Corcoran HM Properties

Charleston Regional Business Journal

By Ross Norton

https://charlestonbusiness.com/news/real-estate-residential/83942/

Corcoran HM Properties, an affiliate of the Corcoran Group LLC, has moved into the newly constructed 741 Meeting Street building located in the Upper Peninsula district of downtown Charleston. They will celebrate the move on Thursday.

Middle Street Partners recently completed the 30,000-square-foot building for commercial use of office suites, retail and food/beverage businesses, according to a news release.

Corcoran HM Properties is headquartered in Charlotte and expanded its operation into Charleston in September 2022.

A private ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration will be held for the agents and staff of Corcoran HM Properties’ Charleston office on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Corcoran HM Properties was founded by Valerie Mitchener in 2006, and the locally owned boutique firm grew to be a market leader in the Charlotte metro area, the news release said. The expansion to Charleston was Corcoran HM Properties' first since affiliating with the Corcoran Group in June 2021.

It was a strategic step in the firm’s growth plan to broaden its reach throughout the Carolinas, the release said. In addition to the Charleston office, Corcoran HM Properties has three offices in the Charlotte region and is working to expand into other areas of the Carolinas.

by CLAIRE LUI

https://inhabit.corcoran.com/the-recs-10-best-shrimp-and-grits-in-charleston/

Shrimp and grits is Charleston’s culinary signature, with grits being South Carolina official state food since 1976.

The dish has a long and storied history, but it’s a relatively recent discovery for the rest of the country (not unlike hot chicken in Nashville), with its development interwoven with strands of the city’s past and present. For centuries, Native Americans throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry would grind corn and cook it into a porridge or hominy. Later on, the Gullah people, who came from West Africa and were enslaved to work on plantations on the islands and along the coastal Carolinas, began to add locally caught shrimp to the hominy grits consumed throughout the area. And so, the dish spread throughout the South.

For a long time, shrimp and grits remained a local morning favorite, mostly eaten as an informal home-cooked meal. But in 1985, Craig Claiborne, the influential then-food critic of The New York Times, tried a rendition of the dish in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which inspired him to publish a recipe in the newspaper. That high-profile spotlight inspired restaurants across the South to start serving their versions of the dish, which ultimately became a menu staple at eateries across the region.

Now that the secret’s out about the absolute deliciousness of shrimp and grits, here’s our list of 10 notable places in greater Charleston to try it for yourself.

Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.)

S.N.O.B.’s name is a bit of joke, an acronym for its location and full name — Slightly North of Broad — which was historically less posh than the neighbors who lived south of Broad Street, here in the heart of the Historic District. Since its opening in 1993, the restaurant has become a local fine dining legend, thanks to its role as a pioneer of New Southern Cuisine. S.N.O.B. brings together local ingredients and French cooking techniques to create what many Charlestonians consider the best shrimp and grits in the city — and easily the most popular item on the menu. Here, grits come from Marsh Hen Mill on Edisto Island and the shrimp from ponds off of the Toogoodoo River. The final result? Perfection.

Grace & Grit

For Emma Falconer, an agent with Corcoran HM Properties in Charleston, getting to the best grits means crossing the Cooper River to Mount Pleasant, where this eatery is dedicated to the cause. “Their menu highlights include a ‘grit flight’ with four different flavors of grits, a shrimp and grits entrée with smoked gouda grits, locally sourced ingredients, 13 different flavors of grits, and plenty of options for both gluten-free and vegetarian customers,” Falconer explains. The gritty offerings start from a more traditional pimento cheese variation before going through a journey — each slightly more unconventional than the last — from truffle grits to maple pecan grits to apricot dreamsicle grits.

Acme Low Country

For indecisive shrimp and grits fans, Acme Low Country, in Isle of Palms, has you covered: The restaurant has a whole menu section devoted to this dish. There’s the Isle of Palms shrimp and grits, with truffle cheese grits; a Cajun take, with tasso ham and a cream sauce; a Southern Hospitality version served over collard greens and pimento cheese grits; and quite a few more. These riffs at this unpretentious beach eatery means that a big group can each get a different order of shrimps and grits, while all still enjoying the locally caught shrimp and Adluh Flour grits.

The Darling Oyster Bar

Falconer also likes the Darling Oyster Bar, which is celebrated for its entire menu — not just its namesake bivalves. Here, the shrimp and grits are gussied up with some untraditional additions, including crispy brussels sprouts and fennel, as well as an optional fried egg. With its penny-tile floor, briny blue-green banquettes (chosen for their resemblance to the iridescent interior of an oyster shell), and zinc bar, the Darling Oyster Bar is as popular for its design and ambiance as the quality of its food. Located on iconic King Street, the Darling Oyster is always packed — make a reservation or be prepared to wait.

Nigel’s Good Food

A soul food favorite, Nigel’s motto is “Just What Your Soul Needs,” and it’s hard to argue with that — especially for Grandma Fred’s Shrimp and Grits. Nigel’s is a North Charleston institution, beloved for exceptional flavors and generous portions. This is Lowcountry cuisine at its best, with staples like fried green tomatoes, Geechie wings, and collard greens on the menu alongside the shrimp and grits. Don’t expect a cocktail with your meal — Nigel’s doesn’t serve alcohol, but it does serve sweet tea and three flavors of Kool-Aid, for a nostalgic throwback to childhood.

Millers All Day

Quite a few Charleston restaurants serving grits brag about sourcing their grains from Marsh Hen Mill, but only Millers All Day can boast of having Greg Johnsman, the owner of the mill, as a co-owner. Here, the shrimp and grits is made with Marsh Hen Mill’s Jimmy Red Corn grits, which Johnsman spent eight years cultivating and milling the almost-extinct variety of kernels. The resulting hominy is topped with shrimp, local mushrooms, scallions, and toasted benne seeds, a type of sesame seed brought by the Gullah Geechee people from West Africa to the Lowcountry that has been revived in cultivation, due to the growing interest in heritage grains.

Page’s Okra Grill

In Mount Pleasant, right next to historic Old Village, Page’s Okra Grill offers an unusual twist on shrimp and grits: Here, the grits are battered and fried into cake shapes, before being topped with shrimp and a hearty ladle of smoke andouille sausage sauce. It’s a little bit unconventional, but Ashleigh’s Shrimp and Grits (named for the chef in this family business) has won awards from magazines and been featured on multiple TV shows, and more importantly, earned a devoted fan base from Charleston locals.

Early Bird Diner

A funky diner with a traditional diner interior, including counter seating with stools or retro tables with benches, offers shrimps and grits in two different flavor permutations: you can either order the shrimp sautéed with tomato bacon gravy or fried with sweet and spicy jelly. (The funky part comes with the groovy wall art that includes a portrait of Guy Fieri, who featured the restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.) Both versions have their adherents, with both of Early Bird’s versions being considered examples of a thicker, stew-like interpretations of this classic dish.

Poogan’s Porch

You’ll always meet a local or two who swears by their grandmother’s shrimp and grits as the best, but the closest you’ll find to grandma’s version is probably the one at Poogan’s Porch. Here, the dish is served in a traditional rendition, complete with brown gravy, and made with Adluh grits, tasso ham, and Duke’s pimento cheese. The restaurant is inside an 1891 Victorian house in the Historic District and opened nearly a hundred years later, in 1976. And for a restaurant in a city with a famously haunted history, Poogan’s has a couple of resident ghosts: there’s both the canine ghost of Poogan, the eponymous dog who greeted all the guests until his death in 1979, and the human spirit of Zoe St. Armand, who once lived at 72 Queen Street in the early 1900s, long before it turned into the restaurant. With shrimp and grits that have been a consistent Charleston favorite for almost fifty years, it’s no surprise that its former residents linger on in spectral form, hoping for one more spoonful.

Husk

Chef Sean Brock is one of the main reasons behind Charleston’s ascent in the culinary world. Brock is the force behind Husk, which was named the Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appétit in 2011, and the year before, in 2010, Brock won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Southeast. Brock has worked diligently to preserve Southern foodways, heirloom ingredients, and to promote and use local ingredients in his cooking. “If it doesn’t come from the South, it’s not coming through the door,” says Brock. The menu changes frequently, and Husk’s take on shrimp and grits changes from day to day, cooked with what’s in season and generally only available during weekend brunch.

Daniel Island News

BY: STAFF REPORT

http://www.thedanielislandnews.com/business/castengera-team-joins-corcoran-hm-properties

Longtime Daniel Island resident and Realtor Sally Castengera, and her grandson, Evan Murray, recently joined Corcoran HM Properties and will be based at the firm’s newest office at 741 Meeting St. in Charleston. They were both formerly with Daniel Island Real Estate (DIRE).

Castengera has been selling real estate in Charleston for over 37 years and is recognized as one of the top 1% of agents in the area, having received the Realtor of Distinction Award over 20 times.

In 1996, Castengera was on the team that helped launch sales for the newly master-planned Daniel Island community. During her tenure at DIRE she was awarded DIRE Realtor of the Year 16 times. She was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from DIRE, where she worked for 27 years.

Murray is a graduate of The Citadel. A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native, he was commissioned after graduating as an artillery officer in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was later promoted to captain. He spent the next two years stationed in the Republic of Korea as an operations officer in the 2nd Infantry Division and reunited with his wife in Charleston after completing his military service. Shortly after, he started a career in real estate because, he said, he wanted to help people find their own piece of heaven in the Lowcountry. He joined with Castengera, who is his wife’s grandmother.

The duo comprise the Castengera Team and they said that they are excited to expand their reach to better assist their clients in Charleston and global markets with an organization that is well equipped to do so. The team believes that Castengera’s more than 37 years of

experience in the Charleston market and Murray’s knowledge of strategic planning and financial analysis works to their clients’ benefit. Murray is also a Military Relocation Professional and understands the needs of current and former U.S. service members and their families.

Castengera and her husband, Philip, live on Daniel Island and in Beaufort. She enjoys golfing, Georgia Bulldog football and shopping. She is a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Daniel Island and chaplain of the East Cooper Top Producers Club.

Murray and his wife, Melaina, live in Charleston with their daughter. He enjoys running, playing hockey, and volunteering time with the Rotary Club of Daniel Island, where he chaired the 2023 Charleston Duck Race. He is also a member of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and the Citadel Alumni Association.

Corcoran HM Properties is a full-service, residential real estate company serving the Charlotte, North Carolina region, upstate South Carolina and the Greater Charleston area. The firm is licensed in North and South Carolina and has four offices including an in-house relocation department that manages individual and corporate moves

Corcoran HM Properties is an independent real estate firm and is affiliated with the Corcoran Group.

You can reach Castengera at 843-452-7100,

sallycastengera@corcoranhmproperties.com and Murray at 412-913-7512,

evanmurray@corcoranhmproperties.com.

By Katie Peralta Soloff | June 18, 2023

The number of homes listed for sale in the Charlotte region for $1 million or more has surged by more than 210% over the last four years, according to data from Canopy MLS.

Why it matters: Home-price growth helps homeowners build generational wealth, and the growth locally underscores that Charlotte remains a desirable place to live. But as home prices surge across the region, homeownership is becoming increasingly unattainable for many Charlotteans.

By the numbers: According to data from Canopy MLS, the total number of homes sold in the Charlotte region for $1 million or more in 2018 was 648. The total number of homes sold in the Charlotte region for $1 million or more in 2022 was 2,012.

What’s happening: The number of higher-end homes on the market has risen as home prices overall rise in the Charlotte region. They’ve also risen as families from all over the country — especially in more expensive markets like California and New York — move here, according to Tiffany Johannes, president of Canopy MLS.

