Making Home Happen!! NCHFA Home Advantage Mortgage ~ Guest Article by Dawn White

Dawn White ~ Bank of North Carolina

Please welcome guest author Dawn White,Vice President Mortgage Loan Officer at Bank of North Carolina in Salisbury, North Carolina, to RealEstateSalisbury.com.  Dawn has news about a new program being offered by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA)!

Do you lack the down payment needed to buy a new home? The N.C. Home Advantage Mortgage program offers down payment assistance – and competitive interest rates – to give you the boost you need to buy your first home or move up to your next one.

The new program available through the NCHFA offers down payment assistance of 3% so you can get maximum financing available.  The program is no longer just available for first time homebuyers. You can purchase a new or existing primary residence in North Carolina.  We do the program underwritten to VA, USDA or FHA guidelines. The 3% down payment assistance is a second lien and is provided as a 15 year deferred/ forgiven subordinate lien. The lien is deferred for 10 years and forgiven by 20% each year in the 11^th-15^th years. After 15 years the loan is totally forgiven. This is a great way to take advantage of your option to use maximum financing when available!

The N.C. Housing Finance Agency offers N.C. Home Advantage with down payment assistance up to 3% of the loan amount at 0% interest. This not only helps you get into your new home, but enables you to build equity more quickly. If you qualify, you don’t need to repay the down payment unless you sell, refinance or transfer the home. Even better, it is completely forgiven at year 15 and reduced by 20% a year in years 11 through 15.

With 30-year, fixed rates, the N.C. Home Advantage Mortgage is a perfect match for buyers looking for safe, affordable financing.

Am I Eligible?

You may be eligible for an N.C. Home Advantage Mortgage if:

• you are buying a new or existing home
• you buy a home in North Carolina and occupy it within 60 days of closing
• your annual income does not exceed $85,000
• you are applying for a FHA, USDA or VA loan through a participating lender and meet the sales price limits of the loan type
• you are a legal resident of the United States, and
• your credit score is 640 or higher.

What Kind of Home Can I Buy?

• New and previously owned single family homes
• Townhouses
• Condominiums
• Duplexes

Additional Help for First-Time Buyers

If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may also be eligible for a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) worth up to $2,000 a year in tax savings. If you qualify, you can claim 30% of your mortgage interest – up to $2,000 per year – as a credit on your federal income taxes, while still claiming the remaining 70% of interest as a deduction. You can receive an immediate benefit from your MCC tax credit by filing a revised W-4 with your employer to increase your take-home pay and help make your house payments more affordable.

How to Apply

NCHFA homebuyer assistance is available statewide through participating lenders. To find a lender near you, go to the Home Buyer section at www.nchfa.com or call 1-800-393-0988.

 

Dawn E White

Vice President ~ Mortgage Loan Officer

Bank of North Carolina

415 Jake Alexander Blvd. West

Salisbury, NC 28147

Office-704.652.7818

Fax-704.647.0967

Cell-704.239.6601

dewhite@bankofnc.com   
 
Thank you, Dawn!  Remember to call Salisbury Real Estate Agent Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 to see the variety of homes that are available for you to use the NCHFA homebuyer assistance!  See you soon! 

Your Dream Home: Waterfront~Privacy~Acreage~Farmette~Outbuildings & Low Taxes ~ $1.5M!!

If you could custom-build a dream house to your specifications, what would it look like? Where would it be? What special features would it have?  

You know your passion . . . now let Realtor Greg Rapp help you express it in this perfect waterfront home.  Welcome to 2275 River Road in peaceful Richfield, North Carolina.

This ultra-private 3200 sq ft home ~ not a neighbor in sight ~ offers 2000’ of dramatic, panoramic, waterfront views. Located along the tranquil shores of Tuckertown Lake, and up a long gravel drive taking you 1200 feet from the road, this home will transport you to a world of warmth and relaxation. This secluded location is surrounded by nature at its very best.  

With 65 acres to roam and explore, you won't find a more secluded and relaxing home where just outside the door nature awaits. Owning this  waterfront home will be like having the having the entire lake to yourself, where you can sit on your patio on a calm night, take in the awe-inspiring lake and mountain views, and count the innumerable stars are in the sky, without being disturbed by another soul. 

This stunning custom-built brick lakefront home, built in 2006, with quality construction, and immaculate 2-car garage, and high-end amenities is nestled on 65 acres of tree farm with over 2000 feet of shore line on Tuckertown Lake!! 

