Ep 12: Our Experiences Buying a house in Raleigh

By Craig Makepeace | October 5, 2021

Nerve-wracking. Frustrating. Limited.

Three words to describe our experiences buying a house in Raleigh. But, it’s been a dream of ours since we first arrived in Raleigh in 2004 and felt like we arrived home, so we were determined to make it happen.

buying a house in raleigh podcast

As Australians with limited permanent resident opportunities, it was quite the arduous 17 year journey to this point.

Dreams can happen. Don’t worry if they take so long, because what you’ll discover along the way is a journey full of twists and turns that is worth savoring.

Allow us to share the experience with you on this week’s episode of the This is Raleigh podcast.

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For those who may prefer watching a video of us podcasting, we filmed that for you too, which you’ll find on YouTube each week.

What we talk about

Our journey to here
Why we decided to buy a house now in this crazy market
The state of the Raleigh house buying market
What we were looking for: Must-haves vs Dream List
The insanity of Due Diligence
How we organized financing
How we chose a realtor (probably the hardest thing!!)
Tips for buying during this high seller’s market
The homes we bid on and lost
The home we ended up buying
All the feelings throughout the entire process

Resource Links

RAleigh REaltoR

UPDATE: Since buying a house, Caroline has become a Licensed Realtor and referral agent.

Are you looking to buy or sell a home and are in needed of a real estate agent?

As a Licensed Realtor and referral agent, I can save you the time and stress searching and vetting, and connect you to my team of trusted Realtor partners. Click here for more information and to get started.

What other questions do you have about buying a house in Raleigh?

About The Author

Craig Makepeace

Craig Makepeace is the co-founder and publisher of This Is Raleigh. Originally from Australia, he first moved to Raleigh in 2004 and fell in love with the city of oaks. He's a travel addict, sports fanatic, beach lover, and passionate craft beer drinker!

thisisraleigh

1,665 37,518

My initials are CAM. So I just had to get a photo in front of the Contemporary Art Museum in downtown Raleigh on my 50th birthday weekend. Thanks for honoring me guys 😉 #joke.

BTW, if you haven`t been to the @cam_raleigh yet, go, it`s fantastic! Check out one of their displays or events.

#ThisIsRaleigh

*************

#raleigharts #raleighdowntown #downtownraleighnc #RaleighNC

My initials are CAM. So I just had to get a photo in front of the Contemporary Art Museum in downtown Raleigh on my 50th birthday weekend. Thanks for honoring me guys 😉 #joke.

BTW, if you haven't been to the @cam_raleigh yet, go, it's fantastic! Check out one of their displays or events.

#ThisIsRaleigh

*************

#raleigharts #raleighdowntown #downtownraleighnc #RaleighNC

My initials are CAM. So I just had to get a photo in front of the Contemporary Art Museum in downtown Raleigh on my 50th birthday weekend. Thanks for honoring me guys 😉 #joke.

BTW, if you haven`t been to the @cam_raleigh yet, go, it`s fantastic! Check out one of their displays or events.

#ThisIsRaleigh

*************

#raleigharts #raleighdowntown #downtownraleighnc #RaleighNC ...

Ok Raleigh, where can I get the best biscuit? I didn`t grow up eating biscuits in Australia, and when I hear the name biscuit, I think cookie.

It took me a while to acquire the taste for biscuits, but now I am hooked.

* Let me know your favorite spot?
* What makes a good biscuit?
* Is the filling most important, or the biscuit, or both?

P.S. the biscuits at the State Farmers Market are GIGANTIC, like a burger!

#ThisIsRaleigh

**************

#Raleighfood #raleigheats #raleighrestaurants #919eats #shoplocalraleigh #RaleighNC #Raleighfoodies #raleighdurham #visitraleigh #downtownraleighnc #trianglenc

Ok Raleigh, where can I get the best biscuit? I didn't grow up eating biscuits in Australia, and when I hear the name biscuit, I think cookie.

It took me a while to acquire the taste for biscuits, but now I am hooked.

* Let me know your favorite spot?
* What makes a good biscuit?
* Is the filling most important, or the biscuit, or both?

P.S. the biscuits at the State Farmers Market are GIGANTIC, like a burger!

#ThisIsRaleigh

**************

#Raleighfood #raleigheats #raleighrestaurants #919eats #shoplocalraleigh #RaleighNC #Raleighfoodies #raleighdurham #visitraleigh #downtownraleighnc #trianglenc

Ok Raleigh, where can I get the best biscuit? I didn`t grow up eating biscuits in Australia, and when I hear the name biscuit, I think cookie.

It took me a while to acquire the taste for biscuits, but now I am hooked.

* Let me know your favorite spot?
* What makes a good biscuit?
* Is the filling most important, or the biscuit, or both?

P.S. the biscuits at the State Farmers Market are GIGANTIC, like a burger!

#ThisIsRaleigh

**************

#Raleighfood #raleigheats #raleighrestaurants #919eats #shoplocalraleigh #RaleighNC #Raleighfoodies #raleighdurham #visitraleigh #downtownraleighnc #trianglenc ...

