Lake Norman to Uptown Charlotte Living

Short Sale Waterfront and Waterview homes for sale on Lake Norman.

If you are looking to bargain shop and want waterfront or waterview properties this is the time to do it. Lake Norman which is located only 20 minutes from Uptown Charlotte offers the opportunity to enjoy Lake living for a discounted prices.

At one time,not long ago, only a select few were fortunate enough to afford living on Lake Norman. If anything was below $500k it was usually small cottage, maybe 1 or 2 bedrooms and around 1100 sq feet.

Today I viewed a home that was over 4000 sq ft with a full basement on .54 acres, waterfront, and deeded boat slip that was listed for $650k. Typically a home that size on Lake Norman would have been priced in the $800's. Home's in that specific neighborhood are well over a million dollars.

Obviously, location on Lake Norman can make the difference for many who are looking for waterfront homes. Lake Norman, which is  the largest man-made lake in the Carolina's is 34 miles long with 520 miles of shoreline. So you can just imagine the many coves and variation of shoreline that comes along with water-frontage. However, lake access is a premium and for those who take advantage now will reap the benefits for years to come.

Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

New Townhomes in Carrington Ridge subdivision from the $90's to $150's in Huntersville, NC.

Carrington Ridge is a planned community in west Huntersville featuring 320+ single family homes and 120+ townhomes. It is located in the historic countryside near the Catawba River between Lake Norman and Mountain Island Lake.

The neighborhood features tree-lined streets, sidewalks, and a community recreation area with a junior Olympic-size pool, a huge kid's pool play area with slides, and a large picnic pavilion with kitchen and restrooms.

Carrington Ridge is also home to nearly 80 acres of greenways, open space, community parks, and a freshwater creek. It is also located in one of Mecklenburg Counties best school districts. It is walking distance to both Barnette Elementary and Bradley Middle School. Hopewell High School is only minutes away.

Other nearby attractions are the Northlake Mall (15 minutes), Birkdale Village (10 minutes), I-77 (10 minutes), Historic Latta Plantation (5 minutes), and Richard Barry Memorial Park (walking distance).

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

There are a number of breakfast places to enjoy in the Lake Norman region, but do not skip the Cookhouse Restaurant.

It is a family restaurant located in Cornelius just off Exit 28 in The Shops on the Green. Growing up in New York and my wife in Cleveland we are used to getting a good breakfast from your local Diner.

Well, my wife and I found the next best thing. When we are looking for a quiet Sunday breakfast together or stopping off before heading to the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains we make Cookhouse our breakfast choice.

Click here to view menu

Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Saturday's Salute the Troops on Lake Norman

Here is a portion of what was written in the Local section of the Charlotte Observer detailing the event.

Saturday's Salute the Troops - a collaboration of local sponsors and the USO that included the lake cruise, a tour of a nearby race shop, volleyball and other activities - was meant as a small thank-you to military men and women, organizers said. About 150 troops and veterans gathered at Midtown Sundries in Cornelius for the party, sharing beers, burgers and camaraderie with old and new friends.

"This is all about you guys and everything you do," said Cliff Champion of Championship Yacht Charters, which provided the cruise, as the troops boarded the boat.

The group of troops arrived at Midtown Sundries by charter bus Saturday afternoon, after a tour of the Michael Waltrip race shop. Most were young men, dressed in T-shirts and cargo shorts, baseball caps and buzz cuts, though there were also a few women. A few veterans also took part, many wearing red, white and blue.

What a great way to give back to the people who serve our country. This is the second time they have done this for the troops and they want to make it an annual event.

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Waterfront Condos and Townhomes for sale on Lake Norman.

There is a great market for those who are looking to move into a condo or townhome located on Lake Norman. So many people who are looking to downsize or get closer to family without the responsibilities of owning a home have a great opportunity to find good value in a waterfront condo or townhome.

Many of the complexes are located within minutes of shopping, retail, restaurants and offer nice amenities. Some even have marina's for those who own a boat or jet ski's.

Lake Norman, the largest body of fresh water in North Carolina, takes its name from Norman Atwater Cocke, former president of Duke Power, the company that created the lake. The scenic inland sea was created in 1967 by the establishment of the Cowans Ford Dam on the Catawba River.

Lake Norman by the numbers:

• 34 miles long and eight miles across at its widest point (twice the size of the Sea of Gallilee)
• 520 miles of shoreline (more than the coasts of both North and South Carolina)
• 32,510 surface acres of water 130 feet deep at its deepest point; average depth is 33 feet
• Holds 3.4 trillion gallons of water, weighing approximately 14.2 billion tons
• Four counties border Lake Norman: Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg

A haven for boating and water enthusiasts, Lake Normanis home to a number of waterfront communities. Each community offers residents a lifestyle unique in its own way, but always luxurious.

