Charlotte NC Real Estate: The 3 “L’s”

Buying a home is a huge investment of time, energy and, of course, money.

Being a buyer can be very overwhelming, especially when you have a relatively short amount of time to make a decision that will affect every aspect of life – both for you and your family – for years to come.

That’s why it pays to be educated about the buying process. Getting an expert real estate agent on your side is absolutely critical to your success in finding the home of your dreams. You’ll also want to train yourself to think objectively about the properties you see and not get swept up in the excitement of pretty paint colors or nice flowers planted in the yard.

Always remember the 3 “L’s” of real estate (courtesy of the best Charlotte agent and best Concord agent, Leigh Brown):

• Location. You can change virtually everything about a property except its location. If you fall in love with a house but are a long commute from work, the kids’ school, shopping, or other important amenities, you need to think twice about putting in an offer. That stunning gourmet kitchen and pretty damask wallpaper won’t be any comfort to you when you’re sitting in traffic for hours every day.
• Lot size. Here’s another non-negotiable factor. A house can always have an addition put on if you need extra space one day, but seldom will you be able to take over neighboring land if you want to. Similarly, if you love the huge yard but detest yard work, perhaps you should either look at homes with more manageable yards or consider hiring a landscaper.
• Layout. While it is possible to make changes to the interior layout of a home, in many instances it will incur substantial costs, especially if one of the walls you want to move is load-bearing. A house with a layout that just doesn’t work for you and your family will probably never work, no matter how much you love the gleaming hardwood or other fabulous finishes.

Above all, remember when shopping for real estate to keep an objective eye. Avoid falling in love with paint colors or drapery choices, which are easy and inexpensive to incorporate into any home you choose. Get practical and be serious about whether a home will actually work for you, your family, and your lifestyle. If not, then move on. The next house you visit could have everything you’re dreaming of and more.

CHIQUITA EMPLOYEES: Are you moving to Charlotte NC? It can be tough to know your three “Ls” when you’re brand new in town! Give us a call at 1-855-WEMOVECHIQUITA (1-855-936-6832) so we can get started helping you figure out what you want in your Charlotte home and how best to get it. We can even help you sell your Cincinnati home! We are your Chiquita relocation experts, so please call us right away.