Many homeowners in The Triangle are choosing to renovate their homes this Spring. Where home prices are still high and inventory is low, making renovations can be a popular alternative to moving. However, home renovations tend to be more costly right now due to still high material and labor costs and not everyone has the disposable income for extensive renovations. Additionally good, dependable contractors may be booked 6-12 months out so it could take longer than you might like to get your renovations completed. Financing home renovations is one way to make necessary renovations, without a large capital outlay upfront. Here are some of the best financing options for home renovations.

Home Equity Loan

Home equity is the difference between the…

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When we take clients for showings, landscaping is often a big draw. The average cost of landscaping in the US is about $5,000, but the return on investment is 100%. However, if you are thinking about selling in the next five years, you also might not want to invest a lot in landscaping at the expense of other home improvement projects. To save money and to attract buyers when the time is right, we recommend fast-growing and flowering shrubs for adding curb appeal, in a hurry. 

Camelias are classic North Carolina shrub, that grow quickly! With thick waxy leaves and beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colors and differing bloom times, they are an excellent choice. Partial sun or shade.


 

Azaleas are another classic quick growing…

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Real Estate buying, selling, and moving tend to follow some predictable patterns. Many buyers delay moving until Spring, some believing this to be the best time to buy and the easiest time to move, others planning on specific school districts for the following year. While there is the benefit of kids being in school, and many people decide to list their homes in Spring for the same reason, it makes for a frenzied time that does not always yield the best conditions for moving. Let's discuss the benefits of moving and buying prior to the Spring selling and buying rush.

Tempting Interest Rates for Buyers

Last year, home prices began to fall ever so slightly in The Triangle, and buyers saw rates dip slightly at the end of the year. As rates fall,…

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Many Triangle homeowners consider renovations in the new year. Some renovations recoup the investment in resale and are more desirable than others. The spring is an excellent time to renovate a home and if you are considering selling, we recommend, instead of large-scale renovations, making curb appeal changes linked here, to take advantage of the current market conditions. We are sharing home renovations according to Fortune Builders that yield the best ROI by percentage, and explanation according to our expertise. If you are thinking about selling in The Triangle, please contact a member of My NC Homes to discuss the best strategy for selling this spring.

Landscaping: ROI 100% : Fresh landscaping adds both curb appeal and value to a home. Where…

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Are you considering retirement? Are you thinking about downsizing? Is 2023 the year to do it? As we contemplate making these major life decisions, timing can be very important. Depending on the structure of your retirement, if you choose to retire sooner than later, you stand to earn more money through interest and also the time you sell your home. We wanted to go over some current market conditions to help those who are considering making this transition in The Triangle.

Downsizing and Home Selling

Are you ready to downsize? If this feels "too final", consider reframing downsizing. This can feel like a ton of work, but the first step is to clear the clutter, recognize the opportunity in reducing maintenance of homeowning, and considering the…

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4 Surprising Things That Will Increase Your Homes Equity

Investing in real estate is generally considered a sound strategy for growing wealth, especially in areas where home values are rising, like The Research Triangle. Home equity is a homes value minus liens or debts against a home. There are a number of factors within and outside of a homeowner's control that amounts to a home's equity. To grow home equity and its’ values there are some surprising things you may not be aware of. As experts in home values in The Triangle, we are sharing some of our top "surprising" tips.

  1. Meticulous Renovation Documentation

It is well known that investments in renovations such as a new roof, a kitchen upgrade, or bath upgrades increase the value…

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The Research Triangle is recognized nationally for a high quality of life for residents. It has a number of the top universities including UNC Chapel Hill, NC State University, NCCU and Duke University within its bounds and as a result, there are incredible museums, hospitals, and culture. Another byproduct of such wonderful educational resources is corporate and tech investment in the area and a great job market. For these reasons, real estate is highly sought after, increasing in value, and a great investment. One of the most desirable types of real estate is developments that are exclusive and offer amenities within the development or nearby. Golf club communities abound in The Triangle and here are some of our top club picks.

Find your perfect…

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Making Your House A Home

Much of our blog reports on market conditions, local area lifestyle information, home improvements as well as Buyer and seller information. To frequently we fail to talk about just enjoying your home. We would like to underscore the importance of making a house a home. When we think about increasing curb appeal for sellers, what about for buyers to envision themselves in a home? What are some steps you can take to really envision your ideal home, and then start your search. It is a great time to buy over renting, and stabilizing housing costs is a great way to invest in your future.

Your Future Space

How do you take up space? This is more than an abstract concept. When you are envisioning your new home, where are the…

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When reading about real estate, it is important to remember that there never has been, will there ever be a national real estate market. All real estate markets are local. Supply and demand in real estate is dictated by what buyers are willing to pay and sellers accept, in a precise location. It is imperative to work with a highly experienced Realtor who can filter the national real estate noise to deliver local real estate insights. We would like to offer some reasons why it is important to debunk this national market myth for local Triangle area buyers and sellers.

Markets to Watch

A local market is influenced by a number of factors and does not exist in a vacuum. Job growth, population growth, housing affordability, proximity to desired…

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Changes to Credit Reporting and What it Means for 2023 Buyers

For many who are looking to buy a home, the variability in interest rates may have put a halt to your search. Some of our Buyer clients have concerns about obtaining financing, as a result of their credit scores as interest rates rise, they assume they won't qualify.

If you share these concerns, we have great news. There are big changes to how credit is being calculated and debts reported that may impact your ability to borrow, in major positive ways. Let's go over the five major changes to credit reporting in 2022 that impact your ability to borrow in 2023.


  1. The No Change Change. Credit scores stalled in 2022. Overall the average gain was 7 points, which takes scores back…

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