Real Estate Right Now

The housing market just pulled off something it hasn’t done in decades — and if you’re a buyer, renter, or anyone thinking about making a move in 2026, you need to hear this before the weekend. Mortgage rates jumped back to 6.22% this week after teasing a dip, new home sales dropped sharply, and yet somehow the data is quietly stacking up in the consumer’s favor. How is that possible? That’s exactly what we’re unpacking live tomorrow. Join me and Paul Fitts, Senior Loan Officer of Advantage Lending on Real Estate Right Now. Paul works in the trenches every day helping buyers navigate the rate environment, and together we’re breaking down the Top 10 residential real estate headlines that matter most to consumers right now — from the historic flip where resale homes now cost more than new construction, to renters securing concessions at a 10-year high, to the slow thawing of the lock-in effect that has frozen so many homeowners in place. We’re not here to give you hype or a national average that means nothing for your zip code. Markets like New York, Chicago, and Cleveland are climbing while Miami, Tampa, and Austin are falling — sometimes by more than 5% year-over-year. The data is real, it’s conflicting, and it deserves a real conversation. That’s what this show is built for, and Paul brings the lending lens that ties it all together for buyers who are close to pulling the trigger. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to get serious about buying, selling, or renegotiating your lease — this is the episode. Touring activity is up 23% since January 1st, inventory is rising, and for the first time since 2022, buyers may be spending less than 30% of their income on housing. The window is opening. Come find out exactly how wide. Linda Craft Team, Realtors they have been helping people with their home selling and buying needs and wants for more than 40 years. Their clients call their customer service “legendary”. That’s because Linda and her team recognize that your home is more than a purchase, it is the place that some of your most significant memories will be made. When you are looking for the best expert when it comes to real estate in your area start with the “legends of customer service” start with Linda Craft Team. Head on over to www.LindaCraft.com

The Architect of the Market: How Jim Allen Builds the Future… Most people see a “For Sale” sign and think the story starts there. The truth? The real money and the biggest moves happen years before a foundation is even poured. Today on Real Estate Right Now, we are sitting down with the man who sees the finish line before the race even begins. Jim Allen isn’t just a top-tier name at Coldwell Banker; he is a visionary in land development who understands the DNA of a successful community. If you want to know where the market is going, you have to talk to the person building it. We’re stripping away the fluff to talk about the high-stakes reality of new construction. Jim will be breaking down the “hidden” side of real estate: identifying raw land with untapped potential, navigating the red tape that stops most builders in their tracks, and the precise science of timing the market. In a world where inventory is tight and “resale” feels like a compromise, Jim explains why new builds are the ultimate solution for today’s savvy investors and homeowners. This interview is a rare opportunity to get inside the mind of a developer who has seen every cycle the market can throw at him. We’ll discuss the “New Home Advantage”—why certain areas explode in value while others stall, and how Jim’s team manages to stay steps ahead of the competition. Whether you’re looking to break into development or you just want to understand the forces driving property values in our region, this conversation will change the way you look at a plot of dirt forever. Don’t settle for the headlines; get the ground-truth from a legend. Join us as we dive deep into the strategies, the risks, and the massive rewards of the development world. Jim Allen is ready to share the blueprint—all you have to do is listen. Linda Craft Team, REALTORS, their clients say that their customer service is “legendary” and the reason for that is because for more than 40 years they build and maintain personal relationships with their clients. Why? Because buying and selling of a house is a great deal more than a business transaction, it is a life altering experience. That’s because we don’t just live in a home, some of our most significant memories will be made in that home. The Linda Craft Team are dedicated to taking care of your memory maker as if it were their own. Whether you are about to purchase a new home, or sell your current home, start with the relationship legends. Start with Linda Craft Team, Realtors – www.LindaCraft.com

Stop doom-scrolling through Zillow and assuming you’re priced out of the Triangle real estate market. The headlines want you to believe that without a 20% down payment and an 800 credit score, you’re stuck renting forever—but the actual math tells a different story. In our next episode, we are cracking the door open on the specific, often-overlooked programs that are helping normal people buy homes right now, even in this economy. We are joined by Christopher Coy, Vice President and Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at TowneBank Mortgage in Raleigh. Unlike big-box online lenders who treat you like an algorithm, Chris is a local expert who specializes in “hacking” the system for first-time buyers and self-employed professionals. He’s coming on the show to debunk the biggest myths in lending and reveal why a local pre-approval letter might be the secret weapon that gets your offer accepted over the competition. We dig deep into the “cheat codes” of homeownership that banks rarely advertise. Chris breaks down how the NC Home Advantage program can cover your down payment, why you might qualify for 0% down with a USDA loan just outside the city limits, and why your credit score is likely already good enough to get started. We also discuss the “fixer-upper” strategy—how to buy a cheaper home and borrow the renovation costs in a single loan—so you can stop fighting over turnkey houses and start building equity. Don’t let fear of the unknown keep you paying someone else’s mortgage. Tune in to hear why the path to your front door is shorter, cheaper, and easier than you think. Whether you are looking to buy your first home in 2026 or refinance the one you have, this conversation with Chris Coy will give you the blueprint you need to take action. Linda Craft Team, Realtors, they have been serving people in the real estate world for more than 40 years. And in so doing their customers rave about them, by saying they have “legendary customer service”. When you have customers from more than 40 years ago still stopping in to say “hello” and “thank you” that says there is something special about Linda and her dedication to her clients and her team. When you are ready to sell or buy why not start with Linda Craft & Team, www.LindaCraft.com

