New $14 Million Charlotte-Area Home Listing Could Shatter The Record

Charlotte Stories
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New $14 Million Charlotte-Area Home Listing Could Shatter The Record

A massive golf-inspired estate just outside Charlotte has hit the market with a nearly $14 million price tag. If it sells at that price, it would become the most expensive home ever sold in Lincoln County.

The property, located at 3979 State Highway 73 in Iron Station, spans 100 acres and is listed for $13.995 million. The estate features a four-bedroom, six-bathroom home with more than 8,500 square feet of space, built in 2021.

The home is owned by Adam Hayes, longtime caddie for pro golfer Jon Rahm. Hayes and his wife designed the property with a focus on golf, privacy, and high-end living.

One of the standout features is a $75,000 Full Swing golf and sports simulator housed in a 3,000-square-foot barn. The space also includes a wet bar, batting cage, and fitness area.

The estate sits behind a gated entrance with more than 1,700 feet of paved driveway, offering a high level of seclusion. Inside, the home features clean architectural lines, reclaimed antique wood beams, and large windows overlooking the property.

The kitchen includes premium appliances such as a Wolf gas range, built-in espresso system, wine refrigeration, and a large quartzite island designed for entertaining.

Outdoor amenities include a resort-style saltwater pool and spa, outdoor shower, pool bath, and a covered porch with a ceiling heater. Additional features include a heated greenhouse, multiple fire pits, and a whole-home generator.

The property also includes equestrian facilities with fenced pastures, a custom barn, and miles of trails. Two year-round creeks run through the land, adding to its natural appeal.

The estate is listed by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. The current county record home sale is $12 million, set in 2025.

Practical Guide to Monitoring Senior Health at Home

Sharon Anderson
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Practical Guide to Monitoring Senior Health at Home

For families with older adults, ensuring the comfort and well-being of older adults (seniors) at home is a priority. Ongoing monitoring helps maintain independence while allowing both families and qualified personnel to detect problems sooner rather than later. Seniors can feel more secure, and caregivers and relatives can create a safety net for seniors by following simple but effective routines. This guide describes how to observe and support senior health at home in a few key steps.

Establishing Daily Routines

For older adults, consistency is comforting. A predictable schedule for meals, medication, and rest creates stability. The more they participate in daily activities, the better their engagement and satisfaction levels. An established routine displayed for everyone to see in a visible spot can act as a great reminder, helping older adults stay healthy and active. In fact, reputable senior home care services recommend defining fixed daily routines to prevent confusion among the elderly. 

Tracking Medication and Supplements

Senior care involves medication management. Consider a pill organizer that has compartments for each day or each dose that must be filled as required. A log of doses helps seniors remember if they have missed any pills. Use an alarm clock or phone alerts to remind them when it is time to take their medication. Have a healthcare provider periodically review the list of prescriptions for accuracy.

Observing Physical Changes

Observing seniors’ health closely can help reveal any subtle changes in them. Watch for swelling, bruising, or sudden weight loss. Look for walking difficulty, balance issues, or lack of strength when performing different activities. Look out for a lingering cough, breathing difficulties, or changes in appetite. Keep a health journal to note and record how they were feeling when attending doctor appointments.

Monitoring Vital Signs

Measuring vital signs regularly gives family members detailed information about a senior’s health. Perform a body temperature check at the same time daily using a digital thermometer. Blood pressure and heart rate can be measured with an automated monitor according to the directions shared on the device. Write results in a dedicated notebook, which will make it easier to identify trends or abnormal readings. Talk to a health professional immediately if you notice any worrisome changes in the health of the senior in your care.

Encouraging Physical Activity

Moving helps keep muscles strong and joints flexible. Promote simple activities such as stretches, walking, or chair moves. Customize activities according to the senior’s level of ability and their interests. When they exercise at the same time every day, they develop good habits. Keep their environment safe and free of fall hazards.

Supporting Mental and Emotional Well-being

Senior citizens also need to maintain sound mental health, in addition to good physical health. Promote activities such as hobbies, puzzles, or reading to keep their mind active. Calling or visiting with loved ones on a regular basis helps alleviate feelings of isolation. Surround them with the right lighting systems, pictures of loved ones, and good music, as all this helps them relax. Watch for signs of sadness or anxiety and talk to a healthcare professional about their health condition or status if symptoms last longer than a couple of weeks.

Maintaining Proper Nutrition and Hydration

Ensure older adults get the nutrients they need through balanced, regular meals. For this, create a week-wise menu that contains fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Provide water throughout the day to keep them hydrated, because in warmer weather, dehydration can adversely affect them. Track intakes of both food and fluid, reporting changes in appetite or any trouble swallowing. Should dietary restrictions ever arise, seek guidance from a dietitian.

