Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming the next victim of a home rental scam whether you are the renter or the homeowner.

The landlord requests you to wire funds via MoneyGram or Western Union.

Most scams involve a request for you to wire funds, but you should think twice before wiring funds to anyone you havenâ€t met personally. Scammers are good at convincing unsuspecting people of reasons why they need to deal with you remotely. Likewise, do not accept wire funds that you did not initiate.

Long-distance renters

Many scams come from people in foreign countries who claim to be interested in purchasing or renting a home. Be wary of claims from people who are contact you from abroad because they are missionaries, U.N. workers or in the military. These types of renters do exist, but chances are theyâ€ll want to see the housing or meet you before there is an exchange of money. Likewise, be wary of long-distance landlords. An example of this scam is receiving communication that they are out of the country and need you to wire the deposit. Usually this scam works by requesting you wire the deposit and then theyâ€ll send you the keys.

Requests for personal or financial information

Do not give your bank account number or your social security number to unknown sources. You should first verify that they are a trusted source and then only provide the information sparingly.

If you find a fraudulent listing on a real estate page, craigslist or any other website advertising rentals, you should report the listing on that website. If you believe that you have been scammed, you should report the incident to the FTC immediately. If you sent money via MoneyGram or Western Union, report it immediately. If the recipient hasnâ€t collected the money yet there is a chance the company can reverse the transaction.

When reporting rental scams, it is important to include as much information as possible. You should include your name and the address of the receiver or any information you may have about the receiver. You should include any details surrounding the transaction. Itâ€s possible some of the information is fake but itâ€s worth a shot to possible catch these scammers.

If you notice or experience any red flags, the only saying still stands true: if it feels too good to be true, it probably is.

The post Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Home Rental Scams appeared first on Charlotte Real Estate.

Some people prefer new construction, and others prefer an older home with good bones and history. One of the most popular older home styles in the Queen City is the classic 1930s bungalow.

Smaller in square footage but big on charm, these homes can be found throughout the surrounding Charlotte metro area and have a lot to offer the right buyers.

Characterized by its low sloped roof, often oversized front porch and smaller square footage, bungalows have been built in America since the 1930s, though the home style actually originated India.

First to arrive in California, the bungalow is a popular home choice due to its friendly facade that seemingly beckons neighbors onto the front porch. Whether in need of TLC or fully renovated and expanded, there are some great neighborhoods around Charlotte in which to find the perfect bungalow for you or your expanding family.

As might be expected, the most common areas to find bungalows in Charlotte are the neighborhoods surrounding Uptown, as that area was the first to be established.

As can also be expected, those neighborhoods tend to be the priciest when it comes to property values. Not only is land at a premium near Uptown, but bungalow owners tend to take a lot of pride in their investments. Renovations and restorations often include the leaded glass windows, solid wood doors and custom millwork that would have been in place when originally constructed.

Here are three of the Queen City’s best bungalow neighborhoods for consideration:

1. Midwood/Plaza-Midwood: The lifeline of this neighborhood is Central Avenue, and the streets are lined with old growth trees and bungalows galore just a mile outside of Uptown. Established in 1910 as a streetcar suburb, the area has seen a depression and rebound to one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. In 1992, the area along The Plaza as well as parts of a few other streets were designated as a local historic district.
In the last 12-month period, homes in Midwood have fetched anywhere from $292,000 to more than $1.76 million. Many of the higher priced homes were newer construction, two-story properties. Renovated bungalows in the neighborhood are listed closer to the $400,000 to $500,000 mark, as of Oct. 2019.

2. Dilworth: The city’s first streetcar suburb is one of the most desirable in all of Charlotte. Its main thoroughfare, East Boulevard, is lined with mature oaks and bungalows galore. Much of Dilworth is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In the last year, Dilworth homes have sold for nearly $350,000 to more than $1.5 million. Even bungalows currently listed for sale are asking near $1 million, with the least expensive being a 1,600-square-foot, 3/2 listed for just under $500,000.

3. Chantilly: Sandwiched between Elizabeth and Plaza-Midwood/Commonwealth is Charlotte’s somewhat hidden gem, Chantilly. Established in 1913, Chantilly is purely residential and has no commercial businesses and no major thoroughfares cutting through it. That is a win for people wanting a pure residential experience close to Uptown. It also keeps traffic to a minimum in the neighborhood. The neighborhood has many Craftsman-style homes and some bungalows.
Even a fixer-upper less than 1,000 square feet will cost you more than $250,000 and fully renovated, newer homes approach $1 million. It’s a great neighborhood to keep on your watch list if you are looking for a bungalow.

This list is by no means a comprehensive one of neighborhoods with bungalow homes. They are scattered about all over the areas closest to Uptown. Some other neighborhoods to consider in your search for a bungalow are: NoDa (North Davidson), Wesley Heights, Commonwealth, Elizabeth and Sedgefield.

The post Got bungalows? Three places to start your search appeared first on Charlotte Real Estate.

Once a dairy farm, Birkdale Village’s 52 acres now are occupied by more than 60 retails shops, 10 restaurants and a movie theater. On any given day, the village is a bustling, thriving sign of a successful mixed-use development.

And though it is a fantastic place to shop, catch a movie and grab a bite to eat, Birkdale Village is also a wonderful place to call home. The village offers 300 apartments above the retail space as well as a lovely neighborhood behind the shops, just minutes from Lake Norman.

Located at Sam Furr Road less than a mile from I-77, Birkdale Village is also a reasonable commuting distance from Charlotte for people who do not want to give up their 9 to 5 in the city. Center City is only 17 miles to the south. Davidson College is only 10 minutes away and UNC-Charlotte is a 20-minute drive from Birkdale Village. Charlotte Douglas International Airport 21 miles (25 minutes) away.

Birkdale Village’s single-family homes and townhomes provide more privacy away from the shopping center’s main drag. The small, urban-sized lots provide enough space to add personal touches to the outdoors without overwhelming lawn maintenance. There are a few homes on half-acre lots, however, many are less than one-quarter acre.

Homes in Birkdale Village are largely traditional and Craftsman style with hardboard siding and cedar shake accents. They typically range in size from 1,200 square feet to upwards of 3,000 square feet. Adding to the cozy, village feel, many homes have large ground level or two-story porches.

Village amenities include a pool, clubhouse and tennis court. The McDowell Creek Greenway runs along the back of the neighborhood for runners or walking. The trial loops up around Westmoreland Athletic Complex and Robbins Park.

Additionally, Birkdale Golf Club is directly across Sam Furr Road and has a variety of membership levels and a beautiful Arnold Palmer-designed course.

Life in Birkdale Village can be as private or as socially active as you like. There is a busy calendar of events for its residents and visitors alike, including Winter holiday festivities, a Summer concert series, food festivals and various themed events throughout the year.

From September 2017 to September 2018, the average sales price of homes sold in Birkdale Village was $324,087. Sellers got an average of 98.5% of asking price.

As of Sept. 4, Birkdale Village has six three-bedroom homes listed for sale, ranging in price from $289,900 to $364,000. The home sizes range from 1,666 square feet to just under 1,900 square feet.

Currently, Birkdale Village children are assigned to Charlotte Mecklenburg’s JV Washam Elementary, Bailey Middle School and William Amos Hough High School. The Lake Norman area also offers a variety of private school options for children of all ages.

(Always check with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for current zoning for specific homes, as it is subject to change.)

The post Neighborhood spotlight: Life in Huntersville’s Birkdale Village appeared first on Charlotte Real Estate.