2020 Year in Review with My NC Homes

Top 5 Things We were Grateful for in 2020

2020 has been a challenge, but My NC Homes has so much to be grateful for moving into 2021. We wanted to take stock of our accomplishments, and share the things we are really grateful for in 2020. As we consider 2020 and make resolutions for 2021, we have been and remain committed to making our clients real estate transactions as easy and pain free as possible. We continue to focus on what is most important to clients, whether it's privacy, communication, school districts, timing, or anything else that clients need to feel that they are making a well informed decision. The demands and preferences witnessed in 2020 are unlike most years, but we have found solutions for our clients time and time again. Here…

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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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A Homeowner’s Net Worth Is 40x Greater Than a Renter’s

A Homeowners Net Worth Is 40x Greater Than a Renter's

One of the best ways to build your family's financial future is through homeownership. Recent data from the Federal Reserve indicates the net worth of a homeowner is actually over 40 times greater than that of a renter. Maybe it's time to start thinking about buying a home, especially when they are so affordable in today's market.

Every three years the Survey of Consumer Finances shows the breakdown of how owning a home helps build financial security. In the graph below, we see that the average net worth of homeowners continues to grow, while the net worth of renters tends to hold fairly steady and be significantly lower than that of homeowners. The gap between owning and renting just keeps…

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What You Should Expect From a Home Inspection

Getting Ready for Your 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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What You Should Know When Buying New Construction Homes

What You Should Know When Buying New Construction Homes

There's a lot of new construction here in the Research Triangle Area, from fully customized high-end single family homes, to mass produced production homes with few options for the buyer other than cosmetic, and everything in between. Each and every builder has their own jargon and terminology to describe their product and there's a very significant difference in the quality of what and how they build and what a homebuyer can expect throughout the process. It's very easy to become overwhelmed.

Here's what you should know about buying new construction.

New homes have a lot of advantages, but there are trade-offs. As with any major purchasing decision, consider your personal priorities…

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How To Quickly Increase Curb Appeal!

How to Increase Curb Appeal at Any Budget

With stay orders in place across North Carolina, we are spending more time at home and tackling projects buried in the to do list. We have compiled a list of curb appeal projects at a variety of price points, including links to purchase. This is also a progressive project list that can show you where you can upcycle, repurpose, and sell things you might otherwise discard. Seller's need to embrace this simple concept: People buy with their eyes. In other words; you get one chance to make a first good impression.

While many in our industry have made speculations as to the future of the real estate market, we are seeing sellers and buyers continue to move forward with sales and acquisitions since mortgage…

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Will Surging Unemployment Crush Home Sales?

Ten million Americans lost their jobs over the last two weeks.

The next unemployment rate will be announced on May 8th. It is expected to be in the double digits. Due to the health crisis; the economy has essentially come to a screeching halt; and many are feeling a personal financial crisis. James Bullard, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, explained that the government is trying to find ways to assist both those who have lost their jobs as well as  the companies which were forced to close (think: your neighborhood restaurant). In a recent interview he said:

"This is a planned, organized partial shutdown of the U.S. economy in the second quarter. The overall goal is to keep everyone, households and businesses, whole."

…

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Five Simple Graphs Showing it's Not Like the Last Time!

Market Chatter

There are already no shortage of experts weighing in on the future real estate market, and there is little doubt that over the coming months there's going to be considerably more. As everyone reading this already knows; I have a crystal ball, it's my secret power that allows me to sell real estate and write real estate blogs. Now that my secret has been disclosed here are a few things to keep in mind over the coming month. *

Why the Housing Market isn't Likely to Crash Like Last Time!

• None of the "experts" has a crystal ball and not one of them has been through this before. 
• Mortgage Requirements are much tougher now than they were leading up to the 2008 Crash.
• Appreciation has remained around 5% annually rather…

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4 Essential Real Estate Vendors You Should NOT Find Online

Moving is stressful and real estate transacting, whether buying or selling, is emotional. The team you use can ease emotions or add drama. We have found that buyers who choose their vendors based on digital review or paid review sites have unreliable results, at best. In our decades of experience in real estate, we have witnessed the rise of the digital professional over the word of mouth professional, and would like to offer our vendors who are proven beyond paid review or page rank. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Raleigh-Durham, contact a member of our team to begin your search.

Lenders

A reputable lender will offer fair terms and competitive rates derived from your present financial status, adjusted income, and credit history.…

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Covid-19 Real Estate Impact - Better Days Ahead

Covid-19 Real Estate Impact - Better Days Ahead

I never imagined I'd be writing a Blog like this one, but Andrew, Lauren and I all believe; Better Days Ahead and We're All in this Together.

There are some positive things to report.

Nationally

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is working with other trade associations and industry partners to expand access to remote online notary in any pandemic relief bills.

They have called for direct rental assistance for families who have income loss due to COVID-19 and relief for property owners from the financial obligations of forbearance and foreclosures.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) noticed a foreclosure and evictions moratorium for 60 days (through May 16) for FHA…

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