What’s the difference between a listing that says 'Contingent' as opposed to 'Pending' or 'Under Contract?' This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get from real estate buyers. In this article, we’ll define each of these listing statuses, discuss why you may see the same listing under a different status on different websites, and explain the finer details about what these statuses Continue Reading
Selling Tips
6 Reasons to List your Home for Sale this Fall
After a wild summer of 2020, our local real estate market has entered what is historically a slower time of year. In a normal (non-pandemic) year, late August and most of September provide some time for real estate transactions to close, but not as many new purchase agreements are signed during this time. This is because summer vacations to the mountains of Western North Carolina have come to an Continue Reading
Are Zillow Zestimates Accurate?
A few years ago, we wrote an article about the accuracy of Zillow Zestimates. At the time, we pointed out that Zillow based their Zestimates on quantitative data, such as square footage, year built, number of bedrooms, etc. Since then, Zillow has made improvements to its algorithm to include other factors in its Zestimates. But there are still some things that you should consider when looking at Continue Reading
How to Calculate Closing Costs on a Home in NC
How to calculate real estate closing costs when buying or selling a home in North Carolina is probably the most frequently asked question we receive. This is especially true for sellers who are deciding how to respond to an offer and for buyers who are trying to figure out how much cash they will need at closing. In this post, we’re going to explain the typical NC closing costs for both buyers and Continue Reading
Professional Real Estate Photography May Result in a Higher Selling Price
As a realtor that has been in the business since 2006, I have seen a lot of listings and a wide variety of quality for the photography in those listings. From high-end luxury homes with magazine-quality photography to out-of-focus photos that were uploaded to MLS upside-down (seriously), photography among real estate listings runs the full spectrum. I am always amazed when I see a high-end home Continue Reading
How a Real Estate Agency Works in North Carolina
In Western North Carolina, there are 3 primary ways a real estate agent can represent a buyer or seller in a transaction. These are Seller's Agent, Buyer's Agent, and Dual Agent. Seller's Agent The seller's agent, or listing agent, is just that. He or she works for the seller and is trying to sell the listed property. Frequently, buyers call seller's agents to show them a house. This is Continue Reading







