Giving Tree Realty - Raleigh-Durham area

05/28/2026

The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now

Life changes. Priorities shift. Families grow. Kids move out. Careers evolve. And eventually, the house you’re in may stop fitting the life you’re living.

If that’s been weighing on you lately, let’s talk through what your options could realistically look like today, no matter where rates or prices are.

Life can’t always wait for perfect market conditions. Maybe you don’t have to either.

You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.

05/26/2026

You’ve probably heard of the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan. But do you know what it offers?

In a recent survey, 68% of Veterans didn’t know they may be able to buy a home with zero money down. 77% didn’t know PMI isn’t always required.

Many also have no idea they may be able to count their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) as income.

Any of those VA loan benefits could make homeownership more achievable than you realize.

If you’ve served (or know someone who has), get in touch with a trusted lender for more information on VA home loan options and what you may qualify for.

05/21/2026

More Sellers Are Open to Negotiating Right Now

Wondering if buyers ever catch a break in this market? Look at this. 39% of sellers say they expect to make concessions this year. That’s up from 30% in 2025. So, you may have more room to negotiate than you think. Want to know what you can ask for as a buyer? Let’s chat.

05/19/2026

Are Home Prices Going To Fall?

Home prices have a long track record of going up over time. And that’s why buying a home is generally considered a safe long-term investment.

That certainly doesn’t mean you have to buy now. You should only move when it makes sense, and you plan to live there for a while.

But if you’re interested, let this reassure you. If you want to talk through what home prices are doing in our market, your goals, or your timelines, let’s have a quick conversation.

It’s one of the biggest hold ups some buyers have right now: “What if I buy, and home prices go down?”

05/14/2026

Homeowners Have Gained $128k in Equity

When's the last time you checked how much equity you have in your home? Because most homeowners are sitting on more than they think. In just the past 6 years, the typical homeowner has gained over $128k in equity. Your number could be even higher. Want to find out? Let’s talk.

05/12/2026

Why Staging Your House Could Pay Off This Spring

With more homes for sale right now, making a strong first impression matters. Staging can help your house sell faster and for more – and there's an option for almost every budget.

If you’re getting ready to list, let’s talk about what level of staging makes sense for your house and make a plan for attracting the right buyers.

Selling your house this season? You’ve probably heard you should stage it before it hits the market.

05/07/2026

Could Co-Buying Be the Answer for Some First-Time Buyers?

Affordability challenges are real, but they don't have to mean waiting indefinitely. Co-buying is helping some first-time buyers stop waiting and start putting down roots.

If you're curious whether it could work for your situation, let's talk. Reach out today and let's figure out your path to homeownership together.

For a lot of would-be first-time buyers, affordability is the thing that’s standing in the way.

05/05/2026

“Should I just wait?” It’s one of the most common questions right now. Maybe you’re even asking yourself the same thing.

While the right time to make a move will ultimately depend on your situation, here’s what I can tell you.

People are still buying and selling, even with everything going on – that means you can too.

Pending sales are up from last month, and a lot more buyers are applying for mortgages than this time last year.

So, if moving still matters to you, you don’t have to wait.

You just need a plan that works for today. Want to figure out what that looks like for you? Let’s talk.

04/30/2026

Is Late May the Best Time To List Your House?

Zillow says the best time to list your house is just around the corner. Are you ready to make the most of it?

If you want to take advantage of this Spring sweet spot and get top dollar for your house, let’s talk about what you need to do now to get ready to hit the market.

You may have heard April 12-18 was the “best week” to list your house.

04/28/2026

Think You Have To Put 20% Down? Most First-Time Homebuyers Don’t.

The simple truth is: most first-time buyers don’t put 20% down. And if you’ve been waiting to buy until you have that saved, you may be setting a timeline that’s longer than necessary.

To find out what you really need to save and if you qualify for any help, connect with a trusted lender who can walk you through your options. You may be able to buy sooner than you thought.

According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high.

04/23/2026

3 Things That Are Not Going To Happen in Today's Housing Market

Online posts are going to make things sound worse than they are. If you want a true, data-bound look at what’s really happening in today’s market, lean on a real estate agent.

Let’s connect so you have someone to separate fact from fiction today.