In the American mind, renting has long symbolized striving rather than achieving. But as we climb our way out of the Great Recession, it seems something has changed. Americans are getting over the idea of owning the American dream; increasingly, they're OK with renting it.
Home ownership is on the decline, and renting is on the rise. But the trend isn't limited to the housing market. Across the board, Americans are increasingly acclimating to the idea of giving up the stability of being an owner for the flexibility of being a renter. This may sound like a decline in living standards. But the new realities of our increasingly mobile economy make it more likely that this transition from an Ownership Society to a Rentership Society.
The unsentimental fact about the American dream is that Americans never really owned it in the first place. For the past three decades, especially, consumers haven't so much bought their quality of life as they've borrowed it from banks and credit card companies.
Now consumers are following the example of corporations, becoming more efficient. And it starts at home.
Housing is the biggest single component of consumption in the U.S. economy and the source of much of our present misery. The typical consumer spends about 32% of his or her budget on shelter. In the last decade, that generally meant borrowing a lot of money to take "ownership" of a home.
During the boom, the homeownership rate grew steadily, peaking at a record 69% in 2006.
Ownership-boosters failed to note that homes purchased in 2005 and 2006 with no-money-down, interest-only mortgages weren't really bought. They were simply rented until the "owner" flipped them or walked away from the mortgage.
In the post-bust climate, renting has emerged as a much more economically efficient way to pay for housing. A one-year lease represents a far less onerous financial obligation than a 30-year mortgage. It's difficult to get into too much financial trouble as a renter. The homeownership rate has fallen from its peak in 2006 to 65.4% today.
For an increasing number of Americans it makes more sense to rent. According to Moody's, by late 2011 it was cheaper to rent than to own in 72% of American metropolitan areas, (such as the Charlotte area) up from 54% a decade ago. And the more people who do it, the more socially acceptable and desirable it becomes. The decline in the ownership rate means that about three million more households rent today than did at the height of the bubble.
It's tempting to view the rise of renting as an economic step backward. But many would argue the rise of renting is a sign of a system adapting to new realities.
The U.S. economy needs the dynamism that renting enables as much as, or more than, it needs the stability that ownership engenders.
And the rising popularity of renting is hardly contained to the housing market.
Finally, perhaps, Americans are absorbing a piece of wisdom from Thoreau: "And when the farmer has got his house, he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that has got him."
You have probably heard by now that gas prices will only be going up and as we approach summer they may be as high as $5.00/gallon! If you live in an apartment in Mooresville, NC and you like to drive in and around Charlotte on your summer weekend, gas mileage is very important.
You can improve your car’s gas mileage. If you do them all, you can increase your gas mileage by 50%. When you bought your car you had a specified number of miles per gallon, but you may not be seeing that mileage today. Why?
Don’t neglect regular car maintenance. If it has been awhile since you have had a tune up on your car, schedule one! Be sure to keep up on your car’s regular maintenance. Regularly maintained cars get the best gas mileage. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Check your tire air pressure. Your tires can directly affect your gas mileage. As the temperature changes, so does the pressure in your tires. Regularly check that your tires have the required PSI. When the pressure in your tires is too low, your tires no longer work efficiently, they work like water balloons. With too much surface on the road, there is too much friction causing your car to work harder. Your gas mileage can be dramatically affected by poor tire pressure.
Believe it or not, changing your driving habits can affect your gas mileage. The way you drive affects how much gas you burn. Not planning to stop, revving up and slowing down and driving over the speed limit all use too much gas. By changing your behavior behind the wheel, you can increase the gas mileage in your car.
Enjoy the summer and enjoy the ride. Keep money in your pocket as gas prices rise, follow these tips to increase your gas mileage.
If you are considering relocating to the Charlotte area, consider renting anapartment in Mooresville, NC. Mooresville is located approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte and has been nicknamed “Race City, USA” because it is home to more than 60 NASCAR racing teams and their related businesses.
But there is an even better reason to rent in Mooresville: Lake Norman. The Lake Norman area is one of the premier destinations in the Southeast. Mooresville gives you the best of both worlds, proximity to the city while residing right on the water. With professional sports, a nearby international airport and miles of waterfront, locals can make the most of their downtime.
For families, not only are there many things to do, but the area schools have a great reputation and there is also a low crime rate.
From sailing, fishing, and relaxing by the water to playing and dining in Charlotte, Abberly Green in Mooresville has something for every member of the family, contact us.
