MOVE TO THE SUNNY SOUTH

Collections & Credit Risk - North Carolina AG Shuts Down Foreclosure Rescue Company - PaymentsSource Article

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:26:00 +0000

Collections & Credit Risk - North Carolina AG Shuts Down Foreclosure Rescue Company - PaymentsSource Article

DONT PAY FOR PRE FORECLOSURE HELP....CALL ME I CAN HELP YOU FOR FREE...I ALSO DO SHORT SALE HELP IF YOU ARE BEHIND ON YOUR PAYMENTS ALL FOR FREE...
CALL ME....704-622-8143

MOVE TO THE SUNNY SOUTH: Fiddlesticks Shop in Locust, NC

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:33:00 +0000

MOVE TO THE SUNNY SOUTH: Fiddlesticks Shop in Locust, NC

www.fiddlesticksshop.com
Come in and do you last minute Christmas Shopping
We have many unique items
Open Everyday 10-6

Fiddlesticks Shop in Locust, NC

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:25:00 +0000

Your Home and Lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Sun, 23 May 2010 23:23:00 +0000

Your Home and Lifestyle Great Recipes for You to try!!

NEW MOBILE AGENT

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:25:00 +0000

Call and check out our NEW MOBILE AGENT ...It's FREE ... It's Cool...

ATTENTION LOCUST AND STANFIELD RESIDENTS

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:50:00 +0000

October 17, 2009
Local News
J. Bishop, Editor, Story by: Joseph W. Bishop Jr.

Attention, Western Stanly County Residents especially Locust and Stanfield Residents. The Stanly County Land Use Plan update is scheduled for Monday afternoon in the Stanly Commons Building in Albemarle at 4:00 pm in the County Commissioner Chambers. This group in my opinion is very dangerous and will if not stopped will tell you how to manage your land and if you can sell it. This is an extremist conservation group headed up by the Stanly County Commissioner. The City of Locust was notified last Tuesday about the meeting. This group wanted the city to be prepared for action at this meeting Monday. City Officials called and asked for more time to prepare for this meeting. The Group was put together by the Stanly County Commissioners and is controlled by the Commissioners. A classic case of the Fox looking after the hen house. We have one representative from Western Stanly County. With the far reaching consequences this group will have control on the economic growth in Western Stanly County we need to stop them in their tracks. We should hold Public Hearings throughout Stanly County at night and on Saturdays with equal Representation from all parts of the county. As pointed out to me it's a way for certain parties and their interest to control Western Stanly and stifle growth, i.e.; the voter power shift to Western Stanly. I would encourage everyone to attend this meeting, a show of strength from Western Stanly can put the brakes on this scheme. The bottom line is that once a land owner signs on to their program his land is controlled by them. He can not use it for anything but farming and his heirs are bound by the agreement.

WOW !! What a Great Deal!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:56:00 +0000

This home has open floorplan w/9' ceilings & Additional 1400 unfinished upper Sq ft.Baseboard & Crown thru out,entire home is energy efficient,Kitchen has 42'Oak cabinets & large workspace Island,Great Rm is open and oversized w/a built in 42' TV that stays!! As well as Washer,Dryer,Refrig,Micro. 2' plantation blinds.Owners suite offers a GRAND Closet/Dressing Rm,large bath and garden tub. All on 3.79 acres in the country. make this your dream home.

Locust North Carolina

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:52:00 +0000

Locust North Carolina

Shared via AddThis

Home builders may get tax help - CharlotteObserver.com

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Home builders may get tax help - CharlotteObserver.com

Shared via AddThis

Bidding Wars Seen More Frequently

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Bidding wars are back – at least in some parts of the country where falling prices are pitting investors against homebuyers looking for a good deal.The parts of the country most likely to see warring bids are parts of California and Arizona, Washington D.C., and Minneapolis-St. Paul, according to real estate practitioners and other observers.Having cash in hand can be persuasive in a bidding situation. Sellers are inclined to choose offers that aren’t likely to fall through, says Frank Borges Borges LLosa, owner of FranklyRealty.com, a real-estate brokerage in Arlington, Va.Connie Vaughn, an associate with ZipRealty in the Los Angeles area, says one of her clients won the bidding when he offered $20,000 above the $66,000 asking price for a four-bedroom home in Adelanto, Calif., that sold for $200,000 in 2004.Vaughn says she believes that mortgage companies are deliberately setting prices low on REO homes just to stimulate bidding situations.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, James R. Hagerty (04/23/2009)

