Charlotte Ranks in Top 25 Cities in US for Energy Efficiency

A large trend that has been sweeping the nation for a while now is energy efficiency and environmental protection. We have seen it in the houses that have been selling through energy efficient amenities that make home buyers drool. It is a strong selling point to many people in the market today which brings us to this startling discovery: Charlotte has been named one of the top 25 US cities with the most ENERGY STAR buildings by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. What this means is that our city has a large number of buildings (including schools, retail offices and office buildings) that significantly reduce their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions by using 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide than average buildings. This results in much lower bills for our local businesses, a lot more fresh air to breath compared to other cities, and a safe place for our children to go to school. This is just one more reason to buy a home in Charlotte.

Can't Afford Gas? Move to Charlotte: One of America's Top Walkable Cities

Gas is totally out of control. We all have a heart breaking experience every time we stand next to our vehicles with an uncontrollable feeling of dread and incompetency while hopelessly watching the price climbing up and up. Well, there is one option......Take advantage of Charlotte's 286 square miles of walkable land! Charlotte has been included in 2011's Top 10 Most Walkable Cities by Walk Friendly Communities, an organization devoted to promoting safe walking environments. So what makes Charlotte so "walkable?" Factors like walking being integrated into the city's overall urban planning process, parking rules and regulations provide adequate space for pedestrians and I'm sure the different methods of public transportation, such as the LYNX Light Rail, make it easy for people to walk amongst their favorite spots further from their residents. Just one more reason Charlotte is such a growing and desirable city!

CHARLOTTE IS #1: We are Top for Home Price Growth

That's right, you read it correct. Charlotte is number one in the nation for growing home prices, according to the National Association of Realtors who showed that prices have gone up by 12% since last years first quarter. The median home price for a Charlotte area home is $195,000 and this included all of Charlotte, Gastonia and Concord. Some of our more developed and secure parts of the city, such as Ballantyne and Myers Park, surely have a large part to do with the upswing. Even so, more in development stage neighborhoods, such as the University area, are beginning to pick up with houses that have been on the market for years now beginning to sell. Some readers may feel like they have yet to experience this upswing but know this: the Charlotte area is steadily picking up as buyer's reluctance has begun to switch over to intrigued curiosity of potential homes. The figures speak for themselves.