Relocating to Charlotte - FAQs
When I speak with new clients, the most often asked question is, “Where should I live?” Well, that depends on your needs. If you have school age children you need to be considering the best schools. As a parent that moved here over 26 years ago my research was limited. Now I would go to NCReportCards.org and schoolmatters.com. In addition, for Charlotte North Carolina schools, you can go to CMS.K12.NC.US. My clients have used these sites and find them to be worthwhile. We were lucky that in spite of not having accessible data we landed in the better school zones. Our children are grown, out of grad school with outstanding careers here in Charlotte.
So what else is important in order to find that great home in that perfect community? Selecting that right Realtor that cares more about your success happiness than the income they will receive. E-mail me with your questions and concerns on these two very important topics and I’ll elaborate. I can be reached at Irv@TopCharlotteAgent.com
What Makes Charlotte So Great?
Here’s what makes Charlotte so great. I’ve just come back from a cruise and I still feel that I’m on vacation. Yes that sounds so corny but it’s true! Why? It’s the ease of flying into Charlotte at Douglas International Airport and the ease of driving home. O.K. so that’s one small part of what makes us so great. Charlotte is green, clean and beautiful. If you want to get uptown to an event or dinner it’s easy in and easy out. We have the best of hospitals and a great climate. Speaking about our climate lets examine our work climate. One of the main reasons The Charlotte area continues to out pace the rest of the nation is the opportunity to find employment.
The Charlotte housing market continues to out pace the rest of the nation. What would $300,000 buy you if you lived in New York, Chicago or L.A.?
If you’re interested in knowing more of what I think about living in Charlotte please e-mail me at Irv@TopCharllotteAgent.com. If you have some comments I’d like to hear from you too.
New and Improved Charlotte Blog
Welcome to the NEW and greatly IMPROVED Charlotte Buzz blog! This new site will allow us to compile all of our information about living in Charlotte and relocating to Charlotte in one spot - making it much easier for you to find what you are looking for when you have a question about the area.
While primarily aCharlotte real estate site, we will also offer news and information about living in Charlotte and relocating to Charlotte. With so many people across the country interested in moving to our wonderful city, it only makes sense to help them feel at home and show them around a bit before they arrive.
If you check out the different categories we have, you’ll see that we try to cover all things about Charlotte, NC. A question often heard is, "Why is everyone moving to Charlotte?" We can show you, we can tell you, we can write about how much we all love living here - it’s a combination of climate, the people, lifestyle, and so many more intangibles. Certainly Charlotte life isn’t for everyone, but we’d love to talk to you about why we love to call Charlotte home.
Do you live in the Charlotte area? Did you relocate here? Let everyone know what brought you here.
Charlotte Area Fall Color Show
As many long-time Charlotteans know, fall color in the North Carolina mountains can be pretty spectacular. This past weekend I took a trip up I-77 to play some golf at Olde Beau Golf and Country Club, and then tour some vineyards - yes, we have vineyards in North Carolina.
The weather was nothing short of spectacular - mid 60’s - and the mountain views were wonderful! The golf course is at 3200 feet, with awesome views and the greenest grass I’ve seen in months (with our drought situation and all . . .). We enjoyed our round and I think I spent more time taking pictures than actually trying to play well, which may explain all of the lost balls.
On Saturday we toured some of the NC Vineyards, and also ventured up into southern Virginia for a few tours. What we learned was that you can’t judge a book (or vineyard) by it’s cover (or external appearance). Some of our favorite wines were from the small, out of the way vineyards.
With the amazing weather, clear skies, and beautiful fall colors - it doesn’t get much better!
Golf In November? Why Not?!
November the 7th has been chosen for the 1st Annual "For No Reason Everyone from Charlotte Go Up to Olde Beau and Play Golf" tournament. Why? Why not?
My uncle, who is a member, has been gracious enough to invite myself, family members, friends, and business colleagues for a day of golf and fun. We’ll start at 10am and are hoping for cooler, but not too cold weather. The views from the back 9 are breathtaking!
We haven’t picked a format yet or how prizes will be awarded and what those prizes will be. I hope to have some good pictures afterwords to post here.
While we’re not sure yet whether we’ll be frozen or passing out from the heat, it should be a fun day!
Ah….No more lawn mowing
How would you like to own your own home and have someone else do the yard work? My home owners association dues covers just that and more! Not only does it cover the yard but it also includes the swim club and play ground. I live in a great community with some of the best schools around. We have five shopping centers with in 5 minutes of our home and have easy access to the interstate. I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it, "Living in Charlotte is like being on a permanent vacation" and oh by the way I just happen to go to work!
