Candis Milligan, EXIT Realty Preferred

06/08/2026

House hacking isn’t about living for free — it’s about making homeownership possible when it otherwise wouldn’t be. In 2026, the strategy is less about eliminating a mortgage payment and more about engineering one you can actually afford. 🏡

Here’s what’s working:

✅ ADUs (accessory dwelling units) — Fannie Mae now lets buyers count projected ADU rental income toward mortgage qualification, up to 30% of total qualifying income

✅ Multi-generational homes — 14% of all home purchases in the last year were multi-generational, with Gen X leading at 19%

✅ Small multi-family properties — FHA loans allow up to 4 units with just 3.5% down if you live in one

✅ Realistic expectations — If rental income cuts your $3,800 payment down to $2,200, that’s a win

The math has to work. The zoning has to be legal. And the lifestyle has to fit. But for the right buyer, house hacking can turn a closed door into an open one.

Candis Milligan, REALTOR®
EXIT Realty Preferred - Raeford, NC

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05/19/2026

One of the quieter shifts in how buyers evaluate homes is the move toward wellness design — the idea that a home’s layout and materials should actively support how you feel in it, not just how it looks.

Mentions of “wellness” in listings are up 33% year over year, and “spa-inspired bathrooms” climbed 22%. But the concept goes far beyond the primary bath. Biophilic design — bringing in natural light, organic materials, living plants, and visual connections to the outdoors — has become a core consideration. So has circadian lighting that shifts with the time of day, and dedicated quiet spaces designed for rest and focus.

These aren’t luxury add-ons anymore. They’re showing up in mainstream listings because people are prioritizing how their home makes them feel on a Tuesday afternoon, not just how it presents at a party.

Candis Milligan, REALTOR®
EXIT Realty Preferred - Raeford, NC
Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, NC and surrounding areas

05/14/2026

Open floor plans aren’t going away — but they’re growing up. 🏠

Buyers no longer want an undifferentiated box. The shift is toward semi-closed layouts: spaces that feel connected but serve a clear purpose. Subtle architectural separation between the kitchen, dining room, and living areas that maintains flow while creating intimacy.

Why the change? Remote work. When your home is also your office, privacy has real value. Dedicated home offices are one of the most requested features this year, and mentions of “reading nooks” are up 48% in listings.

If you’re selling and you have a defined dining room, a separate office, or distinct living zones, don’t apologize for them. Stage and describe each space as intentional. Buyers are looking for purpose, not just square footage.

Candis Milligan, REALTOR®
EXIT Realty Preferred - Raeford, NC
Fayetteville/Fort Bragg/Raeford NC

05/12/2026

Is the all-white kitchen dead? According to design professionals, yes — and what’s replacing it isn’t one single look, but the absence of a default.

Buyers want personalization. A kitchen that feels considered, not one that played it safe. Warm neutrals, earth tones, and wood-grain cabinetry are taking over from painted finishes. The transitional style has become the most popular direction, while the farmhouse aesthetic continues to lose ground.

What makes a kitchen stand out now? A work-in pantry, an unexpected cabinet color, a stone backsplash that runs floor to ceiling. These are the details that signal intention — and that’s exactly what buyers are responding to in 2026.

Candis Milligan, REALTOR®
EXIT Realty Preferred - Raeford, NC
Fayetteville/Fort Bragg, NC & surrounding areas
[email protected]

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

After a decade of all-gray interiors and sterile minimalism, buyers are looking for something completely different: warmth, texture, and homes that actually feel like sanctuaries. 🏡

Here’s what’s moving the market in 2026:

✨ Warm color palettes — beiges, terra cotta, sage, soft navy
🎨 Art Deco details — curves, arches, brass accents
🪨 Statement materials — dramatic natural stone, limewashed walls
🍳 Personalized kitchens — earth tones and wood-grain over all-white
🏠 Semi-closed floor plans — connection with purpose and privacy
🌿 Wellness-focused spaces — biophilic design, natural light, quiet zones
⚡ Climate-resilient features — solar, battery systems, EV charging

The takeaway? Buyers want homes that feel intentional, layered, and designed for how they actually live.

Candis Milligan, REALTOR®
EXIT Realty Preferred - Raeford, NC
[email protected]

04/20/2026

Here’s what derails most multigenerational home purchases: families fall in love with the idea, find the perfect property, and convince themselves the financial details will sort themselves out.

They don’t.

Before you start the search, get clear on:

💰 Who’s on the loan and what that means — Co-borrowers combine income to qualify for more, but they also share legal responsibility for the debt and the equity. That’s different from a co-signer, who carries liability but doesn’t own a piece of the property.

📝 How ownership is structured — Joint tenancy vs. tenancy in common affects what happens if someone wants to sell, refinance, or passes away. Equal contributions don’t always mean equal ownership makes sense.

🤝 Getting it in writing — A written agreement covering expenses, maintenance, common areas, and exit plans protects everyone and makes future conversations easier.

The families who work this out before closing have far smoother experiences than those who assume it’ll work itself out.

Candis Milligan, REALTOR®
Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, NC and Surrounding Areas

04/16/2026

Nearly half of multigenerational home buyers say caregiving was a primary reason for their purchase — specifically, caring for or wanting to be near aging parents.

There are now more than 70 million Americans age 65 or older, and the question of how families want to handle aging parent care isn’t one most people want to fully outsource. Living together — when it’s set up well — gives families proximity without sacrificing everyone’s independence.

For families with young kids, it works the other way too. Having grandparents nearby can be transformative for daily support, school pickups, and simply not feeling like you’re navigating parenthood alone.

This isn’t about making the best of a hard situation. It’s about designing a living arrangement that actually supports the people you care about most — on both sides of the generational equation.

Candis Milligan, REALTOR®
EXIT Realty Preferred - Raeford, NC
[email protected]
(910) 583-9821

04/15/2026

For a long time, multigenerational living had a reputation problem. It was the option families turned to when something had gone wrong — a job loss, a divorce, a health crisis. Moving back in with your parents, or having your...