Ensuring Home Safety

By making the home a safe place for older adults, families can reduce the chances of incidents or accidents. Secure loose rugs and remove the clutter from bathrooms and other places to give older adults space to move around. Provide adequate lighting, particularly in hallways and stairwells. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working. Discuss safety from time to time and adjust if their health status changes significantly.

Staying Connected With Healthcare Providers

Regular contact with physicians fosters continuity of care. Take them for regular check-ups and share health logs or health problems that the family has noticed in the older adult. Make use of virtual consultations where face-to-face visits are difficult to arrange. Have a list of Serious Illness Conversations (SICs), emergency numbers, and allergy updates in an accessible location. Immediately notify the care team of any new or worsening symptoms.

Conclusion

Healthy living at home for seniors requires ongoing observation and simple routines. By monitoring their well-being, families can help older adults stay at home comfortably and enjoy the security that comes with living in familiar surroundings. These practical steps provide peace of mind to families, making everyone in the family feel better about caring for older adults at home.

Rock Hill Was Just Named One of South Carolina’s New Innovation Hubs

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Rock Hill Was Just Named One of South Carolina’s New Innovation Hubs

Rock Hill is gaining statewide attention as a rising center for technology and innovation after being selected as one of six official innovation hubs in South Carolina.

The initiative, led by the South Carolina Research Authority, aims to accelerate high-tech business growth and strengthen the state’s innovation economy. Rock Hill joins Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, and Florence in the new network.

The hub will be based at Winthrop University, where leaders plan to create a collaborative environment to help startups grow into scalable companies. The effort will connect entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and resources while encouraging partnerships between universities, investors, and local businesses.

Rock Hill’s selection builds on years of momentum. Projects like Knowledge Park and the Gravity Center have already helped attract startups and foster innovation in the city.

State leaders say the hubs are designed to drive long-term economic growth by supporting emerging companies and creating high-paying jobs.

For Rock Hill, the designation marks a major step forward. It positions the city as a key player in South Carolina’s growing tech economy while creating new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, students, and businesses.

Code Orange Alert Issued for Charlotte Area as Air Quality Worsens

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Code Orange Alert Issued for Charlotte Area as Air Quality Worsens

A Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for the Charlotte region, warning that pollution levels could pose health risks through Friday evening.

The National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg reported the alert at 10:50 a.m., saying it remains in effect until 8 p.m. for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Rowan counties.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality says the advisory is due to elevated ground-level ozone, which can make it harder to breathe, especially for children, seniors, and people with respiratory conditions.

Officials recommend limiting outdoor activity during the afternoon and early evening and staying inside when possible. Residents are also urged to reduce pollution by driving less, avoiding gas-powered equipment, and not burning debris.

People can help improve air quality by walking or biking, limiting engine idling, and conserving energy.

York County’s 2027 Budget is a Masterclass in Wasteful Spending

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York County’s 2027 Budget is a Masterclass in Wasteful Spending
QTS Data Center – Silfab Solar – County Manager Josh Edwards

York County leaders recently unveiled the county’s $560 million Recommended Budget for FY2027 – a true masterclass in wasteful spending.

While the County Manager and Council wrap this spending spree in slogans like “Safe Community” and “Quality Infrastructure,” a look at the hard numbers— the drastic rise in redundant staff, the myriad of overpriced ‘studies’, and the reality of the Silfab toxic factory and QTS data centers—reveals a government ballooning its own bureaucracy while citizens pay the price.

The Exploding Budget: Spending Spikes vs. “Natural” Growth

The total budget is soaring to $559,990,216, representing an 8.67% increase ($44.6 million) over the 2026 amended budget. While the county claims this is a modest adjustment, specific departments are growing at rates three to fourteen times higher than the overall growth figure.

Department / Line Item FY2026 Approved Budget FY2027 Recommended Budget % Increase
Total County Budget $515,291,299 $559,990,216 +8.67%
County Council (Salaries & Benefits) $237,962 $509,747 +114.2%
Public Safety Comm. $7,262,385 $10,090,392 +38.9%
County Attorney (Legal) $1,019,608 $1,376,023 +35.0%
Planning & Development $5,951,580 $7,385,843 +24.1%
Information Technology $7,377,318 $8,595,116 +16.5%
Capital Projects (Millage Rate) 2.9 mills 3.5 mills +20.7%
Rural Fire (Millage Rate) 6.6 mills 7.6 mills +15.1%

These increases are even more egregious when considering that the peer county of Greenville County, SC is spending nearly half per citizen across the board and they are projecting an overall decrease in their budget for 2027.

The “Redundant Attorney” and the 114% Salary Spike

One of the most egregious jumps is in County Council Salaries & Benefits, which is up 114.2%. Facing public backlash, the County now claims this isn’t a raise for members but is for a “new attorney position that reports to Council directly.”

