Union County Real Estate Talk

The 2011 Matthews NC Real Estate Market—Five Facts

It's time to look at the real estate market in Matthews NC and to assess how home buyers and home sellers fared in 2011.

Here are five facts about the Matthews marketplace in 2011.

1. The single family market in Matthews improved last year over each of the previous two years with 6.9% more homes sold than in 2010.
2. The median sales price was up slightly over 2010 and up 6% over 2009.
3. Matthews’ townhome market has declined every year since 2008.  The median sales price of townhomes has been at the $160,000 level for the past two years, substantial decline from median sales prices over $225,000 in 2008 and 2009.
4. There is still new construction to be found in Matthews at around 11% of the marketplace.
5. Distressed sales accounted for approximately 25% of the 2011 market.

What do these five facts mean for Matthews buyers and sellers?

• It is a much better marketplace for single family home sellers in Matthews than for townhome sellers.
• In spite of the improving single family market, Matthews is still a very affordable place for home buyers.
• Home buyers can find a few new home neighborhoods in which to purchase.

Want to learn more about the real estate market in Matthews and see all the numbers for each of the past four years? Want to know where the most active Matthews neighborhoods were in 2011? Click on the link below.

Matthews NC Real Estate Market Report—Year 2011

Copyright 2012. Carol Fox. Allen Tate Realtors. *The 2011 Matthews NC Real Estate Market—Five Facts*

Matthews NC Elementary Schools

Moving to Matthews NC?  If you are the parent of young children, you are probably very interested in the elementary schools that serve Matthews students.

Newcomers to Matthews should first do some research on the school system.  The Town of Matthews doesn't own the schools within its borders.  The Matthews schools are part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), a county-wide school district.  This means that the pupil assignment zones don't correspond to town boundaries. 

Click here to learn some basics about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Where will Matthews students attend elementary school?

There are three elementary schools located within the Town of Matthews. They are Matthews Elementary, Elizabeth Lane Elementary, and Crown Point Elementary.  These schools serve most Matthews students although some students will attend school outside town limits. 

Click on the links below to learn more about each Matthews school, including location and school report cards.

Matthews Elementary

Elizabeth Lane Elementary

Crown Point Elementary

Want to know more about schools and living in Matthews NC?  Request a free Matthews NC relocation package.

Copyright 2011.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *Matthews NC Elementary Schools*

Matthews NC Homes for Sale--801 Laurel Fork Drive is Sold!

The home at 801 Laurel Fork Drive in Matthews NC closed yesterday.  Like all homes in Sardis Plantation, this is a full brick home.  What is unique about it compared to its neighbors is that it is located on an acre of land.

Sardis Plantation is a wonderful neighborhood conveniently located off Highway 51 near Elizabeth Lane and Sardis Road.  The neighborhood has a traditional feel with its full brick homes and lots with mature landscaping and trees.  Homeowners fees are modest.  Community amenities include walking trails, a playground and tennis courts.

Elizabeth Lane Elementary, a highly-regarded school, adjoins the neighborhood.  Many students from Sardis Plantation walk to school.

Click on the link to learn more about Sardis Plantation.

Want to purchase a Charlotte NC home? Click here to search all Charlotte NC homes for sale.

Copyright 2011.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors. *Matthews NC Homes for Sale--801 Laurel Fork Drive is Sold!

2011-11-27

Historic BD Funderburk House a Symbol of Matthews NC Turn-of-the-Century Prosperity

On November 29, 2011, the Town of Matthews will hold a public hearing to consider whether to designate the Benjamin DeWitt Funderburk house a historic landmark. The house was built in 1904 by BD Funderburk, a town merchant whose prosperity grew along with the development of Matthews after the Civil War as an agricultural service center and shipping point along the Central Carolina Railroad.

A walk through downtown Matthews with its historic buildings makes it easy to envision this bustling hub where farmers in the surrounding communities could bring their cotton to be shipped to the textile mills.  As the textile mills prospered, so did the merchants who served the Matthews community.  BD Funderburk operated his father’s dry goods store and built the Bank of Matthews.  He became one of Matthews’ most prominent and wealthy citizens at the turn of the twentieth century.

The house that BD Funderburk built in 1904 was a symbol of his community status and wealth.  Situated on an acre in downtown Matthews, it is a transitional Queen Anne-Colonial Revival style.  This style combines classical elements with Queen Anne details such as the curvilinear porch and high hip roof.  The house was renovated by the current owners in 2009.

