Markets, Movies & Mortgage News - Your Weekly Rundown 📊🍅

Christen Ripoli - REALTOR
Aug 20
7 min read

🌟Five To Try in the Greater Charlotte Area🌟

🥂 Movies, Markets & Mega-Sized Fun 🎲🌊

Charlotte is buzzing with community vibes this week - whether you’re shopping local, catching an outdoor movie, or diving into a hands-on exhibit that takes you under the sea. Add in brunch beats and a life-sized version of MONOPOLY, and you’ve got the perfect mix of summer fun.

This Five to Try is all about experiences that bring people together - through food, creativity, and a little friendly competition. 💛

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 North End Farmers Market 🍅🌻

Support local farmers, bakers, and makers every Wednesday afternoon at this open-air market. From fresh produce to handmade goods, it’s a midweek pick-me-up that feels good for you and the community.

🗓️ Wednesdays through October 29 | 4-8 PM

📍 Camp North End

🔗 Market Info

2️⃣ Crossroads Cinema at Camp North End 🎬🌙

Thursday nights are all about free movies under the stars at Camp North End! Crossroads Cinema brings family favorites, food trucks, and a lively crowd together in one of Charlotte’s coolest hangout spots. Bring a blanket, grab a bite, and settle in for a summer night classic.

🗓️ Thursdays through August 28 | Movies at sunset

📍 Camp North End

🔗 Movie Lineup

3️⃣ Boileryard Brunch at Camp North End 🥂🎶

Every fourth Sunday through October, brunch lovers unite at the Boileryard. Expect live jazz, local food vendors, craft drinks, and all the Sunday vibes you could want - perfect for catching up with friends or easing into your week.

🗓️ Next up: Sunday, August 25 | 12-4 PM

📍 Camp North End

🔗 Brunch Details

4️⃣ OceanXperience at Discovery Place Science 🐠🌊

Take the whole family to OceanXperience, the newest immersive exhibit at Discovery Place Science. Dive deep into Earth’s last unexplored frontier with interactive displays, stunning visuals, and hands-on learning. It’s part science, part storytelling, and all awe-inspiring.

🗓️ Now through September 7

📍 Discovery Place Science

🔗 Exhibit Details

5️⃣ MONOPOLY LIFESIZED: Travel Edition 🎲🧳

Now through September 21, step into a larger-than-life version of MONOPOLY at Camp North End. Roll giant dice, move around the board, and complete real-world challenges in this interactive, team-based game. It’s family-friendly, fun, and totally unique to Charlotte.

🗓️ Now through September 7

📍 Camp North End

🔗 Get Tickets

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 See Small Shifts Since Last Week

Over the past week, rates have seen only minor changes, keeping the market steady overall. The 30-year fixed edged up slightly to 6.60% (from 6.58%), while the 15-year fixed dipped to 5.96% (from 5.93%).

Government-backed loans showed modest movement too: FHA rose to 6.18% (from 6.14%) and VA ticked up to 6.20% (from 6.15%). Jumbo loans held steady at 6.70%. The 7/6 SOFR ARM also inched up to 6.16%.

These subtle shifts mean that affordability is still holding strong compared to earlier this summer, with all major products staying below 7%. For buyers and sellers alike, stability like this makes it a good time to plan confidently.

📊 August 20 Rate Snapshot:

30-Year Fixed: 6.60% (▲ 0.02) – $1,597/mo
15-Year Fixed: 5.96% (▲ 0.03) – $2,104/mo
30-Year Jumbo: 6.70% (–) – $1,613/mo
7/6 SOFR ARM: 6.16% (▲ 0.01) – $1,525/mo
30-Year FHA: 6.18% (▲ 0.04) – $1,528/mo
30-Year VA: 6.20% (▲ 0.05) – $1,531/mo

*Most recent mortgage rates according to https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/

Featured Homes

📍2065 Gable Way Lane, Matthews📍

Welcome to 2065 Gable Way Lane - a charming townhome in the Chestnut Oaks community of Matthews, NC! This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home offers 1,685 square feet of comfortable living with a layout designed for convenience and connection.

Step inside to find a freshly painted interior, professionally cleaned carpets, and a spacious main-level primary suite with an ensuite bath and generous closet. The inviting living and dining areas feature a cozy gas fireplace, while the well-appointed kitchen provides ample cabinet space and prep areas. Upstairs, you'll find two more bedrooms and a full bathroom.

