Movies, Magic, & End-of-Summer Adventures: This Week in CLT 🎬🪄

Christen Ripoli - REALTOR
2 days ago
9 min read

🌟Five To Try in the Greater Charlotte Area🌟

🏎️ Movies, Magic, & End-of-Summer Adventures 🪄🎬

The final weekend of August is bringing a little bit of everything to the Charlotte area! From Formula 1 fun and an outdoor movie night to wizarding festivities, bluegrass by the lake, and a beautiful cultural celebration, there are plenty of ways to squeeze in one more memorable summer weekend.

This week’s Five to Try is all about hands-on fun, community, and discovering something a little different. 💛

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 Crossroads Cinema: The Emperor’s New Groove 🎬🌙

End your Thursday with a Disney favorite under the stars! Camp North End is screening The Emperor’s New Groove as part of its free Crossroads Cinema series. Bring your chairs, grab dinner or a treat from one of Camp’s restaurants, and settle in for a nostalgic summer movie night. Movies begin at 8:30 PM.

🗓️ Thursday, Aug. 27 | 8:30 PM

📍 Camp North End

🔗 More information

2️⃣ LEGO Formula 1 Off Track Experience 🏎️🧱

Formula 1 meets LEGO® for a huge family-friendly weekend at Symphony Park! Kids can dive into hands-on building activities, racing-inspired experiences, and plenty of creative fun designed especially for ages 6-12, but there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

🗓️ Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 29-30 | 10 AM-6 PM

📍 Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte

🔗 More information

3️⃣ Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Fair 🏮🌕

Celebrate culture and tradition at this free family-friendly festival featuring activities, performances, and opportunities to learn more about the Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s a welcoming way to experience a meaningful tradition together while enjoying an afternoon of community and culture.

🗓️ Saturday, Aug. 29 | 10:30 AM-3:30 PM

📍 Marion Diehl Recreation Center, Charlotte

🔗 More information

4️⃣ 2nd Annual Harry Potter Wizarding Festival ⚡🪄

Accio weekend plans! Percent Brewing is transforming into a wizarding world for an afternoon of magical fun. Costumes and wands are encouraged, making this a playful outing for Harry Potter fans of all ages.

🗓️ Saturday, Aug. 29 | Starts at 12 PM

📍 Percent Brewing at The Nook, Concord

🔗 More information

5️⃣ Lake Norman Bluegrass Jamboree 🪕🌊

Spend your Saturday enjoying live bluegrass, food, craft beer, and relaxed Lake Norman vibes at Lost Worlds Brewing. This family-friendly and dog-friendly festival is an easygoing way to enjoy live music while soaking up the last stretch of summer.

🗓️ Saturday, Aug. 29 | 3-10 PM

📍 Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius

🔗 More information

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 Inch Higher This Week

Mortgage rates moved slightly higher across most loan types this week, but the increases remain modest. The 30-year fixed rate is now 6.78%, up just 0.01%, while the 15-year fixed also increased 0.01% to 6.62%. Jumbo rates held steady at 6.88%.

Other loan programs followed a similar pattern. The 7/6 SOFR ARM saw the largest change, increasing 0.02% to 6.38%, while both FHA and VA rates rose just 0.01%. Overall, this week's numbers point to a relatively stable mortgage environment rather than a major shift in either direction.

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

Featured Listings

📍305 Annaberg Lane, Monroe📍

Welcome to 305 Annaberg Lane, a spacious home in the established St. Johns Forest community offering an exciting opportunity to make a home truly your own. With 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 2,885 square feet, this home has been loved by the same owner since 2007 and is priced with its next chapter in mind. Instead of paying a premium for someone else’s design choices, this home gives you the chance to select your own flooring, paint, and finishes while building equity along the way. The big-ticket basics are already working in your favor, including a newer 50-gallon water heater and a freshly serviced HVAC system with a newer outdoor unit and 2025 blower.

