Real Estate

3 tips for navigating changing real estate market conditions in RAL

Presented by a RALtoday Partner

Aerial photo over a Sacramento, CA home, driveway, and street.

While you can’t always count on a hot housing market, you can count on the certainty of a cash offer from Opendoor. | Photo provided by Opendoor

Location, location, location — that’s been the name of the real estate game for decades. These days, though, you may be hearing more: recession, economy, inflation… terms that definitely have less appeal.

The real estate market is cyclical, and today’s market is currently trying to find out where it will land (albeit a bit dramatically). The difference? Unlike big market turns of the past, this time we’ve swayed quickly from one extreme to the other.

In just two short years, we’ve seen outsized home price appreciation in most US markets (like right here in RAL), followed by a swift decline in housing demand. The whiplash of these fluctuations (and the uncertainty about what happens next) can be hard to wrap your head around.

The good news is, even though none of us can predict what will happen next, that’s okay. If you’re a seller or a buyer (or both) currently stuck in the loop of dreaming, hoping, anticipating + dreading, the experts at Opendoor have three tips to help ride the wave.

Wide-angle view of a woman walking a dog in front of a row of brick townhomes in Dallas, TX. — In the absence of bidding wars, you have time to get to know a neighborhood, look at different housing options, and narrow in on your “must-haves”.

Tip No. 1: Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” time to sell or buy.

Hint: It doesn’t exist. The perfect time is what works best for you and your life. Some factors, like a growing family or a new job in another state, are an easy call. But other reasons require you to dig deep. Think:

Will a move improve your day-to-day life?
Will you gain more time, be closer to friends and family, or be nearer to activities that bring you joy?

Tip No. 2: Research your financing options.

The good news: You’ve got options. Whether you’re getting a new loan, refinancing, or looking to lower your payment, a mortgage calculator can help you figure out how much you can afford in minutes. There are also rate buydowns, which can help you lower your rate. Pro tip: A lender can help you figure out what your options are.*

TIP NO. 3

This content was created in partnership with Opendoor and written by Garcelle Vierra Erdie.*

If you’re house hunting (or considering it within the next 6 months), would the state of the economy cause you to stop or pause your search?

Yes
Maybe
No

LET US KNOW

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Dec. 5

Canned Food Drive and Holiday Meal Distribution | Monday, Dec. 5-Friday, Dec. 16 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Brookside Bodega, 1000 Brookside Dr.., Raleigh | Free | Drop off canned goods and non-perishable food items; donations will be paired with turkeys and distributed to those in need.
Silent Book Club | Monday, Dec. 5 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Vault Craft Beer, 518 W. South St., Raleigh | Free | Anyone can join this group to read and enjoy a drink in companionable silence (there’s no assigned book).

Tuesday, Dec. 6

Holiday Cheer Baking event | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Oak City Cares, 1430 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | Free | Sign up to bake, individually wrap, and drop off 12-24 holiday treats to be shared with people experiencing homelessness.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Frozen & Encanto | Wednesday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $18-$105 | Watch this Disney On Ice performance live.
Full Moon Glow Disc Golf | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Forest Ridge Park, 2100 Old NC 98 Hwy., Wake Forest | $5 | Nine of the 18 baskets will be illuminated and glow discs will be provided upon request.

Thursday, Dec. 8

Silent Sky | Thursday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 2-7:30 p.m. | Burning Coal Theatre Company, 224 Polk St., Raleigh | $5-$20 | Be transported to the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s and discover what happened to Henrietta Leavitt’s dreams of being an astronomer.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

57º | Mostly cloudy | 7% chance of rain ☁️

Civic

The new City Council’s first meeting is tomorrow, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. During the evening session beginning at 7 p.m., several public hearings will resume, including possible rezoning in North Hills. View the agenda and watch live online.

Community

The City of Raleigh is looking for input on the South Park Heritage Walk and the Chavis-Dix Strollway, two projects that will connect historical sites from southeast to southwest downtown. Head to the survey hub before Friday, Dec. 23 to share feedback on community design, public spaces, connectivity, and wayfinding. 🚶
Triangle Rock Club is celebrating its 15th anniversary on Thursday, Dec. 15 with a party at every location from 6-8 p.m. Bonus: A new TRC climbing gym is coming to the Salvage Yard development in 2024. 🎉

Active

This Wednesday, Dec. 7 is the last chance to bike your way through Nights of Lights. Book a time slot between 6 and 8:30 p.m. to pedal the 2.6-mile route through an illuminated and holiday-themed Dix Park. Purchase tickets ($10-$30). 🚲

Sports

UNC women’s soccer defeated Florida State in the semifinals of the Women’s College Cup last Friday. The Tar Heels will play UCLA in the championship game tonight at 6 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

Cause

It’s getting hot in here. Oh, it’s probably because Clouds Brewing’s 2023 Firefighter Calendar just dropped. Sales from this collaboration with the Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association benefit Cause for Paws of NC. 🔥
Trinity Partners’ Raleigh office has participated in the Be a Santa to a Senior program for 10 years to support seniors who might otherwise feel isolated or lonely during the holiday season. This year, they expanded gift drop locations to include the Park Point campus in RTP. *

Beauty

If you want to glow like holiday lights this winter, we recommend a natural-looking spray tan from Oak City Sunless, which offers the service in the comfort of your home. Bonus: You can glow without risking the health of your skin. Book an appointment. ✨ *

Seasonal

Your Monday morning holiday gift inspiration, courtesy of Etsy: For the person who loves bread. For the person obsessed with their pet. For the person who can take a joke. For the kid who loves to color. Plus, all you need is popcorn or all you need is marshmallows. 🎁*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Raleigh’s best holiday decorations 🔎

We’re looking for Raleigh’s best holiday decorations

Urban Pothos decked out in holiday decorations.

We fa la la la love the holiday decor at Urban Pothos. | Photo by RALtoday

Have you been stringing lights for days? It’s time to show off your hard work.

We’re looking for the most lit homes and businesses in Raleigh. Send us photos of your over-the-top holiday decorations for a chance to be featured in our newsletter or on our social media pages.

Psst... spread the holiday cheer and nominate your neighbors, too.

Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anne.

Editor’s pick: I am obsessed with my new City of Sunflowers tote and smile RAL sweatshirt from Six & Main. I recently showed them off during a trip to Jubala to sample the cafe’s new winter drinks. ☕

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Speaking of merch... Raleigh’s coffee shops have style.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?