This home’s kitchen, master bedroom suite, breakfast room, living room, and sunroom all have wonderful views of the waterfront. Tuckertown Lake offers fishing, hunting, hiking, exploring, cliff jumping, boating, jet skiing, and water skiing and is within a few miles of these great attractions:  http://tuckertownlake.com/Local_Attractions.html

You enter this waterfront home up its grand entry staircase through its gracious foyer, where doorways will lead you to either the dining room to the left, with its surrounding chair molding, or a room to the right that the current owner uses as an office. 

Follow the foyer further to the beautifully appointed living area with its waterfront view, graced with gorgeous hardwood floors, a gas-log fireplace, and wood box-beam ceilings. Built in bookcases will house your library,your television, and treasured art pieces. 

An impressive double set of French doors lets sunlight and water views stream into the living room, and take you from the living area to an enclosed sunroom. More French doors take you from the sunroom to an outdoor patio space perfect for entertaining or just kicking back and taking in vistas of woods and water. If the weather is inclement, you can still enjoy lake breezes in the screened-in porch off the sunroom. 


The gourmet chef’s kitchen has warm custom-built ceramic tile floors, plenty of sparkling granite countertops, a work island, and loads of storage space in the beautiful oak cabinets. 

The 14’ x 19’ kitchen is very spacious with a lovely 14’ x 10’ breakfast room area that overlooks the waterfront ~ making the entire kitchen space an expansive 14’ x 29’! The breakfast area is just outside the master suite ~ and both have stunning views of Tuckertown Lake.

The spacious, nearly 23’ x 16’, master suite has a gas-log fireplace, his-&-hers walk-in closets, and beautiful hardwood floors. The over-sized master bathroom has to be seen to be believed ~ outfitted with a glorious tiled whirlpool tub and large walk-in tiled shower, dual vanities, and even privately walled dual commodes. 

This one-story home features a full walkout basement, heated by a wood burning fireplace. The basement is a semi-finished 2475 sq ft space with a full bath and utility room. Completing the finishing process on this large area could easily accomplished.

The vista of open countryside at 2275 River Road includes a one-acre blueberry farm with 1000+/- plants. The present owner ran a successful ‘U-Pick’ blueberry business from this farmette.  Much of the acreage is planted with a variety of standing timber, certified as a tree farm, with pines, chestnut trees, and giant mature pecan trees. 

The grounds have 2 large outbuildings: one a long barn, the other a smaller barn-type structure. A 1366 sq ft house built in 1954 is also on the property. The present owner lived in this house while building the main house.

There are beautifully maintained walking trails large enough to drive on that surround and intertwine the property that could be used as riding trails for horses (horses permitted here!) or for ATV enjoyment. The land could also easily be developed. The property currently has farm classification, and more importantly ~ is taxed as a farm, with low yearly taxes at just $3,192!

Richfield, North Carolina is just a 20-minute drive to the south from historic Salisbury NC where there are plentiful opportunities for art & culture, dining, and shopping.  Charlotte NC is just 45 minutes from Richfield. The property across the lake from 2275 River Road is owned by Alcoa and is not likely to be developed, creating a natural wooded vista that will be preserved for years to come.

This rare combination of waterfront luxury, privacy, & acreage on Tuckertown Lake does not come along every day ~ and at the price of $1,500,000 for the package! This home and property are perfect for equestrian use, the automobile enthusiast, or the arborist with its 2 barns, garage, separate house, and tree and blueberry farm. This stunning lake front property at 2275 River Road in Richfield, North Carolina, on 65 acres with over 2000' of Tuckertown Lake water frontage & a private boat ramp, can be yours today. Call Greg Rapp at 704-213-6846 and make an appointment to capture the tranquility of this beautiful home! (Greg has LOTS more pictures of this wonderful home and property to share!)

2275 River Road, Richfield NC ~ Waterfront 65 Acres ~ Tree Farm & Blueberry Farm ~ $1,500,000

Greg Rapp ~ Local Leader in Online Real Estate Marketing

Greg Rapp has been acknowledged as the local leader in online real estate marketing. 

www.204sshaver.com

When a local neighborhood association met to explore how they could promote houses in the area and open this resource to all Salisbury communities, they contacted Rowan County Realtor Greg Rapp for advise in how best to roll out such a web-based approach to marketing houses.

