It's Jimmy On Why the Holiday Season Can Be a Great Time to Buy or Sell a Home

It is that time of year again.  Leaves are falling from the trees and there is a hint of Arctic chill in the air. Retailers have wrapped up Halloween, skipped Thanksgiving, and moved on to the Christmas shopping season.

Consumers are in a festive mood, anxious to spend their hard-earned money on retail products and gifts for family and friends. So, why wouldn't they want to make the most important purchase of all -- a new house -- as the holidays approach?

Well, if they are "just shopping," then they may want to wait until a less hectic time of the year to become serious about the home buying process. 

However, holiday season home buyers and sellers understand that this is the time of year when those who are out there shopping are likely to be shopping with a purpose.

Here are three reasons the holidays are a great time to sell, or purchase, a home.

1.  Nobody wants to waste anyone else's time.  Sellers who put their homes on the market around the holidays know they will be inconvenienced by potential buyers who want to see their home while they are basting the Thanksgiving turkey.  But they also know that most potential buyers shopping at this time of year are ready and willing to pounce on the right home for the right price.  Holiday shoppers are also likely to be pre-approved and they won't want to risk offending the seller with an under market offer if they are serious about closing the sale.

2.  Winter vacation can make moving more convenient.  Kids are generally out of school for a couple of weeks and many employers shut down for several days around the Cristmas and New Year's holidays.  That means more help packing and less time missed from work and school due to the move.  Many potential buyers relocating from outside the area will also want to move into their new abode in time to test drive their new chimney ahead of Santa Claus.

3.  Everyone wants a fresh start to the new year.  New Year resolutions are often made January 1 and nearly as often broken within a couple of weeks.  What better way is there for a buyer to begin the new year than by keeping their resolution to move into a new home?  As a home seller, you can make this dream come true for your home's new owner and you get to move into your next home, too.  Now that is what we in the industry call a win-win!

Spring may be king in the eyes of most real estate practitioners, but for those sellers looking to sell in a less crowded market in which the buyers who are out there are more likely to make a substantive offer, the holiday season may be the biggest gift of all.  

So, think again before deciding to wait until March to put your home on the market like everyone else in your neighborhood, and consider adding a "For Sale" sign to your outside holiday decorations.

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If you are considering buying or selling a home this holiday season, or if you know someone who is, be sure to consult a REALTOR for their local knowledge, industry expertise, and marketing resources.  As a NC & SC licensed REALTOR, I work with buyers, sellers, and relocated renters in the greater Charlotte area.  I am also a member of the global real estate referral network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, so I can help you no matter where you currently live or want to move.  Thank you in advance for considering me for all of your real estate needs.

Jimmy Grappone

www.jimmygrappone.com

jimmy.grappone@allentate.com

It's Jimmy On National Ice Cream Day

Did you know that this Sunday, July 20, is National Ice Cream Day?

Neither did I until I read this article in the Charlotte Observer this morning, but it is true!

In fact, the Gipper himself, President Ronald Reagan, designated July as National Ice Cream Month 30 years ago and he encouraged all Americans to observe the most summery of months with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

As Lee Greenwood would say, "I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free...to eat ice cream!"

In honor of the most patriotic of American summer holiday (okay, the second most patriotic American summer holiday?) I will force myself to visit Waxhaw Creamery sometime in the next 48 hours.

And I may even try Waxhaw's newest ice cream shop, JB's Frozen Gold Ice Cream, at the opposite end of Downtown Waxhaw.

My apologies to TCBY, but I enjoyed your Banana's Foster goodness last night!

So, whether FroYo, gelato or good, old-fashioned American ice cream is your dairy vice, where will you celebrate National Ice Cream Day this year?

It's Jimmy On...blog is written by Charlotte-area REALTOR and Carolina Panthers enthusiast, Jimmy Grappone.  Check back often for Jimmy's takes on everything from real estate to sports, and from the latest wireless gadgets to food and drink.

It's Jimmy On the Allen Tate Blog: "A Checklist For Your Homeowners Insurance Physical"

Insurance is all about farsightedness and stability.

Whether considering coverage for your vehicle in case of an accident or an additional feature on your cell-phone plan to protect against drops in the lake, the purpose of insurance is to pay a relatively small amount now to protect against substantial losses or costs later.

In her blog for the Allen Tate Companies (which you can read here), Allen Tate's Vice President of Insurance Sales, Robin Price, shares a brief checklist for homeowners to review and take into consideration when preparing for what she calls an annual "homeowner's insurance physical."

Protecting Your Investment

For most people, home ownership represents not only shelter, but also their largest asset and investment.

Having a viable homeowner's insurance policy that fully protects your residence is key to both your financial security and keeping a roof over your head.

According to Price, "you have to see the value of choosing something today that will protect you down the road."

Though cost is important when selecting or updating an insurance policy, the level of coverage you will receive if you ever have to file a claim is just as crucial.

