Huntersville Real Estate – Page 3 – Carolina Living Real Estate

iBuyers: What Is the “Cost of Convenience” When Selling Your Charlotte Area Home?

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iBuyers: What Is the “Cost of Convenience” When Selling Your Home? | MyKCM

When thinking about selling their house, homeowners have many options. A relatively new option is using an “iBuyer.” What is an iBuyer?

According to Jovio, the definition is:

“A company or investor that uses Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) to make instant offers on homes. It allows sellers to close on a property quickly. Once sold, the company then turns around and resells the home for a profit.”

Today, there are many iBuyer companies such as OfferPad, Zillow Offers, Knock, Opendoor, and Perch. Even some more traditional companies offer the same or similar services (ex. Keller Williams, Redfin, Realogy). Ivy Zelman reported in her ‘Z’ Report that some traditional brokers are partnering with some of the larger iBuyers too:

“Keller Williams announced a partnership with Offerpad, aligning the largest franchise-based brokerage brand in the U.S. with the five-year-old iBuyer. The move follows Realogy’s partnership with Home Partners of America last year as an established brokerage player more directly providing an iBuyer alternative…
Likewise, in early July, Redfin and Opendoor announced a partnership, starting in Phoenix and Atlanta – aligning interests of the 13-year old, tech-enabled and value-focused brokerage with the largest and longest-standing iBuyer. Outside of these larger scale alliances, Zillow’s strategy has been to work with local brokerages as partners on a market-by-market basis.”

Does it make sense to sell your home to an iBuyer?

It depends. Collateral Analytics recently released a study which revealed the advantages and disadvantages of using an iBuyer. According to the study, if the homeowner is looking for the convenience of a quick sale with less uncertainty, using an iBuyer may make sense.

“iBuyers offer quicker closings for sellers who would like to avoid the uncertainty of knowing when and if their home will sell. For motivated sellers who want a predictable sale date and need to move, perhaps a long distance from the current location, there is no question that iBuyers have provided a welcome alternative to traditional brokerage.”

The study, however, also showed there is a cost for that convenience. Collateral Analytics explained:

“Traditional brokers fees generally range from 5% to 7% of the sales price…In addition to this cost, buyers typically pay some closing costs including lender related charges in the range of 1% to 3%.”

In contrast:

“iBuyers charge sellers a ‘convenience fee’ of 6% to 9.5%, some also charge the seller for fees typically paid by buyers at closing adding another 1% or more. Most iBuyers will inspect the home, assess a generous home repair allowance and negotiate a (an additional) credit to handle such repairs…Overall the total direct costs, ignoring repair credits, will run 7% to 10% for an iBuyer, versus the typical 5% to 9% combined seller and buyer costs with a traditional broker. Yet, that is not the end of the story or comparison.”

The study went on to explain how iBuyers need to charge even more because they have additional expenses beyond that of the traditional broker. They include:

Carrying costs involving significant amounts of capital – The iBuyer must pay the expenses of the house between the time they purchase it and the time they sell it to a new buyer.
Safeguarding the home risks – A home with an iBuyer ‘For Sale Sign’ alerts anyone passing that the house is vacant. The study suggests that these homes could become targets for vagrants and criminals.
Adverse selection risks – The study explains that since iBuyers use computer models to determine their offer, they may be unaware of certain challenges in the neighborhood that could adversely impact the value.
Potential home price declines – As the survey states:

“A downturn in home prices, not forecast by the iBuyer market analysts could be devastating as they ramp up their business platforms, particularly if the cost of capital increases. At the same time, downturns are precisely when the most sellers would want this option.”

Bottom Line

After taking a thorough look at the iBuyer platform, the study concludes that using an iBuyer is more expensive for the homeowner than the traditional brokerage model, but for some sellers, it may still make sense:

“These preliminary empirical results suggest that sellers are paying not just the difference in fees of 2% to 5% more than with traditional agencies, and a generous repair allowance, but another 3% to 5% or more to compensate the iBuyer for liquidity risks and carrying costs. In all, the typical cost to a seller appears to be in the range of 13% to 15% depending on the iBuyer vendor. For some sellers, needing to move or requiring quick extraction of equity, this is certainly worthwhile, but what percentage of the market will want this service remains to be seen.”

Housing Supply In Charlotte Not Keeping Up with Population Increase

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Thinking of Selling Your Charlotte Area Home?

Housing Inventory in Charlotte is low and there are buyers out there!

Housing Supply Not Keeping Up with Population Increase | MyKCM

Many buyers are wondering where to find houses for sale in today’s market. It’s a true dilemma. We see an increase in buyer demand, but the supply available for purchase isn’t keeping up.