Inside, the main living area centers around a cozy fireplace, while the kitchen offers a spacious walk-in pantry. Upstairs, the primary suite features a large walk-in closet, garden tub, and separate shower. A huge bonus loft provides plenty of flexibility for a media room, playroom, home office, or additional gathering space. Out back, enjoy an expanded concrete patio and a private yard backed by trees, hedges, and fencing: the perfect setting for grilling, entertaining, or unwinding at the end of the day.

🔑 Highlights:

4 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
2,885 sq ft of living space
Priced at $375,000 with room to personalize & build equity
Spacious bonus loft
Primary suite with large walk-in closet
Newer water heater + updated HVAC components
Private backyard with expanded patio
St. Johns Forest pool, clubhouse & playground
Zoned for Rocky River Elementary, Sun Valley Middle & High

📍1034 Canopy Drive, Indian Trail📍

Welcome to 1034 Canopy Drive: a charming brick-front home in the highly desirable Brandon Oaks community where comfort, flexibility, and neighborhood amenities come together. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers 2,532 square feet of inviting living space designed for the way you live today.

Step inside to a bright, open layout anchored by a cozy gas-log fireplace and a spacious kitchen with a center island that's perfect for gathering with family and friends. One of the home's standout features is the beautiful sunroom, a favorite spot for morning coffee, quiet afternoons, or simply enjoying the natural light. Upstairs, the oversized primary suite provides a peaceful retreat, while the versatile loft offers endless possibilities as a home office, playroom, or additional living space. A built-in Murphy bed adds even more flexibility for guests. Outside, enjoy a deck overlooking a peaceful wooded backdrop, along with a storage shed and a two-car garage that provide plenty of room for tools, hobbies, and outdoor gear.

🔑 Highlights:

3 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
2,532 sq ft of living space
Brick-front exterior with covered front porch
Open kitchen with center island
Great room with gas-log fireplace
Bright sunroom overlooking the backyard
Spacious loft + Murphy bed for flexible living
Deck with wooded views
Two-car garage + storage shed
Brandon Oaks amenities including pools, clubhouse, tennis courts, walking trails & sidewalks
Zoned for Shiloh Valley Elementary, Sun Valley Middle & High

Under Contract Listings

📍2130 Abundance Lane, Waxhaw📍

Welcome to 2130 Abundance Lane: a thoughtfully upgraded Dorchester plan in the highly sought-after Cortona community of Waxhaw. With 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and nearly 3,000 square feet of beautifully designed living space, this home offers the perfect blend of comfort, function, and lifestyle.

The main level is anchored by a luxurious primary suite featuring a refreshed spa-inspired bath with a frameless glass shower, updated lighting and mirrors, extra cabinetry, and a custom walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms and a formal dining room provide flexibility for guests, work, and entertaining. At the heart of the home, the chef’s kitchen shines with double ovens, a gas cooktop, convection microwave, pull-out cabinet storage, and a walk-in pantry. A bump-out extension creates even more living space, while three separate attic areas ensure storage is never a concern. Outside, the large fenced backyard and open patio with a gas fireplace are perfect for relaxing evenings and weekend gatherings.

🔑 Highlights:

4 bedrooms | 3 full bathrooms
2,912 sq ft of living space
Main-level primary suite with custom closet
Spa-inspired bath with frameless glass shower
Chef’s kitchen with double ovens + gas cooktop
Bump-out extension for additional living space
Three separate attic storage areas
Large fenced backyard with patio & gas fireplace
Resort-style amenities including clubhouse, fitness center, pickleball & walking trails
Zoned for Wesley Chapel Elementary, Cuthbertson Middle & High

📍4908 Cruz Bay Drive, Monroe📍

Welcome to 4908 Cruz Bay Drive, a spacious home in the desirable St. John's Forest community where thoughtful design, generous living spaces, and everyday comfort come together. This 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers 3,547 square feet of well-planned living space, giving everyone room to spread out while still feeling connected. The heart of the home is the open kitchen, featuring a large island, abundant workspace, and seamless flow into the breakfast area and living room, perfect for everything from busy weekday mornings to holiday gatherings. A dedicated main-level office provides the ideal work-from-home setup, while upstairs, a spacious loft offers even more flexibility for a media room, playroom, or second living area.

