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Triangle NC Real Estate Market Update for December 2019

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The Triangle Multiple Listing Services (TMLS) recently released December 2019 information for the Triangle NC real estate market over the past month and year.

That information includes numbers for new listings, closed sales, sales prices, volume, days on market, and inventory of homes for sale, comparing the figures for December 2019 and December 2018 one year ago. Here are some of the highlights from the TMLS Market Update:

  • Showings: +12%
  • Point in time inventory: -5%
  • Houses listed during the month: +6%
  • Pending sales current status: +4%
  • Pending sales during the month: +15%
  • Overall closed sales: +25%
  • Resale closed sales: +31%
  • Full year 2019 closed sales: +6%
  • Overall average sales price: +4%
  • Resale average sales price: +8%
  • Average days on market: 55
  • Months of housing supply: 2 months
More detailed information is presented in an 8-minute video from the Triangle MLS HERE.

The graph below illustrates the 4-year trend in median sales prices for homes in the TMLS coverage area comprised of Durham, Johnston, Orange, and Wake Counties in North Carolina.

Triangle NC Real Estate Market Update for November 2019

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triangle nc residential real estate market update
The Triangle Multiple Listing Services recently released November 2019 information for the Triangle NC real estate market over the past month and year.

That information includes numbers for new listings, closed sales, sales prices, volume, days on market, and inventory of homes for sale, comparing the figures for November 2019 and November 2018 one year ago.

As indicated in the table below, listing volume was down slightly from a year ago, while closed sales and median sales price were both up between 3 and 4 percent. The inventory of homes for sale was down between 10 and 15 percent from a year ago, depending on the method of measurement.

Year to date – median sales prices for existing homes were up about 4.5 percent versus 2018.

triangle nc real estate market update november 2019

Wake County Real Estate Transaction Activity Is Up From Last Year

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Wake county real estate marketAccording to a recent press release by the Wake County Register of Deeds, the value of all real estate transactions in the County was 3% greater for the third quarter of 2019 versus the third quarter of 2018. Lending activity was up about 30% compared to the third quarter of 2018. The median value of a real estate sale was $303,000 in the third quarter of 2019. The data applies to all real estate transactions, including residential and commercial. However, transactions under $1 million, which includes the vast majority of single-family homes, account for 97% of all transactions. The conclusion is that the Wake County real estate market continues to be robust. To read more, read the press release at www.wakegov.com/news.

Tips to Help Improve Your Credit Score

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A recent article in USA Today describes two new tools from credit bureau Experian and credit scoring company FICO. Boost and UltraFICO are designed to help people starting out with credit or those who want to build it anew. According to Experian, they are most likely to benefit people with credit scores in the 500s and 600s. Boost is available on Experian’s website. UltraFICO is set to roll out on a small scale this summer. For more informstion follow this link to the full article at USA Today.

3 Important Ways to Make Moving Less Stressful

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There are only a couple of weeks left in 2018. As the year ends, and we head into 2019, many of us in North Carolina are starting to focus on our New Year’s resolutions and the fresh year ahead. January is just around the corner and those homeowners who are soon planning a move to a new location need quality realtors. The best agents find the best solutions. Our Flat Fee Realty agents suggest buyers make 2019 the year brings success and little stress in planning a move. Remember, considering how to reach one’s goals makes them more easily achieved.

Homeowners and buyers resolving to make moving less stressful in the new year need to consider these three important ways to make it happen:

  • Work with our experienced Flat Fee Realty agents: Navigating the real estate process can easily become overwhelming. Fortunately, working with our experience team of professionals means buyers and sellers will get the advice, feedback, and answers they need to make informed decisions.  Everyone appreciates our Flat Fee Realty agents, who have a wealth of experience and expertise.

  • Stay organized and clutter-free: Always, consider where belongings will go when buying a new home, and pack and label possessions accordingly for the move. Although people may rearrange a few things as they settle into their new home, packing boxes with an idea of where they should go will make unloading and unpacking less intimidating. The moving process is also an excellent time to donate, sell, or dispose of unnecessary and unused items that are simply taking up space. Preparing to sell or buy is the perfect time to reduce clutter in a home.
  • Enlist the help and support of many: From packing, to loading and unloading boxes and furniture on moving day, buyers and sellers should reach out to others. Request the assistance of friends and family if they live nearby. Otherwise, professional movers are also a great option. Buyers can ask their trusted Flat Fee Realty agent for recommendations to ensure their movers are experienced and will handle every one of the possessions with care. Having help on moving day will literally lighten the load of moving.

