Amy Shair - Real Estate

09/08/2026

Did you know Car payments are the #1 debt getting in the way of qualifying for a home mortgage? That is right, car payments and not student loans!

Before you or someone you love heads to the dealership, read this. 🚗✖️🏡

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders look closely at your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio. All of your current monthly finance payments are counted in your DTI. That means your monthly car payment aggressively shrinks your maximum loan approval.

Here’s an example of how the math works:
- Every $100 car payment = approximately ~$13,000 LESS house you can buy.

Let’s scale that up:
🚗 $400 payment = ~$52,000 LESS house
🏎️ $700 payment = ~$91,000 LESS house

Can you believe a car payment has that kind of impact on your home buying potential??

A nice car can be tempting, but if homeownership is the goal, protect your monthly cash flow. Smart money moves now will pay off later when you are ready to buy a house in the Triangle, NC area.

💰 Curious about what you qualify to buy? I would be glad to connect you with a trusted lender.

09/07/2026

As the final long weekend of summer comes to an end, I hope you were able to find a little time to slow down, refresh, and refuel. ☕

We all spend so much time juggling work, family, responsibilities, and everything else life throws our way that it can be easy to forget how important it is to simply take a break.

🏊Whether you spent the weekend traveling, enjoying time with family and friends, tackling a project around the house, or doing absolutely nothing at all, I hope you were able to enjoy some well-deserved downtime.

We all work hard, and sometimes stepping away for a little while is exactly what we need to come back feeling recharged and ready for whatever is next.

☀️Here’s to enjoying the last little bit of summer and heading into the new season refreshed.
staycation

09/05/2026

🏡 Featured Listing in Cary, NC

Great condo in the heart of Cary at 132 New Kent Place.

Bright, open floorplan with high ceilings, fresh neutral paint, lots of interior upgrades, and a fantastic location near shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, and everyday conveniences.

🛏️ 2 Bedrooms
🛁 2 Bathrooms

Updated kitchen in 2022 includes:
* Granite countertops
* New sink & faucet
* Stainless steel appliances
* Built-in microwave

Recent updates:
* Heat pump/HVAC — 2024
* Water heater — 2025
* New carpet — 2026

Plus, the refrigerator, washer & dryer convey and the HOA dues include access to the Kildaire Farms pool.

📍 Location is a big plus here. Nearby favorites include:

🍕 V Pizza, Buffaloe Brothers, & Sassool

☕ Starbucks and Goodberry’s

🛒 Trader Joe’s, ALDI, & The Butcher’s Market

📚 Barnes & Noble, Staples and Town & Country Hardware

Offered at $279,900

A great opportunity to live close to so much of what makes Cary convenient and enjoyable.

Amy Shair
eXp Realty
919-818-5001

Call Amy for your Shair of the Market!

09/03/2026

The people who build real wealth through real estate aren’t waiting for the perfect home. 🏡 They buy what they can afford, let equity do its job, and trade up when the time is right. Your starter home is your first move, not your last.

💰Move smarter. Not harder.

Curious what you qualify for? I would love to help you get those answers.

There are also great rental property options in Raleigh and Knightdale if you aren’t quite ready to buy.

09/01/2026

🎉 Raleigh just ranked #1 among the best large U.S. cities for Gen Z in 2026!

CommercialCafe evaluated cities with populations over 400,000 using nine factors tied to career opportunities, affordability, education, lifestyle, and quality of life and Raleigh came out on top.

A few things that helped Raleigh stand out:

💼 #5 for jobs suited to recent graduates
🎓 46.4% of local Gen Z adults are enrolled in school
👥 Gen Z makes up 9.7% of Raleigh’s population
💰 Cost of living is about 5.3% below the national average
💻 Raleigh had the lowest internet costs of any city in the study

The study also pointed to the Triangle’s opportunities in education, healthcare, and life sciences as a major advantage for young adults making the transition from school to career.

For those of us who have watched Raleigh and the Triangle grow over the years, it’s another reminder of why this area continues to attract people at so many different stages of life. 🏡

Pretty impressive, Raleigh!

08/31/2026

It’s not every day that some of the biggest names in technology come to our corner of North Carolina.

The G20 Innovation Ministerial is happening September 1–2 at The Carolina Inn, bringing global economic leaders, policymakers, and major technology executives to Chapel Hill to talk about artificial intelligence, innovation, and economic growth.

Among those scheduled to participate are OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in person, along with virtual appearances from Elon Musk and David Sacks.

Pretty impressive company for Chapel Hill! 🌎

🚗 Heads-up for locals:
Expect heavier traffic downtown and an increased law enforcement/security presence, particularly around Columbia Street, Cameron Avenue, and the UNC campus. If you’re heading that way September 1 or 2, give yourself a little extra time.

I love seeing Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle getting this kind of international attention. It’s another reminder of just how important our area has become in research, technology, innovation, and economic growth. 🚀

08/28/2026

Here’s a simple organization hack every homeowner should steal:

To make homeownership easier create a dedicated email address using your property’s address. Example:
[email protected]

Then use it only for your home.

Forward or send everything there:
• Homeowners insurance policies and quotes
• Closing documents
• Survey
• Appliance manuals & warranties
• Utility account information
• Contractor estimates & invoices
• Renovation receipts
• Tax records
• HOA documents (if applicable)
• Paint colors, flooring specs & remodel details

Years from now, when you need a warranty, file an insurance claim, refinance, or sell your home, everything is searchable and stored in one place. This is an easy way to protect your investment.

No digging through old email accounts.
No wondering where that PDF went.
No frantic late night searches.

Sometimes the best homeowner hacks are the simplest ones. Follow me for more real estate tips. Proudly serving the Durham NC and greater Triangle NC area.

08/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/18AxGt4puf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The 27608 ZIP code in Raleigh — with desirable places like Hayes Barton and Carolina Country Club — again ranks No. 1 in the region for wealth. But neighborhoods in Cary take the next four spots on the list. >> See the full article below ⬇️

08/27/2026

🏡 Think you need great credit or a lot of money for a down payment to buy your first home? You may have more options than you realize!

💰 Some programs allow 0–5% down payment
📉 Minimum credit scores vary by program. If you have a co-borrower such as a partner or spouse, you might be able to use just the partner that has the higher credit score
🎁 NC Housing Finance Agency offers down payment assistance
🏦 Several local banks offer special low- or no-down-payment programs
🏙️ Wake County, City of Raleigh and City of Durham offer first-time homebuyer programs
🏢 NC State Employees’ Credit Union can be a great financing option, especially for condos
🌳 Buying in a rural area? USDA loans offer 0% down
💳 Carrying student loans or credit card debt? FHA guidelines may be a better fit with as little as 3.5% down payment
🇺🇸 Veterans may qualify for VA financing with 0% down

There’s no one-size-fits-all mortgage program. In the current market, I can help negotiate for the seller to pay some of your costs to help you get into a home faster.
📲 Contact me and let’s talk through the options

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾🐶❤️ Celebrating the joy, laughter, and unconditional love my fur family brings every day. Who’s celebrating with their favorite four-legged friend? 🐕👇

DogsOfInstagram