Charlotte just scored a pretty exciting win.

The Women’s Tennis Association is moving its corporate headquarters to Charlotte, and beginning in 2027, the city will host the WTA Finals for three consecutive years at The Spectrum Center. That means some of the best women’s tennis players in the world will be coming right here to Charlotte.

But what caught my attention wasn’t just tennis. It was what this says about Charlotte.

We continue to see major companies, organizations, sporting events, and entertainment choosing our city. And every time that happens, Charlotte becomes a little more visible on the national and international stage.

I’ve watched our area grow tremendously over the years. Charlotte has gone from a city people often knew primarily for banking to a place known for professional sports, restaurants, arts, entertainment, major employers, and a quality of life that continues to attract people from all over the country.

The WTA announcement also goes beyond a few tournaments. Plans include permanent headquarters here and discussions surrounding a future tennis facility that could bring even more events and activity to the area.

My takeaway: Announcements like this may not change your home's value overnight, but they are part of the bigger picture. New jobs, investment, visitors, and international attention all contribute to the long-term story of our area. And Charlotte’s story continues to get more interesting. After watching this city evolve for so many years, sometimes even I have to stop and think…Look how far Charlotte has come.

A quick rate update: The Federal Reserve raised its short-term benchmark rate by 0.25% today, but that does not mean mortgage rates suddenly went up by the same amount. Mortgage rates are influenced more by the bond market, and much of today’s Fed move had already been anticipated before the announcement. The Fed made it clear that inflation is still its main concern and that another increase later this year is possible. For buyers, I would not put plans on hold waiting for one perfect rate. Rates can move in either direction, and today’s announcement was largely expected. For sellers, this is another reminder that affordability matters to buyers, which makes realistic pricing and strong presentation especially important right now.

And on housing inventory, the latest Charlotte data shows why sellers need to be especially thoughtful about pricing. In August, more than 26% of Charlotte listings had a price reduction, while new listings were up just 0.3% from a year ago. In other words, the increase in inventory is coming less from a flood of new listings and more from homes taking longer to sell and sellers adjusting their prices.