While the process of buying and selling a home in North Carolina can be stressful, there are ways to minimize that stress. Work with our experienced real estate agent, stay organized, and enlist the help of others. Ready to get started? Contact a Flat Fee Realty agent today!

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This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle, Wilmington, Charlotte, and Lake Norman is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230 (Main Number)

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Pixabay

Tags: real estate, New Years, resolution, resolve, moving, stress, packing, unpacking, buying, selling, moving, organization, 2019, 2018, New Year’s resolution, declutter

3 Holiday Secrets to Selling a North Carolina Home

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It’s late November, and the holiday season is in full swing. Thanksgiving has arrived and all of the holiday favorites line the end caps at the grocery stores. Holiday music serenades the most harried of shoppers. Even our street lamps are starting to get into the holiday spirit; many of the lamp posts are already dressed in green pine with festive red bows. While many of us across the Carolinas look forward to the holidays, we also can be intimidating by the thought of relocation and home selling. Fortunately, at Flat Fee Realty, our agents have experience with selling homes in the Triangle, Wilmington, Charlotte, and Lake Norman this holiday season and all year long.  

Let Flat Fee Realty take the stress out of sell and buying homes during the holidays with three helpful “almost secret” common sense tips:  

  • Don’t neglect holiday curb appeal: As the bright colors of summer and fall foliage fade to wintery browns, a home’s exterior may be less vibrant than it is in spring and summer. Maintain curb appeal and attract buyers by keeping a neat lawn. Rake the leaves and keep bushes and grass trimmed. Additionally, there is less daylight at this time of year. For buyers looking at houses after dark, homes without sufficient exterior lighting may look less appealing. Make sure prospective buyers see sufficient outdoor lighting for that perfect view. Finally, don’t overcrowd the home’s exterior with too many decorations and holiday lights; use just enough to enhance the beauty of the home, especially at night.  

  • Keep seasonal decorations simple and unique: Outdoor holiday décor is important this time of year, and indoor decorations should be planned as well. Too many decorations can clutter featured rooms like the den and the dining room. When in doubt, check with our experienced Flat Fee Realty agent to ensure the decorations are adding to the home’s appeal.

  • Work with an experienced Flat Fee Realty Agent: Working with our team will ensure every home is listed at a price that will attract buyers (without sacrificing the value of a seller’s house). Our professionals utilize MLS and other online resources which makes it easier for buyers to find a seller’s listing.

While Christmas and New Year may be intimidating times to list a home, there are several ways in which sellers can maximize the potential of their listing, especially during a time when there is less competition. Ready to list a home? Contact one of our experienced Flat Fee Realty agents to get started.

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This post on selling and buying a home during the holiday season in the Triangle, Wilmington, Charlotte, and Lake Norman is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate! 

Flat Fee Realty of the LKN, Raleigh and Wilmington

919 342 5230 (Main Number) 

Find and like us on Facebook! 

Contact Us 

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com 

Photo: Annalise1988, Pixabay

 

 

3 Points Home Buyers Must Assess When Home Shopping in North Carolina

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Happy Halloween, everyone! It is a great season of fun as we head to the holidays. For many Triangle, Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Wilmington home buyers, shopping for a new home and location can be very challenging. Fall is the perfect time for making a change, and there are many homes on the market in the regions of North Carolina we serve! It is important, especially for first time home buyers to separate wants and needs. Unfortunately, there is no “perfect” home; yet there are so many places to live that improve lifestyle and opportunity! Some home seekers have an unrealistic list of must-have features and this causes them to miss out on a great upgrade for an ideal home. Our expert agents at Flat Fee Realty want to help home buyers across North Carolina find the best available home this time of year. We will help every prospective buyer know the variables of what is important when looking for a home.   

