Easy access to over 20,000 listings, after a while it asks for an email sign up… no worries here, we don’t sell, or give your information away, and we simply have way too much to do rather than bug anyone who doesn’t want to hear from us.

Two new major discount firms are coming to Charlotte.  Nordstrom Rack is taking over  an old Circuit City location on South Blvd- this will make ladies venture out on South Blvd I am sure!

Not to be outdone, Ollie’s Bargain outlet announced plans to open in big boxes stores on a temporary basis as Close Out stock permits. This chain store recently bought 350,000 pair of Crocs- and are selling the $30 shoes  at $9.95/pr. Stores will open in Matthews and Mooresville.

The New York Times reports fewer 4th quarter mortgage delinquencies and B of A announced that late credit card payments declined 7.35%in January.

Charlotte was the major statewide winner in the high speed train sweepstakes last month, landing a $152,000,000 to build an expanded train station in 3rd Ward, out of a total of $400m or so awarded the state to improve the rail speed between Raleigh and Charlotte.

White Water Center lenders have forgiven (written-off) 2/3’s of the $38M loan offering the center a chance at the future. This is good news. While I feel for the lenders (not really that much) I like even more the resource this provides the Charlotte Community. They make money from operations- there just wasn’t enough to pay a $38M note.  Very good.

On the bad…

the NY Attorney General has something about us Charlotte folks and can’t let the B of A matter rest. Obama administration regulators thought a fine sufficient, but he thinks it’s criminal. What are we talking about?  The shotgun wedding between Merrill Lynch and B of A , orchestrated by the Treasury Department, that Bof A may not have disclosed all the bonuses agreed to be paid… yes I know I hate bonuses too-but this is 2nd guessing after the fire. Or it is suing the good Samaritan who stops at the accident because you don’t think he did enough.  Merrill Lynch would have been dead if B of A doesn’t do the deal- dead like Lehman within 48 hours.  At the request of the Treasury, they did the deal.  Maybe they didn’t disclose everything, maybe in the rush of the weekend, they didn’t have time. To hold them criminally liable?

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Three Big Wins for The City

Charlotte Updates-Fall 2009

Congratulations to Brookhaven home sellers with 12 home sales in the 4th quarter of 2009.

Brookhaven in Matthews, has been a long time favorite- a Terry’s Top Ten,  for new homes and resales in the $400-$800K price range

the majority of homes are in the $550-$650K. Building by John Wieland began in the 2004, and became their most successful community of all time. The Amenity center is one of those reasons- short of country club, there isn’t any community in Charlotte with better amenities AND it’s better than many country clubs- have look from the outside.

HOA fee’s? Under $1000 per year. That is not a misprint!

Year End Brookhaven Market Report

John Wieland has all but completed sales here- they are down to their last 10-15 lots, some of which, surprisingly are very good.  New prices are ranging from the middle 600’s- $659 to $699.

There are 27 homes for sale in Brookhaven from $334,000 (hardiplank) to $950,000, the median is $569,000.

Terry McDonald

704-351-1519

The McDonald Team, Wilkinson and Associates, Broker

Relocation, Distressed Properties, First Homes,  Luxury Homes

Top Team 2006, Top 10 2007, Top Agent 2008

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/terrymcdonald57

http://www.TerryMcDonaldRealEstate.com

http://www.CharlotteCommunitiesOnline.com

Follow me on Twitter @TerryMcDonaldRE

Charlotte’s #1 Video on You Tube- Introduction to Charlotte

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools placed two high schools in the top 200, and an additional 9 high schools in the survey of Top 1500 Public High Schools conducted annually  by Newsweek Magazine Online.  The Top 1500 represent the top 6% of US High Schools, and the CMS 11 pl;us 1 from Union- Weddington HS,  represent 23% of North Carolina’s total of 53 high schools that made the Top 1500.

Jay Matthew’s at the Washington Post and Newsweek devised a simple formula, not without its critics, a few years back: Rank them by “the number of Advanced Placement, Intl. Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at a school in 2008 divided by the number of graduating seniors. All of the schools on the list have an index of at least 1.000; they are in the top 6 percent of public schools measured this way.”

So it is the number of AP or IB tests taken per graduating senior for each school, (not passed) with a minimum “score” of 1.0, so to get on the list- if you had 400 graduates  then a minimum of 400 tests take (seniors and juniors) would equal a score of 1.0, likewise 600 tests taken for 400 students 1.5 etc. While not a perfect measure, it is a measure of how many of the schools’ children are actively engaged in college preperatory classes, it is relatively easy to calculate, allows small schools to compete with large schools, and I suspect most high school Principals would be glad to see their school on the list. It is also a modest measure- yet only 6% of the nations’ high schools make the list.

