TheSafariGroup.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHRYSTAL SAFARI ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF HER NEW REAL ESTATE FIRM, THE SAFARI GROUP

May 12, 2010 (Charlotte, NC)  Chrystal Safari, real estate broker and principal, announced today the launch of The Safari Group, a local, homegrown real estate firm, specializing in all phases of the residential and small business real estate market, including New Construction, Finance, Marketing, Objection Handling, Relocation, Technology, Foreclosures, Short Sales, and Luxury Homes.

The Safari Group consults on all aspects of real estate ownership from acquisition to liquidation, portfolio development, and property management.  As an internationally recognized Certified EcoBroker®, Chrystal offers guidelines to assist home buyers and sellers in evaluating true green features and their benefits to real property value, home ownership, tax savings and mortgage closing table capital contributions.  Chrystal is backed by certified and insured professionals to assess and protect your energy utilizing investments based upon your personal needs.

Seasoned homeowners Rick and Scherel Fisher shared, “Chrystal’s suggested listing price had us a showing and an offer within hours of the house being listed.  We had no trouble getting an adequate appraisal for the house and added on closing costs.  She helped us get to closing with difficult buyers with bad credit that we could have never managed on our own.  We highly recommend her real estate services.”

About Chrystal Safari:

Chrystal Safari has over 16 years experience in personal property management and residential real estate sales and is a licensed REALTOR® in North and South Carolina.  As a MASTERS Designation holder, she is a specialist in New Construction, Finance, Marketing, Objection Handling, Relocation, Technology, and is a multi-million dollar producer.  Chrystal is a member in good standing of the Charlotte Regional Association of REALTORS®, North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, and National Association of REALTORS®.

###

Contact:

Chrystal Safari
The Safari Group
PO Box 1192
Pineville, NC 28134
704.562.1030
http://www.ChrystalSafari.com

Your Rich Uncle Sam Wants to Give You $8,000!*

IRS.Gov reports that for 2009 owner occupant home purchases, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded the first-time homebuyer credit by increasing the credit amount to $8,000 for purchases made in 2009 before Dec. 1, 2009.

A first-time home buyer is one who has not owned a home in the last three years.

*For home purchased in 2009, the credit does not have to be paid back unless the home ceases to be the taxpayer’s main residence within a three-year period following the purchase.

First-time homebuyers who purchase a home in 2009 can claim the credit on either a 2008 tax return, due April 15, 2009, or a 2009 tax return, due April 15, 2010. The credit may not be claimed before the closing date. But, if the closing occurs after April 15, 2009, a taxpayer can still claim it on a 2008 tax return by requesting an extension of time to file or by filing an amended return. News release 2009-27 has more information on these options.

 The IRS reminds taxpayers the amount of the credit begins to phase out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers. Taxpayers can claim 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000, or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately.

For more information on the tax credit, visit here: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

For more information on property listings that meet your real estate needs, call me at 704.562.1030.  I’ll get an idea of your big picture and send emailed property listings that meet your criteria and introduce you to a lending officer who can guide you through pre-qulaifying and credit repair, if needed. 

Rates are low, list prices are low, and inventory is high.  It’s a great time to buy low for future increased home equity when the market recovers.

                                                                     #  #  #

A Charlotte area native, and licensed in NC & SC, Chrystal is very experienced with international relocation, home buying and selling and with rental portfolio development and holds MASTERS Designation specializing in New Construction, Finance, Marketing, Objection Handling, Relocation, and Technology and is a member in good standing with Charlotte Regional Association of REALTORS®, North Carolina Association of REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®

Charlotte Area Showings Trends

I spoke with a rep at Centralized Showings today to ask the showing trends, appointments that have been made by agents to show buyers homes, in the Charlotte market. 

Great news!  Our market has officially begun!

Here are the stats:

FOURTH QUARTER 2008

October had 50,461 scheduled showings

November had 46,160 scheduled showings

December had 38,829 scheduled showings

FIRST QUARTER 2009

(Numbers still being gathered as we complete March)

January had 61,822 scheduled showings

February (shortest month) had 59,034 scheduled showings

     The numbers speak for themselves that buyers are back on the move, making appointments with agents to view real estate. 

