Journal

Published September 30, 2026

When are Lake Norman property taxes due, and when does interest start?

North Carolina property tax is due 1 September and can be paid without interest until 5 January 2027. What that means in the four Lake Norman counties.

Can You Work With Multiple Real Estate Agents at the Same Time?

While it’s technically legal to work with multiple agents in certain situations, it’s not always ethical or effective. In most situations, choosing one agent you trust and working closely with them is the better approach.

Here's Why Having A Good Driveway Matters When Selling Your Home

If you’re preparing your house to hit the market, we’ve listed down why your driveway plays a crucial role in your property’s curb appeal, and simple improvements you can make to boost its appearance, functionality, and value.

Here's One Thing Most Home Buyers Forget to Budget For: Landscaping

If you’re a first-time home buyer, understanding the true costs of landscaping before purchasing your desired property can help you avoid financial surprises later on.

A Simple Guide To Choosing The Ideal Paint Color For Your Space

One of the easiest ways to refresh a room is with a coat of paint. Deciding to do a new paint job may sound simple until reality hits: choosing the ideal paint color can be overwhelming. With so many shades available, what colors should you choose?

Understanding Cash to Close When Purchasing A Home

Even before starting your home buying journey, you’re probably already aware that the numbers aren’t just about the home’s purchase price and your down payment. There are dozens of smaller fees, expenses, credits, and adjustments in the real estate transaction that you need to account for.

Easy and Inexpensive Bathroom Updates You Can Make Before Selling Your Home

We’ve compiled these easy and affordable upgrades that can bring style and boost functionality in your space without breaking the bank. They’re also easy enough for anyone to pull off, even if your DIY skills are a bit rusty.

Where to Keep Your Down Payment Savings For Your Dream Home

For many aspiring homeowners, trying to save enough money to cover the down payment and closing costs is their biggest hurdle to homeownership. It may feel like an overwhelming task, a goal that takes a considerable amount of time and effort to accomplish.

5 Ways Your Neighbors Can Affect Your Home's Value

No matter how much you strategize, many external factors can affect your home’s value, including your neighbors. Understanding their potential influence is necessary so you can make the most of your biggest investment.

From Date Nights to Mortgage Payments: Tips for Couples Buying Their First Home Together

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s not only love that fills the air, but a renewed sense of commitment among couples.

7 Simple But Effective Habits For A Cleaner and Tidier Home All Year

Aiming to have a cleaner and calmer home this year? You’re still on the right track for a fresh start. Before life gets busier and mess slowly creeps back in, we’ve rounded up small but impactful habits to start now, and which you can actually stick to for the long term.

Why You Should List Your Home at the Beginning of the Year

Listing your home at the beginning of the year can give you a competitive edge, get ahead of the market, and attract serious buyers, all of which can potentially lead to a faster, smoother sale.

A 7-Step Practical Guide to Unpacking Efficiently After A Move

It’s exciting knowing that you’re starting a fresh life in your new abode. But that exhilarating feeling can quickly be replaced with dread once you realize that the moving truck has left the driveway, and you’ll need to face the daunting task of unpacking your belongings.

Your Home Buyer Wants To Extend The Closing Date: What Now? [PART 2]

When selling a home, it’s not uncommon for your buyer to ask for more time before closing. This request to extend the closing date might be due to financing, inspection, paperwork delays, or life changes, among other reasons.

Your Home Buyer Wants To Extend The Closing Date: What Now? [PART 1]

When selling a home, it’s not uncommon for your buyer to ask for more time before closing. This request to extend the closing date might be due to financing, inspection, paperwork delays, or life changes, among other reasons.

Biggest Home Inspection Red Flags To Look Out For Before Buying

From structural defects to pest infestations, certain warning signs detailed in the inspection report can reveal underlying risks that every buyer should take seriously. Here are the top five red flags you should watch out for.

5 Budget-Friendly Home Improvement Projects Perfect to Tackle This Fall

Here are some of the best low-cost projects you can tackle this season to make your home feel brand new.

How Many Showings Does It Take To Sell A House?

