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Ease Into January: Fires, Fantasy, & Fresh Starts 💛
- Christen Ripoli - REALTOR
- Jan 6
- 6 min read
🌟Five To Try in the Greater Charlotte Area🌟
🔥 Cozy Mornings, Nerdy Nights & January Fun 🌱🎭
January doesn’t have to be quiet or boring - Charlotte is serving up warm fires, fascinating talks, magical evenings, and fresh starts this week. Whether you’re getting outside with the kids, feeding your inner nerd, or swapping plants with fellow green thumbs, there’s something here to brighten your winter calendar.
This week’s Five to Try is all about connection, curiosity, and easing into the new year with intention. 💛
And as always, THANK YOU for the support, referrals, and love. Your trust keeps my business growing through relationships, and I’m forever grateful!
Let’s dive in!
1️⃣ Friday Fire & S’mores 🔥🍫
Start your Friday morning the coziest way possible - with a fire and s’mores! This family-friendly program invites kids and adults alike to gather outdoors, enjoy warm treats, and ease into the day together. A perfect low-key winter activity.
🗓️ Fridays through Feb. 27 | 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
📍 Stevens Creek Nature Center
2️⃣ Nerd Nite Charlotte: Swords & Sorcery 🧙♂️⚔️
Calling all fantasy lovers and lifelong learners! Nerd Nite Charlotte is back with a themed night exploring swords, sorcery, and all things magical - through short, engaging talks by passionate presenters. Fun, fascinating, and refreshingly nerdy.
🗓️ Friday, Jan. 9 | 7:00 PM
📍 Southern Strain Plaza Midwood
3️⃣ Animal Meet & Greet 🐍🦎
Perfect for curious kiddos! This hands-on Animal Meet & Greet gives children the chance to learn about and safely interact with fascinating animals. Educational, interactive, and always a hit with little explorers.
🗓️ Saturday, Jan. 10 | 10:30-11:30 AM
📍 Quest Nature Center
4️⃣ A Wicked Evening at Cabarrus Brewing Company 🖤🍺
Get ready for a night inspired by Wicked! Enjoy themed drinks, costumes, music, and magical vibes at Cabarrus Brewing Company. Whether you’re a Broadway fan or just love a creative night out, this one’s for you.
🗓️ Saturday, Jan. 10 | 5 PM-11 PM
📍 Cabarrus Brewing Company
5️⃣ January Plant Swap & Shop 🌿🪴
New year, new plants! Bring cuttings, trade houseplants, or shop from local vendors at this welcoming Plant Swap & Shop. It’s a great way to freshen up your space and meet fellow plant lovers.
🗓️ Sunday, Jan. 11 | 12-4 PM
📍 128 S Main Street, Mount Holly
NOTE: There's much more happening around Charlotte this week, so check out this Facebook group for tons of family-friendly events happening all over the Charlotte area. Family Fun in Charlotte and Union County I'm also trying to build up another group What's Up Charlotte. If you haven't already joined, I'd love your support!
Mortgage News
📊 Mortgage Rates Open the New Year Mostly Steady
As we head into the first full week of the new year, mortgage rates are showing very little movement - bringing a sense of stability to the market. The 30-year fixed remains at 6.20%, while the 15-year fixed is holding steady at 5.74%.
Jumbo rates dipped slightly to 6.35%, offering a bit of relief for higher-price buyers. FHA and 7/6 SOFR ARM products remained unchanged, and VA loans saw a small decrease to 5.86%. Overall, these minor shifts point to a calm start to the year and a predictable environment for buyers and sellers planning their next move.
*Most recent mortgage rates according to https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/
Featured Homes
📍1152 Stone Marker Drive, Monroe📍
Welcome to 1152 Stone Marker Drive - a pristine, 2-year-old home in one of Monroe’s most desirable golf communities! This beautifully designed one-story layout features 3 bedrooms and over 1,800 sq ft of open living space, perfect for both relaxing and entertaining.
The kitchen is the heart of the home with a massive island, abundant storage, and seamless flow into the dining and living areas. The primary suite is a true retreat, complete with a light-filled sitting room, spa-inspired bathroom, and generous walk-in closet.
