Charlotte Native- Yes that me! I was born in Charlotte NC. This is a fantastic city! It has so much to offer.. Great shopping, Southpark Mall, Northlake Mall, Carolina Place. Excellent dining from small mom & pop restaurants to fine dining. There is something here for everyone, football, basketball, nascar, baseball, dancing, nightlife. Uptown Charlotte is growing with beautiful condo's and plenty of places to visit. Dilworth, Elizabeth, Southpark, Ballantyne, Myers Park, Noda, Plaza-Midwood are just a few of the area's in Charlotte that have so much to offer like coffee shops, bookstores, parks. If you are planning on moving to Charlotte let me know I can provide you with a relocation packet full of valuable information. The fact that I grew up here give me the advantage to help you fi... 03/16/2008

1.  Nationally-acclaimed conductors Christof Perick and Albert-George Schram lead the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in its popular Classics and Pops series.  The Pops series allows the Charlotte Symphony to play with special guests such as Peter Nero and Wynonna Judd.  Upcoming events include:  The Kingston Trio Victor Vanacore, conducting and Audra McDonald, TONY AWARD-WINNING SINGER  http://www.charlottesymphony.org/    2.  Experience theatre “off the beaten path.” Valued for its edginess, relevance, daring, and artistic polish, Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte presents critically acclaimed works such as The Great American Trailer Park Musical and Hedwig and The Angry Inch. Currently featuring The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane.   http://www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org/   3.  Do... 03/15/2008

http://www.charlotte.com/someck/story/534211.html The above link is a nice write up on some of the new construction around the Ballantyne area.  For those of you unfamiliar with Ballantyne......well it is just georgous.  Conveniently located on the 485 loop, Ballantyne allows you the convenience of city life, while living in a resort community.Ballantyne is known for its high end dining and shopping, its multitued of golf and tennis programs, home to the Ballantyne Resort and Spa, and chocked full of families.  Ballantyne Commons is the main road through Ballantyne, which runs from Lancaster to Providence Road.  You can drive down Ballantyne Commons about any time of the day and see families walking their dogs, joggers, children riding bikes.  It is a southern lifestyle we enjoy very mu... 03/15/2008

http://www.charlotte.com/someck/story/534211.html The above link is a nice write up on some of the new construction around the Ballantyne area.  For those of you unfamiliar with Ballantyne......well it is just georgous.  Conveniently located on the 485 loop, Ballantyne allows you the convenience of city life, while living in a resort community.Ballantyne is known for its high end dining and shopping, its multitued of golf and tennis programs, home to the Ballantyne Resort and Spa, and chocked full of families.  Ballantyne Commons is the main road through Ballantyne, which runs from Lancaster to Providence Road.  You can drive down Ballantyne Commons about any time of the day and see families walking their dogs, joggers, children riding bikes.  It is a southern lifestyle we enjoy very mu... 03/15/2008

Charlotte Builer's Association has posted a new website with some insightful information into the Charlotte market.  It is worth taking a look at!www.charlottebetweenthelines.comI am always facinated by the builers' perspective on the market.  Granted, their opinion is valid primarily to the new construction market, and as even they will tell you, the best factor in prediction the values of new construction developments is location, location, location.Below are a few new construction residential developments we have been doing some work in this past month.  They are targeting the high end buyer that is not interested in being in a golf course or ammenity neighborhood.  The homes are truly outstanding.  Whitegate is convienently located on Pineville Mathews Road which put you right in th... 03/15/2008

Information about Charlotte can be found on a massive array of websites.  Here are but a few of the great sites in which to reference info regarding our Queen City! As well, Charlotte real estate for sale is listed by area and the area maps are included below as well.  *Note:  The photo is of Uptown Charlotte, Area 99.For more information about Charlotte, NC and for listings in your favorite area, visit www.DebeMaxwell.com.About the author: Debe Maxwell, ABR is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate Broker, Certified Neighborhood and Relocation Specialist who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Charlotte, NC or any place in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. Debe has created a team of professionals througho... 03/14/2008

