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Today’s the Deadline! Help Us Finish the Blessing Baskets 🙌 + Weekly Events Inside
- Christen Ripoli - REALTOR
- Nov 18
- 7 min read
🌟Five To Try in the Greater Charlotte Area🌟
✨ Sweaters, Skates & Seasonal Cheer 🎁⛸️
The holidays are officially rolling in, and this week brings some of the sweetest traditions of the season - from giving back to gathering with neighbors, skating under the twinkling lights, and kicking off the festive weekend with parades, markets, and even Highland cows (yes… really!).
This Five to Try is all about joy, generosity, and the magic of community. 💛
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 Blessing Basket Collection Event 🧺💛
Join us for a special night of giving! We’ll be collecting completed Blessing Baskets at Grapes Bistro & Wine Bar - a warm, cozy spot perfect for connecting, sipping, and celebrating generosity in action. Stop by, drop off your basket, and grab a glass with friends!
🗓️ Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 5-7 PM
📍 Grapes Bistro & Wine Bar
2️⃣ Highland Cows at the Whitewater Center 🐮🍂
Back for their winter “vacation,” the most photogenic cows in the Carolinas are returning to the Whitewater Center! These fluffy Highland cows will be grazing on property all season long, giving guests the cutest photo ops during hikes, trail walks, and holiday events.
🗓️ All season long
📍 Whitewater Center in Charlotte
🔗 Details
3️⃣ Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks ⛸️❄️
Ice skating season has officially arrived! Head to one of Charlotte’s many outdoor rinks - including Uptown, the Whitewater Center, and Birkdale Village - for a classic winter outing. Whether it’s date night, family fun, or a holiday tradition, nothing beats skating under the twinkle lights.
🗓️ Various dates beginning mid-November
📍 Multiple Charlotte-area locations
4️⃣ Ugly Christmas Sweater Weekend at The Belmont Drive-In 🎄📽️
Grab your tackiest sweater and pile into the car - it’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Weekend at the Belmont Drive-In! Expect holiday classics on the big screen, festive attire, and nostalgic family fun under the stars.
🗓️ Nov. 21-22
📍 The Belmont Drive-In
5️⃣ November 22 Holiday Events 🎅🛍️🎉
Saturday, Nov. 22 is packed with festive happenings across the region - perfect for market lovers and parade-goers alike!
✨ Sun Valley Commons Holiday Spectacular
Holiday vendors, kids’ activities, local makers & more!
🗓️ 10 AM-3 PM
📍 Sun Valley Commons
🔗 Info
✨ Mistletoe Market at MillBridge Clubhouse
Handmade gifts, holiday shopping, and cozy seasonal vibes.
🗓️ 10 AM-4 PM
📍 MillBridge Clubhouse (Waxhaw)
🔗 Info
✨ City of Concord Christmas Parade
One of the oldest and biggest holiday parades in the region - a true seasonal staple!
🗓️ 2:30 PM
📍 Downtown Concord
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!
✨ Save the Date: Speed Networking! ✨
Kick off 2026 with intention, community, and powerful new relationships! Join UCNOW for a Speed Networking event designed for all women entrepreneurs - whether you’re ready to grow your business, expand your circle, or simply connect with like-minded women in Union County.
📅 Tuesday, January 6th
🕣 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST
📍 3115 Old Charlotte Highway
This fast-paced, high-energy morning meetup is the perfect way to start the year with momentum. Bring your business cards, bring your brilliance, and get ready to meet incredible women you’ll want in your corner all year long.
👉 Event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CPjrEfqNk/
🏆 Vote for Me as Charlotte’s Best Realtor! 🏆
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been nominated for CLTtoday’s Best Realtor of 2025 - and I’d be so grateful for your vote! 💛
Voting is open October 20 through November 25, and it only takes a minute to show your support (and vote for all your other Charlotte favorites - from coffee shops to event venues).
👉 Here’s how to vote:
1️⃣ Visit CLTtoday’s Best Awards
2️⃣ Choose Mobile Version or Desktop Version
3️⃣ Scroll to the “Real Estate Agent + Group” category
4️⃣ Vote for Christen Ripoli 🙌
Thank you for being part of my Charlotte community - your support means the world! 💙
Mortgage News
📊 Mortgage Rates Hold Mostly Steady This Week
This week brought very little movement in mortgage rates, keeping the market steady as we head into the holiday season. The 30-year fixed and 15-year fixed rates were unchanged, holding at 6.38% and 5.86% respectively. Jumbo and FHA loans saw tiny increases of just 0.01%, while VA loans dipped slightly, adding a bit of affordability for qualified buyers.
The biggest change came from the 7/6 SOFR ARM, which dropped 0.11% - the most notable shift of the week - and remains a strong option for buyers looking for lower upfront payments and flexibility.
Overall, stability continues to define the market, giving buyers and sellers a predictable environment to plan their next steps.
*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: Charlotte VS Raleigh North Carolina: UPDATED 2026 What city is right for you?
Charlotte vs. Raleigh: Which North Carolina City Is Better for YOU? 🏡🌆
Thinking about moving to North Carolina but not sure whether Charlotte or Raleigh is the better fit? You're not alone this is one of the most common questions I get from people relocating to the Carolinas!
In today’s video, we break down the key differences between Charlotte and Raleigh so you can decide which city matches your lifestyle, career needs, and long-term goals.
✨ Here’s what we’ll cover:
• Location + distance to beaches & mountains
• Cost of living differences
• Job market + major industries
• Schools & education
• Traffic + commute times
• Neighborhood vibes & lifestyle
• Entertainment, food, and culture
Whether you're craving Charlotte’s urban feel and proximity to South Carolina - or Raleigh’s tech-driven energy and oak-lined streets - this video will help you make a confident choice.
📞 330.301.0687
Charlotte Market Minute
📢 Charlotte Market Update | November 11th - November 18th 📢
A total of 846 properties were sold, with the average sales price coming in at $533,258 and the median sales price at $404,750. Properties spent an average of 53 days on the market and sold for 97.27% of list price - holding steady with the trends we've seen throughout the fall season. The average price per square foot this week landed at $238.72. The most affordable property sold for $30,000, while the highest reached an impressive $7.4 million. Whether you're keeping up with market shifts or gearing up for your next move, Charlotte continues to offer strong opportunities across all price points. Let’s connect and talk through your real estate goals!
📊 Here’s your weekly snapshot:
846 total properties sold
Average sales price: $533,258
Median sales price: $404,750
Average price per square foot: $238.72
Properties are selling for a median of 97.27% of list price
Average days on market: 53
Lowest sale: $30,000
Highest sale: $7.4M
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!!
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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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