North Carolina’s Mill Castle Going Viral on Zillow Gone Wild

0
via TriadMLS

A new North Carolina listing is now going viral for being one of the most unique/impressive/creepy homes the internet has ever seen.

The historic complex was built in 1933 as part of the original Robert E. Lasater Estate. It sits on 2.94 acres, and includes a total of 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.

It’s located at 7951 Lasater Rd, Clemmons, NC, on the edge of Lasater Lake (about an hour north of Charlotte). It was posted to the ‘Zillow Gone Wild’ Facebook page yesterday and it’s already been shared over 1,300 times and received over 800 comments.

The $1.99 million waterfront stone estate comes complete with a hydro-electric generating damn, numerous sun rooms, waterfront balconies, patios, and walkways, and what many on Facebook are calling “creepy heads”.

via TriadMLS

Also, it has square toilets.

via TriadMLS

You can see all the pictures and more details on the Zillow listing here.

What are your thoughts about this home? 

Would you buy it if you had an extra $1.99 million?

Charlotte’s Vacancy Rate Is Below 5% And Prices Are Skyrocketing. What’s Causing This?

0
Across the country, rents are rising rapidly. In Charlotte specifically, the median rent price is up 13% since January, growing significantly faster than during pre-pandemic years. A big reason is vacant apartments in Charlotte are becoming increasingly scarce. While rents are up 13%, the local vacancy rate has fallen to less than 5%. The chart below shows this relationship between rents and vacancies playing out on the national scale.
In Apartment List’s latest report, What’s Driving Up Rent Prices This Year?, they examine the trends that are creating this competitive rental market, finding it is being caused by 5 primary factors:
  1. Rapid household formation post-pandemic has pushed the total number of households in the US to an all-time high: more than 131 million.
  2. Meanwhile, the for-sale housing market is plagued by high prices and low inventory, keeping more families renting for longer.
  3. As a result, the sheer volume of people hunting for apartments online is higher today than ever before.
  4. Facing a highly competitive rental market, apartment hunters are searching today with heightened urgency.
  5. As more households compete for fewer apartments, historically low vacancy rates allow property managers to be highly selective and raise prices.

What do you think is causing our current market conditions? 

Do you think it will improve anytime soon? 

The Best PDF Merging Hacks You Need to Know

0

PDF documents are easy to share, they are reliable and universally accepted. At the same time, the format has important limitations, such as complicated merger. Discover useful ideas that will help you create professional-looking documents in seconds.

PDF is more flexible than you may think, although the native functionality on Mac and Windows is very limited. For example, combining PDFs and other files is impossible. Third-party tools unlock a wide range of opportunities. You can download PDF combiner by CoolUtils and create customizable documents with advanced security settings.

1. How to Combine Files

There are two ways to join PDFs together — online or offline. In the first case, you may use free websites that merge the documents you upload. Usually, they have modest functionality without customization. You may only rearrange the pages and choose between downloading the output and emailing it. Besides, this method does not work for confidential data, large files, or big numbers of PDFs. 

Alternatively, documents may be merged on your computer — quickly, conveniently, and securely. Different third-party programs offer different functionality, but some of them are amazingly versatile. Even hundreds of files are merged in seconds, and you may also use other formats, such as JPEG or XLS. Customization includes modification of the layout (for example, you may add headers or footers as you see fit) and access (password and user permissions).

2. Create Smooth Navigation

Files containing hundreds of pages are impossible to navigate smoothly without bookmarks and a table of contents. Third-party software will allow you to generate both. For example, you may be able to add bookmarks manually, load them from a file, or have them generated based on titles. The table of contents will also be clickable, so finding the necessary chapter will require one click.

3. Change Layout and Add Details

Include any suitable details in the header or footer of the combined document. For instance, you may want to specify copyright details, insert page counters, the name of your company, etc. The settings wizard will help you modify the content in seconds.

4. Protect Sensitive Data and Prepare for e-Discovery

Offline combiners let you insert your digital signature into the document and make it suitable for archiving and e-discovery. The options include bates numbering, password setup, and user permissions. 

More Opportunities

These are some of the most impressive things you can do with your PDF files. Professional software comes with a trial period, so you can merge your documents for free and see how it works. Some of these products come with a lifetime license, so the value for money is undeniable. Every new merger is cheaper, and you can join as many files as you like — even hundreds of them.

4 Ways to Sell Your Home Fast

0

You may have a few reasons to want to sell your house fast. Maybe you’re being transferred for work or moving in with a partner. Maybe you simply need the cash.