Short Sale/ Foreclosure Specialist Lake Norman, NCARE YOU BEHIND IN YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS?Do you know that there are alternatives available to you that lenders don't talk to you about? For years, I have been helping people in your same situation. BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE!! There is a process called a "Short Sale" that may be a resolution for you. A Short Sale is when a lender settles for less than they are owed in order to satisfy and release the lien on a home. In simple terms, it means that you may be able to sell your home for less than what you owe your lender and they will release the lien on the home so you can do so. Your desire to learn more about this process may enable you to buy a home again in the future. A foreclosure will stay on your credit for up to 7 years!... 03/14/2008

I have been a home inspector for so many years and I have constantly tried to pay attention to what the market and what our clients want to see home inspectors provide.  I frequently reach out to my clients and realtors I come in contact with and ask them what services a home inspector should provide and what services would they like to see home inspectors provide.  Most of the services I provide are liseted on my web site www.inspectorpaul.com  Would you be so kind as to let me know what you'd like to see offered in the marketplace? 03/14/2008

     Yes, it's rained recently but mandatory water restrictions in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County NC remain unchanged.                                                                                                                                              As of March 11th, the US Drought Monitor of NC lists Mecklenburg County as experiencing "Extreme Drought" conditions. While this is one level below the "Exceptional" classification we had as of February 2008, it's still a serious level of drought. The recent rain hasn't been enough to repair and replenish the damage that was done last year to water supplies and weather here in Charlotte will continue to warm (hot summer months really aren't that far away). If you're interested in the drought map from the NC Drought Management Adv... 03/14/2008

Now, I know that you're usually keyed up for cultural enlightenment on Friday or Saturday date nights...but Sunday afternoons can fulfill you as well!Sunday, March 30 2008 at 230pmLocation:  Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC (off of Providence Road just south of Fairview)Come out and see Charlotte NC's newest choral group, VOX (my group!), in a performance the likes of which you've never seen.  Seriously, this is the response we're getting from each audience-they LOVE the music and it's completely unexpected!Our special guest performers are none other than Catrina Pegues (you want gospel?  you will get goosebumps listening to Catrina) and Dennis Reed & GAP (they'll be on Oprah one day, you should come hear them now while you can still get tickets!).Suggested donation of $15 at the... 03/14/2008

 What a weekend for Charlotte! Not only is the ACC basketball tournament going on through Sunday, we have the 12th Annual St Patrick's Day Parade and "Charlotte Goes Green" in Uptown Saturday March 15th. Whether you're a sports fan or just looking for something to do this weekend, Uptown Charlotte will be buzzing with activity.  The ACC tournament started yesterday and runs through Sunday March 16th in Uptown at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena with the final game starting at 1pm Sunday.                    The St Patrick's Day parade starts at 10:30am Saturday March 16th, at Tryon  and 9th St in Uptown.  The "Charlotte Goes Green Festival" begins at 10am Saturday and lasts until 6:30pm. For a peek at vendors and sponsors, as well as parade route details, check out Charlotte St. Pat's Day.   ... 03/14/2008

Calling all third grade kickball champions: WE WANT YOU!!! Well, InterLink sports does. Their Charlotte adult kickball leagues are starting up and if you've ever felt like rounding up a bunch of friends, family or co-workers and getting back to your childhood playground roots, this is your lucky day. Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays leagues will pit Queen City teams against one another in this favorite schoolhouse pastime. Click on the link above to get all the details! See you on the field!  03/13/2008

IAHSP Charlotte, NC Regional Chapter will be on hand at the CRRA REALTORS® Expo March 20.As chapter president of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) Charlotte, NC, I secured a booth for my chapter, a speaking spot for my public relations coordinator, and my chapter was selected by expo officials to stage a 30'x30' relaxation area at the middle of the expo site - the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College Ave.Visit us at booth 625 and enter to win a basketful of gift certificates from local restaurants and merchants from 9 to 4 March 20, 2008. Cheryl Schroeder, chapter public relations, is scheduled to speak about the benefits of home staging at 3:15 in conference room 218/219 ABCB.  Chapter members will be raffling off free home staging consultations... 03/12/2008

