Each area has specific styles of Real Estate that may be more popular than others. For example, a farmhouse or ranch may be popular in Nebraska, contemporary beachfront villas or bungalows may be popular along the California coast, and high-rise condominiums may be the most popular in bustling cities such as downtown Miami. With so many choices to choose from when purchasing a home, it is important to know what styles are popular in your area. The reason for this is simply to help protect your investment should you choose to sell later down the line.

Related: 3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Foreclosure?

If you’re in the market for a new home in the Carolina’s, here are the top 5 most popular home styles in the area.

Contemporary Style

This focuses on modern architecture and style but allows for the home to be highly energy efficient and often boasts large open floorplans as well as both indoor and outdoor living space. Many new construction homes within the Carolina’s currently fall within this category.

Ranch Style

Single story charmers, ranch style homes often provide oversized patios or decks, attached garages, open floor plans, and often boast expansive kitchens that are the “heart” of the home.

The Georgian Colonial Revival

This style is the most popular in North Carolina and brings a touch of history to the home, often dating back to the 1600’s. With grand entrances and foyers and stunning woodwork these homes often feature a brick exterior dotted with multiple windows and shutters.

Farmhouse

Generally found further off the coast, these homes boast simple lines and architecture and are often one of the more “classic” styled homes. Most of these homes have wood siding, often sit on a good piece of land and while some have switched to more modern roofing materials, many still boast metal roofing.  

Mediterranean Style

From brightly colored tiles, wrought-iron fenced patios, verandas, and more, Mediterranean style homes are often among some of the most luxurious. Expansive floor plans turn suburban neighborhoods into a tropical retreat.

Related: Are Vaulted Ceilings Worth It?

Regardless of what style home you prefer, when purchasing a home, it is important to understand the “want” behind each style so that you can not only protect your investment but also find a style that appeals to your personal tastes and needs. Communicating with your agent is key when starting your house hunting journey so that you are able to tour homes that fall within your desired style.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, regardless of the style, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent, of if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

 

Additional Tips for Buyers

• Why Millenials are Buying Real Estate Together
• 4 Wasy to Make Moving Less Stressful
• Why Your Offer May Not be Accepted
• Buying a Vacation Home
• Forgotten Costs When Moving

Oftentimes home buyers will see a foreclosure and instantly jump at the opportunity to own a home that is well within their budget. Unfortunately, while foreclosures are generally accompanied by a lower price tag there are a few big factors that should be considered before choosing to purchase a foreclosed property. The last thing any buyer wants it to have their bargain turn into a money pit and end up costing tremendously more than the home is worth.

Related: How Much Home Can I Afford?

#1 Inspections

While it is always recommended to conduct a home inspection, regardless of how old or new the property is, this is especially true with foreclosures as the homes have often been neglected or abandoned which can lead to a long list of damages. This can help you determine the order of repairs needed, price estimates to conduct the needed repairs as well as discover if the home simply requires more time, energy, and money than you’re able or willing to put into it.

#2 Go for a Bank Owned Foreclosure, not a Foreclosure Auction

There are two main ways that foreclosures are generally purchases, either a bank owned foreclosure or a foreclosure auction. Foreclosure auctions are not only stressful, but also extremely competitive and you’ll be bidding against professional real estate investors, not to mention that purchases will have to be in all cash. Lastly, and often the most daunting fact with a foreclosure auction is simply that all bids on homes are placed sight-unseen, simply meaning that you won’t be able to see the home you’re bidding on prior to your purchase which could land you in a money pit, or a home you don’t enjoy.

Related: House Broke: The Common First Time Homebuyer Mistake

#3 Change the Locks

If you decide to move forward with purchasing a foreclosed home, unlike many other Real Estate purchases you’ll want to be sure to have the locks changed immediately. When it comes to foreclosures, oftentimes the locks on the homes are a part of a master key system which can grant access to multiple brokers, appraisers, contractors, etc. Knowing who has a key to your home helps bring a little peace of mind to many homeowners.

Buying a foreclosed home does take some research, and ultimately it’s not for everyone, however for some, as long as you’re willing to put in a little extra effort, some elbow grease, and budget for needed repairs, this can be a great option to own your own home, or even start an investment portfolio with rental properties, etc.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, ready to sell your home and need a seller’s agent to represent you, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

 

Additional Tips for Buyers

• Are Vaulted Ceilings Worth It?
• What Risks are There When Buying a Short Sale?
• Why Your Offer May Not be Accepted
• Buying a Vacation Home
• Forgotten Costs When Moving

Buying real estate is nearly always one of the biggest investments you’ll make within your lifetime, and many millennials are choosing to do so a little differently. While an idealistic world for some would be to survive off of one income and be able to afford a mortgage as well as everyday necessities such as groceries, unfortunately, with the current economy and cost of living this is becoming more of a dream than a reality.

