Education
Know what you're walking into
The parts of buying and selling that nobody explains until it's already happening.
Free — buying or moving here
Moving to the Triad
Everything we get asked by people moving here, written down once so you can read it before you talk to anybody.
Send me the guideFree — thinking of selling
7 things to do before you list
The short version of what we walk through with every seller, before a single photo is taken.
Send me the checklistREALTOR® or real estate agent?
The words get used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t.
REALTOR®
A real estate professional who belongs to the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Real estate agent
Licensed to assist buyers and sellers, and typically working under a licensed broker — but does not subscribe to that Code of Ethics.
Vickie and Deborah are both REALTORS®. It is the difference between a license and an obligation.
The process, start to finish
Click either chart to read it full size.
What you need to purchase and close
- Home inspection
- An assessment of the visible, accessible systems of the home — plumbing, HVAC, roof and electrical.
- Appraisal
- A value set by an appraiser using comparable active and sold homes nearby: square footage, location, year built, bedrooms and baths.
- Homeowner's insurance
- Protects the property when damage occurs — structural integrity and the cost to repair or rebuild after fire, severe weather, theft and similar events.
- Property taxes
- Assessed by the city and county, generally tied to the value of the property.
- Closing agent
- Normally a real estate attorney, handling the documentation and the disbursements between lender, REALTOR®, insurance agent and everyone else involved.
Tips for buyers
- Work with a buyer's agent.
- Keep your credit in good or excellent standing.
- Choose the loan type that suits you — conventional, VA, FHA — and understand the rate.
- Understand the seller's situation: urgent sale, relocation, or no rush at all.
- Pick the right property type — single family, condo, townhome, rural or urban.
- Get a home inspection.
Do not buy big-ticket items before or during house hunting. It can cost you the loan.
The full buyer walkthrough, in orderTips for sellers
- Hire a real estate professional to market the home.
- Be clear with yourself about why you're selling.
- Present the home well — curb appeal counts before anyone steps inside.
- Stay flexible in negotiations.
- Stage the home for showings where you can.
- Offer incentives at no cost to the buyer: a home warranty, an inspection, or an appliance.
- Go over a market analysis with your agent so the price is right from day one.
- Consider inspecting the home before you list it.
Questions we hear every week
- Who pays the real estate commission in North Carolina?
- Commissions in North Carolina are negotiable and set out in writing before anyone is committed. Since the 2024 industry changes, buyers sign a written agency agreement with their agent that states how the agent is paid, and sellers can still choose to cover some or all of it as part of the deal. How this is structured is one of the first things we walk through in plain language — before you sign anything.
- What is the due diligence fee in North Carolina?
- North Carolina contracts use a due diligence fee: money paid directly to the seller for taking the home off the market while you inspect and arrange financing. Unlike the earnest money deposit, it is generally non-refundable if you walk away — so the amount you offer is a real decision, not paperwork. Both amounts are credited toward the purchase price at closing.
- Do I need an attorney to close on a house in North Carolina?
- Yes — North Carolina is an attorney-closing state. A licensed real estate attorney handles the title search, the closing documents and the disbursement of funds. Your agent coordinates with the attorney so the file is ready and the closing date holds.
- How long does it take to close on a home in North Carolina?
- Most financed purchases close within about 30 to 45 days of going under contract, driven by the loan underwriting, the appraisal and the attorney's title work. Cash purchases can close faster. The due diligence period is agreed in the contract and sets the rhythm for inspections and final loan approval.
- Can veterans buy a home with no down payment in the Triad?
- Qualifying veterans and service members can use a VA loan, which allows zero down payment and no private mortgage insurance. You will need a Certificate of Eligibility, and the home must pass a VA appraisal. Helping veterans use the benefit they earned is one of our specialities — we will walk you through it from the certificate to the keys.
- What credit score do I need to buy a home in North Carolina?
- There is no single number: conventional loans generally look for higher scores, while FHA and VA programs are designed to work with lower ones. The honest answer comes from a lender pre-qualification, which costs nothing and tells you exactly where you stand. If the answer is 'not yet', we will tell you that too — and what would change it.
Is your home sitting on the market?
A listing that isn’t moving usually isn’t a bad house — it’s a house that needs adjusting. The price hasn’t moved, no home warranty is offered, no carpet allowance, no appliance. If that sounds like yours, it’s worth a conversation.
Talk to us about it