Take that all of you negative nelly’s in the media! I’m sure everyone is just as tired as I am of hearing from the local media all the doom and gloom about the economy and local real estate market. I realize that to sensationalize headlines and articles means more newpapers sold or more viewer of the local news, but it really hits a point where these media outlets are causing a self-fulfilling prophecy of a downturn in Charlotte real estate home prices.

Well, to disprove some of the negative articles and headlines you might have seen recently, I want to make you aware of an independent source that ranks Charlotte, NC real estate third in the nation behind only New York City and Washington, D.C. This independent source is known as the “S&P/Case-Shiller home price index” and in the real estate world it is THE authority on housing trends throughout the country.

For buyers and sellers of real estate in Charlotte, this time of year (Feburary) is when the market traditionally, really heats up. Just as it has in the past, the market is picking up. Because there is more inventory of homes on the market, buyers do have more to choose from, but the Charlotte real estate market continues to be relatively strong compared to the rest of the country.

For more details take a look at the Forbes article on MSN.com.

Last night I attended a preview event at O1NE to check out their merchandise in the store. They are open for business now, but their grand opening is actually scheduled for this Saturday. I took these snapshots just before people started entering the preview, while the owners were still putting product out in the store.

Definitely go check out the store when you get a chance. Its unlike any other store in Uptown Charlotte.

Get your own - Open publication

I just published a report on Chantilly home values. It covers homes currently on the market and sales from the past six months. Chantilly is one of those neighborhoods close to uptown where you can still find good values on homes. Click on the book above for a full screen version of the report.

As I reported last week, Ikea set up a temporary room at the corner of Trade and Tryon to help promote their store opening on February 18th. I stopped by to take a look and its amazing how they made such a small space seem pretty roomy. If you get a chance, swing by and take a quick walk through their temporary room. It will be open today until 6 p.m. and tomorrow 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Get your own - Open publication

I just published a new report on condo values in Court 6 (in First Ward). This report covers both sales from the past six months and condos currently available. It also includes floor plans of condos. However, since the uptown Charlotte real estate market is heating up, new condos are being listed everyday. If you’re interested in learning more about this building and what is currently available, email me.

Because Court 6 is considered an underserved area, BB & T is able to offer 100% financing on condos in the building!

Take a look at the January 2009 Court 6 Condo Values report by clicking the viewer at the top of this post.

The Charlotte Business Journal announced this week that Scandinavian furniture giant, Ikea will set up a “pop-up”, fully furnished room next week. The room will be open to the public Feb. 12th and 13th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The room is designed to start a buzz for Ikea’s grand opening in the University area on February 18th. Best of all, Ikea will give back to the community by donating the furniture to a local charity after the two day display.

If you have never heard of Ikea, they provide affordable furniture that the end user transports and also assembles on their own. You can take a look at their online catalog here to see the types of home furnishings they offer.

The next closest Ikea is in Atlanta, GA, so Ikea opening in Charlotte should help draw patrons from other areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Last week I posted pictures of a home on Radcliffe listed at $1.49 million within a couple blocks of Queens University. This week, I want to show you a different home also in the heart of Myers Park and listed at $1.49 million.

2306 Beverly Drive is distinct from other homes on Beverly Drive in terms of the architecture, but also seems to still fit well in the neighborhood. Features in the home include separate his and her baths on either side of the master bedroom, gourmet kitchen with Wolf range, second floor bonus room with lap siding and wet bar, third floor bonus room, and additional space over the detached garage. The pictures below don’t do this home justice. I’ll be holding an open house at 2306 Beverly Dr. on Sunday (Feb. 8th) from 3 to 5, so whether or not your budget fits a $1.49 million home, come visit and prepare to be “wowed!”

O1NE, Trademark’s Skate and Snowboard boutique, is getting closer to opening its doors to the public. The contractors are putting the finishing touches on the space and if all goes as planned, O1NE should be open within the next two to three weeks. Take a look at the updated pictures above. Once open, O1NE will be located at 333 W. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202.