This is the definition of redundant, wasteful spending. The County Attorney’s budget is already increasing by 35% ($356,415) to fund two additional attorney positions (the county currently has 2 slots – now they want 5). York County taxpayers are now being asked to fund a small army of lawyers to help navigate the legal fallout of controversial decisions—including the ongoing battles to keep the Silfab heavy industrial toxic factory in a light industrial zoned area next to Flint Hill Elementary without any zoning compliance and in clear violation of the May 2024 BZA ruling. Spending over a quarter-million dollars on a single “direct report” attorney while the main legal department adds two more is a massive drain on local resources.

“Safe Community” or Corporate Shield?

The budget allocates millions under the “Safe Community” banner, yet the county continues to burn taxpayer dollars defending Silfab Solar’s operations, which lacks zoning compliance and lawful permits. The county’s 2027 budget adds millions extra to planning and development, IT, public safety, and rural fire, all of which have been strained by Josh Edwards and Christi Cox ignoring the law.

  • The Reality: In March 2026, the Silfab factory experienced a Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) leak that lasted for days until a whistleblower reported it – then took several weeks to fix, all while unmitigated HF toxic air pollution was pumped into the our surrounding airways. This was in addition to the KOH leak that forced the factory to call in a HAZMAT team to pump out nearly 300,000 gallons of contaminated liquid from their unlined retaining ponds, just feet from Flint Hill Elementary ball fields.

  • The Cost: While Flint Hill Elementary was forced to divert students, the county’s legal team continues to fight citizens to protect this industrial polluter.

Spending millions on “Safety” while ignoring patterns of sickness and chemical leaks at a factory the county forced into an unlawful zone is not just wasteful—it is a betrayal of public trust.

“Quality Infrastructure” or Utility Drain?

Under “Quality Infrastructure,” the county is prioritizing massive developments like the QTS data centers and Silfab Solar’s 900,000 sq ft heavy industrial factory.

  • The QTS Data Centers consume staggering amounts of water and electricity, placing an immense strain on the very infrastructure residents are now being asked to pay more for.

  • Silfab Solar plans on using 1.2 million gallons of water per day — more than the entire city of Tega Cay. This massive consumption puts incredible strain on our utility systems, driving up costs for every homeowner.

  • Utility Hikes: Residents will see a 6% increase in water rates and a 10% increase in sewer rates in 2027 to cover these rising operational needs.

The Reassessment Tax Trap

The county’s claim of “no general fund tax increase” is a mathematical trick.

An unincorporated home worth $500,000 in 2026 would see its property tax bill increase by approximately $229.61 in 2027. This represents a 13.9% increase in the annual tax bill, driven by a combination of statutory reassessment and specific millage rate hikes.

Property Tax Comparison

Year Property Value Assessed Value (4%) Total Millage Rate Estimated Tax Bill
2026 $500,000 $20,000 82.6 mills $1,652.00
2027 $578,600 (+$78,600) $23,144 81.3 mills $1,881.61
Change +15.72% -1.3 mills +$229.61

Why is the bill higher if the millage rate dropped?

Even though the total millage rate for unincorporated areas is projected to drop slightly from 82.6 to 81.3 mills, citizens are paying more for two primary reasons:

  1. Reassessment Spike: Property values in York County rose by an average of 15.72% due to the statutory reassessment. Because the millage was not “rolled back” enough to be revenue-neutral, the higher home value results in a significantly larger bill.

  2. Specific Millage Hikes: The County Council approved increases for two targeted areas rather than keeping them at the rolled-back level:

    • Rural Fire: Increased to 7.6 mills (up from a baseline of 6.6 or 6.8) to fund the “One York Fire” staffing model.

    • Capital Projects Reserve: Increased by 0.6 mills (to 3.5 mills) for road and infrastructure maintenance.

  3. Flat Rates for Special Funds: Rates for the Library (4.6 mills), Culture & Heritage (2.6 mills), and York Tech (3.7 mills) remained flat. In a reassessment year, keeping a rate “flat” instead of rolling it down constitutes a tax increase because it captures the full 15.7% growth in property value.

Additional Costs

In addition to property taxes, residents will pay more for services in 2027 through:

  • Utility Fees: Monthly base charges are increasing by $2.47 for water and $1.47 for sewer, totaling an extra $47.28 per year for those on county systems.

  • Solid Waste Fees: Adjustments to fees for curbside garbage and recycling are also included in the 2027 budget to ensure the fund remains sustainable.

Conclusion: Verify the Waste

Taxpayers are encouraged to look past the slogans and verify these numbers for themselves in the official budget books.

Where to look in the 2027 Recommended Budget (click here to view the 2027 budget):

  • Total Operating Summary: Page 72

  • County Council / Direct Attorney Cost: Page 114

  • Legal Department Increases: Page 112

  • Planning & Development Studies: Page 143

  • Millage Rate Tax Impact Table: Page 38

Where to look in the 2026 Approved Budget (click here to view the 2026 budget):

  • Total Operating Summary: Page 34

  • County Council Budget: Page 65

  • County Attorney Budget: Page 63

  • Planning & Development Costs: Page 80

  • Public Safety Communications: Page 84

  • Information Technology: Page 72

The 2027 budget isn’t about your safety or your roads; it’s about a government that has grown too large to listen, rewarding itself with redundant attorneys and salary spikes while families subsidize the data centers and unlawful toxic factories that are endangering the lives of our children, hurting our quality of life, and destroying our property values.

