Kristy Ficks - Real Estate Agent

09/04/2026

If you’re leaving North Carolina, please don’t just Google “realtor near me” to find a random agent.

I get it, moving is chaotic enough without adding “vet a stranger to help you buy a house” to the list.

But your agent in the new city matters just as much as the one who got you into this house in the first place. Local market knowledge, communication style, how they negotiate… it all matters.

Here’s the good news – I have a network of trusted agents all over the country, people I’d actually send my own family to.

Comment “MOVE” and tell me where you’re headed, and I’ll connect you with someone I trust on the other end.

| your Wake Forest, NC real estate agent

09/02/2026

September in Raleigh + Wake Forest

September is one of my favorite months.

Cooler evenings, fall festivals, farmers markets, live music, patio weather, and plenty of excuses to get out and explore.

I pulled together some of my favorite things to do around Raleigh, Wake Forest, and the surrounding towns this September.

These are the places and events I’d actually recommend to a friend who just moved here. A mix of the popular spots, local favorites, and a few that might not be on your radar yet.

Now I want to know:

What did I miss? What are YOUR September favorites?

Drop your favorite event, restaurant, coffee shop, farmers market, fall activity, or hidden gem in the comments. I’m always looking for new places to add to my list.

Whether you’ve lived here for years or you’re just getting to know the area, there’s always something new to discover.

Kristy Ficks | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty

Your local real estate agent + your guide to Raleigh, Wake Forest & beyond.

09/01/2026

Check out Susan Napolitano’s newest, adorable listing in Zebulon!

🏡 NEW LISTING + OPEN HOUSE!

If you’ve been looking for a home with charm, personality and a location that makes everyday life a little easier, 238 E Vance Street deserves a closer look.

Offered at $285,000, this inviting Zebulon home features 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 1,303 square feet of comfortable living space. Inside, you’ll find a warm and welcoming home with plenty of opportunity to make it your own.

Outside, the fenced backyard offers room to relax, entertain, create a garden or let pets play. Gather around the firepit on cool evenings, create an outdoor dining area or use the storage shed for lawn equipment, hobbies and all the extras.

One of the best features is the location. You’re close enough to Downtown Zebulon to enjoy local restaurants, coffee shops, small businesses, parks and community events—all while coming home to an established neighborhood with small-town character.

Come see it in person at the open house:

📅 Saturday, September 5
⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 238 E Vance Street, Zebulon
💰 Offered at $285,000

Stop by, take a tour and picture what your next chapter could look like here!

Susan Napolitano, REALTOR®
📞 919-922-7246
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty

09/01/2026

WAKE COUNTY MARKET UPDATE | AUGUST 2026

The Wake County market is continuing to shift, and the August numbers tell an interesting story.

Here’s what happened:

AVERAGE HOME PRICE
June: $610,249
July: $483,000
August: $498,771

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
23 → 27 → 30

NEW LISTINGS
2,224 → 2,225 → 1,747

CLOSED SALES
1,890 → 1,573 → 1,335

AVERAGE LIST-TO-SALE RATIO
97.4% → 96.6% → 96.2%

So what does this mean?

Homes are taking longer to sell, sellers are receiving slightly less of their original asking price, and both new listings and closed sales slowed noticeably in August.

At the same time, the average home price increased from July to August.

In other words, this isn’t a market where one statistic tells the whole story.

For buyers, there may be more room for negotiation and less pressure to make an immediate decision.

For sellers, pricing correctly from the beginning is becoming increasingly important.

And for both, local market conditions matter. Wake County is a big market, and what is happening countywide may look very different in Wake Forest, Rolesville, Youngsville or your specific neighborhood.

Thinking about buying or selling? Let’s look at YOUR numbers, not just the headlines.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty

09/01/2026

WAKE COUNTY MARKET UPDATE | AUGUST 2026

The Wake County market is continuing to shift, and the August numbers tell an interesting story.

Here’s what happened:

AVERAGE HOME PRICE
June: $610,249
July: $483,000
August: $498,771

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
23 → 27 → 30

NEW LISTINGS
2,224 → 2,225 → 1,747

CLOSED SALES
1,890 → 1,573 → 1,335

AVERAGE LIST-TO-SALE RATIO
97.4% → 96.6% → 96.2%

So what does this mean?

Homes are taking longer to sell, sellers are receiving slightly less of their original asking price, and both new listings and closed sales slowed noticeably in August.

At the same time, the average home price increased from July to August.

In other words, this isn't a market where one statistic tells the whole story.

For buyers, there may be more room for negotiation and less pressure to make an immediate decision.

For sellers, pricing correctly from the beginning is becoming increasingly important.

And for both, local market conditions matter. Wake County is a big market, and what is happening countywide may look very different in Wake Forest, Rolesville, Youngsville or your specific neighborhood.

Thinking about buying or selling? Let's look at YOUR numbers, not just the headlines.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty

08/27/2026

Congrats to my wonderful clients. Keys have been officially handed over on their new home!

Sometimes home is about more than a house.

This family brought multiple generations together, with grandparents moving up from Florida to be closer to their kids and grandkids. And now they have a place to make it all happen, complete with acreage to enjoy together.

A pretty special family = a pretty special closing.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty

08/26/2026

Different cities. Different price points. Different vibes.

Here’s a quick look at what the average home costs in cities around Raleigh. Which one surprised you?

📍 Wake Forest | Franklinton | Raleigh | Cary | Apex | Holly Springs

Thinking about buying or selling? I can help you make sense of the numbers.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty

08/24/2026

There is a part of being a real estate agent that nobody really talks about.

This job gave me more than I expected, and it also asked more of me than I expected. Both are true.

If you have been following along, thank you for being here through all of it.

| Your Raleigh real estate agent

08/20/2026

If you’re thinking about selling your Raleigh home this fall, start with these 3 things before you put that “For Sale” sign in the yard.

1. Declutter and depersonalize.
You want buyers to walk in and picture *their* life in the home, not yours.

2. Take care of the little things.
Scuffed walls, sticky doors, worn caulk, loose handles. None of these are huge fixes, but buyers notice them, and little issues can add up when they’re deciding what your home is worth.

3. Price based on today’s Raleigh market.
What your neighbor sold for two years ago doesn’t tell you what your home is worth today. Pricing should be based on current competition, recent sales, and what buyers are actually responding to right now.

The homes that tend to sell well aren’t just the ones with the right price. They’re the ones that are properly prepared before they ever hit the market.

If selling this fall is on your radar, comment “PREP” or send me a message. Let’s connect in person and I’ll help you figure out what your home needs before you list.

Kristy Ficks | Raleigh, NC Real Estate
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty

08/14/2026

If your backyard looked like this, would you ever leave for vacation?

I can help you find a home with a backyard that feels like one.

Think:
✓ Pool days without leaving home
✓ Space to entertain friends and family
✓ Outdoor living made for summer nights
✓ A home that feels like your own private getaway

You don’t need a vacation house to get the vacation feeling.

If a backyard like this is on your wish list, let’s find your home.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty