Charlotte Area Homes By Cross: North Carolina: Charlotte: Ballantyne

I Never met these players until I joined Active Rain. Charlotte Homes for Sale rings a new tune for me. These new Players will always be on my team. 

So we started with a Home Run Lender - Nevin Williams. He helped my clients to first base and got them qualified.

Then we found the home the clients wanted....and got it under contract. Second Base secured.

Then we had the house inspected by Preston Sandlin - Home Inspection Carolina. He solidified what needed to be done to make the property a winner.

Nevin gave the sign to swing away through underwriting.

And with the bases loaded .... My clients closed on their new home. Such a fine September morning for all.

An Active Rain Triple Play.

BaseBall has been berry berry good to me here in Active Rain.

There is always this year.....

We had our share of weather that resembles N.Y.  Ice and Snow. Now the cold. My clients are fed-up with the old lang sine, Me too , but it's a fun thing for us as it goes away quickly.

Here's to winter in the South. And Guess who Showed-up ....?

My daughter and the Dog (that looks to have a home here)

Hey NY ! You Are Next

You too Boston !

So as our fridge melts.....

Enjoy our moment

(at least I will)

The fire is warm and the guitar is close.

Baby it's cold outside

For those of you researching Ballantyne homes for sale and what the Ballantyne area offers-look no further-start here!

Perhaps this article will help answer this ever-popular question...What is it about Ballantyne that keeps Charlotte home buyers flocking to the area?

Designed for lifestyle, the Ballantyne area was developed with an upscale feel; easy access for all one's needs and spread over 2,000 acres of prime land. Once the developments plans were made public, it quickly became a sought out address. This was before any of the homes were even built! The savvy buyer plunked their money down early and has earned their braggin' rights. This area has been a stronghold in Charlotte real estate since its inception.

Your choice of Ballantyne homes range from condominiums, to private golf course communities.

Ballantyne Country Club is the namesake of the area, although it has a private course, there is also a public course located just up the street at the Ballantyne Resort. Other nearby exclusive clubs (located within under five miles of Ballantyne), include Piper Glen and the Providence Country Club both in Charlotte-as well as Firethorne and Longview Country Club ( a gated community)...both located in nearby Union County. For golfers just looking for the greens, there are plenty of public courses to choose from!

If you are not interested in a full country club membership, try one of these two communities on for size. Kensington at Ballantyne-located in the heart of it, Kensington at Ballantyne is within walking distance of the Ballantyne Village or, Highgrove. Highgrove is within walking distance of Ballantyne's excellent school set up.

Many folks really don't care about having an amenity package with their neighborhood, and if you are one of those, you can take a good look into the communities of Highgrove or Kensington at Ballantyne. Both offer gorgeous streetscapes and beautiful custom homes, some with personal pools.

Expect home prices to be ranging from $500,000 to $900,000 in either of these communities. For something a little less costly, but still extremely nice, we've highlighted a few top selling Ballantyne neighborhoods below.

Ballantyne homes are located in the neighborhood of Thornhill. One of the original Ballantyne neighborhoods, it is situated between Stonecrest and Ballantyne Village shopping centers. It offers a 10 acre park, a community pool, active HOA, a clubhouse, basketball and tennis courts. Home prices run from $250K-$400K.

The Dog Days of Summer are Upon Us. What are you doing to get a Dog-Gone good Deal! ARE you are becoming SIRIUS ?

According to ancient lore, The Dog Days of Summer are to cover the hottest days of the year and commemorate the rising of the Dog Star- SIRIUS -one of the brightest stars in the heavens. These days begin in July and last through August.

So the way I see it, it’s time to get dog-gone serious about getting that home you have been waffling about. The sun, moon,and the stars are aligned for you to get in on a buyers market that sizzles like summer here in Charlotte.

What do you need to get you motivated?

• Price? – Best Prices on homes in over 5 years
• Interest rates? Best Mortgage interest rates in a lifetime
• How about a mortgage interest Tax deduction?
• Can you use a higher income tax rebate next year?

Ok, So you’ve heard this all Spring and Summer. Why bring up the dog days to pound the point one more time? Because if you are the big dog, and bone up on your area concerning all the great deals, you’ll howl with glee on what you can get in this market.

Neighborhoods in Charlotte have never been more affordable. How about buying a non-distressed home in Ballantyne for under $100/sqft? You can’t build a home for that price there. How about a Myers Park Home $100K less than appraised value? Pretty doggone good eh? The Charlotte area is littered with neighborhoods loaded with deals.

This is not the tail wagging the dog. This is the market wagging the dog and it’s a chewy treat to behold.  Woof. Let the big dog in you come out and eat up these deals.

Ouch ! But my leg is still attached. TG, cheers to the limber.

What we do to sell Real Estate.

So Saturday, I am pointing out the backyard on an estate sale. I say "look how nice the back yard is". I take a step on the second rung of wooden stairs ,and it was rotten, and gives way, my leg twisting , and I fall like a sack of potatoes in the back yard . Leg on fire, (and lucky leg was not broken) . I danced and responded that I was OK. Tough guys walk off pain.