Price's Big Three

In her blog, Price highlights three key factors that, if changed in the past 12 months, can affect the level of homeowner's coverage you may need:

1)  Physical changes or improvements made to the home;
2)  Acquisition of valuables including jewelry, artwork, firearms and other collectibles; and
3)  Installation of a central fire alarm and/or security system.

If you have made any of these changes to your home since your last policy checkup, you should consider scheduling an appointment with your trusted insurance adviser.

About Jimmy

I am a NC licensed REALTOR with the Allen Tate Companies working out of the Ballantyne office.  As a Real Estate broker with the Allen Tate Companies, I can help you sell your current home and find your next one, and I have access to a wide variety of products through the Allen Tate Companies.  For more information, please contact me directly at 980-298-9385 or via email at jimmy.grappone@allentate.com.

Follow me on Twitter @jimmygrappone and Like me on Facebook so you can join in on the conversation.

It's Jimmy On Why The Carolina Panthers Will Beat The San Francisco 49ers In The 2014 NFC Divisional Playoffs

Get your popcorn ready, Charlotte, NC!

No, T.O.'s not coming to town -- at least not that I'm aware of -- but Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and Aldon Smith are headed down South to the land of the pines, a.k.a. "the town that Billy Graham built," this weekend for an NFL Week 10 rematch between the Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers.  

The Queen City of the South is all set to host the NFL's most anticipated divisional playoff game of the weekend at Bank of America Stadium this Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 1:05 PM.

Charlotte hasn't hosted an NFL playoff game since the home team was trounced by another NFC West opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, way back in January 2009, in the same divisional round. 

Carolina lost that match-up with Kurt Warner & Co. who were on their way to a runner-up finish in Super Bowl XLIII (43) after earning their division's Wild Card berth by posting a 9-7 regular season record. 

Despite posting identical 12-4 regular season records and Carolina's 10-9 victory at San Francisco in Week 10 earlier this season, the 49ers are favored by a point according to the Pro Football betting site, footballlocks.com.

But I'm here to tell you that That Ain't Gonna Happen with two claps and a Ric Flair "Wooooooooh!"  Wait a sec...that's the 49ers' thing now, isn't it?

Instead, the Carolina Panthers will win on Sunday with stronger quarterback play, better coaching and a more punishing defense than the 49ers.

1. Cam Newton vs Colin Kaepernick

Cam and Colin have become household names in their first three NFL seasons.

Cam Newton wears an "S" on his chest via USATODAY

According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Newton has more regular season starts (48-23) and wins (25-17) than Kaepernick but he trails his rival in playoffs experience four games to none entering this week's showdown.

Both players have rocket arms and are among the best running quarterbacks the league has probably ever seen.

However, Newton was the number-one overall draft pick in the 2011 NFL draft for a reason (Kaepernick was selected 36th overall in the second round) and his poise, leadership and playmaking ability will be on full display against the 49ers.

Both QBs will play well, but the edge goes to Superman.

2.  Riverboat Ron vs Captain Comeback

It's debatable who has the better nickname between the two coaches who will be prowling the sidelines at BofA this weekend.  "Riverboat Ron" Rivera or Jim "Captain Comeback" Harbaugh?

One thing is for certain, though.  Harbaugh earned his moniker as a quarterback with the Indianapolis Colts while Rivera earned his by ditching his conservative nature and gambling on crucial fourth downs throughout the 2013 regular season.

Harbaugh may have coached in the Super Bowl in his rookie season as an NFL head coach, but Rivera earned his reputation as a coach willing to go against his conservative nature and make a call that changes the outcome of the game.

We saw it happen when Florida State's Jimbo Fisher called for a onside kick in the BCS championship game on Monday vs Auburn while trailing 21-3 late in the first half.  The Seminoles recovered, scored a touchdown and went on to win the game.

If it comes down to a coach willing to make a gutsy call that could determine the outcome of the game, the edge goes to Rivera.

3.  Top-Ranked Defenses

The Panthers and 49ers had the NFL's second and third-ranked scoring defenses, respectively, in 2013.

Photo via 49ers.com

Both teams have elite, All-Pro caliber linebackers (Panthers' Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis vs 49ers' Patrick Willis and Navaro Bowman), dominant defensive ends (Greg Hardy, Charles Johnson and Aldon Smith), and both create consistent pressure up the middle.  

However, Carolina could actually have an advantage over San Fran in the secondary thanks to a hamstring injury that sidelined No. 1 corner Carlos Rogers in last weekend's Wild Card game vs the Green Bay Packers.

This defenses will prove paramount in this game just as they did in Week 10 when San Francisco was kept out of the end zone for only the second time all season (Seahawks in Week 2).

Carolina's "D" gets the nod because they are playing at home.

Final Score Prediction:

Carolina Panthers 23, San Francisco 49ers 17

Let's talk on Twitter @jimmygrappone