Articles & Advice
Longer-form guidance and videos on the questions that come up most often in this market.
A local guide to rental property investing near UNC–Chapel Hill, Duke University and NC State — how the three university markets differ, how the numbers actually work, and the local rules that can make or break a deal. Read more
October 27, 2026
What to bring, what to ask, and what gets put in writing when you sit down to plan a Triangle home purchase. Read more
October 26, 2026
Why a real preapproval matters in Chapel Hill, how it differs from a quick prequalification, and how to compare local lenders. Read more
October 26, 2026
How to build saved searches for Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham and Hillsborough that surface the right homes without flooding your inbox. Read more
October 26, 2026
The questions to ask and the systems to look at when touring Piedmont homes, from crawlspaces to roof age. Read more
October 26, 2026
What a written buyer agreement covers, how compensation works after the 2024 rule changes, and what is negotiable. Read more
October 26, 2026
How price, due diligence fee, earnest money and timing work together in a North Carolina offer — and how to make yours stand out. Read more
October 26, 2026
What to schedule, in what order, during the North Carolina due diligence period, and how repair requests are negotiated. Read more
October 26, 2026
After due diligence ends: loan approval, the final walk-through and what to expect at a North Carolina attorney closing. Read more
October 26, 2026
A practical checklist for the first ninety days in a Triangle home — paperwork, maintenance and the property tax calendar. Read more
October 26, 2026
What the due diligence fee is, how it differs from earnest money, and how to decide how much to offer. Read more
October 26, 2026
Short answers to the questions Triangle buyers ask most often, from closing costs to buying from out of state. Read more
October 26, 2026
An overview of selling a Triangle home: pricing, preparation, launch, offers and closing, with a seller net proceeds estimator. Read more
October 26, 2026
The questions to ask agents before you list a home in Chapel Hill, Durham or Hillsborough. Read more
October 26, 2026
What happens in a pre-listing walk-through, what to have ready, and what you will get afterward. Read more
October 26, 2026
How a Triangle home's market value is estimated, and why online estimates and tax values often miss. Read more
October 26, 2026
An overview of the North Carolina buying process — from your first planning conversation to the day you get keys — written for Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham and Hillsborough buyers. Read more
October 26, 2026
The repairs, cleaning and staging that tend to pay off for Piedmont homes, in the order to do them. Read more
October 26, 2026
How a Chapel Hill listing is photographed, written up, timed and promoted to reach every qualified buyer. Read more
October 26, 2026
How to handle showings while you still live in the house, and how to read buyer feedback. Read more
October 26, 2026
How to compare North Carolina offers on price, due diligence fee, timelines, financing and risk. Read more
October 26, 2026
What happens after you accept an offer: inspections, repair requests, the appraisal and an attorney-led closing. Read more
October 26, 2026
A breakdown of the typical seller costs — commissions, excise tax, attorney fees and prorations — with an estimator. Read more
October 26, 2026
Answers to common seller questions. Demo content — full FAQ coming soon. Read more
October 26, 2026
A practical relocation overview for people moving to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough and Chatham County. Read more
October 26, 2026
An overview of Chapel Hill's housing areas, from historic streets near campus to planned communities like Southern Village and Meadowmont. Read more
October 26, 2026
What to know about Carrboro: housing types, the town center, transit and the Saturday farmers' market. Read more
October 26, 2026
An introduction to Durham's neighborhoods, downtown and commute options for people relocating to the Triangle. Read more
October 26, 2026
Hillsborough's historic downtown, Riverwalk and housing options, about 20 minutes from Chapel Hill and Durham. Read more
October 26, 2026
Pittsboro, Fearrington, Briar Chapel, Governors Club and rural Chatham County — what to know before you move south of Chapel Hill. Read more
October 26, 2026
A guide to the main commute routes, transit options and drive times between Chapel Hill, Durham, RTP and Raleigh. Read more
October 26, 2026
How to choose a list price for a Chapel Hill-area home, and why the first two weeks matter most. Read more
October 26, 2026