Author: Mike Otranto

Selling a home by owner can be a great DIY project.  It can also save you tens of thousands of dollars in closing costs.   It is true that it will still cost you money to sell your own home. However, if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and put in some work, it can … Continued

With the current lack of homes for sale in the Raleigh NC area, many home owners ask me if they should sell their home themselves.  I can never give a quick yes or no to this question as there are a lot of different factors involved. Below I’ll go over the questions that Raleigh home … Continued

 As real estate professionals who talk to 100’s of homeowners per year, we begin to notice patterns of behavior that can give us clues as to whether or not the homeowner is serious about selling. Many times, homeowners just call to see what someone will give them for their house.  Sometimes, the owner is trying to see … Continued

Fall is here, which brings a sigh of relief to many Wake County residents including myself.  I love the 60 – 70 degree weather, not only does it offer a reprieve from the scorching heat of the summer,  many find it much easier to sleep when temperatures dip into the 50’s overnight.  Fall is here, which … Continued

What are the foreclosure steps in North Carolina? People often get confused as to where they are in the process.  Many will call me saying  they have a house in the Wake County NC area that is in foreclosure. The timeline below will walk you through the process step-by-step. Ultimately, it is up to the bank … Continued

Most people are familiar with the concept of going to the bank and getting a loan to buy a house, but how many of us know how 30 year mortgages get paid off?  Is it similar to a car loan where most of the payment goes toward paying off the principal balance and the rest … Continued

This article is designed to give new and experienced investors a brief overview of basic North Carolina landlord-tenant law. The author is not an attorney and is not giving legal advice. You should consult your own attorney and do your own research for laws that are applicable in your own state and county. Below are 6 … Continued

#1. Showing Up Late Or Unprepared Showing up late, dressed poorly, or unprofessionally is an indicator that the agent doesn’t have their ducks in a row. If you own a $150,000 house you will be paying your agent $9,000 at a 6% commission. Do you think this is enough incentive for an agent to show up … Continued

When selling your own home presentation is important.  Selling your own home is no easy task but it can be done with right knowledge and persistence.  Putting the “For Sale By Owner” sign in the lawn is just the beginning.  We must present our product in the best light possible and one of the first … Continued

I once received a call from another investor on how to structure a transaction on a nice 3bd, 2ba property. The sellers of the home were unable to find a buyer and they had to move out of the state, leaving them with a vacant house.  The home was free and clear so this allowed … Continued