Waterfront Condos/Townhomes $150k-$200k
Waterfront Condos/Townhomes $200k-$250k
Waterfront Condos/Townhomes $250k-$300k
Waterfront Condos/Townhomes $300k-$350k
Waterfront Condos/Townhomes $350k-$400k
Waterfront Condos/Townhomes $400k-$450k

Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Disc Golf Course Opens at Bailey Park in Cornelius NC.

The Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Department and Charlotte Disc Golf Club have partnered to open a full 18-hole disc golf course at Bailey Road Park.

It is the only public, 18-hole disc golf course in the Lake Norman area. The closest public courses are found at Hornets Nest and Reedy Creek parks.

The course is designed for the beginning disc golfer and winds its way around the southeast corner of the park, which is located at the corner of Bailey Road and N.C. 115. Cornelius Park Superintendent Troy Fitzsimmons said Mark Huether, of Charlotte Disc Golf Club, designed the course, building on the existing nine holes.

The disc golf clubalso is raising $4,300 to $4,800 to purchase equipment for the nine new holes. "It's still a sort of work in progress," Fitzsimmons said Monday, July 12, because club members still have to pour the concrete pads, which serve as the tee boxes where disc golfers begin each hole. Some of the signs for the new holes also are temporary.

The town and disc golf club opened the new nine holes to play about a month ago, and the number of disc golfers grew immediately, Fitzsimmons said. "During this time of the summer, between major sports, about the only things you'll find people doing at Bailey Road Park are playing disc golf and picking blackberries," he said.

Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Huntersville NC High School Report Cards - North Mecklenburg High School and Hopewell High School.

The Huntersville High Schools will be going through some major changes for the 2010-2011 school year due to the opening of the new W.A. Hough High School in Cornelius, NC. Located just miles from North.

North Mecklenburg High Schoolwill be impacted dramtically more than Hopewell because of the new  boundary lines. Currently North Meck has a total staff of over 300 people, including 214 teachers and seven administrators.  Nearly one third of North's teachers have obtained a Master's degree or higher level of education.  North consistently ranks among the top schools in the county, the state and the nation in academic and athletic achievements.  Their motto is "Exceeding the Standards" and what North Meck strives to accomplish year in and out.

Hopewell High Schoolopened its doors for the first time on August 15, 2001. The school serves a rapidly growing area and draws students primarily from North Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson. Hopewell offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes regular, Advanced/Honors, Advanced Placement, Career & Technical Education, Visual & Performing Arts and JROTC courses.

It will be a welcomed relief for Hopewell High School once ranked the most populated High School in the state of North Carolina. However, they too have still excelled both academically and athletically.

Click links below to view Report Cards:

North Mecklenburg High - http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pYear=2008-2009&pLEACode=600&pSchCode=480

Hopewell High School - http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pYear=2008-2009&pLEACode=600&pSchCode=415

Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Beach Volleyball and Cycling Lake Norman 2 great summer activities to stay fit.

Summer is here and Lake Norman is a great backdrop to find a sand volleyball court or bike trail. Among the options are Blythe Landing in Huntersville, Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius,both of which have numerous courts available for reservations in addition to lakefront amenties.

There is also Midtown Sundries on Lake Norman that not only offers great food and beverages, but a very nice sand volleyball court for patrons to enjoy.

Love to cycle but want to try a new mountain bike trail? Check out the new Denver Cross Country trail, built by Blood Sweat Gearsand volunteers from the Denver, NC area. Located at the old Ranell Homes manufacturing facility, this three-mile trail offers variety for any rider.

Also check out the new Itusi at Lake Norman State Park bike trail. As far as construction, this has to be the most amazing trail you can find: bridges, crib walls, bench cuts, etc. . The downhill sections are wide and flow with the shape of the land. There are plenty of whoops to keep it exciting. This trail can be a challenge if you want to ride really fast; really makes you work on technique in corners, and switchbacks

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264

Searching for the Best Huntersville Elementary Schools? Here are the report cards on the 5 Elementary Schools in Huntersville, NC.

When moving from out of state or even locally, parents are always concerned about what schools their children will be attending. Matter of fact it probably the most important consideration when looking to buy a home.

I have listed below the 5 Elementary Schools in the Huntersville area along with links that can break down how each school tested.

Huntersville Elementary Schools:

Barnette Elementary - (where my kids attended and loved it) -http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/servlet/srcICreatePDF?pSchCode=328&pLEACode=600&pYear=2008-2009

Blythe Elementary - http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pYear=2008-2009&pLEACode=600&pSchCode=442

Huntersville Elementary - http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pYear=2008-2009&pLEACode=600&pSchCode=420

Long Creek Elementary - http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pYear=2008-2009&pLEACode=600&pSchCode=444

Torrence Creek Elementary School - http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pYear=2008-2009&pLEACode=600&pSchCode=557

The tricky thing for many who do decide to move to the Huntersville, NC area is that the boundaries for the schools can change from year to year. My wife fortunately works for CMS and I can get up to date info that allows me to keep my clients informed of any changes.

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Mike Carpino
Mike@LakeAndTown.com
704-301-9264