The Funderburk house is the only remaining home with this styling in Matthews.  The only other house with Queen Anne styling in Matthews is the 1890 Nancy Reid house, a full-blown Queen Anne cottage.  Click here to read more about the Nancy Reid house.

Want to know more about real estate and living in Matthews NC?  Request a free Matthews NC relocation package.

Copyright 2011.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *Historic BD Funderburk House a Symbol of Matthews NC Turn-of-the-Century Prosperity*

Bella Sera Villas in Matthews NC—2011 Real Estate Market Update

Active adults searching for a maintenance-free lifestyle will enjoy Bella Sera Villas, a gated townhome community in Matthews NC.  Brick and stone accent the exteriors of these units that feature one-level living.  Some basement units are available in the complex.  The quaint historic downtown of Matthews with its farmers market and community activities is nearby as is abundant shopping.

How did the 2011 real estate market in Bella Sera Villas compare with the 2009 and 2010 market in the neighborhood?  The table below shows median values for several characteristics of the marketplace.  Seven homes sold in the neighborhood in 2011 compared with none in 2010 and seven in 2009.

Bella Sera Villas Real Estate Market Comparison

More than half the sales in Bella Sera in 2011 were foreclosures.  This downward pressure in pricing resulted in a median sales price of $168,500.  There were no sales in the complex in 2010.  The median sales price in 2009 was $262,000.

Source:  Carolina Multiple Listing Service

Bella Sera Villas Types of Closed Sales

Source:  Carolina Multiple Listing Service 

Learn more:  Bella Sera Villas in Matthews NC—Homes for Sale and Neighborhood Profile

Bella Sera Homes for Sale

Click here to see Bella Sera homes for sale.

Ever wonder what your Bella Sera home is worth?

Click here to receive a free market evaluation.

Copyright 2011.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *Bella Sera Villas in Matthews NC—2011 Real Estate Market Update*

Greylock in Matthews NC—Homes for Sale and Neighborhood Profile

Did you ever think about living in a small historic town where restaurants, a library, a farmers market and community parks and festivals are within walking distance?  If so, you might want to consider the Greylock neighborhood in downtown Matthews.  The first homes in Greylock were built in 2006 by Ryan Homes.  A new builder, Knotts Builders, is continuing construction in the neighborhood.

Greylock homes have vinyl exteriors with brick or stone accents.  They range in size from 2300 square feet to over 3000 square feet.  Floor plans include ranches or two-story homes.  Some basement lots are available in the neighborhood.

Greylock has a great location adjacent to the Matthews Greenway, a two-mile trail that meanders through the town.  An interchange with I-485 is just a quarter of a mile away.  And, of course, all the Matthews amenities are a short walk away.

Greylock Community Features

Community Amenities:  Greylock Homeowners Association

Builders:  Ryan Homes, Knotts Builders

Schools: Matthews Elementary, Crestdale Middle, Butler High.  School assignments are subject to change.  Check with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools for current school assignments.  

Greylock Real Estate Market Update

January to October 2011

Single Family Homes

Homes Sold: 10

Prices:  $240,000 to $415,000    Average Sales Price:  $297,694   Median Price:  $287,500   

Average Square Feet:  3176   Median Square Feet:  3044  

Average Days on Market: 71

Source:  Carolina Multiple Listing Service

Greylock Homes for Sale

Click here to see Greylock homes for sale.

Ever wonder what your Greylock home is worth?

Click here to receive a free market evaluation.

Copyright 2011.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *Greylock in Matthews NC—Homes for Sale and Neighborhood Profile*

Matthews NC Real Estate Market Report—July-September 2011

While the third quarter median sales price for single family homes in Matthews NC slipped 7.3% from the second quarter median price, it was 16.8% higher than the first quarter and higher than yearly median prices since 2008.  The number of homes closed increased 14% over the second quarter.  Median days on market increased to 104 days.

Only three townhomes or condos sold in the third quarter with a median sales price of $151,000.  Days on market declined to 87.

What do the third quarter 2011 numbers mean for Matthews NC buyers and sellers?