Study Reveals Income Needed In Charlotte To Live Comfortably (Vs Other Cities)

Charlotte Stories
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Study Reveals Income Needed In Charlotte To Live Comfortably (Vs Other Cities)

The income needed to live comfortably is rising in nearly all major cities — but that number can look drastically different depending on what part of the country you live in.

In a new analysis, researchers at GOBankingRates crunched the latest data from Zillow, the Federal Reserve and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine what it takes to live comfortably in America’s 50 largest cities.

More specifically, we calculated the income needed to follow the 50/30/20 budgeting rule: 50% of your income towards mandatory expenses, 30% of your income towards savings and 20% of your income toward wants.

  • Our findings show you need to make $101,000 to live comfortably in Charlotte.

You can see how Charlotte compares to America’s other major cities in our full report here:  https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/budgeting/how-much-to-budget-live-comfortably-americas-largest-cities/

Did Mychelle Johnson’s Alleged Conduct Follow Miles Bridges into the Hornets’ Final Stretch?

Sharon Anderson
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Did Mychelle Johnson’s Alleged Conduct Follow Miles Bridges into the Hornets’ Final Stretch?

A strange Reddit rumor about Hornets players’ cars being broken into has turned into a much bigger question: could Mychelle Johnson’s alleged conduct around Miles Bridges have created an off-court distraction serious enough to cost the Charlotte Hornets?

The original post in the Charlotte subreddit started with a public safety question. Someone had heard that multiple Hornets players’ cars were broken into near the arena during a home game. The claim was later narrowed by commenters to a single incident involving an Escalade belonging to Miles Bridges. One commenter said there had been police activity at the Hyatt House valet area on March 21, 2026, while another claimed someone tried to take Bridges’ Escalade and that it was allegedly someone he knew.

Alleged Cyberstalking Campaign Involving Impersonation and Deception

According to the Reddit post’s second update, court documents describe Johnson going to the arena parking area during the game and tampering with Bridges’ vehicle. The same update says the documents also describe an alleged cyberstalking episode in which Johnson used fake names and phone numbers to contact Bridges’ attorney, pretended to be a woman claiming Bridges had gotten her pregnant, and kept the story going long enough that the attorney began discussing a DNA test.

If the filing says what the Reddit update claims it says, then this is no longer just a rumor about a car. It becomes a question about whether a personal legal conflict followed a Hornets player into the team’s game night environment.

That matters because Bridges already carried legal baggage into his Hornets tenure. In 2022, he pleaded no contest to one felony count of injuring a child’s parent and received three years of probation. The NBA later suspended him for 30 games, with 20 games credited because he missed the previous season. In 2023, Bridges also faced allegations connected to a protection order violation, child abuse, and property damage, although those charges were later dropped because prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to succeed at trial. (AP News)

The alleged cyberstalking angle may be the most serious part. If Johnson was violating boundaries, contacting attorneys under false identities, creating fake pregnancy claims, or interfering with his vehicle during a game, then the Hornets were not just dealing with one player’s past. They may have been dealing with an ongoing personal conflict spilling into team operations.

If someone used fake identities and phone numbers to contact a player’s attorney with a false pregnancy story, that is not ordinary relationship drama. If the point was to create legal pressure, force a paternity response, or set up a child support claim, then the article can fairly ask whether this was more than harassment. It could be framed as an alleged attempt to manipulate the legal process.

When Private Conflict Escalates into Safety Concerns and Legal Protection

The restraining order angle also belongs near the center of the story. Restraining orders and protection orders exist because private disputes can become safety issues. Once a dispute reaches a player’s home, attorney, vehicle, game night, or team connected parking area, it stops being purely private. It becomes a question for security, team management, and the league.

That is why the car incident works as the opening scene, but not the whole article. The real question is broader: did alleged criminal conduct by Mychelle Johnson create risk around a Hornets player at a time when the team was trying to stay focused on basketball?

The game played on March 21 does not support a simple claim that the alleged incident cost Charlotte a win. The Hornets beat Memphis 124 to 101, and Bridges played 26 minutes with 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one foul. 

The better question is what happened after that night.

Charlotte did not collapse immediately. In Bridges’ regular season games after March 21, the Hornets beat Sacramento, New York, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Indiana, Minnesota, and New York again, while losing to Philadelphia, Boston, Boston again, and Detroit. Bridges had several strong games in that stretch, including 25 points against Phoenix, 19 against Indiana, 25 against Minnesota, and 13 points with 12 rebounds against Boston. 

Then came the final game.

