Midyear housing sales on par with last year

CHARLOTTE — Home sales in June across the 16-county Charlotte region fell by 6.1% compared to last year during what is typically prime selling season, according to the Carolina Multiple Listing Services.

Overall sales year-to-date are steady, and sales during the first six months of this year are up 0.8% compared to the first six months of 2018.

June’s closed sales compared to May were down 2.0%, with 97 more homes sold in May compared to June.

Prices, pressured by continued inventory challenges, rose throughout the region. The average sales price of $323,316 and the median sales price of $267,250 rose 7.1% and 7.3%, respectively.

The average and median sales prices rose 4.3% and 2.8%, respectively, compared to prices in May.

“The Charlotte market has had inventory challenges for about three years now,” said Brenda Hayden, president of the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association/CarolinaMLS. “Typically in markets where inventory is challenged, sales tend to be slower. However, we’re pleased to see that overall sales activity for the first half of the year is on par with last year’s activity.”

“One month of sales declines doesn’t necessarily point to a trend, and with steady demand from buyers in the market we should continue to see a steady flow of sales,” Hayden said.

Food Lion to unveil easier shopping experience in SC

SALISBURY — Food Lion on Wednesday will unveil what it says is an easier shopping experience for customers in the Myrtle Beach, Florence, Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, markets.

Stores in Lumberton also are newly renovated.

The company made a $158 million investment in its 92 area stores earlier this year, which included remodeling, hiring 2,000 additional associates and giving back to local communities with the donation of two mobile trucks to area food banks to feed local families in need.

“Food Lion has nourished our neighbors in the greater South Carolina community for 43 years, and we’re excited to bring these improvements to our 92 local stores,” said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion.

“We’ve created a new grocery shopping experience through the significant investments in our stores, associates and communities,” Ham said. “From our expanded variety and product assortment, newly reorganized stores, to a more efficient check-out experience, every change we’ve made will make it easier for our customers to find the quality products they have come to expect from Food Lion.”

Three Rivers Land Trust merger complete

SALISBURY — Effective July 1, Three Rivers Land Trust has merged with Sandhills Area Land Trust.

Three Rivers’ previous 10-county footprint now includes five more counties, bringing the Piedmont-based organization into the Sandhills and Coastal Plain. Three Rivers and Sandhills board members worked on the merger for several years.

Three Rivers will remain headquartered in Salisbury but will retain the Southern Pines field office to provide a presence in the eastern part of the region. Seven of Sandhills’ eight board members will join the Three Rivers board of directors.

“Three Rivers Land Trust is excited to have a conservation presence in the Sandhills,” said Travis Morehead, executive director. “Having been stationed at Fort Bragg and working as a planner for the town of Angier, the Sandhills are an important place to me, personally. I appreciate all of the new conservation opportunities and partnerships our organization will be afforded to work in this unique part of the state.”

For information, contact Michael Fulk at 704-647-0302 or michael@threeriverslandtrust.org.

100 NC candidates pass CPA examination  

RALEIGH — The N.C. State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners says 100 candidates successfully completed the uniform CPA cxamination during the April-July testing window.

The exam has four sections: Auditing and attestation; business environment and concepts; financial accounting and reporting; and regulation. The four sections represent a total of 16 hours of testing.

The exam is designed to provide assurance that accountants who pass it have a level of technical knowledge and skills necessary for licensure to protect the public interest. Candidates must now meet the education, work experience and moral character requirements of the board to become licensed as CPAs in the state.