At Lake Norman, we find many ways to have fun!

I thought I would switch things up from Real Estate briefly and see what my readers thought about this!

Caminito del Rey

In 1901 it was obvious that the workers of the Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls needed a walkway to cross between the falls, to provide transport of materials, vigilance and maintenance of the channel. Construction of the walkway took four years; it was finished in 1905.

In 1921 the king Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway for the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce and it became known by its present name.

In some places the walkway has collapsed. The walkway has now gone many years without maintenance, and is in a highly deteriorated and dangerous state. It is one meter (3 ft) in width, and is over 700 feet (200 m) above the river. Nearly all of the path has no handrail. Some parts of the walkway have completely collapsed and have been replaced by a beam and a metallic wire on the wall. Many people have lost their lives on the walkway in recent years. After four people died in two accidents in 1999 and 2000, the local government closed the entrances; however, adventurous tourists still find their way into the walkway.

COULD YOU DO THIS?

No way I could do it. Deathly afraid of heights!

Contact your Lake Norman Area Agent at 704 451 7051 for all your Real Estate needs, BUT NO HIGH BUILDINGS!!

In the Lake Norman area, Rescrictive Convenants vary from very strict to none at all.

 First some information about covenants and rescrictions courtesy of About.com.

Home Buying Essentials

When you’re buying a home, it’s important to understand the restrictive covenants and other deed restrictions that are in place for the real estate you want to buy, because they dictate how you can and cannot use the property.

Restrictive covenants are deed restrictions that apply to a group of homes or lots, property that’s part of a specific development or subdivision. They are normally put in place by the original developer, and are different for every area of homes.
 

What’s the Purpose of Restrictive Covenants?

Restrictions give a development a more standard appearance, and control some of the activities that take place within its boundaries. When enforced, covenants protect property values.
 

What You’ll Always See in Covenants

Restrictive covenants nearly always stipulate the minimum size residence allowed, how many homes may be built on one lot, and what type of construction the homes must (or must not) be.
 

Additional Topics You’ll See in Restrictive Covenants

• Set backs (how far homes must be from streets and interior lot lines). 
• Easements (such as a pathway for power lines or roads). 
• Fees for road maintenance or amenities. 
• Rules regarding changing or voiding the covenants. 
• Rules about pets and other animals (for instance: no breeding for profit, no livestock, no unchained pets). 
• Regulations dealing with in-home businesses and home rentals. 
• Rules that limit tree-cutting 
• Clauses that dictate what type of fencing can be used, or that forbid all types of fencing. 
• Clauses to reduce clutter on lots, such as prohibiting owners from storing a vehicle that doesn’t run within view of others, or parking a recreational vehicle on the property.

In the Lake Norman area, if you want to live in an area that does not have any restrictions, you will most likely find yourself looking in towns like Sherrills Ford, Denver, Troutman and Statesville.  These areas, while still having neighborhoods with restrictions, are still rural in nature.  Typically the lot sizes are larger which allow you to build, store etc. anything you want on the property.  These non-restrictive areas also allow for any type of home which include mobile and modular homes.

Neighbrhoods in Mooresville,Cornelius,Davidson and Huntersville are dominated by neighborhoods with varing degrees of covenants.  All of these incorporate the ‘Additional Topics you will see…” mentioned above.  Keep in mind that Mooresville is dissected by Interstate 77.  On the East side of I77 you can still find these non-restrictive areas, however on the west side which includes Lake Norman, these type of neighborhoods are practically non-existant.

Your choices are many for what you can and can’t do and to what degree these are enforced.  This is an important question to ask as it pertains to your desires.  A great way to check on the enforcement is to ride the neighborhood and see if it fits your eye.

For additional information, contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051.

See Also:

Lake Norman Waterfront and Golf Communities

One of Lake Norman’s Favorite Communities, The Harbour

WOW, The Point

 More Lake Norman Communities

Lake Norman’s Best Kept Secret, Sherrills Ford

Lake Norman’s Hot Spots for Construction

On the West Side of Lake Norman, Denver

Check out the Lake Norman Waterfront Home for sale By City.

Mooresville North Carolina

Cornelius North Carolina

Denver North Carolina

Sherrills Ford North Carolina

 473 Waterfront Homes for Sale arolund Lake Norman.  Needless to say there is a lot to choose from.

For additional information or to see any of these, please contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051.

Obey the Law, Lake Norman Watercraft Laws

Minimum Age to Operate a Jet Ski

North Carolina passed a law rising the age to operate a jet ski from 12 to 14 as long as the child has a a valid NASBLA boater’s safety course certificate.  Without this certificate the age limit is 16.

No person shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this State at any time between sunset and sunrise.