Of note: The Charlotte region, per Canopy, includes Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties in North Carolina, and Chester, Chesterfield, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.The surge in million-dollar-plus listings has been happening all over — from Myers Park to SouthPark to Waxhaw, per Johannes.

“When you look at the growth of Charlotte, almost every community has seen growth in their [home] prices. These million-dollar-plus homes have seen more demand from people moving into our area with more money to spend,” Johannes tells Axios.

Between the lines: At Corcoran HM Properties in Charlotte, the average sale price four or so years ago was around $575,000 to $600,000, according to Valerie Mitchener, the group’s owner. Last month, the average was $1 million.

Part of the reason the numbers are skewing much higher: The inventory of starter homes is extremely low in the Charlotte area.

Corporate relocations — from Honeywell to the Truist merger — have driven a lot of the price increases in the city of Charlotte, per Mitchener. On top of that, many of the working professionals moving here are coming from places like New Jersey, where hour-plus commutes into work are routine. That explains why Mitchener has been seeing increased interest in father-out areas, such as Hickory, Mooresville and even Winston-Salem.

“Especially when people don’t have to go in five days a week — they don’t mind driving to have a less expensive house and more land,” she adds.

Yes, but: Recent growth prices out plenty of Charlotte residents. It’s increasingly challenging for some working professionals, such as teachers and firefighters, to find homes in the $200,000-$300,000 range.

“We have to also focus on affordability and [whether] everyone who lives here can purchase a home,” Johannes says.

https://charlotte.axios.com/332070/home-listing-million-charlotte/

BY JOE MARUSAK

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch is selling his longtime Lake Norman mansion for nearly $13 million, according to its property listing.

The 15,000-square-foot mansion overlooks a quiet, relatively secluded part of the lake in the gated Norman Estates community. The property is located at the end of Unity Church Road in the eastern Lincoln County community of Denver. Busch bought the mansion at 8465 Norman Estates Drive in 2012 for a then-Charlotte area record $7.5 million, The Charlotte Observer reported at the time.

The mansion hit the market this week for $12.995 million, The Charlotte Business Journal first reported. Lincoln County property tax records list the owner only as “East Denver Revocable Trust,” which the Observer confirmed in 2012 was Busch.

Tony Forouzad, the luxury homebuilder whose company spent 32 months building the home, and Realtors involved in the 2012 sale said at the time that confidentiality agreements barred them from disclosing the buyer’s name. Heather Gibbs of Corcoran HM Properties represents the trust in the sale of the seven-bedroom mansion. The owners are just ready to move elsewhere after living in the home for so long, Gibbs told the Observer on Saturday. “There’s no real personal reason” behind the decision to sell, she said, declining to name the owners behind the trust. The owners have meticulously maintained the mansion and its 1.3 acres in a community with many “high profile” homeowners, she said. “They have just taken care of it to the highest level.” Norman Estates is in a “super-quiet” area of the lake with little boat traffic, Gibbs said. The mansion for sale has a beach area that never erodes because of the lack of boats, whose wakes cause shoreline erosion, she said.

And because Norman Estates is secluded, “the Catawba Queen isn’t cruising by pointing out homes like it does at The Peninsula,” the lakefront mansion community in Cornelius, she said.

Owners also love the community’s quick, interstate-free access to Charlotte via N.C. 16, Gibbs said. N.C. 73 also is near. Luxury home designer Jim Phelps spent 1 1/2 years designing the home, Forouzad told the Observer in 2012. The mansion has French, European and Tudor architectural influences, Abigail Jennings, president of Cornelius-based Lake Norman Realty, told the Observer at the time. Her firm listed the sale back then.

Interior features include soaring beamed ceilings, travertine and walnut floors and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces.

The foyer showcases a circular staircase and hand-forged iron railing below the wooden turret ceiling, Jennings said in 2012. According to its listing, the home has such custom and luxury touches as a primary suite with a spa-like bathroom and private elevator to a boutique-style closet. The kitchen underwent a $1 million renovation that included adding two marble waterfall islands, sensor-touch cabinets, a black Dacor stainless steel range and Miele appliances, according to the listing.

The home has 180-degree panoramic views of Lake Norman, with a boat dock, covered slip, fully equipped outdoor kitchen and heated swimming pool with a swim-up bar. In 2012, Forouzad said the home took so long to build because of all the detail he and his workers put into it, right down to the tongue-and-groove ceiling in the boat house. “It’s a true masterpiece,” Forouzad said in 2012. “Nothing else like it on Lake Norman.”

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article276066871.html

6/1/2023

By Jenna Martin, Managing Editor, Digital, Charlotte Business Journal

A mansion on the shores of Lake Norman came on the market yesterday at nearly $13 million, making it one of the most expensive residential listings in the Charlotte region.

The home spans more than 15,000 square feet, with seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and two-half bathrooms. Built in 2008, it's equipped with a range of custom and luxury touches, including a primary suite with a spa-like bathroom and private elevator to a boutique-style closet, according to the home's listing details.

The kitchen underwent a $1 million renovation, adding two marble waterfall islands, sensor-touch cabinets, black Dacor stainless steel range and Miele appliances. A wine cellar is next to the two-story foyer, and the main level also includes a loggia with retractable screens.

The three-story home also includes a basement with a bar and billiards space, second family room, theater and fitness area.

Located in the exclusive, gated Norman Estates neighborhood in Denver, the home sits on a 1.38-acre lot.

Outdoors, there's a private beach adjacent to a dock with boat and personal watercraft lifts. The grounds also include a fire pit, hot tub and pool with a swim-up bar.

Heather Gibbs of Charlotte-based Corcoran HM Properties is the property's listing agent. It's priced at $12.995 million. Gibbs declined to comment on the seller's identity.

The home — linked in the past to a NASCAR driver — is owned by the East Denver Revocable Trust and was purchased for $7.5 million in September 2012, according to Lincoln County real estate records. At that time, it set a record as the most expensive home sale in what's now Canopy MLS. The estate was built by Tony H. Forouzad Construction Co., a local luxury homebuilder.

The Norman Estates property by far carries the highest price tag of any home currently listed on the market in Denver. It doubles the next highest-priced residential listing, which, at $6.5 million, includes three homesites on a private peninsula.

In March, a lakefront home on Cherry Lane that previously had been the most expensive listing in Denver sold for $4.5 million. It was originally listed in February for $4.8 million.

The top-priced home for sale across the entire Charlotte region, also found on Lake Norman, remains "Merancas Island." That 4.5-acre, secluded estate on the western edge of Huntersville has a price tag of $22 million. The only other local listing with a higher price than the Norman Estates home is a $16 million Cornelius estate, owned by Robert Stevanovski, co-founder of Concord-based marketing firm ACN Inc.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2023/06/01/lake-norman-mansions-denver-luxury-homes-housing.html

By Nancy A. Ruhling
Originally Published May 17, 2023

The South Carolina golf community is steeped in conservationism and offers a resort-like waterfront lifestyle with lots of reasons to get outdoors

South Carolina’s Palmetto Bluff is an oasis for golfers and other outdoor enthusiasts who want a resort-like lifestyle every day of the year.

A 45-minute drive from Hilton Head and 20 minutes from the shops and restaurants of Old Town Bluffton, the 20,000-acre Lowcountry community, which has 32 miles of riverfront, is defined by three rivers and anchored by a pair of villages that offer a variety of amenities.

“It’s more than a golf community,” said Betty Gargis, a real estate agent with Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty. “What makes Palmetto Bluff distinct is it has everything you could imagine to create an all-encompassing sporting life.”

Palmetto Bluff, the largest entitled waterfront property on the East Coast, is steeped in conservationism, too. “All planning and development are guided by the land and its colorful history,” said W. Bryan Byrne, the broker in charge at Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Co., who noted that a conservancy manages the land.

The vacation-home community, where only 50% of the residents live full time, has, since the pandemic’s work-at-home ethos, been attracting younger people.

“Low 50s is the new average age,” said Dave Jarman, an agent with Corcoran HM Properties, who added that “it feels like the number of full-time residents is growing.”

The wildlife, the rivers, the salt marshes, the activities and events make Palmetto Bluff “a peaceful, magical, serene” place “that feels like it is out of a movie or a storybook,” he said. “There truly is something for everyone here.”

Golf Amenities

Palmetto Bluff Club’s May River Golf Course, built in 2005, is one of the community’s main attractions. An 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature 1,171-yard masterwork, it is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, a designation bestowed upon golf courses that protect the environment. The private course, which offers limited access to guests at the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort, includes a 4-acre short-game improvement area, a professional caddie program, PGA-certified instructors, and a clubhouse with a golf shop and restaurant.

The membership fee is $40,000; there also are annual dues and additional fees for a-la-carte amenities. Ms. Gargis noted that it’s on the 2021-22 Golf Digest list of best courses in the state.

Later this year, the May River Golf Course will soon have competition from two new courses.

King-Collins 9-Hole Course was designed by King-Collins Golf Course Design, which created Sweetens Cove Golf Club in Tennessee and Landmand Golf Club in Nebraska. It will be reversible, allowing for play from 1,000 to 3,000 yards, and will be accessible via boat through Palmetto Bluff’s inland waterway system.

The new 9-hole course by King-Collins will be part of a neighborhood that’s part of a larger collection of planned amenities. It will be sited on the road leading to the future Anson Village

Coore & Crenshaw 18-Hole Course, designed by the firm of the same name whose latest courses include Te Arai Links in New Zealand and Cabot Saint Lucia, is envisioned as a championship course that will run from forest to wetlands and feature views all the way to Savannah, which is 20 miles away.

Upcoming amenities in Palmetto Bluff include a 50-slip marina and dockmasters station at Anson Village that’s part of a larger new marina, and Inland Water Trail, which eventually will connect the new courses and amenities with the villages so residents can access them via boat. It will be stocked for bass fishing and will accommodate kayaks, canoes and electric boats.

Activities off the Greenway

In addition to the golf course, members of the Palmetto Bluff Club have access to a variety of other activities, including racquet sports, a shooting club, and an equestrian training and boarding center. Boundary Bowling and Game Room, which has a four-lane bowling alley, pool tables, a foosball and shuffleboard table, board games and card tables, is the social hub of Moreland Village

The club has four restaurants, for the use of homeowners, that are supplied by a proprietary farm. Canoe Club, whose interior looks like the inside of a boat, has a river-to-table menu and water views; Cole’s Lowcountry Tavern, a members’ meeting place, serves local produce, brews and curated wines; May River Grill, at the golf course, has a casual menu; and the recently renovated Buffalo’s is known for its Southwestern-accented American fare and lunch specials.

Montage Palmetto Bluff, consistently ranked as one of the top resorts in the South, has several dining options for residents, guests and the public. River House, its signature restaurant, serves New American fare and recently reopened after a $4.5 million update.

Palmetto Bluff has a variety of independent specialty stores, including FLOW Gallery + Workshop, which showcases the work of Southern artists and hosts workshops, exhibitions and events, and the Paris Market, a gift shop that sells everything from jewelry to art.

Art appreciation and education is a community keystone, embodied in the sweeping Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff, which offers a variety of year-round programming.

The conservation-minded community, surrounded by the May, New and Cooper rivers, offers a variety of water-sports activities, including kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, salt- and freshwater fishing and boat tours. The Wilson Landing Boating Club caters to those who don’t own their own boats, offering access to 18 vessels.

An expansive trail system, for bicycle riders, horseback riders and hikers, connects the residential neighborhoods to parks, recreational activities and the villages.

The community also has fitness centers, a movement studio, heated lap pools overlooking the May River and an award-winning day spa.