• While the single family median sales price was lower than the second quarter, the median Matthews home is selling for more than any year since 2007.  Townhome sellers in Matthews may not find much demand for their properties as few in this category sold during the third quarter.
• Buyers for properties in Matthews can find affordable, reasonably stable prices in neighborhoods with convenient access to amenities.

Single Family Homes

Source: Carolina Multiple Listing Service

Townhomes and Condominiums

Source: Carolina Multiple Listing Service

Most Active Neighborhoods in Matthews NC Third Quarter 2011

The following neighborhoods had the most sales activity during the second quarter.

Greylock   Brightmoor   Sardis Plantation   The Heathers

Copyright 2011. Carol Fox. Allen Tate Realtors. *Matthews NC Real Estate Market Report—July-September 2011*

Somersby in Matthews NC—2010 Real Estate Market Update

Somersby is a small neighborhood with highly regarded schools and a great Matthews location.  There are no neighborhood amenities and no homeowners association fees.  Somersby homes were built in the 1980s and include both two-story colonial homes and ranches.

How did the 2010 real estate market in Somersby compare with the 2009 market in the neighborhood?  The table below shows median values for several characteristics of the marketplace. Four homes sold in 2010 compared with 5 in 2009. 

Somersby Real Estate Market Comparison

Half of the home sales in Somersby in 2010 were foreclosures resulting in a dramatic drop in the median closed price.  The median list to sale ratio also dropped significantly to 81%.

Source:  Carolina Multiple Listing Service

Somersby Types of Closed Sales

Source:  Carolina Multiple Listing Service 

Somersby Homes for Sale

Click here to see Somersby homes for sale.

Ever wonder what your Somersby home is worth?

Click here to receive a free market evaluation.

Copyright 2011.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *Somersby in Matthews NC—2010 Real Estate Market Update*

The Matthews NC Lifestyle

If you are looking for a small town with access to big city amenities, check out Matthews North Carolina.  With approximately 27,000 residents and located at Charlotte’s doorstep, Matthews retains its friendly small town feeling.  The quaint downtown with its historic buildings is the hub of the Matthews lifestyle.  Here you’ll find the library, a farmers market, shops and restaurants.  Stumptown Park in the heart of downtown Matthews provides a place where town events and festivals can take place.  The entrance to a two-mile greenway through some Matthews neighborhoods is found in downtown Matthews.

Nothing exemplifies the Matthews lifestyle more than the Matthews Alive Festival every Labor Day weekend.  This is the weekend when over 200,000 people visit this small town to enjoy the wholesome family fun that we all remember from our childhoods.  An old-fashioned parade, carnival rides and games, musical entertainment, an arts and crafts show and a classic car show are all part of the festival.

Enjoy this video of scenes from the 2011 Matthews Alive Festival.

Copyright 2011.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *The Matthews NC Lifestyle*

Kick n’ Stitch Broom Shop Opens in Matthews NC

The small historic building called the Renfrow Hardware Annex in downtown Matthews NC now houses a shop called the Kick n’ Stitch.  Mark Hernig, the proprietor, makes corn brooms on antique broom-making machines in the shop. Mr. Hernig learned his trade from a Mennonite broom maker and has been making and selling authentic corn brooms for thirteen years.

When I stopped by the shop today, Mr. Hernig was explaining the broom making process and demonstrating his craft to onlookers. The name of the shop comes from the two steps in the process: attaching broomcorn to the handle and stitching the broomcorn together. A winding machine with a foot treadle, called a kicker, is used to attach the broomcorn to the handle with wire. Then the broomcorn is stitched together with flax twine to retain its shape. Hence, the kick n’ stitch name of the shop.

Mr. Hernig said that he can make three large brooms in one day. He loves making beautiful brooms that can be used everyday.

The Kick n’ Stitch is more than a broom shop. It’s also a museum showcasing the art of broom making and housing antique broom making machines. The machines that Mr. Hernig uses to make his brooms are from the 19th century. Other machines in the museum are older. Displays explaining broom making line the walls.

The next time you visit downtown Matthews, stop by the Kick n’ Stitch and welcome Mark Hernig to Matthews. The shop is open from Tuesday through Saturday and features brooms in various sizes and shapes for sale.

Want to know more about real estate and living in Matthews NC? Visit www.CarolinaSmallTownLiving.com.

Copyright 2011. Carol Fox. Allen Tate Realtors. *Kick n’ Stitch Broom Shop Opens in Matthews NC*