     These numbers don’t include the visits to new construction communities where buyers, with and without agents, tour model homes, negotiate contracts, begin building and close.

     For sellers, this is great news that buyers are actively searching for homes with agents.  And for buyers, it should be motivation to make that offer since more buyers are moving into the market.

     Rates are still low, inventory high, and lenders and builders are making nice concessions because it’s end of month, end of quarter.  If you’ve been thinking of making your next move, email me.  I can help you negotiate your best deal.

chrystal.safari@gmail.com

CHRYSTAL SAFARI NAMED COMMUNITY MANAGER OF MONTREUX OLD WORLD ESTATES

 Montreux is a custom home community focused on tree save areas and outdoor living, located in South Charlotte off Youngblood Road near The Palisades.

 

 Montreux’s features and amenities include 80 heavily wooded lots ranging from a half acre to nearly 1.5 acres, old world architecture, a rustic tea house and refreshing waterfall for community gathering, with membership privileges to The Palisades Swim and Fitness, Social and Golf Level Clubs, minutes from Lake Wylie access, affordable county-only taxes, and only 20 minutes from downtown Charlotte.

 

A builders’ guild of the twelve award winning builders includes Persis-Nova, Avalon, Jordan James, Arcadia, Monogram Building and Design, among others.

 

The Welcome Center, a Troy Ludemann Group custom home, won the 2008 Parade of Homes Best Feature for its stately De Santana Stone fireplace in the family gathering room.  Four other model homes are ready for viewing and are available for sale.  The architecture features hipped roofs, stacked stone and hard coat stucco, with Tudor and Tuscan details.  John VanBrouck’s European Manor and Tuscan Villa collections preserve the old world appeal of the neighborhood of hardwoods and gently rolling hills.

 

As community manager, Chrystal manages a full-time sales staff, coordinates events on site, as well as coordinates communication between the strategic merchant partners, builders, developers, and buyers. 

 

For more information on Montreux Old World Estates, contact Chrystal Safari or visit MontreuxNC.com

                                                                                   ###

About Chrystal Safari:

 

 Chrystal Safari has over 15 years experience in personal property management and residential real estate sales and is a Luxury Home Specialist and licensed REALTOR® in North and South Carolina.  As a MASTERS Designation holder, she is a specialist in New Construction, Finance, Marketing, Objection Handling, Relocation, Technology, and is a multi-million dollar producer.  Chrystal is a member in good standing of the Charlotte Regional Association of REALTORS®, North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, and National Association of REALTORS®.

 

                                                                                        

CONTACT:

Chrystal Safari
5020 Oxfordshire Drive
Waxhaw, NC 28173

704.562.1030
CSafari@YourLeaderInLuxury.com

Real Estate 101

As MASTERS Designation holder, representing specialties in New Construction, Finance, Marketing, Objection Handling, Relocation, and Technology, I can help you navigate the home buying and selling strategies in today’s unique market and strengthen the bottom line performance of your transaction.

Many REALTORS® will not meet with you until you have signed an agency relationship contract and have a pre-approval from a lender.  I understand that each and every introduction of myself as real estate broker/REALTOR® is a mini job interview.  Before I can be hired, we both need to know if I am a good fit for your objectives.  To complete that process, I provide what I call Real Estate 101. 

I meet with you by phone or at my office to discuss your big picture, to get an idea of your time line and ultimate goals. If you are a prospective seller, I visit your home to discuss the details of the market specific to your neighborhood and inspect your property. 

If you are a prospective buyer, I meet with you at my office to begin an introductory tour of the city, including highlights of the city and Greater Charlotte Area, especially neighborhoods important to you.

If we both decide I am a good fit for your mission, the next time we meet will be over that agency relationship contract and pre-approval letter from your lender.