Where to Get Foreclosure Help

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:02:00 +0000

With all the dubious assistance programs and out-right scams preying on home owners facing foreclosure, it can be difficult to find legitimate help.Here’s a list of programs that are either operated by the U.S. government or have its seal of approval:

To find a counselor, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at (800) 569-4287 or (877) 483-1515, or go to www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm
Call (888) 995-HOPE, the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline to reach a nonprofit, HUD-approved counselor through HOPE NOW, a cooperative effort of mortgage counselors and lenders to assist homeowners.
Visit NeighborWorks America’s Web site at www.nw.org/network/home.asp
Go to this Web site for information on federal mortgage modification and refinancing programs: www.makinghomeaffordable.gov
The Controller of the Currency’s consumer information site for banking-related questions is www.helpwithmybank.gov
OCC Customer Assistance Group and consumer assistance site: www.occ.gov/customer.htm
Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea04.shtm
Federal Reserve Board: www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/foreclosurescamtips/default.htm
NeighborWorks America: http://www.nw.org
HOPE NOW: www.hopenow.com Source: Controller of the Currency (04/21/2009

MORE MONEY FOR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:43:00 +0000

More Tax Credits Available for First-Time Buyers

Most potential homebuyers know about the widely publicized $8,000 federal tax credit for first-home purchases in 2009. What many don't know is that they also might qualify for the NC Housing Finance Agency's Mortgage Credit Certificate program, which provides an annual tax credit for as long as they own the home.

Buying Your First Home?
Save Up to $2,000 a Year
on Your Income Taxes
3508 Bush Street, Raleigh, NC 27609
No state or federal tax dollars were used
to print this brochure. February 2009
A SELF-SUPPORTING PUBLIC AGENCY

If you are buying your first home, a Mortgage Credit
Certificate (MCC) from the North Carolina Housing
Finance Agency can put more money in your pocket
and make your mortgage payment more affordable.
The MCC allows eligible buyers to take a federal tax credit of 20
percent of the mortgage interest you pay annually. It can save
you up to $2,000 each year that you occupy your new home. The
MCC can be used with the new $8,000 federal tax credit, until
that credit expires in December 2009.
Because the MCC is an immediate tax credit, you can change
the withholding allowances on your W4 to reflect your decreased
tax liability and increase your monthly take-home pay.
Who is Eligible?
The MCC is available to first-time home
buyers who meet the sales price and
income limits. The maximum sales price
limit is up to $220,000 and the maximum
income ranges from $85,000 for a family
of three in areas such as Raleigh down
to $62,000 in more rural areas.
How Does the MCC Work?
If you borrow $183,000 at 5.5 percent interest, you will pay
approximately $10,000 in interest in the first 12 months of your
mortgage. With the 20 percent MCC, you can reduce your federal
income tax liability by $2,000 for that year, allowing you to reduce
your monthly tax withholding by $166. Over the first 10 years of
ownership, you would save $18,547 in federal taxes. And if you
purchase your home by December 1, 2009, the $8,000 federal tax
credit can be used in conjunction with the MCC. (Consult your lender
for details.) Like all homeowners, you can also claim an interest
deduction on the remaining 80 percent of the interest you pay.
An MCC can be used with almost any fixed-rate mortgage, and
with some adjustable rate mortgages. The property must be the
home buyer’s primary residence.
Learn How an MCC Can Help You
The MCC is offered statewide by the North Carolina Housing
Finance Agency through more than 700 lenders and their
branches. Participating lenders
can be found in the Home Buyers
section at www.nchfa.com
or by calling 1-800-393-0988.

Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout: It's April - That Means BURNOUT!

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout: It's April - That Means BURNOUT!
We are ready for the Cruise In.
Look for us beside of Mimi and Pops Antiques.
We have T-Shirts ,Dye Cast Cars , Hats and
Postcards to give away!!!
The New Oakboro Books are out and we have them to give to you here at the April Cruise In.
Ya'll Come See Us Now, Ya Hear!
www.MYOAKBORO.com

WHAT IS YOUR FICO SCORE

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:58:00 +0000

What’s in your FICO® score
FICO Scores are calculated from a lot of different credit data in your credit report. This data can be grouped into five categories as outlined below. The percentages reflect how important each of the categories is in determining your FICO score.

