Jon Tennant's latest insights on the Triangle real estate market — straight answers, no sales pitch.
Buying a home is step one. Buying a home that generates income — or building a portfolio of investment properties — is a different conversation. Jon breaks down the rental market, cap rates, and where first-time investors should focus in the Triangle.
Read Full Article
Two towns right next to each other — one an established college town, the other the "Paris of the Piedmont." Jon breaks down the price difference, the feel of each, the schools, and which one fits your budget and lifestyle.
Read Full Article
The down payment is only part of the picture. Jon breaks down the full cash-to-close number — down payment, closing costs, the NC due diligence fee, inspections, and the post-closing budget — so there are no surprises at the closing table.
Read Full Article
Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham are both strong North Carolina markets, but the differences are real. Jon breaks down housing prices, the job market, and where Charlotte relocators tend to land in the Triangle.
Read Full Article
A 37-story mixed-use tower called The Creamery is coming to downtown Raleigh. Jon breaks down what it means for the city — and what it means for real estate in the Triangle.
Read Full Article
The NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment program offers a $15,000 forgivable loan for your down payment and closing costs — zero interest, no monthly payment, and in many cases you never pay it back.
Read Full Article
Closing costs can run $8,700 to $21,750 on a typical Triangle home — but a portion of that can often be negotiated so the seller pays it instead. A complete guide to seller concessions in Raleigh-Durham in 2026.
Read Full Article
More inventory, builder incentives, and process differences — a complete guide to buying a new construction home in the Triangle without getting caught off guard.
Read Full Article
Zero down payment, no PMI, and lower rates — a complete guide to using your VA loan benefit to buy a home in the Triangle.
Read Full Article
A detailed cost of living breakdown for anyone relocating from the DC and NoVa corridor — housing, taxes, healthcare, and the real quality of life trade-offs.
Read Full Article
A side-by-side comparison of prices, property taxes, neighborhoods, schools, and commutes between the Triangle's two biggest cities.
Read Full Article
Down payment assistance programs in North Carolina, Raleigh, Durham, and Wake County can cover your entire down payment. Here's how buyers with less than $10,000 saved are buying homes right now.
Read Full Article
A $1.1 billion commuter rail line from Raleigh to Wake Forest is on the way. What it means for buyers, sellers, and investors in north Wake County — and when the market starts moving ahead of it.
Read Full Article
Two of the most-requested areas in the Triangle, compared straight-up. Prices, schools, commutes, and lifestyle — here's how to pick the one that fits your situation and budget.
Read Full Article
Staged homes in the Triangle sell faster and for more money — a straight breakdown of the costs, returns, and when staging matters most for sellers.
Read Full Article
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial moves you'll ever make. A straight list of what to do — and what to avoid — from pre-approval to North Carolina's due diligence process.
Read Full Article
The one step that needs to happen before anything else when buying in the Triangle. A simple, step-by-step breakdown of pre-approval — the documents, the process, and why it puts you in a much stronger position.
Read Full Article
The single most important decision when selling in Raleigh-Durham. A straight breakdown of how pricing works right now and what overpricing costs you.
Read Full Article
A quick, no-fluff update on where the Triangle market stands. Wake County median prices around $481K, Durham at $425K, inventory up 20%, and buyers have more room than they have in years.
Read Full Article
The first episode of Home Grown — a new series where Jon sits down with local business owners across the Triangle. This week: the Iron Chef winner behind Poppyseed Market in Raleigh.
Read Full Article
Confused about credit scores? Jon breaks down exactly what score you need for FHA, conventional, USDA, and VA loans in North Carolina — plus how to get your score where it needs to be.
Read Full Article
Should you keep renting or buy in Raleigh? Jon breaks down the real numbers — no fluff, no sales pitch, just a straight answer on monthly costs and equity.
Read Full Article
Jon Tennant tours a stunning $3.7M custom home in North Ridge by Homestead Building Company — luxury, craftsmanship, and a golf course backdrop at North Ridge Country Club.
