The housing market just pulled off something it hasn’t done in decades — and if you’re a buyer, renter, or anyone thinking about making a move in 2026, you need to hear this before the weekend. Mortgage rates jumped back to 6.22% this week after teasing a dip, new home sales dropped sharply, and yet somehow the data is quietly stacking up in the consumer’s favor. How is that possible?

That’s exactly what we’re unpacking live tomorrow. Join me and Paul Fitts, Senior Loan Officer of Advantage Lending on Real Estate Right Now. Paul works in the trenches every day helping buyers navigate the rate environment, and together we’re breaking down the Top 10 residential real estate headlines that matter most to consumers right now — from the historic flip where resale homes now cost more than new construction, to renters securing concessions at a 10-year high, to the slow thawing of the lock-in effect that has frozen so many homeowners in place. We’re not here to give you hype or a national average that means nothing for your zip code.

Markets like New York, Chicago, and Cleveland are climbing while Miami, Tampa, and Austin are falling — sometimes by more than 5% year-over-year. The data is real, it’s conflicting, and it deserves a real conversation. That’s what this show is built for, and Paul brings the lending lens that ties it all together for buyers who are close to pulling the trigger.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to get serious about buying, selling, or renegotiating your lease — this is the episode. Touring activity is up 23% since January 1st, inventory is rising, and for the first time since 2022, buyers may be spending less than 30% of their income on housing. The window is opening. Come find out exactly how wide.

Linda Craft Team, Realtors they have been helping people with their home selling and buying needs and wants for more than 40 years.

Their clients call their customer service “legendary”.

That’s because Linda and her team recognize that your home is more than a purchase, it is the place that some of your most significant memories will be made.

When you are looking for the best expert when it comes to real estate in your area start with the “legends of customer service” start with Linda Craft Team. Head on over to www.LindaCraft.com

The Architect of the Market: How Jim Allen Builds the Future…

Most people see a “For Sale” sign and think the story starts there. The truth? The real money and the biggest moves happen years before a foundation is even poured. Today on Real Estate Right Now, we are sitting down with the man who sees the finish line before the race even begins. Jim Allen isn’t just a top-tier name at Coldwell Banker; he is a visionary in land development who understands the DNA of a successful community. If you want to know where the market is going, you have to talk to the person building it.

We’re stripping away the fluff to talk about the high-stakes reality of new construction. Jim will be breaking down the “hidden” side of real estate: identifying raw land with untapped potential, navigating the red tape that stops most builders in their tracks, and the precise science of timing the market. In a world where inventory is tight and “resale” feels like a compromise, Jim explains why new builds are the ultimate solution for today’s savvy investors and homeowners.

This interview is a rare opportunity to get inside the mind of a developer who has seen every cycle the market can throw at him. We’ll discuss the “New Home Advantage”—why certain areas explode in value while others stall, and how Jim’s team manages to stay steps ahead of the competition. Whether you’re looking to break into development or you just want to understand the forces driving property values in our region, this conversation will change the way you look at a plot of dirt forever.

Don’t settle for the headlines; get the ground-truth from a legend. Join us as we dive deep into the strategies, the risks, and the massive rewards of the development world. Jim Allen is ready to share the blueprint—all you have to do is listen.

Linda Craft Team, REALTORS, their clients say that their customer service is “legendary” and the reason for that is because for more than 40 years they build and maintain personal relationships with their clients.

Why? Because buying and selling of a house is a great deal more than a business transaction, it is a life altering experience.

That’s because we don’t just live in a home, some of our most significant memories will be made in that home.

The Linda Craft Team are dedicated to taking care of your memory maker as if it were their own. Whether you are about to purchase a new home, or sell your current home, start with the relationship legends.

Start with Linda Craft Team, Realtors – www.LindaCraft.com

When does a home shift from “luxury” to “ultra-luxury,” and why does that distinction matter significantly to your bottom line? The high-end real estate market is often viewed as a monolith, but the strategies required to navigate the stratosphere of ultra-luxury properties are vastly different from standard luxury transactions. From marketing reach to negotiation psychology, understanding these nuances is critical for buyers and sellers looking to protect their assets.

In this episode, we sit down with Tony Fink, Senior Listing and Buyers Expert with Linda Craft REALTORS, to dissect these differences. Tony brings years of experience navigating the complex landscape of high-value properties. He walks us through exactly what clients should expect when stepping into the ultra-luxury arena and the specific hurdles that often trip up the unprepared.

We also introduce a pivotal evolution in the industry: the RFA (Real Estate Financial Advisor). As real estate holdings comprise a massive percentage of personal net worth, the role of an agent is shifting from a transactional facilitator to a strategic wealth partner. We discuss why you don’t just need a Realtor anymore—you need an RFA who understands the financial implications of your portfolio.

Don’t miss this deep dive into the upper echelon of real estate. Whether you are an investor, a homeowner, or an industry professional, this conversation will change how you view high-end real estate representation.

Linda Craft Team, Realtors Linda built her business in 1985 one relationship at a time, and her team and her continue to do the same things she did 40 years later.

They have provided thousands of people the ability to help people sell or buy their next home with personalized legendary customer service.