A neighborhood representative, Mr. Geof Wilson, sent Greg an email, a portion of which you can read here:
 
. . . [we are] considering how we might advertise all listings that are on the market for sale or rent in the neighborhood.  The idea a subcommittee is exploring is listing this information on [a] site the neighborhood uses for internal communication as well as newsletters and other information.
If this model works for our neighborhood we could roll it out in others to use as a tool to promote...homes.   Since you have been involved with other efforts, and in my opinion are the local leader in online real estate marketing, your input would be appreciated and recognized!"
 

www.realestatesalisbury.net

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Historic Salisbury Foundation, Barbara Sorrel, recently observed, Greg is more connected to the online community than any real estate agent in the area, consistently reaching out to both buyers and sellers with up-to-date community information, updates, and human interest articles, combined with thorough information regarding properties available or opportunities to sell.

If you would like your property to be connected ~ contact Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 and get it listed and marketed to a broader audience. Buying a home or business location?  Then get up with Greg to see the many and varied offerings in the Salisbury/Rowan County area!

Another Look at 1401 N Long Street ~ $69K

1401 N Long St ~ Shop + House

We sure don't want to sell this wonderful property short, but we can't exaggerate its features, either, so . . . as we said back on February 27th in WANTED: Vision, Ambition, & Elbow Grease (CLICK HERE) the buildings on the 2-acre space at 1401 Long Street in Salisbury North Carolina needs some work to be restored to its full potential as either a business, a home, or both!

Shop ~ rear additions

Shop ~ large side porch

Take a look ~ the lot is very spacious ~ just over 2 acres on a well traveled corridor in Salisbury.  The shop building or small warehouse, formerly the home of Ellis Contracting, sits to the front of the property.  This 3100 square-foot building has endless possibilities.  Prospective buyers have pictured a bar, a garage, boat storage, and artists collective, and a microbrewery.  Despite the need for repair and upfitting to this 1952 building, the potential hits you as soon as you step into the building.  When you walk into the building, a step down through a small foyer brings you into a large open space that has a stage or raised-floor area at the back wall.  Multiple rooms are off to the right ~ a kitchen space with a pass-through to the main hall, room for a small office, and PLENTY of storage space!  There are additions to the rear of the building that also present endless possibilities for use, and a long, wide, porch stretches along the north side of the building.

The shop/warehouse building appears structurally sound but is in obvious need of repair.  The roof leaks, so it needs repair or replacement, and leaks have damaged some interior space.

Driveway walls

Walking through what was once a gated drive to the rest of the property and you're in a very rural setting . . . large expanses of grass, a fenced pasture, and even a small horse barn.  The horse barn still has its stables intact and has fenced area that was once used for raising chickens. The structure needs stabilizing, as does each structure on the property, but is not beyond repair!

Horse Barn

Chicken coop attached to small horse barn

To the rear of this expanse of property is the once-grand home.  The 2500 square foot structure is in very bad condition with floors falling through.  It may be beyond saving . . . or someone with a good deal of structural knowledge and expertise may be able to resurrect it.  The home has a large, once fashionable, deck and pergola area that leads to a small pond.  One can clearly see that this was once a peaceful retreat from the busy world.  The house is situated approximately 300 feet from the road.  The property itself, a two-parcel piece, is nearly 400 feet deep and 250 feet wide.  The pasture fence overlaps onto a vacant lot next door that measures approximately 100' x 400'.  The owner of this adjoining lot may consider selling to the potential buyer of 1401 N. Long Street.

Driveway ~ looking towards house

Driveway ~ gardens

Multi-tiered deck with pergola

Deck extension overlooking pond

House ~ front ~ viewed from yard

Because of the condition of the buildings here, bank financing will not be available.  However, at $69,000 for this large spread of property in Salisbury NC is priced to move, and priced to allow its new owner budget-room for improvements.  Let Greg Rapp take you on a tour of this property so you can see for yourself the potentially many uses that these buildings could serve.

Rear of house ~ deck to left ~ carport right

Partial view yard~pasture ~ looking toward road

So what's stopping you?  You could be the next bar owner, a garage business, microbrew-meister ~ or just store your boats storage . . .at 1401 N Long Street.  Call Salisbury Realtor Greg today at 704.213.6846.  Get your vision on! This property is a blank canvas waiting for the right buyer to mold its future to a reality!

