Archive for July 21st, 2008

Charlotte is Growing Fast!

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Charlotte Real Estate & More

Ripped from the Headlines (really).. In Today’s Charlotte Observer Charlotte is again one of the fastest growing cities in the US! Things have slowed down a bit here — OK we’re not White Hot now we’re only Red Hot! Unlike so many towns people are itching (literally) to relocate to Charlotte. (click on the paper to read more)

And this in the current USAIRWAYS magazine article here “Why Charlotte is booming”
“Housing prices and job creation have bucked national trends through much of the recent economic downturn ….. In January 2008, Charlotte was the only market in the country with positive home price appreciation.” woohoo!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte NC It’s not ALL about the Que! (or is it?)

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Eats, Charlotte Lifestyle

Saw this picture of Uptown Charlotte businessmen doing what they do best…lunch, haha! Well not really but they have picked one of the best, I can personally and often attest to Red’s Barbeque BBQ as one of Charlotte’s best. The mobile que on wheels you see here makes it way to the Quail Hollow area in south Charlotte on the weekends and it is very hard to pass by. Make sure you try the que of course but don’t miss the Brunswick stew (in season only ~ they’ll tell you when).

Red’s BBQ may not be a reason to buy a home in Charlotte but its a heck of good reason to stay! Enjoy! 

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

101 Things To Do in Charlotte North Carolina #95~93

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Grown Ups, Fun for Kids

Buying a home in Charlotte North Carolina is only the beginning! Whether you live in Charlotte or are dreaming about relocating here we think you’ll find the Charlotte Mecklenburg area has some pretty amazing things to do and some hidden gems! Rather than list all 101 Charlotte attractions we’ll give you three at a time (hint: you can find the complete list right now here courtesy of the North Carolina Tourist Guide).

We know lists can get a little boring so let’s make it fun — we’ll share our thoughts good & bad (in pink) and if you’ll let us know what you think if you go please leave a comment right here on our blog (its easy simply click on Comments above under the title)…so let’s get started…

95. McColl Center for Visual Arts – The center supports an active artist in residence program and their works can be viewed by the public. The Center also offers lectures and artists forums.
I think we’ve all visited the McColl center during gallery crawls — always an eclectic display and one of Charlotte’s most intriguing architectural landmark. Originally built in 1926, McColl Center for Visual Art is located in a former Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. In 1995, Bank of America acquired the church for and deftly, beautifully transformed the burned out reamins of the church! — you have to see it to believe it!
(photo: courtesy McColl Center: Sarah Hughes| Flower House)

94. Queens Landing – Experience a day of fun on beautiful Lake Norman, where the possibilities are endless. Conveniently located 30 minutes north of Charlotte, we have so many things to do that you’ll have to keep coming back. You can reach us by car or boat. Whether you’re enjoying Lake Norman in your own boat, or meeting friends for lunch at Jack’s Lakeside Grill everyone loves lake Norman! Don’t forget to check out The Catawba Queen our replica Mississippi River Boat. We can safely say we ALL have had wonderful times on Lake Norman — and becauce Charlotte’s weather is perfect plan on enjoying the lake from April to October! Who knows you might be so smitten you’ll end up buying a home on Lake Norman –you wouldn’t be the first!

93. Lowes Motor Speedway Over the Wall Tour - (photos courtesy Harold Hinson) At the center of the excitement is Lowe’s Motor Speedway, one of the country’s premier racing facilities which hosts three NASCAR Nextel Cup events each year as well as other motorsports races and various car shows. The Speedway’s Over the Wall Tour is a fun behind-the-scenes tour which allows visitors to get a close-up look at the garage, travel down pit road, and even drive around the Speedway’s infamous 1.5 mile oval with 24 degree banks. Over the Wall tours are just $5 and well worth the cost to experience driving along the Speedway. For Five Bucks, This is a special tour but then everything about NASCAR and Lowes Speedway is special, loud and fast – pass the chicken!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Sweet and Sassy Glitters at Blakeney in Ballantyne

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Kids

 

You can’t miss the hot pink stretch limo ~ but apparently that is only the beginning for Ballantyne’s newest kid friendly addition Sweet and Sassy (info on Blakeney shop).

Sarah Mason (Ft. Worth Business Press) captures the magic…

“At any given point in a Sweet & Sassy store costumed pint-sized princesses can be found preparing for their ball. There is never a shortage of glitter – all girls get a fresh coat of glitter hairspray and a sparkling face stamp. Disney videos play on televisions in the hair-cutting corner – also known as the Snip-Snap Station – and squishy-soft stuffed animals line the shelves of the retail corner. There is an abundance of make-your-own fairy dust, bubble bath and lotion (all filled with glitter).” and Sweet & Sassy founder Dixie Drake-Davi continues, “I wanted for young girls to have a fun place that played their music, where the chairs were made for them, where they could get a swipe of glittery polish and have their feet rubbed while enjoying time with their friends.”