The number of new housing permits issued prior to the great recession increased for 15 years until 2005 (from 1.12 million in 1990 to a pre-recession peak of 2.16 million in 2005). According to Apartment List,

“From 1990 to 2005, the number of single-family permits issued more than doubled, while the number of multi-family permits grew by 49 percent.”

When the housing market crashed, the number of new homes permitted decreased to its lowest level in 2009 (see below):Since then, supply and demand have been out of balance when it comes to new construction. According to the same report,

“Construction of single-family homes has recovered much more slowly — the number of single-family housing units permitted in 2018 was barely half the number permitted in 2005.”

Why is new construction so important?

As the U.S. population increases, there is also an increase in the need for new homes. Today, new construction is not keeping up with the increase in the nation’s population. The report continues:

“The total number of residential housing units permitted in 2018 was roughly the same as the number permitted in 1994, when the country’s population was 20 percent less than it is today.”

Essentially, the dip in home building coupled with the steadily increasing U.S. population means there is now a selling opportunity for homeowners willing to list their current houses.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering selling your home to move up, now is a great time to get a positive return on your investment in a market with high demand. Let’s get together to determine the specific options available for you and your family.

4 Steps to Help Busy Parents Stage Their Homes With Less Stress

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When a home is on the market, it needs to be staged properly in order to sell quickly. If you are selling your home while dealing with a busy parent schedule, however, keeping your home clean and presentable can be stressful. So, use these super easy staging, organizing, and cleaning tips to make the job much more manageable.

Declutter and Downsize First

Clutter can make your home look smaller and less inviting to potential buyers. Some things you would not even think of as clutter, like family photos, can be distracting to people who are trying to imagine themselves living in your house. Before you move onto other staging projects, spend some time picking up any random items and donate those items if you can. If you have tons of toys, seasonal apparel, or holiday decor, you may even want to consider placing them in storage to make those last-minute cleanups before showings much easier on you. Renting a storage unit is often a smart choice for home sellers, but it can get expensive, so shop around for the best deals. Prices range considerably; for example, in the Huntersville area, a 5’x10’ unit can be rented for as little as $40 a month even though the average price for these units is $65 per month.

Invest in Some More Stylish Storage

Putting some stuff away into a storage unit can help you keep your home staged. When you have busy kids and a busy schedule to attend to, however, you may need to keep some necessities in your home. If you need to store a few things around your house or do not want to rent a storage unit, you can use stylish storage options to keep those items from distracting potential buyers. Crates, baskets, boxes, and bins can all make tidying up quickly less challenging and even add some style to your staged home. This is an especially neat trick for families with busy entryways, and it can help keep closets looking tidy too. When buyers view your home, they are bound to sneak a peek into closets, as well as other storage spaces. So, make sure you spend some time organizing pantries, cabinets and other seemingly hidden spots.

Deep Clean and Then Maintain Order

If you can pick up clutter and neatly tuck smaller items away, you can make your home look and feel more presentable. However, it’s also important that your home be as clean as possible when it is being listed on the real estate market. This is a task that you simply cannot skip, so plan on spending some time on a good deep cleaning. Get the kids out of the house and then work on wiping down surfaces, removing any grime and getting floors looking their best. If you’re short on time, you can hire a professional cleaning service to do the job for you.

Once you have your home sparkling, clean and shiny, it should be easier to keep it that way. Pick up items and put them away in storage bins as soon as you are done using them, and encourage your children to do the same. Also, spend a few hours each day cleaning one room or area to prevent yourself from having to deep clean over and over again.

Don’t Hesitate to Buy or Hire Help

Doing all the cleaning, decluttering, and staging mentioned above can help you save money. If your schedule is already filled with other responsibilities and you have some wiggle room in your budget, you may want to just invest in some helpful tools. A good robot vacuum can make keeping up with dirt and spills on floors much less stressful. Do you still have a little in your budget to spare? You can really help your home sell and make your life easier by investing in a professional home stager (home stagers usually charge $500 – $600 per room). This will take all of the guesswork out of staging and prepping your home so you can use your brainpower for more pressing matters.

Stop stressing out about staging and selling your home! With the tips above, you can knock out all of those cleaning and decluttering tasks — even if you are the busiest of parents.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Know What to Expect at Your Home Inspection

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So you made an offer and it was accepted. Now, your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. While we no longer have contingencies due to our due diligence period, we at Carolina Living Real Estate work hard to negotiate all facets of dealing with inspections with the original offer and after inspection is done. Please ask us so we can explain.

We will negotiate numerous facets of the transaction including asking the sellers to cover repairs, or in some cases, to walk away. We will represent you and advise you the best that we can so you can take your best course of action once the report is filed.

