A note from me
When I moved back to Raleigh from San Francisco, I had what I jokingly call FOMA: fear of moving away. I wondered if I’d miss my view of the Golden Gate and walking to the marina for coffee before work. What surprised me was how much Raleigh had grown while I was gone.
I’ve found Southern hospitality to be real. One of my favorite things about being back is a fall drive toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. The reds, oranges and yellows can look like a postcard.
What changes when you buy?
| Topic | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Property tax | When was the home’s assessed value set? |
| Offer | How do the due diligence fee and earnest money work in my contract? |
| Closing | Which attorney will handle the legal work and how do I verify wire instructions? |
| Touring | What does the buyer agreement cover? |
How do property taxes work?
California’s Proposition 13 generally limits annual growth in a property’s base-year value to 2%, with exceptions (checked October 29, 2026). A change in ownership or new construction generally triggers reassessment. North Carolina counties follow their own revaluation schedules.
Wake and Mecklenburg plan revaluations based on market conditions as of January 1, 2027 (checked October 29, 2026). The assessed value and the tax rate both matter to the bill. Ask the county when the home’s value was set and talk with your lender about the monthly estimate.
What payments come with an offer?
A North Carolina offer may include a due diligence fee and a separate earnest money deposit. The due diligence fee is negotiated, paid to the seller and generally credited to the buyer at closing. If a buyer terminates, the seller generally keeps it, subject to the contract’s exceptions. Ask your agent and attorney how the agreement you would sign handles both payments and deadlines. Read more about the fee.
Who handles the closing?
In Northern California, escrow is most often handled by a title insurance company. In North Carolina, an attorney handles legal work such as the title opinion and legal documents. Before wiring money, call the attorney’s office using a number you already know is legitimate to verify the instructions. Protect your closing funds.
What should I know before a tour?
Under the relevant MLS rules, an agent working with a buyer needs a written buyer agreement before an in-person or live virtual home tour. In North Carolina, it must be an agency agreement. An agent working only for the seller is treated differently. Ask about the agreement’s duration, services and compensation. Read about buyer agreements.
How should I spend the first visit?
I wouldn’t spend the whole day inside houses. Try a restaurant and spend time in the places you’d use regularly. Then test the drives at the hours you’d actually make them.
If you need more time to learn an area, a short-term rental can be worth discussing before you buy. It depends on your timing and what another move would involve.
Try Commute Carolina · Compare Raleigh, Charlotte and Lake Norman
How do I choose a mover?
Get written estimates and check an interstate mover’s registration, household-goods authorization, insurance and complaint history using the FMCSA search.
What about the seasons and schools?
I enjoy North Carolina’s seasons, especially a fall drive toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. For local climate information, start with the NC State Climate Office.
Check school assignment for the exact address with the district. Start with the Wake County or Charlotte-Mecklenburg tools. Check the applicable district if the home is elsewhere. For private schools, the state directory is a place to start.
What if I need to sell in California first?
Talk with your lender and the professional handling your sale about timing. If your home is in San Francisco, I can introduce you to my former mentor, Ron Sebahar.
About Joe
Joe Schedeler began his full-time real estate career in San Francisco in 2014. A Raleigh native, he returned to North Carolina in 2017 and serves Raleigh, Charlotte and Lake Norman today. About Joe