electrician in Mint Hill, SC

CHARLOTTE – Buying a home can be stressful and intimidating for many individuals with several questions regarding suitable loans, market trends, and individual financial needs. If this sounds familiar, meet Travis Underwood. He is an Independent Mortgage Broker with Future Home Loans, now ranking in the top 10 nationally. He has licenses contracted in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. However, Underwood conducts most business locally in Charlotte and South Carolina.

Underwood thoroughly enjoys helping, educating, and guiding his clients toward better financial decisions for the future. He is known as the go-to guy who understands the complexities and fluctuations of finances that can vary individually. With over 20 years of experience in the Mortgage Banking industry, he has mastered maneuvering through unique financial plans and economic situations. He concentrates on areas not limited to new home loans, retirement, downsizing, or real estate investments.

Underwood has built his successful business through word of mouth and referrals, believing that in conducting good business honestly and doing the “right thing, you don’t need to advertise.” Also, he has been a member of the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce since March 2022, passionately helping those in the community who want to buy a home through mortgage programs such as Conventional, JUMBO, VA, FHA, Investment, Self Employed, and New Construction financing options. Being a member of the Chamber has been a great way to network with other local business owners while getting involved in the community. Underwood’s mission is to “make sure people are getting the best use of their money” when considering working with a home lender.

Underwood uses a consultative approach to his business to understand the underlying details of each circumstance. He works with over 30 different lenders, which allows him to find the best mortgage program for the customer. He gains the advantage of watching lenders compete for the client’s business. As a result, he can negotiate lower rates than the big box lenders at lower closing costs. Therefore, understanding what is beneficial to withstand the fluctuating trends in the market, Underwood values having a “creative [mindset] and being able to help people find solutions.”

Underwood’s resilience sets him apart from other Brokers in figuring out the exact client need and “match[ing] that to a lender” who prioritizes meeting those expectations. Underwood applies an inclusive approach to finding clients the “best rate, the best program, best terms of the loan, and the best cost.” Additionally, he takes client relationships seriously to build trust, as he appreciates face-to-face interactions.

One of Underwood’s personal core beliefs is to be present within the community “whether it’s [getting] involved in sponsoring events, local charities, churches, or local outreach.” He stresses, “just get involved!” An upcoming event sponsored by Future Home Loans is the Great Commission 5k held locally by Mint Hill Arlington Baptist church on April 1, 2023. All proceeds collected will go to support missions in Elizabethton, TN, and Honduras. Underwood has mentioned he will also be participating in the run with his oldest daughter. If you would love to get in contact with Travis Underwood at Future Home Loans for all lending advice, please call (904) 607-5144 or e-mail travis@future.loans.com.

MINT HILL, N.C. — Residents in need of severe house repairs could soon get assistance from Habitat for Humanity, thanks to a partnership with the town of Mint Hill.

On Thursday, Mint Hill officials announced that the town was establishing a partnership with Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity (GMHFH). The partnership establishes $25,000 to be allocated for limited-income Mint Hill residents to receive help from GMHFH Critical Home Repair Program.

The program focuses on fixing crucial health and safety issues in homes, such as lack of heat, electrical hazards, plumbing issues, and accessibility modifications.

“We are so grateful to have the opportunity to partner with the Town of Mint Hill to provide services that help make homes safer, drier, and warmer, along with accessibility modifications that allow seniors the opportunity to age in place”, said Natisha Rivera-Patrick, GMHFH President & CEO.

For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app.

In order to qualify for the program, Mint Hill residents must meet income guidelines, own a home, and be current on all taxes and payments. Funds are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To apply, Mint Hill residents can visit here, or pick up an application at GMHFH's location on East John Street in Matthews.

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Weekend getaway seekers have Charlotte, North Carolina on their radar this spring where the escape trifecta of artistic masterwork, soft outdoor adventure and culinary discovery deliver premium vacation ROI — all under the canopy of Carolina’s storied blue skies.

Don’t confuse the Carolinas largest metro and the 15th largest city in the U.S. with its southern “Char-monikered” neighbors of Charlottesville or Charleston, though. Charlotte is a New South city worthy of its very own vacation quest — and there’s never been a better time to visit.

This spring sees the Queen City showcase serious cultural bona fides as Charlotte’s Mint Museum hosts Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds, more than 40 paintings spanning Picasso’s full career and exploring his lifelong innovations with landscape. The exhibition is part of the International Picasso Celebration structured to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death, and runs through May 21^st.