On April 17, Orlando routed Charlotte 121 to 90. The Magic led by 31 at halftime, the largest halftime lead in the play in tournament’s seven-year history, and Charlotte never got within 20 points after Orlando stretched the lead late in the first half. Bridges scored 15 points, while the Hornets shot only 34 percent and missed the playoffs for the tenth straight season.

The moment that really speaks to how this Johnson business hurt Miles’ is Bridges’ technical foul in that final game. With 3:20 left in the second quarter, Bridges committed a lost ball turnover, was called for a loose ball foul on Desmond Bane, then was assessed a technical foul. Bane made the technical free throw, then made both regular free throws, turning that sequence into an Orlando scoring possession while Charlotte was already being buried. 

That does not prove Bridges was reacting to off-course stress. It does, however, fit a broader pattern that was already being discussed before the play in. A Hornets focused outlet had warned on April 10 that Bridges needed to keep his composure, noting his technical in a late loss to Boston and his February suspension after the Pistons Hornets brawl.

The NBA itself suspended Bridges four games in February for fighting and escalating the altercation against Detroit. That matters because the final game technical was not an isolated oddity. It came at the end of a season in which Bridges’ emotional control had already become a basketball issue.

Could Mychelle Johnson’s Alleged Conduct Have Cost the Hornets?

The question is, did an ugly personal conflict follow Bridges into the Hornets’ workplace during a playoff push, adding one more layer of pressure to a player whose composure was already under scrutiny?

That is where the story has teeth. The alleged vehicle tampering and cyberstalking are not just gossip if they reached the arena environment, a player’s attorney, and the team’s late season routine. But the basketball record points to stress and volatility, not a clean cause and effect.

Charlotte survived the night of the alleged vehicle incident. However, in the final game when the Hornets needed poise, they got a turnover, a foul, a technical, and a blowout.

Maybe that was just frustration in a lost game. Maybe it reflected the same composure problem critics had already flagged. And maybe, if the court allegations are true, the off court chaos made an already fragile situation harder to manage.

The scoreboard cannot answer that. But the timing makes it a fair question.

Best DSCR Lenders in North Carolina for 2026

Sharon Anderson
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Best DSCR Lenders in North Carolina for 2026

North Carolina offers one of the most diverse rental investment landscapes in the Southeast. Charlotte generates consistent long-term rental demand as the region’s financial and corporate center. The Research Triangle pulls steady occupancy from tech and biomedical workers, graduate students, and university staff. Asheville runs one of the country’s strongest short-term rental economies, and the Outer Banks produces vacation rental income that long-term leases in most markets cannot approach. 

Demand for investment properties across North Carolina has grown steadily, but financing has not kept pace. Investors using conventional mortgages run into income documentation requirements, portfolio caps, and personal debt-to-income limits that slow or stop growth.

DSCR loans address this gap. They qualify based on what the property earns, not what the borrower reports personally. For investors building a rental portfolio in this state, that difference expands access to financing and allows faster scaling.

What Is a DSCR Loan

Before comparing lenders, it helps to understand how DSCR qualification works.

A DSCR loan qualifies a borrower based on the property’s rental income rather than personal income, employment history, or tax returns. The debt service coverage ratio divides the property’s gross monthly rental income by its total monthly debt obligations, which include principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any applicable HOA dues. A ratio above 1.0 means the property covers its own debt. 

DSCR loans are typically structured as 30-year mortgages, can be originated to an LLC without a cap on the number of financed properties, and do not require personal income documentation. That structure comes with trade-offs. DSCR loans typically carry rates 0.5 to 1% higher than conventional investment mortgages, require larger down payments, and include a prepayment penalty, which should be factored into cash flow projections before applying.

North Carolina’s Rental Market: Why It Works for DSCR Investors

North Carolina’s combination of affordable acquisition prices and strong rental demand creates the cash flow environment where DSCR underwriting works in the investor’s favor.

In the Triangle, long-term rentals near NC State University in Raleigh and UNC-Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill produce consistent occupancy driven by student, faculty, and professional renter populations. UNC Charlotte anchors similar demand in the city’s university area neighborhoods. Charlotte’s broader metro generates strong rent-to-price ratios across workforce and professional housing. In Asheville and along the Outer Banks, DSCR financing for Airbnb properties allows investors to qualify on actual short-term rental market performance rather than long-term lease comparables, which significantly changes what a deal can support.

Best DSCR Lenders in North Carolina for 2026

The Charlotte Stories editorial team reviewed each program against the criteria NC investors most commonly encounter: loan size, terms, STR income treatment, and closing reliability.

1. Ridge Street Capital

Ridge Street Capital ranked first in our review. As a direct private lender active in 35 states, it offers DSCR loans in North Carolina with a program structure built around how rental investors here actually operate. The loan minimum starts at $55,000, which covers the duplex and small multifamily market that national lenders with $100,000-plus minimums cannot reach. That range matters directly for investors acquiring 2 to 4 unit properties near NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UNC Charlotte, where smaller multifamily assets generate reliable student rental income at price points most national programs exclude.