Fresh paint throughout and a brand-new HVAC mean the major updates are already complete. Outside, the backyard is the perfect balance of space and low maintenance, making it easy to entertain without spending every weekend on yard work. And when it comes to storage, this home delivers with closets throughout and a massive walk-in closet in the primary suite.

🔑 Highlights:

4 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
3,547 sq ft of living space
Open kitchen with large island
Main-level office
Spacious upstairs loft
Fresh interior paint
Brand-new HVAC
Generous storage throughout, including an oversized primary walk-in closet
Backyard perfect for entertaining
Located in St. John's Forest
Zoned for Rocky River Elementary, Sun Valley Middle & High

Video of the Week

Check out this video featuring: Should You Buy at Cadia Village? New Construction Starting $600,000

Homes might be one of the best-kept secrets in the Greater Charlotte, NC region. In this video I walk you through everything you need to know about buying at Cadia Village, from the low-maintenance townhomes to the spacious single-family homes, so you can decide if this community fits your move. If you are relocating to Charlotte and starting from scratch with zero local knowledge, this is exactly the kind of community breakdown I love to do for you. No fluff, just the real details on price, floor plans, amenities, schools, taxes, and commute.

🏡 WHAT YOU CAN BUY AT CADIA VILLAGE

The Townes at Cadia Village (townhomes)

Starting from the $390s | 1,729 to 1,755 sq ft | 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2-car garage

Perfect for buyers who want a brand-new, lock-and-leave lifestyle without the yard work

The Reserve at Cadia Village (single-family homes)

Starting from the $600s | 2,716 to 3,459 sq ft | up to 5 bedrooms

Room to spread out, work from home, and grow, with flexible floor plans

✨ COMMUNITY AMENITIES

Future wellness center with spa and fitness, lap pool, community gardens, dog park, walking and biking paths, pickleball, tennis, and a clubhouse. You are walkable to village retail and just minutes from Downtown Matthews shopping and dining, plus Purser-Hulsey Park and Stevens Creek Nature Preserve.

📍 LOCATION AND LIFESTYLE Cadia Village sits in Matthews, NC, about 11 miles from Uptown Charlotte. That is roughly a 20 minute drive off-peak, closer to 30 during rush hour on US-74 (Independence Boulevard). Homes are zoned for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Mint Hill Elementary, Mint Hill Middle, and Butler High. Combined city and county taxes run about 0.7722% of assessed value.

📧 christen.ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

Charlotte Market Minute

📢 Charlotte Market Update | August 18th - August 25th 📢

A total of 910 properties were sold this week, with the average sales price coming in at $542,986 and the median sales price at $415,000. Properties spent an average of 53 days on the market and sold for 97.86% of list price, keeping conditions fairly consistent with what we’ve seen in recent weeks. The average price per square foot landed at $238.57. The lowest sale this week was $28,000, while the highest sale reached $5.6 million, once again showing the wide range of properties changing hands throughout the Charlotte market. Sales activity ticked up slightly from last week, while the median sales price held steady at $415,000. Whether you’re considering buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on the market, staying on top of these weekly trends can help you make informed decisions.

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

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?

Discover "Family Fun in Charlotte and Union County"

Looking for family-friendly fun around Charlotte and Union County? Check out the Facebook group Family Fun in Charlotte and Union County - your go-to community for local events, kid-friendly activities, seasonal happenings, parks, festivals, free things to do, and so much more!

It’s the perfect place to discover weekend plans, connect with other local families, and find fun ideas close to home. Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here for years, this group is here to help you make the most of family life in and around Charlotte and Union County.

👉 Join the conversation here: Family Fun in Charlotte and Union County

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!!