Shannon Lynch Real Estate

09/08/2026

Finally finished putting the table and chairs together! I see dining alfresco with friends in my future this Fall! Bed Bath & Beyond

09/03/2026

If you've lived in your home 15, 20, 30+ years... decluttering before selling can feel less like a to-do list and more like sorting through a whole life. 💛

Here's the good news: you don't have to do it all at once, and you definitely don't have to do it alone.

A simple way to start:
🔹 One room at a time - closets and garages last, not first
🔹 Ask "would I move this to the next place?" instead of "could I use this someday?"
🔹 Set aside anything sentimental in its own box - deal with that pile separately, on your own time

I always tell my clients: decluttering isn't about getting rid of your memories. It's about making room for what's next. Happy to walk through a simple game plan whenever you're ready - no pressure. 🏡

09/03/2026

Don't forget! Labor Day sales happening now. If you are in need of appliances, tv's, bigger ticket items that you've been waiting to get - check out the sales - you may just find a deal.

09/02/2026

☕️💕 Coffee, conversations & great connections!

Such a good morning connecting with lender Deanna Bryant talking shop: real estate, down payment assistance programs, the current market, what we are each seeing and experiencing with our clients.

Looking forward to getting together again soon and planning some videos to share - listen in as 2 professionals share their insights and personal stories.

Here’s to good coffee, great conversations, and even better partnerships! 🥂☕️

08/25/2026

A pattern I'm seeing more of in the Charlotte market: homeowners in their 60s and 70s choosing to sell proactively — not because they have to, but because they'd rather be ahead of the decision than behind it.

The homeowners who navigate this best usually start with one honest question: "What does my current home cost me — in upkeep, in space, in distance from family — that a different home wouldn't?"

A few things worth thinking through:
→ Current home equity and how it translates into your next move
→ Timing: selling before a need becomes urgent almost always means more options and less stress
→ Proximity to family is increasingly the #1 driver, more than square footage or amenities

If you're a homeowner — or supporting a parent through this decision — I'm glad to walk through what selling now could look like. No pressure, just clarity.

08/23/2026

Cleaning out the garden shed - really it’s a cinderblock building that a previous owner used as a workshop… and I’m finding all kinds of things that I’ve forgotten about, as well as stuff from previous owners. She was a senior and I told her at the time to take what she wanted and I would dispose/take care of the rest.

I just found a photo of a young navy man in his uniform, what I think is an 8 track player? And a letter older than I am. This is partially why I love old houses. The history.

We will be holding a block sale in the fall and I have a bunch of old light fixtures and other assorted goodies I’ll be selling at that time…

Stay tuned!

08/18/2026

Growing up in NY, it felt like it was a given that it wasn't a matter of "if" but "when" your car would get broken into. (for the record, 2 cars broken into and 1 outright stolen while I lived there in Queens.)

So, you would do what you could to make it that much more of a pain in the butt for them to steal your car - alarm, lojack, etc - bottom line is if they wanted it they were going to get it but you did these things in the hopes that they would just move on to an easier hit.

Along those same lines, as an adult now, I feel like it's imperative to protect your self from identity theft, as well as from having your online accts hacked.

Here's some ideas:
- 2 step verification for your online accts.
- freeze your credit. Unfreeze only when you need it (e.g., applying for a loan).
- Set up fraud alerts as a lighter-weight option if a freeze feels like too much friction.
- Check your free credit reports regularly at annualcreditreport.com (you can now get them weekly for free).
- Use cash instead of debit/credit cards. We are the commodity - they are tracking everything we spend.
- keep up with the 3 credit bureaus - get notifications set up for any changes.
- shred any sensitive documents
- invest in an inexpensive signal blocking bag for your car fob.
- Use unique, strong passwords for every account (a password manager makes this painless).
- Set up alerts on bank and credit card accounts for any transaction over a small threshold.

- Be stingy about sharing personal details on social media (birthday, mother's maiden name, pet names — these are common security-question answers).
- Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails asking to "verify" account info — banks and the IRS don't ask for sensitive data this way.
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi, and avoid logging into financial accounts on shared/public computers.

- Know the drill if something happens: file a report at IdentityTheft.gov, place a fraud alert, and contact affected institutions immediately.

The credit freeze and unique passwords/2FA are the two highest-leverage moves — most people never get past those two and are already far better protected than average.

Being prepared is half the battle.

Any other tips you can think of? Share!

08/18/2026

If you are currently a home owner, you've likely just received your annual Property Tax Notification. Maybe you believe the value is higher than it should be - and you want to contest it. Here's how:

Step 1: Informal review: Contact the Mecklenburg County Assessor's Office directly and ask them to reconsider the value — this is done informally, and the Assessor can adjust the value at this stage if the case is solid, without a formal appeal. This window typically runs January–March, following the Notice of Value in Meck County.

Step 2: Formal appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review (BER)
If informal review doesn't resolve it, the property owner submits a formal appeal form to the BER through the Assessor's Office. Requests must be filed with the County Assessor's Office no later than the Board's adjournment date (this year, May 4, 2026) — or within 30 days of receiving the initial notice of value. Supporting documents must be submitted at filing, but no later than 45 days from the appeal filing date.

Step 3: NC Property Tax Commission
If the BER's decision is unsatisfactory, the owner can escalate to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission, then Superior Court.

What builds a strong case:
- Equity arguments — showing comparable properties nearby are assessed lower
- An independent professional appraisal showing a lower value
-Recent comparable sales, repair estimates, condition photos, and documentation of factual errors (wrong square footage, etc.)

Bringing all evidence to the informal conference — assessors often adjust on the spot when it's clear-cut

A couple of notes: Mecklenburg last revalued in 2023, so most owners are between cycles right now — between revaluations, assessed value generally doesn't change unless there's a permit, error, or discovery issue.

Also, since I'm a Realtor, my CMA/comps work are exactly the kind of evidence that supports these appeals — reach out if you need help.

Here's the link for your convenience:

Responsible for administering and collecting taxes that support our community.