7 Minutes

Affordability & Costs Home Ownership Raleigh Homebuyer Q&A Step-by-Step Process The Basics

Due Diligence Fee vs Earnest Money—What Happens If You Walk?

Michael Wolff September 30, 2025

Due Diligence Fee vs Earnest Money—What Happens If You Walk? Understanding which money you keep versus lose when backing out of a home purchase can save you thousands. Here’s how due diligence fees and...

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5 Minutes

Affordability & Costs Home Ownership Raleigh Homebuyer Q&A The Basics

Why Your Raleigh Payment Is $800 More Than Calculators Show

Michael Wolff September 30, 2025

Why Your Raleigh Payment Is $800 More Than Calculators Show Online calculators show you the principal and interest payment, but they miss the reality of Raleigh homeownership. Between Wake County taxes, rising insurance costs,...

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6 Minutes

Affordability & Costs Home Ownership Raleigh Homebuyer Q&A Step-by-Step Process

Raleigh Buyers: 3 Powerful Ways Seller Credits Beat Temporary Buydowns

Michael Wolff September 30, 2025

Raleigh Buyers: 3 Powerful Ways Seller Credits Beat Temporary Buydowns Seller credits can cut thousands from your total cost in Raleigh—but only if you use them right. A 2-1 buydown sounds appealing until you...

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5 Minutes

Home Ownership Raleigh Homebuyer Q&A Step-by-Step Process The Basics

21 Days or 45? How to Close Faster (Without the Headache) in NC

Michael Wolff September 30, 2025

21 Days or 45? How to Close Faster (Without the Headache) in NC In North Carolina, closings typically take 30–45 days. But with the right prep, you can close in as little as 21....

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7 Minutes

Affordability & Costs Home Ownership Raleigh Homebuyer Q&A The Basics

The Truth About Down Payments In NC What You Really Need To Save

Michael Wolff September 30, 2025

The Truth About Down Payments in NC: What You Really Need to Save You don’t need a giant pile of cash to buy in NC. Here’s how 0%, 3%, 3.5%, and 5%–20% down actually...

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4 Minutes

Affordability & Costs Credit Tips Raleigh Homebuyer Q&A The Basics

The Costly Truth Behind Your Credit Scores In Raleigh Homes

Michael Wolff September 30, 2025

“`html The Costly Truth Behind Your Credit Scores In Raleigh Homes Your credit score isn’t just a number—it’s the lever that shifts your monthly payment up or down in Raleigh. Here’s how much it...

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6 Minutes

Home Ownership The Basics

Mortgage Quote Comparison: Same Day, Same Lock, Same Numbers

Michael Wolff September 17, 2025

Mortgage Quote Comparison: Same Day, Same Lock, Same Numbers Comparing mortgage quotes can feel confusing because timing, formats, and assumptions rarely match. Here’s a simple way to line them up so the choice is...

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7 Minutes

Home Ownership The Basics

When to Lock Your Rate: Timing and Tradeoffs Explained

Michael Wolff September 15, 2025

When to Lock Your Rate: Timing and Tradeoffs Explained Locking in your mortgage rate can feel like a big decision. With even small shifts in rates changing your monthly payment, knowing when—and how—you can...

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7 Minutes

Charlotte NC Raleigh Raleigh Homebuyer Q&A Raleigh Living

Raleigh or Charlotte: Which City Is Better for Homebuyers?

Michael Wolff September 14, 2025

Raleigh or Charlotte: Which City Is Better for Homebuyers? You’re choosing between two good options. Raleigh feels research-driven and a bit calmer. Charlotte is bigger, busier, and proud of its skyline. Let’s compare the...

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4 Minutes

Home Ownership The Basics

The Truth About Mortgage Rates: Why Two Neighbors Never Get the Same Deal

Michael Wolff September 8, 2025

How to Really Check Mortgage Rates in Raleigh (And Why Yours Will Always Be Different) Wondering what mortgage rates really are? If you’ve tried Googling, you’ve probably seen a hundred different numbers—and none of...

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