A charming small town on Charlotte's southeast edge, Matthews offers a walkable historic downtown, strong schools, and easy access to the city.
Yes. Matthews offers the best of both worlds — a walkable historic downtown and genuine small-town character, paired with quick access to Charlotte's jobs and amenities. Strong schools, established tree-lined neighborhoods, and prices that often sit below the priciest South Charlotte areas make it especially appealing to families who want convenience without sacrificing community feel.
Matthews has managed a difficult balance: growing into a desirable Charlotte suburb while holding onto a genuine small-town identity. Its historic downtown — anchored by a restored train depot, a popular Saturday farmers market, and local shops and restaurants — gives residents a real town center, a feature many newer suburbs simply lack.
Located just southeast of Charlotte, Matthews offers an appealing mix of established, tree-lined neighborhoods and newer subdivisions, with home prices that generally sit a notch below the priciest parts of South Charlotte while keeping strong access to the city's jobs and amenities. Families are drawn by well-regarded schools and a quieter pace, and the town's parks, greenways, and community events reinforce a close-knit feel.
Commuting is a key advantage: Matthews sits along major routes into Charlotte, and the light-rail expansion and highway access keep the city within easy reach. For buyers who want small-town character without giving up big-city convenience, Matthews is a natural fit. Michelle Keaton-Barrow helps clients weigh its neighborhoods and value against neighboring communities.
Whether you are moving to Matthews, selling a longtime family home, or adding an investment property, we build a plan around the Matthews market and your timeline.
Search strategy, private tours, offer pricing, and negotiation for buyers in Matthews, from first look to closing day.
Buying a home →02Pricing, preparation, and a clear plan to sell your Matthews home for the best terms the market allows.
Selling a home →03A data-driven estimate of what your Matthews home could sell for, built from recent nearby sales.
Get my home value →04Professional photography, video, and targeted promotion that put your listing in front of serious buyers.
How we market →05Moving to Matthews from out of town? Get neighborhood guidance, virtual tours, and local resources before you arrive.
Relocation guides →06Builder contracts, lot selection, upgrades, and inspections, with representation that works for you, not the builder.
Talk to an agent →07Rental, multifamily, and commercial opportunities evaluated on cash flow, location, and long-term value.
Commercial services →08Discreet representation for high-end buyers and sellers, with marketing modeled on luxury brands.
Luxury real estate →Source: Canopy MLS, September 2026. Figures change monthly; ask us for a current snapshot of your price range.
Recent sales, pricing trends, and inventory by neighborhood, delivered to your inbox.
Where buyers most often start their search in Matthews. Ask us about homes in a specific neighborhood.
Walkable town center that grew from a late 1800s railroad stop, with a commercial district of National Register-listed buildings and historic homes, townhomes, and newer residences within walking distance.
View HomesEstablished neighborhood off NC 51 near I-485 and the Arboretum, known for mature trees, generous lots, and traditional homes, with walking trails, a park, and a playground.
View HomesPopular Matthews community with a neighborhood pool, playground, and tennis and pickleball courts, close to town shopping and dining.
View HomesNeighborhood built on New Urbanist principles, with homes set close to sidewalks and shared green spaces for a more walkable feel.
View HomesNewer townhome community by David Weekley Homes, with 2026 construction and quick access to I-485, downtown Matthews, and Charlotte.
View HomesCard photos come from Wikimedia Commons. Some show a nearby local landmark rather than the neighborhood itself, as labeled on each photo. Credits: Downtown Matthews by Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0; Downtown Matthews by Amebrahtu1997, CC BY-SA 4.0; Matthews United Methodist Church by Dclemens1971, CC BY 4.0; Matthews Branch Library by Property of PLCMC, CC BY-SA 2.0; Sportsplex at Matthews by Bobby Brandon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Matthews is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and school assignment is based on home address. Verify the assigned schools for a specific address with the district's Find Your School lookup on the Mecklenburg County GeoPortal.
School assignments in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are based on address and can change year to year. Look up the current assignment for any home you are considering, and ask your agent to confirm before you make an offer.
Visit the District WebsiteKeaton Barrow Realty does not guarantee school assignments. Verify directly with the school district.
Parks, dining, shopping, and culture that shape day-to-day life in Matthews.
A restored train depot, a beloved farmers market, and local shops give Matthews a real town center.
Well-regarded schools and a family-friendly pace make Matthews a favorite for households with children.
