The Charlotte Business Journal, June 13, 2011

Charlotte execs forecast rising profits.

Almost half of Charlotte-area board members and business leaders expect to increase hiring during 2011, according to a survey by the Audit Committee Institute of KPMG.

During a roundtable meeting hosted by the institute and attended by nearly 30 board directors and business leaders from companies based in the Charlotte area, 48 percent of those surveyed expected to increase hiring.

An additional 38 percent said they would maintain their current level of employees.

Only 7 percent anticipated layoffs, while another 7 percent were unclear about their hiring plans.

Meanwhile, a majority of those polled expect their company’s profits to increase this year.

Sixty-eight percent of those polled expect their company’s profits to increase in 2011. Twenty-one percent foresee a significant increase, while 47 percent expect a moderate increase. Of those polled, 14 percent anticipate a decrease in profits and 18 percent expect profits to remain the same.

“The feedback underscores the point that the vast majority of Charlotte-area leaders polled are either looking to increase hiring or maintain their current levels for 2011, while demonstrating more confidence about their prospects for a significant increase in profitability,” says John Switzer, KPMG’s managing partner in Charlotte.

When asked to select the biggest concern with regard to the economy, 32 percent cited economic uncertainty, followed by dealing with regulatory changes at 24 percent. Continued joblessness and inflation were each cited by 20 percent of those surveyed. Only 4 percent said new competition was a big concern.

Switzer says one of the top discussion points during the session centered on the evolving role of the chief information officer, concerns about information-technology security and the difficulty boards of directors face in keeping up with the pace of change in the IT landscape.

KPMG’s Audit Committee Institute provides information and resources to help audit committee members, directors, and senior management enhance the effectiveness of financial reporting.

New housing numbers say Charlotte, NC is No. 1 in the country.  The National Association of Realtors said home prices from the beginning of last year to the beginning of this year grew more in the Charlotte area than anywhere else in the U.S.  The median home price in the area, which includes Charlotte, Gastonia and Concord, was $195,000 for the first quarter of 2011, up more than 12 percent from the first quarter of 2010. 

The way Realtor David Hoffman sees it, Charlotte got a late start during the housing boom a few years back.  Prices never climbed the way they did in other cities, he said, and then the recession hit and everything stopped. 

Now, housing is on the move again and Charlotte’s late start looks like a blessing, Hoffman said.  The area has a smaller hole to climb out of, so its rebound looks the most impressive.

“We weren’t surprised”, Hoffman said.  “We were just waiting for this to happen.”  He said established neighborhoods, including Myers Park, Dilworth and Beverly Woods, saved the day.

Th Cooler family lives in Beverly Woods and said their neighbor’s home, which had been on the market for a year and a half, just sold two months ago.

“So it’s picking up.  You see it?”  Eyewitness News asked.  “Most definitely”, Colin Cooler replied.

Charlotte is considered the perfect combination of the metropolitan and the picturesque by its residents. The charm of rural living combines with the excitement of the big city for a delightful contrast. Charlotte real estate is making a rapid comeback from the economic downturn. Charlotte real estate did not suffer from the mortgage crisis as badly as other areas of the country, due to the fact that real estate in the area was never as greatly overvalued as in some areas. Charlotte real estate is diverse and offers something for everyone. There is lakeside living, uptown modern urban living, and the suburbs offer great variety. Prices vary in comparison with the amenities and area of the city. One can move into a” fix-er-upper” for seventy thousand dollars, or a custom built tudor, for five hundred thousand. The choices are limited only by ones imagination.

Charlotte has a vibrant business scene. It ranks eighth nationally for the number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in its metro area. Companies like Lowe’s, Bank of America, Duke Energy, Family Dollar, and Goodrich Corp. all call Charlotte home.

Many people when contemplating a move consider schools the most important factor. The Charlotte Mecklenberg School system is innovative, creative, and consistently recognized as a top performing district.

There are many reasons to consider a move to Charlotte. The weather is mild year round, and the uptown area has everything from shopping, to sports, to nightlife. Whatever your faith preference, Charlotte has a house of worship to accommodate. The National Football League’s Carolina Panthers make Charlotte their home, and home games are played at Bank of America Stadium in uptown Charlotte. The NBA Charlotte Bobcats also call Charlotte home. Their games are played at the Time Warner Cable Arena in uptown Charlotte. One of Nascar’s major tracks is located in the Charlotte area. There are two major NASCAR races every year at Lowe’s Motor Speedway . For Hockey enthusiasts the Charlotte Checkers play in Charlotte and are the minor league team for the nearby Carolina Hurricanes. The NASCAR Hall of Fame also makes its home in Charlotte.

Outdoor lovers are drawn to Charlotte for its proximity to incredible outdoor experiences. Charlotte is centrally located within two hours of great beaches or the mountains. For something much closer, there is the National Whitewater Center with rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing and more. There are multiple lakes for recreation and parks abound in the city.

There are multiple reasons for choosing Charlotte as your new home. The city is fast-paced, yet there are havens of peace and relaxation. Why choose Charlotte? There’s something here for everyone.