The emergence of a global pandemic and the effects of a warming climate have resulted in a reprioritization for buyers in The Triangle real estate market, and a buyer migration nationally. As real estate progressive professionals in the tech-driven Research Triangle, we already witnessed some shifts from buyers wanting much more in when it comes to work from home options. In addition more buyers are looking for more multi-generational home options, sustainable living options, and locations where climate change is factored in. We heard from buyers telling us they were relocating from the west coast specifically to avoid ever worsening drought and water restrictions as well as fires.

Below is a list of insights for sellers to make homes more…

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Insurance - Homeowners and Beyond

Typically Hurricane season peaks in late August through October and with the news of fires in the West as well as flooding events nationwide, we thought it timely and important to understand where you are and are not protected by home owners insurance insurance. Here is a guide to insurance, beyond basic homeowners. If you are looking to purchase a home on The Triangle, please reach out to us. Not only can we make the home buying (or selling) process easier for you; but we can refer you to the best insurance providers for your needs, as a landlord, or homeowner as well as personally vetted trade people who can help you with any repairs or improvements you may be considering.

Inside your Homeowners Policy

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More than 44 million borrowers in the US have student loan debt totaling over $1.5 trillion. For students, recent grads, or those who have advanced degrees with lots of debt, it might seem like home ownership is out of the question because of financing. The Triangle Area is home to some of the best academic undergraduate, graduate, and medical and law programs in the United States and we have helped hundreds of students, recent graduates, and those with considerable student loan debt, successfully buy real estate. We want to assure you it's not impossible. Here is a short guide to buying, with student loan debt even in the current market.

  1. Spend the Time to Improve your Credit Score: Regardless of whether you have student debt of not it all…

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Creating-an-Energy-Efficient- Home

Understanding the Difference between Green and Energy Efficient Building

EnergyStar, ECOSelect, LiveGreen, EnergyPlus, GreenBuilding, Leeds, HERS score, these are just some of the many designations and terms homebuyers may see or hear when looking for a new home. It's easy to understand why many homeowners and homebuyers either lump them all together assuming they are one and the same or ignore them entirely. The truth is while there can be some overlap between "Green" home features and "Energy Efficient or Saving" features they are not one and the same.

Green Home Building 

In order to build green, contractors focus on four main areas, starting with materials. True "green" construction starts with materials that are natural, renewable,…

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2021 Ultimate FAQ for Home Inspections

2021 ULTIMATE FAQ FOR HOME INSPECTIONS

In the course of our careers we have attended and reviewed thousands of home inspections. Home  inspections can take place prior to listing, as a preemptive measure by a seller to determine whether they will need to make reasonable repairs or correctly price a property for a quick sale, or home inspections will take place at the expense of the buyer to better assess a home's value and give them an understanding of issues they may need or wish to address after purchasing a property. To the uninitiated, a home inspection sounds routine, unemotional, and a formality in the transaction of a home sale, or it may also be dreaded. They can be anything but routine, as we wrote aboutherein detail, and it is very…

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2021 buyers Guide to Water and Waste in the Research Triangle

Which is better, Well and Septic or Municipal and Sewer? The importance of clean water and waste removal when buying a home is obvious, but the misconceptions about whether public or private systems are better, persist. Buyers may feel that the private system is less of a financial burden because it is a one-time expense, but that is not necessarily the case, and the quality of a water table is also a factor to be considered. We decided to update our comprehensive guide published in 2015, for 2021 Buyers in our 2021 Buyer Guide to Water and Waste.

Water
Municipal Water

Water quality varies dramatically depending on your municipal water table and the age, depth, and health of your well. Since we published our last blog, there has been…

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Checklist to Determine

According to real estate top economists, there will be an increase of first-time homebuyers on the market in 2021. According to these predictions work from home Millennials will be looking to purchase single-family homes in mid-size cities and suburban areas that are not densely populated. Chapel Hill, Raleigh Durham, and the surrounding areas are likely to witness continued demand for single family homes and new homes. If you fall into the first time home buyer category, are considering going from apartment to single-family home, and are looking in the Triangle Area, we have some key questions to ask yourself before you start a home search in earnest, with a realtor. These questions will prepare you for the buying process and help make your offers…

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Top Real Estate Renovations

Top Home Renovations/Improvements

With so much time indoors in 2020, we know many of our clients are looking for ways to get more enjoyment out of their home. As you prioritize your remodel plans or wishes, it is always a good idea to consider the potential resale value. With nearly 75 years of combined residential real estate experience, we have seen renovations that help sell a home and increase it's market value, as well as renovations that limit a home's broad market appeal in equal measure. While many sellers are under the false impression that renovation projects such as major kitchen and bath remodels, master suite additions, and swimming pools, will substantially increase the value of their home and this isn't always the case. Major…

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What's a Good Credit Score and Why does it Matter

 What's a Good Credit Score and Why Does it Matter?

Your credit score is so important throughout your life that it should be taught as part of a standard curriculum for financial literacy and adulthood. Unfortunately it isn't and in this instance, ignorance is anything but bliss. In this blog, we're going to take a deep dive to explain the importance of your credit score, how it's determined and steps you can take to improve it. My NC Homes would like to help our would be home buyers understand how your credit impacts not just your ability to purchase a home but also the terms you'll be given. Just because your credit is fair on one report, it still might not qualify for the lowest available mortgage rates. You may also be rejected depending on the…

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Getting Ready for Your Home Inspection What You Should Expect From A Home Inspection

You're under contract and you or your agent has set up the home inspection. It's time to get ready for a roller coaster ride of emotions.

There's the excitement that comes from really getting to take a good hard look at the home you're buying. It's typically the longest time you are in the house before you own it.

There's anxiety. What if the inspector finds something wrong? So wrong you can't buy the house?

Impatience. Where's my report? How bad is it? What's it going to cost to repair these things and how soon do I need to get them all done? Why hasn't the Seller responded to my request yet. Ugh, I hate this, when will it be over?

With countless hundreds of home inspections under our belts; you can…

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