 Counties in NC perform revaluation of real estate every few years or so - the requirement is at least once every 8 years but most counties perform the revaluations more frequently. Cabarrus County (NE of Charlotte) sent out their revaluation notices back in January. Union County(E/SE of Charlotte) is set to mail theirs next week (March 16th).  What about Charlotte? Our last revaluation was done here in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County back in 2003 and we're scheduled for a countywide revaluation in early 2009, so Charlotte's turn is coming. Counties don't go and literally inspect each and every house to determine it's tax value, they use a more generalized method that adjusts property values based on sales activity applied to the property data on record (size, age, land, location). A reva... 03/12/2008

To "get to know Charlotte" visit some of the links I have posted on this site (far right side of this page just under my photo and personal info). They will provide you with beaucoup information on Charlotte area arts, entertainment, education and special events :) 03/11/2008

Have you noticed all of the new construction in Ballantyne lately?  It's not new homes going up anymore; office buildings are blooming with the Spring weather all over Ballantyne from Toringdon to the new high-rise on Ballantyne Corporate Drive.  They even have a new traffic light!  Ballantyne is truly evolving into a "live here, work here, and play here" community.  The new sports complex at Ardrey Kell is fantastic for kids and adults and new business are moving in every day, from new retail shops to big corporate names like Alltel & ESPN. The Ballantyne area has always been at the top of hot real estate markets, but now more than ever, the area seems to be getting even more popular.  More popular for businesses and new corporate neighbors means more demand for nearby housing So if yo... 03/10/2008

At RE/MAX Select Properties, and as your Realtor for life, I'm are here to tell you that our housing market remains affordable and homes continue to gain higher appreciation rates than most areas in the United States. While the media continues to report that Real Estate is in a downward spiral, this is simply not the case in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.  Instead of discouraging headlines, local stories should focus on our healthy economy and steady Real Estate Market. Real estate is not national; it never was. It is very local and neighborhood specific.  I am a native Charlottean and my guidance will lead you directly to your destination- AND SHOW YOU THE BACK ROADS TO GET THERE! RE/MAX has lived the Real Estate industry for nearly five decades and the one fact that remains cons... 03/10/2008

Along with the newly found yellow pollen on your car, comes the blooming of the Spring Real Estate Market.  If you are considering buying or selling a home, now is the time to make a move in the Charlotte area. Charlotte has remained strong while other Real Estate Markets have floundered and March Madness is here!  Just in the past week, our business has sparked!  We have many new clients who are now ready to purchase homes and several who are now ready to list their homes for sale. The motivations behind our clients' vary distinctively- some are moving out of the area, others are moving in!  Some are looking to sell and move up to a larger home, while others are looking to scale down a bit.  Whatever your motivation may be, if you are considering a move, now is the time!  I can tell yo... 03/10/2008

Think about it.  Selecting the person that you will entrust to handle your needs and look out for your best interest when it comes to buying or selling a home is no easy task.  You want someone who is professional, ethical, organized, and energetic, yet also someone with whom you have something in common.  Much like attempting to find the perfect "match" in the dating world, you want someone who you can relate to; more importantly someone who relates to you.    Finding that perfect "match" is much more difficult than it may seem at first.   It seems simple enough to enter your "core" criteria into a search and then be presented with suitable "matches."  Problem is you are given endless choices of potential "dates" based on your criteria alone.  You then have to dissect the basic informa... 03/10/2008

A few years ago, one look at the Charlotte Observer's classified ads and you would think that everyone in Charlotte was selling their home! It would take multiple pages to hold all the homes for sale.But today, I just noticed something. The Observer's real estate classified ads section is very small. So small in fact that they have had to sell a "special insert" to one of the largest companies selling real estate in Charlotte in order to appear to still offer real estate ads!So why the decline?Well it is certainly not due to a lack of homes for sale. Charlotte home buyers have more choice today with Charlotte homes for sale than anytime in recent history!I think it is the internet. With online services like Charlotte Single Property Websites and Craigslist, people are moving away from t... 03/10/2008