It’s a terrific anchor for an extended weekend getaway where whitewater rafting, serious golf, cycling paradise, craft brewers, seriously talented chefs and clubs that jump deliver plenty of holiday diversions.

Here’s what to look for on a spring visit:

Picasso up close

For the uninitiated, Charlotte’s Mint Museum is one of only two U.S. venues showcasing this specially curated Picasso exhibition. It’s organized by the American Federation of Arts and curated by Laurence Madeline, chief curator for the French National Heritage.

While Picasso was known to be prolific (he produced an estimated 13,500 paintings throughout his decades-long career), he painted just 300 or so landscapes. That said, their influence on his creative process was significant. “The importance of the landscape to Picasso, how it influenced his other work, and the rich stories buried in so many of these works reveal new areas of discovery for those even well versed in Picasso,” says Jennifer Sudul Edwards, chief curator, and curator of contemporary art at the Mint Museum.

Picasso’s works are shown in chronological order from his earliest 20^th century paintings to work done near the time of his death in 1973 and assembled from collections across the globe. His landscapes demonstrate Picasso’s interest in capturing the cultural, political, and historical zeitgeist of his time.

One example is Picasso’s View of Cannes at Dusk (1960): a close look beyond the playful composition of which reveals Picasso’s foretelling of the peril looming with industrialization. “The scene of the beautiful landscape view from a tony resort hotel window exposes a darker secret,” says Edwards. “We think of Cannes with the luxurious Mediterranean views, but here in the distance is this crane hovering over the verdant foreground, it’s an industrial moment Picasso warns is forthcoming.”

There’s much to enjoy here — from the shimmering multi-colored geometric Mediterranean Village (1937) and futuristic earth-toned blocky castles of The Reservoir, Horta de Ebro (1909) to the eerie realist stark and shady frosted trees depicted in Snow Landscape (1924-1925) — Picasso’s landscapes may surprise viewers with a hand that shows more realism and restraint than much of his portraiture. What differentiates this show from other Picasso exhibits is the context Madeline wraps around the artwork. Short films, period photographs, news clippings and topical references link historic and cultural significance to Picasso’s landscapes and allow for viewers to more fully appreciate the times Picasso navigated.

Accompanying the show is a companion exhibition, Bearden/Picasso: Rhythms and Reverberations. Featured are works of Charlotte-native son Romare Bearden, which highlight the influence Picasso had him. The Mint drew from their extensive Bearden holdings and brought three additional Picasso works into this exhibit as counterpoints to Bearden works on display.

Establish a homebase

Uptown Charlotte’s Kimpton Tryon Park makes a comfortable and central base of operations for a Charlotte visit. Guests are just a few blocks away from the Mint Museum and Charlotte’s easy to navigate center city is at the doorstop for exploring. Ask for a ballpark view, as the Kimpton overlooks TRUIST field.

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Explore outdoors

After experiencing the show, take 100 steps across the Levine Center for the Arts Plaza for a mandatory snapshot with Charlotte’s most photographed work of public art — Niki de Saint Phalle’s Le Grand Oiseau de Feu sur l’Arche, aka the Firebird. The colossal 17-foot high mirror-mosaiced creature is affectionally monikered the “Disco Chicken” by locals. It roosts outside the terra-cotta skinned, Mario Botta-designed Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and is selfie-central for Charlotte visitors and homies alike.

Outdoor pursuits pull hard in Charlotte and the U.S. National Whitewater Center makes a big splash with visitors. Situated on more than 1,300 heavily wooded acres alongside the Catawba River, the Center boasts one of the largest manmade recirculating whitewater rivers in the world. It’s not only kayakers, canoers, paddle boarders and river-rats that love it here — there’s more than 50 miles of developed trails for mountain biking, hiking and exploring, too. Rock climbers and zipline enthusiasts also find plenty of adventure on tap.

Tar Heel country is made for golf and Charlotte visitors find more than 45 public play golf courses within an hour’s drive. Sneak over the nearby state line to Ft. Mill, S.C and tee it up at Springfield Golf Club for some serious play on tree-lined tight fairways and pristine greens. Closer to town is Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, a walkable favorite designed by award winning course architect, Tom Jackson.

Charlotte is unabashedly NASCAR country and there’s no more pulse-pounding experience than hitting the track where the pros drive. Fans get their own racecar, personal spotter and eight minutes of track time at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Racing Experience. For those who want the thrill of banked turns at 140+ mph on the 1.5 mile oval, but prefer to leave the driving to others, ride-alongs are available.

