Lake Norman Homes & Info Blog

Don't you just love stats . . . well I do! Maybe it’s all the Statistical math classes I had to take to get my degree . . . oh well, let’s blame it on Gardner-Webb University.  

Anyhow do to the current market conditions I thought it would be interesting seeing how real estate sales in December 2008 looked against December 2007 and December 2006.   So here's some interesting stats of single family sales in Denver, NC (Lake Norman); going back to December 2006, December 2007, and December 2008. All figures were taken from Carolina Multiple Listing Services.

I hope that if you are thinking of buying and/or selling in the Denver area that you will find these figures helpful. 

If you are thinking of moving to the Lake Norman ~ Charlotte areas please contact me. I have a Newcomers/Relocation Kit that I will send to you . . . FREE!


  

About the author:

Teresa Harris is a Lake Norman Residential Real Estate Broker who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Lake Norman and surrounding counties. Please visit www.TeresaMHarris.com for your relocation and/or your local needs. The information in this post is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed.

Teresa Harris - Holbrooks Real Estate, Inc. - 704-458-1807 - Teresa@TeresaMHarris.com

Copyright © 2009 By Teresa Harris, All Rights Reserved...*December 2006, 2007, & 2008 Single Family Stats Denver, NC (Lake Norman)*

Promises of 25 new jobs in Lincoln County, NC . . . SENNEBOGEN North America

SENNEBOGEN North America is coming to Lincoln County with promises of 25 new jobs to the area. Last July SENNEBOGEN North America, based in Charlotte, announced their plans to expand into Lincoln County. Investing $5.1 million in their 53,000 square foot parts distribution, training, and technical support center. The building is being built just off Highway 16 and Old Plank Road in the Lowesville area of East Lincoln County near Julius Blum Company. The facility is expected to be operational early this year (2009).


SENNEBOGEN North America employees who may be new to the area will not have to worry about housing, schools, or shopping. With some of the newer neighborhoods just around the corner or a few miles down the road there is plenty to choose from. The Lincoln County school system is one of the BEST around and there are private schools and a charter school as well not too far away. Shopping is not a problem either with the bustling new area of shopping at Highway 16 & Highway 73 and not to far away from Birkdale in Huntersville.


SENNEBOGEN North America couldn’t have picked a better location with it’s proximity to Charlotte, Lake Norman (Denver, Huntersville, Cornelius), Gastonia, and Hickory. For recreation you have the largest lake in North Carolina… Lake Norman at your back door. If golf is your thing you have several private and public courses to enjoy like Verdict Ridge, Cowans Ford, Westport, Birkdale, and River Run to name a few.
     

SENNEBOGEN is a 50 year old German company who entered the North American market in 2000; thus created SENNEBOGEN North America and has since become a market leader in the material handling industry. SENNEBOGEN offers a complete range of purpose-built machines to suit virtually any heavy lift or pick and carry application. They give credit to their continued success on the ability to recruit outstanding regional sales managers, which in turn grows their list of distributors, who support SENNEBOGEN sales and service across the Americas, ensuring the highest standard of professional machine support and parts availability.

Let me be one who welcomes SENNEBOGEN North America to our community. Here’s to wishing you continued growth and success for many, many years to come!!

About the author:

Teresa Harris is a Lake Norman Residential Real Estate Broker who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Lake Norman and surrounding counties. Please visit www.TeresaMHarris.com for your relocation and/or your local needs.

Teresa Harris - Holbrooks Real Estate, Inc. - 704-458-1807 - Teresa@TeresaMHarris.com

Copyright © 2009 By Teresa Harris, All Rights Reserved...*Promises of 25 new jobs in Lincoln County, NC . . . SENNEBOGEN North America*

Building in Denver, NC has been given a GREEN light . . . if the economy cooperates!

Lincoln County commissioners have just approved a plan to allow nearly 800 new homes to be built in and around the Denver area. Prior to this the area has had a two-year long self-imposed moratorium on new sewer permits sighting the ten-year old Forney Creek wastewater plant was near capacity and the county was concerned about getting state penalties if they went over capacity.     

Approval of the new plant, which will be located off Old Plank Road, came last month. This approval meant the county could in turn approve construction of new projects. The commissioners choose to approve commercial and residential projects that were already previously approved and in the pipeline prior to the moratorium.

