Ask Phil

Ask Phil anything about moving to Raleigh.

Moving has a lot of moving parts, and most of them are hard to look up in one place. So ask me. Whether you are just thinking about the Triangle, already packing the boxes, buying your first home, or selling your current one first, I will give you a straight answer in plain English. Nothing is too basic, and there is zero pressure. After 20-plus years in this market, I still say the only bad question is the one you never ask.

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Popular questions

The questions I hear the most

Tap one to get a real answer right now, with the numbers behind it. Anything else, send it through the form below and I will answer personally.

Is it a good time to buy in Raleigh? What are closing costs in NC? How bad is Triangle traffic? Which town should I live in? How does the Buyer Home Guarantee work? Something else? Ask your own question

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Every question below is grouped by topic. Tap a card to see just that group, or scroll past the grid for the full list of every answer.

Moving & Relocation What to expect before, during, and after your big move. 16 questions Buying a Home When to buy, what to save, and how to buy smart here. 11 questions Costs, Money & Closing The real costs of buying and living here, in plain numbers. 8 questions Selling a Home How to sell for more and skip the mistakes sellers make. 4 questions Neighborhood Guides Find the corner of the Triangle that fits your life. 11 questions Schools & Community How local schools work and what they mean for your family. 3 questions Market Reports & Forecasts Straight numbers on where the market is headed, no spin. 4 questions Golf Course Properties Communities with the fairway in your backyard. Explore communities

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Choose a topic above to see its questions, or scroll below for the full list.

Moving & Relocation

16 questions

  1. 1 How much time do I need to plan a move to Raleigh?
  2. 2 What should I know before moving to Raleigh?
  3. 3 What should I know before moving to Cary?
  4. 4 What should I know before moving to Apex?
  5. 5 What should I know before moving to Durham?
  6. 6 What should I know before moving to Holly Springs?
  7. 7 What should I know before moving to Wake Forest?
  8. 8 What should I know before moving to Chapel Hill?
  9. 9 I'm moving from the Northeast, what should I know?
  10. 10 I'm relocating to Knightdale, what should I know?
  11. 11 Is Raleigh a good place to raise a family?
  12. 12 Is Raleigh a good place to retire?
  13. 13 How bad is the traffic in the Triangle?
  14. 14 What is the weather like in Raleigh?
  15. 15 What is the job market like in Raleigh?
  16. 16 What does it really cost to live in Raleigh?

Buying a Home

11 questions

  1. 1 Is it a good time to buy a house in Raleigh in 2026?
  2. 2 When is the best time to buy in Raleigh?
  3. 3 Should I rent or buy in Raleigh?
  4. 4 Should I buy a home sight unseen?
  5. 5 Do I still need a buyer's agent in 2026?
  6. 6 New construction or resale, which is better?
  7. 7 Which suburbs are the best in the Triangle?
  8. 8 Where can I buy a home under $400K?
  9. 9 How much house can I get for my money?
  10. 10 What are builder buydowns and do they help?
  11. 11 What is the Buyer Home Guarantee?

Costs, Money & Closing

8 questions

  1. 1 What are closing costs in North Carolina?
  2. 2 How much income do I need to buy a home in Raleigh?
  3. 3 How much home can I afford on $100K a year?
  4. 4 How much is homeowners insurance in Raleigh?
  5. 5 What are Raleigh property taxes?
  6. 6 How does the NC due diligence fee work?
  7. 7 Is there down payment assistance in NC?
  8. 8 How much is childcare in Raleigh?

Selling a Home

4 questions

  1. 1 Why isn't my house selling?
  2. 2 How do I sell smarter and buy stronger?
  3. 3 What is my home worth?
  4. 4 Why do homes sell for more with Phil's team?

Neighborhood Guides

11 questions

  1. 1 Where should I live in Raleigh?
  2. 2 Where should I live in Cary?
  3. 3 Where should I live in Apex?
  4. 4 Where should I live in Durham?
  5. 5 Where should I live in Holly Springs?
  6. 6 What are the 10 most searched neighborhoods in Apex?
  7. 7 What is it like living in Waterford Green, Apex?
  8. 8 What is it like living in Salem Village, Apex?
  9. 9 What is it like living in Scotts Mill, Apex?
  10. 10 What is it like living in Sweetwater, Apex?
  11. 11 What is Portofino like in Clayton?

Schools & Community

3 questions

  1. 1 How do Wake County schools work?
  2. 2 Which school districts are top rated?
  3. 3 Why are there no basements in Raleigh?

Market Reports & Forecasts

4 questions

  1. 1 Is the Raleigh housing market crashing in 2026?
  2. 2 What is the Raleigh housing market forecast for 2027?
  3. 3 What is the $700K insulated market?
  4. 4 How is the Raleigh market doing right now?

Ask your question

What is on your mind?

Send it in and I will answer personally, usually the same day. If you would rather talk it through, use the phone or Zoom options beside the form.

Phil Slezak, Real Estate Broker

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919-899-2320

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Prefer email? info@philslezak.com