The List does not include many terrific magnet and charter schools- those schools are purposeful in their attraction of elite students, and so, they’d need to be evaluated using a different standard, paraphrasing  Matthew’s. Do you have a question on why or how he did the work? Here is his FAQ page for details.

Myers Park led Mecklenburg County at #44 on the list with each graduating senior taking an average of 5 AP/IB tests. Providence was # 189 on the list, with each senior taking an average of 3 AP Tests… but do not forget the other 10!  These can be seen at the bottom of the post.

If you’re school is on the list,  it means they believe in the power of  AP and IB,  and the administration is encouraging the  course work and test taking– a very imortant indicator of future success in college.

So 1500 schools represent the top 6% of public high schools in America, according to this formula.  Mecklenburg County has by my count, 12 schools on the list.  Interestingly, many of these CMS schools (5) had 40% or more of their students n Free and Reduced lunches, that is good work at those tough schools, promoting a culture of excellence. Check out the vide in the Newsweek link below, and hear about inner city children being offered plane tickets to interview at MIT and Standford.

Here is the Newsweek link, indexed by State, but a handful of results are below:

Wake County- someone from that region should check me but I’m counting 4.

Lets compare Charlotte area’s 12  High Schools, NC’s 53 high Schools to a few… states.

North Carolina had 53 high schools make the list- so CMS had  23% of those.

New Jersey has 53 High Schools make the list.

Tennesee had 12 high schools make the list

Conneticut had 17 high schools on the list.

Delaware had 6 high schools on the list.

South Carolina had 20 High Schools make the list, somewhat surprisingly none in the Upstate region near Charlotte, 3 each in Greenville, Columbia and Charleston.

The South in general, outside of NC, SC and Georgia, didn’t fare too well.

Alabama-9

Arkansaw- 10

Missisippi-2

Louisiana-2

So- 11 of CMS’s 31 High Schools fall into this top 6% national category, the same system that recently announced it has 51% of its student’s living in poverty. Obviously this fact doesn’t mean all is well in CMS- it just means CMS is doing better than a lot of people think, a message often lost if all the “clutter” we call conversation about Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Ane for all that talk about great nearby South Carolina Schools and Union County Schools? One school made the list between them- one school emphasizes AP on the high school level. Wow.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Union County on Newsweek’s Top Public High Schools

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As most readers know I make my living in real estate, but I have a passion for education, and  a passion for educating every child in the US. It is the promise of America, and it is in our national interest to educate every child to compete in this inter-connected world.  For those of you who don’t know, I’m also a father of 4, my grown children were educated in private primary schools,  and graduated from a public high school on this list here in Charlotte.  I’m married to a longtime teacher who is now a Professor of Education at a local college.   I’ll be writing more on schools that “Get it” in the Charlotte area in the coming months.

We can of course check the actual taxes paid on any given home. But this should help get you started.

South Carolina uses a completely different formula, but is quite low, running .55 to .7% overall.

Free Admission to Most Charlotte Museums Saturday

In celebration of Smithsonian Day, area Charlotte museums will be free Saturday, including the Levine Museum of the New South, both Mint Musuems, the Charlotte Museum of History…get your family’s free admission card here..  I grew up in Washington DC, where all the great museums,all the Smithsonian’s are free every day… take your family out, discover more of Charlotte.

Art in the Park- Art Festival at Freedom Park- 45th year!

One of our favorites, visit Freedom park this weekend, and enjoy the company of hundreds of Artists, Dancers, and craftsman from all over the south eastern US.

The Novello Festival

If books are your thing, if you love books, then check the author schedule, and

beginning THIS weekend, come on out to the 19th annual Novello Festival- it begins Saturday the 26 and goes to October 31 at the Main Library Uptown Admission? Free of course.

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Search Charlotte Homes For Sale

Search Matthews Homes Sold

Most of what you hear of Charlotte NC around the country is good things, words like clean, modern, Low Cost of Living, Great Weather, good place to raise a family…

But there are also lies about Charlotte Online, High Crime is the worst lie…  I’ve lived in the  south Charlotte-Matthews area for 17 years and never felt unsafe. For many years we didn’t lock our doors. My wife and I run in the parks, together and alone, and never worry. A look at the violent crime map below, produced by the Charlotte Observer from CMPD data, tells you why we never felt unsafe. 

Violent crime, in almost every category is down in 2009, contrary to conventional wisdom of increasing crime in recessions.

Are Perceptions of Crime Subjective?

You bet. When I was living in the Washington DC area in the late 1980’s, our city had the dubious distinction of being named  “Murder Capital of the World.” If you are over 45 you may remember the magazine covers and all the news… CNN ran with the story. A friend of mine was visiting the Holy Land at this time, Jerusalem, at the height of the Infitada, the daily riots against the occupation, and this Jerusalamite asked my friend, “Is it as bad as they say in DC?”