Among those lucky ones are:

Norman Pointe                      78 lots

Pin Oaks                                41 lots

Gates at Waterside                 96 lots

Salem Springs                         38 lots

James Plantation                    31 lots

Verdict Ridge                          35 lots

Village of Cowans Ford          37 lots

Burton Creek                          148 lots        

Westport                                                    58 lots

Catawba Springs Promenade 10 lots

Cottonwood Village                               3 lots

Balsom Ridge                          16 lots

Villages at Unity Church    205 lots

About the author:

Teresa Harris is a Lake Norman Residential Real Estate Broker who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Lake Norman and surrounding counties. Please visit www.TeresaMHarris.com for your relocation and/or your local needs.

Teresa Harris - Holbrooks Real Estate, Inc. - 704-458-1807 - Teresa@TeresaMHarris.com

Copyright © 2009 By Teresa Harris, All Rights Reserved...*Building in Denver, NC has been given a GREEN light . . . if the economy cooperates!*

How Long Do Home Components Last?

I am sure most will find this bit of information interesting. The National Association of Home Builders and Bank of America together did a study on the life expectancy of home components.
Taking a look at the age of appliances, technology, and home equipment is important whether you are making purchasing decisions, looking at resale, or considering investing in rental property.


Appliances
Life expectancy of any appliance depends on the use it receives and most appliances are replaced before they are worn out because of consumer preferences.
  
Gas Ranges        15 years
Dryers              13 years
Refrigerators    13 years
Dishwashers       9 years
Microwaves        9 years
Compactors        6 years


Cabinetry & Storage
Kitchens have been getting larger and more elaborate. More kitchens encompass the great room which creates a place for people gather to read, eat, do homework, surf the net, and pay bills.

Kitchen Cabinets           50 years
Medicine Cabinets        20 years     


Countertops
In recent years with the wave of the popularity of the use of stone, many countertops have been replaced before they are worn out because of consumer preferences too.

Natural Stone Countertops        Can last a lifetime.
Cultured Marble Countertops    20 years


Decks
Life expectancy of wooden decks very significantly due to the wide range of conditions in different climates; also to be considered is the amount of foliage that is around and near the deck too.



Wooden Decks    20 years (under ideal conditions)      


Doors
The life expectancy of doors is really something most of us never really consider when looking at than older home but if you are an investor you probably do.

Exterior Doors (fiberglass, steel, & wood)    Can last a lifetime.
Exterior Doors (vinyl)                                 20 & 40 years
Exterior Doors (screen doors)                      20 & 40 years
Interior Doors                                            Expected to last a lifetime.


Faucets & Fixtures (Kitchen & Bath)
With a little continued maintenance some can have an unlimited lifespan.


Kitchen Sinks (modified acrylic)        50 years
Kitchen Faucets                                15 years
Shower Heads                                  Expected to last a lifetime.
Shower Doors                                  20 years
Toilets                                            Unlimited Lifespan
Toilet Components                            Require usual maintenance.


Garages
This is something most people never really think about.

Garage Door Openers                           10 to 15 years
Garage Door Openers Light Inserts       20 years


Home Technology
This is another area that most people never think about.

Built-in Audio Systems                20 years
Security Systems                        5 to 10 years
Smoke Detectors                         5 to 10 years


HVAC
Most buyers are concerned with the ages of heating and air conditioning systems; because this is one of the major expenses of houses.

HVAC Systems (with proper maintenance)       15 to 25 years
    Furnaces                                                   15 to 20 years
    Heat Pumps                                               16 years
    Air Conditioning Units                               10 to 15 years
Water Heaters (tankless)                               > 20 years
Water Heaters (gas & electric)                      10 years
Thermostats                                                  +/- 35 years


We built our house a little over 14 years. So far we have had to replace the hot water heater and garage door opener at about 10 years of age. We had to replace the refrigerator at 13 years. We replaced all other kitchen appliances during a kitchen remodel at 13 years. We replaced our deck at 13 years. We had to replace our roof because of a massive “Mother’s Day” hail storm three years ago; thank goodness for good insurance!

Yesterday we had our first major drain clog which I have been advised to get our septic system pumped out. Next I am sure it will be the heat pump…. I’m not complaining I’m just glad I have a house!   

About the author:

Teresa Harris is a Lake Norman Residential Real Estate Broker who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Lake Norman and surrounding counties. Please visit www.TeresaMHarris.com for your relocation and/or your local needs.

Teresa Harris - Holbrooks Real Estate, Inc. - 704-458-1807 - Teresa@TeresaMHarris.com

Copyright © 2009 By Teresa Harris, All Rights Reserved...*Life of an Appliance . . . How long do home components last?*