Wrong. I show 4 more homes with a grimace and smile. What we do to sell Real Estate.

Roll clock forward 3 hours. My leg is like a balloon. My wife was showing all day for a great buyer-but with many houses to show. Hence - no one around to hear my whine.

I hobble around preparing a good dinner. Meat on the grill with a twist of fresh Banana peppers fried. I scraped the seeds with my hands.

A quick wash of the hands and back to the grill. The left hand reaches my face. I do the functionally rub, FIRE ! My face is on fire from the peppers ! Hot Pepper juice from the seeds have infected my face!

So with bum leg, Face on fire, my wife arrives with buoyant attitude through the front door to see me crippled and red-faced seeking help.

Moral of the story is to watch your step and don't dance with hot peppers. Holy crap what a nightmare. I finished the dinner off by burning my hand on the grill.

Humility...a sure sign of aging.

Find Ballantyne homes for sale, Charlotte real estate links and the Ballantyne home market report for Charlotte real estate in Ballantyne Country Club. Information was provided by using Carolina MLS listings for all property sales that occurred between January 1-April 15, 2010 and a review of the same time span for a three year period. These numbers are based on the market average for Ballantyne properties in South Charlotte.

Ballantyne Country Club Housing Market Report: January 1-April 15, 2010:

OUR LINKS ARE UPDATED DAILY, but will not work with AOL browsers.
  
    *  Ballantyne Country Club Homes For Sale
    *  Ballantyne Country Club Community and School Information
    *  Ballantyne Homes for Sale
    *  Waxhaw Homes for Sale
    *  Charlotte Custom Homes
    *  Charlotte Golf Course Communities

If you are a buyer or seller, interested in Ballantyne Country Club homes, please give us a call. We live in the area, and know it well. Click here to learn more about living in the Ballantyne area of  South Charlotte .

Claude Cross 704-975-1733
Jane Cross     704-608-0228
Charlotte Real Estate

Use our site to find property in Ballantyne as well as all real estate for sale in Charlotte.

Serving Charlotte NC Real Estate , Charlotte Luxury Homes and Relocation Needs since 1994.

South Charlotte's Ballantyne area is a great place to to live and thrive.

That being said ...Let's go down the check-list:

• Best of the best!
• Access is easy to everything-interstates-entertainment-shopping
• Lovely homes of all shapes and sizes
  
• Luxurious landscaping
• Ample shopping is an understatement
• Niche restaurants and boutiques
  
• Top of the line school set up
  
• YMCA-plus plenty of recreational venues and community activities
  
• Nice people!
• Enjoy the ease of everything you could possibly want within a 3 mile radius
  
• !  Also you won't believe the size of the mega YMCA.

Let me expound about Ballantyne Schools: Ardrey Kell High School, JM Robinson Middle School, Polo View Elementary, Ballantine Elementary, Community House Middle, Hawks Nest Elementary, Endhaven Elementary ...some of the top schools in
the Charlotte area. Most have awards that make them outstanding and well sought after.

Access to Ballantyne is EASY! ..I-485 sets this area out as an easy north /south  (I-77) access, and  easy east/west (I-85) interstate commutes. The airport is less than 25 minutes away and downtown is within 30 minutes. Many other driving arteries give great access. And if that is not enough,the new  Light rail train to uptown is a ten minutes away! Chooo-Chooo !

As the rest of Charlotte has had pockets of price challenged homes, Ballantyne has held it's value throughout the current real estate crunch. This is one of the most stable real estate zones in the entire area.

Shopping is absurd. You name it, and it is here. It's almost too convenient. Dozens of grocery stores of all makes and varieties, Discount big boxes like multiple Targets and Wall marts (to include a new super Wall-mart coming on board in 2010). Brand name stores, and Carolina Place mall, ... Too many options to mention. They make it easy to spend nearby. Smart retailers.

Some of the neighborhoods have so many amenities that you never have
to leave home. How about a small water-park in your own neighborhood!
Ball fields, walking trails, parks, and so much packed into a 3 mile radius that keeps people close to home. It's all here. Even Charlotte's top rated Hotel/Resort - Ballantyne Hotel - 5 Star, Spa, Dining, and Golf. Tiger and the gang stays here while playing our Local PGA event at Quail Hollow. So do some NFL teams when they play the Panthers as well as many celebrities when they visit our area.

Restaurants are popping up everywhere. They range from family casual to high end gourmet. From pizza and take out to some of the best Charlotte has to offer. It's the reason so many large corporations anchor here and do business. ESPN has a regional headquarters here too.

This is a hotbed for swim team neighborhoods. The competition is intense and widely participated. Nearby ice skating, Numerous Golf courses, Private and public, Tennis clubs, various gyms and running trails, and easy commutes to NBA, NFL, and MLB(AAA White Sox). Venues are just around the corner. How about the premier Whitewater rafting and kayaking facility in the Nation 25 minutes away. Not to say our wonderful lakes are second best. Lake Wylie and Lake Norman are refuges for everyone . Beautiful both for recreation and fishing.