Types of Homes

The gated community that anchors Palmetto Bluff will have three villages and 4,000 single-family houses when completed. Anson Village, the last, is expected to open in the next 10 to 15 years.

Palmetto Bluff has 932 completed residences and 435 under construction or in the design-review process.

Each village has its own personality, and their slightly varying traditional Lowcountry architectural styles complement each other. Wilson Village, Palmetto Bluff’s first, is considered the community’s social center. It is patterned after small coastal towns of the South. Its extension, River Road, which is known as the Garden District of Palmetto Bluff, has a more formal feel. Moreland Village, which is family-centric, looks and feels more rural, and its traditional architecture has a slight contemporary edge.

Luxury single-family houses in Palmetto Bluff generally are $1.8 million to $8.5 million, Mr. Byrne said, adding that in 2022 the median closing price was $2.5 million. The most expensive houses, he added are “on the water, on sizable pieces of land or near one of the two current village enclaves, Wilson or Moreland.”

Mr. Jarman added that “we have shown several off-market properties pushing $10 million-plus now.”

Rentals of Montage Residences Palmetto Bluff are $2,000 to $4,920 per night depending on the size of the house, Mr. Byrne noted.

Market Outlook

Real estate prices are rising and are expected to continue their upward trajectory as Palmetto Bluff adds amenities and its third village.

The evidence is in the stats, according to Mr. Byrne. For instance, the median home price rose 74%, from $1.375 million to $2.39 million, from 2018 to 2022.

“Palmetto Bluff saw a big boost during Covid-19 and record-breaking sales in 2020, 2021 and 2022,” he said. “The expansion of remote work opportunities brought on by the pandemic increased the number of residents who decided to live in the community all year.”

Mr. Jarman added that recent celebrity weddings at the Montage, including that of Justin Bieber to Harley Baldwin, have added to Palmetto Bluff’s cachet. “A lot of eyes are on our community,” he said. Palmetto Bluff will remain competitive, he added, because while the cost of living in South Carolina has increased, it’s “still relatively low in comparison to other luxury neighborhoods on the coast.”

https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/a-year-round-vacation-the-sporting-and-luxurious-life-in-palmetto-bluff-b1b1b065

Famed motocross rider Brian Deegan calls his and his wife Marissa’s 35-acre mansion property north of Mooresville “the ultimate compound.”

“Massive house and shop enough room for all the toys,” Deegan said on Instagram March 15, announcing that the couple are selling their dream home to move to Tallahasee, Florida, because of their family’s Supercross training.

“And if S hits the fan, don’t worry you can shut the gate and live happily ever after no rules just the way America was meant to be,” Brian Deegan’s Instagram post continued.

Brian Deegan is a motocross racing legend, considered the greatest Freestyle Motocross rider in competition history, including 14 X-Games medals in his storied career.

The couple’s son, Haiden “Dangerboy” Deegan, is a rising star in the sport, currently ranked third in points in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

The couple’s daughter, Hailie Deegan, competes full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series.

The Deegans are selling their home at 1525 Shinnville Road for $3.95 million, according to its listing by realtor Heather Gibbs of Corcoran HM Properties.

Shinnville Road is off Interstate 77, Troutman exit 42, about 40 miles north of Charlotte.

2 ‘fresh flowing streams’ on property

The home has four bedrooms, eight bathrooms and 15,347 square feet of heated living area, the listing shows.

Highlights of the primary living area include two full kitchens, four luxury suites, a home gym and a bar that Gibbs said can accommodate 20 TVs.

The mansion has a “beautiful Modern farm house vibe throughout, with too many upgrades to list,“ according to the property listing.

Other features include a private spa off the primary suite, a recently finished heated pool, and SX, MX and dirt oval tracks on the land.

Off-the-grid living

Two “fresh flowing” streams traverse the acreage, Brian Deegan said.

The grounds include raised organic beds, and a private fueling station “for anyone wanting to live off the grid or tired of mainstream life,” according to the property listing.

“It’s the ultimate luxury playground,” Gibbs told The Charlotte Observer on Friday.

Said Marissa Deegan on Instagram: “Truly one of a kind and the perfect spot to raise a family especially if you love racing!!”

“Every amenity possible spent the last 14 months creating what met our family’s needs moving from California!” Marissa Deegan posted. “Little did we know God had other plans for us and since we love and support what our kids do Florida is home base now!”

“Can’t wait to see who gets to enjoy this compound next,” she said.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/live-off-the-grid-in-this-racing-legend-s-mansion-compound-for-sale-near-mooresville/ar-AA19430J

https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/bluffton-south-carolinas-old-town-offers-charming-down-home-living-d3154110

The upscale nabe on the river is known for its large properties, fine dining and welcoming atmosphere

BY NANCY A. RUHLING | ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 4, 2023 | MANSION GLOBAL

Old Town, a down-home upscale neighborhood in the South Carolina river town of Bluffton, is defined by its Southern hospitality and luxurious lifestyle.

“It’s the heartbeat of Beaufort County and what draws many people to the area,” said Dave Jarman, a broker with Corcoran HM Properties. “‘Charming’ is the first word that comes to mind. ‘Welcoming’ is a close second.”

He added that Old Town is so darn friendly that “it’s common for strangers to say ‘hello’ or ‘how are ya’ll doing?’ as they pass by.”

The atmosphere, according to Mary Vaux Bell, an agent with Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty, is “relaxed, chic and very down to earth.

Boundaries

Old Town, which may be accessed via car or boat, is bounded by Bridge Street and the May River waterway on the south, Burnt Church Road on the east, May River Road on the north and Verdier Cove Road on the west.

Price Range

Noting that properties in Old Town don’t come on the market very often, Ms. Vaux Bell said that riverfront or marsh-front single-family houses, which typically are on 0.75 of an acre to 2 acres, generally run $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

The inner streets of the community, whose houses are set on a quarter to a half acre, are also desirable places to live, she said, adding that they typically sell for around $1 million.

Housing Stock

The houses in Old Town, which is in a National Register Historic District and a Preserve America Community, were originally built and used as summer residences and typically feature significant porch space as well as interior space. They date from the 1800s to the present, and generally are on lots starting at one-tenth of an acre.

The architectural styles and materials, which range from clapboard siding and brick to tabby, vary.

“While there are new homes, many of the older ones have been updated or restored for a relaxed and understated yet posh coastal-cottage aesthetic,” Ms. Vaux Bell said. “The homes in the inner streets are mostly new but custom designed to blend in with the Spanish moss, mature oaks and oyster-shell driveways.”

What Makes It Unique

Old Town’s location—Bluffton is only 30 minutes from Hilton Head Island and a couple of hours from Charleston, Jacksonville, Atlanta and Charlotte—makes it a premier place to live, Ms. Vaux Bell said.

She noted that in addition to the historic structures and welcoming atmosphere, Old Town basks in Bluffton’s numerous accolades: It made Travel + Leisure’s 2022 list of “8 Charming Small Towns in SC” and Southern Living’s 2019 list of “The South’s Best Small Towns.”

Mr. Jarman added that Old Town’s “true appreciation for historic elements and restrictions in place on commercial properties” makes it “a picturesque section of Bluffton.”

Its walkability, its boutiques and numerous social events, festivals and markets, he said, are other attractions.

Luxury Amenities

Old Town sets the scene for many of the town’s activities and is a dining and shopping destination.

There are several restaurants in the community. They include The Bluffton Room, which serves classic American cuisine; the coffee shop Corner Perk Brunch Cafe & Coffee Roasters; FARM Bluffton, whose menu is new-American cuisine; The Pearl Kitchen & Bar, which offers coastal cuisine; Nectar Farm Kitchen, which prepares dishes with ingredients from the Lowcountry and the South; and Calhoun Street Tavern, which specializes in comfort food.

Old Town Dispensary, a tavern with pub grub, “is where residents head for some live music and refreshing drink,” Mr. Jarman said.

Palmetto Bluff, a gated community across the May River from Old Town that has the highest-priced properties in the area, includes a Montage Resort and several fine-dining establishments.

Other amenities at Palmetto Bluff include an award-winning golf course, a marina that offers water excursions, several pools, a spa and wellness center, a shooting club and a working farm with educational programs and events for children.

The Bluffton Oyster Co., which has been providing fresh-harvested seafood to the community since 1899, is the last hand-shucking house in the state. In addition to the market, it has an eat-in restaurant.

Heyward House, a historic museum built in 1841, doubles as the town’s official welcome center, offering tours.

In addition to a weekly farmer’s market filled with local vendors, Bluffton hosts more than 30 festivals and events annually.

https://charlotte.axios.com/319144/home-sales-across-the-charlotte-region-are-returning-to-pre-pandemic-levels/

By McKenzie Rankin | January 29, 2023

Charlotte’s housing market today is starting to look like it did in 2019.

Why it matters: The data from 2019 gives us an idea of what’s normal for home sales in Charlotte, says Maren Brisson-Kuester, COO of Corcoran HM Properties. “It’s our baseline.”

It’s been a wild ride for the housing market these last couple of years. “COVID was a weird phenomenon in our industry,” Brisson-Kuester says.

Home sales nearly froze in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 lockdown.Then in 2021, sales soared from a combination of low interest rates and remote work, which encouraged plenty of people to relocate to more affordable cities like Charlotte.

Driving the news: Data from 2022 shows we’re finally returning to a more balanced market — one reminiscent of pre-pandemic days, local real estate experts say.

By the numbers: 50,286 homes sold across the region last year, a declined of 15.3% year-over-year, according to data from Canopy MLS

2022’s sales “were on par with sales at the end of 2019, which was a healthier year of sales,” per the report.For all of 2019, there were 50,854 properties sold in the Charlotte region, according to Canopy data from January 2020.

What they’re saying: “2021 was an anomaly and not a healthy market,” says president of Canopy MLS Tiffany Johannes. “What we saw over most of last year and will continue to see, is a return to a somewhat healthier time and pace of activity.”

Plus, the slower pace of sales should help inventory to build to give buyers more options in the spring, Johannes adds.

Yes, but: Higher interest rates will still make owning a home challenging for many prospective buyers. What’s more, current homeowners who are locked into low rates may be unlikely to sell right now, as Axios’ Bri Crane has reported.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.15%, per Bloomberg.

Zoom out: Many economists have warned of an incoming recession, pointing to the slowing of home sales as an indicator. But both Johannes and Brisson-Kuester agree: The housing market has the ability to help the economy bounce back, not further contribute to the recession.

“Our outlook at this point shows that any recession would be mild and housing would play a key role in an economic rebound,” Johannes says.“This is a recession for sure, but I don’t see us [the housing sector] doing anything but playing a key role in the rebound,” Brisson-Kuester says.

The bottom line: Given the roller coaster of a real estate market experienced since the pandemic, we’re still a ways out from a market perfectly healthy for both buyers and sellers. But, both the numbers and experts agree: We’re getting there, and a more typical spring market could be on the horizon for Charlotte.

Here's what experts say 2023 holds for Charlotte real estate - Axios Charlotte

By Brianna Crane

Experts say mortgage rates, which hover above 6%, will shape our 2023 real estate market.

Flashback: In 2021, we were all watching inventory, which failed to meet insatiable demand fueled by record-low mortgage rates. In 2022, the balance started to shift — more homes hit the market and outrageous bidding wars mostly ceased — as mortgage rates skyrocketed.

Here’s what local realtors think the Charlotte real estate market will look like in 2023.

1. Prices will return to “normal.”

Charity Washington with Savvy + Co. predicts home prices will drop 5-10% in 2023. Because home values spiked so much in 2022, this slight decrease will bring Charlotte home prices back down to normal.

