Newspapers have been full of reports of recent signs of a revival in the area’s housing market and growth in Charlotte’s economy.

Forbes Magazine recently listed Charlotte as the fifth fastest growing city in the U.S. With 32.8% growth since 2000, Charlotte’s population and potential are on the rise.

As Charlotte’s population grows, so does its economy. Reported by the Charlotte Business Journal, according to On Numbers latest monthly economic index, Charlotte has gained 15 spots since January in the rankings for March. The list is based on conditions in 102 major metropolitan areas with populations above 500,000.  They evaluate private sector job growth, housing price appreciation and earnings, among other metrics.

Not only do people love to live in Charlotte- they are also starting to visit and bring their families which adds to the viability as an investment market.  Surveys by Liveability.com and Hotwire.com list Charlotte as a top Spring Break Destination for families and as a City with Travel Value.

So what does all this mean?  It means Charlotte has an economic climate and quality of life that makes investors pay attention, even abroad.  This isn’t new news of course. In 2011, FDI Magazine (published by the Financial Times) ranked Charlotte as the number three large city in the U.S. for attracting foreign investment.  But investment has recently turned to the real estate market.

Charlotte-based diversified real estate company Henderson Properties can attest to this foreign investment interest in Charlotte.  Their brokerage division is reported to be working with two Australian and one Chinese/New Zealand private equity investors/groups. Charlotte was one of just six American cities targeted by one Australian group, and together with Henderson Properties, they plan to invest more than $3 million into the local rental market.

“I chose to invest in Charlotte because of the growing diversity in its economy in the energy and technology sectors, but also because it’s such a livable city,” said Janis Gwee of Sydney.  “Henderson Properties were our boots on the ground to identify each rental property opportunity and then provide us with property management so it’s one of the easiest markets we invest in.”

Other assets have been acquired by foreign investors such as Mint Hill Festival shopping center which was bought by a Canadian real estate firm, Sierra. More announcements about large foreign real estate investment are expected soon.