Luxury and Ultra-Luxury A Different Way of Thinking About Real Estate When does a home shift from “luxury” to “ultra-luxury,” and why does that distinction matter significantly to your bottom line? The high-end real estate market is often viewed as a monolith, but the strategies required to navigate the stratosphere of ultra-luxury properties are vastly different from standard luxury transactions. From marketing reach to negotiation psychology, understanding these nuances is critical for buyers and sellers looking to protect their assets. In this episode, we sit down with Tony Fink, Senior Listing and Buyers Expert with Linda Craft REALTORS, to dissect these differences. Tony brings years of experience navigating the complex landscape of high-value properties. He walks us through exactly what clients should expect when stepping into the ultra-luxury arena and the specific hurdles that often trip up the unprepared. We also introduce a pivotal evolution in the industry: the RFA (Real Estate Financial Advisor). As real estate holdings comprise a massive percentage of personal net worth, the role of an agent is shifting from a transactional facilitator to a strategic wealth partner. We discuss why you don’t just need a Realtor anymore—you need an RFA who understands the financial implications of your portfolio. Don’t miss this deep dive into the upper echelon of real estate. Whether you are an investor, a homeowner, or an industry professional, this conversation will change how you view high-end real estate representation. Linda Craft Team, Realtors Linda built her business in 1985 one relationship at a time, and her team and her continue to do the same things she did 40 years later. They have provided thousands of people the ability to help people sell or buy their next home with personalized legendary customer service. They have the experience, knowledge, and understanding of the home industry. They also understand you and what you want and need from your next home purchase or sale. What is more they can help you regardless of where you live. Ready to buy or sell your next home or your first…click on over to www.LindaCraft.com

Declutter and Increase Your Home Selling Value Is your home working for you, or are you working for your home? Whether you are preparing to put your house on the market, in the middle of a chaotic move, or simply drowning in “stuff,” the state of your environment directly impacts your peace of mind and your property value. In this episode of Real Estate Right Now, we are tackling the clutter crisis head-on to help you reclaim your space. I am thrilled to be sitting down with Sara Howard, the expert behind Elevate Your Environment. Sara isn’t just about tidying up; she is a master at creating functional systems that transform chaotic spaces into serene sanctuaries. We are going to dive deep into how professional organizing can be the secret weapon in real estate—from staging a home to sell for top dollar, to making your move seamless and stress-free. If you have ever stared at a packed garage or an overflowing closet and felt overwhelmed, you cannot afford to miss this conversation. Sara will be sharing actionable tips on how to purge what you don’t need, organize what you love, and elevate the way you live. We’ll discuss the psychology behind the mess and practical strategies to maintain a home that looks as good as it feels. Learn how to finally take control of your space. Catch the livestream or listen in—this is the episode that changes how you look at your home forever. Linda Craft Team, Realtors Linda built her business in 1985 one relationship at a time, and her team and her continue to do the same things she did 40 years later. They have provided thousands of people the ability to help people sell or buy their next home with personalized legendary customer service. They have the experience, knowledge, and understanding of the home industry. They also understand you and what you want and need from your next home purchase or sale. What is more they can help you regardless of where you live. Ready to buy or sell your next home or your first…click on over to www.LindaCraft.com

This week on Real Estate Right Now we’re going to talk about something every homeowner eventually faces but almost nobody plans for: what do you do with a lifetime of “stuff” when it’s time to move on? My guest is Gavin Martin, Owner and CEO of Grandma’s Basement Estate Sales & Services, a veteran-owned company right here in North Carolina that specializes in estate sales, cleanouts, antiques, and vintage furniture. Gavin went from the U.S. Army to corporate life to turning his passion for finding hidden treasures into a full-time business helping families downsize, declutter, and uncover value in what’s been sitting in the attic, garage, or yes… grandma’s basement.[...]

What’s Going On with Mortgages? Paul Fitts of Advantage Lending joining us to break down what’s really going on in mortgages right now. First off: rate talk. The 30-year fixed is hovering near the low-to-mid 6% range—down from the peaks, yet still above what many buyers hope for. That means timing and strategy matter. We’ll dive into smart lock-windows, what “good enough and done” means in this market, and why waiting for the perfect dip could cost you. Next: the Fed & bond markets. Even though the Federal Reserve has signaled a more passive policy stance, mortgage rates don’t simply march in lockstep. Instead, they follow bond market sentiment, inflation[...]

Get ready for a really powerful episode of Real Estate Right Now dropping tomorrow, November 6, 2025 at 9 a.m. Eastern! I’m pumped to welcome the incredible Cara Gibbons, Closing Attorney and Branch Manager at Sterling Law in Apex, NC. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply keeping your finger on the pulse of the market, this is not one you’ll want to miss. Cara brings the sharp, boots-on-the-ground insight that turns confusion into clarity—especially when it comes time to cross the finish line and hold those keys. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens in those final moments of a real-estate transaction—what to watch out for, how to avoid hidden[...]

The real estate market has changed—and if you’re a home seller, you’ve probably felt it. This week on Real Estate Right Now, I’m joined by Home Selling Expert Steve Kruger of Linda Craft Team, Realtors, who will help us make sense of what’s really happening. We’re diving into the truth behind today’s inventory increase, why homes are sitting a little longer, and how pricing strategies need to evolve. If you’re thinking about selling, this episode could save you both time and money. Steve will bring in some of the latest market data that paints a much clearer picture of what’s happening across our area. The days of double-digit appreciation may[...]

When you’re buying or selling a home, one number can make or break the deal — the appraisal. On this week’s Real Estate Right Now, I’m joined by Everett “Vic” Knight, one of North Carolina’s most respected appraisers and former Chair of the NC Real Estate Commission. With decades of experience in real estate and property valuation, Vic brings the inside scoop on how appraisals really work and what every buyer and seller needs to know right now. Here’s the first thing most people don’t realize: the appraiser doesn’t work for you — they work for the lender. Their job is to make sure the home is worth what the[...]