New Homes in Charlotte - A City Rich in History

North Carolina New Homes

Have you heard of the Levine Museum of the New South? What a cool place. The museum is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its mission is to engage a broad-based audience in the exploration and appreciation of the diverse history of the South since the Civil War, with a focus on Charlotte and the surrounding Carolina Piedmont.

The Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the materials, sights, sounds, and ideas that illumine and enliven the history of the area, primarily from 1865 to the present. It presents opportunities for life-long learning about this history for the benefit, enjoyment and education of people of all ages, and provides historical context for contemporary issues and a community forum for thoughtful discussion.

New Homes North Carolina

A current exhibition includes Changing Places: From Black and White to Technicolor. With over 500 newcomers to the area each week, this is Museum's most ambitious project to date. It focuses on culture, telling stories and exploring traditions of both new and longtime residents. Here, you will also experience the award-winning Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South. Covering 8,000 square feet, the exhibit features Charlotte and its 13 surrounding counties as a case study to illustrate the profound changes in the South since the Civil War. In this exhibit you will enjoy an interactive, hands-on experience as you tour 6 different "environments" within the exhibit.

If you are interested in purchasing a new home in Charlotte, North Carolina - an area rich in history - be sure to visit the many homes offered by Shea Homes at www.SheaHomes.com. With the rates at the lowest they’ve ever been, you can’t go wrong with buying a new home in Charlotte!

New Homes in Fantastic Neighborhoods - Charlotte, North Carolina

If you are into southern cuisine, looking for excellent schools, want more than 100 golf courses for tee off choices, and if 15,000 acres of parks (including two major recreational lakes) soundappealing, then a new home in Charlotte, North Carolina, may be just the place for you!

Check out the following Charlotte new homes located in The Palisades neighborhoods of:

• Bear Creek
• Crosshaven
• Turtle Point

New homes range from 2,500 sq ft -6,469 sq ft, have 3-7 bedrooms and 3-7 bathrooms. Prices start at $350,000.

Charlotte New Homes Builder - North Carolina

Hikers, horse riders and mountain bikers will enjoy the miles of amazing trails throughout The Palisades. These trails wind through the community, connecting to the soccer complex, Village Center, and the tennis and swim complex, which also features a fitness center that offers Pilates, yoga, aerobics and personal trainers. At the Palisades you will also find a Junior Olympic pool as well as a splash pool for the kids.

Environmentalists will be happy to know that The Palisades has been developed according to the strict environmental guidelines of Audubon International.

To view all new homes in Charlotte made available by Shea Homes visit www.SheaHomes.com.

Home Building Trends in the Carolinas

North Carolina New Homes

CarolingLiving.com reports high quality, low maintenance, open space flexibility and “small palace” comforts as motivations for homeowners.

Some current home building trends in the Carolinas include:

• Brick – not only is it made from nearby Carolina clay, but many people moving into new homes are looking for interesting design, low maintenance and longevity which brick provides.
• Porches – either screened or open remain popular as do open air decks. This type of “outdoor living” is possible most months of the year and the outdoor rooms invite neighborly get-togethers, invite star-gazing and bird-watching and expand the livable areas at relatively little cost.
• Floors - hardwood floors, a plus when it comes to reselling homes, is popular. Adding a ceramic finish to a wood floor helps to increase its durability, not to mention it looks nice. Limestone and coral flooring is also a newer trend.

New Homes Charlotte

• Water Features – Just outside the dining areas, home owners are installing hidden fountain heads spraying up just outside the window areas. The sight and sound of water provides a lovely ambience while dining.
• Home Design – Home owners are enjoy more open space where entertaining and family gatherings flow naturally from eating to living areas, or to the porch. And rooms flexible in nature that can serve as an extra bedroom, family room, den or home office is also appealing.
• Lower Maintenance – Items that are lower in maintenance such as irrigation systems, architectural shingles and fences with a wrought-iron look are also popular.
• Proximity – Another trend, especially among empty nesters, is the desire to be within walking distance of various places such as food markets, museums, bistros, entertainment and life-long learning center.
• “Green Building” – A movement gaining popularity throughout the Carolinas is “green building”, or building homes with protecting the region's environmental assets in mind.

