Raleigh Real Estate Blog

Living in Holly Springs, NC

Find out why so many folks are moving to Holly Springs, NC

Holly Springs, North Carolina is one of the best places to live in the country so it's no wonder so many folks are trying to move here! With a population of just over 30,000 Holly Springs has been growing around 5-6% annually. Holly Springs is located in Wake County and is a suburb of Raleigh, around 20-minutes from the State's Capital. Everything is seemingly new in Holly Springs from the semiprofessional ballpark to Holly Springs Town Center for shopping and dining. The weather in Holly Springs includes mild Winter's with warmer Springs and Falls allowing for golf nearly year-round! The homes for sale in Holly Springs are new and affordable with lots of new

Best Beaches Near Raleigh, NC

With so many popular beaches near Raleigh, NC you'll never run out of great places to spend some time in the water and sun. The map above is a great way to determine just how far the beach is from Raleigh, NC. We will go through each beach and discuss how far it is as well as what to expect when visiting!

While our website is mainly focused on helping people find great homes in Raleigh we love to write about local information that helps answer questions for folks who may be potentially moving here.

Without further ado here are some of the best beaches in Raleigh, NC.

Outer Banks Beaches

How Far: 219 miles from Raleigh estimated 3 hours 30 minutes drive time.

The beaches and towns located in the outer

What are The Best Neighborhoods in Apex, NC?

Living in Apex, NC as a Realtor I have developed a great understanding of the best neighborhoods so if you are moving to Apex, NC here's what you need to know! Especially after showing hundreds of homes, to all different types of clients in the area. Families, young professionals, retirees, no matter who you are there is always something fun going on in Apex for everyone and anyone! Even Apex's neighbor to the south, Holly Springs, is seeing some of Apex's growth as the entire area continues to be a great place for folks to live. Without further ado, here are some of the best neighborhoods in Apex:

Search Homes for Sale in Apex, NC

History of Apex

Apex is a town in Wake County, North Carolina

10 Simple Steps to Get a Mortgage (Starting with Preapproval) 

1. Mortgage Preapproval
2. Mortgage Application Process
3. Good Faith Estimate
4. Mortgage Process
5. Mortgage Loan Underwriting Process
6. Appraisal
7. Approval Decision
8. Lock in Rate
9. Mortgage Loan Approval
10. Close on the Loan

The home buying process will vary state-by-state, but North Carolina is one of the most “buyer friendly” states in the U.S. In this article, we will cover the step-by-step mortgage process, starting with preapproval as step one. As with anything related to buying a home, applying for a mortgage can be an involved process, so it is important to speak with your real estate agent and gather his/her thoughts on the best loan officers in your area. 

Making the commitment to move cross country can be a daunting task. There are several details that are often overlooked until it is too late, and it can be challenging to organize everything before the big day. When you do arrive in Raleigh or Charlotte, however, the stress behind moving will quickly be forgotten. I’m sure you already know that there are countless benefits to living here including the plentiful jobs, beautiful weather, great barbecue, exciting breweries, and lush parks. I’ve compiled 17 helpful tips and tricks below that should come in handy before you begin the process of packing up your belongings and making the cross country trip. 

1. Should I hire a company to ship my car cross country? 

Although this may seem to be an expensive

The North Carolina Home Buying Process

Congratulations on taking the first step in understanding the purchasing process – this is an extremely exciting endeavor! Although at times stressful and overwhelming, buying a home is one of the most valuable investments you will ever make and will be both fun and exciting as you go along.

There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to the real estate closing process. Every state varies in its closing requirements, so closing on a home in North Carolina will be very different than closing in other states (including South Carolina).  

Step #1: Determine what you’re looking for in a home

I advise that you be as practical as possible when considering what the absolute “must-haves” are in your future

Best Spots for Brunch in Raleigh, NC

Brunch in the south typically conjures thoughts of delectable shrimp and grits, crispy chicken and waffles, warm biscuits, and many other comfort food specialties. Although Raleigh offers the very best of every Southern comfort food delicacy, there is so much more to choose from beyond just the Southern staples. Raleigh proudly serves a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, Mexican fare, authentic Parisian cuisine, and so much more. Some of the best-rated restaurants in the World are found in Raleigh, including Brewery Bhavana. Raleigh’s food culture prides itself on offering the freshest farm-to-table ingredients, specialty brunch cocktails, and warm, inviting atmospheres. Brunch is a staple here in Raleigh, and

With the rise of student loan debt, frequent career shifts, and living through the 2008 housing crisis, many may consider millennials to be financially insecure and averse to home ownership. However, research surprisingly points in the opposite direction. According to a 2018 Bank of America survey, the vast majority of millennials, more than 72%, consider homeownership to be their top priority. The only live event that ranked higher was retirement, at 80%. Getting married and having children fell lower on the list, at 50% and 44% respectively. To the millennial generation, owning a home is not only a wise investment option – it is a fundamental value intrinsic to the American Dream.

I’m a real estate agent. What should I know about working with

One of the first questions new Realtors have for me is always 'how much money will I make in my first year?' and in order to answer that question, you need to understand how Real Estate Agents make money. How much commissions you make in your first year as a Realtor will be entirely dependent on you and how much business you're able to generate. Your gross income is different than your net income, so make sure you're tracking your expenses. The advice below is from 17 Veteran industry leaders who offer tips on how to build your business when you're starting out.

If you're looking to make 100k in your first year as a Realtor you'll want to first reverse engineer the process. What is the average price of sold homes in your area? How many homes

How to Obtain a Mortgage

Chances are, if you are a first-time home buyer, you will most likely need to apply for a mortgage. In addition to finding the right mortgage, it is also important that you find a lender who will provide an interest rate and closing costs that won’t break the bank. Of course, it is difficult to have the perfect combination of all of these factors, but knowing how to obtain a mortgage and understanding your grant eligibility could help you save thousands of dollars in the long-term. We lay out some of the best strategies in securing a great mortgage deal.

What are the steps involved in obtaining a mortgage?

Find a Lender and Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

There is a difference between getting pre-qualified and