Monarch Realty Co.

08/29/2026

Fall Report 2026 across Wake Forest, Youngsville, Creedmoor, and Rolesville
• More inventory (but still below pre pandemic levels)
• Longer days on market → more time to shop
• Mid 6% mortgage rates → predictable budgeting
• Flattened prices → less pressure
• More price cuts & concessions
• Fewer bidding wars
• Stronger negotiating power
Youngsville and Rolesville offer the best leverage, Wake Forest offers the best selection, and Creedmoor offers the best negotiating conditions.

🧭 Neighborhood Level Interpretation (Cited)
🌳 Wake Forest
• Inventory rising but still tight — consistent with national supply still 18% below pre pandemic
• Competition remains, but fall gives buyers more time (national trend: more time to decide )
🌾 Youngsville
• Strongest buyer leverage: price cuts + concessions mirror national late summer peak in reductions
• Homes sitting longer → aligns with 60 day active listing age
🌲 Creedmoor
• Rural stability + slower pace → matches national neutral market where neither side has full leverage
• Sellers more flexible, consistent with sweetened deals (closing costs, rate buy downs)
🏘️ Rolesville
• New construction dominates → predictable pricing + incentives
• Resale homes see fall reductions, matching spring listed homes lowering prices by late summer

Call Barbara@ Monarch Realty for more information: (C) 571-217-5911

07/09/2026

New Resturants in Raleigh area!
When we're in town during the summer and want to beat the heat, one of our favorite things to do is explore the city's incredible food scene. Raleigh has seen an impressive lineup of new restaurants open their doors over the past few months, plus a highly anticipated spot arriving very soon. If you haven't been to these local gems yet, now is the perfect time to grab a table and give them a try, or add them to your watchlist!

Lewis Barbecue (2201 Iron Works Dr.) — Coming soon! Legendary pitmaster John Lewis is bringing his famed Central Texas-style barbecue to Raleigh Iron Works. Get ready for custom-smoked prime brisket, house-made tortillas, and an expansive patio that will be well worth the wait.

Big Cat (1000 Brookside Dr.) — Part neighborhood tavern, part sandwich shop, and part small market, this recently opened spot was built \"by the neighborhood, for the neighborhood.\" It offers fantastic hospitality-driven food and a great shaded patio.

Sunflower's Café (Rockway Raleigh) — Reopened! A legendary downtown institution has officially returned. The reimagined mom-and-pop cafe brings back the beloved scratch-made sandwiches and house-made desserts you remember, now paired with a full bar and craft cocktails.

Botiwalla by Chai Pani (2221 Iron Works Dr.) — Located at Raleigh Iron Works, Chef Meherwan Irani's lively tribute to India's iconic Irani cafes serves up vibrant, highly flavorful street grill fare, kababs, flatbreads, and Desi salads.

07/07/2026

The 6 Possible way to reshaped neighborhoods with Major Zoning Shifts in Cities

1. Mandating Larger Lots and Setbacks
Historically, builders economized on expensive urban land by building dense housing, like 12-foot-wide rowhouses with zero setbacks. Today, strict zoning laws often mandate minimum lot sizes (e.g., 5,000 square feet) and require large front, side, and rear setbacks, establishing a high price floor for new housing.

2. Adding Parking Minimums
Before cars, carriage houses (which held horses and sometimes housed domestic staff) were common. The rise of the automobile brought mandatory off-street parking minimums, forcing new housing to dedicate large amounts of space to garages and driveways.

3. Constraining Housing Variety
Early America had a diverse mix of duplexes, triplexes, and rowhouses. Following World War II, zoning shifted heavily to favor detached single-family homes, creating a "residential monoculture" and making it very hard to build affordable "missing middle" housing.

4. Banning Commercial Uses in Housing
Historic neighborhoods seamlessly blended retail, workshops, and housing together. The strict separation of residential and commercial spaces is a modern invention, pushing daily needs out into strip malls and shopping centers.

5. Restricting Urban Livestock
Early city dwellers commonly kept chickens, pigs, and cows in their yards. Starting in the 19th century and solidifying in the 1920s, zoning effectively banned farm animals from city limits.

6. Implementing Strict Building Codes
Historic homes relied heavily on combustible materials and open flames. Today's strict building codes have been a massive win for health and safety—saving billions in disaster damages—but they also act as a "one-way ratchet" that continually increases construction costs and slows down project timelines.

The Silver Lining: As the article points out in your selected takeaways, some of these historic concepts are being revived. To combat modern housing affordability crises, several cities are finally beginning to eliminate parking minimums and re-legalize denser, "missing middle" housing type

07/03/2026

This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a big milestone, and a good reminder of why so many people are proud to call Raleigh and the Triangle home.

From neighborhood cookouts and time with family to fireworks, live music, and local events, this is one of those weekends where the community really shows up. The Triangle continues to be a place where people come to build, grow, invest, and put down roots. We are grateful to be part of that with our clients, friends, and neighbors.
Whether you are hosting at home, heading downtown, or using the long weekend to think through what is next, Barbara is always here as a resource for Raleigh and Triangle real estate.
Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July.

06/29/2026

Where to Watch the World Cup in Downtown Raleigh
soccer fans in a pub

Instead of highlighting just one event this week, we’re rounding up the best local spots to catch the 2026 World Cup. If you want to continue feeling the lively energy of the city and enjoy the Downtown Raleigh lifestyle, grab a seat at one of these neighborhood favorites:

Pearl & Peril (322 Glenwood Ave.) — A pirate-themed cocktail and party bar in Glenwood South, known for its high-energy atmosphere, creative drinks, and current watch-party programming built around big-screen match viewing.
My Way Tavern (522 St. Mary's St.) — Centers on a signature horseshoe bar built from reclaimed wood from a 158-year-old eastern North Carolina barn, plus a strong North Carolina-heavy beer selection and all-American tavern favorites.
Transfer Co. Food Hall (500 E. Davie St.) — Housed in a historic Carolina Coach garage, this downtown gathering space offers a diverse mix of vendors and proven big-screen watch-party energy for major matches.
Longleaf Swine (300 E. Edenton St.) — One of Raleigh’s standout whole-hog BBQ destinations, pairing smoked meats with a top-shelf bourbon list and a covered patio the restaurant itself calls ideal for catching the game.
Player's Retreat (105 Oberlin Rd.) — A Raleigh institution founded in 1951 that combines a true sports-bar atmosphere with acclaimed burgers, a deep wine program, and a warm neighborhood feel.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan cheering on your home country or just soaking in the atmosphere with friends, downtown is the place to be this tournament season.

06/23/2026

Best interiors to help sell or rent

A Zillow survey reveals the best paint colors to sell a house to attract more prospective buyers — and potenially higher offers.

06/19/2026

The Stanley Cup is coming back to Raleigh, and the city is celebrating in true Canes fashion. The Carolina Hurricanes Championship Celebration Parade takes place on Saturday, June 20, at 11:00 a.m. in Downtown Raleigh, followed by a rally at City Plaza with players, coaches, and special guests.

The parade route begins at Hillsborough St. and St. Mary’s St., travels toward the State Capitol, and continues through downtown before ending near Davie St. Whether you are a longtime Caniac or just love a good Raleigh celebration, this is a weekend event worth adding to your calendar.
Raleigh has a lot of momentum this week, from the Hurricanes’ championship celebration downtown to a fresh lineup of active Monarch properties worth a closer look.

06/15/2026