Given the area’s relatively high demand, Lisa Warren of Cottingham Chalk foresees an active market “but with a slower rate of price appreciation.” She says the 2023 market could bring relief for buyers who’ve been challenged by the market in recent years.

2. But mortgage rates will make buying hard for many.

“The market right now generally moves with interest rates,” Jeff Clay, owner of JClay Realty, says. And unless those rates come down drastically, “we are likely in for a market with low overall activity, low supply and demand that will probably stay a bit muted,” Clay says.

Home prices, despite leveling off in recent months, are much higher than pre-pandemic days. “That coupled with rates in the 6% range has made affordability tough for a lot of buyers. This will likely keep demand in check for a while,” Clay says.

3. Current owners won’t sell unless they have to.

“Most of them are locked in to low rates and paid much less for their homes than the current market value,” Clay explains. A comparable home would likely cost them much more per month, which means they won’t move unless they need to.

4. Still, Charlotte will shine compared to other metros.

“In general, the Carolinas and specifically Charlotte, remain a hot bed for inbound buyers from markets that still make our prices and cost of living desirable by comparison,” Josh Tucker of Corcoran HM Properties says.

So while the market may shift slightly, Charlotte likely won’t experience drastic price drops or major changes because our job market, weather, desirable geographic location, access to major highways and an international airport continue to attract people to Charlotte.

5. Charlotte’s market will stay strong.

Brandon Lawn, founder of Brandon Lawn Real Estate, predicts inventory will remain relatively low. But as houses sit longer (like they are currently), buyers will have more time to consider their options. Plus, many of his buyers are coming with “considerable cash.”

“If you combine buying power with less competition, 2023 could be a great time for buyers and sellers,” he says.

Similarly, Vicky Mitchener, founder of Dickens Mitchener, predicts the market will still favor sellers, but they’ll have to work for it.

“The appropriately priced homes that are in good condition and an appealing location will continue to drive offers,” she says. But today’s buyers, she adds, are a lot more cautious than those in recent years.

NEW YORK, NY – Sept. 15, 2022 – Corcoran Group, LLC announced today that its affiliate, Corcoran HM Properties, has expanded its growing operation into Charleston, South Carolina. The announcement was made by Corcoran President & CEO Pamela Liebman, and Corcoran HM Properties broker-owner Valerie Mitchener. Corcoran HM Properties' growth marks the eighth Corcoran affiliate to announce an expansion in less than one year.

This market expansion, Corcoran HM Properties' first since affiliating with Corcoran in June 2021, is a strategic step in the firm’s growth plan and broadens its reach from the Charlotte, North Carolina region to the greater Charleston area, including Mt. Pleasant, Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms, and more. This growth brings Corcoran HM Properties' agent population to more than 130 affiliated real estate professionals, increasing their agent count by 15 percent since joining the Corcoran brand. In addition to the Charleston office, Corcoran HM Properties has three offices in North Carolina including two in Charlotte and one in Mooresville.

"As I've said before, our affiliates' milestones are some of our proudest moments, and today's news from Corcoran HM Properties is definitely cause for celebration," said Liebman. "Val and her team are incredibly dedicated, and I’ve long admired the focus they have on growing their business and ensuring both their affiliated agents' and clients' satisfaction. This strategic move into Charleston will not only open doors for their team, it’s a significant market for the entire Corcoran® network."

Corcoran HM Properties was founded by Valerie Mitchener in 2006, and the locally owned and operated boutique firm quickly grew to be a market leader in the Charlotte metro area. Corcoran HM Properties' notable success and growth to date can be directly attributed to the team's ability to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of Charlotte's high-end real estate market and the elevated education and individualized business guidance they provide their agents. The firm also boasts an in-house relocation department that manages individual and corporate moves and has been the Preferred Realtor® for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets since 2010.

“Charleston, South Carolina is known for many things – its history, architecture, and beaches, to name a few – and we’ve long known that this was a market we wanted to serve,” said Mitchener. “The area attracts many second-home buyers for vacation homes or investment properties, so this was a natural fit given the client needs we already serve in Charlotte. I’m thrilled to be entering this next chapter of our growth and am grateful to our agent community in Charleston and all of our current and future clients.”

About The Corcoran Group

The Corcoran Group has been a leading residential real estate brand for nearly 50 years. Through its New York City, Hamptons, and South Florida brokerages, along with its rapidly growing affiliate network, the firm is home to more than 170 offices and more than 6,000 independent salespersons in key urban, suburban, and resort markets nationwide. Corcoran agents earn and keep their clients' trust with an unwavering commitment to white-glove service, expertise, and integrity. In every market served, Corcoran helps you find the home that’s just right for you. The Corcoran® brand comprises both offices owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC (f/k/a Realogy Brokerage Group LLC) and franchised offices, which are independently owned and operated. For more information about The Corcoran Group, please visit www.corcoran.com.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2022/09/15/corcoran-hm-properties-charleston-luxury-housing.html

By Jenna Martin – Managing Editor, Digital , Charlotte Business Journal | Sep 15, 2022

A local boutique brokerage catering to the luxury housing market has expanded to the Charleston, South Carolina, area — its first market outside of Charlotte.

Corcoran HM Properties said today that its new office in Mount Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston, has opened with 12 agents currently on staff. The firm now has four offices, three of which are located in the Charlotte area — in SouthPark, the Waverly area and Mooresville. Its overall agent headcount stands at more than 130 people after the expansion, the company said in a news release.

A spokeswoman for Corcoran HM Properties said the number of agents at the Mount Pleasant office is growing daily. The office serves the greater Charleston area, including communities such as Mount Pleasant, Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms.

The location is a "strategic step" in the firm's growth plan, the release states.

The Mount Pleasant office represents the first market expansion the firm has made since affiliating with New York-based Corcoran in June 2021. It said its agent count has grown 15% since then. HM Properties is the eighth Corcoran affiliate to announce an expansion in less than a year, according to the release.

"The area attracts many second-home buyers for vacation homes or investment properties, so this was a natural fit given the client needs we already serve in Charlotte," Corcoran HM Properties broker-owner Valerie Mitchener said. "I’m thrilled to be entering this next chapter of our growth and am grateful to our agent community in Charleston and all of our current and future clients.”

Mitchener said the Charleston market has been on the firm's radar for quite some time, with its location, demographics and proximity to the Charlotte region making it the right fit for expansion.

“One of the reasons for our decision to affiliate with Corcoran last year was so we could help expand the brand throughout the Carolinas," she said. "We have been doing our due diligence researching locations for expansion, but as for naming specific cities or a timeframe, we are not ready to disclose that yet."

Mitchener founded HM Properties in 2006.

Corcoran HM Properties ranks as the 18th-largest residential real estate agency in the Charlotte area with 120 agents, according to recent CBJ research. In 2021, the firm recorded 1,150 closings that totaled $921.22 million in sales. That ranked it 14th among local firms for number of closings and 10th in terms of sales volume.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2022/08/29/mecklenburg-luxury-home-sales-mansions-residential.html

By Jenna Martin – Managing Editor, Digital , Charlotte Business Journal | Aug 29, 2022

An estate off Providence Road that just recently registered as the most expensive home listing in Charlotte is off the market. It sold for $6.45 million in mid-July, carrying the highest price tag of any Mecklenburg County residential property that traded last month.

The home, at 9,822 square feet, with six bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms, originally hit the market in April for $6.75 million. It's on a 2-acre lot within the Huntington Park subdivision.

The property has a full suite of luxury features, including a gourmet kitchen, elevator, primary suite with three closets and two full bathrooms, renovated guest house, outdoor kitchen and pool, to name a few. Anne Bell with Cottingham Chalk was the listing agent.

Built in 2005, the home last sold for $4.2 million in October 2018, according to county real estate records.

Each month, American City Business Leads, a division of CBJ parent company American City Business Journals, pulls Mecklenburg County's top home deeds based on sale price. Additional details come from county real estate records, the listing brokerage or Realtor.com.

Another notable property on the list for July is the 4,609-square-foot home in Mammoth Oaks sold by former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego and wife Megan. Borrego joined the Hornets in 2018 but was fired in April at the end of a disappointing 2021-22 season.

The couple sold their home last month for $2.8 million, which landed it at No. 5 on the list of the county's priciest residential sales from July. They paid about $1.58 million for the home in September 2020, the same year it was built, according to county records.

The home has four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and three half-bathrooms — as well as an indoor basketball court. It was listed by Valerie Mitchener of Corcoran HM Properties.

Homes included in the July roundup range in sale price from $2.4 million to the $6.45 million transaction in south Charlotte. Every home was located within the city of Charlotte — in neighborhoods such as Pharr Acres, Foxcroft, Myers Park, Eastover, Cotswold and Ballantyne Court, in addition to Huntington Park and Mammoth Oaks.

The accompanying slideshows offer a closer look at these local luxury homes. The photo gallery at the top of this feature lists homes in ascending order of their respective sale price, while the slideshow below provides a peek inside many of the top-priced properties from July.

In North Carolina, NASCAR’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Seeks $16 Million for Slick Equestrian Estate (yahoo.com)

Yahoo News

July 19, 2022 - A North Carolina property owned by NASCAR veteran Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has officially rumbled onto the market, according to a story in Dirt. Nestled amid the outskirts of Charlotte in Mooresville—known as “Race City U.S.A.,” for its large concentration of racing teams and drivers, as well as the NASCAR Technical Institute—the luxe spread is asking a speck under $16 million; according to the Charlotte Business Journal, it’s the most expensive single-family home currently listed for sale in the Charlotte region.

Originally custom-built for retired NASCAR legend Ernie Irvan back in 2001, and subsequently rebuilt after a fire, the nearly 10,000-square-foot home was also formerly owned by NASCAR champ Joe Nemechek and his wife Andrea. First listed by Nemechek for just under $11 million in 2009, the asking price was lowered to $8.4 million before ultimately going to Stenhouse for a heavily discounted but undisclosed amount at the end of 2013.

Sited in a suburban residential community near Lake Norman, where nearby neighbors include Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Bush, the so-called “Finncastle” is showcased by a stucco and stone main house with five bedrooms and eight baths. Glitzy amenities filtered throughout the 140-acre parcel include a pool and spa flanked by a cabana, putting green, gym, 3-acre pond, guest quarters and two separate garages with room for up to eight vehicles; there’s also 18 European-style horse stalls, and a large covered arena sporting a viewing area and sound system.

A lengthy gated driveway passes through sprawling white-fenced pastures and paddocks before winding up at a porte-cochère. From there, ornate wrought-iron front doors open into a double-height entry foyer displaying a bridal staircase and chandelier dangling from a sky-lit ceiling. Other highlights include a soaring great room resting beneath a vaulted wood-beam ceiling, which comes complete with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and walls of glass opening to a massive terrace ideal for al fresco entertaining.

A gourmet kitchen outfitted with a curving eat-in island, pricey La Cornue range, butler’s pantry and breakfast nook connects to a cozy family room, and around the corner is a formal dining room hosting a glass-encased wine display. Elsewhere is a sumptuous master retreat adorned with a fireside seating area and luxe bath, along with a plush movie theater and billiard/game room.

Stenhouse, 34, is a JTG Daugherty Racing driver best-known for winning the GEICO 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway and Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway during the 2017 NASCAR Cup season. Currently 25th in the Cup standings, he also gained notoriety for dating former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick from 2012-2017; he got engaged to longtime girlfriend Madyson Joye in November 2021.

The listing is held by Josh Tucker and Heather Gibbs of Corcoran HM Properties.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2022/06/17/most-admired-ceo-awards-event-photos-maceo.html

Charlotte Business Journal

Valerie Mitchener, Owner/President of Corcoran HM Properties was among the 38 Most Admired CEO Awards.