Well no, it wasn’t then in Washington DC or today in Charlotte. The vast majority of crime occurs in particular areas, in DC it happened to be a bitterly fought drug war that left many in that area dead…. it was an awful time if you lived in that part of DC.

A few stats through July:

CMPD reported the number of serious crimes down 21 percent from the first 6 months of 2008. Property crime? Down  21 percent. Violent crime decreased 23 percent. Murder?  28 homicides are under investigation in 2009, compared to 46 over the same period last year – a 39 percent decrease.  Our police are moving mountains and dramatically reducing crime in our higher crime areas. Kudos to Chief Monroe.

Recently a client told me he was considering moving to South Charlotte but changed his mind because he read online how bad crime is here.  That is too bad.

You can check the Charlotte-Mecklenburg  area for violent crime, theft, vandalism, and car-theft at this excellent Charlotte Observer link.

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Relocating to Charlotte? Buying your First Home? As always, call me direct for your most immediate questions, 704-351-1519

Things to Do This Weekend in Charlotte, the Queen City

Take your significant Other to dinner this week Uptown and enjoy 3 course dinners for $35.00 from some of your favorite restaurants including Mez, Lavecchia’s, McCormick and Schmick’s, Black Finn, Room 12 and more. For the complete list and details,  see Eat In Uptown. September 18-27

Freedom Park and The Greenway System-

If the weather’s nice, walk, ride, or skate at Freedom Park. The Art Festival begins next weekend. Take the family out on a Greenway, the new McMullen Creek Greenway at Trader Joe’s on Rea Road is a good starting point. My favorite is McAlpine in Matthews.

Sunset Jazz Festival at Southpark Mall Saturday September 18th, from 1pm to 10pm.

Matt Marshak,BRYAN ANDERSON, and 5th and York, Intertwyned, Unique Blend, The Queen’s Collective Details at Sunset Jazz Festival

What is the New South? Find out at the excellent Levine Museum of the New  South, which is free on Sundays 12-5:00pm…drive or take the train in, and get off at the last stop.

NODA  Gallery Crawl, starts at North Davidson and 36th at 6, gets under way in earnest by 8-9pm.

Panthers play Away At Atlanta this weekend so Uptown will be quiet on Sunday. Lets hope for the return of “Good Jake”

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Make it a great week and if you are a First Time Home Buyer, Time is Running Out.  The ultimate Charlotte First Home Buyer Search is here.

Things To Do!

Matthews Alive- Preparations are Under way, begins tonight!

The India Festival begins Saturday at noon at the Belk Theater on Tryon Street-come on down, the event is free, some a ala carte items, including great Indian food.

Revolutionary War Re-enactment. Come out to Historic Latta Plantation Park in Huntersville and see the battles of Charlotte and McIntyre Farm re-enacted. Also see soldier demos, tour the plantation, and more. Admission is just $6, kids 5 and under are free. 10AM to 4PM

Charlotte Labor Day Parade, Monday 11:00am begins at 700 N Tryon Street

Charlotte in September, means lots of free cultural activities- local events by the dozen, here’s the link from the Arts and Science Council.

The  Charlotte community responds: More than 2,800 children in some of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s highest-poverty schools are getting supply-stuffed book bags, courtesy of local businesses. from the Charlotte Observer

next weekend, Blues, Brews and BBQ, free museum day Saturday, at the Museum of the New South, Charlotte Museum of History and more..check back next weed. ed.

There are 3 great cultural festivals in September, fun ways to experience to three different communities in Charlotte.

September 5-6, the India Festival at Belk Theater. Traditionally a block of Tryon is closed, and Indian dance performances are performed in the Belk theater. Outside, you’ll meet local Indian artists and there is Indian food at every turn.

The Yasiou Greek Festival is September 10-13 on East Bouvlevard. Enjoy Greek dancers, Greek culture and real Greek food- they are famous- atleast in my family for their backlavah!

Rapidly approaching is the popular Festival in the Park, September 24-27ths, Thursday through Sunday, Charlotte’s largest Art Festival celebrates its 45th year.  Last year over 120,000 enjoyed the Festival at Freedom Park.

Don’t forget Matthews Alive this weekend, the largest festival outside of Charlotte, there will be kiddie rides, rock climbing, Nascar exhibits, tons of crafts and great foods. All proceeds go to help local charities. Visit downtown Matthews on Trade Street, starting at John Street (aka Monroe Rd)

New to Charlotte?  Try this fact filled Introduction To Charlotte video- #1 on You Tube with over 27,000 views.