More couples are saving cash by opting to rent rather than buy. The American dream of walking down the wedding aisle and buying the perfect home is becoming a thing of the past. According to Zillow.com, apartment vacancy rates have fallen from 8% in 2009 to just 5.6% at the end of 2011.
Jay and Jessica Masanotti have been married for 5 years. During their first year of marriage they bought a house South Carolina in hopes of following the traditional American Dream, “You get married, buy a house, have kids, that’s the American dream; buying a house was the next step."
They figured the home would be a good investment, but now admit that they didn’t know what they were getting into.
New jobs in the Charlotte area put that newlywed home in an unsettling market. No matter what happens going forward, they will lose money on the house, "We bought it in 2 days and in 6 months, and we got nothing. It’s a great house but we will have to take a hit just to sell it and just to get it out from under us so we don't have that financial burden any longer."
If young couples are thinking about buying a house that they need to be prepared to make a long-term commitment. If buyers cannot commit to settling down in the area they are looking to buy, you’re better off renting. Renting offers flexibility and freedom to walk away and you can call someone else if something breaks or goes wrong.
The Charlotte area is seeing a big uptick in people renting. Rentals is this economic climate offer some big opportunity, “Renting is a way to have what you want right now without having to wait until you can afford it."
For Jessica and Jay, their rental in the Charlotte area has done just that, “It afforded us an opportunity to live in an area where we could never afford to purchase a house."
Lake Norman residents and residents of homes and apartments in Mooresville, NC can get a taste of New Orleans while helping their community at the second annual Hope Gala on Jan. 28.
The Hope at the Point Foundation will host “A Taste of New Orleans and All That Jazz” at the Charles Mack Citizen Center starting with cocktails at 6 pm.
In addition to the dancing and feasting, guests will help raise funds for the Mooresville/Lake Norman Christian Mission, Mooresville Soup Kitchen, Healthreach Clinic and the Purple Heart Homes.
“The Hope at the Point Foundation has three types of charities that we typically support, children, community and cancer,” said Bernard Ford, chairman for the Hope Gala and board member for the Hope at the Point Foundation.
Ford said the idea for a New Orleans-style party came to him while listening to the mayor of New Orleans speaking about what it takes to make a community, with the culture, flavors, music and cooking working together to make a diverse city.
The event will be “black tie optional,” with Kellie Patterson from WCNC-TV serving as emcee. Guests will enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres and an upscale catered meal with wine pairings while bidding on live and silent auction items.
All of the food and décor will have the New Orleans flair, so it’ll be a lot of fun. ‘Sign of the Times’ will be the band that performs during the event and they’re very popular in the Charlotte area.
Auction items include a Carolina Panthers football signed by Cam Newton, a balloon ride, large dinner parties cooked in your home, spa packages, a weekend in Asheville, a three hour cruise on a 120-foot yacht and a sea plane ride.
People who have never attended the Gala “are missing out on a great opportunity.”
Tickets for the Hope Gala must be bought in advance. Tables for eight can be purchased at a 10 percent discount. For ticket information, call Marjorie Smith at 704-799-9099 or email msmithbel@gmail.com. To buy tickets online, visit www.hope-point.org.
Right now the housing market is stagnating and real estate brokers in and around Mooresville would have potential buyers believe that there is no better time than the present to buy a home. It is true, prices are down and mortgage rates are at all-time lows.
Unfortunately for the real estate brokers, many clients are not persuaded by that logic. Instead, in increasing numbers, they are choosing to rent instead of buy — unconvinced that the housing market has yet hit bottom. Would be buyers also understand that unless you plan to stay in your home for more than 10 years, buying a home may not be the right investment for everyone.
With apartments in Mooresville, NC that are conveniently located near Charlotte and Lake Norman and offering apartment amenities that can’t be found in homes; renting is a great option for many. There is also a broad mix of tenants in the Abberly Green Apartment community: young single residents and families and empty-nesters that no longer have homeownership on their wish list.
Why watch game coverage in your apartment in Mooresville, NC, you can take part in the festivities. The ACC Football Championship game being played on Saturday, December 3, is certainly the showcase for the weekend in Charlotte. But, the festivities and events start well before the kickoff.
Come out and celebrate 48 hours of ACC Football with pre game pep rally’s, Fan Fest activities on the day of the game, ACC Night of Legends, ACC Commissioners Tailgate, and much more!