Cyclists get their spin on at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Here a 250-meter concrete track has 42.5 degree corner banks and a 17 degree bank on the front and back straights. The track offers cycling instruction and is anchor to the Rockhill Outdoor Center at Riverwalk with mountain biking, a canoe and kayak launch and casual dining.

Lastly, March 31 is opening day for the Charlotte Knights, the AAA Major League Baseball farm-club of the Chicago White Sox. Visitors who catch a home game at TRUIST Field are treated to great sightlines, local brews on tap and one of the most cherished urban parks in the country.

Dine (and drink) around

Slake the inevitable thirst that accompanies touring at one of nearly 50 craft breweries in and around town. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is the O.G. of local brewers and helped spawn Charlotte’s burgeoning craft-brew movement. Hearty German fare like brats, wurst and schnitzel are served up alongside German-style altbiers, helles lagers and hefeweizens on tap in the vast outdoor biergarten. Sour beer, wild ale and kombucha are the specialties at Lenny Boy Brewing Company where local music, cornhole and beer yoga are regularly on tap.

Find a killer breakfast with Latin flair at Morazon, where the chilaquiles are served all day long with red or green salsa, carne asada or grilled chicken, two fried eggs, handmade tortillas and the best guacamole in the city. Manolo’s is one of the longest operating Latin bakeries in the Carolinas. Pan de Dulce morning pastries come fresh from Manolo’s ovens with concha, abanico, bigote and churros among the stars here.

Linger for dinner at SupperLand in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood. They were named one of the “10 Best New Restaurants in America” by Bon Appetit in 2022. Vibes here are a mash-up of a Sunday church pot-luck social and southern brasserie, with a share-menu featuring comfort dishes like wagyu pot roast, roasted poulet rouge and miso mac ‘n cheese — all served up in a restored mid-century church.

Red Salt by noted chef David Burke delivers contemporary American fare with a touch of whimsy. Starters like black pepper maple glazed bacon “hung” on a mini clothesline let diners know the chef doesn’t take himself too seriously. The salt-aged beef is seriously tasty and prepared deftly here alongside other standouts such as cavatelli carbonara and southern stalwart, shrimp & grits.

Mariposa, just steps away from the Mint Museum, is a fine choice before or after taking in Picasso serving lunch, brunch and dinner (they’re also currently offering a special Culture and Cuisine date package that includes Picasso tickets). Mediterranean and globally influenced flavors soar with dazzling mezze plates, chili marinated piri piri chicken and a gullah paella — Carolina gold rice stuffed with flavorful andouille and crustaceans.

Splurge at Steak 48 Charlotte, the only Charlotte restaurant to make Open Table’s top 100 restaurants list in 2022. This South Park neighborhood stunner wows with attentive service, hand poured martinis and unusual — and unusually terrific — steaks. Ask for the off-menu Butchers cut — a special cut from the outer edge of a wagyu ribeye, the steak is buttery, rich and the star of a memorable dining experience. Sides not to miss include Steak 48’s legendary seafood tower, chicken-fried lobster tails and asparagus fries.

After dinner, have a nightcap at Merchant & Trade, where the city view from rooftop bar is nearly as good as the people watching. Encore nightclub and XOXO Lounge are ready to party after hours for those who feel like dancing.

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MINT HILL, NC – With Charlotte being the main market closest to Mint Hill, you might be wondering how a real estate collapse could impact the area. It’s pretty easy to see that if Charlotte struggles, it will impact the surrounding area.

However, just because the national real estate market struggles, doesn’t mean it will impact Charlotte. Often, when the real estate market goes through a down cycle, it impacts local markets differently. For example, in 2008, the east and west coasts were hit much harder than the middle areas of the country.

It’s important to consider how the predicted downturn in the national real estate market will impact Charlotte. Will it hit Charlotte worse than other areas or not as much? Let’s look a bit closer at what to expect.

Nationwide Real Estate Market

For nine straight months, the national real estate market has fallen. There are several experts predicting a 20% downturn in the market in 2023. On a national scale, it’s likely we are going to see even bigger changes to real estate than what we have already seen.

Charlotte Real Estate Market

While the national real estate market will likely see a big change, that doesn’t mean Charlotte will drop the same amount, or at all. The numbers in Charlotte are not the same as other large real estate markets across the country.

Charlotte offers more job growth currently than some of the other markets across the country. With higher mortgage rates, home sales have slowed in Charlotte quite a bit and homes are sitting on the market longer, too.