Read Full Article
From fewer than 1,000 residents to a booming biotech hub — Holly Springs multiplied its population roughly 40x, and the next chapter with billions in Fujifilm and Amgen investments may be even bigger.
Read Full Article
An A+ Niche-rated Franklin County suburb with historic Main Street charm, new communities on generous lots, and prices well below Wake Forest — the front-porch alternative north of the Triangle.
Read Full Article
The Triangle's biggest long-term growth story — a historic courthouse town transformed by a decades-long master-planned development.
Read Full Article
Where the southern growth wave is heading next — new communities, larger lots, and lower prices than Wake County in Harnett County.
Read Full Article
A former mineral-springs town turned Wake County boomtown — two historic downtowns, the Aviator brewery scene, and master-planned neighborhoods with pools and trails south of Raleigh.
Read Full Article
Raleigh's closest eastern suburb at 15 minutes to downtown — Knightdale Station Park, top Niche rankings, and an unbeatable balance of proximity, price, and community.
Read Full Article
The Triangle's last true bargain — new construction around $336K with Wake County schools and the Carolina Mudcats right in town.
Read Full Article
The Triangle's best value play — master-planned community living with downtown charm and prices 39–47% below Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs.
Read Full Article
Eastern Wake County's biggest growth story — resort pools, trails, a community cafe, and a hometown feel within reach of Raleigh.
Read Full Article
Established north Raleigh gem with greenway trails, community pools, and a neighborly feel — classic family suburbia near Falls Lake with strong schools and real value per dollar.
Read Full Article
One of Raleigh's newest communities by D.R. Horton — a go-to for buyers wanting a brand-new home inside city limits. Contemporary homes from 1,800 to 3,000+ sq ft plus townhomes.
Read Full Article
Historically rich neighborhood inside the beltline with downtown walkability, character homes, and strong investment potential near Dix Park.
Read Full Article
Master-planned community with top-rated schools, a TPC golf course, and resort-style amenities — one of the most-searched family destinations in the city.
Read Full Article
Raleigh's original lifestyle center near NC State — open-air shopping, dining, farmers markets, and a creative, youthful energy minutes from downtown.
Read Full Article
Raleigh's entertainment district and densest residential corridor — rooftop bars, craft breweries, food halls, and museums along a walkable strip leading straight into the heart of downtown.
Read Full Article
Raleigh's northwest corner, perfectly positioned between Raleigh and Durham — a full mixed-use community with thousands of homes, retail, dining, and minutes from RDU Airport.
Read Full Article
Raleigh's crown jewel of preserved architecture — Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman homes dating to the 1800s, all within walking distance of downtown. Block after block of history, and no two homes alike.
Read Full Article
Raleigh's "second downtown" — walkable, polished city living without actually being downtown. Unbeatable convenience, strong resale demand, and one of the hottest neighborhoods in the Triangle.
Read Full ArticleDurham's remarkable journey from railroad stop to one of the most historically significant business districts in America.
Watch on YouTubeWhen a $1.4 billion company plants its flag in Durham, the ripple effects hit the entire Triangle real estate market.
Watch on YouTubeA massive entertainment development is taking shape in the Triangle — and it looks a lot like LA Live. Jon breaks down what's coming.
Watch on YouTubeHalf a million dollars buys a very different life depending on where you plant your flag. Jon puts Raleigh NC and Miami FL head to head.
Watch on YouTubeJon Tennant walks through a $3.5M Homestead Construction home on North Ridge Drive — and there's a secret room nobody saw coming.
Watch on YouTubeRaleigh is not cheap anymore. Jon breaks down the most affordable places near Raleigh that still give you access to everything the Triangle has to offer.
Watch on YouTubeIs Raleigh walkable? It depends entirely on where you live. Jon breaks down the specific neighborhoods that deliver a genuine walkable lifestyle.
Watch on YouTubeDorothea Dix Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and it's being developed right here in Raleigh. Jon explores the history and future of this incredible green space.
Watch on YouTube