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FEBRUARY STATS

🏡 Market Snapshot

• Market Stats: Prices flat YoY and up 1% MoM. That is big news as it stops 3 straight monthly declines in pices. Inventory up 14% YoY. Days on market rises to 48 days. Interest rates are volatile but within a raneg of 5.99% to 6.20%. Sales down YoY for the 2nd staright month in 2026.

• Buyers: Be more aggressive with your offer, ask for closing costs, keep your Due Diligence lower, ask for rate buy downs (see article below) or concession to pay for your buyers agent. Look to New Construction. Builders are continuiing to offer great incentives including rate buy downs! They are also willing to take “contingency on sale" of your current home” and we are seeing price reductions in this segment as well.

• Sellers: Homes are still selling just not as fast. Multiple offers still happen everyday. This is one of the top markets in the country with more people are moving in every day. Sellers need to be realistic in their pricing. Do the repairs, offer buyers agent commissions and incentives. Popular neighborhoods are still in demand and inventory is still down 10% from pre-pandemic highs.

Please note: The answer to all real estate questions is “it depends.” Homes, locations, zip codes, subdivisions and most importantly, your goals all play a part in real estate advice. Above is a guide to what we are seeing in the overall market.

REAL ESTATE NEWS
Good News for Homebuyers: Mortgage “Trigger Leads” Are Being Restricted

If you’ve ever applied for a mortgage and suddenly received a flood of phone calls, texts, and emails from lenders you’ve never heard of, you’ve experienced something called a trigger lead.

For years, this has been one of the most frustrating parts of the mortgage process for buyers.

What Is a Mortgage Trigger Lead?

When you apply for a mortgage, your lender typically pulls your credit report.

That credit inquiry alerts the credit bureaus — and historically, those bureaus could sell your information to other lenders who then contact you trying to win your business.

This often resulted in buyers receiving dozens or even hundreds of calls and messages within hours of applying for a loan.

Many buyers thought their lender or real estate agent had shared their information, when in reality it was the credit reporting system generating these marketing lists.

A New Law Is Changing This

In 2025, Congress passed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, which significantly restricts this practice. The law is designed to stop credit bureaus from selling mortgage trigger leads without the borrower’s permission.

Beginning in March 2026, lenders generally cannot obtain these leads unless:

• The borrower gives explicit consent, or

• The lender already has an existing financial relationship with the borrower (such as their current bank or mortgage servicer).

What This Means for Buyers

The goal of the new law is simple: protect consumer privacy and reduce unwanted spam calls during the homebuying process.

It should mean fewer confusing phone calls from unknown lenders and a smoother experience when working with your chosen mortgage professional.

The Bottom Line

Buying a home is stressful enough without your phone ringing nonstop from strangers trying to sell you a loan.

This new law is a big step toward protecting homebuyers’ privacy and making the mortgage process simpler and more secure.

EDUCATION
What is a Mortgage rate Buy-Down? (And Why Builders are Offerring Them Right Now)

How Buyers Are Lowering Their Mortgage Payments Right Now

One of the biggest questions buyers ask today is:
“How can I lower my monthly payment if mortgage rates are around 6%?”

One strategy many buyers don’t realize exists is a mortgage rate buy-down.

This has become especially common in new construction communities, where builders often offer incentives to help lower buyers’ payments.

What Is a Rate Buy-Down?

A rate buy-down is when money is used upfront to temporarily reduce your mortgage interest rate.

That money can come from:

• The seller

• The builder

• Buyer concessions negotiated in the contract

The result is simple: lower monthly payments, especially in the early years of the loan.

The Most Common Example: A 2-1 Buy-Down

One of the most common programs today is called a 2-1 buy-down.

Here’s how it works:

• Year 1: Your rate is 2% lower

• Year 2: Your rate is 1% lower

• Year 3+: Your loan returns to the normal fixed rate

For example, if the loan rate is 6%, the payments might look like:

• Year 1 → 4% payment

• Year 2 → 5% payment

• Year 3+ → 6% payment

This structure gives buyers lower payments while they’re settling into a new home.

Why Builders Offer These Incentives

Instead of lowering the home price, builders often prefer to offer incentives such as:

• Rate buy-downs

• Closing cost assistance

• Design upgrades

• Financing incentives through preferred lenders

In many cases, these incentives can reduce a buyer’s monthly payment more than a price reduction would. 

TRIANGLE TRIVIA

Last month’s question:
What year did Pittsboro originally try to start its own form of currency?

Answer: 2009 — when Pittsboro launched the PLENTY, a local currency used at participating businesses around town.

🎉 Congratulations to our winner: Marie B.
You’ve won a $25 Starbucks Gift Card! Thanks for playing.

This Month’s Triangle Trivia

First reader to reply with the correct answer wins a $25 Starbucks Gift Card ☕

Question:
Which Triangle university campus is home to the famous Old Well, one of the most photographed landmarks in North Carolina?

Hit reply with your answer — first correct response wins!

PRIVATE LISTING
This home is not on the MLS - Exclusive to Carolina Next Customers only!

• Chapel Hill Condo - Camelot Village

• 1/1 704 Sq ft

• Community flooded in July 2025

• HOA has flood insurance and condo will be restored in approx 2 months

• Rental opportunuity or college student housing.

• Call me for more information 984-363-8611

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