Our Flat Fee Realty experts offer three important issues home buyers should deemphasize when looking for a new home:  

  • The home’s decor: It truly does not make sense to disregard a home due to interior paint color and fixtures. An original homeowner’s taste in design is a simple fix and it should not affect the house’s suitability. A baby’s room could become a home office. Do not focus on changeable items and temporary situations. 
  • Home warranty: In the competitive North Carolina real estate market, some sellers will offer incentives. While a new home warranty does offer benefits and provides basic peace of mind, be careful to be over-influenced. A warranty only covers specific systems in the home and provides for discounted repairs; do not confuse it with insurance. 
  • Interior space: Many buyers want a specific amount of square footage, but flexibility will allow suitability. An open floor plan can make a smaller home feel larger, and townhomes offer advantages as well.

Open houses can be a lot of fun for buyers, but there is a lot to think about. The one strategy home buyers in the Triangle, Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Wilmington can apply is to keep things simple.  Focus on the basics of what is important. Keeping non-negotiable needs the top priority and assess the possibilities of everything else. This advice is central to a low-stress home buying experience.

Our team can help. And our buying and selling agents at Flat Fee Realty are here across North Carolina to begin the process!  

Contact an agent at Flat Fee Realty today!

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Happy Halloween! This post on selling and buying a home in the regions of the Triangle, Raleigh, Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Wilmington is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.  

The Future of Real Estate! 

 Flat Fee Realty 

919 342 5230 (Raleigh and the Triangle)
910 225 7721 (Wilmington, Carolina Beach)
704 659 3560 (Lake Norman, Charlotte)

Photo: Pixabay

Contact Us 

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com 

 

 

3 North Carolina Home Improvements Worth the Investment

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Shows like Fixer Upper and Property Brothers are fun to watch and inspire many homeowners across North Carolina to think creatively about how to upgrade their homes.  For both sellers and buyers, completing home-improvement projects can be rewarding and can make a home in Charlotte, Lake Norman, Wilmington and the Triangle more attractive and functional; however, whether just moving in or preparing to sell a home, Flat Fee Realty agents recommend clients consider the return investment before spending large sums of money on major renovations.

These three upgrades are worth the investment because each one increases resale value:

  • Update a dated bathroom: A nice bathroom to pamper oneself goes a long way in the housing market. Bathroom remodels normally earn back up to 100% of what homeowners put into it. Not sure where to start? Tile the area around the tub, and add a shower door. Upgrade the vanity (choose something both stylish and functional with storage space) and install a new faucet. If there isn’t any ventilation in the bathroom, adding a new bathroom vent fan may help keep the humidity and mildew from warm showers at bay.

  • Add curb appeal: First impressions are everything. If the house exterior needs cleaning, try remedying the problem with a spray like Wet & Forget. If it still looks dull and faded after that process, consider freshening up the outside of the home with a professional power wash, then a fresh coat of paint. Next, think about the light fixtures both for safety and curb appeal. Finally, a nicely-landscaped lawn can go a long way. Start by trimming any overgrown bushes or trees. Then, consider consulting a landscaper or even a local garden center for ideas.

  • Upgrade the kitchen: Kitchens are another great place for upgrading for a solid return investment. Try to avoid the cheapest materials, but don’t overspend by purchasing items that are more luxurious than functional. Also, remember that while television shows entertain viewers with major renovations, many homeowners can create beautiful spaces with a few simple changes. For example, consider creating storage space that makes items easily-accessible, add granite countertops, and add an upgraded backsplash.

Before spending money on a major renovation, clients should contact a Flat Fee Realty agent to ensure their plans align with the interests of most buyers. This will increase the likelihood of getting a return investment on one’s home-improvement projects.

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This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle, Wilmington, Charlotte, and Lake Norman is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

919 342 5230 (Main Number)

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo : artursfoto, Pixabay

 

 

 

Three Reasons to Buy a Home in the Triangle’s Competitive Market

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It’s no secret that the Triangle is growing rapidly each and every month. While this growth is great for the North Carolina economy, making Raleigh a candidate for new Amazon and Apple headquarters, it also contributes to a competitive real estate market. From cities like Raleigh and Durham to towns like Apex, Cary, or Holly Springs, the Triangle’s real estate market is booming. For those looking to put down roots—especially first-time buyers—it may seem intimidating. Working with an experienced Flat Fee Realty agent, however, has its advantages when buying a home in the Triangle’s competitive market. 