These percentages are based on the importance of the five categories for the general population. For particular groups - for example, people who have not been using credit long - the importance of these categories may be somewhat different.

Payment History is 35%
Account payment information on specific types of accounts (credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, finance company accounts, mortgage, etc.)
Presence of adverse public records (bankruptcy, judgements, suits, liens, wage attachments, etc.), collection items, and/or delinquency (past due items)
Severity of delinquency (how long past due)
Amount past due on delinquent accounts or collection items
Time since (recency of) past due items (delinquency), adverse public records (if any), or collection items (if any)
Number of past due items on file
Number of accounts paid as agreed

Amounts Owed is 30%
Amount owing on accounts
Amount owing on specific types of accounts
Lack of a specific type of balance, in some cases
Number of accounts with balances
Proportion of credit lines used (proportion of balances to total credit limits on certain types of revolving accounts)
Proportion of installment loan amounts still owing (proportion of balance to original loan amount on certain types of installment loans)

Length of Credit History is 15%
Time since accounts opened
Time since accounts opened, by specific type of account
Time since account activity

New Credit is 10%
Number of recently opened accounts, and proportion of accounts that are recently opened, by type of account
Number of recent credit inquiries
Time since recent account opening(s), by type of account
Time since credit inquiry(s)
Re-establishment of positive credit history following past payment problems

Types of Credit Used is 10%
Number of (presence, prevalence, and recent information on) various types of accounts (credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, mortgage, consumer finance accounts, etc.)

Please note that:
A FICO score takes into consideration all these categories of information, not just one or two.No one piece of information or factor alone will determine your score.
The importance of any factor depends on the overall information in your credit report.For some people, a given factor may be more important than for someone else with a different credit history. In addition, as the information in your credit report changes, so does the importance of any factor in determining your FICO score. Thus, it's impossible to say exactly how important any single factor is in determining your score - even the levels of importance shown here are for the general population, and will be different for different credit profiles. What's important is the mix of information, which varies from person to person, and for any one person over time.
Your FICO score only looks at information in your credit report.However, lenders look at many things when making a credit decision including your income, how long you have worked at your present job and the kind of credit you are requesting.
Your score considers both positive and negative information in your credit report.Late payments will lower your score, but establishing or re-establishing a good track record of making payments on time will raise your FICO credit score

For more info Please Contact Your Mortgage Consultant. This information was provided by:

Ritchie Love

Mortgage Consultant NorStar Mortgage Group
7900 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Suite 115Charlotte, NC 28227 Office: 704.573.4288, ext. 102
rlove28@bellsouth.net
Fax: 704.545.5930
Mobile: 704.607.1497
Tell him you saw this information on our Blog Site.

GAINS EXPECTED IN HOME SALES

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:50:00 +0000

Gains expected in home sales
Pending home sales have edged up, hinting at a possible pickup of sales activity in coming months, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR reported increases in pending home sales across most of the country, except in the West, where the index fell 13.5 percent from January's numbers. The PHSI in the Northeast rose 10.6 percent in February. In the Midwest the index jumped 14.5 percent, and in the South it is up 4.4 percent, compared to January.NAR's Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in February, rose 2.1 percent compared to January. The slight bump in monthly activity however, was not enough to offset a 1.4 percent annual decline in pending home sales for February. Also in February, NAR reported that housing affordability rose to a new high, representing the most favorable conditions for buying a home in more than three decades.

Source: DSNews.com

THIS BILL WOULD REFORM HOME MORTGAGE INDUSTRY

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:10:00 +0000

Bill would reform home mortgage industryLegislators on Capitol Hill are preparing to take up a comprehensive plan that would fundamentally reform the home mortgage market, starting this year. Had the proposed rules and standards been in place earlier in the decade, say congressional supporters, they could have eliminated much of the funny-money loans, slipshod underwriting and Wall Street abuses that distorted the market from 2002 through 2006. The boom wouldn't have been as big, and the bust might not have happened.The Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009 (H.R. 1728) is expected to move quickly through the House this month and go to the Senate by May. The odds of passage in some form are high, according to banking and housing industry lobbyists. Here's what the legislation would do:* Ban all fees paid to loan officers that are tied to the interest rate of the mortgage or the type of the loan. The new bill would prohibit any compensation -- "direct or indirect" -- that is tied to the rate or terms of the mortgage. The bill does permit homebuyers or refinancers to opt for a slightly higher note rate to finance closing costs.* Create mandatory minimum national quality standards for all mortgages. Allow borrowers who are put into mortgages that violate the new law to seek legal redress through cancellation of the loan contract, refund of all payments and fees and compensation for legal costs.