Chosen as “One of the Best Places to Live”, Charlotte, North Carolina, is a good bet if you are looking to buy a new home.

For more information about living in the Carolinas visit www.carolinaliving.com.

Why Choose To Live In Charlotte, North Carolina?

There are numerous reasons why you would want to live in Charlotte, North Carolina. Perhaps the many accolades that the city has received over the years say it all:

• In 2007, Charlotte was named the third most undervalued real estate markets in the U.S. by Forbes.

• In the same year the city was rated the fourth best "Walking City" in the nation by Prevention Magazine, and the best in North Carolina, and Self Magazine named it one of "Five Cities with Big Outdoor Appeal".

• In 2008, relocate-America.com chose Charlotte as the "Best Place to Live in America".

• CNNMoney.com ranked the city #8 of the 100 "Best Places to Live and Launch", based on its vibrant lifestyles and opportunities for new businesses.

So, if you are looking for a great real estate deal where you can get out and enjoy the outdoors, if you want to live in a great community while getting your new business off the ground, or if you just want to live in a great place, then Charlotte seems to be a “no-brainer”.

If you enjoy clear, sunny, nice days then Charlotte will appeal to you with its mild winters and warm, although somewhat humid, weather.

New homes in Charlotte are available. If you are looking for a new home in a master-planned community and selection and value are important to you, consider buying a Shea Home. Quality homes by Shea Homes can be found at The Palisades, Highland Creek and Berewick in Charlotte, Winding Walk in Concord and Summerwood in Mint Hill.

New homes builder Shea Homes North Carolina also has new communities in Apex, Burlington, Cary, Charlotte, Concord, Durham, Mint Hill and Waxhaw. Check out the new homes that Shea Homes North Carolina has to offer at www.sheahomes.com.

Limited Opportunities Left for New Homes in Berewick North Carolina Neighborhood

Consider making Berewick you New Home in North Carolina.

Here, beautiful open spaces and neighborhood parks are interspersed between villages that connect to the Berewick Manor clubhouse.

Abounding with history that dates back to the 1700’s when a group of Scots settled along the shores of Lake Wylie. In honor of their heritage this amazing master-planned community bears the name Berewick.

New Homes in the North Carolina neighborhood include brick fronts (per plan), 9’ flat ceilings, brushed nickel hardware, 42” cabinets, granite countertops as well as other great standards. There is also access to a separate amenity section, featuring a neighborhood pool and playground!

Limited opportunities remain in the Castlecove village so act fast if you’d like to own a new home in this section of Berewick. Here, you’ll be a short distance from the Berewick Town Center. Or if you want to get out and enjoy nature, walking trails lead to the planned 195-acre park. The Berewick District Park will have over 3 miles of trails including a mountain bike trail, soccer fields, ball fields and even a dog park. The natural beauty of the land will be enhanced with unique planting areas designed in cooperation with Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.

For a list of available new homes in North Carolina, visit www.SheaHomes.com.

Great Benefits to Living and Working in Raleigh, N.C.

North Carolina New Homes

Raleigh is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. A great economy, top universities, and outstanding health care facilities are some of the attributes that attract people to the triangle area. The mild climate, diverse workforce, and proximity to Research Triangle Park combine to make Raleigh a great place to live and work.

Interested in working for the City of Raleigh? Here is a summary of the benefits that the City offers to full-time permanent employees:

• Vacation Leave - 12 days earned per year
• Sick leave - 12 or more days earned per year
• Additional sick leave - Up to one year additional sick leave
• Petty leave - Up to 12 hours per year may be used
• Holiday - 11 paid holidays per year
• Award for service -Lump sum annual payment to employees with at least 5 years of service
• Employee’s coverage paid by the City for: Medical, dental, life insurance
• Retirement - The City provides a contribution to the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System, and provides for optional supplemental retirement plans
• Merit Pay Plan - Periodic pay adjustments based upon job performance

Looking for a new home in North Carolina?