However, even with homes sitting on the market longer, the prices are still going up year over year. The market is shifting from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market, but that doesn’t mean it will collapse in the same way as other markets. It just means buyers can be choosier without so much competition in the market.

While Charlotte might not get hit the same way the nationwide real estate market gets hit, it will have challenges moving forward. Inventory will be one of the biggest challenges with not enough homes to meet the demand. There’s less than 2 months’ worth of inventory on the market right now, while a stable market would include about six months of inventory.

Part of the inventory issue is tied to the higher mortgage rates. Many potential sellers are thinking twice about selling, due to the higher rates. They already have a much lower mortgage rate and for most sellers, they’d also have to buy, which means taking on a higher rate.

While Charlotte might not see the same issues or the same downturn as other real estate markets across the country, it will likely see a downturn of some sort. The market will likely start to favor buyers more and more over the next year or so.

I would love to be part of your journey when the time is right for you. If you ever have a real estate question or need, or know someone who does, trust that you can turn to me. I will help you make the right move! Anna Granger (704) 650-5707 | annagrangerhomes@gmail.com | www.1stchoicepropertiesinc.com

MINT HILL, NC – Now that the school year is over, a lot of families are looking to find uniquely entertaining, interesting and educational ways to fill their summer hours. To answer this need, The Mint Hill Times would like to introduce its readers to Tetnika Williamson with Poise, Inc.

Williamson is a Certified Etiquette Consultant and Style and Branding Management entrepreneur and small business owner. She found her niche while teaching etiquette courses. “I’ve always had a ‘hustle’ mentality,” she explains. “When I left the corporate world to become a middle school teacher, I recognized that I wanted to extend my classroom so that I could continue to work with the kids and mentor them. Etiquette is such an important element to both workforce skills and life skills – plus it’s a personal passion of mine – and most people have either forgotten its elements or have never learned them. However, we all need it in case we find ourselves in a situation where we have to use it.”

In order help achieve her goal, Williamson first wrote the book Modern Day Etiquette for Everyday Living. It is a practical guide to the rules of social behavior and can be found on Amazon, in Barnes and Noble, or even at the local public library. Next, under her brand, Poise, Williamson runs Cutie Pie Pampering. This company provides spa parties for girls ages 4-14.

Williamson says the parties are always a success. “The girls choose a theme and a party package for up to six friends. Throughout the event, we focus on three principal ideas. First, we talk about manners, behavior, and what it looks like. Then, we discuss how these two skills can empower us in other areas of life. Finally, after the girls are all dolled up, we talk about how these elements of etiquette can create confidence in who we are and how we carry ourselves. But mostly, we just have a whole lot of fun!”

Williamson also has a deep heart for philanthropy. “I’m so grateful that my for-profit business allows me to also run several nonprofit charity programs,” Williamson shares. “I started with the Prom Project to collect dresses for girls in need. I partnered with families, local dress stores and bridal shops to collect donated dresses. By the second year, I received almost 3000 dresses for the girls to choose from.”

Williamson also realized that girls aren’t the only ones who can benefit from the confidence of life skills. “The past two years, I partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to create Ties to Tomorrow, a nonprofit that collects neckties and bowties,” she says. “Then, it pairs local leaders in the community with a young man to mentor. The gentlemen attend five workshops with me to learn manners and etiquette and how to properly wear a necktie. We conclude with a meal to illustrate the skills the boys have learned, and they each wear their newly donated tie around their neck.”

Williamson also hosts a coed event, the Charlotte Children’s Business Fair. “This event is more closely related to my small business side,” she explains. “I organized an activity where kids can set up their own pop-up shop and sell things they make. Two or three times a year, we host about fifty or sixty child vendors. We took a break during COVID, but we are looking forward to bringing it back soon.”

Williamson also runs a workforce development program for special needs students within Meck Ed Charlotte. She hosts a Mother’s Day event, Empower Her, for girls who have lost their mothers. She works with the Girl Scouts to offer a badge for her pamper parties. She has also organized Poise Entrepreneur summer camps with the Matthews Parks and Rec department.

Williamson shows no signs of slowing down. “I have so much passion and drive. That’s what happens when you’re an educator who truly cares about people,” Williamson smiles. “I do hope to scale my business and begin to hire a team. I can’t do it all myself, and know that balance is important in life. I don’t know what the next thing to come my way will be, but I’m excited and looking out for it.”