Many of our new home buyers in Raleigh Durham as well as some of our existing clients ask us about home equity. What is it? How do I build it? Can I use it for buying a new home? And more. Most of our younger generations consider cryptocurrencies as more solid wealth generators than home equity, but investing in housing is one of the most stable investments, definitely more stable than the latest coin. It is surprising how poor most people's understanding is of home equity when it is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth. We are going to give you a quick course on how to build wealth using home equity and how you can use existing home equity to your financial advantage.

What is Home Equity?

What is equity? Home equity is the percentage…

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It is a glorious fall in The Triangle and as the leaves and temperatures are falling, you will need to do some seasonal maintenance to ensure your home is prepared. These tips save money and keep your home in good condition. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes and this is really with home maintenance. If you are considering selling this winter or fall, these will also need to be on your checklist. Looking for a specialist to help you maintain your home, work on the gutters, or check your roof? Please reach out! We have excellent home maintenance partners.

Get your Mind on Your Gutters!

Your gutters play a critical role in your home by diverting thousands of gallons of water annually off of your home. They drain…

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Remote work can seem like a dream or make your home feel like a cage, depending on your home office setup. In the past year we have seen many businesses decide to move offices permanently remote or implement hybrid work options. Why? Remote work is not only preferred by many workers who save an average of $2,000-$5,000 and it is also cost-effective for businesses who save an average of $22,000 per employee. As home work is here to stay, we are also seeing work from home preferences change for buyers, and seeing more buyers come to The Triangle because of hybrid work opportunities. If you are a seller looking to make your home more desirable for the home office hybrid worker or you are just looking for a more exciting home office, here is our…

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Fall is in full swing on the Triangle and Durham museums and galleries are hosting a regular season. We may not discuss this often on our blog, but at My NC Homes we are supporters of the arts, and Durham artists and galleries deserve our patronage. They are the creative capital that adds so much value to the area and we wanted to take a minute to spotlight the openings that are going on about town and invite you to check them out! If you purchased a new home, Art can be an excellent investment.

5 Points Gallery of Contemporary Art 

5 Points Gallery is located in downtown Durham and offers a stable of contemporary art in a variety of mediums. From glass to paintings to ceramics, 5 Points has been voted number one in Durham for the past two years…

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May Day May Day!!!! The inspection report is back and it lists dozens and dozens of "defects", what can I do!! Receiving the inspection report can feel like a personal affront. My NC Homes has talked hundreds of buyers and sellers off a ledge and helped them understand what the inspection reports are saying and their implications. Below we dive into what they include and do not include and when panic, is warranted. Remember, homeowners who are considering selling in the future can reach out to My NC Homes for a referral for inspection companies prior to listing.

What is a home inspection report?

A home inspection report is supposed to be an objective document provided after an evaluation by a qualified home inspector. It should include…

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Fall is in full swing on The Triangle and with vaccinations and measures to protect the public in place, we have a number of fall festivals you can safely put on your calendar. These range from heritage-based festivals, celebrating the diversity of The Triangle, food festivals for the foodies, to arts festivals and even a Comicon. They all have one thing in common and that is they unify our community and are a chance to reconnect with neighbors and have a great day with family and friends. We have a little bit of everything this fall for you to enjoy. Should you be looking for a home this fall, these festivals give you a perfect opportunity to meet some of your neighbors and check out what Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and Cary are all about! Then,…

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Homes on The Triangle are going under contract in record time; often selling in less than 48 hours, sometimes before they're available for physical showings. When you list your home in this climate, you need to be ready. The list below was put together to support your move, and help you prepare in advance rather than scrambling when your home goes under contract and you under pressure to MOVE! Take a deep breath, and let us help you manage your selling experience.

Find Your Realtor

Selling a home can be one of the biggest life stressors there is. It can also be one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in a lifetime. To hire a friends "friend" or go by unvetted referrals is a mistake. This is a big deal. There is a lot of money…

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Understanding Appraisal Issues

I know this post is likely to generate a lot of negative comments from appraisers and mortgage lenders but I am willing to take the heat and be honest. Appraisals have always been "A necessary but pointless headache" for Buyers, Sellers and their Realtors.

Here's the bottom line, an appraisal is nothing more than one person's opinion of valuation. It may or may not be a well-reasoned, educated valuation; regardless of whether it is a well done appraisal or not; at the end of the day, it's meaningless other than to the Lender in terms of what they're willing to lend a buyer.

For context and to understand I'm not some upset Realtor indulging in a rant; I have been a full time Broker for more than 40 years. My…

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There is non stop press coverage questions whether there is a bubble in the real estate market, discussing the severe lack of inventory, timber shortages, labor shortages, and more, but how does all of that really affect affordability? Can you guess the last time homes were this affordable in The Triangle? Are you under the impression that homes are overpriced right now? Homes are more affordable now than they have been since 2016. Let's dive into some statistics on the affordability of home buying, RIGHT NOW in The Triangle.

Home prices are appreciating and prices have been steadily, arguably rapidly; rising in nearly all domestic markets. When we hear prices are going up, we immediately think houses are becoming unaffordable and as Realtors, we…

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As part of an ongoing series to highlight the contributions of North Carolinians, we would like to shine a spotlight on the Arts. In the past year, visual and performing arts and artists, institutions and individuals, suffered from the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. As we are finding new and creative ways to go about our day to day, from five star takeout celebrations to zoom happy hours, we can also support the arts in new ways. We will feature some ways to support artists throughout this blog, if they are living, and ways to support creators and arts institutions online. If you have any suggestions, please let us hear it and we will try to update this list!

Thelonius Monk 

American Jazz legend Thelonius Monk was born in Rocky Mount…

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