The outbreak of COVID-19 changed many plans in the spring of 2020. Travel and vacation plans were put on hold. People began working from home and students transitioned to online learning. After months of staying at home in the Charlotte area, many homeowners decided the time was right to purchase a second home for a change of scenery for their family. In fact, COVID-19 has moved many Charlotte home buyers to getaway homes.
Heading for the Mountains and the Coast
After staying home for weeks and months, Charlotte home buyers are looking for something a little different. Charlotte is conveniently located just a few hours drive from the North Carolina mountains and from the coast on the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on their personal preference, people are looking in both directions for a change and a getaway spot.
Staggering numbers are being reported in the beach, mountain, and lake communities of North and South Carolina. Charlotte residents have quick access to these locations, which offer an alternative space for virtual work and for the kids to attend school remotely.
Coastal Communities
North Carolina offers over 300 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Charlotte is on the border with South Carolina, which has over 180 miles of coastline. These coastal communities are popular spots for vacationers from out of state and for Charlotte home buyers looking for a getaway home.
Nearby Kiawah Island has seen an incredible increase in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 14% of Kiawah Island Club & Real Estate’s May 1- July 31 sales were from Charlotte area residents. The island is less than four hours from Charlotte by car.
Kiawah Island Club & Real Estate reported a whopping 633% increase in contracts and a 1,400% increase in volume in July 2020 over July 2019. The total available inventory at the beginning of August was the lowest ever recorded, at 341 properties.
Dan Whalen, president of Kiawah Island Club & Real Estate, says, “Q1 and Q2 of 2020 resulted in the best first six months of the year since 2007 for Kiawah Island Real Estate. Kiawah has always seen the benefit of its drivability from all major metro areas on the East Coast, however the onset of COVID-19 increased sales from those markets beyond expectation. We are very pleased to see that our sales numbers continue to climb, following what was our strongest first half of the year in more than 13 years.”
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a little farther away, but also worth the drive. Apparently, a lot of Charlotte home buyers agree. In early August, the Outer Banks had 930 homes under contract, which was more than double its typical number of 425 homes under contract. The rental management company Vacasa has included two North Carolina locations on the national list of 2020 Top 25 Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home: Cape Hatteras (No. 2) and Corolla (No. 6), both in the Outer Banks.
Mountain and Lake Properties
On the opposite end of the state, North Carolina offers spectacular mountain and lake settings that are also enticing to Charlotte home buyers looking for a getaway home. The Western North Carolina mountain towns of Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire Valley, Lake Glenville, Lake Toxaway, and Bear Lake are experiencing major real estate booms.
More than $100 million worth or properties was sold in The Cliffs mountain and lake communities from May through the first of August. And Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s sales in the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau hit $624 million in July, up from $436 million in July 2019.
Shaun Greer, with rental management company Vacasa, says, “Many buyers believe we will be impacted by COVID-19 for the next 12 to 18 months, and are seeking a place close to home where they can get away with their families, work remotely if needed, and generate income when the home is not in use.”
Contact Fox Moving and Storage for Help with Your Next Move
Whether you’re moving within the greater Charlotte area or to a getaway home at the mountains or the beach, the professional movers at Fox Moving and Storage Charlotte can help you plan, pack, move, and unpack so you can move to your new home stress free. We also offer a free quote so you can include it in your moving budget. Contact Fox Moving and Storage Charlotte today to learn! Simply give us a call today at 980-414-8380 and find out how we can help you.