Lake Norman No Wake Zone   

It is unlawful to operate a vessel at greater that no-wake speed withing 50 yards of the following areas:

• Boat Launch
• Bridge
• Doc
• Pier Marina
• Boat storage structure
• Boat service area
• For Personal Water Craft( Jet Skis  or Small Vessels which uses an outboard or propeller-driven motor) the distance is 100 Feet

Children under 13 must wear a life vest at all times.

The law used to state only that proper equipment must be on the boat. 

 Rafting Ordinance

This law relates to the number of vessels that are allowed to tie up (raft up) .

• 3 to 10 vessels must be 100 yards from Shoreline and 200 yards from similar number of rafted vessels.
• 11 or must be at least 300 yards from the shoreline.
• 1 to 2 vessels may be with 100 yards from the shoreline or 50 yards from other similarly tied up vessels
• Special permits may be issued with a 60 notice.

Reckless Boating, and Litter

This law prohibits the operation of any watercraft under the influence of an impairing substance.  It also prohibits the operation of a watercraft in a reckless manner. 

The only way to accurately define the litter law is to quote the law:

“No person shall place, throw, deposit, or discharge or cause to be placed, thrown, deposited, or discharged on the waters of this State or into the inland lake waters of this State, any litter, raw sewage, bottles, cans, papers, or other liquid or solid materials which render the waters unsightly, noxious, or otherwise unwholesome so as to be detrimental to the public health or welfare or to the enjoyment and safety of the water for recreational purposes.”

We love Lake Norman and thankfully it is policed better than I have seen it in recent years.  Offenders of these laws are caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  People can lose lives and our lake is for fun and recreation.  OBEY THE LAWS

Click Lake Norman Laws you need to know for more information and addition laws in place.

Contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 for additional information on all your Real Estate and Lake Norman information.

Lake Norman, Interest Rates might be at the lowest they are going to go

I am NOT like other real estate agents that promote themselves that they are number 1 or flashing ads that say “NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY”! etc. blah blah blah.  I realize from my clients that is about the service I provide, NOT about ME!

I also realize that everyone has a different situation.  My goal is to provide as much information as possible to help buyers and sellers make informed decisions when the time IS right for them.

HOWEVER, I am gong to break from one of these molds today!

I was reading a report on the  CNCB website yesterday and it changed my thinking a bit on the topic of when  to by.  READ THE ARTICLE HERE:Don’t Wait: Mortgage Rates Unlikely To Go Any Lower.

While some may say that the FED has more room to cut rates but most experts say they are done for a while. You may not get an opportunity for the current rates in a long while!

So, if your on the fence but have the means and credit, I am telling you that this indeed MAY BE THE BEST TIME BUY!

I have some very professional lenders that I work with that can guide anyone through the loan process.  I have the patience and the knowledge to help you find the right house and get the best deal possible.

Regardless of your choice of agents, I think buyers and sellers should consider this carefully!

You can reach YOUR Lake Norman Area Agent at 704 451 7051 for answer to any question you may have.

Living at Lake Norman North Carolina; A Frame of Mind!

More Links to other great posts at bottom!

Living on the lake is a state of mind. It’s like being on vacation 365 days a year!  My wife and daughter moved here 10 years agon and fell in love with the place. I really felt like I was on vacation all the time. I believe Lake Norman is truly the gem of the Charlotte metro area offering a rare combination of lake living within close commute to downtown Charlotte and the airport.

There’s something for everyone here at Lake Norman with prices ranging from $400k to over 10 Million.  Minutes from Lake Norman, Charlotte is situated within 2 hours of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and 4 hours of the North and South Carolina beaches. Outdoor lovers can go whitewater rafting in Charlotte,take in spectacular scenic drive to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains or fish Lake Norman for the abundant catch available. 

Lake Norman is the largest lake in North Carolina and is truly a fun-lover’s paradise bringing people from all over the United States.  Lake Norman has a reputation for some great Schools which also help to make this a nice place to raise a family.  Whether seeking a vacation home, retirement home, or a primary residence now is a great time to be investing in waterfront property at Lake Norman!  There are deals to be found!

Searching and selecting your ideal home should be a fun and easy process.  Bringing the best that technology has to offer I strive to provide my clients everything they will need while conducting a search for their dream home.  From this blog, my company websites and Real Living 2.0, I make every effort to provide my clients with all the information they need 24 hours a day to make an informed decision.  After all, it’s all about customer service.

Check out the towns surrounding Lake Norman:

Denver North Carolina

Change and growth are surging towards this once small town. Denver is known for warm friendly people and much more. Located on the west side of Lake Norman Denver is on the verge of great growth. New highway revisions to route 16 coming from Charlotte and the completion of route 485 a new beltway around Charlotte will make Denver possibly the quickest commute to downtown Charlotte and the international airport from Lake Norman. Walmart and Lowes hardware stores are new additions to Denver and the beginnings of the huge retail growth slated for Denver. There are new communities abound as well as some of Lake Norman’s finest established communities such as Sailview, Governors Island, and Verdict Ridge (my favorite area golf course).

