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Queen City of the South
Nestled in the western piedmont, or foothills, of North Carolina, Charlotte offers the best mix of a burgeoning city: vitality, opportunity and livability. It's a region steeped in history and tradition yet young and exuberant, open to change. In fact, you'll find that the Charlotte area not only accepts newcomers, it embraces them with warmth and hospitality.
Whether you're considering living in Charlotte or putting down roots in one of our neighboring counties, you'll find there is a lot to like - and a lot to learn. You'll discover more than roads, homes and landmarks, you'll discover the Charlotte region is a terrific place to live. Make yourself at home - we're delighted you're here.
Charlotte's tremendous growth rate is reflected in the housing market, which has remained hot for years, no matter the swing in interest rates. The city offers an array of homes, both existing and new construction, giving people a selection large enough to accommodate anyone's taste. And you'll find just about any style you want: cozy bungalows or two-story Georgians, modest ranch houses or custom-built mansions, ginger-breaded Victorians or contemporary condos.
The same variety abounds in lifestyle. Choose from Uptown living or suburban locations, comfortable old towns or new-home communities, urban homesteading or prime Piedmont countryside.
Some current trends in the Charlotte region's housing market may add an interesting twist or a challenging dimension to your search. First, while prices are still reasonable here compared to some other parts of the country, housing in this area isn't the bargain it once was. Thus, depending on your circumstances, finding a home in your price range may mean you'll have to look a bit longer, come up with some more cash or expand your search to less-costly neighborhoods that are a little farther away from the office.
At the same time, you'll find some options here that you wouldn't have enjoyed a few years ago. Case in point: condos and lofts in various locations throughout Uptown and other urban neighborhoods in Charlotte. Neo-traditional communities, whose homes and layout reflect the old-fashioned neighborhoods many of us grew up with, also have become extremely popular.
If you like condos or town homes, you've come to a good place. The condo market has boomed since early 1997, with sales nearly doubling in the five-county Charlotte region in recent years. In addition, building permits for condos and town homes have increased several hundred percent over the last five years.
With demand, though, comes a higher price. You'll pay more for a condo in Charlotte's hottest neighborhoods, although you may still find some bargains in new construction and former apartments that were converted to condos years ago.
One way to start your search is with the area map prepared by the Charlotte Regional Realtors Association and the Carolina Multiple Listing Service, which covers seven counties including Mecklenburg. The map, which pinpoints neighborhoods and developments in the Charlotte region, is used to organize home listings in the MLS directory and newspaper classified ads. You can view the map and look for current listings at www.carolinanewhome.com
The center of the map is Uptown, which is still primarily commercial and industrial but has a rapidly growing list of residential options. Look for Uptown listings in Area 99.
Nine areas branch out from the center in a clockwise fashion, starting at the top, or the north. Area 1 is north, Area 2 is northeast, Area 3 is east, Area 4 is southeast, Area 5 is south, Area 6 is south-southwest, Area 7 is southwest, Area 8 is west and Area 9 is northwest.
Because the metro region has sprawled across county lines, the area designations extend there too. They include Area 10, Union County; Area 11, Cabarrus County; Area 12, Iredell County; Area 13, Lake Norman; Area 14, Lincoln County; Area 15, Lake Wylie; Area 16, Gaston County; Area 17, York County; Area 20, Alexander County; Area 21 Rowan County; Area 22, Cleveland County; Area 23, Stanly County; Area 24, Lancaster County; Area 25, Anson County; Area 29, Cabarrus County; and Area 35, Chester County. You can search MLS listings for homes in these areas at www.carolinanewhome.com.
For real estate stories, we have grouped neighborhoods that share similar interests and lifestyles, such as south Charlotte, University City and urban neighborhoods. Consequently, the stories don't follow the MLS area boundaries; however, for your convenience, each story lists the real estate areas that contain the neighborhoods mentioned in the story.
Once you're ready to buy, choose from the wide selection of mortgage options. The area is served by dozens of firms, including mortgage brokers who represent lenders nationwide as well as local lenders. You can find plenty of options for 30-year and 15-year fixed mortgages, ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages) with a variety of terms and jumbo loans.
To help you negotiate the mortgage challenge, here are two tips. First, before you shop, qualify for a loan to know how much financing you can seek. Second, take a few minutes to make sure your paperwork is in order. Check your credit reports and clear up any nasty surprises you might uncover. Organize your financial papers so you'll have the documentation you need at your fingertips to complete the application process quickly.
For more information on what the Charlotte area has to offer, check with Roger Berrey. You'll find Roger Berrey the area well and can guide you in the right direction.
This region is a collection of towns and neighborhoods, each with its own unique personality and home styles. So, call your Realtor, grab your copy of First Impressions and a map and spend some time driving through neighborhoods and subdivisions. Your new home is out there - just waiting to be discovered
It's a running joke in Charlotte that visitors only need to visit the Queen City once. Why? Because they end up moving here afterwards. That may not always be the case, but with a community so rich in captivating culture, colorful cityscapes, and cosmopolitan character, the thriving quality of life here is abundantly clear.
Charlotte's a city where Olympic-caliber adventurers rub elbows with culture mavens. A city that captivates both NASCAR heroes and finance leaders. And a city where Northern newcomers exchange smiles on the street with Carolina natives. Visitors are sure to be just as captivated too.
Unwind A Lot
In need of a distraction? Leave the ties that bind behind and let Charlotte show you a good time. Banking may have helped shape this city, but its ways to play add to this city’s unforgettable appeal.
And frankly, there’s never been a better time to visit. The coasters at Carowinds, the rousing races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the boisterous Broadway performances at NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and so much more to engage, excite, and exhilarate will show you exactly why Charlotte’s got a lot.
Sample A Lot
Live Music
Rock, jazz, punk, reggae, hip-hop…No matter what’s on your iPod, the area’s variety of venues, which range from neighborhood watering holes to 20,000 seat arenas, attract musical talent with sounds that satisfy.
Golf
Any way you slice it (no pun intended), Charlotte’s got plenty of courses to choose from. More than 40 public ones to be exact. Whether driving the impressive wetland-shrouded 15th hole of Rocky River Golf Club or teeing off onto the hourglass-shaped greens at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, you’ll find a lot of links to your liking.
Spas
Ice cream may be an ok treat, but an ice cream pedicure at The Spa at The Ballantyne Hotel is an even better one! Charlotte’s got a list of spas sure to rejuvenate the senses. So treat yourself…we know you’re worth it.
Festivals
Commemorating the arts and showcasing every food and flavor, one thing’s for sure, Charlotteans know how to celebrate. Festivals like Taste of Charlotte, Time Warner Cable BBQ & Blues and Food Lion Speed Street 600 Festival will have you dancing in the streets year-round.
Shopping
Got a penchant for spending? Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, which is also making it more attractive to those luxury vendors outside of the traditional fashion strongholds like NYC and LA. Shop Charlotte's many boutiques, outlet malls, alfresco shopping centers and more.
Culture
Be prepared to give Charlotte a standing ovation after taking in breathtaking ballets, awesome operas, and a wide variety of scintillating stage shows.
Romance
Candlelit dinners, breathtaking city views, carriage rides through historic neighborhoods…There’s plenty of aphrodisiacs in the Queen City to ignite a romantic spark.
NASCAR
With 80% of Sprint Cup drivers calling the Queen City home and three major races on our speed-seeking home turf at Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race, Coca-Cola 600, and Bank of America 500), the city certainly isn’t fearful of the fast lane.
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