For Airbnb investors, Ridge Street uses AirDNA market data to underwrite properties with no existing rental history, removing the 12-month documentation barrier that stops most STR acquisitions at other lenders. That approach is directly relevant to Asheville and OBX investors acquiring new properties in high-demand markets. Origination fees start at 0%, and the loan closes in 21 to 25 business days. LLC and individual ownership are both supported.

Pros:

  • Minimum loan amount of $55,000, low rates, and origination fees starting from 0%
  • AirDNA underwriting removes the rental history requirement for STR acquisitions

Cons:

  • Active in 35 states, not nationwide
  • $2 million loan cap; larger assets require a different program

Best for: Buy-and-hold, BRRRR, and STR investors across North Carolina, from first-time buyers to experienced portfolio builders.

2. Martini Mortgage Group

Martini Mortgage Group is a Raleigh-based mortgage advisory firm that has served the Triangle market since 2006. The firm takes a fiduciary-style approach, which means they work through the investor’s full financial picture before recommending a loan structure rather than defaulting to whatever product closes fastest. DSCR loans are offered alongside conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA products under one roof, which suits investors who hold a mix of owner-occupied and investment properties and want a single advisor relationship. LTV on investment loans runs up to 70%, requiring a larger equity position than programs offering 80% LTV. 

Pros:

  • Local Triangle expertise with a fiduciary advisory approach
  • Full product range covering both personal and investment property financing

Cons:

  • LTV capped at 70%, requiring more equity than most DSCR programs
  • No STR program for Airbnb or VRBO properties

Best for: Triangle-area investors who value local market expertise and hold a mix of personal or second-home and investment property financing.

3. Freedom Financial Services

Freedom Financial Services is a Charlotte-based financial firm offering DSCR loans alongside tax preparation, accounting, and business consulting. That combination is unusual in the lending space and serves investors who want to manage rental property financing and financial planning through one ongoing relationship rather than working with separate providers. The DSCR requirement sits at 1.2x, above the 1.0 floor most national programs use, which reflects a more conservative underwriting threshold. Commercial real estate can be financed alongside residential investment properties. 

Pros:

  • Rental financing combined with tax and business planning under one relationship
  • Commercial real estate financing available alongside residential investment loans

Cons:

  • DSCR requirement of 1.2x, above the 1.0 floor, most programs accept
  • No short-term rental program

Best for: Charlotte-area investors who want a local advisor relationship covering both rental property financing and broader financial planning.

4. Easy Street Capital

Easy Street Capital is a national private lender built around accessibility and self-service. The program accepts lower credit scores than most competing DSCR lenders, with a floor around 620 to 640, and applies no minimum DSCR requirement, which opens financing to deals that fall below the 1.0 threshold other programs require. The application process is fully online. STR properties qualify under the EasyRent program for up to 10 units, including mixed-use properties.

Pros:

  • Low FICO floor accepts deals others decline
  • Fully online application with fast closings on standard deals

Cons:

  • Rates run higher than those of other lenders
  • Some borrowers report unexpected fee disclosures near closing

Best for: Investors with properties that don’t meet standard DSCR thresholds.

5. New Silver

New Silver is a technology-forward national private lender with a strong online platform built around investor deal analysis tools. The DSCR program covers 1 to 4 unit residential properties and short-term rentals, with loan amounts up to $3 million. The platform includes a live DSCR calculator, ARV calculator, FlipScout deal finder, and instant term sheet generation, which reduces the friction of early-stage deal analysis. The minimum loan amount of $150,000 excludes a significant portion of North Carolina’s single-family and smaller duplex market. Processing delays have been reported on non-standard or complex projects.

Pros:

  • Loan amounts up to $3 million for larger assets
  • Strong online platform with built-in DSCR and ARV calculators

Cons:

  • $150,000 minimum excludes lower price-point NC markets
  • Processing delays reported on non-standard deals

Best for: Investors with larger loan needs and complex deal structures who value a tech-driven lending experience and built-in deal analysis tools.

How to Choose a DSCR Lender in North Carolina

A few specific factors matter when comparing lenders for this market.

Loan size and property type. Several national DSCR lenders set minimums at $100,000 or higher, which excludes a significant share of North Carolina’s duplex and small multifamily market, particularly near university corridors in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte. Confirm the lender’s floor and eligible property types before running deal numbers.

STR income treatment. If the deal is an Airbnb or VRBO property, confirm that the lender underwrites using actual STR income data rather than defaulting to a 12-month long-term lease estimate. That distinction significantly affects the qualifying income figure, the DSCR ratio, and the final loan amount.

