An Atlanta native, Beth Blevins has called the Charlotte area her home for the past 28 years. It’s where she raised her family and where she previously worked as a bank manager and stockbroker. It’s also where she used her background in finance and investments to help her break into the real estate business 17 years ago.

It’s been a big and weird year, but the housing market has seen huge gains—with mortgage applications 33% higher than in 2019. Some digital mortgage firms have even seen up to a 40% increase in purchase applications.