People are delaying homeownership; there is amazingly just not enough supply.  Too much demand is leading to rising rent costs.  Many renters in large cities can already expect to spend nearly half of their monthly income on a rental payment.  

As our economy returns to normal, it's understandable to cheer the housing recovery.  On a monthly basis, owning a home can be affordable, especially compared to rent. 

More than 85% of U.S. markets have rents that exceed 30% of the household income of renters.  Rents are accelerating at a more rapid pace than home prices, which are moderating.  It is more affordable to buy in more than three-quarters of U.S. cities.

As of February 2016, average apartment rent within 10 miles of Charlotte, NC is $1169. On a one bedroom you're looking at  $1019 a month, and a two bedroom runs $1290.  The most expensive Charlotte neighborhoods are the First, Third and Fourth Wards, and the cheapest are Farm Pond, Eastway-Sheffied Park and Eastland Wilora Lake.

In markets where home prices are still relatively affordable, 2016 may be a good time for renters to take the steps into homeownership.  Renting offers no equity, no tax benefits, and no protection against regular rent increases.  Writing a rent check is just like watching your heard-earned money fly away.

A mortgage acts like a forced savings plan, even if you're paying the bank hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest for the privilege of building equity.  Buying a home is 23% cheaper than renting nationwide for millennials, and now is the best time to buy since 2012 when interest rates were a tad lower.  

When you're the homeowner, you're in charge.  You make the decisions of who fixes your stuff, and how soon it gets fixed.  If they aren't coming when you want, you can call someone else.  Buying lets you customize your space also.  You can knock down a wall to make that room of your dreams.  Paint walls any color you like, personalize your landscape.  The possibilities are endless when it becomes yours without the worry of losing your security deposit.  

When you're ready to leave renting behind and be the proud owner of a home give Jenny Linich Real Estate a call, we're ready to find you the home of your dreams!
​

Did you know that many buyers don't even consider new construction because they think it's unaffordable? Three home builders in the Charlotte area have homes targeting first-time homebuyers and those looking for an affordable new construction.  

True Homes Integrity collection is proof that "practical" can be spectacular and home ownership can be stress-free.  True Integrity stays within you budget while excelling in great design.  Elements collection is full of large, functional floor plans, flexibility and a whole houseful of personality.  It's about bringing together everything you want in a home for a price that lets you be true to your budget.

D.R. Horton, the nation's largest builder, now collects 14% of its revenue from it's Express brand, which it started last year.  Express homes combine value and quality you expect in a newly-constructed home.  

One of the most attractive attributes of new construction is that everything is updated, current and usually chosen by you.  New kitchen, new bathrooms, open floor concept, and more.  Of course any house can be renovated, but it comes with a usually heafty price tag.  Remodeling magazine estimates a national average for a complete kitchen remodel is $54,909.  Though it would only increase your home value by 40,732; you would be losing 14,177.  An older home can be made new again, but you have to consider all the expenses that goes into it, and if it is worth it.

There are many more cost saving benefits to a new build.  New homes are more energy efficient. New building standards enable homes to use less electricity and less water.  New energy star appliances save up to 3 times the energy as the old ones.  New windows, excellent insulation, and better HVAC units cut bills drastically.

Many new homes are built in lavish master-planned communities with resort-style community centers, pools and clubhouses, just to name a few amenities.  Many new homes are near some of the best new schools and shopping.

The more affordable homes are a departure from the bigger is better and expensive is extraordinary model that developers had moved to in recent years as they targeted the luxury market.  "A lot of people are sick of going for pre-owned homes and being stuck in multiple-bid situations." says Lance Mohr a real estate agent in Keller Williams Tampa, FL office.  "With new homes aspiring owners can simply stroll into the builders office and sign on the dotted line."

Imagine, a brand new home, just the way you dream of, with all updated features, all the amenities possible, and all within your reach!  Check out newhousesfortmillsc.com to browse all of the new construction possibilities, and let Jenny Linich Real Estate  get you into that new home.

When we first move into our new homes, flower beds and vegetable gardens are usually one of the last things on our minds.  Either the homeowners before us thought they were Martha Stewart and had a ton of plants mismatched so tightly together you can't tell what's in the bed, or we move into a new home, with a couple shrubs.  Once the dust finally settles, all of the unpacking has diminished, and our pocketbooks have recovered, we can finally think about how to make our flower beds the talk of the neighborhood. 