1401 N Long Street ~ 2-parcel piece ~ 2+ acres ~ $69,000

Brick Craftsman Era Home ~ 201 Park Street, China Grove, NC ~ $105,000

WOW!  If you are looking for a lot of house for the money in a great neighborhood ~ look no further that the quaint North Carolina town of China Grove! 201 Park Street, China Grove, North Carolina is a solidly built brick home that needs a just the littlest bit of updating and TLC. 

This 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath, circa 1935 Craftsman home has all the features you would expect from this era:

• French doors
• Butlers pantry/laundry room
• Built~in food pantry
• Formal dining room
• Formal living room
• Fireplace in living room
• Screened back porch

An attractive and roomy terracotta tile front porch graces the front of the home, looking out onto a peaceful and tidy neighborhood, right off Main Street in China Grove. 

The large screened porch at the back of the house has steps leading down to a spacious back lawn and the 2-car garage with its 16' x 20' loft above for storage (which could be upfitted to an apartment!). 

With this solid brick and frame home at 201 Park Street sitting just one block from Downtown China Grove, its new owners can walk to a town full of shopping and dining, and the Interstate-85 is just a hop~skip~and a jump away!

Two~Car Garage

Semi~finished loft space above garage

4+ Baths!

Here is something unique to 201 Park Street ~ Each of the 4 bedrooms has its own full bath!  This is perfect for a family vying for bathroom time mornings and evenings! The 4th bedroom is converted attic space that was once probably arranged as an apartment or in-law suite.  It is obvious that a second kitchen was furnished in this space and the area needs some work. 

Famous Folk from China Grove!  

 “Curly” Seckler  (John Ray Sechler ) was born in China Grove, North Carolina in 1919. "Curly" is best known for his huge contribution to Bluegrass music and was a member of the Foggy Mountain Boys. The Foggy Mountain Boys was an influential American bluegrass band founded by guitarist Lester Flatt and banjo player Earl Scruggs. Because of the personnel, particularly Scruggs, who has since become iconic in music history for his masterful handling of the banjo, the group is often considered as one of the premier bluegrass groups in the history of the genre.

Dillon J Stevens, (born April 23, 1997) is an actor, dancer, and singer born in Concord, North Carolina. Stevens currently resides in China Grove, North Carolina. In 2009, Stevens was cast in the role of Michael in the Chicago production of Billy Elliot The Musical.

Farmers Day Festival

China Grove is home to the popular Annual Farmers Day Festival.  On Farmers Day, over 200 colorful booths line Main Street featuring locally grown produce, delicious hand churned ice cream, bake sales, drink stands, and hand crafted items for sale. Visitors purchase gifts for special occasions from the many art, craft, jewelry, clothing, baby items, and many more great booths. There is a Children’s Stage is dedicated to the young and the young at heart. Clowns, magicians, and puppets delight children of all ages. A small train runs through the street and is a must for the little ones. While the children are entertained and the ladies shop, men can ramble through displays of antique farm equipment and cars of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s that include a display of muscle cars, classics, hot-rods and racers.

Farmers Day is overflowing with free entertainment all day on two stages.  Festival goers get to hear a variety of music by local bands, and will see dancers, gymnastics, and karate demonstrations, as well as the singing and clogging performed on the Park Stage while sitting in the shade of the trees. A great variety of food vendors sell funnel cakes, cotton candy, roasted corn on the cob, Gyro sandwiches, meat on a stick, Bar-B-Que, and of course hot dogs and hamburgers are plentiful, washed down with a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade! At 4:00 p.m.,the town gets ready for the street dance at 7:00 p.m. Festival goers dance to the music or bring lawn chairs to enjoy the bands. The evening ends with a beautiful fireworks display.

Farmers Day has grown to become one of the best street festivals in North Carolina with attendance estimated at over 25,000 visitors. Farmers Day is held the third Saturday in July. From the opening ceremony until the last note of the street dance, Farmers Day offers something for people of all ages.  The market continues to grow as the event gets back to its roots of the festival centered around the Farmers Market.

Make China Grove Your Home Town!

China Grove, North Carolina in Rowan County could be your home town! Contact Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 to see 201 Park Street in its wonderful neighborhood and thriving little Southern town!

 

201 Park Street, China Grove, North Carolina ~ circa 1935 Craftsman home ~ $105K