A TRUSTED SOURCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY

by MARTIE EMORY

Entrusting your belongings to an outside storage facility can be a stressful move – whether you’re looking for a safe landing spot for family keepsakes, furniture for a future home or business equipment that needs a shortterm spot.

Morningstar Storage in Terrell, NC, promises a dramafree experience, with easy access loading and state-ofthe-art security, overseen by professionals who know what makes the difference to clients.

“We want to be here, every day, providing quality service to customers who have selected Morningstar Storage to aid them with their storage needs,” says Property Manager Kelly Lavin. “We want to get to know what’s important to our future and current tenants, ask all the necessary questions, listen to what they are saying and be able to provide solutions. By developing trust with a tenant, it makes them feel we truly listened to them.”

Treated with respect is always how you’ll feel as a Morningstar tenant!

“Our goal is to be a smiling face to anyone who walks into our office or on our property,” adds Kelly. “We stand and introduce ourselves when we greet a guest – if someone comes to Morningstar Storage, they come for a reason, and we should be happy they chose us.”

Morningstar offers a three-floor, climate-controlled property with units available in sizes 5x5, 5x10, 5x15, 10x10, 10x20 and 10x25. They also have a limited number of drive-to-your-door units that are not climatecontrolled – two 10x25 units and seventeen 10x20 units in that category. You can also purchase a variety of moving supplies in the office including various sizes of boxes, wrapping paper, tape and other moving materials.

“We also offer a 15-foot box truck free for four hours to aid in a tenant’s move and hand trucks to rent, if needed. The truck can also be rented by tenants and walk-in customers. Morningstar does have a secure, gated, camera-watched, covered 12x45 parking area for RVs, and standard 8x19 parking for cars and trailers,” says Kelly.

The staff is also proud of their Morningstar Cares program and feel it sets them apart in the community.

“Morningstar Cares allows each property to share their resources, time and passion with non-profits and other worthwhile groups, providing free storage or other types of assistance. We support our community schools, first responders and churches, and can choose groups we feel strongly about to work with. We can also offer our trucks, supplies and staff for events that need our support.” professionalism and hard work, but also her friendly, energetic personality, her enthusiasm for real estate, and above all, her integrity. From first-time buyers and new construction, to waterfront homes, Janine is a master of creative solutions when the need arises.

You can learn more about their charitable causes at Morningstarstorage.com.

Conveniently located off Highway 150, Morningstar Storage is less than a mile from The Village Shoppes with 24-hour secure access to the safest storage possible. Delivery acceptance is also offered along with their 12-month price guarantee – that means no unexpected rate increases.

Visit Morningstar of Highway 150 at 7872 NC Highway 150 E, in Terrell, NC, 828.827.4243, which proudly serves Lake Norman, Sherrills Ford, Terrell, Mooresville and Lake Norman High School. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Lucky enough to combine her true passions of architecture and design into a career, Janine Fields is the kind of real estate professional who volunteers to assist elderly clients with last-minute packing—and paints personal, watercolor thank-you notes for her clients.

“Even as a teenager, I was constantly painting and sketching lighting fixtures, and always studying architecture,” Janine explains. While she technically only paints now as a hobby— in oils, acrylics, and watercolor—you might find one of her paintings in a staged home that’s for sale.

“I want to see everyone smiling—that smile when you know you’ve found the right home!” she says, then shares a personal skill she has that’s a bonus for someone in real estate. “My brain is like a GPS—it’s just a skill I have. Once I’ve been somewhere, I never need directions again!”

Originally from Grefrath, Germany, Janine first visited the Charlotte area in 2005, as an intern with Charlotte Sister Cities, and lived with a host family in Troutman on Lake Norman. She was immediately smitten with both Charlotte and the Lake Norman community, and after her hosts announced they had the perfect man for her to meet—she was smitten once again!

Janine and her now-husband, Jimmy, endured a two-year, longdistance relationship before she made her official move to the area in 2012. Together, they share their lives with Milo, an adored rescue dog of the border collie/retriever mix, who is undeniably the light of their lives. They call Trilogy Lake Norman home, a vibrant 55+ community located in Denver. Janine playfully notes that she’s the youngest homeowner in this community. Their residence is truly a work of art in its own right!

After finally making Charlotte her permanent home, Janine worked as Chief Administrative Officer for a German company that manufactured retractable dog leashes. Although she’s a huge animal lover, she soon realized her dream job was waiting elsewhere, and after the pandemic, she seized the opportunity to finally study for her real estate license.

“In Germany, I had worked for a well-known architect and appraiser—as his executive assistant, and writing appraisals,” says Janine. “I was always career-driven and wanted to be working. Right after she turned 40, she knew it was time for a change. “It was the moment you think, ‘if not now, when?’” she said. Soon, she was transitioning a 22-year career in business management into her love for art, architecture, and design, and launching her new role as a realtor.

With Southern Homes of the Carolinas, she has freedom to create her own schedule. Fully dedicated to her clients, Janine calls herself a “hands-on” realtor, who makes reaching their goals her personal mission. Her clients value her

by MARTIE EMORY

Returning to a glimpse of her own home, which sets the stage for all the life and love she brings to her job. “It’s definitely a reflection of my personality and passion,” she says. “We have a few old things in the house, marble tiled floors, many modern art pieces, and a gazillion books!”

Janine loves to cook and the couple enjoys entertaining—and her charming personality is evident in so many elements of the home. You’ll quickly notice an extraordinarily cool lighting fixture by German designer, Ingo Maurer. “Every guest who spends the night here is encouraged to leave a heartfelt message on a blank sheet of paper before departing,” Janine explains.

While Janine’s passion lies in the realm of art, she recalls a moment from her twenties when she was asked about her longterm goals. Her response was a desire to learn how to play the piano, with the caveat that this dream could still be realized when she turned 40. She chuckles, saying, “So, when my 39th birthday arrived, I decided to treat myself to a baby grand piano, which, to me, is not just a musical instrument but also a work of art. Art and music, they’re all intertwined,” she muses.

Just as Janine’s own home offers a charming personal retreat, she extends the same commitment to her real estate clients. Her primary goal is to ensure they feel comfortable throughout the entire property-buying process, and she’s always eager to alleviate any burdens they may encounter. Janine is also a firm believer that if you live on the lake, you never really need a vacation.

“It’s your own little piece of paradise!” she reminds us.

You’ll love having Janine Fields guide you on your dream home journey! You can reach out to her at 704-231-9883 or via email at janine@cltlakeproperties.com. To learn more about Janine and Southern Homes of the Carolinas, visit southernhomesbroker.com.

photography by MELINDA LAMM