Direct lender vs. broker. Direct lenders fund from their own capital, which produces consistent underwriting, predictable timelines, and clear program terms from application through close. Brokers access a wider range of programs and can be valuable for complex or non-standard deals, but rate and timeline depend on the wholesale lender assigned to the file.

Closing speed. In competitive markets like NC, a lender who closes in 21 to 25 days is a meaningful operational advantage. Confirm the timeline before submitting an offer, particularly if the purchase contract includes a financing contingency with a defined deadline.

North Carolina’s rental market rewards investors who match the right financing to the right deal. The lender that works for a Charlotte duplex near UNC Charlotte is not the same fit as an Asheville Airbnb acquisition, and the two require different programs. Ridge Street Capital works with North Carolina rental investors across long-term, short-term, and small multifamily strategies, with a program built around how investment properties in this market actually perform.

York County Increasing Council Salaries by 114% Amid Ongoing Silfab Legal Battles

Charlotte Stories
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York County Increasing Council Salaries by 114% Amid Ongoing Silfab Legal Battles

York County Chairwoman Christi Cox’s staff just released a proposed FY27 budget that spikes County Council Salaries & Benefits by 114.21%. The increase lands as the county remains locked in high-stakes Silfab legal disputes.

The FY27 budget book shows County Council Salaries & Benefits rising from $237,962 to $509,747. That is a $271,785 jump. The budget lists it as a 114.21% increase.

Overall, the Council budget rises from $442,896 to $714,709. That is $271,813 more, a 61.37% increase.

via York County FY2027 Proposed Budget

The legal footprint is growing too. The County Attorney budget increases from $1,019,608 to $1,376,023. That is $356,415 more, a 34.96% increase.

via York County FY2027 Proposed Budget

And the budget book says the County Attorney litigates through direct representation or “the coordination of retained counsel,” meaning the county uses outside lawyers. Yet the budget does not list firms, cases, or vendor totals.

Two more spikes stand out.

Public Safety Communications jumps from $7,262,385 to $10,090,392. That is $2,828,007 more, a 38.94% increase. The operating line alone rises from $3,433,204 to $5,738,000. That is a 67.13% increase.

Planning & Development rises from $5,951,580 to $7,385,843. That is $1,434,263 more, a 24.10% increase. The operating line nearly doubles, from $1,048,618 to $2,060,650. That is a 96.51% jump.

The Planning & Development department handles zoning, permitting, and enforcement decisions that sit at the heart of the Silfab dispute.

County officials now say that the $271,785 spike in “County Council Salaries & Benefits” is not a raise for council members salaries. They say it reflects the addition of 1 new attorney position reporting directly to Council (a public attorney with a salary of $271,785 would be one of the highest paid public attorney’s in the state of South Carolina).

That is why York County Chairwoman Christi Cox is now facing fresh scrutiny.

A recent Charlotte Stories article shows internal emails between Chairwoman Christi Cox and Silfab leadership, documenting how zoning laws and the 2024 BZA ruling were seemingly ignored to force the approvals of Silfab’s factory as lawsuits mounted.

During a 2023 council meeting about the Silfab project, Chairwoman Christi Cox notes that Silfab’s operations (ruled as “Heavy Industrial” by the BZA before any permits were issued) would generate 5.5x as much tax revenue as the previous Light Industrial usage.

Local budget impact

For Fort Mill residents, this new 2027 budget is not abstract. Chairwoman Christi Cox is asking taxpayers to fund bigger government and significantly more legal expenses at the same time trust is collapsing and lawsuits involving local residents, the York County government, and Silfab are mounting.

The budget shows big totals. It does not show vendor detail. And it does not show case-by-case legal spending.

That leaves families with one question. Is York County building capacity to protect residents, or to fight them?

Housing Impact Fund Raises Unprecedented $102 Million For Affordable Housing in Charlotte

Charlotte Stories
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Housing Impact Fund Raises Unprecedented $102 Million For Affordable Housing in Charlotte

Housing Impact Fund (HIF), an innovative investment fund aimed at preserving and providing quality affordable housing in the increasingly expensive Charlotte rental market, today announced more than $100 million of private sector capital raised to acquire, renovate and protect 1,500 apartment units serving some 5,000 low- and moderate-income residents through its third and largest fund to date.

The announcement follows HIF’s success in acquiring, since 2020, nearly 2,000 apartments that are near jobs, transportation, essential services and good schools. Upon acquisition, all apartment communities are renovated so that they are not only affordable but also a quality place to live and raise a family.

All apartments are protected with restrictions, so they remain affordable for low- and moderate-income families for not less than 20 years. These restrictions commit that 30% of apartments at each community are made available to households earning less than 30% of the area median income (AMI), 50% of apartments are made available to households earning less than 60% AMI, and 20% of apartments are made available to households earning less than 80% AMI.

HIF makes a larger proportion of its properties affordable to households at the lowest income levels, those earning less than 30% or 60% of AMI, than nearly all other local housing efforts. Moreover, the 11 apartment communities that HIF has acquired since 2020 used less than half of the average funding provided by local government to support housing efforts in recent years.

