Purchasing a home is one of the most important financial decisions you will ever make. In the current real estate landscape, where we are post pandemic, low inventory, and with fluctuating interest rates, it is imperative that you have an expert guiding your hand in a decision of this magnitude. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned seller, partnering with an expert who has decades of experience analyzing historical data in addition to block on block local knowledge will be essential to making sound decisions and protecting your investments.

Experience is Key

No one is perfect and no Realtor is a mind reader, however, Realtors with more experience have the ability to put mortgage rates, home negotiation and pricing, and discussions…

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Sell! Buy! Mortgage Rates!Attention grabing headlines can be very destabilizing for buyers and sellers in today's real estate market. One of the biggest concerns for potential homebuyers and sellers is prices; are they going up, coming down' do you see inventory increasing; these are questions we hear almost everyday. Amidst the barrage of news headlines, it's really important to approach reports with the proper context. Let's explore the misconceptions surrounding home prices and why it's crucial to understand the concept of seasonality in real estate. By focusing on the market's normal seasonal trends and avoiding alarm caused by big headlines, we believe you'll be better equipped to navigate the housing market.

The Anomalous Years

Have…

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According to Bankrate analyst, Greg Mcbride, two out of three economists are forecasting a recession in 2023, and many of our buyers are hesitant to make a move towards homeownership within a climate of economic uncertainty. However, the housing market and housing health in the Triangle area are not necessarily related to a recession. In fact, historically, mortgage rates decline during a recession, making it a better time to buy. Let's explore how mortgage rates and the economy have been related and how buyers can benefit from conditions.

Mortgage Rates and Recession

What is a recession? This is a period where the economy contracts, rather than expands. In the last six recorded recessions, 1980, 1981, 1991, 2001, 2008, and 2020, mortgage rates…

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What you should know about closing costs? A LOT! Buyers need to understand the costs and timelines associated with purchasing a home, or better be working with an experienced, reputable Realtor to explain details. When you start saving for a home or putting money aside for a down payment, the closing costs may not immediately come to mind. Closing costs include the items listed below and in some states Buyers are required to pay the state a "tax" on the purchase as well. Let's break these down so you are not learning about closing costs, the hard way.

Seller closing expenses include the commission they agreed to pay their listing agent which is typically split with the Buyer's Broker and in NC and many other states the seller pays a tax on the sale…

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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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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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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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Creative Ideas as Mortgage Rates Rise

The FED's effort to battle inflation, by increasing interest rates, can be very frustrating, confusing and difficult for home buyers to understand. Many consider the volatility of rates to mean that they should not buy a home now, or that it is too difficult to buy a home with conventional lending. It is true that conventional mortgage rates are much higher than they were just a year ago, however, it does not preclude you from purchasing. Homeowning has many benefits including emotional, stabilized housing costs, and the financial benefits of building equity that make it a smarter decision than renting. With mortgage rates predicted to continue to rise in 2023, we thought this would be a great time to discuss…

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Avoiding the Rental Trap

Are you considering buying, but are wary of the market fluctuations, or are you a first-time buyer who is unsure of your investment future by buying in 2023 versus 2024? One of the biggest misconceptions and biggest miscommunications in market updates and real estate news is regarding renting vs home owning. Even with mortgage rates increasing if you're going to be living in one area for a minimum of 4-5 years; it is almost always better to own a home versus getting stuck renting. Let's explain why it is always better to own a home rather than rent.

Rising Rents

Over the past three decades, rents have consistently risen. Where rents are rising and continue to rise, it becomes harder to save for the recommended for a…

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