Buying a home is exciting. You find the neighborhood you love, tour a few houses, fall for one, and start imagining where the couch will go.

Then the numbers start adding up.

Most buyers know they need to think about their down payment and monthly mortgage payment. But there are several other costs that can come with purchasing a home, and understanding them ahead of time can help you avoid surprises.

1. Closing Costs

Your down payment is not the only money you may need to bring to the closing table.

Closing costs can include lender fees, title-related expenses,...

Your budget doesn't stretch the same way in every Triangle zip code — and in 2026's slower, more balanced market, that gap matters more than ever.

After a few years of bidding wars and 24-hour offer deadlines, buyers in Raleigh-Durham finally have something they haven't had in a while: time. Homes are sitting on the market longer, price cuts are more common, and buyers can actually compare, negotiate, and think before signing.

So if you've got $400K–$500K to work with, where does that money go furthest? Here's the breakdown across four popular Triangle communities.

Raleigh:...

The Raleigh-Durham economy continues to show resilience in 2026, but the story is more nuanced than simply saying the Triangle is “booming.”

A Strong but Uneven Triangle Economy

Raleigh-Cary continues to benefit from a relatively strong labor market, with employment growth spread across several key industries, including construction, healthcare, education, and professional services.

As of May 2026, the Raleigh-Cary area had an unemployment rate of approximately 3.0%, while total nonfarm employment was up about 2.6% from a year earlier. Construction, education and health...

For years, buyers in the Raleigh-Durham market have fought an uphill battle: limited inventory, climbing prices, and a population boom that kept demand red-hot. In 2026, that picture is starting to shift.

More homes are hitting the market. Properties are sitting longer. And buyers, for the first time in a while, have room to negotiate. Mortgage rates, though, remain stubbornly high, keeping affordability the central issue for anyone house-hunting this year.

So has Raleigh-Durham officially flipped to a buyer's market?

Not quite. But it's getting more balanced, and that shift...

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in Raleigh, there’s a good chance you’ve also been waiting for mortgage rates to come down.

And I get it. After seeing rates around 3% just a few years ago, today’s rates can feel high. According to Doorify MLS, mortgage rates were around 6.5% in June 2026, leaving many buyers wondering whether they should buy now or wait.

But here’s the bigger question:

Are you really saving money by waiting, or could waiting end up costing you more?

The Problem With Waiting

If you’re not financially ready to buy, waiting can absolutely make...

Welcome to the 2026 real estate market. If you are reading this, you likely already know that the landscape of property investment has shifted significantly over the last few years. The days of simply buying any distressed property and waiting for the market to lift all boats are behind us. Today, success is defined by precision, data, and: most importantly: the partners you choose to have in your corner.

At Kershaw Realty Group, we understand that investors don't just need a real estate agent; they need a strategist. Finding the best agent for investors means finding someone who...

If you're wondering whether 2026 is finally your year to buy a home, you're not alone. After years of sky-high prices, bidding wars, and limited inventory, the housing market is showing signs of significant change. While there's no crystal ball that can tell us if 2026 will be the "best" time to buy, recent forecasts and market trends suggest conditions are shifting in ways that could benefit buyers.

Let's break down seven key market changes that experts are predicting for 2026: and what they mean for your homebuying plans.

1. Mortgage Rates Are Expected to Stabilize

One of...

If you've been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the "right time" to buy a home, 2026 might finally be your year. But here's the million-dollar question: should you focus more on mortgage rates or home prices when making your purchase decision?

The short answer? Both matter, but not in the way you might think. Let's break down what's actually happening in the market and how these two critical factors will impact your buying power this year.

Understanding the 2026 Market Landscape

For the first time since 2022, we're seeing a genuine buyer-friendly market emerge. This isn't...

Walking into the real estate market as a first-time buyer? You're probably feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice out there. Here's the thing: most "expert secrets" aren't actually secrets at all. Real estate professionals want you to succeed, it's how we build lasting relationships and referrals. But there are some hard truths about today's market that many buyers discover too late in the process. 

Let's pull back the curtain on what has really been happening in this current housing market. We'll also share the insights we know that can make or break your first home...