Ballantyne has housing ranging from Affordable Condo's and alluring town-homes to single family neighborhoods that range from $250k to over $4m in nicely placed communities that roll through the area. Each community exuding it's own style and character. And all of it is practically new. One of the harder things to find is a Ballantyne home that is over 10 years old!

I will mention the YMCA in Ballantyne. Irban setting complete with a basketball court and some old residential cots. Please erase this image and check this unbelievable facility out. Swimming pools..Movie Stars. Unbelievable!

So this is where I stop and let you begin to see and explore Ballantyne for yourself. Spend a day, a week, or just get in the car and drive around and gawk. This is a master planned area and has a quality of life that is easy to jump into.

Are you ready to take the plunge? Take a dip into our Web Site to begin your tour. Ballantyne is ready for you

Hankering for a beautiful Charlotte custom home? No?

...What if it costs about a third of what you'd pay elsewhere in the country?

Here's a treat for your eyes:

Click on the link below for a select group of custom home neighborhoods in and around South Charlotte.

Clicking on any im age will bring up the active listings within the neighborhood.

Clicking on any of the listing photos, will bring you more images. Most prices are in excess of $500,000, but you may find a few gorgeous deals!

*+*+*OUR LINKS ARE UPDATED DAILY*+*+*

• Custom Home Neighborhoods
• Hassle Free MLS Search
• Foreclosures and Large Reductions

Call us when you’re ready to get
down to some serious home shopping, until then, enjoy our pre-set home searches! 

Claude Cross 704-975-1733
Homes By Cross, Inc.

We offer NO-COST buyer representation. 
Contact us for FREE daily updates on any given community/area (and-or) price range -then call us when you are ready to go and personally view your favorite selections!!!

The latest, greatest in prestigious home addresses for the Charlotte real estate market, would have to be in Ballantyne.
Ballantyne was developed on a stretch of beautiful land (previously the Morrison Hunting Preserve)  under the keen eye of Smokey Bissel, who named the development after his Aunt, Barbara Ballantyne. 

Although in Charlotte, the Ballantyne area operates like a town unto itself. The Ballantyne development is  located deep in South Charlotte; right on the edge of both the Union County and South Carolina borders. Near the intersection of Johnston Road and I-485, with Ballantyne Commons running through its middle.

The upscale nature of this area has had Charlotte home buyers flocking to it since its inception-back in the 1990's.  Choices in housing abound, ranging from The Ballantyne Country Club and all of its  custom homes, sprinkled into the mix are several beautiful single family neighborhoods

, swim/tennis neighborhoods,  townhomes and condos are nestled in along with a few apartment complexes.The development includes a 4 star resort (Ballantyne) multiple Marriott hotels,  and an 18 hole daily-fee golf course. The Ballantyne Development also has a mix of businesses; financial, insurance, builders (you name it) within the confines of a 535 acre corporate park.

What makes it so popular amongst its residents, is the sheer amount of restaraunts (chain, ethnic, upscale and sandwich), grocery (normal,organic and niche) and retail (national, local and boutique ) shopping that is available at your fingertips.

Anchored in the heart of the development is The Ballantyne Village. This  is a pedestrian friendly center with indoor and outdoor dining; live music outside usually on weekends and Wednesdays;  a grand water fountain with cobblestone walks and nearby home-made chocolate shoppe along with a great cigar store (complete with smoking room), amongst an  assortment of others shops. If you need more than boutiques, you'll find Carolina Place Mall (Charlotte's largest) just three miles down the road, with furniture row to its side. You should be able to find anything you need within a five mile radius of Ballantyne, including multiple theatres.  It's that convenient.

For those of you with children, this area is known for Ballantyne's schools (a bevy of Charlotte's top scoring schools). The area is home to:  Ardrey Kell High School;  Community House Middle School;  Ballantyne, Endhaven, Elon Park and Community House Elementary Schools. It is also home to our busiest library, South Charlotte's Regional Branch, and two YMCA's!

The Ballantyne YMCA is for adults only (you can package this up with the family YMCA membership). The family Y (Morrison YMCA) is just around the corner. It has a water park, in-line hockey field, soccer fields, play ground area, and lots of work out classes and fitness rooms; if that's not your cup of tea, just do your own thing in the fitness center. Nothing shabby here!

Charlotte real estate prices in the Ballantyne area varies. Here are some very general guidelines as of July 2009:

• If you were thinking about buying a condo or a townhome; the price could range anywhere from the very low $130,000 mark, up through $400,000. The median would range more closely to $175,000-$250,000.
• For single family homes, your price range would run anywhere from the low of $175,000 to the high of $3,000,000. Your median price range would roughly be between $250,000 and $500,000.
• For  Ballantyne Country Club, the prices would start off at around $500,000 and go up to just around the $3,000,000 mark. The median price is around $700,000.

I realize these are rather broad strokes, but, better than no strokes at all. If you are interested in Charlotte NC real estate, please feel free to contact us, and we can certainly guide you with your real estate endeavors and fine-tune some numbers specifically for you.