Southeast of the city with strong highway and transit access to Uptown jobs and amenities.
Line up financing early so you can move quickly when the right Matthews home comes along. These statewide programs and resources are a good place to start.
A lender preapproval sets a realistic budget and shows sellers you are ready. Plan for earnest money and due diligence money when you go under contract.
Buying a home →02NC Housing Finance Agency loan for first-time and move-up buyers, with down payment assistance options for qualified buyers.
NCHFA program details →03Down payment help from NCHFA for eligible first-time buyers and military veterans. Check current limits and eligibility.
NCHFA program details →04NCHFA partners with local governments and nonprofits on additional down payment help for qualifying buyers.
Community programs →05Free or low-cost counseling from approved housing counselors covers budgeting, credit, and the buying process.
Find a housing counselor →06Ask our team for introductions to banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders active in Matthews. Compare at least two loan estimates.
Ask our team →Program terms, limits, and eligibility change. Confirm details with the program administrator or your lender.
Official links for schools, utilities, taxes, and local government to help you get settled in Matthews. Confirm school assignment and service providers by address.
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Michelle Keaton-Barrow, Founder & CEO
Whether you are buying your first home, selling a longtime family property, or relocating to North Carolina, we will build a plan around your timeline and goals.
Have a question that is not covered here? Our team is happy to help.
Ask a QuestionMatthews is known for its charming historic downtown, popular farmers market, and small-town feel just southeast of Charlotte, combined with strong schools and easy access to the city.
Yes. Well-regarded schools, established neighborhoods, parks, and community events make Matthews a popular choice for families relocating to the Charlotte area.
Matthews is roughly 20–30 minutes from Uptown depending on traffic, with good highway access and expanding transit connections.
Matthews often offers a bit more value and a stronger small-town identity than the priciest parts of South Charlotte, while keeping similar access to jobs and amenities.
For FY2026-27, Matthews homeowners pay Mecklenburg County's $0.4927 plus the town's $0.2795 per $100 of assessed value, a combined $0.7722, or about $3,089 a year on a $400,000 assessed home. Rates are set every year, so confirm a specific parcel with the Mecklenburg County Office of Tax Administration.
In September 2026 the Matthews median sales price was $500,000, down 10.9% from a year earlier, with 69 closed sales and inventory up 16.3% to 3.0 months of supply. Source: Canopy MLS.
Recent Matthews sales averaged about 48 days on market (Canopy MLS, September 2026). Once an offer is accepted, a financed purchase usually takes about 30 to 45 days to close, and cash purchases can close sooner.
Buyers typically pay lender charges, the closing attorney's fee, title insurance, recording fees, and prepaid taxes and insurance; the lender's Loan Estimate itemizes them. Sellers typically pay any agent compensation they agreed to, deed preparation, loan payoff costs, and North Carolina's excise tax of $1 per $500 of the sale price.
North Carolina's standard offer form uses two deposits. The due diligence fee is paid directly to the seller and is generally nonrefundable, while earnest money is held in escrow and credited at closing. Both amounts are negotiable and depend on price point and competition, and we will advise on what is typical for the homes you are considering.
Yes. A preapproval confirms your budget, shows sellers you can close, and lets you act quickly when the right Matthews home comes up. The financing section on this page lists statewide programs, including NC Housing Finance Agency down payment assistance.
Matthews is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and school assignment is based on home address. Verify the assigned schools for a specific address with the district's Find Your School lookup on the Mecklenburg County GeoPortal.
Most Matthews neighborhoods were built between the 1980s and early 2000s, but new homes are still being added, including the Townes at Cadia Village townhomes by David Weekley Homes. Ask us about builder incentives and representation for new construction.
Local knowledge, a founder-led team, and offices in both the Triangle and the Charlotte region.
Read what buyers and sellers say about working with Keaton Barrow Realty on our Google Business Profile.
Read Google reviews →02Founder and CEO Michelle Keaton-Barrow guides every client plan, from pricing strategy to closing day.
About Michelle →03Agents serving Matthews and surrounding communities, with bios and direct contact details.
Meet the team →04Buyers, sellers, and relocating families share how the team helped them make their move.
Read testimonials →Considering the areas around Matthews? Compare these nearby communities, or open the full communities map.
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A place to begin. A future to build.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or relocating, Michelle will build a strategy around your goals.