Where do we start?  The first step before doing anything is knowing your zone.  What plants will strive in the area you live without killing the plants year after year.  Here in the Charlotte Metropolitan area, Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Indian Trail, Gastonia, etc. we range from a 7b to an 8a.  Plant tags will tell you which zones the plant will survive in, so be sure to find it on your plant tag. 

Getting your ideas is an important step to the garden of your dreams.  Whether it be from magazines, the internet, driving around and seeing what others have that you like, or just knowing what you want, start there.  Start slow, start small, but have fun and be creative!   

Pick the right place to put your garden.  Spend a day watching how much sun your area gets.  When you get to the nursery, the tags will not only tell you the zone, they will tell you how many hours of sun each plant needs.  If you don't want to spend hours looking at each tag, find a knowledgeable salesperson.  You can always tell who has been working with plants for years, and those new to the job.

Get rid of any sod covering the ground, then start digging.  Be sure to improve your soil.  Add compost, decayed leaves, dry grass clipping or old manure.  You can also use bulk compost or aged mushroom soil.  Most of us have clay in our soil which isn't that great for growing many plants, so it's very important to work compost into it, and use good soil around each plant.  

Now it's time to head to the nursery, Home Depot, Lowes, wherever you buy your plants, and get picking!  
Better Homes and Gardens suggest: 
The top 15 Top Native Plants for Southern Gardens
1.  Helen's Flower                                  9.  False Indigo
2.  Stokes' Aster                                    10.  Bugbane
3.  Royal Catchfly                                  11.  Northern Sea
4.  Woodland Phlox                              12.  Bee Balm
5.  Swamp Lily                                        13.  Crested Iris
6. Pitcher Plant                                      14.  Hardy Hibiscus
7.  Rain Lily                                              15.  Indian Pink
8.  Foam Flower


Or if you are more into Shrubs
1.  Flowering Quince                    4.  Sweetshrub
2.  Crape Myrtle                            5.  Camellia
3.  Oakleaf Hydrangea                 6.  Rose of Sharon

Keep things simple to begin with.  You can do more later.  Simplicity in planting, for instance, would be to pick two or three colors and repeat them throughout the garden or landscape.  Keeping decor to a minimum and within a specific theme as well as keeping hardscape such as boulders consistent is also practicing simplicity.  

Water your plants daily.  You can taper off as plants get larger, every other day until roots become established.  Then water depending on your soil, humidity, and how often it rains.  Water slowly and deeply and in the early morning.  

Mulching is important as well.  Mulch helps to keep weeds out and water in.  Cover with a couple of inches.  There are all types of mulch available.  Pine needles are prominent around here.  A 2 inch layer of pine needles makes an excellent mulch.  They tend to interlock and stay in place better than most mulches especially on a slope.  Termites do not like pine needles.  You can put it in your beds without fear of termites that comes with most hardwoods.  

Living in neighborhoods in North and South Carolina gives us the heat and sunshine we need to grow amazingly beautiful gardens.  Your flower beds and landscape are a reflection of your personality.  They are the your thoughts and dreams coming alive for your friends, family and neighbors to see. 

If you are into vintage and handmade goods, we have found the event for you!

Vintage Charlotte is hosting it's 5th Annual Summer Market with over 60 of the best vintage and handmade vendors.  The event is FREE, yes, free!  From 11 am- 6pm on Saturday, June 18th.  You can shop some of the regions best vintage collections.  If you are an early bird, you can pay $5 to get in at 10am and get your hands on great items before they get picked through.  Maybe you just bought a new home and need some old school to help enhance the decor, then this is the event for you. 

The first 500 shoppers will be given a free shopping bag from Yelp to hold all of your beautifully crafted items.  The Daily Press CLT will be on hand with some of their delicious coffee.  If coffee isn't your thing, Viva Raw, Hart's Soda Shop, and Legion Brewing will be there, as well as a few food trucks. 

All the activities  will be at 514 N. College Street in Uptown Charlotte.  
To stay up to date and see highlights on some of the vendors,  check out the Vintage Charlotte webpage.  
​



Hope to see you there!

Jenny Linich Real Estate is a new home expert in the Charlotte Metro Area.  You can see all of the new home builders in Fort Mill, SC at www.newhousesfotmillsc.com

​