As we enter the new year, the national rent index has begun to stabilize after a wild 2020. Rents are down 0.4% month-over-month nationally, a seasonal dip consistent with what we’ve seen in prior years, according to Apartment List’s January 2021 Rental Report.

While the national average is stabilizing, there has been significant regional variation in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many markets experiencing significant volatility. The urban cores of San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, and New York City continue to see rent prices fall rapidly, while many smaller markets and suburbs are actually getting more expensive.

While rent decreases have been occurring in the city of Charlotte over the past year, cities in the rest of the state are seeing the opposite trend. Rents have risen in 7 of the largest 10 cities in North Carolina for which we have data. The state as a whole logged rent growth of 1.3% over the past year.

Here are some additional highlights from the report:

• Rents in Charlotte increased 0.1% month-over-month, and are down by 2.2% since the start of the pandemic in March.
• Year-over-year rent growth in Charlotte currently stands at -1.3%, compared to 2.1% at this time last year.
• Median rents in Charlotte currently stand at $1069 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $1195 for a two-bedroom.

If you’re thinking about transitioning from renting to buying, Charlotte Stories has partnered with the best real estate agents in every part of the Charlotte region.

Let us connect you with a top agent in your area by filling out the form below:

Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that has altered every educational activity in North Carolina, United States and other parts of the world, Skyline School of Real Estate announces the waiver of all final examinations for pre and post-licensing classes and the transition of all classes to an online format. The 75 hour Real Estate Pre Licensing course is required to obtain a real estate license in the state of North Carolina. The NC Real Estate Commission is allowing students to take classes in a Live Online (Zoom Webinar) or in a Self Paced format at this time. Skyline School of Real Estate offers both options. This is being done in line with North Carolina Real Estate Commission directives, which recently granted the waiver of all final exams for pre and post-licensing classes and allowance for online classes for the first time ever. With that, every concerned student has a chance to get a real estate license without going through the rigor of pre and post-licensing exams during this stressful time, and to take our classes from the safety of their home.   

To every student with satisfactory attendance, credit for all courses will be granted. Therefore, due to COVID-19, there will be no End of Course Exams for Pre and Post Licensing Classes. However, this waiver has limited time as students are expected to seize the opportunity before it expires on 11th of April, 2021. Students taking Pre Licensing classes will still have to pass the State and National Exams before being issued a license by the NC Real Estate Commission. Normally, one has to pass the course final exam, which has been waived, in order to be eligible to sit for the State and National Exams.

As a school of high repute, Skyline School of Real Estate is duly licensed by The North Carolina Real Estate Commission. This has helped the school to employ the services of energetic, professional, yet engaging instructors. These instructors give every student the right dose of knowledge required to be a licensed real estate practitioner. Even though real estate education is highly challenging, Skyline School of Real Estate simplifies it for every learner. Hence, the school is confident that even without undertaking the final exams for pre and post-licensing classes, each student of Skyline School of Real Estate already has what it takes to be a professional; therefore, they are fully qualified to take the State and National exams for a real estate license. This is because the curriculum covered has already exposed the students to the requisite knowledge needed in the real estate sector.  

However, it should be noted that this exam waiver is only for this period of COVID-19 pandemic and whoever chooses not to seize the opportunity before 11th of April 2021 might not be able to enjoy this waiver afterward. All courses offered by Skyline School of Real Estate are professional, full of research, straight-forward real estate courses. This has made the school to be the cynosure of all eyes in North Carolina when it comes to real estate. Every course at Skyline School of Real Estate gives each student the information that is needed to pass the test and the skills required to be a competitive real estate agent in today’s rapidly evolving market. So with that in mind, Skyline School of Real Estate is giving a once in a lifetime opportunity to offer every interested individual a real estate license in North Carolina without having to pass the final exam.

For more information, you can visit Skyline School of Real Estate’s website here.

One of the joys that a person can have is to own a place that he can call a “home.” That is indeed a great achievement that every hard-working person is ever dreaming about. If getting this “home” already gives you a wonderful feeling, wait until you have finally moved there. Yes, we know that the overwhelming feeling of happiness and excitement in one. It is like the long hard days had paid off – finally, you can call this place a home sweet home.