They have the experience, knowledge, and understanding of the home industry. They also understand you and what you want and need from your next home purchase or sale.

What is more they can help you regardless of where you live. Ready to buy or sell your next home or your first…click on over to www.LindaCraft.com

Linda Craft Team, Realtors, they have been serving people in the real estate world for more than 40 years.

And in so doing their customers rave about them, by saying they have “legendary customer service”.

When you have customers from more than 40 years ago still stopping in to say “hello” and “thank you” that says there is something special about Linda and her dedication to her clients and her team.

When you are ready to sell or buy why not start with Linda Craft & Team, www.LindaCraft.com

This week on Real Estate Right Now we’re going to talk about something every homeowner eventually faces but almost nobody plans for: what do you do with a lifetime of “stuff” when it’s time to move on? My guest is Gavin Martin, Owner and CEO of Grandma’s Basement Estate Sales & Services, a veteran-owned company right here in North Carolina that specializes in estate sales, cleanouts, antiques, and vintage furniture. Gavin went from the U.S. Army to corporate life to turning his passion for finding hidden treasures into a full-time business helping families downsize, declutter, and uncover value in what’s been sitting in the attic, garage, or yes… grandma’s basement.

We’re going to dig into the real estate side of estate sales: how do you time a sale when you’re listing a home? What should you sell, donate, or toss—and in what order? How can a smart estate sale and professional cleanout actually increase your home’s appeal and bottom line when it hits the market? Gavin will walk us through the process step-by-step, share the biggest mistakes he sees sellers make, and give you practical tips for turning “old stuff” into extra cash that can help with your next chapter, whether that’s upsizing, downsizing, or relocating across the country.

And of course, we’re going to talk about the emotional side—because these aren’t just objects, they’re memories. Gavin will share stories of how he helps families honor those memories while still moving forward, and how bringing in a pro can take the stress, conflict, and overwhelm out of an already stressful move. So join us live tomorrow at 9am Eastern for Real Estate Right Now—watch the show, jump in with your questions, and if you can’t catch it live, make sure you listen or watch the replay. If you own a home, love someone who does, or you’re staring at a house full of “someday we’ll deal with this,” this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Linda Craft Team, Realtors, fully locally owned and operated, and unaffiliated with a national brand for more than 40 years.

They have developed relationships with the world’s best real estate professionals to help people like you have an amazing experience when it comes to selling their home or buying a new one.

So, if you are looking to connect with the best person in your area…why not start with Linda Craft Team, Realtors drive on over to www.LindaCraft.com

Linda Craft Team, Realtors Linda built her business in 1985 one relationship at a time, and her team and her continue to do the same things she did 40 years later.

They have provided thousands of people the ability to help people sell or buy their next home with personalized legendary customer service.

They have the experience, knowledge, and understanding of the home industry. They also understand you and what you want and need from your next home purchase or sale.

What is more they can help you regardless of where you live. Ready to buy or sell your next home or your first…click on over to www.LindaCraft.com

Linda Craft Team, REALTORS®, for more than 40 years they have created relationships that last a life time.

That is why when it comes to real estate they are known as the “legends of customer service”.

They know that your home is personal. It’s part of a life transition and it is part of your legacy of life.

And over the years they have been perfecting their service and skills to help reduce the stress out of buying and selling your home as well as helping thousands of others.

The Linda Craft Team would love to get to know you so that they can help you sell your home in the way it should be sold, and help you buy the home to start your next chapter of life. Click on over to www.LindaCraft.com

The real estate market has changed—and if you’re a home seller, you’ve probably felt it. This week on Real Estate Right Now, I’m joined by Home Selling Expert Steve Kruger of Linda Craft Team, Realtors, who will help us make sense of what’s really happening. We’re diving into the truth behind today’s inventory increase, why homes are sitting a little longer, and how pricing strategies need to evolve. If you’re thinking about selling, this episode could save you both time and money.

Steve will bring in some of the latest market data that paints a much clearer picture of what’s happening across our area. The days of double-digit appreciation may be behind us—for now—but that doesn’t mean you can’t win in this market. Understanding the numbers, reading the trends, and adjusting your expectations are the keys to selling smart in today’s environment.

We’ll also discuss how emotions, timing, and strategy can make or break a home sale. Many sellers are still anchored to what their neighbors sold for six months ago. Steve will help you understand why the market you wish you were in isn’t the one you’re actually selling in—and how to use that knowledge to your advantage.

Whether you’re planning to sell this year or just curious about what’s really going on, this conversation will give you an honest, data-driven, and empowering perspective on where the market stands. Join us from the Linda Craft Team Studios, for a show that will reset expectations and reveal what it truly takes to sell successfully right now.

Linda Craft Team, REALTORS located at 7300 Six Forks Road in Raleigh North Carolina, they have been serving the Research Triangle Park area for more than 38 years.

In that time Linda created a culture of “Legendary Customer Service”. It is not a slogan it is part of their DNA.

And in that time, they have developed relationships with the world’s leading real estate professionals to help you find the best professional to help you sell your home or buy your next one.

Why not head on over to the “Legends” Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS www.LindaCraft.com