Cornelius: This 4,119 square foot lakefront house has sold for $834,000 after being listed at $899,500

In Cornelius

A house at 19710 Shearwater Point Drive has sold for $834,000 after being listed at $899,500. The 4,119 square foot lakefront house, which has a tax value of $842,300, was built in 1989 but fully updated. The four-bedroom house was listed by Diane Merryman of Allen Tate. Jan Cameron, also of Allen Tate, represented the buyers.

In Concord

A 3,738 square foot house at 2492 Christenbury Hall Court in Concord has sold for $595,419. The four-bedroom house has a three car garage and a laundry on the second floor as well as a bonus room and loft. Cindy Bradshaw, the builder’s representative for Classica Homes, also represented the buyers.
Market quotes

“The first month of 2012 looks like we are hitting the ground running in all points as well as the luxury price points. In the first 30 days of the year, five homes closed in the $500,000 and up price range compared to three during January of 2011,” says Diane Honeycutt, of Team Honeycutt in Concord.

However, average prices are down about 9 percent.
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“I am definitely seeing an increase in both activity and sales in the upper brackets, Thank God! Apparently high-end clients are feeling more comfortable with their job situation and are wise enough to recognize the real bargains that exist now, especially on waterfront homes. The record low interest rates haven’t hurt things, either,” says Diane Merryman of Allen Tate in Cornelius.
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Prepping your high-end house for sale

Spring is prime home selling season, so if you’re ready to sell, now is the time to prepare your upper-bracket home for showings.

Plumbing and lighting fixtures should be updated. Jamie McNeilis, of Centerpiece Home Staging, says homeowners with a European décor should consider installing oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. (Brushed nickel and chrome work well in more contemporary homes.) Master baths warrant particular attention. Shower enclosures can be updated for around $1,000; frameless enclosures are de rigueur in the upper brackets.

If budget is an issue, brass door hardware can remain as long as the home is de-cluttered, has attractive bedding, “show” towels and neutral paint.

“Cleaning and painting are the most inexpensive things you can do with the most return on investment. There’s a point where you can’t spend all the money to update because you won’t be getting it back,” she said.

Rule of thumb: Do lighting first then plumbing.

Real estate moves

Allen Tate has moved its Huntersville sales office to 14225 Market Square Drive.