• Mortgage rates are holding in the mid‑6% range with mostly flat expectations this week
  • Market forces are balanced between easing inflation and global uncertainty
  • National housing is shifting: Sun Belt prices cooling while Rust Belt gains momentum
  • “Affordability economy” is driving buyer behavior toward more stable, lower‑cost metros
  • Spring demand remains soft; mortgage applications up mostly from refinances
  • Pending sales still below last year as buyers wait for clearer signals
  • Existing home sales dropped to a nine‑month low with tight inventory
  • Median prices remain elevated nationally, but sales volume is constrained
  • Policy update: “Freedom to Build Act” aims to incentivize zoning reform and add supply
  • Lake Norman: proposed $20M Sam Furr Road Inn faces neighborhood pushback
  • University City: former Centene campus redeveloping into 561 apartments + 16 townhomes
  • Davidson: Summit Farms farm‑to‑table village underway with retail, dining, and housing

• 30-year fixed mortgage rate averages 6.279% today; 15-year fixed is 5.689%.
• Mortgage applications fell about 0.8% last week as buyers stay rate-sensitive.
• NAR economist Lawrence Yun cut 2026 home sales growth forecast from 14% to 4%.
• Charlotte and Mecklenburg leaders oppose a state property tax cap that could affect school and city funding.
• Charlotte City Club was acquired by Dallas-based BNG Hospitality, signaling fresh uptown investment.
• Allspring plans to acquire GIA Partners’ credit team, expanding Charlotte’s finance footprint.

• National 30-year fixed mortgage rates are around 6.28% with 15-year near 5.56%, showing slight week-over-week easing for conventional loans.
• Rising federal debt could keep mortgage and construction financing costs elevated, limiting affordability relief even if the Fed holds steady.
• Community bankers support targeted housing policy reforms but want clarity on small-balance loan incentives and credit-score modernization.
• Conservation groups protected 150 acres of rare habitat near Lake Norman, signaling continued land-use pressure in the region.
• Charlotte’s economic development momentum is being driven by major corporate expansions, the airport’s draw, and projects like Corridors of Opportunity and The Pearl

- 30-year fixed mortgage rates eased to about 6.33% today, with 15-year rates around 5.69%.

- March housing data showed the second-highest pending listings total since August 2022 and inventory over one million homes.

- Bipartisan statehouse efforts are pushing for more housing supply via manufactured homes, ADUs, and church-owned land.

- Uptown’s former Wachovia Center is being converted into a mixed-use project with 399 apartments and 200 hotel rooms.

- Lake Norman’s Gabriel Farms won approval for 218 townhomes with promised traffic improvements.

• 30-year fixed mortgage rates eased to about 6.33% today, with 15-year rates around 5.69%.
• March housing data showed the second-highest pending listings total since August 2022 and inventory over one million homes.
• Bipartisan statehouse efforts are pushing for more housing supply via manufactured homes, ADUs, and church-owned land.
• Uptown’s former Wachovia Center is being converted into a mixed-use project with 399 apartments and 200 hotel rooms.
• Lake Norman’s Gabriel Farms won approval for 218 townhomes with promised traffic improvements.

• 30-year fixed mortgage rates are holding near 6.34%, with 15-year around 5.63%.
• ICE reports affordability improved year over year in 99 of 100 major markets despite a recent rate rebound.
• U.S. housing inventory is up about 8% year over year, but still below pre‑pandemic norms.
• Mecklenburg County is reassessing plans for three new community resource centers amid cost and usage debates.
• Flournoy plans 561 apartments and 16 townhomes on the former Centene campus in University City.
• A Lake Norman luxury estate cut its list price by $1M after seven months, signaling softer high‑end pricing.

• - Mortgage rates holding in the mid‑6% range (around 6.55%) as inflation and energy costs keep pressure on yields.
• - Japanese homebuilders are rapidly expanding in the U.S., now poised to control roughly 6% of domestic construction.
• - Labor Department proposal could ease 401(k) access to alternative investments, potentially shifting household risk appetite.
• - Corning and Meta’s $6B Hickory expansion adds ~1,000 jobs, reinforcing regional housing demand.
• - Trident Strategic Partners seeks rezoning of a 19‑acre South End industrial site for a major mixed‑use redevelopment.

1. **Mortgage rates snapshot (Money.com)**
   Freddie Mac’s 30‑year fixed average ~6.46% for the week ending Apr 2, with daily rates still in the upper‑6s. Rates remain volatile and tied to geopolitical pressure.
2. **Rates + global risk (NYTimes)**
   Mortgage rates rose for the 5th straight week as global uncertainty (Iran conflict) pushed Treasury yields higher—key driver behind affordability pressure.
3. **National demand & inventory (HousingWire)**
   Purchase applications still up YoY even with rates near yearly highs; inventory climbed to ~713k homes, pointing to more selection and slower price growth.
4. **Policy & affordability (CNBC)**
   Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act highlights supply‑side reforms and debate over banning institutional investors from buying single‑family homes.
5. **Cornelius rezoning pushback (WCNC)**
   Residents oppose a proposed 45‑room hotel near Mayes Rd & Sam Furr Rd; community meeting set for Apr 7.
6. **East Charlotte data center fight (Charlotte Observer)**
   Rezoning request for 58 acres near Reedy Creek Preserve has drawn 3,100+ signatures in opposition; public hearing Apr 20, Council vote May 18.
7. **South End mixed‑use pipeline (Charlotte Business Journal)**
   Trident Strategic Partners filed to rezone a 19‑acre former industrial site near the Iron District; cleanup underway ahead of a multi‑phase mixed‑use plan.

•  30-year fixed mortgage rates are about 6.42%, up roughly 17 bps week over week; purchase applications fell ~10%.
• First-time buyer age is now 40, pushing retailers to pivot marketing toward renters and budget-friendly home updates.
•  Labor Department proposed a new, more business-friendly independent contractor test under the FLSA.
• Equus Capital bought Greylyn Business Park in southeast Charlotte for $102M, planning capital improvements at the 93%-occupied site.
• A 12,000-sq-ft Cornelius Lake Norman estate re-listed at $14.5M, over $4M below its 2024 ask, and is being sold furnished

•  30-year fixed mortgage rates are about 6.42%, up roughly 17 bps week over week; purchase applications fell ~10%.
• - First-time buyer age is now 40, pushing retailers to pivot marketing toward renters and budget-friendly home updates.
• - Labor Department proposed a new, more business-friendly independent contractor test under the FLSA.
• - Equus Capital bought Greylyn Business Park in southeast Charlotte for $102M, planning capital improvements at the 93%-occupied site.
• - A 12,000-sq-ft Cornelius Lake Norman estate relisted at $14.5M, over $4M below its 2024 ask, and is being sold furnished.