Friday Night Events
At the Charlotte Convention Center, the ACC Night of Legends signature event pays tribute to outstanding athletes from ACC Football programs past and present. The event honors the 2011 ACC Football season’s award winners as well as a Legend from each ACC institution representing their university during the 2011 ACC Football Championship game in Charlotte. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in college football. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m.
The official fan party of the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship game, EpiCentre will be THE place to be the night before the game. In addition to the restaurants, bars, and other attractions that call EpiCentre home, the main courtyard will be ready to host fans. With cheerleaders, marching bands, and mascots, the EpiCentre is sure to get fans ready for the big game.
Saturday ACC Fan Fest
The ACC FanFest will be one of the biggest events of the weekend. A large area of interactive games, team bands, mascots, pep rallies, Corporate Partner attractions and giveaways, food/beverages, autograph opportunities with ACC Legends and entertainment all day long! Best of all, its FREE to the general public!
The ACC FanFest is scheduled to start at noon on Saturday and will run until game time. Kick off time is 8pm and tickets are still available.
There are many people in the Charlotte/Lake Norman area who have come up with some viable business ideas. Perhaps they just do not know what the next step is in making this idea a business reality. Well, there are two upcoming events for Entrepreneurs in Charlotte.
For all of you budding entrepreneurs dreaming up ideas and inventions in your apartments in Mooresville, NC, these events are for you. The area in and around Charlotte is teeming with big and small businesses, banks and investors. This is the right time to start your own business.
Entrepreneurs around Charlotte, NC have two opportunities to attend entrepreneurial events and practice their networking skills; 10th Annual Charlotte Biotechnology Conference and Raising Angel & Early Stage Capital.
October 27th on the UNCC Campus, The Annual Charlotte Biotechnology Conference has a number of speakers covering a wide range of topics related to the biotechnology space. Local institutions like the Charlotte Research Institute, the Murdock Research Institute, Monsanto, Institute for Systems Biology, local startup companies, and more are listed on the agenda as presenters.
The conference usually has a few hundred attendees thus making it a great event for learning and networking.
On November 2 at the UNC Charlotte Center City Building the Raising Angel & Early Stage Capital event is to be held. This is the first time the event is being held in the Charlotte area. Business Innovation Growth(BIG) Council has created an agenda with a wide range of speakers covering financing topics that can benefit most startup companies. The presenters are a mix of company executives that have raised funds, or potential Angles that make investments.
There will be a reception for networking after the speakers are finished.
Relocating to the Charlotte area is a great idea. With so much to see and do, North Carolina has much to offer. But if the city isn’t for you, we have the perfect apartments in Mooresville, NC. Scenic views and loads of space, but with an easy commute. Abberly Green represents an unmatched style of living in a beautiful, neighborly community with upscale offerings, a superb location at Lake Norman, and easy access to bustling Uptown Charlotte.
If you are looking for a one, two or three bedroom apartment with peace and quiet as standard features, look no further than Abberly Green. Our spacious apartment floor plans are beautifully finished with private entrances and attached garages; luxurious living is our goal.
Live here and sip your morning coffee on your enormous patio, soak in your garden tub or lounge by the elegant pool with a waterfall. Each apartment home features unique details with floor plan options to fit any budget. Abberly Green provides the community ambiance your lifestyle demands in a setting that has everything you need and want close at hand.
If your current employer is on our preferred employer list, then you will be eligible for special benefits and services. Contact us to find out about this and other specials and offers.
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In the American mind, renting has long symbolized striving rather than achieving. But as we climb our way out of the Great Recession, it seems something has changed. Americans are getting over the idea of owning the American dream; increasingly, they're OK with renting it. 
You have probably heard by now that gas prices will only be going up and as we approach summer they may be as high as $5.00/gallon! If you live in an 
If you are considering relocating to the Charlotte area, consider renting an 
More couples are saving cash by opting to rent rather than buy. The American dream of walking down the wedding aisle and buying the perfect home is becoming a thing of the past. According to Zillow.com, apartment vacancy rates have fallen from 8% in 2009 to just 5.6% at the end of 2011.
Right now the housing market is stagnating and real estate brokers in and around Mooresville would have potential buyers believe that there is no better time than the present to buy a home. It is true, prices are down and mortgage rates are at all-time lows.
Relocating to the Charlotte area is a great idea. With so much to see and do, North Carolina has much to offer. But if the city isn’t for you, we have the perfect 
