The Lake Norman Pulse

011: NorthStone Country Club - Meet Courtney Ford, General Manager

Hosts Jen and Barrie sit down with Courtney Ford, General Manager of NorthStone Country Club — a private golf and country club founded in 1997 in Huntersville, NC. Courtney has been with the club for 22 years, starting as head golf professional before stepping into his current role. What makes NorthStone unique is its position at the literal center of the surrounding neighborhood — members can walk to the golf course, pools, restaurant, and bar. Over time, the club has evolved from a golf-focused facility into a full country club experience, investing $6.5 million over the last five years in renovations including new greens, bunker work, seven resurfaced tennis courts, four new pickleball courts, and fitness center upgrades. Next on the list: an improved driving range, expanded fitness center, and additional parking. Membership has shifted noticeably toward young families, with 75–80% of new members being active households where parents play golf, tennis, or pickleball and kids participate in swim team and sports camps. Golf membership is currently full with an 18-month waitlist; tennis and social memberships remain available. Courtney attributes long-term member loyalty to two things: consistency and value. To inquire about membership, contact Kirsten Combs in the membership office, Tuesday through Saturday. NorthStone Country Club 15801 Northstone Dr Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 948-4286 northstoneclub.com [https://www.northstoneclub.com/] Foster Rojahn Premier Properties | Keller Williams Lake Norman 19721 Bethel Church Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 604-3054 https://frpremierproperties.com/ [https://frpremierproperties.com/]

010: St. Patrick's Day Events Around Lake Norman & Charlotte | 2026

It's birthday month AND St. Patrick's Day season! In this episode, we cover the best local St. Paddy's Day celebrations happening around Lake Norman and Charlotte this March. Fun Fact: North Carolina has the largest percentage of Scots-Irish ancestry of any state in the U.S. — no wonder the celebrations are so big here! Events Covered: * Birkdale Village (Huntersville) — March 14, 4:30–7:30 PM. Irish dancers, live music, and a social district vibe. * Shamrock Stroll & Festival (Davidson) — March 14, 11 AM–2 PM. Parade, festival on the green, benefits Senior Community Connections. Kid wristbands $15. * Harper & Crown (Cornelius) — March 13–15, full Irish pub weekend with live music and Irish dancers. * Boatyard Eats (Cornelius) — March 14, doors open at noon. St. Paddy's block party with live music. Wear an original Galway Hooker t-shirt for free entry before 2 PM. * Shamrocks & Shenanigans (Mooresville) — March 14, 3–8 PM. Live music, pipe band, food trucks. Bar crawl tickets $25 in advance (includes scarf, pin & lanyard) or $30 at the gate. * U.S. National Whitewater Center (Charlotte) — Outdoor festival, trail races, live music, food — and yes, the water turns green! * St. Patty's Day Parade & Festival, Tryon Street (Charlotte) — March 14, 11 AM–7 PM. Floats, live entertainment, family-friendly all-day celebration. * Lake Norman Brewery (Denver, NC) — "Shake Your Shamrock" race starts at 9 AM on March 14, followed by live music featuring the Connick School of Irish Dance and Lake Norman School of Music. Three food trucks including King of Fire. Foster Rojahn Premier Properties | Keller Williams Lake Norman 19721 Bethel Church Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 604-3054 https://frpremierproperties.com/ [https://frpremierproperties.com/]

009: Mortgage Rates & the Fed - What Home Buyers Need to Know Now

Buying a home isn’t just about timing the market — it’s about understanding it. In this episode, the team sits down with Matt Doyle of Guild Mortgage to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in real estate: mortgage rates, the Fed, and what actually matters for buyers right now. Matt explains why connecting with a lender early — even months before buying — gives buyers clarity, confidence, and leverage. The conversation clears up common misconceptions about Federal Reserve rate cuts, why mortgage rates often move before Fed meetings, and how the bond market plays a bigger role than most people realize. They also dive into practical advice buyers care about: when rates can be locked, why waiting on the sidelines can backfire, and how “mock scenarios” help buyers understand real monthly costs long before writing an offer. From down payments and credit scores to purchase price differences, Matt pulls back the curtain so buyers aren’t learning everything for the first time at the closing table. The episode wraps with a look at what sets Matt and Guild Mortgage apart — flexibility, education-first lending, and accessibility — all with the goal of making the home-buying process feel transparent, calm, and predictable. Contact Matt: https://branches.guildmortgage.com/nc/charlotte/matt-doyle-511-cbmdo.html [https://branches.guildmortgage.com/nc/charlotte/matt-doyle-511-cbmdo.html] Foster Rojahn Premier Properties | Keller Williams Lake Norman 19721 Bethel Church Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 604-3054 https://frpremierproperties.com/ [https://frpremierproperties.com/]

008: When to Sell Your Home - Why Spring Sellers Should Start Planning Now

Thinking about selling your home this spring? This episode explains why waiting is a mistake—and why the smartest sellers start planning now. The hosts break down how listing in February or March helps sellers get ahead of the competition and capture early, motivated buyers who begin searching online well before spring. They walk through the most important prep steps sellers should tackle early, including decluttering, deep cleaning, and strategic pre-packing to maximize space. The conversation also covers the four upgrades that matter most to buyers—paint, flooring, lighting, and overall presentation—and why addressing them early reduces stress, shortens days on market, and strengthens your negotiating position. The takeaway: early planning creates flexibility, confidence, and better results when it’s time to list. Foster Rojahn Premier Properties | Keller Williams Lake Norman 19721 Bethel Church Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 604-3054 https://frpremierproperties.com/ [https://frpremierproperties.com/]

007: The Importance of High Quality Real Estate Photography

Recorded on location at Barrel & Fork in Cornelius, Jen and Barrie unpack one of the most overlooked — yet most powerful — elements of selling a home: professional photography. They frame listing photos as a property’s first conversation with buyers, happening long before anyone schedules a showing. In today’s online-first shopping world, visuals determine whether a buyer pauses or scrolls past. From high-quality still images to video and drone work, Jen and Barrie explain how intentional photography builds emotional connection, showcases a home’s strengths, and positions a listing to compete from the very first glance. They also walk through the behind-the-scenes prep that turns ordinary photos into standout marketing. Lighting, decluttering, staging, and working closely with a trusted photographer all contribute to creating those “supermodel” listing moments that draw buyers in. Jen and Barrie emphasize that cutting corners is immediately visible — and in a competitive market, that visibility affects traffic and days on market. The core message is clear: strong photography isn’t cosmetic polish; it’s strategy. Done right, it invites buyers to imagine themselves in the space and gives a home its best chance to shine online. Foster Rojahn Premier Properties | Keller Williams Lake Norman 19721 Bethel Church Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 604-3054 https://frpremierproperties.com/ [https://frpremierproperties.com/]