How to Choose an Inspector

Your agent will most likely have a short list of inspectors that they have worked with in the past that they can recommend to you. HGTV recommends that you consider the following five areas when choosing the right home inspector for you:

1. Qualifications – find out what’s included in your inspection and if the age or location of your home may warrant specific certifications or specialties.

2. Sample Reports – ask for a sample inspection report so you can review how thoroughly they will be inspecting your dream home. In most cases, the more detailed the report, the better.

3. References – do your homework – ask for phone numbers and names of past clients who you can call to ask about their experiences.

4. Memberships – Not all inspectors belong to a national or state association of home inspectors, and membership in one of these groups should not be the only way to evaluate your choice. Membership in one of these organizations often means that continued training and education are provided.

5. Errors & Omission Insurance – Find out what the liability of the inspector or inspection company is once the inspection is over. The inspector is only human, after all, and it is possible that they might have missed something they should have seen.

Ask your inspector if it’s okay for you to tag along during the inspection. That way they can point out anything that should be addressed or fixed.

Don’t be surprised to see your inspector climbing on the roof or crawling around in the attic and on the floors. The job of the inspector is to protect your investment and find any issues with the home, including but not limited to: the roof, plumbing, electrical components, appliances, heating & air conditioning systems, ventilation, windows, the fireplace and chimney, the foundation, and so much more!

Bottom Line

They say, ‘ignorance is bliss,’ but not when investing your hard-earned money into a home of your own. Work with a professional who you can trust to give you the most information possible about your new home so that you can make the most educated decision about your purchase.

2 Things You Need to Know to Properly Price Your Charlotte Area Home

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2 Tips From Carolina Living Real Estate

In today’s housing market, home prices are increasing at a slower pace (3.7%) than they have over the last eight years (6-7%). However, they are still are above historical norms. Low supply of listed homes and high demand from buyers has pushed prices to rise rapidly.

In the mind of the homeowner, annual home price appreciation over 6% has become the new normal. This becomes a challenge when a homeowner looks to refinance or sell their home, as the expectation of what the homeowner believes the home should be worth does not always line up with the bank’s appraisal.

Every month, the Home Price Perception Index (HPPI) measures the disparity between what a homeowner seeking to refinance their home believes their house is worth and what an appraiser’s evaluation of that same home is.

Over the last five months, the gap between the homeowner’s opinion and the bank’s appraisal has widened to -0.78%. This is important for homeowners to note, as even a 0.78% difference in appraisal can mean thousands of dollars that a buyer or seller would have to come up with at closing (depending on the price of the home).

The chart below illustrates the changes in home price estimates over the last 12 months.

2 Things You Need to Know to Properly Price Your Home | MyKCM

While the appraisal gap widens, another trend is also becoming more common.

According to realtor.com, “the share of homes which had their prices cut increased by 2% compared to last year”. Thirty-seven out of the 50 largest US housing markets saw an increase in overall price reductions.

In today’s market, you need an expert agent who can help price your house right from the start. Homeowners who make the mistake of overpricing their homes will eventually have to drop the price. This leaves buyers wondering if the price drop was caused by something wrong with the house. In reality, nothing is wrong- the price was just too high!

Bottom Line

If you are planning on selling your house in today’s market, let’s get together to set your listing price properly from the start!

Paying for Home Projects: How Homeowners Can Make Changes Without Breaking the Bank

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Carolina Living Real Estate,

Charlotte Real Estate — Home repairs can be very costly, even when they are DIY projects. Paying for all the materials or covering a professional’s services can quickly turn into thousands of dollars in unplanned costs
, which will just as quickly lead to stress or anxiety. Whether you need to make repairs to the roof after a big storm or are planning to install a new air conditioning system, it’s crucial to have a good plan in place. In some cases, your homeowners insurance
may help cover the cost of repairs, but not always, so you’ll need to read up on your policy.

When you need to hire a professional, keep in mind that many services will allow you to set up a payment plan if the bill is over a certain amount. This is a great way to pay off what you owe without having to lay out thousands of dollars up front, but it will most likely come with interest charges, so make sure you understand the terms before agreeing to them.

Paying for home repairs and maintenance can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Read ahead to find out more about how you can prepare.

**Do Your Research on AC Units**

Central air units are some of the most expensive things to replace or add to a home, so it’s important to do some research before you buy. There are many different sizes and types of units
, and having some knowledge of the way they work will help you make the right decision. You’ll also need to consider whether the home needs to have a breaker panel installed and how big the space is that you want to cool. Having a professional do the installation is essential; keep in mind that the cost for this service can go as high as $15,000
.

