All Blog Entries by Ryan Fitzgerald

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! 

Search Homes for Sale in Apex, NC

History of Apex

Apex is a town in Wake County, North Carolina and a smaller suburb of Raleigh. With an estimated population of around 45,000, Apex is able to keep that small town 'charm' that has earned it's nickname 'the peak of good living.' Recently, Money Magazine ranked Apex as

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. 

Living in Raleigh, NC

Find out why 70+ people are Moving to Raleigh Daily

For anyone moving to Raleigh, NC or considering the move, you'll want to be sure to read this article first! If you're curious about living in Raleigh, just check out all of the great affordable homes for sale in Raleigh, NC!

One thing most people don't realize about Raleigh is just how big live music is. When you close down the main streets in the city, for a live concert, you know it's important:

Here are 15 things you should expect to love about your move to Raleigh!

Community - A Great Reason to Move to Raleigh

One of the best parts about Raleigh is that it's a city with a small town feel. Raleigh is a city where people know your face and that's all

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

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 home. Although having that extra bathroom

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 purchasing a great mortgage .

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

Selling my House in 2019

Predicting the future of the U.S. economy is tricky, if not impossible – particularly when it applies to the housing market. Before we get into the details, I will preface this post by saying this: if you are fully prepared to sell in 2019, I advise moving forward with the sales process prior to 2020. Why? Economists and real estate experts agree that the U.S. economy will most-likely encounter a recession in 2020, or maybe even as early as the end of 2019. Interest rates are also expected to rise. Some experts argue the crash will not come until 2024-2026, you don't want to be caught on the wrong side of a recession so don't get greedy if you're ready!

Fortunately, in my markets located in both Raleigh and Charlotte, NC