Step outside to a fenced backyard ready for gatherings, pets, or play. A widened driveway and 3-car garage offer convenience and curb appeal. Plus, enjoy resort-style amenities - pool, cabana, tennis, pickleball, fitness center, and a premier golf course - all just 25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte.
🔑 Highlights:
3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
1,863 sq ft of bright, open living
Kitchen with oversized island
Primary suite with sitting room + spa-inspired bath
Fenced backyard + 3-car garage
Resort-style amenities in Stonebridge Fairways
Zoned for Western Union Elementary and Parkwood Middle & High
Video of the Week
Check out this video featuring: Pros And Cons Of Monroe, NC 2026 | Best Affordable City In Charlotte
Thinking about moving to Monroe, North Carolina? You’re not alone and before you pack the boxes, you need the real pros and cons.
In this video, I’m breaking down what it’s actually like to live in Monroe, NC the good, the not-so-great, and the things that surprise most people when they move here. From affordability and growth to commute times, schools, and everyday lifestyle, this is the honest overview I wish more people shared.
✨ In this video, we cover:
The biggest pros of living in Monroe, NC
The most common cons people don’t realize at first
Housing prices and affordability compared to Charlotte
Commute and traffic realities
Schools, growth, and what Monroe is becoming
Who Monroe is a great fit for - and who it might not be
Whether you’re relocating from out of state or moving within the Charlotte area, this video will help you decide if Monroe, NC is the right place for you.
📞 330.301.0687
Charlotte Market Minute
📢 Charlotte Market Update | December 30th - January 6th 📢
A total of 742 properties were sold this week, with the average sales price coming in at $492,645 and the median sales price at $380,000. Homes spent an average of 71 days on the market and sold for 97.72% of list price, which is very typical for this time of year as the market resets after the holidays. The average price per square foot landed at $226.22, reflecting a seasonal pause rather than a shift in long-term value.
The most affordable property sold for $34,000, while the highest sale reached an impressive $6.15 million - a reminder that activity continues across all price points even during the quieter winter weeks. As we head into the new year, these numbers give us a solid baseline for what’s ahead. Let’s talk about how this market sets you up for your next move!
📊 Here’s your weekly snapshot:
742 total properties sold
Average sales price: $492,645
Median sales price: $380,000
Average price per square foot: $226.22
Properties are selling for an average of 97.72% of list price
Average days on market: 71
Lowest sale: $34,000
Highest sale: $6.15M
Have questions about how this impacts your home plans? I’d love to help!
📞 330.301.0687
🏡 Christen Ripoli, REALTOR® | Real
Discover "What's Up Charlotte?"
Looking for fun things to do around the Queen City? Check out the Facebook page What’s Up Charlotte? - your one-stop hub for local events, festivals, family-friendly activities, date night ideas, small business spotlights, and so much more!
It’s the perfect place to find weekend plans, connect with fellow Charlotteans, and uncover hidden gems in our city. Whether you’re new to the area or a longtime local, this community has something for everyone.
👉 Join the conversation here: What’s Up Charlotte?
Christen's Connections
"I know a guy" (and plenty of ladies too!). Are you in need of a connection? Maybe you want to have a deck added onto your home, or you need new blinds, or perhaps a cleaning service - I've got an extensive list of the best connections in the area. Consider me your own personal Yelp! Clicking on the link above will bring you to my quick connections list, but I have lots more saved in my Google Drive. Let me know how I can help!
Referrals
We love it when you have an incredible experience moving to the area and we're so grateful when you refer us to your friends and family considering making the move!
Share our channel with them as well as our other social media profiles so that we can keep in touch.
BEST WAY TO SEND ME A REFERRAL
1. Call (Let's talk about your referral)
2. Introduce me in a group text or email
Thank you in advance!!
Start Your Home Search
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Thank you for your time today!
We look forward to working with you now or in the future!
Christen Ripoli, REALTOR®
Ripoli Real Estate, Real
330.301.0687
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