The new fund marks the third such landmark for Housing Impact Fund, which raised $58 million in social impact equity in 2020 and $67 million in 2023. This equity capital represents approximately 30% of the total funding for each apartment community – along with low-interest loans from local government and philanthropy, and below-market mortgage financing from the likes of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Combined, HIF’s $225 million in equity raised represents $750 million in purchasing power to buy NOAH properties serving some 10,000 residents in the Charlotte area, making it the largest and most successful affordable housing initiative in the region.

HIF invests in what’s called Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing, or NOAH – existing apartment communities that would otherwise be demolished or renovated and replaced with expensive high-end units that displace moderate-income occupants. That gentrification has the added effect of moving people away from vital services like jobs, education and transportation, which only widens the city’s opportunity gap. Instead, Housing Impact Fund places a 20-year property deed restriction that ensures affordable rents, determined by occupants’ household income, that average approximately 40% less than prevailing market rates and offer rents as low as $300/month for households earning less than 30% AMI.

“The completion of our third round of fundraising is testimony that Housing Impact Fund’s unique model is benefiting everyone involved, including residents, investors and the broader Charlotte community,” said Erskine Bowles, the former White House chief of staff and investment banker who co-founded the fund with his Carousel Capital co-founder, Nelson Schwab. “By keeping these properties from being redeveloped into housing that prices many people out of the market, we’re providing opportunities for economic and social advancement while maintaining the city’s diverse and vibrant core.”

As Charlotte’s population continues to grow, demand for affordable housing has dramatically outpaced supply. As a result, average monthly rents have risen 35% over a five-year period to over $1,470 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,765 for a two-bedroom unit. Studies show that more than 108,500 households in Mecklenburg County spend more than 30% of their income on housing, an important benchmark for housing affordability. The problem is especially acute among households earning 30% AMI or below, who may pay 75% or more of their income toward monthly rent.

HIF’s innovative approach includes a creative partnership with Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte that allows 100% of property taxes for the fund’s communities to be reinvested in the form of rental subsidies for qualifying 30% AMI and below households, half of whom were previously staying in local shelters. To date 560 apartments have been set aside for these residents, who pay an average of $336 in rent from an average monthly household income of $1,157.

“The vision of our Fund III investors and the continued commitment of our civic and community partners will allow us to provide even more access and opportunity to people who are often left behind by the growth and prosperity Charlotte is enjoying,” said Schwab. “In addition, by investing $26 million to renovate our 11 properties, more than 90% of which was contracted with minority-led companies, we’re providing affordable, high-quality places to live and raise a family.”

Another key element of Housing Impact Fund’s approach is the comprehensive way it looks to build resilient communities. The fund joins with dozens of foundations, non-profits and other partners to provide free, on-site support services for residents in such areas as financial and workforce development, education, health and nutrition. Atrium Health embeds Community Impact Workers in each community to not only build connections among residents, but also link them to valuable resources and on-site programming in such areas as financial literacy, workforce development, education, health and wellness.

“Housing Impact Fund has been a powerful vehicle for social-impact investors to make headway in solving one of Charlotte’s greatest challenges – safe, affordable, quality housing that allows everyone to participate in the region’s economic success,” said Mark Ethridge, managing principal of Ascent Housing, which co-founded Housing Impact Fund and serves as its operating partner, responsible for leading the acquisition, financing, closing, renovation, and operation of its properties. “We’re grateful for the support of Truist Bank, Atrium Health and more than 50 other organizations and individuals who are helping us provide stability and upward mobility for thousands of Charlotteans.”

Joining Schwab and Bowles in overseeing the fund are three new fund managers: Ed Weisiger, chair of Weisiger Group and co-founder of Beacon Partners; Dr. Betsy Fleming, former president of Converse College and founder of Cressence executive coaching; and Jamie McLawhorn, president of Marsh Properties. Fund managers serve on a pro bono basis, reducing operating costs to maximize impact.

Key contributors to Housing Impact Fund III include: Truist Bank, PNC Bank, First Horizon Bank, Bank of America, Atrium Health, First Citizens Bank, Regions Bank, Honeywell, Leon Levine Foundation and Huntington National Bank.

About Housing Impact Fund

Housing Impact Fund preserves apartment communities in Charlotte neighborhoods connected to jobs, good schools, transportation and vital services by protecting residents from rising rents and displacement and committing that units remain affordable as well as quality place to live and raise a family. HIF properties are committed to meeting the needs of those facing the most severe challenges to housing security, by focusing on creating opportunities for households earning less than 30% and 60% of Charlotte’s area median income. The innovative fund combines private investment, philanthropic capital and public partnership to acquire and improve existing rental properties in desirable locations while maintaining long-term affordability. For more, visit https://www.ascenthousing.com/charlotte-housing-impact-fund.

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