Photos, videos, and virtual tours: these are all great ways to showcase your house to buyers when selling. However, there’s nothing like physically stepping into the home and seeing the condition of the space with your own eyes.

First-Time Buyers, Here's What You Should Know About A Home’s HVAC System

Savvy home buyers know that some of the most important things to check are the ones you don’t admire at first glance, such as the age of the roof, the stability of the foundation, or, in this case, the condition of the home’s HVAC system.

Should You Buy A New House Before Selling Your Old One? Let's Explore the Pros and Cons

POV: You’re a homeowner thinking about downsizing, upsizing, or relocating to a new area. Your biggest dilemma now? It’s probably this: whether to sell your current home before buying a new one, or buy first and then sell.

Safety Tips to Keep Your House Safe During A Renovation

Whether you’ll be working on small upgrades to simply refresh your space this summer, or diving into a major remodel before listing your home for sale, remember that preparation is key. It’s important to take a step back and plan before kicking off your long-planned renovation.

5 Reflective Questions To Ask Yourself Before Deciding To Buy A House

Asking the right questions is crucial, especially when plunging into homeownership. There’s always been a long checklist of questions for you to know and understand every part of the real estate transaction. But how about “soul searching” questions you should be asking yourself first?

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

Regardless of what they’re called, an accessory dwelling unit, also known as an ADU, is an additional living quarters on single-family lots that is independent of the primary dwelling unit, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Don't Overlook These Signs of Foundation Problems on A House

Foundation problems are dangerous since they can lead to significant issues throughout the rest of the home, including structural damage, mold, water damage, and even pest problems.

5 Ways to Involve Your Children in The Home Buying Process

In this blog, we list five tips to keep your kids involved and informed about the home purchase. They may not fully understand its many aspects, but making your children feel included and valued can help ease the transition and get them excited about relocating.

Curb Appeal Projects to Focus On If You Want To Sell Your Home This Spring

First impressions matter, especially in real estate. It’s particularly crucial in spring, which is considered the busiest selling period in many housing markets. Many potential buyers start looking for homes, and your goal is to entice them on the outside so they’d be willing to look on the inside.

Don't Know How Much To Offer on A House? Let These Questions Guide You

It’s tempting to rush into writing an offer and seal the deal before another buyer gets their hand on it. But not so fast! Before making an offer on a home, you need to do your research to ensure that you get the best deal possible and avoid potential headaches down the road.

12 Telltale Signs It's Already Time For You to Move

According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2016, more than 42 percent of people said they moved for a housing-related reason. Many of them either wanted a new home or a better apartment. Other reasons people cited for moving include family and employment-related reasons.

What's In A Mortgage? Breaking Down the Components of A Mortgage Payment

In simplest terms, a mortgage is a long-term loan designed to help borrowers purchase a house. It allows individuals to become homeowners without making a large down payment and thus, fulfilling The American Dream.

7 Huge Signs It's Time To Sell Your House

Your home isn’t simply one of your biggest investments. More than just a physical shelter, it’s a space where precious memories are made. But as much as you love your home, there will always come a time when you feel like it’s time to move.

10 Things New Homeowners Must Do After Closing On A Home (And Even Before Moving In!)

As a home buyer, there were many tips you must have followed to ensure a smooth flow in your home purchase. And finally, after the actual closing, congratulations on being a new homeowner! However, the work doesn't stop after arranging for movers to bring your stuff and ordering new appliances.

5 Tips For Finding The Perfect Vacation Home

Life in the city can be too stifling sometimes: there are plenty of spaces for bustling enjoyment but not much for tranquil relaxation, plus there could be too many people and not much community.

6 Savvy Tips For Selling Your Luxury Home

Selling your luxury home means selling one of your most important investments. The task may be more difficult and daunting than selling a mid-priced home, especially since luxury home buyers have a specific taste for high-end homes that will greatly suit their lifestyle.

7 Advantages of Buying Your First Home in Your 30s

When is the right time to buy your first home? It's a common thing to be pressured by family and peers in considering the right age to buy your own property. Some people are eager and ready enough to fulfill this American dream early while in their 20s.