Whatever the reason, here are four ways to generate more interest in your house – which will help you sell it faster.

1. Find a Good Real Estate Agent

The best way to sell your house fast is to hire a professional to do it for you. Look for a real estate agent who knows the local market and has a proven track record of success. 

By hiring a qualified real estate agent, the entire process of selling your home will be taken care of – from getting professional photographs taken to processing the sale. 

A real estate agent will also be able to give your home more exposure by writing listings that sell, scheduling showings, and liaising with potential buyers.

If you’re not sure how to choose a real estate agent, call Hartis Property in Charlotte NC to get advice from the experts.

2. Price it Right

The most effective way to sell your home fast is to set a competitive price rather than an emotional one. If you price your home too high, it will spend more time on the market – and you’ll probably end up selling it at a lower price later, anyway.

Your real estate agent will research other homes in the area that are comparable to yours and advise on the best, most realistic price. 

If you need cash by selling your house, you could price it a little lower than what it’s worth to attract more interest (and hopefully start a bidding war). Set a date, and if you still haven’t sold the house by then, lower the price. 

Consider the desirable price points of the buyers in your area. For instance, if you list your house for $305,000, you’ll miss opportunities in the under $300,000 price point. Ask yourself if it’s worth the extra $5,000 if it means that fewer people will see your home.

3. Staging

If your house is cluttered, disorganized, and untidy, potential buyers will not be able to envision themselves in the space – which is extremely important if you want to sell your house quickly. 

“Stage” your home for buyers by cleaning it thoroughly, or hire a professional cleaning company to do it for you. Get rid of clutter and store personal items away. Experts also recommend rearranging your furniture to make your home look more inviting and putting bulkier items in storage so that there is easy access to every corner of every room. 

Consider hiring a professional to stage your home for you – they know how to showcase your home’s best features and impress buyers, which means that the chances of you selling faster and at a better price are higher.

4. Boost Curb Appeal

When it comes to selling a house, few things are as important as first impressions. So, it makes sense that your entranceway should look inviting and well-maintained.

There are a few ways to boost your home’s curb appeal, like painting the front door, planting flowers, and making sure that the garden is neatly trimmed and weed-free. 

What is the Best Strategy For Winning at Roulette?

0

Here are some tips to help you win in Roulette in online casinos such as the Lab casino .

The Payouts And Odds Of Roulette

It’s hard to find assurance in roulette. However, it benefits both the player and the casino. The casino’s winning run will not endure indefinitely, just as yours will. Winning in roulette isn’t about having a complicated plan or a closely guarded secret; it’s about knowing how to take advantage of the unpredictability.

A Gambling Game

Roulette is a chance game. Please make a note of it and don’t forget about it. Too many fans of the red and black have let themselves believe that there is a solution to the game in the hands of someone else but have been deceived.

The first lesson in playing is to be skeptical of anyone who claims to win by talent, strategy, or trickery. The most alluring roulette strategy is to predict which number or color will appear next by looking for trends in previous spins. But, unfortunately, it is often called the gambler’s fallacy, and anyone who believes it is a little too superstitious.

What Are Your Chances?

The casino’s odds of paying out on a wager are always somewhat lower than the chances of winning. The house edge is the term for this disparity. It implies that if you wager a single chip on each of the 37 numbers on the board, from 0 to 36, your profits plus the return of your investment will be one chip (36) less than the total number you bet.

Why Don’t Roulette Strategies Work?

Though they frequently suggest differently, all methods that claim to be about winning at roulette focus on managing your pot of money rather than any manipulation of the game itself. They also aim to avenge past defeats or build on recent victories.

Many of these “strategies” have exotic-sounding names, which adds to their mystique. For example, the following are some of the most often used roulette strategies:

  • Martingale – Place a bet at odds of evens. Every time, your investment is doubled. Winnings are always equal to past losses plus a modest profit.
  • D’Alembert – Evens Betting When you win, your wager is reduced by one. You raise your stake by one when you lose—attempts to minimize losses and recoup them.
  • Fibonacci – The Fibonacci sequence is a set of numbers formed by combining the two preceding numbers. Evens is a good bet. Following the pattern, increase your stake after each lost wager. When you win, reduce your bet to the two preceding bets in the sequence.

Drawbacks of the Roulette Strategy:

  • They’re vulnerable to the Gambler’s Fallacy.
  • They necessitate deep pockets.
  • You can easily exceed the table’s betting limit.
  • It’s a big gamble for a small reward.
  • They only serve to describe a set of possible outcomes.

