{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"What’s Up, Wake","title":"Home Sweet Home: Exploring the Triangle Real Estate Market with Van Starling of Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2183,"description":"What’s Up, Wake Episode 80 features Melissa in conversation with Van Starling II, managing broker for Hodge and Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty, about the current Triangle real estate market and what buyers and sellers should expect heading into 2027.\nVan describes the local market as balanced and much closer to pre COVID conditions, with more inventory giving buyers additional choices and time to make decisions. He also discusses the challenges facing first time home buyers, including rising home prices, down payments, insurance costs, and the importance of planning for the long term rather than searching for a forever home.\nThe conversation also explores how Raleigh and surrounding communities are changing as more people move into the area. Van shares which towns are seeing major growth, including Angier, Pittsboro, Garner, Clayton, Sanford, and Siler City, along with the challenges that come with building new homes, roads, schools, and other infrastructure.\nThe episode then shifts to the 2026 Triangle Parade of Homes, including how to use the event to explore new communities and see the latest design trends. Van highlights earth tones, sage greens, wellness spaces, indoor and outdoor living, more defined rooms, and hidden kitchens and sculleries. He also explains how the Parade of Homes app makes it easier to plan which homes to visit.\n\n00:00 Smart Shades Intro\n00:38 Local Sponsor Spots\n01:52 Market Update Overview\n02:56 Balanced Market Explained\n05:47 First Time Buyer Advice\n09:04 Affordability Reality Check\n10:24 Rent Trends And Saving\n11:43 Growth Versus Character\n14:21 Tear Downs And Design Shifts\n20:26 Where Growth Is Heading\n21:35 Triangle Growth Hotspots\n22:09 Roads and School Strain\n23:02 2027 Market Reality Check\n23:51 Budgeting Before You Buy\n24:38 Why a Crash Is Unlikely\n26:38 2008 vs Today Lending\n27:08 Parade of Homes Overview\n28:31 Design Trends to Watch\n29:32 Must Have Home Features\n31:22 Planning Your Parade Route\n32:59 Hidden Kitchens...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/3FPpkJ7JIRSxqmup6bUJfqr8_rMrqpK7grf9C8PwVsk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iNmM5/OWRmY2Y4NDg0ZDEy/YjlmZjdkZDdhNDI2/OTJiZC5qcGVn.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}