Read more about this here:

Shortage of Listings Driving Rising Home Prices, Multiple Offers

It’s blue skies once again for real estate in the Carolinas. With rising home prices, multiple offers and sellers regaining equity, the region is standing out nationally in terms of real estate recovery.

We were the last into the recession because of job and population growth, and we’re one of the first regions out. Interestingly, what’s driving the recovery here is a shortage of homes on the market.

More here:

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2013/03/07/283920.htm

Lake Norman Chamber celebrates Small Business with week of seminars and networking events May 13-17

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce will host a week-long series of seminars and networking events to celebrate Small Business Week May 13-17, 2013. The celebration kicks off with a “Lunch & Learn” program on the Secrets of Business Growth for Small Business Owners. The seminar will be held at the Peninsula Club in Cornelius and includes lunch at no charge for attendees. However, interested individuals must RSVP to the Lake Norman Chamber at 704-892-1922. MORE

Meanwhile, take a gander at the article here:

Home Prices Rose 7.1% in Year Through February, FHFA Says

U.S. house prices rose 7.1 percent in the year through February, the biggest gain since 2006, indicating a solidifying recovery as buyers compete for properties amid tight inventory.

Prices climbed 0.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from January, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said in a report today from Washington. That matched the average estimate of 16 economists, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Home prices have been increasing as improving employment and borrowing costs near record lows fuel demand for a limited supply of properties for sale. Prices haven’t declined on a monthly basis since January 2012, according to MORE

This week, the annual REAL Trends 500 rankings were released for 2012. In the real estate business, the publication of this annual research report is as eagerly anticipated as Christmas morning to a child.

The REAL Trends 500 identifies the country’s largest and most successful residential firms as ranked by closed transaction sides and by closed sales volume. It’s an apples-to-apples comparison of solid, factual production data between franchise companies and non-franchise, independent brokerages like Allen Tate.

In plain English, it’s an unbiased look at how we rank nationally compared to our peers. And on this year’s report, we’re looking pretty good.

Allen Tate Company is ranked #14 among the country’s top 500 real estate firms. Among independents, we’re ranked #8. That’s up from #17 overall and #9 among independents for 2011. In 2012, we closed 15,932 transaction sides and had a closed overall sales volume of $3.45 billion.

And it’s worth mentioning that Allen Tate remains the #1 real estate company that is based in the Carolinas.

It was a comeback year, and it’s great to see that we are holding our own against larger regional and national firms. But let me tell you why this really matters – to our customers.

National rankings mean incoming referrals from all over the country. When people move here from other places and they seek out an Allen Tate agent because of our national reputation – that means more qualified people to buy your home. It means reciprocal relationships with our peers nationally who provide the finest response and service to help your family, friends and colleagues who live in other places.

The numbers make it easy for people to understand where we stand. But they don’t tell the story of the Allen Tate brand – and what we stand for. That story is best told by the nearly 16,000 customers who we helped last year. And we thank each and every one of you for the opportunity to earn your business.