The best approach to get the most out of online roulette, in our opinion, is to play within your limits, pick a top online casino with a solid roulette offering (including European roulette tables), do not get too carried away, and try live dealers to amp up the pleasure. Once you have mastered your strategy, feel free to give it a try at https://onlinecasinobox.net.

Charlotte Epicentre Just Defaulted On Its $85 Million Loan

0

The once-beloved “epicentre” of Charlotte’s nightlife has just defaulted on it’s $85 million loan.

According to public NC court documents, the default has now forced the current owner, Epicentre SPE, to give over full control to CBRE Inc through a court-order receivership.

CBRE’s managing director Sabrina Jones will now be in charge of collecting the rent on the remaining tenants of the Epicentre, and attempting to market the empty spaces. Court documents show the complex is now 63.25% vacant.

The court will be holding a video conference this afternoon at 2pm to discuss the details of the new receivership.

What do you think about the situation? 

What do you think will happen to the Epicentre going forward?

Gaston County Reports Its 5th Case of Rabies So Far This Year

0

If you live in or around Gaston County, please keep an extra close eye on small pets and children when outside – the county has just confirmed their 5th positive case of rabies so far this year (compared to 5 confirmed cases in all of 2020).

According to a press release from Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement, “on Wednesday, August 19, 2021 at 1:13 pm, Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement answered a call for service in the 400 Block of Woodlawn Avenue in Gastonia, NC. The caller advised a dog, which had been brought to the residence as a stray, attacked and killed a raccoon in the backyard of the property…the raccoon specimen tested positive for rabies”.

The case was discovered just south of downtown Gastonia:

The CDC lists the following signs and symptoms of rabies on their website:

“The first symptoms of rabies may be very similar to those of the flu including general weakness or discomfort, fever, or headache. These symptoms may last for days.

There may be also discomfort or a prickling or itching sensation at the site of the bite, progressing within days to acute symptoms of cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, and agitation. As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and insomnia. The acute period of disease typically ends after 2 to 10 days. Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive. To date less than 20 cases of human survival from clinical rabies have been documented, and only a few survivors had no history of pre- or postexposure prophylaxis.

The signs, symptoms, and outcome of rabies in animals can vary, but are often similar to those in humans, including early nonspecific symptoms, acute neurologic symptoms, and ultimately death.”

If you witness any animals behaving irradicably or unusually in Gaston County, please call Animal Care and Enforcement Division at 704-922-8677.

“Tour de Turns” Celebrates 10 Years of Helping Feed Neighbors in Charlotte

0

Registration is still open for the 10th annual Tour de Turns and Under the Shade Trees Festival, this Saturday, August 28 at Carmel Road Neighborhood Park, 2365 Carmel Rd. in Charlotte.

Tour de Turns aims to “turn the corner on local hunger” by benefiting Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays, providing groceries, meals and hope for neighbors in need in Mecklenburg County. Now in its 10th year, Tour de Turns has grown from 57 riders in its first year to over 500 riders, raising over $275,000 to fight hunger in our community.

Regions Bank is the 2021 title sponsor of this unique benefit bicycle ride and walk for all skill levels. Bike routes wind through 25 beautiful tree-lined South Charlotte neighborhoods, offering 15, 25, 37 and 62 mile riding routes as well as 3 and 6 mile walking routes. Afterwards, the Under the Shade Trees Festival allows participants to unwind with lunch by Mac’s Speed Shop, a craft beer garden by Town Brewing Co., and live music from the Natty Boh Duo.

The health and safety of every Tour de Turns participant and volunteer is of utmost importance. Therefore, participants can expect the following COVID safety protocols:

•   Masks required when gathering prior to the start and in the park area unless eating and drinking.
•   Hand sanitizing stations.
•   Start area for cyclists and walkers has been doubled in length to allow for greater spacing.
•   Much larger Beer Garden and lunch area to allow for more room to spread out and social distance.
•   To Go option for grab and go lunches.
•   Food served by masked and gloved volunteers.
•   Rest Stops supplied with bottled beverages and packaged snacks.
•   Full COVID Safety Protocol Statement below

About Tour de Turns:

The primary mission of Tour de Turns is to turn the corner on local hunger by raising funds for Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays, as well as promote neighborhood cycling routes that are safer and more peaceful than cycling on busy thoroughfare streets. For more information: www.tourdeturns.org  Last year, Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays provided a week’s worth of nutritious groceries and meals to over 120,000 people in Mecklenburg County. For more information visit www.loavesandfishes.org and www.friendshiptrays.org

Charlotte’s Third Rock Events Launches Vaccination Campaign

0

Today, Third Rock Events, an award-winning event production company based in Charlotte, announces a campaign to encourage more people to get the COVID-19 vaccination  with a goal to help protect the live events industry. The campaign, Our Best Shot for Live Events, will include two contests to celebrate those who are currently vaccinated and to encourage new vaccinations. The first contest is for currently vaccinated individuals to enter to win a VIP table for 10 at the South End Hops & Wine Fest in October. The second contest is for newly vaccinated individuals who can enter to win tickets to every event organized by Third Rock Events for a year.

