05/22/2026
It’s officially “busy season” so if you’re visiting Charlotte this summer and plan to relocate in time for the kiddos to start fresh at a new school, here are 4 NON NEGOTIABLES that you should be doing BEFORE you get here and start looking for houses.
1. Choose the AREA before the house.
It’s true you won’t know what you like until you’ve seen it but there’s so much information out there about different areas of Charlotte. It’s not a huge city, but it’s big enough that every area has its personality and you have to know which one fits you the best. Do your kids play sports and if so which ones? Are you lake people or the quiet country type? Do you prefer to be close to shopping and activities? Everyone has their preferences so make sure you do your research and narrow it down.
2. Research the schools.
Call the schools in advance and set up visits. Most schools will give you tours and tell you about their strengths. You will know if it passes the VIBE check once you’ve had a couple of conversations with the head of school or principal. Also, understand school registration + deadlines. Some schools require proof of residency, transfer approvals, or have enrollment timelines families don’t realize until it’s too late.
3. Get pre-approved!
I can’t tell you how many times my clients have asked to start looking at houses before getting a pre-approval and then changed their search criteria after getting the pre-approval. It’s like shooting in the dark. I’ve had clients get preapproved for $200,000 more than they thought they could afford and I’ve also had clients get preapproved for less than the home they were looking for. You don’t want to waste your time looking at houses that don’t match your financial need so just make sure you get that preapproval BEFORE you start looking.
4. Hire a realtor that understands relocation.
I relocated to Charlotte 6 years ago. I even bought my house sight unseen from a video tour! I understand the complications that come with relocation and although I’m super happy here, there are things I would have done differently.
DM me with any questions about relocating to Charlotte.
All my bes