Source: Los Angeles Times; Distributed by the Washington Post Writers Group

TREAD CAREFULLY WHEN MAKING A LOW- BALL OFFER

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Tread Carefully When Making a Low-Ball Offer These days, it’s easier to make a low-ball offer than it used to be, but still it’s important to be smart. Here are some things that a real estate practitioner and would-be buyer should consider when contemplating such an offer:
● Use foreclosures as comps carefully. Look realistically at the prices foreclosures in the neighborhood brought. Foreclosures aren’t good comps if the homes were stripped of appliances, pipes, HVAC, etc.
● Examine details of short sales critically. How many liens were there against low-selling short sales? If there were no secondary liens, the lender had considerable flexibility.
● Establish realistic time frames. Even in the best of circumstances, foreclosure takes a long time. Will the seller play the waiting game? How long have houses whose owners have equity stayed on the market? Is the buyer in a hurry? If your buyer makes a low-ball offer, the bank probably won’t be in any rush to take it. They’ll likely just keep soliciting offers without coming back with a counter. Ultimately, the property is likely to sell for a higher price and, chances are, you and your buyer won’t know it until the deal is done.

Source: ThinkGlinck, Ilyce R. Glink (03/30/2009)

RECOVERY HAS BEGUN

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:02:00 +0000

Top Economists Say Recovery Has Begun Economic recovery is about making people feel more confident, says Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Economy.com. Zandi evidenced increasing home sales and gains in the stock market are some promising signs that the worst is over and people will start spending again.“We’re starting to see some pent-up demand for goods,” he says.But Zandi warns that the situation is still fragile. "Confidence is a very fickle thing. It can go from abject pessimism that pervades now to a more balanced view of the world rather quickly.”Robert Brusca of FAO Economics is predicting strong growth in the last half of the year and a quick recovery for the labor market. "You've lost 5 million jobs. It shouldn't be hard to put 2.5 million jobs back on rather quickly after you hit bottom," he said.Joseph Carson, chief economist at AllianceBernstein, calls improving home sales, a rising stock market, and better-than-expected retail sales in February and March good signs of a turnaround. By the time President Obama’s stimulus package takes effect, the economy will be ready, he says. "The stimulus has a much better chance of working if trends are already turning up than if it needs to halt a decline," he said.Source: CNNMoney, Chris Isidore (04/06/2009)

CHARLESTON PLACE Connects to The New Locust Town Center with GOLF CART Access

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Charleston Place will feature convenient Golf Cart access to the new 130 acre Locust Town Centre where shops, restaurants, banks, and many other businesses can be easily accessed. Visit www.locusttowncenter.com for more information.

Locust, North Carolina The charming city of Locust offers many conveniences of city life with the safe, quiet charm of country life. Charleston Place will connect to the new Locust Town Centre which contains shops, restaurants, medical offices, banks, and many other conveniences. The new Stanly Regional Medical Center West Campus opened in Locust last year for convenient medical care. A super Wal-Mart will also be constructed in Locust very soon. Please visit the City of Locust website for more information on Locust: www.locustnc.com

Come home to the Locust area’s only Active Adult, Golf Cart Community, featuring convenient connectivity to the Locust Town Centre! Stroll along private walking trails and enjoy 4 acres of park space with covered picnic tables. Or, take advantage of the nearby Locust City Park and Officer Jeff Shelton Memorial Park only 1 block away. If you’re feeling competitive, horseshoe pits and bocci courts are sure to offer friendly fun. A gorgeous clubhouse with fitness room and outdoor fireplace patio will serve as a gathering place for neighbors, family and friends.
The Craftsman style homes in Charleston Place will include luxurious features such as granite countertops, hardwood floors, custom cabinets, whirlpool tubs, and much more. You can even park your golf cart conveniently in your included golf cart garage.
Enjoy quiet country living with the conveniences of the city in a community where neighbors are truly friends.

