A Plumbing Tip

Bruce starts another Pre-Licensing!!

Bruce has begun teaching another Pre-license class at Superior School of Real Estate last week. Superior School offers all classes needed for real estate professionals as well as people who are looking to enter into the profession. Feel free to contact Bruce with any questions you may have!!! 704-488-7914 Directly.

New Rule!

New Lead-Paint Renovation and Repair Rule Effective April 22, 2010


A new rule will go into effect this month requiring renovation and repair contractors to be EPA-certified to work with lead paint hazards if they will work on a residential property built before 1978 in which lead-based paint may be disturbed. HUD estimates that this could be as many as 35 million properties. The rule also applies to places where children under 6 spend large amounts of time, such as child care centers and schools. The certified contractor must provide the occupants (owner or tenant) with a new information booklet and must follow lead safe work practices.

There are several important exemptions to this rule:
1. Homeowner occupants or tenant occupants may do the work themselves without certification.
*Due to the potential hazards, EcoBrokers would recommend that these individuals be provided with the booklet mentioned below to avoid exposing the occupant families to lead hazard.
2. A residence where there are no children under 6 and no pregnant women as regular residents is a possible exemption.
3. If the area disturbed is less than 6 square feet indoors or 20 square feet outdoors, the project is exempt. Because lead paint was so prevalent on window frames in pre-1978 houses, window replacement on these homes is never exempt.
4. If a qualified lead test specialist certifies that no lead paint will be disturbed, the project is exempt.
5. There are a few additional less likely exemptions.

The required disclosure booklet is to be provided by the contractor, but you may wish to have it for your reference as well. You can get it at
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf
(English) or http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochuresp.pdf (Spanish). The EPA has also prepared a 17 minute film of information for Realtors - they appear to believe that all real estate brokerage professionals are members of the National Association of REALTORS®. That film is available to everyone at http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid25955667001?bctid=29590050001

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone!!!

Hello everyone, Urban Realty wants to wish you all very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays this year. We thank you all for making Urban Realty as special and unique as it is! We love you all and thanks for a great year!!!!! Bring on the New Decade as we welcome 2010!!!

Ice Skating in Uptown has returned again!!!!!

We are all so excited to see the return of the ice skating rink at "The Green" in the premiere location at the Ratcliff in Uptown Charlotte. My son has enjoyed this every year and is now quite good at it. He is 7 years old and loves just watching all the "big people" fall. He laughs out loud with his full belly convictions. So come have some family fun and skate around Charlotte. It will stay around unil January 9, 2010. Tickets are $7.00.

Tax Credit Extension has Passed!!!

Earlier today the House of Representatives passed legislation to extend and expand the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, which was approved by the Senate this week. The legislation will be sent to the President, and upon his signature, made law. NAMB strongly advocated for an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit, and considers this a victory for consumers, the housing industry, and NAMB.

Under the legislation, homebuyers will qualify for the tax credit until April 30, 2009 (as long as they have entered a binding contract), and have an additional 2 months (until June 30, 2009) to close the transaction. Borrower income limits have also been increased to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples (up from $75,000 and $150,000 respectively under the current program). The legislation also includes a tax credit not exceeding $6,500 for move up buyers who have owned their current homes for at least 5 years.

45th Festival in the Park

September 24-27, 2009
THURSDAY September 24 - 6 pm – 9 pm
FRIDAY September 25 Kid's Day 10 am- 1 pm
FRIDAY September 25 - 1 pm- 9:30 pm
SATURDAY September 26 - 10 am – 9:30 pm
SUNDAY September 27- 11 am – 6 pm

Construction Halts at the VUE

A construction worker pulls down the R.J. Griffin and Co. sign from the construction site of The Vue on Monday.
Construction on The Vue, a 51-story uptown condo tower that kept on building as others stalled, will be stopped as of today because the developer hasn't paid its bills, according to an e-mail sent Monday by the project's general contractor.

It's the latest sign of trouble in the center city condo market, where sales have plunged in recent years. The delay also illustrates the real estate market's lingering weakness as lenders scrutinize projects more closely than in the past.

The e-mail to subcontractors, signed by contractor R.J. Griffin & Co.'s senior project manager and obtained by The Observer, said Griffin had not been paid for work done in July and, while it has been working with the owner and lenders to resolve the matter, “to date we have been unable to reach a resolution.”

As a result, the contractor directed subcontractors to stop all work on the $275million-plus project effective at 12:01 a.m. today, according to the e-mail.

Calls to R.J. Griffin's Charlotte office were not returned. The Vue's owner, Chicago-based MCL Cos., declined to talk with The Observer.

At the work site, at Fifth and Pine streets, workers streamed out of the tower at the shift's end Monday, carrying an assortment of items, such as ladders, buckets and drills, that workers often leave overnight. Workers with four subcontractors, and half a dozen Griffin employees, said they had been told that work might stop because of unpaid bills.

Employees also removed R.J. Griffin signs from fences and used cranes to hoist portable toilets and other heavy equipment to the ground from The Vue's upper floors.

Movies in the Park

The 5th ANNUAL Movies in the Park returns to Freedom Park this summer! Can you imagine a better way to spend a summer evening than sitting under the stars, chomping on popcorn, hanging out with friends & neighbors while watching one of your favorite flicks? Neither can we. So come join us at Freedom Park this Summer and make some memories with your family!
Presented by Watershed and the Char-Meck Park & Recreation Department.

::DETAILS ::
•All movies take place on the 2nd Friday of the month
•All movies begin at SUNSET
•Located at the Freedom Park Amphitheater (bring a chair/blanket!)
•Popcorn provided FREE of charge
•Drawings for prizes (DVD players, gift certificates, and more!)
•Fun for the whole family, a date, your dog, or just you!
•TOTALLY FREE

This month's movie is August Rush.

Charlotte Irish Summer Festival

The third annual Charlotte Irish Summer Festival is scheduled for Uptown Charlotte on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14 & 15, 2009. This year's family-friendly event will feature Irish music, dancing, drinks and food, as well as crafts, games (for adults and kids!) and more!

Saturday's Festival is Located at 3rd & Tryon St. & Starts at Noon

Courtyard Charlotte City Center
237 South Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC. 28202

Charlotte Restaurant Week Continues

Queen’s Feast - Charlotte Restaurant Week! July 10-19, you can get a three course meal at nearly 100 of Charlotte’s best local restaurants for just $30 per person (tax and gratuity not included).

This 10-day feast is a great opportunity to try some of Charlotte’s most remarkable chefs and trendy hot spots. If you are working on a budget you can’t beat these deals. See the menus of all the participating restaurants.

Almost all my favorites are on the list. In the Elizabeth neighborhood, Carpe Diem, Customshop and Cajun Queen all offer a great New American menus. In Dilworth you can do a “Taste of the World” tour with the scrumptious Italian of Dolce, Indian at Copper, Spanish at Sole and fine Asian at Zen.

You may want to walk to your choice restaurant so that you don't gain too much weight.

Red, White, & Boom! Uptown Fireworks / Family Fun Festival

Lance will bring wholesome family fun to Uptown Charlotte and beyond on the nation’s birthday. The fireworks show will be approximately 20 minutes long, and begins at 9:30 p.m. (weather and fire department clearance permitting). The show will be synched to a music track that will be heard exclusively on 96.9 FM WKKT, The Kat and played live at all viewing venues.


The Family Fun Festival at Memorial Stadium is free, with live music as well as games for kids of all ages. Sweetbriar Jam, a young and talented bluegrass band will play from 6:30-7:30 p.m. as well as Band of Gold kicking off at 8:00 until 9:15 p.m. There will be stadium and grass seating to watch the fireworks blast off at 9:30 p.m. so get there early for a prime spot!

Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be on sale inside the stadium…no food or beverages may be brought in. You are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs to take advantage of the field for viewing. Parts of the stands that do not have a view of the fireworks will be blocked off, but most of the stands will be available for seating for optimum viewing.

Everyone who comes is asked to bring non-perishable food to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank to help feed the hungry in our area. That donation qualifies you for a drawing for a list of prizes, including a $500 voucher to fly anywhere in the continental US on US Airways!

Charlotte Could Benefit from New Tax Credit Options

Home Buyer Tax Credit Could Expand:

A first time home buyer tax credit of up to $8000 has helped to move housing inventory during an otherwise sluggish real estate cycle. Now both legislators and the business community are hoping to build on the incentive's success by expanding it.
A number of bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that lobby for an expansion of the measure. Among the proposed changes:

+ Setting a new cap of $15,000
+ Extending the tax break into mid-2010
+ Making the benefit available to all home buyers, not just first-timers.
+ offering a separate tax credit to $3,000 for borrowers who refinance.

Brown Bag Wednesdays Summer Drop In at Freedom Park

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department sponsors the “Brown Bag Wednesdays Summer Drop-In” series on Wednesdays, June 17 - August 5, 2009, 10am–12pm at Freedom Park shelter #3 (just below the Mahlon Adams Pavilion near the lake). Youngsters should bring their own bag lunch and share a picnic in the park!

These sessions are for boys and girls, ages 6-12. All sessions are FREE! Participants engage in a variety of fun activities including crafts, African drumming, wacky science, sports, wellness and fitness activities.

The following is a list of scheduled activities:
· June 17: Super Olympics
· June 24: Sports
· July1: Fitness with Ms. Brooke
· July 8: African Drumming
· July 15: Wacky Science
· July 22: Do it yourself crafts
· July 29: Do it yourself crafts II
· August 5: Party Time (Lunch provided this day!)


Participants must register by June 10, 2009. Space is limited. To register visit www.parkandrec.com, click on Eparks, and use Course Barcode #45427 or call 311 or Linda Ramseur Williams at 704 336-7644.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

By: Diane Tuman, Zillow Content Manager June 10, 2009
Don’t qualify for the Obama Refinance or Loan Modification programs but still want your piece of the pie? Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Feds will pay you to save energy through home improvement projects (and energy-efficient autos).

Quick summary of Energy Tax Incentives (from Department of Energy):
Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements “placed in service” starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010.

What you need to know about Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency (from ENERGY STAR):
must be “placed in service” (i.e., installed) from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010
must be for taxpayer’s principal residence, EXCEPT for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, and small wind energy systems (where second homes and rentals qualify)
$1,500 is the maximum total amount that can be claimed for all products placed in service in 2009 & 2010 for most home improvements, EXCEPT for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and small wind energy systems which are not subject to this cap, and are in effect through 2016 must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement to qualify
for record keeping, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement
improvements made in 2009 will be claimed on your 2009 taxes (filed by April 15, 2010) — use IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) — it will be available late 2009 or early 2010

If you are building a new home, you can qualify for the tax credit for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells, but not the tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, or non-solar water heaters.

So, what is a tax credit?
A tax credit is generally more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction because a tax credit reduces tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only removes a percentage of the tax that is owed. Consumers can itemize purchases on their federal income tax form, which will lower the total amount of tax they owe the government.

One big caveat according to the non-profit Alliance to Save Energy, “In order to be eligible for the tax credit, heating and cooling equipment must meet specified measures of energy efficiency. Individuals can search for qualifying products on the, Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s Web site.
So, if you were planning on doing these upgrades to your home anyway, make sure to follow the guidelines so you can get a tax credit!

Wilmore Day is June 13th

Charlotte’s Wilmore neighborhood celebrates community with its annual Wilmore Day celebration Saturday, June 13 at Abbott Park. This year’s event is shaping up to be the best Wilmore Day ever with music, a raffle, kid’s games, prizes, fish, hotdogs and more.
The parade will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Enter a car or float in the parade to represent your street. Call Jessica Barnwell to enter 704.375.4501. There will also be a raffle, and booths selling crafts and other items.
For more info, visit the Wilmore Neighborhood Association site.

Charlotte Shakespeare Festival 2009

Charlotte Shakespeare Festival 2009
The Charlotte Shakespeare Festival returns to the Queen City for a fourth year, presenting free family-friendly performances of classic plays through June 13. The festival kicks off Sunday, May 31, with the romantic comedy “Twelfth Night” outdoors at The Green Uptown. Wednesdays are Shakespeare trivia nights - come early at 7:15 p.m. for a chance to win prizes. Sundays are family days - free Shakespeare workshops held at 5 p.m. prior to the show. Picnics are welcome. No reservations required.
The Charlotte Shakespeare Festival is also offering free Shakespeare performance workshops for young people (ages 10-18) and their families on Sundays at 5 p.m. prior to performances. The workshops are taught by professional actors/educators and will consist of theatre games, exercises and readings from the script. Bring the family and enjoy a fun hands-on experience with one of Shakespeare’s plays. No experience necessary.
For more information, visit charlotteshakespeare.com/.

Taste of Charlotte - This weekend

This year marks the 11th year of the Annual Taste of Charlotte Festival! The festival starts Friday, June 5th at 11:00 and runs until Sunday at 6:00. The location is uptown Charlotte on Tryon Street, between MLK Jr Blvd to 6th Street. Admission to Taste of Charlotte is free, and guest can purchase coins for their food and beverages. Enjoy delicious food while you stroll along Tryon Street. The festival is an all ages event! Come out and see one of the best festivals in Charlotte!

Pet Palooza

PetPalooza is the Humane Society of Charlotte’s annual dog walk and pet festival.

Participants sign up to walk with their friends, family and co-workers, two-legged or four, to raise funds and awareness for the Society. PetPalooza is a fun-filled day for the entire family and includes refreshments, entertainment, a vendor fair as well as a fido fashion show, featuring the fabulous dogs from the Humane Society.

Who: You and everyone you know! Register to walk as an individual, as part of a team or sign up to be a vendor or volunteer.

What: The Humane Society of Charlotte’s largest fundraiser!

When: Saturday, May 30, 2009– 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. & Walk starts at 9:00 a.m. Rain date is June 6, 2009

Where: Independence Park - 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC, 28204

Why: Because it is fun and every cent helps the Humane Society of Charlotte's animals find their forver homes

How: Register today at http://humanecharlotte.donorpages.com/PetPalooza2009


For more information, please call 704-377-0534, ext. 229 or email dcanzano@humanesocietyofcharlotte.org

Charlotte Shakespeare Festival: Twelfth Night

Collaborative Arts presents the region's only free Shakespeare festival, kicking off its 2009 summer season with William Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night outdoors at The Green Uptown. Don't miss this Shakespeare classic...and see it under the starry skies of the Queen City. Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and may bring food and beverages, if desired.

Begins this week May 28th and runs through June 14th, 2009

Location:The Green
Date:05/28/2009 - 06/14/2009
Schedule:Daily
Time:Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings @ 8:00 p.m. and Sundays @ 6:30 p.m.
Cost:Admission is Free (donations will be accepted at the end of the performance)
Address:435 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Website:Click here