Check out Mackintosh on the Lake.

Mackintosh on the Lake is a 612-acre community located off I-40/85 between Raleigh and Greensboro at Exit 140, It is an idyllic canvas of open meadows surrounded by historic oaks and bordering Lake Mackintosh in Alamance County. Greensboro is just 15 minutes away and Raleigh is 40 minutes down I-40.

Lake Mackintosh is a crystal-clear lake that is more than six miles long and covers over 1100 acres, with 100 miles of shoreline. Well-known to fishing and boating enthusiasts, the lake enjoys a resort-like atmosphere, complete with a marina, sailing, rental boats, picnic areas, paddleboats and more.

Mackintosh also features over 80 acres of community open space and 2.5 miles of protected shoreline, with tree-lined sidewalks and pocket parks throughout the community, including a private 10-acre lake, and a lakeside pavilion and fire pit. The Aquatic Park features several pools, plus a 120 foot long slide. Residents with dogs will have fun with their furry friends at the local dog park.

New homes at Mackintosh on the Lake feature crawl space foundations with front porches and stone accents, plus decorative garage doors. The homes are open and airy with 9' ceilings, allowing an abundance of natural light inside. Basement home sites are also available.

For more information on North Carolina new homes by Shea Homes visit www.sheahomes.com.

New Furniture For Your New Home in North Carolina

So, you’ve purchased your new home in North Carolina and now need to furnish it....

You’re in luck! The Carolinas are famous for well-crafted furniture, often sold at competitive prices.

Before heading out, be sure to plan for your shopping trip. Luckily, many of the furniture stores are close to one another which means you may not have to drive far for a good selection.

Thanks to writer Katherine O. Pettit and CarolinaLiving.com, there is good advice available to think about before grabbing your keys and hitting the road. Here are 10 good tips to keep in mind while furniture shopping in the Carolinas:

1. Plan ahead. Know your furniture needs. Make a list of the pieces and sizes you plan to buy. If you have a color scheme, bring fabric, paint swatches along with room dimensions. Bring your decorator if you must!

2. Don’t be shy to ask questions about the reputation of dealers and manufacturers. Shopping with an experienced sales person makes a big difference. Insist the business is a member of the Better Business Bureau and Chamber.

3. Not everyone accepts credit cards - have another payment method ready.

4. Comparison shop instead of buying compulsively - selection, price, quality and service are all important factors.

North Carolina New Homes

5. Consider comfort. Furniture should be comfortable, so sit on it! Are coils centered in the seat area? Check edges for support. Padding should be firm, not lumpy.

6. Examine the finish. Trust your senses, touch and look carefully. Is the piece smooth and does it flow? Are grains and patterns matched? Are glass tops thick and fitted perfectly?

7. Check construction. Is the pattern centered and does it match top-to-bottom and side-to-side? Are seams reasonably straight? Don't hesitate to rock a table back and forth. Sit in a chair to assure it is sturdy. Do drawers open smoothly?

8. Always consider your lifestyle when selecting upholstered items. Ask the sales person for advice. Do you have young children or pets? Cotton, vinyl or leather work well in a family room. Silk, velvet and satin work best for adult-only families. Is the fabric stain resistant? Evaluate seating options: down fill, eight-way hand-tied springs, foam?

9. Remember to get cleaning instructions for your new purchases!

10. Get a commitment on delivery date. Expect a minimum of six weeks for special orders. Custom orders can take four months or longer. On arrival, inspect each piece while the delivery person is still in your home.

Enjoy your new furniture in your new home!

Katherine O. Pettit has worked as a writer, magazine editor, printer and public relations consultant. The Columbia resident has published more than 250 articles in magazines and newspapers. Her writing explores a variety of subjects including travel, lifestyles, business and management.