Buy Now, Save Thousands! Homes Ready NOW!

For Your Private Showing Contact:
Angela and Joseph Abbatiello at Southern Carolina Realty Inc. 704-888-6699

REDBRIDGE GOLF COURSE LOCUST NC Announces Attractive Lot Program

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Red Bridge Announces Attractive Lot Program
Locust, NC
December 1, 2008 — The Villages at Red Bridge announced Monday they will be offering select home sites in their first Phase, The Village of Glenwood, for as low as $99,000. Glenwood is the home of 116 picturesque, wooded sites within the 1100 home gated private country club community where approximately fifty percent sit directly on the golf course.
"The response to this program has already been outstanding. People are realizing what a great opportunity it is for immediate equity or to buy now and build later. The developer pricing we’re currently offering will only be available through the end of January, so we expect activity to increase dramatically in the coming weeks," said Tom Cloos, General Manager of The Premier Team at RE/MAX Metro, Exclusive Broker for The Villages at Red Bridge.
Developer Gerry Friedman added, "With the imminent completion of the golf course and the opportunities we’re willing to offer, we are proving that Red Bridge is a reality and will be around for a very long time."
"This is one of the most compelling lot deals I’ve ever seen in a gated country club community. The amenities are exceptional and the opportunity for a buyer is exceptional," concluded Ted Kurz, CEO KurzCorp, National Marketing Company for Red Bridge.
To learn more about the The Villages at Red Bridge and the Limited Time Lot Program, please Call:
Angela and Joseph Abbatiello at Southern Carolina Realty Inc. 704-888-6699

About The Villages at Red Bridge
The Villages at Red Bridge Golf and Country Club Community is the Charlotte area’s newest gated golf club community consisting of 10 unique villages, an active-adult village, an 18-hole championship private golf club and amenities for everyone. There are single-family homes, town homes, villas and estate homes. Other features include a 24,000 sq. ft. club house complete with spa and fitness center, pro shop, dining, meeting and catering facilities

REDBRIDGE GOLF COURSE LOCUST NC Launches Townhome Complex

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:35:00 +0000

Red Bridge Launches Townhome Complex With Dramatic Pre-Construction Sale
Locust, NC December 1, 2008 — The Villages at Red Bridge officially launched its second residential village on Monday with a Limited Time Pre-Construction Sale through January 15, 2009. The Village of Charles Towne will offer 205 town homes ranging from 1500 to 2154 square feet with a variety of wonderful home features and picturesque views. Prices will start at $159,900 and buyers of the first 15 will also receive Free Golf for a Year on the brand new Red Bridge Golf Course.
"This is a Golden Opportunity for a buyer to get into a growing private country club community at the lowest prices ever to be offered. As a result, the initial response has been amazing. Savvy buyers recognize the tremendous value Red Bridge is offering in its community and in particular this product," said Tom Cloos, General Manager of The Premier Team at RE/MAX Metro, Exclusive Broker for The Villages at Red Bridge.
Red Bridge Developer Gerry Friedman explains, "It’s important for buyers to realize that in these tough times, we are more committed than ever to continue building products and amenities to meet market demand. Charles Towne Village breaking ground in November, the pre-construction sale, and the imminent completion of the golf course further exemplify that commitment."
To learn more about the The Villages at Red Bridge and the Charles Towne Pre-Construction Sale, please visit http://www.RedBridgeNC.com.
About The Villages at Red Bridge
The Villages at Red Bridge Golf and Country Club Community is the Charlotte area’s newest gated golf club community consisting of 10 unique villages, an active-adult village, an 18-hole championship private golf club and amenities for everyone. There are single-family homes, town homes, villas and estate homes. Other features include a 24,000 sq. ft. club house complete with spa and fitness center, pro shop, dining, meeting and catering facilities.
For Your Private Showing Contact:
Angela and Joseph Abbatiello at Southern Carolina Realty Inc. 704-888-6699