Whether you have this house built according to what you have dreamed of or you have purchase an existing home, like the properties in The Iveria, it doesn’t matter what is important is it is all yours. Now that you own it, you are now expected to be packing up your things and get ready to move them to its new location. To make sure that this house will bring happiness and fortune to the owner, you should practice the science and ancient art of feng shui. Have you ever heard of this ancient Chinese practice? 

Practicing Feng Shui for a Lucky Home

Also known as Chinese Geomancy, Feng Shui is a traditional practice that traces its origins back in ancient China. This practice uses energy forces to match people with their surrounding environment. Also, it is the words “Feng,” and “Shui” literally translate to wind and water. That is why it is all about harmonization with the surroundings. This practice discusses architecture with regards to invisible forces that binds earth, humanity, and the universe together. These forces are also called as “qi.”

Looking back to its history, this traditional practice is done to orient buildings such as dwellings, tombs, and other structures – it is done in a way that will be favorable to fortune or success. If you want to live and be lucky, you need to follow and practice feng shui. But before you do any feng shui rituals in your new home, there are a couple of things that you should do. 

Before moving there, make sure that you, yourself, have let go of the old and will set intentions for this new home. It is like you are clearing the bad energy that you have probably got from your old place.  With this, you will be setting up a clean and clear energy foundation. Also, you need to do a space clearing in this new home. Homes are said to have memories. The energy that had transpired in that house from the past still lingers. So, if you have purchased an existing home, make sure to clear some spaces assuring that it is all clean and ready to welcome you.

 The important steps in feng shui didn’t there; those where just the two of the important steps that you need to ready yourself and your home. Below are vital feng shui areas you need to pay extra attention to:

• Orderly Space with No Clutter – as what we have mentioned earlier, cleanliness is the best feng shui foundation that you should practice in your new home. Clearing away clutter should be done before you move into this home. To maintain the good feng shui, make sure that your home will always be clean especially on those important areas of the house.  A good organization system will be a best solution to eliminate clutter. One best tip: every item in the house should have its own space. Why? So that everything is in order, avoiding clutter to accumulate in the future.
• Good Feng Shui for the New Bedroom – will you believe that bedrooms are the most important room in the house? A house will be happy if the bedroom also has the happy energy. Bringing that happy vibes in your bedroom is easy. Aside from decluttering, you also give yourself that self-love when you are in your new bedroom.
• Choose a Meaningful Décor – it is believed that having a better connection with every décor or item in your house, the clearer your energy levels will be. It is important that you choose items that will bring happiness not just to the house but to your life as well. As cleanliness and orderliness is essential in good feng shui, make sure to only bring items that you need and let go of those that you no longer use. This is another way of avoiding complicating life with clutter.
• Energize the New Kitchen – another important area in the new home to be energized is the kitchen. You can do this by filling up a bowl with colorful fruits, make a cup of aromatic tea, and bring in some fresh herbs. Other people recommend bringing in salt, water, and even rice to attract good energy and nourishment for the home.
• Good Main Entry and Strong Front Door – it is believed that having a good main door and strong front door attracts good feng shui.  Make sure that it is well-lighted, clutter-free, and clean. The strong front door also means more blessings, and fortune will be coming into your home.

These are few of the important areas that you need to focus on if you wanted to bring good feng shui into your new home. Also, there are traditions and rituals that you need to observe when you move into a new home. These are:

• Choose an auspicious date.
• Open the windows and doors not just for good airflow but also a better means to let the positive energy flow inside.
• Turn on the lights, stove, water pipes, and electrical appliances for about three minutes. It is believed that doing these declares the perfect function and preparedness in your new home. 
• Bring auspicious items when you first step into the house. You should carry items such as coins, herbs, rice, and fresh fruits such as apples peaches, pineapple, and oranges.
• Attract positive energy by setting up beds properly. 

There you have it, some of the feng shui practices you should remember when you moved into your new place.  Also, these practices will work if you believe and happy while doing it. 

Welcome home.