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Charlotte one of hottest US real estate markets + Today’s restaurant news

It’s Friday Jr., folks. This is Kristen. As the weekend draws near, are you looking for things to do? As usual, CharlotteFive’s Jessica Swannie saves the day with a 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte — the Oct. 29-Nov. 4 edition. Plan your weekend right here.

Let’s get into today’s headlines:

1. Charlotte ranks among the hottest U.S. real estate markets. But some buyers are shut out.

According to a new report from Urban Land Institute, which surveyed close to 2,000 real estate experts, Charlotte ranks among the hottest housing markets in the nation.

The Queen City is in sixth place behind:

  • Nashville

  • North Carolina’s Triangle

  • Phoenix

  • Austin

  • Tampa/St. Petersburg

One takeaway from the 105-page report: Fast-rising prices in cities like Charlotte have made it harder for young people and low-income buyers to purchase their first homes. And real estate professionals expect this year’s trend of low inventory and high demand to continue into 2022.

Find more takeaways from the report with the Observer’s Gordon Rago.

2. Which restaurants are opening and closing in the area?

Slim Chickens, based in Arkansas, will open up to 15 restaurants in Charlotte, Piedmont Triad and Fayettville, and also Rock Hill and Columbia.
Slim Chickens, based in Arkansas, will open up to 15 restaurants in Charlotte, Piedmont Triad and Fayettville, and also Rock Hill and Columbia.

There’s always something going on in the world of Charlotte food. Here’s what’s up right now:

Southern chicken chain’s Charlotte debut is delayed. But here’s where it opens next by Catherine Muccigrosso

  • Arkansas-based Slim Chickens planned to open its first NC restaurant next month in Charlotte, but that plan has been delayed.

This Tex-Mex takeout spot in City West Commons has closed its storefront. What’s next? by Heidi Finley

  • Tu One Oh Tacos is closed. But there’s hope for getting a San Antonio-style puffy taco in the future.

Here’s when a Charlotte-based steakhouse chain will open in the Lake Norman area by Catherine Muccigrosso

  • Live north of Charlotte and don’t want to drive for a steakhouse dinner? Here’s your chance.

Find all of our business reporting here.

3. Three things we learned in the Hornets’ win last night

Charlotte Hornets’ Gordon Hayward, right, moves to the basket against Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Charlotte Hornets’ Gordon Hayward, right, moves to the basket against Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Following an overtime loss to Boston on Monday, the Hornets got back their momentum and defeated Orlando 120-111 at Amway Center in Orlando on Wednesday night.

“In reality we had chances in that Boston game that we didn’t take advantage of,” Hornets forward Cody Martin said. “But I think we learned from that and we had another game where it was kind of close until the end. And we just had to make sure that we addressed those issues beforehand.”

So what went right or wrong for the team during the game? We’ve got analysis from Hornets reporter Rod Boone that will help illuminate the factors that led to the team’s success — or factors that may lead to the team’s downfall if they don’t work on them.

4. Five quarterbacks the Carolina Panthers could trade for

As Panthers reporter Jonathan M. Alexander puts it, Sam Darnold’s play over the past four weeks of the season has not resembled that of a starting quarterback.

But coach Matt Rhule has said Darnold will remain the starter.

Despite that, Alexander muses that a switch-up should be on the table. The trade deadline is Nov. 2. Who would the Panthers potentially bring in? Unpack that here.

5. Burr’s brother-in-law called stock broker one minute after phone call with senator

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., arrives at a Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing, Tuesday, May 12, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is to testify before the committee. (Win McNamee/Pool via AP)
Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., arrives at a Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing, Tuesday, May 12, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is to testify before the committee. (Win McNamee/Pool via AP)

After Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina dumped more than $1.6 million in stocks in February 2020 a week before the market crashed, he called his brother-in-law, Gerald Fauth, according to a new Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The next minute, Burr’s brother-in-law called his broker. ProPublica’s Robert Faturechi dives into the matter here.

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