Will it happen? That remains to be seen, but according to town commissioners, we’re closer than ever to seeing construction begin on the widening of Highway 150. Originally scheduled for 2025, the project is now expected to start in October 2024—a significant acceleration in the timeline.

The project, estimated to cost around $269 million, will stretch from the Highway 21 and River Highway interchange and extend 15 miles west to the Highway 16 Bypass in Denver. Bidding is set to open on September 17, with construction planned to begin as early as October.

And in a town known as “Race City USA,” does anyone else find it ironic that we’re building a highway with no left turns?

Nascar Car Wash Review

Speaking of roads, about a year ago, I joked about the abundance of car washes (and banks) popping up around town and how many more seemed to be in the planning stages. What sparked that comment was the planned NasCar Wash that had just broken ground on the corner of Brawley School Road and Morrison Plantation Parkway. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of becoming friends with Gary Cangelosi, the designer and owner of the wash, and I have to say, what he built is impressive. A tremendous amount of thought went into the design of these facilities, including wider tunnels to reduce stress for those who feel uneasy in tight spaces as well as a conveyor belt system instead of the traditional track system.

The system does a great job of getting your car clean and includes plenty of add-ons and thoughtful touches that others tend to overlook. For instance, each vacuum station comes equipped with an air gun for blowing out hard-to-reach water droplets, a window cleaner nozzle, and clean towels. The wash also includes tire gloss at no extra charge, a graphene protectant instead of hot wax, and lower decibel air dryers.

Gary did an outstanding job designing these new washes, and it’s definitely worth a drive-through. He’s also opening another location on the other side of Mooresville, right beside Bucko’s on River Highway.

YooHoo… Big Summer Blow Out?

Mortgage Rates Drop

Mortgage rates dipped last week for the first time in a while and according the Mortgage Bankers Asocaition refinances increased 35% that week and new home loans increased 15%. Proof that mortgage rates are certainly affecting home sales.

To put things in perspective- In November 2018, the US 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was around 5%. Not far off from where it is today. The brief era of 2% mortgage rates was an anomaly, driven by the extreme economic measures taken in response to COVID to stave off a potential recession or depression. If you’re hoping that mortgage rates will go back to 3% you may be waiting a very very long time. Maybe indefinitely.

Between 2015 and 2020, the median US home price jumped by 34%, showing us that “home-flation” has been an ongoing, not just a recent trend. However, this trend accelerated in the last four years, with home prices surging by about 44% I’m not sure how our kids will ever be able to afford a home. Maybe you should buy them one now and hold it for them! I know a guy…