The Blakeney shopping center has become a fast favorite for adults to play and shop and now there is something for the “pint-sized princesses too!

 

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: 1 Comment »

What’s Happening with Charlotte Real Estate?

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More

Doug Smith, the Charlotte Observer’s veteran reporter is the “go to” person on Charlotte Real Estate. For the past two years his Next Big Thing column has taken the pulse of Charlotte Real Estate and read the minds of Charlotte’s developers.

Click on Ask Doug to go to his blog

Things move fast in this town and you can be sure Doug is talking today about what everyone else will be talking about tomorrow. Doug too writes a blog “Ask Doug | What’s Happening In Charlotte Real Estate and Development”. We will be pointing to his blog regularly ~ If you’d like to catch his most recent story about some dueling uptown condo developments(EpiCentre & Park Condominiums) read “A rare public slugfest in Charlotte” and then take a little time and read his other posts about the mostly good and bad of Charlotte real Estate. We do!\

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte is Blooming! Answers on Gardening & Home Landscaping

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle

Whether you’ve got questions about which azlaea blooms twice? which culinary herbs thrive in Charlotte or what’s the deal with Charlotte’s famous red clay soil, Nancy Brachey probably has the answer! Nancy has been The Charlotte Observer’s gardening guru for over 3o years and guess what YOU CAN ASK HER A QUESTION!

I found this hidden gem recently — The Charlotte Observer has a Q&A section, your own private expert, where you can skim through the hundreds of gardening queries — who knows you might find the answer to a question you didn’t even know you had!

Here’s an example about one the Charlotte areas most prolific and beautiful plants the crepe myrtle:

Submitted by Brenda from Taylorsville N.C.

Q: One of my dwarf crepe myrtles was frozen in the BIG EASTER FREEZE but there are signs of life coming out from the bottom of the tree. Should the original trunk,which looks dead,be cut off or left alone?

Answered 06/27/08 23:02:54 by Nancy Brachey
A: If the original trunk is dead, cut it off to the base of the plan. Then choose the most vigorous looking shoots rising from the ground. You should have three to five of these, evenly distributed around the plant. Make these stems the foundation of the new crape myrtle. Cut off the weaker ones, especially if they bump into or cross the ones already selected to form the framework of the tree. You want to create a multi-trunk plant.

So now you know. Once you buy your home in Charlotte you’ll be able to have a yard or garden that will be the talk of your neighborhood! Can you say Yard of the Month?

Rhonda’s Flower Garden

 

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

All About Living in Union County | From the Charlotte Observer

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Charlotte Real Estate & More

Click on the Blue Ribbon for Neighbors of Union County

Established in 1842, Union County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation! Union County Government Center provides a unique blend of rural and metropolitan lifestyles. While having vast areas of nature untouched by development, it also has areas flourishing in suburban and industrial growth.

Cliff Harrington covers Union County for the Charlotte Observer — whether your looking to buy a home in Union County or already live in this thriving community you will want to keep up with all the news. Click above for all the Charlotte Observer Union County news and be sure to check out our Squidoo lens (coming soon) all about Union County a favorite & highly recommended destination for our clients relocating to the Charlotte area!

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Charlotte Performing Arts | From the Charlotte Observer

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Lifestyle, Fun for Kids

Click Here for Charlotte Performing Arts

Charlotte has a thriving and exciting Performing Arts community and schedule. The Charlotte Observer’s is a great place to start. Click above on the “Twelfth Night” Players for all the scoop at Charlotte.com

Spoken by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: No Comments »

Can’t Sell That House?

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Real Estate & More

Maybe it needs more color and light?  I found this great article in the July 08 issue of Realtor Reflections.  On page 58 the article give you tips on what you can do to make your home show better.

• Color can be a seller’s friend but not too much color: A little color can make the home memorable and maintained. Just be careful and have your realtor help you choose which one to use.
• How to detail a home: We all should know clutter kills the sale. It will make your house look dirty and smaller. Less is more with furnishings. Lose the heavy drapes for a clean window, hang just a few pictures, not family portraits.
• Consult a professional house stager. If you need someone’s name for this, contact me at Donna@TalkCharlotte.com. They charge from $65-100 per hour and make such a difference; I have had clients actually decide not to sell once the decorator gave them tips.

What other tips have you done that have worked?

Don’t have your home look like this! Loose the wallpaper, No dishes, No clutter on refrigerator…etc.

Spoken by Donna Johnston | Discussion: No Comments »