. We recommend contacting Team Romero with Movement Bank.

Talk to them about your credit score and what it means for your down payment, potential interest rate, and loan amount/program. Get some idea of...

Video Transcription

Hi Everyone, Steve Lonnen with Costello REI!

I wanted to share with you three quick tips on how you can get the job and how you can get the home.

What do I mean?

Prior to real estate, I spent 15 years with a very large corporate recruiting and staffing company. My goal was helping to place thousands of people into great jobs. I also helped to train and develop recruiters to help people get great jobs.

Now, my goal in real estate is to help people buy and sell their homes. I have seen a lot of similarities between the two.

I want to share them with you and break them down quickly into three easily digestible parts.

Number 1: Be Prepared

If you are going into the job having the resume updated, doing some interview prep, make sure that you have done your research into the company.

On the home buying side it is very similar: Going into the home buying process, make sure that you are pre-approved, making sure that you have a general idea of where you would like to end and qualify some other things on the front-end, making sure that you are ready to buy.

Number 2: Requirements Change

I can't tell you how many times that I have worked with job candidates that have a list of 5-10 things that are required of the job or career that they want. What you start to realize is that some of these things are negotiable.

Maybe, the job cannot pay as much as they are asking for. However, there are other plus benefits that still make the position enticing. (Maybe there is a closer commute, the cost of living is less in that area, etc.)

...

Choosing to call the Charlotte area home doesn't mean you have to live directly in Charlotte. There are several wonderful towns and cities surrounding Charlotte including Denver, NC.

Denver offers a great place to call home in eastern Lincoln County. It's right on the western shores of Lake Norman, which means many of the area neighborhoods offer waterfront homes.

A wide range of home styles is found throughout Denver giving home buyers plenty of options. Here's a look at some of the top neighborhoods you can choose from throughout Denver, NC.

Norman Pointe

A luxury community offering plenty of waterfront options, Norman Point provides homes ranging from the high $300K range to more than $3 million. Many of the homes here offer custom options and some type of water view, whether fully waterfront or a partial view. Buyers will even find opportunities for new construction here.

Webbs Chapel Cove

A gated community with massive home sites including multiple acres, Webbs Chapel Cove homes start in the $700K range. There are some lots still available for new home construction. The best part about Webbs Chapel Cove is the location found right in the middle of Denver.

Cobblestone

A one-street enclave filled with luxury homes in Denver, Cobblestone offers a great place to call home. The homes offer plenty of custom options and there may be a few lots left for building.

The Westport Club

A multi-phase community with homes ranging from about $150K to more than $450K, The Westport Club is a golf and tennis community. It's found near Lake Norman and has an Active Adult section. The community also has an 18-hole golf course, fitness center, community pool and plenty of other amenities.

Verdict Ridge

Another golf course community offering plenty for buyers...

Solar power has become very popular and for good reason. Adding solar panels and a full system to your home offers many benefits including a lower electricity bill. You also have the ability to reduce your carbon footprint, as your home becomes more eco-friendly.

When you decide to sell your home and you have installed solar panels, you may think it makes your home worth more. This may be the case, but it may not always be the case. Before you add a solar power system to your home, make sure you understand what you're getting into.

Speak with a Bank Appraiser or Realtor

The best way to find out if a solar system will add value to your home is to speak to your bank appraiser or Realtor. They will be able to let you know if it will add any value to the actual appraiser, make the home sell faster, or cause any issues when you try to sell the home.

Adding solar panels to a home isn't as black and white as some of the other things you can do when it comes to adding value. It's a bit of a newer upgrade and there are many factors that could impact the value added including:

• Are the solar panels leased or owned
• Your home type
• Where you live in Charlotte
• The expense of the property
• If the panels are installed in the front or back of your home
• The overall energy and monetary savings from the panel

These factors must all be considered when looking at any value being added to the home.

Owned Systems are Best

While many homeowners lease solar panels due to the high cost of having a solar power system installed, an owned system will add the most value. Most appraisers won't add value to your home if you don't own the solar system.

Best to Install in the Back

Nobody wants to...

The late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century saw the rise of the streetcar. This new form of transportation caused a huge expansion in Charlotte as the streetcar network started to expand. New suburbs started to become popular and they became known as streetcar suburbs or streetcar neighborhoods.

Charlotte is home to several of these incredible suburbs, which were once made popular due to the streetcar. Today, the streetcar doesn't make them popular, but it's still a unique part of each of these neighborhoods.

Here's a closer look at some of the streetcar neighborhoods found throughout Charlotte.

Dilworth

The very first streetcar suburb of Charlotte, Dilworth remains as a popular place to call home today. It was built around the streetcar system in the 1890s and would have never been developed in the same way without the streetcar.

Dilworth provides a very historical area to call home. Edward Dilworth Latta developed the area and many of the homes are Bungalow style. However, you will find some Colonial Revival homes, along with a few Queen Anne homes throughout the neighborhood.

Today, Dilworth is one of the most popular places to call home for those working in Charlotte. It's a great place to start a family and provides a variety of homes to fit just about any type of buyer.

Eastover

Another neighborhood that may have never been developed without the streetcar revolution, Eastover was home to some of the wealthiest families when it was first developed. Many migrated from the business district when the streetcar was created to provide transportation from Eastover into the city.

Most of the homes found throughout Eastover are Georgian revival, but a few Tudor revival...

An excellent area to call home, the Lake Wylie area provides plenty of things to do, amazing views, and so much more. If you're considering moving to this wonderful area, you should know what to expect. Here are some of the things you should know about Lake Wylie.

History

The Catawba Dam is responsible for creating the man-made lake known as Lake Wylie. It came from the Catawba Power Company when they decided to build a power plant in India Hook, SC in 1904.

The dam created Lake Catawba, which was used for hydro-electric power. However, in 1905, the Catawba Power Company was swallowed up by the Southern Power Company and the level of the dam was raised. They also build a new Catawba Hydroelectric Station, which opened in 1925. This caused Lake Catawba to go from 668 acres to 13,400 acres in size.

The Southern Power Company merged with Duke Power Company in 1927, which led to some changes. In 1960, the power station received a new name; Wylie Hydroelectric Station. This was in honor of W. Gil Wylie and the lake was renamed Lake Wylie at the same time.

Lake Wylie Location

Found in both North Carolina and South Carolina, Lake Wylie is located right on by the border. It's found near Rock Hill, Charlotte, and Fort Mill. The location isn't far from the intersection of I-77 and I-485.

Plenty of Recreation

One of the main reasons people decide to relocate to Lake Wylie is the recreation. There are plenty of options for recreation here with so many things to do. Of course, boating and fishing are two of the main options, but the lake also offers plenty of camping, swimming, kayaking, events, and so much more.

Plenty of rentals are found all throughout the area. You can...