Contact me to discuss your big picture, including:

• Time line to sell or purchase
• Priorities regarding seller’s net performance and move date
• Priorities regarding buyer’s housing type, price range or special needs
• Guidelines you desire for communities, schools, shopping, location, lifestyle, family needs

If you’re in, or thinking of relocating to or away from, the Greater Charlotte area, contact me for Real Estate 101 at Chrystal.Safari@gmail.com

Complimentary Initial Consultation
Limited to 1 hour

 

Consistent   ◊   Reliable   ◊   Loyal

 

 

 

 

Buyer’s Agent New Construction Closing Checklist

Closing Checklist as Buyer’s Agent

 

New Construction

Once you are under contract with a new home builder, there are many behind-the-scenes activities that are necessary to progress seamlessly from contract to close. 

Following is a list of items your REALTOR^® should oversee.  Problems will arise.  To avoid unnecessary delays, let your REALTOR^® know immediately when a problem occurs.  Always let your REALTOR^® know all builder scheduled appointments as soon as they are set so your REALTOR^® can attend.

 

•            Get copies of finalized contract to buyers and lender
  
•  ð       Follow loan process with loan officer from beginning to end
•  ð       Ask lender what is needed from buyer
  
•  ð       Accompany buyer to design center/location for color and materials selection
•  ð       Attend pre-construction meeting with buyer
  
•  ð       Set up pre-dry wall inspection with independent home inspector
  
•  ð       Get update from lender – any needs outstanding from buyer
  
•  ð       Get update from closing coordinator regarding closing with attorney
  
•  ð       Inform buyers of time and date for closing
  
•  ð       Have buyer check into and set up home owner’s insurance
  
•       Clarify if survey (showing building on site) will be provided
  
•  ð       Get update from lender
  
•       Arrange home inspection prior to pre-closing walk –  utilities on, all appliances installed
•  ð       Get repair request list to construction supervisor
  
•  ð       Review HUD statement with buyers
  
•  ð       Make sure buyers have driver’s licenses and certified check made out to attorney
  
•  ð       Final walk to check on repairs the day of closing

 ð       Enjoy closing!

End of month, end of quarter, end of year… great time to buy new construction.

If you are in the market for a new home, end of month, end of quarter, end of year is the best time to buy new construction! Similar to the advantages of a new car purchase at that time, buying new construction makes dollars and sense.  The builder begins paying hefty double-digit interest rates on construction loans the moment the CO (certificate of occupancy) is issued.  It’s to the builder’s advantage to get the property off the books for that and the property tax bill purpose.  It also frees up cash and allows the community to move to release the next phase – remember completion is the goal.

It may ruffle the feathers of purchasers who bought during earlier parts of the year, but your purchase price will age out in 6 months.  An appraiser looks at recent sales in the same neighborhood back 6 months.  Foreclosures and other transactions not at arms’ length (selling to family member, etc) are not considered.

It’s always risky being the first to build in a new neighborhood.  You do face future price reductions should the market decline, and a worse scenario: the builder going into bankruptcy or having to sell out to a builder that begins an inferior product.

To prevent that, the builder often marks down the inventory homes – although it can be painful, it really is to the current homeowner’s advantage.  If a homeowner does have to move while there is still new construction going on in a neighborhood, it almost always causes a personal price reduction because most buyers will prefer a home that no one has lived in – then that seller becomes the bad guy among neighbors…

Remember, the new construction sales agent represents the seller… you really need a buyer agent for all transactions,so that you are informed of as many possibilities that a reasonable person should be aware of in a transaction and beyond – these items should come up prior to a purchase, and possible dissatisfaction later.

And from my perspective, working with buyers, sellers, and investors buying low and selling high is smart real estate.  When the market recovers, you will have equity in a great product in a great neighborhood – some more, some less.

If you’d like automatic updates of the listings and closings in your neighborhood, or listings in a move up neighborhood, email me. You’ll be the First-to-Know!

There are still plenty of bargains here in the Charlotte Metro market for those ready to make their next move.

chrystal.safari@gmail.com