Real Estate Trends

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 03:36:00 +0000

Despite media reports to the contrary, real estate is still considered a sound investment and affluent consumers are confident both in the current housing market and that the value of their home has remained constant, according to a consumer research study undertaken by Architectural Digest with Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC.
In the newly commissioned survey, "Seeking an Extraordinary Lifestyle," 85 percent of respondents agreed with the statement, "I think real estate continues to be one of the better investments a person can make." The study further revealed:• 72 percent of respondents believe their primary home value has remained constant or increased in value over the last 12 months (46 percent remained constant; 26 percent increased). • Nearly two-thirds, or 63 percent, of respondents report that current conditions have "no effect" on their likelihood to sell their primary home.• In the next year, 55 percent of the million-dollar homeowners plan to buy, sell, build or invest in a new home.• 69% of million-dollar homeowners agree that now is a good time to add to one's real estate holdings.The respondents feel that the media plays a role in the perception of the current real estate market conditions. Fifty percent of respondents think the media exaggerates conditions to make the market seem worse than it is.
Source: REAL Trends

Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout: June's Cruise-in & Burnout Recap

noreply@blogger.com (MOVEDOWNSOUTHYALL) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:03:00 +0000

Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout: June's Cruise-in & Burnout Recap

ALL ABOUT LOCUST NC

noreply@blogger.com (ANGELA ABBATIELLO) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:13:00 +0000

The tiny Stanly County city of Locust is bracing for a construction boom that will triple its housing stock within five years.
City planners believe as many as 2,800 homes will be built if all the anticipated projects are developed.
James Inman, city administrator, believes the flood of residential development could swell Locust's population to more than 10,000, up from 2,800 today.
Major subdivisions on the horizon include:
The 1,100-home Villages of Redbridge, a New England-inspired community being developed by Stephen Content of Charlotte. Home prices and other details haven't been disclosed, but site work is under way.
A Reese Gibson-developed community tentatively called Churchill Downs that will feature a horse-farm theme for its 540 homes.
Locust Valley, an 80-home development being built by Locust Valley Construction, a local company. The initial houses are expected to sell for $250,000 to $350,000.
Redah Acres, a development being built by Ridgeview Homes, with prices starting around $200,000.
A 360-home community on the north side of town, likely to be developed by Tyson Properties of Monroe.
A 700-home Craft Homes USA development, also on the north side of town.
Craft Homes officials couldn't be reached for comment on their plans. Sources say the company has 200 acres under contract for the project.
Gibson, owner of Reese Gibson Land Developer and a resident of nearby Stanfield, says he selected Locust for two reasons: the reputation of its schools -- "you go where the schools are great" -- and the city's proximity to Charlotte.
Tim Fesperman, Locust city planner, believes many of the community's new residents will commute to jobs in Mecklenburg County.
Gibson's development, which is still in the preliminary stages of construction, will have three types of homes selling for $170,000 to $300,000.
Details were unavailable on the other residential developments.
Meanwhile, Locust is growing in other ways.
Stanly Regional Medical Center plans to build a $10 million medical campus there to serve the growing area of the county closest to Charlotte and the Interstate 485 interchanges east of the Queen City.
The facility will be built on 21 acres adjacent to the Crutchfield Campus of Stanly Community College. The Albemarle hospital bought the property seven years ago.
And near the main crossroads in Locust, a group of regional developers are building a New Urbanism-style city center, complete with a city government office, a library and a mix of shops and residences on 120 acres adjacent to the former downtown area.
The development, dubbed Locust Town Center, will feature 185,000 square feet of retail and office space, along with 248 homes that developers expect to be completed over the next 10 years.
One line of commercial buildings, including Locust City Hall, is complete, developed by Albemarle builder Terry Whitley and others at Main Street Properties.
While the remaining components of Locust Town Center and other projects will be built gradually, some of the city's pending development is expected to take shape quickly.
By June 30, when the city's fiscal year ends, construction will have started on as many as 400 homes, nearly double the previous year's total, Inman says.
Unlike some area communities that are trying to stem the rising tide of development, Locust leaders are welcoming it.
"We knew this day was coming with Interstate 485 coming so close," Inman says. "We have the sewer infrastructure, and we're blessed with water.
"We're not the typical municipality that thinks growth is a bad thing," he adds. "We planned for this."

ALL ABOUT LOCUST NC

noreply@blogger.com (ANGELA ABBATIELLO) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:07:00 +0000