June 17, 2022 - Real estate leader Pat Riley was lauded for his level-headed, enthusiastic leadership style and civic engagement last evening as he accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2022 Most Admired CEO Awards event.

Hundreds gathered at The Westin Charlotte for dinner and a lively event to celebrate Riley and 38 other executive leaders across the local economy, from manufacturing to nonprofits, technology firms to public companies. The evening finished with remarks from Riley, who, over 30 years with the Allen Tate Cos., has become a sage of the local housing market.

Allen Tate recruited Riley to Charlotte in 1992 to grow the company’s real estate business. His previous experience in the industry in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as well as Wilmington, Delaware, shaped his views on the opportunities here.

“Very few people in America have the opportunity to build a city,” Riley said after the airing of a video in which local business leaders attested to his dedication and ability to bring groups together. “In most places, you can only restore and rehabilitate what’s already there.”

He has chaired multiple major civic boards since his arrival and, in 2021, Riley led Allen Tate to the best year in the history of the 64-year-old company with more than 19,000 transactions totaling about $6.8 billion in closed sales volume.

CEOs carry lessons from their first jobs into leadership roles

Indeed, all of the CEOs extolled at the event demonstrated a commitment to their employees, to their company’s financial performance, and to service with local charities and civic initiatives.

One by one, the CEOs were introduced by event emcees Amy Pack, principal partner with AccruePartners, and Jarod Latch, co-founder and chief operating officer of Spiracle Media. Latch is also the play-by-play voice of Davidson College men’s basketball. Spiracle Media and AccruePartners were presenting sponsors of the event, along with Regions Bank. Supporting and event sponsors were Quest, Allen Tate and Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas.

The executives were asked to share their first job and what lessons from that experience carry through in their role as CEO.

Amina Abubakar, CEO and founder of Avant Pharmacy and the National Association of Pharmacy's 2020 Pharmacist of the Year, told the audience her first job was at the young age of 4, when she lived with her parents in Kenya inside a 400-year-old fortress that is a popular tourist destination. A young Abubakar memorized the tour script.

“I did so well they invited me to be a tour guide, too, and we got more tourists and more money,” Abubakar says. “The life lesson is collaboration is key.”

ag Gill, CEO of Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, shared his quick ascent from dishwasher at a Bonanza Steakhouse in Columbia, Missouri. Gill arrived on his first day to wash dishes and was asked to step in for an absent short-order cook. When the head cook did not arrive, Gill grilled the steaks. Into the evening, the manager struggled to balance the books. Gill had so far taken one accounting class and offer to help.

“The next day, I was the assistant manager,” Gill said to laughter from the audience. “The lesson is that when someone gives you opportunity, accept it. Even if you think you cannot accomplish the work, you can.”

Among the other first jobs for local CEOs: William Downs, president of Gardner-Webb University, sold denim as a retail clerk; local Goodwill CEO Chris Jackson was a fry cook; Amy Sullivan of ABC Carolinas was in shoe sales at Gastonia’s Eastland Mall; and Leon Topalian, CEO of Nucor Corp., worked as a construction crew laborer.

Likewise, the night’s final honoree, Riley, said his early experiences helped shape his outlook on career and responsibilities. Riley credited his optimism to his father and his work ethic to his mother, who pushed him to become the youngest Eagle Scout in Pennsylvania at the time at age 13.

By the time he came to Charlotte, Riley had already served years on the Lancaster planning commission. Tasked by Allen Tate with growing the real estate firm, Riley figured he had already done his civic duty.

“I had a chip on my shoulder and said I did all of my community work in the first half of my career,” Riley says. He remembers that Tate responded: “We don’t give out chips. You have to earn your chips here.”

Thus, Riley began what would be three decades of contributions in economic development, education and the arts.

“In the Charlotte region, when you raise your hand, you are welcomed with open arms.”

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2022/05/24/mooreville-home-lake-norman-luxury-housing-listing.html

Charlotte Business Journal

Mary 24, 2022 - A secluded estate on the banks of Lake Norman came on the market late last week as the most expensive home for sale across the Charlotte region at just shy of $7 million.

Priced at $6.995 million, the home at 125 Quiet Waters Drive in Mooresville sits on a 6.52-acre lot in the Northwood subdivision and boasts 620 feet of shoreline along Lake Norman. It hit the market on May 19.

A gated entry with a 600-foot-long driveway leads to the three-story, modern home with a stucco and stone exterior and more than 8,800 square feet inside, according to information provided by listing brokerage Corcoran HM Properties. Josh Tucker and Heather Gibbs listed the property.

The home has five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and three half-bathrooms. High-end features include a home-automation system, an elevator, 10-foot-tall ceilings, a chef's kitchen and a wall of glass doors in the great room that lead out to a balcony overlooking the lake. The main level also features a scullery next to the kitchen and an adjoining, vaulted sunroom.

There are several exterior living spaces, including balconies, covered terraces and patio areas. A saltwater pool with an infinity edge was recently added to the property. There's also an adjacent fire pit with built-in seating and a covered dock and boat lift farther down the property.

The home, built by Kearey Builders, was completed in 2017. It was designed by Frank Smith Design, with Susan Kromer Design handling the interior decor.

Susan Kromer and husband Stephen, a retired, longtime executive with Wichita, Kansas-based Koch Industries who last served as president of Koch Pipeline Co., are the sellers, as first reported by The Charlotte Observer. They purchased the property in June 2013 for $975,000, according to Iredell County property records.

The Quiet Waters estate comes in ahead of another lakefront property, also listed in May, that'd previously been the highest-priced residential listing in Mooresville at $5.15 million. It also beats the list price of a south Charlotte home that hit the market in April at $6.75 million.

To date, the most expensive home sale in Mooresville is a French Country-style mansion that sold for $7.5 million in October 2020. Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey was the speculated buyer.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2022/01/21/meck-countys-priciest-home-sales-in-december-2021.html

By Jenna Martin – Managing Editor, Digital , Charlotte Business Journal | Jan 21, 2022

An estate in the SouthPark area sold for more than $5.2 million last month, making it Mecklenburg County's most expensive home sale of December.

That custom-built brick home sits on a 2.2-acre lot on Rock Creek Drive and encompasses more than 11,000 square feet, with five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and three half-bathrooms. It was listed by Patty Hendrix with Corcoran HM Properties.

The home has a second-story balcony, a bonus room, and an exercise room and sauna. Other features include a saltwater pool, an attached three-car garage, a two-car porte-cochère and storage area, a greenhouse, and a covered dog run and workshop area.

The property last sold for $2.7 million in 2011, according to county real estate records. It hit the market last March at $5.59 million.

The nine other top-priced residential transactions in Mecklenburg County last month range from $2.78 million to $4.4 million. Six of those homes are scattered across Charlotte, including in neighborhoods such as Pellyn Wood, Foxcroft, Myers Park, Pharr Acres, Treillage and Stonehaven. Three residences can be found in the Lake Norman area of Cornelius.

Among the Cornelius homes on the list is a 5.1-acre gated estate that has been featured on AWE's "Selling Mega Mansions," a reality TV show that follows brokers as they find buyers for what it calls the "hottest homes in the world." Listing broker Pam Boileau of Ivester Jackson | Christie's International Real Estate previously discussed the experience with CBJ.

The home on Torrence Chapel Road logged in as the county's fifth-priciest sale last month, trading for $3.55 million.

In addition to its TV fame, the 8,797-square-foot property with five bedrooms, five full bathrooms and three half-bathrooms set a record as the most expensive non-waterfront residential sale in the town of Cornelius, Boileau recently told CBJ. It originally hit the market in late 2018 with a price tag of about $4.48 million.

Each month, American City Business Leads, a division of CBJ parent company American City Business Journals, pulls Mecklenburg County's top home deeds based on sale price. Additional details come from county real estate records, the listing brokerage and Realtor.com.

The slideshows included in this post offer a closer look at these luxury homes. The photo gallery at the top of the article lists homes in descending order of their respective sale price, while the slideshow below provides a peek inside some of the top-priced properties in December.

https://charlotte.axios.com/284025/demand-will-keep-pushing-charlotte-home-prices-up-in-2022/

Axios Charlotte

January 7, 2022 - Homes in Charlotte will only continue to become more expensive in 2022, say 28 local real estate agents we polled in a recent survey.

State of play: The median price for a home in Charlotte is $409,327, up from $348,739 a year ago, according to the latest from Canopy. That’s a 17.4% price increase.

Zillow ranked Charlotte as the fifth hottest market in the country for 2022.And PropertyShark listed Charlotte as the No.1 cheapest city to live in with the best weather. Compared to other large cities, Charlotte has the most affordable housing and most mild weather, according to Forbes.

What they’re saying: Most survey respondents expect home values to rise simply because there’s not enough supply to keep up with booming demand.

Kimberly Antolini of Corcoran HM Properties said one of her recent listings had 52 showings and 19 offers. Only one person can win the house, so that leaves 51 interested buyers still on the hunt, she explained.But if home prices do keep rising, many anticipate it’ll be a slower upward climb compared to 2021, in part because mortgage rates are ticking up, too.

“As Charlotte continues its ascent as a premier destination for people to live, the imbalance in supply and demand will persist,” Daniel Cottingham of Cottingham Chalk said. “Interest rates will cool demand to some degree, but not enough to balance the market.”

Cottingham predicts tight inventory will reign, which will continue to fuel bidding wars and price appreciation.

However, sellers should be prepared for pickier buyers.

“In 2022 buyers will be a bit more selective, so really preparing your home for the market is important and overpricing your home initially could actually end up hurting your bottom line,” Jeff Clay, owner of JClay Realty Group, said.

Stacey Stolar at Corcoran HM Properties shared that because buyers are passing on overpriced homes, we might start to see homes sit on the market longer that what we’ve been used to.These changes might not impact the macro trends greatly, but will provide pockets of relief for tired house hunters.

Yes, but: The market will still favor sellers, and buyers should anticipate challenges. “It is possible to buy a house in this market, you just have to come ready with your game face on,” one respondent shared.

Driving the news: Respondents say demand here is the No. 1 reason home prices likely won’t fall soon. Julie Coffey at Savvy + Co. says the headline for Charlotte real estate in 2022 is “Scarcity Drives Demand.”

“I think we may plateau a bit this year and the upward price growth may slow a bit due to more inventory hitting the market, but I think demand remains very strong,” Tim Hansley at Dickens Mitchener said. “I don’t think the record breaking numbers we saw in 2021 are going anywhere over the next 2-3 years.”Hansley predicts sellers who’ve held off the last two years for fear of not finding their next home, will list in 2022 so they don’t miss out on peak pricing. If that happens, we’ll see an uptick in inventory — but not enough to flip the market.

Even if 2022 trends similarly to 2021 (increased prices, low inventory), experts say smaller shifts in the market could occur.

“Multiple offers and high demand will still be a ‘thing’, yet we won’t think something is wrong with a home that’s on the market longer than a day,” Bree Pittman of Keller Williams Charlotte University shared.

Suzanne Cowden with Corcoran HM Properties predicts some neighborhoods may have already peaked, and home values will level off in those areas. While some neighborhoods are still gaining popularity and home prices will continue to rise in those areas.

For example, large lots in established neighborhoods are prime real estate.Builders can turn one older house into two new houses or duet-style townhouses. Home values in those areas will keep rising because land and inventory are hard to come by, Cowden explained.

The other side: A few respondents, though, believe 2022 will actually be even more frenzied than 2021.

Peggy Peterson of Corcoran HM Properties summed it up with her headline for 2022 real estate in Charlotte: “And you thought the market was crazy in 2021???”

