NORTH CAROLINA ON YOUR MIND
By Nadine Wynn
Has relocation been a recurring thought this year? Have you been looking for a less-stressful lifestyle for you and your family, or a retirement? A place with a strong economy, plenty of employment opportunities, and lots of recreational activities, too? This could only mean North Carolina.
One location to consider is Charlotte, where the living is effortless. Offering all four seasons with warmer weather, a strong economy with lots of employment prospects, and time to meet Mother Nature with outdoor leisure fun makes North Carolina the relocation destination of choice.
Charlotte is conveniently located just two hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains and three hours from the Atlantic coastline. Whether you enjoy boating, fishing, golf, professional sports, winery tours, equestrian activities, Broadway shows, concerts, or whitewater rafting, Charlotte has all this and much more.
If you are considering moving to North Carolina, here is some information you might find helpful.
Lower Real Estate Taxes At Lake Norman, which is just north of Charlotte, taxes range from .50 per $100 of taxable value to $1.50 per $100 of taxable value. For example, on a $500,000 home, taxes can range from $2,500 per year to $7,500 per year, depending on which county you choose on Lake Norman. HOA dues and golf club memberships tend to be substantially lower than the New York, New Jersey, and Long Island areas.
Your Military Pension Military retirement pay may not be taxed at all if it meets specific requirements, including if the veteran was “vested in the retirement system” for five years as of August 12, 1989. Otherwise, tax exemptions may be applicable up to $4,000 for single returns and $8,000 for joint returns. One exception to the tax on non-vested military retirement pay over $4,000 is Veterans Affairs disability retirement pay. This type of military retirement pay is not subject to state or federal income tax. North Carolina also has a program that gives disabled veterans a break on their property tax.
Income Tax Rate North Carolina does have a state income tax rate of 5.25, but keep in mind that overall real estate taxes are substantially lower as are HOA dues, and your dollar goes farther to purchase real estate. For U.S. Government retirees, your pension is tax-free in North Carolina.
Better Home Values Your purchasing dollar goes much, much farther. Here at Lake Norman, you can purchase a luxury waterfront home with long-range views, gourmet kitchen, in-ground pool, private boat dock—all within a quick commute to Charlotte and its international airport—for $1 million or less. There is also something for everyone here on Lake Norman with prices for waterfront homes with private piers from $400,000 to $8 million.
Retirement Resort Communities North Carolina—particularly the Lake Norman area—does offer a variety of fabulous new resort-style retirement communities for those 55 and over—and even includes boating. For example, the Trilogy at Lake Norman community located in Denver, North Carolina, is a highly popular retirement destination with home prices that vary from $287,000 - $490,000 complete with a boat club membership where you check out a boat for the day just like a library book. Their amenities are top-notch, including a fabulous restaurant that is open to the public.
Strong Economy Charlotte has been known as a strong banking and airline hub for many years but also offers a diversified employment opportunity with unemployment currently at 3.1 percent as of January 2020.
Whether you are considering moving south for weather reasons or better values, North Carolina has it all and has something for everyone at all price points. Come check us out!
For more information on Nadine Wynn and Team Nadine—rated the #1 team for Keller Williams Realty—visit alakehome.com or call 704-806-6711.
