Homes for Sale in Charlotte Suburbs continue to be in demand! The greater Charlotte Real Estate region has a huge amount of diversity and options for families. What is your interest in a Charlotte home? I recommend considering all options along but let me assist in the process. Well, where do we begin?
The first consideration is your employment. Where will you be working? Will you be working from home, a small business or in uptown Charlotte? We begin with your daily commute. I do not want you to squander too much "family time" on the road in rush hour. We then decide what is a reasonable commute. This is largely subjective but we will still work to minimize this time.
What is your next priority? Property taxes? Schools? Safety? Entertainment? Sports? Let us consider each of these priorities.
Property taxes are a huge concern, especially from a person that experienced "taxes gone wild" from up north or Florida. Property taxes will always be higher in the major city. You are paying for conveniences but also paying to support more of a social system. Cities tend to have larger ratios of people that are dependent upon the Government. Each program that the Government passes is largely subsidized by the tax payer. This includes public transportation, subsidized housing and some entertainment venues. There is always a balance in society but cities tend to increase their tax rates as they adopt more social programs. Our property taxes are relatively low and we like it this way. We, the tax payer, do not want to continually increase our property taxes; eventually it results in an unsustainable position such as in places like New Jersey. That is a HUGE factor/motivation of many departing states like New York and New Jersey!
The tax rates in the outlying counties are less than Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Charlotte Real Estate borders South Carolina with both York County and Lancaster County. South Carolina reduced the tax burden for home owners/residents and SC Property taxes are about 1/2 of those in Charlotte. This is a huge factor especially for those on a fixed income or retirees.
Schools and the education of our children is essential. There are a wide variety of schools in the Greater Charlotte region. Each parent has a unique perspective of what they want for their children. I can help you find that ideal school. There are many public websites such as www.ncreportcards.com that will enable you to compare various schools by comparing the same criteria. I personally recommend researching the High Schools regardless of the age of your child. Consider the elementary school as the "little picture' since this is largely more of a neighborhood school. High Schools are more of the big picture. Another benefit of the High School comparison is that the SAT scores are available. This is a second source of criteria for you to consider. I like multiple sources and can help you navigate through the data.
How about the safety of you and your family? I have a huge priority on safety but keep in mind that safety is a relative term. Everyone is accustom to a different area and each have different concerns. My first suggestion is to visit the local grocery store. The local grocery store will be reflective of your neighbors. As you narrow down your selections, please visit the local grocery stores and do this at different times of the day. Keep in mind that a Walmart draws from a larger area and is not necessarily reflective of your neighborhood.
How about sports and entertainment? How often do you typically go to a sporting event or restaurant? What is an adequate distance to drive for these events? If you are typically a season ticket holder and attend most events, them please consider lining closer to the desired venue. If you do not go very often, then a bit further away may be a better option.
All in all, Charlotte Real Estate is loaded with options and sure to have something for everyone. The demand for homes in the Carolinas will continue and provides a wonderful lifestyle.