Other trends cropping up include higher demand for ranch-style homes, demand for more new construction, and an increase desire for things like outdoor space.

Bottom line: No one has a crystal ball, but Charlotte real estate experts predict the 2022 market will remain active and will be fueled by high demand.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2021/10/21/mecklenburg-countys-priciest-home-sales-september.html

By Jenna Martin – Managing Editor, Digital , Charlotte Business Journal | Oct 21, 2021

Myers Park was a popular spot in September for high-end home sales, including a historic abode originally built uptown in the 1870s that was later moved to the neighborhood.

That Victorian-style home on Queens Road, known as the McManaway House, sold for $2.095 million in mid-September. It had been on the market since the first of June, with an asking price of $2.295 million, and last sold for $1.55 million in 2003.

The McManaway House was built in 1874 at 406 W. Trade St. in uptown's Fourth Ward area by two prominent merchants who'd immigrated here from Prussia, according to a report by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. Dr. Charles G. McManaway bought the property, which once served as a boarding house, in 1901 and moved it to its current lot at 1700 Queens Road in 1916. His son, Hugh McManaway, whose statue stands across from Myers Park United Methodist Church at Queens and Providence roads, also lived at the home. Hugh McManaway was a longtime fixture at the intersection, directing traffic and entertaining passersby with rhymes, according to CBJ archives. More on the history of the McManaway House can be read here.

The 6,219-square-foot home has four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. It includes high ceilings, millwork, both formal and informal rooms, as well as a saltwater pool in the backyard.

The property, which was listed by Meg Wilkinson and Valerie Mitchener of Corcoran HM Properties, clocked in at No. 6 on the list of Mecklenburg County's most expensive residential sales last month.

Myers Park is also home to the residence that carried the highest overall price tag when it sold in September. That property on the 2000 block of Princeton Avenue sold for $3.125 million on Sept. 10.

Built in 2007, the Tudor home encompasses 7,446 square feet, five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. Its exterior features include 100-year-old pavers and clinker brick as well as a reclaimed clay tile roof. The home's grand hall has English travertine floors, an antique chandelier and a custom banister, while the great room features a vaulted ceiling, wood-burning fireplace and another antique chandelier, according to its listing details.

Previously listed for sale in 2019 and 2020, it most recently hit the market in early June at $3.2 million.

Joe Huneycutt with Cottingham Chalk Realtors was the listing agent.

Each month, American City Business Leads, a division of CBJ parent company American City Business Journals, pulls Mecklenburg County's top home deeds based on sale price. Additional details come from county real estate records, the listing brokerage and Realtor.com.

Five homes in the September roundup can be found in Myers Park. Other neighborhoods to make an appearance are Eastover, Foxcroft and Challis Farm in south Charlotte and Knox Landing in Cornelius. And the towns of Huntersville and Davidson north of Charlotte each have a home on the list.

The most expensive home sales from last month range in price from $1.825 million to $3.125 million.

The slideshows included in this post offer a closer look at these luxury homes. The photo gallery at the top of the article lists homes in descending order of their respective sale price, while the slideshow below provides a peek inside some of the top-priced properties that sold in September.

HM Properties partners with New York residential real estate brand Corcoran Group - Charlotte Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Charlotte Business Journal

June 24, 2021 - New York City residential real estate firm The Corcoran Group is expanding its reach into the Carolinas after securing Charlotte-based luxury brokerage HM Properties as its latest franchise affiliate.

Rebranded to Corcoran HM Properties, the firm — founded by Valerie Mitchener in 2006 — will remain independently owned and operated. The partnership allows Mitchener and her team to access Corcoran's suite of marketing services, learning resources and other digital tools tailored for agents.

That gives Mitchener the ability to invest in her agents on a larger scale, she said, noting that has been a top priority for the firm.

"Corcoran HM Properties will now have access to Corcoran's resources, networking and wider recognition among consumers and within the industry," Mitchener said. "Ultimately, we’re joining forces with one of the industry’s most recognized and innovative brands, and our agents are already feeling and experiencing that in the midst of this transition."

Mitchener declined to disclose financial and contractural details of the affiliation agreement. It was announced on Tuesday.

Her full-service brokerage has more than 115 agents across three offices in the Charlotte region — in SouthPark, at Waverly in south Charlotte and in Mooresville, the result of its 2019 acquisition of boutique firm Anchor Real Estate.

In 2020, the firm sold 1,049 residential properties locally, according to CBJ research published in April. Its closed sales totaled $734 million, which ranked at No. 10 on CBJ's list of the top-selling residential real estate companies in the Charlotte area.

"As a business owner, I am always looking for ways to improve customer service, attract new talent and bring in more business for our agents, and affiliating with Corcoran is the best way to accomplish my goals," Mitchener said.

This marks the 12th franchisee for Corcoran, which started its affiliate program in February 2020, first launching on the West Coast.

“Launching Corcoran HM Properties is a big milestone for our brand as we expand our footprint along the Eastern Seaboard and continue to grow our broader affiliate network,” said Pamela Liebman, Corcoran president and CEO, in a statement.

The company said HM Properties' success has been tied to its ability to adapt to changes in Charlotte's high-end real estate market as well as its training and guidance provided to agents. It noted the firm also has an in-house relocation department managing individual and corporate moves.

Corcoran was founded in 1973 by real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran — now an investor on popular ABC show "Shark Tank" — and originally served the New York City, Hamptons and South Florida markets. Sold in 2001, the business is now owned by Realogy (NYSE: RLGY).

Corcoran, both through growth of its original brokerages as well as its franchise network, now encompasses more than 100 offices and 4,700 independent agents.

NEW YORK, NY – June 22, 2021 – Corcoran Group, LLC today announced the launch of its newest affiliate, Corcoran HM Properties, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is the twelfth Corcoran affiliate to launch since the creation of the firm’s affiliate network, and marks the brand’s arrival in North Carolina.

With more than 115 agents across three offices, Corcoran HM Properties specializes in serving the real estate market across the Charlotte region – including Mecklenburg, Union, and Iredell counties – as well as upstate South Carolina. Corcoran HM Properties was founded by Val Mitchener in 2006, and the locally owned and operated boutique firm quickly grew to be a market leader in the Charlotte metro area. Today, Val is supported by Maren Brisson-Kuester, the firm’s operations lead.

“Launching Corcoran HM Properties is a big milestone for our brand as we expand our footprint along the Eastern Seaboard and continue to grow our broader affiliate network,” said Corcoran President and CEO Pamela Liebman. “Not only do I admire Val’s talent and dedication to her affiliated agents, but her team has a strong reputation for providing unparalleled real estate service to their clients. I am very excited to welcome the entire Corcoran HM Properties group to the family, and look forward to supporting their growth as a powerhouse in the Charlotte
region.”

Corcoran HM Properties’ notable success can be directly attributed to the team’s ability to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of Charlotte’s high-end real estate market and the elevated training and individualized business guidance they provide their agents. Corcoran HM Properties also boasts an in-house relocation department that manages both individual and corporate moves, and has been the preferred Realtor® for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets for more than a decade.

“The decision to affiliate with Corcoran was an easy one and I'm very excited about this opportunity,” said Mitchener. “Investing in our agents and their success has always been our top priority and I can't think of a better way to emphasize this than by joining forces with one of the industry's most recognized and innovative brands. From Corcoran’s sophisticated agent tools to their best-in-class marketing and unparalleled in-house support, I look forward to collaborating with a group of like-minded real estate leaders who share my vision for the future.”

About The Corcoran Group

The Corcoran Group has been a leading residential real estate brand for nearly 50 years. Through its New York City, Hamptons, and South Florida brokerages, along with its rapidly growing affiliate network, the firm is home to more than 100 offices and 4,700 independent salespersons in key
urban, suburban, and resort markets nationwide. Corcoran agents earn and keep their clients' trust with an unwavering commitment to white-glove service, expertise, and integrity. In every market served, Corcoran helps you find the home that’s just right for you. Live who you are®. The
Corcoran® brand comprises both offices owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices, which are independently owned and operated. For more information about The Corcoran Group, please visit www.corcoran.com.

Media Contact:
Deniz Sonmez
Senior Manager, Affiliate Communications & Public Relations
917.565.3445
deniz.sonmez@corcoran.com

Tues., June 1, 2021 – Originally built in 1874 at 406 W. Trade Street in Uptown by two prominent merchants who shared ownership, this home was moved to its current location at 1700 Queens Road in Myers Park in 1916 by the third owner, Dr. Charles G. McManaway. The home remained in his family until 1977 when it was sold by Dr. McManaway’s son, Hugh, to David LaFave & Associates and Robert Downey Saussy and wife, Sally, who refurbished it and built additions. In 2003, current owners Drs. Dru and Bob Quarles purchased this historic home to raise their family and it is now for sale and listed at $2,295,000. Of special note, Hugh McManaway was a beloved Myers Park resident and is also the man depicted directing traffic in the iconic 8-foot gold statue in the median of Queens and Providence Road.

Situated on a private 0.54-acre lot in the heart of Myers Park, this two-story, Victorian-Tuscan designed home has been lovingly maintained over the years and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has also been featured in the 1977 ASID Home Tour and 2011 Garden Tour. The Quarles’ have enjoyed melding modern interior design with antiques and a mixture of artwork styles to create a truly unique home for their family.

This stately home has a symmetrical floor plan with 6,219 sq. ft., 4-bedrooms, 3.2 baths and historic architectural details including wide central hallways on both levels, 13-foot ceilings, massive doors and arched windows, exquisite millwork, hardwood floors, and seven fireplaces. The main level has a gracious piazza entrance with a grand staircase, elegant parlor and dining room, a study, chef’s kitchen, butler’s pantry, sunroom, family room, game room and rear staircase leading to the upper level with four spacious bedrooms, 3 full baths, office and den. There is also a partially finished basement with a bonus room.

The well-maintained exterior features a porte-cochere, wrap-around porch, covered porches, whimsical gardens, and a saltwater pool.

“The McManaway House is historically and architecturally significant to Charlotte and we are thrilled to represent the Quarles’ and their beautiful home,” said listing agent Valerie Mitchener of HM Properties. For additional information, please contact Meg Wilkinson at 704-906-5747 meg@hmproperties.com or Valerie Mitchener at 704-577-8200 | email: valerie@hmproperties.com . Video tour: https://tour.charlottevirtualhometours.com/1844133

Mon., March 8, 2021 – Situated on a 1.3-acre gated estate one block from Charlotte Country Club, 3021 Belvedere Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina, is officially on the market for sale. This home was nicknamed “The Belvedere” when it was built in 1951 as a personal residence for John Crosland Jr, a leading Charlotte home builder and developer. It is currently the highest priced property ever listed in the Historic Plaza Midwood area within the Canopy MLS system and is priced at $2,295,000. The owners are Stephen L Wilson III and his wife, Aundrea, and Stephen is a well-known artist whose work has been shown throughout the world.

This 4,381 sq. ft., 4-bedroom, 4.1 bath Colonial estate was beautifully restored inside and out in 2010 including the guest cottage/pool house, in-ground saltwater pool, and detached two-car garage. The Wilson’s purchased this property in 2015 and have created a very special showplace incorporating Stephen’s work with their favorite pieces by other artists.

Their mid-century modern-style furniture combined with the high ceilings, original moldings, hardwood flooring, abundant windows, French doors, and white walls provide an inviting backdrop for the colorful pallet of whimsical galleries, display niches and décor throughout.