Related: 4 Ways to Make Moving Less Stressful

You may be noticing that many New Construction homes are being built with dual master suites, from larger bedrooms, walk in closets, en suites and more, houses are actually starting to cater to those who are choosing to purchase Real Estate with more than one than one family. This allows for the “head of the household” to be split and allows for multiple families to be able to have their own space and “own” their own part of the home without getting in each other’s way. There are a few different reasons why so many millennials are choosing to forego the traditional home purchasing idea, the two most common are simply affordability and financial freedom.

Clearly a house is much more affordable when you have multiple incomes helping to pay the bills. With our economy it is difficult for many Millennials to find homes that fit their needs and still allows them the financial freedom that they desire, and thus, purchasing a home with a like-minded family seems to make the most financial sense to achieve their goals.

While travel over the past year has been heavily limited due to COVID-19, it is no secret that a large handful of Millennials have a love for exploration and travel. Unfortunately, travel isn’t always cheap, especially now that many Millennials have families of their own. By purchasing a home with another family and thus lowering their monthly overhead, this allows for a larger opportunity to explore, travel, and live life to the fullest.

Related: How Much Home Can I Afford?

There is always a risk factor involved when purchasing Real Estate and when choosing to purchase with more than one family the stakes are often a little higher. It is important to remember that purchasing Real Estate with both friends or family can unfortunately lead to potential problems later down the line. Because of this it is important that you discuss the pros and cons of purchasing a home with friends in depth and then generate a contract of sorts for all parties to sign and agree to help protect everyone from any future problems that could arise.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, whether on your own or with a group of friends or family, are ready to sell your home and are in need of a seller’s agent, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Schedule a Consultation

Additional Tips for Buyers

• Why Your Offer May Not Be Accepted
• 3 Tips for Buying in a Seller’s Market
• House Broke: The Common First Time Buyer Mistake
• Why Was my Offer Rejected?
• 10 Tips for Moving Across the Country
• Buying a Vacation Home

It’s no secret that moving is more often than not a stressful experience, however, it doesn’t have to be! While there are some things that you can’t change, when it comes time to move try using these 4 tips and tricks to help your move go smoothly and be as stress free as possible. 

Pre-Pack 

Regardless of how minimalistic you are or how organized you are, you likely have a few items that are not used on a daily basis. Pre-packing is the easiest way to try and make the big moving day less stressful as a lot of the work will already be done. If it’s summertime, pack up your winter clothes in advance. Likewise, if you have formal wear you won’t be needing, photos on the walls, etc. try to pack as much as you can in advance so that the days leading up to leaving aren’t as jam packed with things to do. 

Related: How Much Home Can I Afford?

Make an Essentials Box 

This will be more helpful once you are at your new place. An essentials box should have things such as a roll of toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, phone chargers, a nonperishable dinner such as boxed pasta and a jar of pasta sauce etc. By putting items that are essential in everyday use in one box you can easily grab that one box and have all you need for the first evening without scrambling and sorting through box after box just to find a roll of toilet paper. 

Reserve Trucks in Advance 

Believe it or not, moving trucks are not always available. There is nothing worse than waiting until the day you move to find out that no trucks are available in your area. Luckily there is a simple fix, simply reserve the truck of your desired size, in your preferred pick-up location in advance so that when you arrive on moving day there are no unexpected surprises. 

Related: Two Things You Can’t See in a Virtual Tour

Number Your Boxes Based on Priority 

This might seem silly, however when it comes time to unpack, you will thank yourself. When packing up your boxes, in addition to labelling them try to number them with either a 1, 2 or 3, 1 meaning it’s a box you’ll use/need right away, 2 meaning you’ll need those items soon, and 3 meaning those items won’t be needed immediately and can be unpacked last. Not only will this help you stay organized while unpacking, but it will help the stress or moving, and unpacking be significantly less. 

If you’re currently searching for a new home, ready to sell your home, or if you have any general questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time and we would be more than happy to assist you. 

Schedule a Consultation

Additional Tips for Buyers

• Why Your Offer May Not Be Accepted
• When to do Certain Upgrades
• This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value
• Why Was my Offer Rejected?
• 10 Tips for Moving Across the Country
• Buying a Vacation Home