North Carolina

5 Biggest Myths of Buying a Home in North Carolina in 2025 — Dispelled by Experts

Published

2 years ago

December 29, 2024

5 Biggest Myths of Buying a Home in North Carolina in 2025 — Dispelled by Experts

Based on the most recent data from Redfin, U.S. housing prices were up 5.4% year over year in November. But, if you are looking to move to North Carolina or if you already live there and are thinking of buying a home in 2025, you will find the market a little better than the overall prices around the country.

According to Redfin, North Carolina home prices were up just 2.6% over November 2023, with a median price of $374,100.

Try Out: 25 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value

Learn More: 3 Best Florida Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According To Real Estate Agents

Experts dispelled five common misconceptions about buying a home in North Carolina heading into 2025.

Myth No. 1: The Housing Market Will Slow Due to Hurricane Helene

The number of homes sold in November was down 2.2% year over year, and a common misconception is that the will continue to slow due to the damage to homes from Hurricane Helene.

What’s the Reality?

“The North Carolina housing market experienced a slight slowdown in the last quarter of 2024,” said Polly Leadbetter, the license partner of Engel & Völkers Foothills Lake James. “This was due to higher mortgage rates, the elections and Hurricane Helene.”

As interest rates continue to drop, experts expect the housing market in most of the state to return to healthy inventory and transaction levels.

“At this point,” Leadbetter added, “only specific areas of Western North Carolina have homes that are still significantly damaged.”

Also See: Renting Vs. Owning a Home — Which Will Be Cheaper in 2025?

Myth No. 2: Housing Prices Will Shoot Up

Another common myth is that housing prices are expected to increase in North Carolina with expected interest rate announcements and increased competition.

What’s the Reality?

Nathan Richardson, a real estate expert and founder of CashForHome, said, “It goes without saying that we have noticed an upward price in the housing market in some cities like Raleigh, Charlotte and Asheville. However, other areas in North Carolina still have a reasonable price guide for the buyers.”

Just because rates are expected to drop doesn’t mean that all housing prices will increase in the state. Real estate dynamics can be fairly complex, and there are no certainties when it comes to prices over an entire state.

Myth No. 3: Homebuyers Aren’t Required To Pay Any Fees

According to Leadbetter, a common misconception about buying a home in North Carolina is that homebuyers believe they’re not required to pay any fees at the time their offers are accepted.

What’s the Reality?

Leadbetter pointed out that two fees are due in North Carolina as soon as an offer is accepted. The first fee is a due diligence fee, which is similar to an option fee. It’s paid directly to the seller for the time spent conducting inspections, securing a loan, etc. This fee is nonrefundable because the buyer pays the seller to take the property listing off the market and not for the results of the inspections.

The second fee is the earnest money deposit, which is held in a trust account until closing and is refundable if the buyer cancels before the end of the due diligence period.

“Both fees are credited to the purchase price if the sale is completed,” Leadbetter said.

Myth No. 4: The Seller Is Responsible for Making Certain Repairs

Leadbetter noted another misconception in the North Carolina market, which is that the seller is responsible for repairing damages found during a home inspection.

What’s the Reality?

In North Carolina, homes are sold “as is.”

Leadbetter clarified: “While many sellers are willing to negotiate repairs, they’re not obligated to address damage or issues found during a home inspection.”

This is why it’s crucial that you have a home inspection conducted by an expert who can identify issues that aren’t easily noticed. If you don’t bring up the issues during negotiations, you may get stuck with expensive repairs when you take ownership of the property.

Myth No. 5: Property Closings Are Done By a Title Company

A common myth about buying a home in North Carolina is that a title company does property closings. However, the process is a bit different in the state compared to others.

What’s the Reality?

Unlike many other states, property closings in North Carolina are done by an attorney, not a title company.

Leadbetter added, “An attorney is hired by the buyer and they will research the title on the property as well as obtain title insurance, coordinate loan documents, and prepare all other documents that are needed to purchase the property.”

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Biggest Myths of Buying a Home in North Carolina in 2025 — Dispelled by Experts

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North Carolina

NC Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Day results for July 8, 2026

Published

6 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Wednesday, July 8, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 8 drawing

12-29-37-43-55, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 8 drawing

Day: 2-9-0, Fireball: 5

Evening: 7-9-6, Fireball: 6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 8 drawing

Day: 8-9-6-6, Fireball: 6

Evening: 3-4-8-5, Fireball: 4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from July 8 drawing

07-13-19-23-33

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from July 8 drawing

01-03-14-18-32

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 8 drawing

16-18-43-48-50, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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North Carolina

Damaged Flock camera in North Carolina town sparks online debate over surveillance tech

Published

17 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Damaged Flock camera in North Carolina town sparks online debate over surveillance tech

RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (WLOS) — A damaged Flock Safety camera in Rutherfordton has reignited debate over the use of license plate reader technology, with thousands weighing in online after police shared a photo of the vandalized device.

The Rutherfordton Police Department posted an image of the damaged camera on social media, where the post quickly gained more than 20,000 comments. While some users condemned the vandalism, others praised the person responsible, with comments including “Not all heroes wear capes” and “Give them a medal.”

Local law enforcement officials said there is too much misinformation online about the cameras.

FLOCK CAMERA DAMAGED IN NORTH CAROLINA TOWN, PROMPTING POLICE STATEMENT

“We’re seeing a lot of misconceptions that these cameras collect more data than they actually do,” said Capt. Ryan Bailey with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. “The camera itself is only capturing the vehicle traveling down the road.”

Bailey said Flock cameras do not record video. Instead, they take still images of passing vehicles and capture license plate information. According to the sheriff’s office, those images are automatically deleted after 30 days.

The department also says safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of the system. Deputies are required to enter a case number before searching the database, allowing administrators to audit searches and ensure the technology is being used appropriately.

JULY 8, 2026 – A Flock camera in Rutherford County, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)

Despite those protections, opinions among residents remain divided.

“I don’t like that idea at all because of the over-abundance of electronics and interference in our privacy,” Rutherfordton resident Rachel Alexander said.

Others believe the cameras are a valuable investigative tool.

“I have no really negative opinion with them. I think they’re really helpful, especially with criminals and children abductions,” said local homeowner Phyllis Irvine.

POLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FLOCK CAMERAS?

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office says the cameras have also proven useful in locating vulnerable people, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive disabilities who may have gone missing while driving.

Officials say the technology has become an important resource for investigations and emergency response across the county.

Flock cameras cost about $3,500 each. Law enforcement officials say anyone caught intentionally damaging one could face charges.

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North Carolina

North Carolina Republican operative shaping the state’s early voting plans is reassigned

Published

1 day ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina Republican operative shaping the state’s early voting plans is reassigned

North Carolina state Auditor Dave Boliek has reassigned a staffer working on state election preparations following reporting illustrating how the longtime Republican operative was using his position to shape county’s early voting plans.

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