A tree-lined driveway and courtyard lead to a welcoming two-story, columned front porch that opens into a traditional foyer with a black and white marble flooring and eclectic art, a theme that carries throughout this home. The main level also features a formal dining room, butler’s pantry/wet bar, vaulted chef’s dream kitchen, living room with fireplace, and a sunroom which is the Wilson’s favorite space to relax with its exposed painted brick, built-in bookshelves, and incredible views of the rear yard. The second level has a master suite wing with an exquisite marble bath and enormous custom closet, three secondary bedrooms with en-suite baths, and a laundry room.

Thoughtfully designed landscaping provides a private setting for the outdoor spaces. An expansive Bluestone patio with arbor overlooks the pool and winding pathways lead to the guest cottage/pool house. This fenced rear yard also features an English garden with water feature, additional garden areas and is surrounded by mature trees.

The 426 sq. ft. guest cottage/pool house features painted blue/white wood flooring, beamed shiplap ceiling and walls, a kitchenette, full bath, and a Murphy bed that can be tucked away to make space for entertaining. This retreat can also be used as an art studio or office.

“The Wilson’s have created an inviting sanctuary in fantastic location that will be attractive to potential buyers,” said listing agent Valerie Mitchener of HM Properties. For additional information, please contact Mitchener at 704-577-8200 | email: valerie@hmproperties.com . Video tour: https://youtu.be/rjr4-x-Lge8

Fri, Oct 2, 2020 – Real estate history was made in the Charlotte, North Carolina region on September 4, 2020, when the highest priced residential home went on the market for sale in the Canopy MLS system for $7,995,000 and it was under contract four days later.

Known as Grand Lac Chateau, a grand 8.63-acre estate overlooking Lake Norman, 154 Tennessee Circle in Mooresville, NC, closed on Friday, Oct 2, 2020, for $7,500,000 and is also officially the most expensive home sold in the Charlotte region’s Canopy MLS system. The buyer of record is BeWater, LLC from California.

Listing agent, Josh Tucker of HM Properties’ Lake Norman office, said, “I don’t think anyone including the seller or I had any expectations as to how long this home would take to sell. A lot of it was timing, but we also spent several months preparing a strategic launch to make sure we could make a large splash all over the country when it hit the market.”

This breathtaking French Country Manor has 10,928 sq. ft., 6-bedrooms, 7.2 baths and was designed by leading southeast architect, JJ Barja of Elite Design Group in Charlotte, NC in 2015, and built by Augusta Homes in Cornelius, NC. It was completed in 2018.

Every detail of this three-level entertainer’s dream home was carefully planned from the gated entrance to the winding tree-lined driveway, porte-cochere, multiple garages, guest house, climate controlled wine cellar, home theater, 70,000 gallon saltwater pool with a 60 ft. infinity ledge, multiple decks, porches and balconies, private white sand beach leading to the dock and party deck, elevator, extensive home automation system, 8 fireplaces, soaring ceilings, and walls of windows offering views from every room.

“This record-breaking sale shows how desirable Lake Norman is all around the country. There is a great demand for properties of this magnitude in our area,” Tucker added.

For additional information, please contact Tucker at 704-634-8323 | email: joshtucker@hmproperties.com or visit: www.hmproperties.com .

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HM Properties is an award-winning, full-service residential real estate company serving the Charlotte, North Carolina region and upstate South Carolina. The firm has three offices and an in-house relocation department that manages individual and corporate moves. HM Properties is licensed in North and South Carolina and has been the Official Realtor® of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets since 2010. HM Properties is also the Charlotte region’s exclusive member of Leverage Global Partners, an international network of prestigious independent real estate companies. Website: www.hmproperties.com

Fri, Sept. 4, 2020 – Majestically situated at the highest point of this 8.63-acre estate overlooking Lake Norman, 154 Tennessee Circle in Mooresville, North Carolina, is officially on the market for sale. It is also the highest priced property in the Charlotte region’s Canopy MLS system and listed at $7,995,000.

This 10,928 sq. ft., 6-bedroom, 7.2 bath French Country Manor is nicknamed Grand Lac Chateau and is a masterfully designed architectural dream. Inspired by their travels to the French countryside, the owners commissioned a leading southeast architect, JJ Barja of Elite Design Group in Charlotte, NC to design this custom home. Built by Augusta Homes in Cornelius, NC, construction commenced in 2015 and completed in 2018.

Every detail was thoughtfully planned to withstand the test of time and perfectly incorporate Old World style architecture with modern amenities and privacy. The gated entrance opens to a tree-lined driveway that crosses a bridge and winds throughout the property until reaching Grand Lac Chateau. A porte-cochere leads to five single bay garages and there are also two climate-controlled garages (one for show cars) and a detached three car garage with a guest house above.

The main and lower levels have a minimum of 12-ft ceilings and 11 ft. minimum on the upper level. The Grand Foyer features a spiral staircase with a 60-foot turret ceiling height and opens to the vaulted Great Room with a 38 ft ceiling, double-sided fireplace, and wall of windows overlooking the pool and lake. The main level continues to effortlessly flow into the paneled study, vaulted formal dining room, scullery, butler’s pantry, vaulted Hearth Room, Breakfast area and custom chef’s kitchen with two islands and top-of-the-line appliances including an exquisite lavender blue LaCornue Chateau Series Grand Palais 180 Range. The lavish owner’s suite also has a vaulted ceiling, fireplace, morning bar, private screened porch, spa-like bath with linear fireplace, and a stunning two-story closet with extensive custom built-ins, showcase cabinets, dressing areas, laundry area, and spiral staircase to additional closet space in a loft area.

The upper level has three secondary en-suite bedrooms with white oak hardwood flooring, expansive loft area and bonus room. An entertainer’s dream awaits in the lower level which offers a climate-controlled wine cellar, sound-proofed home theater, Family Room with a bar area, music room, sports lounge with access to the Show Garage, exercise room, spa bath with sauna and steam shower, laundry room, and guest suite.

Outdoor living spaces were designed to take advantage of the views and feature decks, covered and open air terraces with Travertine flooring, and lounge areas overlooking the lake and 70,000 gallon saltwater pool with a 60 ft infinity ledge, water features, 12-person spa, jump platform, two tanning ledges, 2 fire bowls, and a 10-person sunken natural fire pit. A short path leads to a private white sand beach area with sea wall, and dock with a 16,000 LBS Hi-Tide Cable boat lift, two ski jet lifts, and a 1,000 sq. ft. party deck.

Additional features include an elevator, white oak hardwood flooring throughout main living areas, 8 fireplaces, and a home automation system that is second to none with touchscreens throughout to manage interior and extensive landscape lighting, 130 audio speakers, video cameras, 21 wall mounted TV’s, music, shades, entry gate, ceiling fans, garage doors and the security system.

“This estate is truly extraordinary and unlike anything available for purchase in this region,” said listing agent Josh Tucker of HM Properties. “It is also offered with all furnishings, artwork, appliances and electronics,” he continued. For additional information, please contact Tucker at 704-634-8323 | email: joshtucker@hmproperties.com. You can also visit the webpage: https://hmproperties.com/listing-detail.cfm?mls=CAR3658244 & video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YairSw6tPos .

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HM Properties is an award-winning, full-service residential real estate company serving the Charlotte, North Carolina region and upstate South Carolina. The firm has three offices and an in-house relocation department that manages individual and corporate moves. HM Properties is licensed in North and South Carolina and has been the Official Realtor® of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets since 2010. HM Properties is also the Charlotte region’s exclusive member of Leverage Global Partners, an international network of prestigious independent real estate companies. Website: www.hmproperties.com

Friday, August 28, 2020 – Located six miles south of historic Camden, South Carolina, this breathtaking southern estate is situated in the heart of horse country and was developed by a member of the Boykin Family which is known for breeding the first South Carolina State hunting dog, the Boykin Spaniel, in the early 1900s. Acorn Farm encompasses 554 acres and is priced at $8,000,000.

Whether used as a full-time residence, country retreat or sportsman’s paradise, Acorn Farm is a truly beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of life in the city.

Swift Creek runs along the property’s northern border and it also features two stocked ponds, sunflower and corn fields, food plots, dove and pheasant fields, vegetable gardens, an orchard with over 50 trees and grape vines, and a potential duck food impoundment. Hundreds of deer, doves, wild quail, and wild turkey also roam the property.

The gated entrance off Sumter Highway leads down a picturesque driveway to the main house overlooking the ponds. This grand 10,532 sq. foot home was built in 2008 and inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. It has three levels and features 5 bedrooms, 5.3 baths, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, reclaimed antique heart-of-pine paneled walls, a grand staircase, elevator, chef’s kitchen, sunroom, den, Great Room and formal dining room with high ceilings, secondary kitchen upstairs, and a home theater and 5000 bottle wine cellar in the finished basement. The clerestory windows offer wonderful views from every room and there are numerous balconies, porches, and patio areas to enjoy the outdoors.

A charming 1,939 sq. ft. cabin-style guest house is situated a short walk from the main house and has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a full kitchen, family room, 5-stall climate-controlled dog kennel, and fenced back yard.

In addition, there is a 7,025 sq. ft. 75 x 75 barn/utility building with an office, kitchen, 2 baths, a walk-in refrigerator/game cooler, workshop, and large storage rooms. The main room has a high ceiling and roll-up doors making the space ideal for large scale entertaining. There are also several equipment sheds, a tool shed, quail house, chicken coop and pump house nearby.

“It is a privilege to be able to market such a unique and special property. It is truly an incredible display of landscape artistry. Opportunities, possibilities and wildlife are abundant.,” said Maren Brisson-Kuester, listing agent with HM Properties. “The care Mr. Boykin and his wife took in planning this amazing estate is evident in every tree planted and room laid out. Not one detail has been left out. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase some or all of this incredible property,” she continued.

This property has many potentials whether as a personal residence, private shooting/hunt club or even an equestrian estate and it will be enjoyed for generations. The main house with 107 acres can be purchased separately from the entire estate. If you have an interest in purchasing this property, please contact Maren Brisson-Kuester, HM Properties, 704-287-7072 | email: maren@hmproperties.com or Jordan Meadows at 803-984-7083 | email: jordanmeadows@hmproperties.com. You can also visit http://acornfarmsc.com/.

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HM Properties is an award-winning, full-service residential real estate company serving the Charlotte, North Carolina region and upstate South Carolina. The firm has three offices and an in-house relocation department that manages individual and corporate moves. HM Properties is licensed in North and South Carolina and has been the Official Realtor® of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets since 2010. HM Properties is also the Charlotte region’s exclusive member of Leverage Global Partners, an international network of prestigious independent real estate companies. Website: www.hmproperties.com

Maren Brisson-Kuester installed as NC REALTORS® President

Charlotte, North Carolina (January 16, 2020) — On Thursday, Maren Brisson-Kuester, Chief Operating Officer of HM Properties was inaugurated as the 99th NC REALTORS® President during the NC REALTORS® Winter Leadership Meetings at the Omni Charlotte Hotel. Maren will serve as the leader of the 48,000-member real estate trade association, one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the state.

“I am very excited to take the reins of this great organization for the upcoming year,” said Brisson-Kuester. “2020 will be an exciting and eventful year for our association, our industry, and our state. I look forward to growing our association’s role as the voice of real estate in North Carolina and ensuring that we speak with one vision, one community, and one voice.”

Real estate has always been Brisson-Kuester’s primary passion, as evidenced in her leadership roles within local, state and national organizations. Not only did she serve as a two-term president for Canopy REALTOR® Association in 2015 and 2016, but she also held numerous positions on boards and committees for NC REALTORS® and the National
Association of REALTORS®.