**Build Up a Home Repair Fund**

Saving money isn’t always easy, but if you can find a way to put aside some money now and then for a repair fund, you’ll be able to reduce a lot of the stress that comes with owning a home. Things tend to go wrong at the worst possible time, and having the extra money set aside when the hot water heater quits or when the electrical wiring needs some work will help to ensure that you can get it taken care of without having to worry about gathering the funds. Set a budget
for your daily spending to get a handle on how much you could potentially be saving, then start small
; take your lunch to work instead of eating out, carpool once or twice a week to save on gas, or get the family involved in a routine that will help everyone remember to turn off lights and appliances when they aren’t being used in order to save on your utility bills. You can also make a plan to pay off
your credit card, especially if you’ve had to use them to cover repairs.

**Know the Signs of Damage**

It can sometimes be difficult to recognize signs of damage
, especially in an area that’s hard to see every day, but it’s important to make sure you know what to look for so that repairs don’t take too long. When it comes to your roof, the cost of fixing any damage can be high if you wait (a roof replacement in Huntersville can cost up to $9,000
). Keep an eye out for missing or broken shingles or damp spots on your ceilings or walls, and hire a pro for the job only after researching local contractors
.

Paying for home repairs and renovation projects can be a big hardship if you aren’t prepared, so plan well before you begin. Do a little research to make sure you’re comfortable with the task at hand, and always call in a pro for the big jobs; otherwise, you run the risk of creating damage or making a small problem bigger.

4 Reasons This Spring Market Is Better Than Last Year

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If you’re looking to buy or sell a home this year, now is a great time! Let’s get together today to go over what is happening in the Spring Market and what it means for you. Carolina Living Real Estate has been successful selling homes all over Charlotte and Lake Norman saving clients money. Let us show you how.

What’s Going On With Real Estate Bidding Wars?

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What’s Going On with Bidding Wars?

In a strong seller’s market, like the one we have experienced over the past few years, bidding wars are common and expected. This makes sense! A seller’s market is defined as a market in which the inventory of homes for sale cannot satisfy the number of buyers who want to purchase a home.

According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, bidding wars occur when two or more parties repeatedly outbid each other as they compete to purchase something- in this case, a home.

In some areas of the country, first-time buyers have been met with fierce competition throughout their experience. Some have been out-bid multiple times before finally winning a bid on a home to call their own.

According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there is currently a 3.7-month supply of homes for sale.

With the current number of houses listed for sale and the level of demand from buyers, this means it would take 3.7 months for all the homes listed to sell if no additional listings came to market. Any supply number under a 6-month supply is considered a seller’s market. According to NAR, the housing market hasn’t had a 6-month supply of homes for sale since August 2012.

Good News for Buyers

A recent report shows that the percentage of houses sold including a bidding war before settling on a final price decreased from 53% in January of 2018 to 13% this year.

One reason for the decline is an influx of homes being listed for sale. Even though the month’s supply number is not increasing, the number of homes for sale is. The chart below shows the year-over-year change in inventory over the last 12 months.

As you can see, the number of homes for sale has started to build over the last eight months. Prior to this reversal, inventory levels had fallen for 36 consecutive months when compared to the year before.

Danielle Hale, realtor.com’s Chief Economist, gave some insight into why bidding wars are less common on a local level this year,

“[Last year] you might have been the only listing in your neighborhood, and you could put your home up at a certain list price and you would likely see multiple offers at or above that list price. That tide is turning this year.
It’s going to depend on what neighborhood you’re in, but we expect it to be more common this year that you won’t be the only listing.”

Inventory in the luxury and premium markets (the top 25% of listings in an area by price), is increasing at a greater rate than the starter home market. As the choices buyers have continued to increase, the likelihood of a bidding war will decrease.

Bottom Line

If you are debating listing your house for sale this year, you may not want to wait for additional competition as inventory continues to rise.

Northstone Homes For Sale

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northstone homes for sale

Listings 1 - of

The data relating to real estate on this Web site derive in part from the Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. IDX program. Brokers make an effort to deliver accurate information, but buyers should independently verify any information on which they will rely in a transaction. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither Savvy + Co. Real Estate nor any listing broker shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, or misprints, and they shall be held totally harmless from any damages arising from reliance upon this data. This data is provided exclusively for consumers -- personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties they may be interested in purchasing. © 2026 Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc.
Data updated June 15, 2026

Huntersville Home For Sale

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8620 Lizzie Lane, Huntersville NC 28078

Under Contract in 12 days!

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See The Virtual Tour

Move-In Ready home shows like a model in highly sought after established Wynfield Forest neighborhood. Hardwoods throughout first floor, study w/ french doors, sunroom, butler’s pantry, granite countertops, tile backsplash, and ss appliances in kitchen. Outdoor living spaces include large deck and oversized screened porch. Laundry and spacious bonus room upstairs. This one is a must see!

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