Some people prefer new construction, and others prefer an older home with good bones and history. One of the most popular older home styles in the Queen City is the classic 1930s bungalow.
Smaller in square footage but big on charm, these homes can be found throughout the surrounding Charlotte metro area and have a lot to offer the right buyers.
Characterized by its low sloped roof, often oversized front porch and smaller square footage, bungalows have been built in America since the 1930s, though the home style actually originated India.
First to arrive in California, the bungalow is a popular home choice due to its friendly facade that seemingly beckons neighbors onto the front porch. Whether in need of TLC or fully renovated and expanded, there are some great neighborhoods around Charlotte in which to find the perfect bungalow for you or your expanding family.
As might be expected, the most common areas to find bungalows in Charlotte are the neighborhoods surrounding Uptown, as that area was the first to be established.
As can also be expected, those neighborhoods tend to be the priciest when it comes to property values. Not only is land at a premium near Uptown, but bungalow owners tend to take a lot of pride in their investments. Renovations and restorations often include the leaded glass windows, solid wood doors and custom millwork that would have been in place when originally constructed.
Here are three of the Queen City’s best bungalow neighborhoods for consideration:
1. Midwood/Plaza-Midwood: The lifeline of this neighborhood is Central Avenue, and the streets are lined with old growth trees and bungalows galore just a mile outside of Uptown. Established in 1910 as a streetcar suburb, the area has seen a depression and rebound to one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. In 1992, the area along The Plaza as well as parts of a few other streets were designated as a local historic district.
In the last 12-month period, homes in Midwood have fetched anywhere from $292,000 to more than $1.76 million. Many of the higher priced homes were newer construction, two-story properties. Renovated bungalows in the neighborhood are listed closer to the $400,000 to $500,000 mark, as of Oct. 2019.
2. Dilworth: The city’s first streetcar suburb is one of the most desirable in all of Charlotte. Its main thoroughfare, East Boulevard, is lined with mature oaks and bungalows galore. Much of Dilworth is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In the last year, Dilworth homes have sold for nearly $350,000 to more than $1.5 million. Even bungalows currently listed for sale are asking near $1 million, with the least expensive being a 1,600-square-foot, 3/2 listed for just under $500,000.
3. Chantilly: Sandwiched between Elizabeth and Plaza-Midwood/Commonwealth is Charlotte’s somewhat hidden gem, Chantilly. Established in 1913, Chantilly is purely residential and has no commercial businesses and no major thoroughfares cutting through it. That is a win for people wanting a pure residential experience close to Uptown. It also keeps traffic to a minimum in the neighborhood. The neighborhood has many Craftsman-style homes and some bungalows.
Even a fixer-upper less than 1,000 square feet will cost you more than $250,000 and fully renovated, newer homes approach $1 million. It’s a great neighborhood to keep on your watch list if you are looking for a bungalow.
This list is by no means a comprehensive one of neighborhoods with bungalow homes. They are scattered about all over the areas closest to Uptown. Some other neighborhoods to consider in your search for a bungalow are: NoDa (North Davidson), Wesley Heights, Commonwealth, Elizabeth and Sedgefield.
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