We’ve long known that Charlotte is one of the nation’s top places to live, and there are several ranking organizations that agree with us – when it comes to liveability, Charlotte can’t be beat. In fact, Charlotte has made its way onto yet another Liveability.com Top 10 Cities list, this time for being one of the best cities in which to keep your new year’s resolutions.

Here’s why!

Volunteerism

“Charlotte was the only southern city to appear on Forbes.com’s list of the Top Cities for Volunteering,” notes Liveability, and doing for others brings joy to the doer and the receiver. Over 30% of Charlotte residents are engaged in some form of annual volunteer work.

Education

Charlotte is a smart city – “Nearly 40 percent of people 25 and over have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The University of North Carolina-Charlotte is located here, as well as 18 other colleges, opening the door to those who are looking to go back to school or study a new subject,” cites Liveability.

Happiness

It’s difficult to rank overall well-being among a city’s residents, but that’s exactly what the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index tries to do. According to the index, “The majority of residents in Charlotte, NC, share a sense of optimism that their health and lives will improve.”

Cost of Living and Finances

To be an urban hub, Charlotte boasts a relatively low cost of living – so if saving money was one of your resolutions, Charlotte can help. Also, Charlotte houses numerous financial institutions and banking headquarters, including Bank of America.

Population growth – which has remained relatively steady despite the rocky economy – and employment opportunities are additional factors that draw people to Charlotte, making it a great place to live.

If you’re interested in moving to Charlotte to take advantage of its diverse city offerings, schedule a tour with an experienced Charlotte real estate agent. There’s no one better to show you the ins and outs of one of the best places in the nation to live. Give Realtor Katie Gray a call at 704.560.9699.

Realty Times’ Carla Hill recently published an article discussing the improving housing market. Although the end of 2011 saw a dip in mortgage applications, “the latest NAHB First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) shows that 76 markets are meeting their criteria for six straight months of improvements in housing permits, employment, and housing prices. This is almost double the amount of markets seen on the list for December (2011).”

Does this mean that the 2012 real estate market won’t be a buyer’s market? Not necessarily. Hill continues to say that while growth and stability are on the horizon, 2012 may present some bumps in the road for sellers, but that opportunity for investment will exist.

If you’re considering buying a home in 2012, here are five steps to take to ensure you purchase the right home for the right price.

1. Gain an understanding of your market by starting a relationship with a Realtor. It’s possible to learn about the fluctuating mortgage market in your area by doing your own research, but an experienced real estate agent will have inside knowledge and insight you can’t gain alone.  He or she will be able to access lists of low-priced properties; recommend the best lenders; and guide you to areas where you will have the best options to purchase.
2. Put a timeline in place. There are many to-dos when you’re planning on buying a house, so start about six months out. You’ll want to define a territory; find a reputable agent; get an idea about your budget; and have your credit checked. Move to four months out, two months out and so forth, outlining what you need to accomplish during those months. If you like, break it down to the day of your closing and move.
3. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Many real estate agents won’t work with you without your being pre-approved. If you can, get pre-approval from different institutions, if for no other reason than to see which lender you’re most comfortable working with – it will be a long-term relationship.
4. Scale back. Preparing to buy a new home and move is the perfect time to purge. Get rid of things you haven’t needed or used in over a year, and clean out those closets and kitchen cabinets. You’ll save yourself time – and money on movers – if you have less stuff to transport on the day of your relocation.
5. Budget. Budgeting is one of the biggest parts of buying a home, so start early. After deciding how much of a home you can afford, put a saving’s plan in place. Go ahead and calculate projected monthly expenses, and plan to have a cushion of cash in place as your closing date draws near.

These are just some basic, preparatory steps to help ensure your home buying goes smoothly. If you’re buying a home in 2012, be sure to speak with a real estate agent who has been active during the recent years of market ups and downs. Consult with Charlotte Realtor Katie Gray by calling 704.560.9699.