Give up. Hahahahahahaha. We’re kidding. Kinda. If you’re moving to Raleigh having just sold your million-dollar home or with a tech salary, congrats, you just won the final rose! If you’ve got a normal salary and are searching for your mid-range starter home, welcome to Survivor.
(This is the main reason some Raleigh newcomers may not feel a warm welcome here. Fairly or not, high-income newbies and speculative investors are being blamed for pricing local house hunters out of their much-loved city. So please DO NOT brag that the $600,000 house you just paid cash for is “such a steal.” Do not be “that person” or you will forever remain an outsider, bless your heart.)
So, with all that being said, mid-range ($250,00 – $600,000) buyers are going to need patience, stamina, a good real estate agent and lots of local ice cream (Two Roosters, Goodberrys) and chocolate (Videri, Escazu) to get through your house search in this hot market. Stock up, find out what you can afford, make your Top 5 Must Haves List (ignore paint colors) and dive in without letting the bidding wars make you lose your mind. You will find your dream home eventually!