Local insights

What Janet is watching in the market.

One new post every week — grounded in real Catawba County data, plain-English takes, and lessons from the field.

Fall Home Tour Checklist for Alexander County Buyers

Fall Home Tour Checklist for Buyers

Use this fall home tour checklist to look for seasonal maintenance concerns and ask informed questions when touring homes in western NC.

10/26/2026· 4 min read

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School Zones

Buying in the Catawba Valley? Here's how to read school zones the right way.

School boundaries can add or subtract real value from a home. A practical guide to reading Catawba Valley school zones the way locals do.

10/26/2026

Market Updates

Lenoir & Caldwell County Market Update: September 2026

In Lenoir and Caldwell County, homes typically go under contract in 31 days, indicating a steady market for buyers and sellers to plan transactions.

10/4/2026

Market Updates

Hickory & Catawba Valley Housing Market Update — September 2026

This September 2026 update reviews recent market activity in Hickory and Catawba Valley, offering insights for both buyers and sellers based on current trends.

9/23/2026

Buying a Home

Buyer Tips: What the due diligence period really means for a buyer

North Carolina home buyers use the due diligence period to investigate a property thoroughly. During this time, you can terminate a contract for any reason while risking only the due diligence fee.

9/2/2026

Selling Your Home

Seller Tips: Pricing a Western NC home correctly the first time

Selling a WNC home involves careful pricing and understanding key contract elements like the North Carolina Due Diligence Fee and Period.

8/30/2026

Market Updates

Hickory & Catawba Valley Housing Market Update — August 2026

This August 2026 update provides current real estate trends and conditions for Hickory and the Catawba Valley, detailing active listings, sales, and days on market for buyers.

8/28/2026

Market Updates

Hickory Real Estate Market Update — August 2026

186 homes closed in Hickory over the last 180 days at a median of $324K. Here's what buyers and sellers should know this month.

8/20/2026

Market Updates

Taylorsville Real Estate Market Update — August 2026

17 homes closed in Taylorsville over the last 180 days at a median of $415K. Here's what buyers and sellers should know this month.

8/6/2026

Market Updates

Huntersville Real Estate Market Update — August 2026

202 homes closed in Huntersville over the last 180 days at a median of $523K. Here's what buyers and sellers should know this month.

8/2/2026

Market Read

What Catawba's market is actually telling us right now

A plain-English look at inventory, days on market, and price movement in Catawba County — and what it means for buyers and sellers this quarter.

7/27/2026 · 3 min

Relocation

Relocating to Catawba? Read this first.

An honest guide to a smooth landing — cost of living, neighborhood trade-offs, and the mistakes out-of-state buyers make.

7/25/2026 · 3 min

Market Read

What Hickory's market is actually telling us right now

A plain-English look at inventory, days on market, and price movement in Hickory — and what it means for buyers and sellers this quarter.

7/23/2026 · 3 min

School Zones

Buying in Hickory? Here's how to read school zones the right way.

School boundaries can add or subtract real value from a home. A practical guide to reading Hickory school zones the way locals do.

7/22/2026 · 3 min

Buyers

What to actually look for on an inspection

How to read an inspection report without panicking — and what actually deserves a repair credit.

7/19/2026 · 3 min

Buyers

First-time buyer? Start with these five moves.

A no-jargon starter list for anyone thinking about buying their first home in the next 6–12 months.

7/19/2026 · 3 min

Financing

The financing basics buyers wish they'd known sooner

Rate isn't the whole story. A short, plain-English guide to loan types, points, and what actually shows up in your monthly payment.

7/19/2026 · 3 min

Market Read

What the Catawba Valley's market is actually telling us right now

A plain-English look at inventory, days on market, and price movement in the Catawba Valley — and what it means for buyers and sellers this quarter.

7/19/2026 · 3 min

Buyers & Sellers

Negotiation isn't about being aggressive. It's about being right.

Real estate negotiation is a problem to solve, not a battle to win. The three levers that actually move a deal.

7/19/2026 · 3 min

Sellers

The seller prep punch-list that actually returns dollars

The prep work that actually returns dollars for Hickory sellers — and the expensive projects worth skipping.

7/19/2026 · 3 min

Home Care

A Catawba Valley homeowner's seasonal maintenance checklist

A short, season-by-season maintenance rhythm that keeps a Catawba Valley home in good shape year-round.

7/19/2026 · 3 min

Home Care

A Hickory homeowner's seasonal maintenance checklist

Small things done on time keep the big repairs off your calendar. Here's the seasonal rhythm for a Hickory home.

7/19/2026 · 3 min

Personalized market brief

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