Enjoy outdoor living on your covered front porch and benefit from the detached 2-car garage for added storage. With access to community amenities like a pool, clubhouse, and walking trails - all with low Union County taxes - this home offers both lifestyle and location.

🔑 Highlights:

3 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
1,685 sq ft of thoughtfully designed space
Main-level primary suite with ensuite bath
Cozy gas fireplace
Detached 2-car garage
Community pool, clubhouse & trails
Low Union County taxes
Zoned for Indian Trail Elementary, Sun Valley Middle & High

📍7807 Hummingbird Lane, Charlotte📍

Welcome to 7807 Hummingbird Lane - a spacious and affordable townhome in the Apple Tree Village community of Charlotte! This 2-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home offers nearly 1,500 square feet of comfortable living space across two levels - perfect for first-time buyers, downsizers, or savvy investors.

Step inside to find a roomy main level with kitchen, dining, and living areas, plus a convenient half bath. Upstairs, you'll discover two spacious bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a laundry area.

🔑 Highlights:

2 bedrooms | 1.5 bathrooms
1,498 sq ft of living space
Spacious floor plan across two stories
Located in Apple Tree Village
Zoned for Greenway Park Elementary, McClintock Middle & East Mecklenburg High

Under Contract Homes

📍6103 Breckfield Court, Charlotte📍

This gorgeous one-story brick home in Berewick went fast! With its open layout, updated kitchen, dreamy sunroom, and private fenced yard, 6103 Breckfield Court checked all the boxes for today’s buyers.

Congratulations to my sellers on a quick win and to the lucky new homeowners who get to enjoy this beautiful home! 💛

📍7036 Bullock Drive, Charlotte📍

This well-loved 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home is officially off the market - the perfect buyer is ready to call 7036 Bullock Drive home! With its fresh updates, flexible layout, and prime location just minutes from Uptown and the airport - all without an HOA - it’s no wonder this one caught the right buyer’s eye.

Congrats to my sellers on the next chapter, and to the buyers who are about to enjoy this Charlotte gem!

📍7442 Sparkleberry Drive, Indian Trail📍

This beautifully maintained home didn’t stay on the market long - now under contract after 19 days on the market! From the oversized living room to the cozy fireplace and fenced backyard, 7442 Sparkleberry Drive checked all the right boxes for these buyers.

So excited for my sellers as they move on to their next chapter - and thrilled for the new homeowners who get to enjoy everything this home and neighborhood have to offer!

Video of the Week

Check out this video featuring: How Much Money You REALLY HAVE TO MAKE To Live In Charlotte | The New Cost Of Living in Charlotte

So you’re thinking of moving to the The Queen City, and wondering, "How much money do I really have to make to live in Charlotte, NC?" In today’s video, I’ll cover everything from rising housing prices, taxes, insurance, and other expenses that might affect your budget as you decide if Charlotte is right for you.

📲 We have so many people contacting us who are moving here to Charlotte, NC, and we ABSOLUTELY love it! Honestly, if you are moving or relocating here to Charlotte or any of the surrounding areas, we can make that transition so much easier on you!!

📧 christen.ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

Charlotte Market Minute

📢 Charlotte Market Update | August 13th - August 20th 📢

A total of 907 properties were sold, with the average sales price coming in at $539,216 and the median sales price at $415,000. Properties spent an average of 52 days on the market and sold for 97.5% of list price - showing a slight softening but continued steady demand. The average price per square foot this week landed at $241.61. The most affordable property sold for $45,000, while the highest reached an impressive $4.3 million. Whether you’re watching trends or ready to make a move, Charlotte’s real estate market continues to offer opportunities at all levels. Let’s connect and talk about your next step!

📊 Here’s your weekly snapshot:

907 total properties sold
Average sales price: $539,216
Median sales price: $415,000
Average price per square foot: $241.61
Properties are selling for an average of 97.5% of list price
Average days on market: 52
Lowest sale: $45,000
Highest sale: $4.3M

Have questions about how this impacts your home plans? I’d love to help!

📩 Christen.Ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

🏡 Christen Ripoli, REALTOR® | Real

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!!