Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information - Larry Tollen

Raleigh Metro Area is #2 for Job-first Movers in the U.S.

According to a new study by Apartment List, 59.4% of Raleigh metro renters choose to move to the Raleigh metro for the job, making it #2 metro in the nation for job-first movers.

Growing job market with large technology companies, start-ups and job opportunities in science and academia make the Research Triangle surrounding Raleigh appealing to new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) grads. Combined with relatively low housing prices, the Triangle is the next go-to destination for tech workers around the nation. Despite rapidly increasing rent prices, Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill are still more affordable than most tech centers.

According to the study, only 25% of Raleigh metro renters are plan on settling down in the…

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Welcome to the Neighborhood: Our 5 Best Housewarming Gift Ideas

Moving. We have all experienced arriving at a new destination and trying to figure out what to unpack first, while at the same time pushing off hunger or thirst and possibly dealing with our kids and pets. Who can't empathize with the experience of being overwhelmed and exhausted when we see new neighbors arrive with the moving truck and carting boxes into the house. It is often good to let the dust settle the first night before heading over for a meet and greet, but we have identified some of the best housewarming gifts sure to endear you to your new neighbors.

Without knowing what your new neighbors like, their hobbies, or sense of style don’t run the risk of picking out decor they feel obliged to keep. Keep to items that they can use and…

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Why Zillow Probably Values Your Home Wrong!

It's a question we hear on a regular basis, "We love your site but we were hoping you could get a "free online valuation. Why don't you offer this on your site?"   

My NC Homes has reviewed a dozen or more of them, trying to find one we felt good about offering our clients/customers. The truth is we haven't found a single one that we felt was worth putting on our site. They're all flawed for the same reason; they calculate your home's value using a number of false assumptions. The first is that all lots within a neighborhood are the same. They don't know whether your lot backs to a beautiful glade or a powerline, whether it's level, hilly, a corner lot, backs to a highway or is positively (or negatively) impacted by adjoining properties. Next they…

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The Home Sellers Guide to Maximizing the Sales Price

At the top of every home seller’s checklist is a universal goal. Regardless of the market’s climate, whether it favors buyers or sellers, every home seller wants the most for their home. It is the most asked question we hear from our seller clients, "How do we maximize the sales price?"

Before your home hits the market

Choosing the right real estate agent is the first and most important step in maximizing your home’s value. Every home and each seller is different, at My NC Homes we understand this and provide our clients with detailed information about the home’s value, market conditions and the competition. We supply professional resources and support to get them "Show Ready." We coach our clients in terms of repairs, negotiation tactics…

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What it is like to buy and sell with My NC Homes

If you're reading this, then you're clearly wondering what it's like to buy or sell a home with My NC Homes.

We felt the best way to answer this was to have clients who have bought, sold, and referred friends and co-workers to us share their experience.

Stacy and her husband Jon have worked with Larry as first-time home buyers, move up buyers and first-time sellers. In 2012, just having moved to Durham from Maryland, Stacy and Jon had been in the area for less than a year when they decided to buy a house. Still being new to the area they had a lot to learn about the different neighborhoods and what to keep in mind for value, resale, and what they considered important.

How did you first meet Larry and My NC Homes?

Stacy: Larry had a…

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Best of Spring in the Triangle

As we thaw out from winter, many of us are looking forward to enjoying the warmer spring weather and rediscover what we love so much about the Triangle. Spring in the Triangle is a wonderful time, we  delight with the early blooms of daffodils and redbud which serve as reminders: Warmer temperatures are approaching.

Time to get our patios and decks ready, open up the garden sheds and start sprucing up the yard, and getting out on a few more walks as the weather warms up.

Before the heat of summer kicks it, make sure we take advantage of these glorious spring months. The Triangle offers a bounty of activities to enjoy that take us outside. Whether you are into new hikes or want to find a enjoyable spring festival, we have a list that highlights…

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Neighborhood Spotlight: Montclair in Chapel Hill

Montclair is one of Chapel Hill’s loveliest custom-built neighborhoods, presenting elegant one-and-half and two-level homes situated on private lots surrounded by towering trees. This premier David Weekley community features the latest in modern living with high-end designs, as well as boasting the EnergySaver guarantee which is supported by the Environment For Living®. Montclair is rare in the sense that it’s surrounded by nature, yet is only a 5 to 10-minute drive to major points of interest including the core of Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, stunning Jordan Lake, with easy-access to the I-40, Raleigh Durham Airport, and Research Triangle Park. With a perfect marriage of peace and city, Montclair homes offer a…

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The Top Things to Look for When You're House Hunting in 2018

If you're considering purchasing a brand-new home, you've got a lot of work ahead of you. Not only will you be spending various nights and days looking through the listings in North Carolina to find the property that's perfect for your family, but you'll also need to think about how much you can afford to ensure that you don't overspend.

Remember, when it comes to buying the right home, it's important to keep your budget firmly in mind so that you don't put yourself in a difficult financial situation. But if you've got a solid idea of what you can spend, then the following 3 things might be the top things to look for when you're house hunting this year.

1. The Location

Speak to any real estate agent and they'll tell you that the top three…

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The Superior Experience of University Living in the Triangle

The Raleigh-Durham area is heaven for Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) fans with three of the most dominant athletic schools in the conference. Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill are also known for other distinguished academic establishments, which have propelled the area to the top 5 most educated cities in America, according to Forbes. Living in university-driven communities provides a superior experience that goes beyond enjoying some of the best historical rivalries in sports.

Endless Educational Opportunities

The ACC powerhouses of Duke, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC), and North Carolina State University (NC State) are well known across the nation for their athletic and academic prowess. Raleigh is also home to several other…

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Moving To A New City? Check Out These Top Relocation Tips & Tricks

North Carolina is a popular state for relocation. Rated as one of the top 10 of states people are moving to, North Carolina is a top place to relocate for jobs, family, and retirement. On an average day, 40 people move into Wake County. Wake County encompasses Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Raleigh, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon. Over 50% of those relocating to North Carolina are from other states, while about 20% immigrate from another country. The majority of those wanting to call North Carolina home will move into single-family homes, followed by multi-family housing.

There are many cities and towns that make up Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill (the Triangle). Finding the right spot can feel…

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