Our team of local professionals offers three important reasons to work with Flat Fee Realty in the Triangle:

  • Access to MLS: With houses selling so quickly, it is important to be able to see available homes as they come on the market. Searches can be tailored to meet buyers’ interests and needs. For example, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms desired, a range of square footage, and garage size can all be filtered, so buyers can easily see the homes that will appeal to them and their needs most. While updates with these tailored searches can regularly be sent to buyers, buyers are also able to search through available listings at their convenience. 
  • Experienced agents: Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases most people make! Our experienced Flat Fee Realty agents know just what to look for in a home and are happy to answer clients’ questions, so they can make informed decisions. Receiving trustworthy advice from an agent who is familiar with the market and has years of experience in the real estate industry helps buyers to feel more confident when making big decisions in pursuit of buying a home.

  • Expert negotiators: Once buyers find their dream home, it’s time to negotiate. From offers to repairs, our real estate agents have the client’s best interest in mind and our team of professionals know how to navigate the complex and delicate nature of negotiation in the Triangle’s competitive market.

 

Flat Fee Realty agents know that buying a house is an important decision and we are here to help our clients find the home of their dreams in the Triangle with complete confidence. When working with buyers, we are passionate about helping our clients find a house they will be excited to call home.

Looking to buy a home? Contact Flat Fee Realty today!

Important Notice 

Not only do we have offices in the Triangle, we also have offices in the beautiful Lake Norman Region just north of Charlotte, and in Coastal Carolina in picturesque Wilmington. 

Lake Norman 704 659 3560

Wilmington 910 225 7721

Triangle 919 342 5230 

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This post on selling and buying a home in the Triangle is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty and is intended for informational purposes only.

The Future of Real Estate! 

Flat Fee Realty 

919 342 5230 

Find and like us on Facebook! 

Contact Us

 Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

 Photo: geralt, pixabay

 

 

5 Holiday Home Improvements to Make Before Selling

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Always have a game plan before putting your North Carolina home on the market; Flat Fee Realty offers five suggestions that will help boost curb appeal and possibly increase the selling price as we head through the Holiday Season.

Working with an experienced Flat Fee Realty agent in Lake Norman, Raleigh, the Triangle and Wilmington is a great way to get input on what improvements can be made. From suggestions about lawn care to how to stage furniture, our team is adept at preparing a home to sell.

5 home improvements to consider before listing your home for sale are:

  • Spruce up the landscape: Curb appeal with be the first attraction to catch a buyer’s eye. Make sure the mailbox is visible and not overgrown, replace faded or missing house numbers. Clean the yard of fall debris and add some color to the entrance way for great first impressions.
  • Replace or clean carpets: Unless the carpets are already new, they are likely holding lots of dirt and odor. A thorough clean or a fresh carpet throughout the house will revamp the entire space and impress potential buyers.
  • Small or partial renovations: Instead of investing in complete overhauls, consider taking on smaller projects such as replacing appliances in the kitchen or updating countertops in the bathrooms.
  • Fresh coat of paint: Many homes are bound to see scruffs and paint chips on the walls, so fresh layers of paint will do wonders to brighten up a space. Also, consider painting neutral colors (builder beige for example) over all existing walls to further appeal to buyers.
  • Update lights and plumbing fixtures: New faucets and sinks will dramatically change the feel of a space, so consider that for a simple project. Updating light fixtures is also a less intensive way to increase home value and buyer appeal.

For more insight regarding home improvements to increase home value, contact our agents at Flat Fee Realty today. We’re happy to help during each step of the listing, selling, and buying processes!

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This post on selling and buying a home in North Carolina is brought to you by the team at Flat Fee Realty LLC and is intended for informational purposes only.

Look for our new locations in Wilmington and Lake Norman/ Charlotte

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The Future of Real Estate!

Flat Fee Realty

Triangle: 919 342 5230 

Lake Norman/ Charlotte: 704 659 3560

Wilmington: 910 225 7721

Find and like us on Facebook!

Contact Us

Terry@FlatFeeNC.com

Photo: Tim Hill, Pixabay

Independent Triangle Real Estate Broker | Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Apex, Chapel Hill NC