Sherrills Ford North Carolina

Rural natural beauty dots the Sherrills Ford area located just north of Denver and is also slated for huge growth. Northview Harbour is the anchor Waterfront Community developed by Crescent Development Corp., THE premier developer of Lake Properties. Sherrills Ford will have similar new communities currently under development and expansive retail development in the planning stages. Sherrills Ford will also benefit from the new Rounte 16 that extends all the way up the west side of Lake Norman near the base of the Sherrills Ford area.

Mooresville North Carolina

 
Race City USA is another name given to the booming town of Mooresville. It’s a place many NASCAR race shops and drivers call home. Mooresville is located on the northeast side of Lake Norman with interstate 77 and Hwy 150 intersecting in the middle. Mooresville has the luxury of plenty of shopping and many established and new residential communities. Mooresville is home to The Point which is the premier waterfront and golf community on Lake Norman, also developed by Crescent Development Corp. The Point has home and estates that range in prices from a half million to almost 5 million dollars. This community surrounds a championship 18 hole golf course designed by Greg Norman and features it’s own restaurant, bar, yacht club, tennis courts and fabulous family pool area.

Cornelius North Carolina

Popular Cornelius is located close to interstate 77 on the southeast side of Lake Norman. Cornelius enjoys the amenities of shopping galore, boating, golf and quick commute to downtown Charlotte. The Peninsula is another residential crown jewel on Lake Norman with estate homes selling up to 5 million dollars and a sister community to The Point in Mooresville. The Peninsula offers a lifestyle of premier lake and golf living. The Peninsula has a beautiful and enjoyable 18-hole championship golf course designed by Rees Jones. The Peninsula also features a superb tennis and yacht club.

Huntersville North Carolina

At the southern tip of Lake Norman is the booming city of Huntersville. Close to interstate 77 and Charlotte Huntersville offers Boating, shopping at Birkdale Village and a short drive to the new Northlake Mall as well as fine dining, and the new Presbyterian Hospital.

As you can see, Lake Norman has it all. This is just the tip of the iceburg and you can see by this short synopisis, there is a lot to offer people of all ages and stages of their lives! 

Contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051 if you need any additional information or assistance.

 See Also:

Lake Norman and Charlotte Are Useful Links

Lake Norman Golf and Waterfront Communities 

One of Lake Norman’s Favorite Communities; The Harbour

Lake Norman Luxury; The Point

Knowing Your Way Around Lake Norman

Real Living 2.0 made for Lake Norman Buyes and Sellers

Sherrills Ford, Lake Norman’s Best Kept Secret

Lake Norman’s Hot Spot for Construction

Things to Know before Buying Lake Norman Waterfront

Lake Norman has Lot’s of School Choices

On The West Side of Lake Norman;Denver

Huntersville, Lake Norman’s Progressive Family Town

Lake Norman Real Estate - The Choices are many!

Here is your Lake Norman Market Report through April.

$900,000 to $1,500,000

• 199 Active Listings
• 152 Active Listings are waterfront
• 47 Active non-waterfront listings
• $283.85 Avg. Price per sq. ft. on waterfront
• $237.52 Avg. Price per sq. ft on NON-waterfront
• 6 Properties sold for this period NON-waterfront
• 15 properties sold waterfront
• $268.43 Avg. price per sq. ft on SOLD waterfront
• $200.45 Avg. price per sq.ft. on SOLD non-waterfront

$1,500,000 to $1,999,999

• 1 SOLD non-waterfront property
• $276.90 price per sq. ft on the SOLD non-waterfront
• 7 SOLD waterfront properties
• $283.90 avg. price per sq. ft. on SOLD watefront
• 75 Active waterfront homes
• $308.25 avg. price per sq. ft. on waterfront active homes
• 6 Active non-waterfront homes
• $284.78 avg. price per sq. ft on non-watgerfront active homes

$2,000,000 and up

• 58 Active waterfront properties
• 2 Active non-waterfront properties
• $410.91 price per sq. ft. Active waterfront
• $323.72 price per sq. ft Active non-waterfront
• zero SOLD non-waterfront
• 2 SOLD waterfront
• $443.00 price per sq. ft. SOLD waterfront

Notice the 900,000 to 1,499,999 is still relatively active. 

Be on the lookout for a post about homes in the 500 to 1,000,000 range.

For more information contact your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051.

See also:

Lake Norman Golf and Waterfront Communities 

One of Lake Norman’s Favorite Communities; The Harbour

Lake Norman Luxury; The Point

Your Lake Norman Agents First Visit to Talladega

4/25/2008

 If your race fan and have never been to Talladega, you have to plan a trip to this place. It is an amazing place.  I arrived Thursday of race week to attend the International Racing Hall of Fame banquet.  I am lucky enough to have a very friend who’s father was inducted last night.  I was a very fun event and there was a who’s who of racing legends in attendance.  While my wife is a bigger fan than I, I have to admit that getting my picture taken with some of the old time legends was a big treat. 

