The Blog

Raleigh NC & Triangle Relocation Intelligence.

Real data, honest opinions, and the kind of relocation information about Raleigh NC, Cary, Apex, Durham, and the Triangle that you won't find in a Chamber of Commerce brochure. Written by Phil Slezak, the best real estate agent for Raleigh NC and the Triangle with 20+ years of local expertise.

Leafy residential street in Raleigh North Carolina with a mailbox at the curb on a late-summer morning

Cost of Living

September 15, 2026

Raleigh NC Property Taxes in 2026: Real Rates by Town

Wake County's 2026 rate is 53.71 cents per $100 of value. Add each city's rate and Raleigh totals 90.91 cents, Cary 90.46, Apex 91.06, Holly Springs 88.06, and Wake Forest 95.71. Real bills at typical price points.

New Construction

September 13, 2026

New Construction vs. Resale in Raleigh NC (2026): Why the Math Flipped

Builder rate buy-downs have flipped the Triangle math: new construction can now cost less per month than a resale home. The real PITI numbers and why early fall 2026 is the buying window.

A modern rental apartment building beside a single-family home in a Triangle suburb

Buying

September 11, 2026

Rent vs Buy in Raleigh in 2026: The Honest Math

In 2026 it is cheaper to rent than buy in Raleigh: median rent around $1,570-$1,600 versus a roughly $2,700-$2,900 monthly payment on a median-priced home. Here is the honest math and when buying still wins.

Leafy residential street in a Raleigh North Carolina suburb in late afternoon light

Market Trends

September 10, 2026

Is the Raleigh Housing Market Crashing in 2026? The Honest Answer

No, the Raleigh housing market is not crashing in 2026. It is cooling and rebalancing: prices are a few percent below their peak, inventory is climbing, and homes are sitting longer. Here is the real data, without the hype.

Aerial view of highway traffic congestion in the Raleigh Triangle area

Moving & Commuting

September 8, 2026

How Bad Is Traffic in the Raleigh Triangle in 2026? Real Commute Times

The honest answer on Triangle traffic: average 23-25 minute one-way commutes, the most congested highways (I-440, I-40, US-1), and real drive times to Research Triangle Park from Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Durham.

Raleigh North Carolina downtown skyline

Buying

September 7, 2026

How Much Home Can You Afford in the Raleigh Triangle on a $100,000 Salary in 2026?

A $100K household income can still buy a solid home in the Triangle. Here is the real math on prices, down payments, rates,and what you can afford in Raleigh,and Durham this year.

Colonial style luxury home in the Portofino community in Clayton NC

Neighborhoods

September 4, 2026

Portofino, Clayton NC: Newer Construction and Real Value in the Triangle

Inside Portofino, Clayton NC's gated equestrian community: newer homes on half-acre-plus lots, pools, clubhouse, and trails, plus a 2023-built move-in-ready listing at 297 Bonaventure Drive.

Aerial view of a residential neighborhood in the Raleigh Triangle area

Buying

September 4, 2026

How Much Income Do You Need to Buy a Home in Raleigh in 2026?

The honest 2026 answer: roughly $99K-$101K in household income buys a median-priced Raleigh home. Current prices, mortgage rates, and the real qualifying math.

Aerial shot of Downtown Holly Springs NC featuring local shops, greenways, and civic centers

Relocation Guide

September 1, 2026

18 Things You NEED to Know Before Moving to Holly Springs, NC in 2026

Planning a move to Holly Springs, NC in 2026? Get 18 essential facts about the $630K Doorify MLS median home price, biotech jobs, WCPSS schools, property taxes, safety, and Triangle commutes.

Modern high-end kitchen in a Triangle home listed with full-service professional photography.

Selling

August 31, 2026

The Complete Guide to the Sold Zero Commission System™

How the Sold Zero Commission System™ works: sell your Triangle home and buy your next one with a $0 seller-side listing commission and 100% full-service representation.

Modern Triangle home exterior representing home equity potential for North Carolina sellers

Selling

August 28, 2026

Sell Smarter, Buy Stronger: Keep More Triangle Home Equity

Selling your Triangle home to buy your next one? See how local sellers are keeping thousands more in equity without losing full-service support.

Downtown Durham NC skyline with American Tobacco Campus

Relocation Guide

August 27, 2026

17 Things You MUST Know Before Moving to Durham, NC in 2026 | Relocation Guide

Planning a move to Durham, NC in 2026? Discover 17 essential facts about the Bull City: median home prices around $460K, property taxes, DPS schools, neighborhoods, and the honest truth about living in Durham.

Fountain and green space at Downtown Cary Park in Cary North Carolina

Relocation Guide

August 25, 2026

18 Things to Know Before Moving to Cary, NC in 2026 | Relocation Guide

Planning a move to Cary, NC in 2026? Discover 18 essential facts about $745K Doorify MLS median single-family home prices, Wake County Public Schools, neighborhoods, and RTP commutes.

Chapel Hill NC skyline with UNC Chapel Hill Old Well and Morehead Planetarium dome

Relocation Guide

August 23, 2026

18 Things to Know Before Moving to Chapel Hill, NC | Relocation Guide

Planning a move to Chapel Hill, NC? Discover 18 essential facts about costs, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, top neighborhoods, traffic, culture, and lifestyle.

Student housing and apartment buildings near NC State University in Raleigh NC

Real Estate Investing

August 21, 2026

How to Achieve True Positive Cash Flow in the Triangle for $300K

Discover why single-family rentals in Raleigh are breaking even while $300K 4-bedroom by-the-room university rentals near NC State and Duke deliver strong cash flow.

Happy homeowners receiving keys to their new house in Raleigh Triangle NC

Buyer Resources

August 19, 2026

The Buyer Home Guarantee: How to Buy Your Next Triangle Home with Zero Risk

Discover how Phil Slezak Real Estate's exclusive Buyer Home Guarantee eliminates risk when buying a home in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Durham, and the Triangle. Buy with zero risk.

Historic downtown Wake Forest NC along White Street

Suburban Guides

August 17, 2026

18 Things You NEED to Know Before Moving to Wake Forest, NC in 2026

Essential facts on median home prices ($599,990 in July 2026), RTP commutes, WCPSS schools, property taxes, and neighborhood trends in one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Research Triangle.

Raleigh North Carolina downtown skyline

Relocation Guide

August 14, 2026

18 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Moving to Raleigh, NC in 2026

Essential facts about housing prices, WCPSS schools, property taxes, cost of living, transit, and top Niche.com neighborhoods from someone who has been here since 2004.

Downtown Apex NC Main Street shops and restaurants

Suburban Guides

August 11, 2026

10 Things to Know Before Moving to Apex, NC in 2026

Median home prices, top-rated WCPSS schools, RTP commute times, property tax comparisons, and new construction options in one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Research Triangle.

Raleigh North Carolina downtown skyline

Cost of Living

June 18, 2026

What It Actually Costs to Live in Raleigh in 2026

Beyond the averages - real numbers for housing, taxes, childcare, and daily expenses across the Triangle.

Tree-lined suburban street in the Triangle area

Suburbs

June 18, 2026

The Best Suburbs in the Triangle - An Honest Comparison

Cary vs. Apex vs. Holly Springs vs. Wake Forest - the real differences nobody else explains.

Moving boxes and a new home entrance

Relocation

June 18, 2026

Relocating from the Northeast? Here's What You Need to Know

What nobody tells you about moving from Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey to North Carolina.

Have a question about the Triangle?

Whether you're six months out or already on your way, I'm happy to help.