Because of her many contributions to the industry and the Charlotte community, Brisson-Kuester has been the recipient of several awards. She was named Canopy REALTOR® Association's REALTOR® of the Year in 2016. She has been recognized by NC REALTORS® with an Outstanding Service Award and won the Chairman’s Award three years in a row
(2015 – 2017) for outstanding fundraising and advocacy efforts. Brisson-Kuester received the Hall of Fame Award in 2018 from the National Association of REALTORS® for her extraordinary commitment to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. She has also been recognized by the Charlotte business community as one of the Charlotte Business
Journals “40 under 40” in 2016 and one of the “Top 25 Women in Business” in 2017.

ABOUT NC REALTORS®
NC REALTORS® is a non-profit trade association, representing more than 48,000 members and 46 local associations throughout the state of North Carolina. NC REALTORS® serves to promote the success of its members and enhance the quality of life in North Carolina by promoting housing affordability and the protection of private property rights.
Founded in 1921, the association is headquartered in Greensboro, with an additional office in Raleigh. For more information on the association, visit ncrealtors.org.

Thurs., December 7, 2017 - HM Properties has been selected by the Jim Gross Company to represent another unique development called Kenwood Sharon Lane, a single-family home community tucked in Foxcroft.

This unique enclave will feature 10 single-family homes on a tree-lined cul-de-sac street with sidewalks. Each of the 10 residences will feature two-story, open plans with the master suite on the main level. Homes will range from 3,917 to 4,619 square feet and buyers will have a choice of three or five bedroom options.

Kenwood Sharon Lane is the third “Kenwood” development by Jim Gross Company and will include the same high-quality details and design incorporated in its sister developments: Kenwood Myers Park and Kenwood Cottage Place. Each home will include custom high-end finishes, two fireplaces, high ceilings, walls of windows, hardwood floors, gas appliances, “smart” wiring, an optional elevator, attached rear load 2-car garage, and private brick-walled backyards.

The symmetrical front facades offer a modern edge when paired with the steep Dutch Colonial-style roofs. In addition, the sides of each home extend beyond the exterior wall dimensions to provide additional privacy.

Known for designing and building luxury developments in the most sought-after neighborhoods of the Queen City, Jim Gross said, “My idea was to create a cul-de-sac community with a row house feel where all the homes will compliment each other. There is nothing else like it in Charlotte.”

Kenwood Sharon Lane will be constructed by the same hands that designed Kenwood Myers Park, Kenwood Cottage Place, and Opus Myers Park which is currently under construction. Jim Gross Company has selected renowned Don Duffy Architecture for the architect and Thomasson Construction as the general contractor. Kim Sheehey, Broker/Realtor® with HM Properties, is the listing agent representing Kenwood Sharon Lane.

“We are very excited about Kenwood Sharon Lane which is sure to be another bar-setting development by Jim Gross. Given the scarcity of a new construction master-down product in the Foxcroft neighborhood, interest in the development is already piqued,” said Sheehey.

Residences are priced from $1,525,000 to $1,795,000, and completion is scheduled for the end of 2018.

For more information, please call Kim at 704-909-5027 email: kimsheehey@hmproperties.com, or visit http://hmproperties.com/kenwood-sharon-lane .

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - HM Properties has been engaged by Jim Gross Company to represent a very special new condominium development in the heart of Myers Park called Opus Myers Park. These premium residences will be sited at one of the most iconic intersections in Charlotte at Queens and Providence roads just behind the Myers Park Public Library. The address is 1333 Queens Road.

Opus consists of five separate steel and concrete buildings enclosing a gas-lit mews reminiscent of European pedestrian streets with a cozy, intimate feel. The mews will meander through the development and connect Queens and Providence roads.

Consisting of 24 residences, each will feature spacious, open plans with 2, 3 or 4 bedroom layouts and 2.5 or 3.5 baths. Homes will range from 2,630 to 3,262 total square feet and include one or two private terraces. Each unit will also have two designated, secure underground parking spaces.

With private elevator access directly to each foyer, residents will not have to share elevator lobbies, hallways or common walls between units. Some of the premium features in each unit includes 10 foot ceilings, 8 foot casement windows, high-end finishes, a linear gas fireplace, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, “smart phone” home operation, two mechanical units, whole home “insta-hot water”, hardwood flooring, and a smart, muted contemporary feel throughout.

Created by Jim Gross Company, Opus has been crafted by the same hands that designed Dilworth Crescent, Carmel Crescent, Kenwood Myers Park and Kenwood Cottage Place. “Opus represents a dramatic raising of the bar for condominium living in Charlotte. Nowhere else in the city can every homeowner have truly private full floor living with direct access to the elevator and no common hallways or walls,” said Jim Gross, the creative force behind Jim Gross Company.

Residences are priced from $1,250,000 and completion is scheduled for November 2018.

“Opus is perhaps Jim’s most visionary development,” said Valerie Mitchener, owner/broker of HM Properties. “There is nothing like it in the Charlotte region and it offers buyers a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a premium home in an extraordinary location.” HM Properties is overseeing sales of this development and Thomasson Construction is the general contractor. For more information, please call 704-909-5033, email: info@hmproperties.com, or visit www.OpusMyersPark.com.

Friday, August 19, 2016 - HM Properties, a full-service residential real estate brokerage serving the Charlotte region including upstate South Carolina, will celebrate its 10 year anniversary at Quail Hollow Club on Saturday, August 20th. Reaching this milestone is particularly special to Valerie Mitchener, owner of HM Properties, the agents and staff because of the extraordinary obstacles they overcame during the company's early years. Over the past decade, HM Properties has built a reputation as an industry leader and has some of the most high performing brokers in the region. The company recently surpassed 70 brokers and has closed over $350 million year-to-date which is a very different place from where they were when they opened their doors in August 2006, with six agents and two staff.Right away HM Properties' brand set them apart from competition and the company quickly took off and more agents and staff came aboard. Within a few months, they moved into a 5,500 sq. ft. office in SouthPark's Piedmont Town Center; a space that dwarfed the company, but Mitchener knew it would accommodate future growth. It would be a few years before they outgrew this space and added on.

Though the Charlotte real estate market was at a peak when HM Properties opened, it was just six months later when the market began to crash. While all industries were affected, the crash hit the real estate industry and homeowners particularly hard.

Building the business wasn't easy during those first few years and was made even more challenging during a time when many real estate companies were forced to close, downsize or merge. Despite the obstacles, HM Properties grew to over 50 brokers and seven staff by the end of 2009, and in 2011, the company was honored as one of The Charlotte Business Journal's "Fast 50" fastest-growing, mid-sized private companies in the Charlotte region. In addition, they won The Charlotte Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" Award for mid-sized companies in 2009, and have been the Official Realtor of the Charlotte Hornets since 2010. In early 2014, a newly formed international network of exclusive independent real estate firms company called Leverage Global Partners asked Mitchener to become part of its network and she accepted.

Looking back to that time, Mitchener said, "We could have given up, but we banded together and kept moving forward. Quitting was never an option. I am very grateful to our agents, employees, corporate partners, and clients for the successes that HM Properties has achieved over the past 10 years."

In December 2014, Mitchener purchased a stand-alone building located one mile down the street at 6857 Fairview Road which is across from Phillips Place. After closing on the property in January 2015, she began a complete renovation of the interior and exterior facade of this 6,850 sq. ft. building and, at the end of September 2015, they moved in. After the move, the company paved its way to the future by refreshing its brand with a modern look to go along with the new building that included a new logo, marketing collateral and a new website will be launched soon. HM Properties looks forward to the future and will continue to provide unparalleled service to its clients.

December 16, 2014 - Valerie Mitchener, the owner and broker-in-charge of HM Properties, is purchasing a 7,000 sq. ft. stand-alone building at 6857 Fairview Road in the Colony on Fairview II office complex across from Phillips Place in SouthPark. After the closing in mid-January, a complete renovation of this two-story building will begin on the interior and exterior facade. The company is expected to move in before its nine year anniversary on August 17, 2015.

Mitchener made the announcement to her brokers and staff during a Holiday Brunch at Quail Hollow Club this morning and the response was overwhelmingly positive. "Everyone is so excited! When we founded this company in 2006, we had six brokers and a two staff members. Now, we have 62 brokers, 10 staff and have outgrown our 5,500 square foot space at Piedmont Row Town Center."

Building the business wasn't easy during those first few years and was made even more challenging during the tumultuous market when many real estate companies were forced to close, downsize or merge. Despite the obstacles, HM Properties grew to over 50 brokers and seven staff by the end of 2009, and in 2011, the company was honored as one of The Charlotte Business Journal's "Fast 50" fastest-growing, mid-sized private companies in the Charlotte region. In addition, they won The Charlotte Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" Award for mid-sized companies in 2009, and have been the Official Realtor of the Charlotte Hornets since 2010.

Looking back to that time, Mitchener said, "We could have given up, but we banded together and kept moving forward. Quitting was never an option."

During the recession, the real estate business changed dramatically and brokers all over the country had to learn how to help navigate their clients through short sales and bankruptcies. Many clients opted to list their home(s) for sale and for rent and took whichever option came first. While the market is still in recovery mode, it has steadied and sales have even thrived in many neighborhoods throughout the region.

Mitchener and Robby Johnson, a Charlotte architect, designed the new office space to be reflective of the company's brand and it will enhance the dynamic synergy within the company. "There will be an open two-story foyer, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, marble floors, and comfortable working spaces throughout," she said. "We are like family and I want the agents and staff feel at home when they work."

CHARLOTTE, NC - HM Properties, an award-winning residential real estate firm, has accepted an invitation to join Leverage Global Partners, a worldwide association of boutique real estate brokerages.

F. Ron Smith, President of Leverage Global Partners, recently welcomed HM Properties as the Network's exclusive member in the Greater Charlotte region. A unique alignment of the most prestigious independent real estate brokerage firms around the world, Leverage Global Partners offers its members the opportunity to better serve their clients' relocation and real estate portfolio needs by establishing the Presidents of each member firm as key players in the international real estate arena.

"We personally vet each real estate brokerage before offering them membership, so we are certain that HM Properties is a market leader, offering exceptional service to the communities of the Charlotte region," said Smith. "We are thrilled to welcome them to Leverage Global Partners. HM Properties is a full-service firm, comprised of the top brokers in the region. Their collective experience, expertise, and dedication to remarkable service are what set them apart from other companies."

As a member of Leverage, HM Properties will be promoted as the sole representative of the Charlotte region, including upstate South Carolina, with all contact and inquiries being directed to the company's President Valerie Mitchener. Through this network, Mitchener and the brokers of HM Properties are offered introductions and provided access to their partners at member brokerages around the world, ensuring them incomparable networking ability in the worldwide luxury real estate market. In addition to offering exceptional service and connectivity, Leverage differentiates itself from existing international luxury real estate associations by promoting the presidents of member firms and by extending media access for their members' properties through a robust public relations outreach and digital platform.

Leverage Global Partners is rapidly expanding its membership base and currently has members in numerous dynamic communities around the world, including Los Angeles, Tokyo, New York, London, Hong Kong, Cannes, Shanghai, Santa Barbara, Vail, Palm Beach and Bangkok.

About Leverage Global Partners Leverage Global Partners aligns the most prestigious independent luxury real estate brokerage firms from around the world - only one exclusive member per community - creating a unique global network of professionals that serve the relocation and real estate portfolio needs of their clients, nationally and internationally. Founded by the visionaries of a leading independent luxury real estate firm in Beverly Hills with over US $3.5 billion of collective sales expertise, Leverage Global Partners offers its member cutting-edge marketing resources in social media, public relations and communication. In addition, Leverage promotes unique real estate developments around the globe. www.LeverageRe.com

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