Today is qualifying and practice and I will be in the garage area with friends.  I guess it is who you know?  My wife does work for Jr. Motorsports which also helps. 

I have not seen the track yet and I have heard it is enormous.  I will be adding to this story as the weekend progresses.

 4/25/08 6:00pm

WOW, this track is awesome.  Even if your not a huge fan, this is something worth seeing. I watched Cup practice and Nationwide Qualifying and it was a blast.  The cars are flying around the track bumper to bumper.  All I can say is WOW.  The people watching is also a sight to behold.

4/26/08

This morning, I can’t use wow for what I saw last night.  I am not even sure how to describe it.  We had a group of 10 that drove to the infield and parked to walk though it.  I can tell you this that this should never be done alone.  I have been told that this is just like Mardi Gra but since I have never been, it is hard for me to compare.   There is areas where you can walk around kind of like on a boardwalk at the beach.  The differennce is that on either side of the area you walk are campers, RV’s etc.  Many of these are set up with make shift dance floors, drinking games and loud music.  As you can imagine, alcohol is abound.  There was one brief scuffle that brought numerous ( really about 15) police cars within seconds (not minutes).  It was truly an amazing scene.  If you are into this sort of thing, I highly recommend that you experience it once.  I also have my doubts that many of these people even see the race.

Today is the Nationwide Race. Hope it does not get rained out…

4/27/08

I am home from my first trip to Talladega.  I enjoyed the Nationwide race.  It was fun.  I had to miss the cup race due to needing to be home, but this was a trip well worth it.  I highly recommend seeing this event at least once!

Your Lake Norman Area Agent!

 See Also:

Lake Norman and NASCAR a match made in Heaven

Lake Norman and Charlotte Real Estate Area Map

For those who have wondered how we real estate agents figure out how to search for homes within our marketplace, take a look at this map. This gives us options when we need to start out in a broad way before narrowing the search for our clients.   Obviously we can search for properties by using many criteria that are much narrower than this but you get an idea of how large an area our MLS covers.

Areas 1-9 and 42 are within Mecklenburg County and Area 99 is uptown Charlotte. Another area that is very popular is the Lake Norman which is area 13, See Map Below.
From this map you can also see the surrounding counties and how they relate to Charlotte and all it has to offer. Recently area 10, which is Union County, was identified as one of the fastest growing in the area.

Lake Norman Real Estate Area 13 Map

 As you can see by the map above, Lake Norman is a very large lake that spans 4 counties.  Mecklenburg to the Southeast, Lincoln to the West and Southwest, Iredell to the East and North East and Catawba to the North West. 

I have written before about Denver on the West side of the Lake.  Denver is in Area 13-4 on the map.

Another area I have talked about is Sherrills Ford.  It is located on Lake Norman in area 13-5 in Catawba County.  Mooresville is area 13-2 in Iredell County.   Cornelius and Huntersville is located in area 13-3 in Mecklenburg County.

If you have questions about these areas, please feel freel to contact your Lake Norman Agent Roby Robertson at 704 451 7051.

See Also:

The Point At Lake Norman

One Of Lake Normans Favorite Places To Live; The Harbour

Lake Norman What is The Traffic Really Like

Knowing Your Way Around Lake Norman

Real Living 2.0 made for Lake Norman Buyes and Sellers

 Lake Norman Golf and Waterfront Communities

Golf Anyone?  Lake Norman has affordable golf like Westport in Denver!

Golf around the Charlotte area can get expensive.  However on the West side of Lake Norman you will give Westport Golf Club, a semi-private gem in the woods.

Westport Golf Club is the Charlotte area’s best value in golf.  Westport offers a great annual membership plan and affordable daily fee rates to the golfing public.

Wesport is great for the whole family as well as a fair test for seniors. The Club offers one of the most affordable annual pass memberships in Charlotte area golf.  If you are looking for a club that offers great golf, exciting member tournaments, and a chance to make new friends, Westport is for your club.

Golf membership dues are as follows:
Family - $1420
Senior Family - $1300
Single - $1060
Senior Single - $880
* For monthly & quarterly memberships, there is a $10 transaction fee
** No initiation fee if membership paid annually or first 6 months paid in full

Live where you play at Westport at Lake Norman

Westport Real Estate. Current List of Active Homes. There are 38 active homes in the community with an average list price of $511,922.  There are some beautiful homes in this area and more to come!

If you need any additional information, please call your Lake Norman Agent at 704 451 7051. 

 See Also:

Real Living 2.0 is made for Lake Norman Buyers and Sellers

Creative Ways to Buy Your Lake Norman Home