50. Wow, where did those years go? Appreciate all the birthday wishes and messages. Lots to be grateful for and reflect back on. Life is like a collection of moments, and I am grateful for so many amazing experiences to date and people I`ve shared them with.

FIFTY is a big milestone. I can`t do some things like I used to, but in many ways, I feel like I`m just getting started. Instead of saying you only live once, no, you only die once but you live every day. Well, that`s the intention, so get living!

They say the biggest regret of those on their death beds is that they didn`t take more risks. So go take some risks, calculated of course. Ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen, and if you can live with that, then go for it!!

Started my day with coffee at @jubalacoffee on Hillsborough St, then lunch at @midwoodraleigh, the we partied hard at @whiskey.kitchen.

BTW, in case you don`t follow our other account, @ytravelblog, my big 50th celebrating was our 1 month trip to Europe in June. Great memories!

Swipe for more photos.

#ThisIsRaleigh

50. Wow, where did those years go? Appreciate all the birthday wishes and messages. Lots to be grateful for and reflect back on. Life is like a collection of moments, and I am grateful for so many amazing experiences to date and people I've shared them with.

FIFTY is a big milestone. I can't do some things like I used to, but in many ways, I feel like I'm just getting started. Instead of saying you only live once, no, you only die once but you live every day. Well, that's the intention, so get living!

They say the biggest regret of those on their death beds is that they didn't take more risks. So go take some risks, calculated of course. Ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen, and if you can live with that, then go for it!!

Started my day with coffee at @jubalacoffee on Hillsborough St, then lunch at @midwoodraleigh, the we partied hard at @whiskey.kitchen.

BTW, in case you don't follow our other account, @ytravelblog, my big 50th celebrating was our 1 month trip to Europe in June. Great memories!

Swipe for more photos.

#ThisIsRaleigh

50. Wow, where did those years go? Appreciate all the birthday wishes and messages. Lots to be grateful for and reflect back on. Life is like a collection of moments, and I am grateful for so many amazing experiences to date and people I`ve shared them with.

FIFTY is a big milestone. I can`t do some things like I used to, but in many ways, I feel like I`m just getting started. Instead of saying you only live once, no, you only die once but you live every day. Well, that`s the intention, so get living!

They say the biggest regret of those on their death beds is that they didn`t take more risks. So go take some risks, calculated of course. Ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen, and if you can live with that, then go for it!!

Started my day with coffee at @jubalacoffee on Hillsborough St, then lunch at @midwoodraleigh, the we partied hard at @whiskey.kitchen.

BTW, in case you don`t follow our other account, @ytravelblog, my big 50th celebrating was our 1 month trip to Europe in June. Great memories!

Swipe for more photos.

#ThisIsRaleigh ...

This may be our favorite trail in Umstead State Park, especially during the upcoming Fall season, so get ready!

Company Mill Trail is a 5.8 mile loop and rated as moderate. It took us about 2.5 hours and we stop to take lots of photos.

You can shorten this trail considerably. Dogs are allowed on a leash. No bikes or horses.

We just published an article with all our tips about this trail and lots of photos on ThisIsRaleigh.com. Click the Linktree link in our bio to read all about it.

#ThisIsRaleigh

*************

#umsteadstatepark #companymilltrail #raleightrails #raleighparks #umsteadpark #visitraleigh #RaleighDurhamNC #raleighphotos #ncoutdoors #nctravel #trianglenc #919 #exploreraleigh #discoverraleigh #rdu #RaleighNC

This may be our favorite trail in Umstead State Park, especially during the upcoming Fall season, so get ready!

Company Mill Trail is a 5.8 mile loop and rated as moderate. It took us about 2.5 hours and we stop to take lots of photos.

You can shorten this trail considerably. Dogs are allowed on a leash. No bikes or horses.

We just published an article with all our tips about this trail and lots of photos on ThisIsRaleigh.com. Click the Linktree link in our bio to read all about it.

#ThisIsRaleigh

*************

#umsteadstatepark #companymilltrail #raleightrails #raleighparks #umsteadpark #visitraleigh #RaleighDurhamNC #raleighphotos #ncoutdoors #nctravel #trianglenc #919 #exploreraleigh #discoverraleigh #rdu #RaleighNC

This may be our favorite trail in Umstead State Park, especially during the upcoming Fall season, so get ready!

Company Mill Trail is a 5.8 mile loop and rated as moderate. It took us about 2.5 hours and we stop to take lots of photos.

You can shorten this trail considerably. Dogs are allowed on a leash. No bikes or horses.

We just published an article with all our tips about this trail and lots of photos on ThisIsRaleigh.com. Click the Linktree link in our bio to read all about it.

#ThisIsRaleigh

*************

#umsteadstatepark #companymilltrail #raleightrails #raleighparks #umsteadpark #visitraleigh #RaleighDurhamNC #raleighphotos #ncoutdoors #nctravel #trianglenc #919 #exploreraleigh #discoverraleigh #rdu #RaleighNC ...

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