Third Rock Events designed its vaccination campaign to support the safe continuation of live events, which serves to provide social and physical health benefits to attendees and financial security to workers in the industry.

“The live events industry has been the first to close and the last to re-open in the face of a public health crisis like the coronavirus pandemic,” said Shawn Cosner, Owner of Third Rock Events. “When we saw a rise in new cases, we knew we had to do something as a leader in live events production. We needed to take action to not only protect our event attendees, but to assist the many small business owners and entertainers in the industry.”

To participate in Third Rock Events’ Our Best Shot for Live Events campaign, individuals who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to August 23, 2021 should visit 3rdrockevents.com and submit a photo of their vaccination card for a chance to win a VIP table at the fall South End Wine & Hops Fest. Individuals who begin their vaccination during the campaign between August 23 and September 3 should also visit the website and submit proof of their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or a copy of their full vaccination card to be entered into an entry for two free tickets to every event produced by Third Rock Events from September 2021 to September 22. The entries will apply to the following events: South End Wine & Hops Fest in the fall, Skate with PRIDE, University City Wine Festival, Crave Charlotte, Spring South End Wine & Hops Fest in the spring, and the Homegrown Tomato Festival.

Third Rock Event productions are implemented with safety as a top priority. All attendees are asked to practice social distancing and wear masks if they are unvaccinated. Mecklenburg County reports that 51% of its residents are fully vaccinated as of August 19. Third Rock Events looks forward to seeing an increase in the number of fully vaccinated individuals. More information about the campaign and safety protocols are available at  3rdrockevents.com.

What Is Child Neglect? How To Refute Charges and Secure Your Family

0

Wrongful child neglect charges can rip a family apart and separate you from your beloved children. Any person can tip off Child Protection Services or law enforcement if they suspect that a parent or guardian willfully neglects their kids and does not care for their needs. The law requires that every tip is investigated in detail and that the necessary evidence is collected to protect the children. 

Any Person Can Tip Off Child Welfare Services

A simple mistake or a disgruntled spouse trying to get custody in a divorce battle could result in the kids entering the system and losing a loving parent. Often, parents struggling with financial or other unavoidable situations may not be able to provide for their kids. Also, a concerned teacher, neighbor, or relative might file a report with the authorities. If you ever face such a situation, your best chance at safeguarding your family is to get advice from an experienced lawyer for child neglect. They’ll guide you on the steps you can take to prove your innocence and gain custody. 

Social Workers Can Question Kids Without Informing Their Parents

Social workers investigating child neglect cases may choose to interview the child without informing the parents or having them present. If you’re arrested on these charges, know that the law entitles you to the same rights as any other defendant. You have the right to remain silent and request legal representation. Although you should cooperate with the authorities, it is essential that you don’t say anything that can be construed as evidence against you. Make sure you have a lawyer present before you speak to the officers handling your case.

Officers Are Trained To Identify Clues

Child Protection Services agents and law enforcement are trained to look for clues that may indicate child neglect. For this reason, you should be careful about any statement you make. At the same time, refrain from appearing aggressive, defensive, or uncooperative. Never volunteer any information that can be twisted to prove a case against you. Check with the lawyer before answering any questions. Also, remember to stay calm regardless of how scared you feel or the unfairness of the questions.

Trust In Your Attorney to Gather Evidence

If your child has been taken away by CPS agents, your lawyer will spring into action to identify alternative caregivers that you know and trust. Your attorney will take photographs and video footage of the potential caregiver’s home to prove that the child will be safe there. They’ll also help you acquire and fill the necessary forms to delegate custody to your chosen friend or relative. The child welfare agency will likely conduct the required background checks before handing over custody. 

Relying on an experienced lawyer is your best chance at protecting the children while you fight the charges against you in court. They’ll assist you with gathering information to support your case and reunite you with your children at the earliest possible time.