Irv Schwebel
Charlotte North Carolina— Restaurant Choices keep growing and growing!
There are times when all I want is a a burger or sub and wash it down with my favorite soft drink. Then there are times when I have to make a tough choice and select a place to dine. So what am I saying? Is it a tough choice because there are so few? To the contrary, there are so many fine places to dine. The list of types, styles and settings continues to grow. Growing up on Long Island in the sixty’s we had our favorites or should I say my parents did!
The past 25 years have brought us far more than one would have expected. Charlotte has grown into a world class city in many ways and dining out is one of them. My wife and I even argue as to where to go for supper.
Do you have a favorite dining experience? Are you moving here or visiting on business or pleasure and looking for that special place to dine? I’m happy to make recommendations if you like. Comments are appreciated.
When I Was A Kid - A Nite Out Under The Stars!
Remember what it was like to play catch with your dad or play in a Little League game? Did you ever wish you could throw like Whitey Ford or be the next Mantle or Maris. Then all of a sudden the summers turn into years and the years go by so fast that you’re now a parent.
Last evening as I do so often I went to Knights Stadium to watch the Charlotte Knights (AAA team of the Chicago Whitesox) battle the Yankees. It was so great! We sat under the stars, rooted for our favorite team and thought back to the time when I was a kid growing up on Long Island in the 50’s and 60’s. What a great thing to do, a great place to do it and a picture perfect evening! Ah Charlotte, it doesn’t get any better!
So when you miss playing catch or going to the school yard to choose up sides and hearing the crack of the bat, you can take a loved one to the ballpark and remember what it was like when you were a kid!
Charlotte Relocation— Why Here?
When I moved my family here twenty five years ago this was a sleepy southern city that was just beginning to awaken. Then the changes started to happen! Tell me some of the changes you’ve seen since moving here. The business climate and housing market have seen the largest of those changes. Job opportunities are endless from the I.T. field to health care, education, creative ends and on and on. Housing continues to grow despite the gloom and doom that we keep reading about. I’ve owned three homes in Charlotte in the past 25 years, have made a large profit on each one and continue to realize strong gains on the one we are currently in.
So why do I stay? The people, the weather,the business and social climate, the excitement of a quality way of life for my family, the educational opportunities (great universities and colleges) and finally great places to dine. Yes I said dine. When I first arrived 25 years ago I knew the difference between the North and the South. In the South we went out to eat and in the North we dined! Now we can dine in the best of ways. Dinner can now be an experience with out door dining and a bottle of fine wine. Need I say more?
So why else do I stay? Let’s see. My wife has a great career, I have a career that’s second to none, my children have finished graduate school and their careers are off and running. We live and own a home that would sell for more than a million dollars on Long Island but sells for far less here and so much less snow that I have dust on my snow shovel that I almost can’t recognize it.
So why did you come here? You’ve heard some of my reasons let’s hear some of yours. Did you leave because the weather was awful or the cost of housing has gotten out of control? Have the taxes in your former city eaten you alive?
Let’s here from you. Share your experiences. Tell your story.
Does Your Realtor Have Your Best Interests In Mind?
With the recent Charlotte Observer articles regarding irregularities with builders and their lenders being accused of not keeping the buyers best interest in mind, one may ask: Where does the role of a Buyer’s Agent come in to this equation? Would Realtor® representation have prevented some of those foreclosures? Possibly.
We feel that our number one role especially when dealing with first time homebuyers is to act as their advocate and protector. What Irv and I often tell our clients is that, “We will more likely tell you what NOT to do, rather than what TO do.” We can bring our experience to bear and keep an eye out for things that are potentially not in the best interest of our client. These can include suspicious lender practices, deals that are “too good to be true”, or even a seller or their agent trying to cut corners at the expense of our client. There are times when our buyers choose not to heed our advice, and ultimately, it is their decision, but we at least want to point out the potential downside of any decision.
When I first got into the practice of real estate, I was told that if you take care of the client’s best interests, your business will grow. In the five years since I’ve joined Schwebel & Associates, this has proven to be absolutely 100% true. By following this golden rule, our business has grown by leaps and bounds without having to sacrifice our integrity, or compromise our clients well being in any way.
It is not only important to be represented by a buyer’s agent, it is equally important to be sure that that agent has your best interests in mind. Whether you choose to work with our group or another, make sure that you are represented by someone who’s in your corner.
