Real estate can be a great investment! As you are getting ready to move or invest in real estate in Charlotte, there are some unique and interesting facts about the town that you should know.

Did you know that...

• Charlotte North Carolina is the county seat of Mecklenburg County and is situated along the banks of the Rocky River between Gastonia and Kannapolis along Interstate 85. (source: ohwy.com)
   
• Charlotte was named after Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, who was then the reigning English Monarch. Queen Charlotte was also honored through the naming of the county of Mecklenburg (where Charlotte is located), which was the name of her German Homeland. (source: charlottecvb.org)
   
• Charlotte has a population of over 500,000 residents within its borders, 1.3 million live in the Charlotte metro area, and over 6 million people live within a 100 mile radius, making Charlotte a very popular place to live. (source: charlottecvb.org)
   
• Charlotte is in an ideal location in the "moderate Central region of the Tar Heel State," giving it easy accesibility to other east coast states and cities. Charlotte is only an hour away from Interstate 40, which runs coast to coast across the US, and interstate 77 and 85, which meet in Charlotte, create a useful link for Charlotte residents to not only the Great Lakes region, but also Florida and New England. (source: charlottecvb.org)
   
• Charlotte has a number of leading industries that help to maintain its healthy economy, including "industrial machinery, printing and publishing, food and beverage, rubber and plastics, and chemicals. (source: ohwy.com)
   
• Charlotte first recieved fame in the United States when a 17 pound gold nugget was found here in 1799. This brought a great influx of gold seeking hopefuls to the Charlotte area and started a gold rush within the vicinity. However, most gold miners left Charlotte when gold was fournd in California and instead, cotton farmers moved in. It was the cotton industry that would eventually bring prosperity and stability to the Charlotte area. (source: charlottecvb.org)
   
• Charlotte encompasses 242.3 square miles and has a median household income of approximately $46,975. (source: city-data.com)

As you are deciding if Charlotte is the right place for you, do not be afraid to turn to Charlotte real estate professionals to help you sort through the many choices. Mortgage brokers and real estate agents can be amazing and essential allies throughout the home buying and selling process.

When selling a home, your real estate agent can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace as well as the price, financing, terms and conditions of competing properties; all key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle. When buying a home your agent can also help you objectively evaluate each buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position, and can help you write a win-win agreement.

They will also help you answer questions like:

• Should I buy a home before selling my current home?
• What are the schools like in the Charlotte area?
• Is the neighborhood that I am interested in near to work for myself and/or my spouse?
• How do I get pre-approved for a loan and why is this important?
• What is a fair asking price for my house?
• Can I do this on my own or do I need help from a real estate professional?
• If I decide to sell my house on my own, what should I be aware of?
• What will a real estate agent do for me?
• How can I make my home more appealing?
• What inspections do I need t