7 Misconceptions That Hinder People From Getting An FHA Loan

Planning on getting an FHA loan for a house but aren't quite sure which of the things you keep hearing are true? In this blog, we'll debunk the top seven myths about FHA mortgages so that we can help you gain a better understanding of this financing option.

7 Reasons Why FSBOs (For-Sale-by-Owner) Don't Actually Work

For-Sale-by-Owner, more commonly known as FSBO (pronounced “fizbo”), is used to describe a homeowner who is selling their property without the help or representation of a real estate agent. This kind of transaction is commonly seen in the seller's market.

7 Tips To Sell A Good House From A Challenging Location

When the house you're about to sell is in a location that's not entirely ideal, meaning it’s placed near main roads with heavy traffic or it’s susceptible to pollution due to proximity to factories or airports, it could negatively affect your market value.

9 Biggest Mortgage Mistakes Buyers Make

The home buying process is an intricate maze full of both success stories and pitfalls. What's especially difficult is figuring out its financing part. When dealing with a mortgage, you couldn't be too complacent and not invest your time and negotiate properly for the best one that suits you.

First-Time Home Buyers, Are You Making These 7 Mistakes?

It's easy to fall in love with your dream house (and the idea of finally buying one), and we all know that when you're as enamored as you are pressured to take a big leap, your judgment could be clouded.

For Military Members and Their Families: 10 Things to Consider Before Getting Into Home Ownership

For active-duty military members and their families, purchasing a family home is a complex and weighty decision.

How Much Does It Cost To Sell A Home?

You may get the idea that selling your house would mean reaping lots of cash, but it is good to be reminded of the costs that you still have to settle as a seller before you start making plans on what to do with your estimated profit. Several factors can affect the cost of selling your home.

How To Find Your Right Home (A Quick Guide To Making That Big Decision)

For first-time homebuyers, acquiring your dream home may not be as simple as saying that you want a “two-story house with a garage in a quiet neighborhood.” Clearly, there's so much more to a home than that.

Military Home Buyers: 5 Reasons To Choose A VA Loan Instead of A Conventional Loan

The VA Loan is a powerful mortgage option that has helped more than 22 million veterans, active duty military members and their families, purchase homes and achieve their American dream of homeownership.

Millennials, Don't Make These 7 Mistakes When Buying Your First Home

Buying your first home while in your 20s? Congratulations! This is a very scary and exciting time for you, but you're almost there. The keys to your new home will be in your hands very soon.

Applying For A Mortgage Loan? Here Are Proven Ways To Improve Your Credit Score

Applying for a mortgage is not a walk in the park, especially when your credit score falls below 740, which is what lenders consider to be a “very good” score. Typically, the higher your score, the lower your interest rates will be.

Sellers, Beware! These Home Improvements Could Hurt Your Home's Value

Homeownership is beautiful and rewarding. It gives you the freedom to add any renovations you like and turn your home into your safe haven.

The ABCs of Real Estate: Real Estate Terms Every Buyer And Seller Needs To Know

Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a third-time home seller, the real estate transaction can be confusing and stressful enough even without the many terms and acronyms used during the process.

The Ultimate Renter's Move-In Checklist (And Other Questions To Ask)

Despite the many disadvantages of renting compared to buying one's own home, many are still choosing the former because of increasing home prices and high mortgage payment and taxes.

Down Payment Assistance Programs: How Do They Work To Help You Become A Homeowner

Buying a home is no easy feat. You usually have to put money down equal to a percentage of the final purchase price, or your down payment. Having this upfront cash on hand may not be easy for everyone. In fact, it’s one of the major hurdles when buying a home.

From KonMari To 20/20: 5 Expert Decluttering Methods To Try For A Tidier Home

If you feel like decluttering is such a chore, it might be because you haven’t found a method that works well for you. Understand that there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” decluttering solution.

Planning To Sell This Year? Don't Forget To Factor in These Closing Costs

If you’re thinking about selling your home this year, you’ve probably been monitoring its value for a while so you can sell and still get a substantial profit. But before you start counting how much money you’ll make, don’t forget to factor seller closing costs into the sale price.