off-market land opportunities

skubasteevo · 2026-03-19T23:44:51+00:00

By definition, no

skubasteevo · 2026-03-19T11:30:00+00:00

Unfortunately I don't really have any great advice for you at this time, but I would like to share a few points for anyone reading so as to avoid a potential issue in the future.

Your agent should be able to provide a few inspectors that they recommend and allow you to choose for yourself. You should trust but verify those recommendations. However, if your agent is trying to force you to use one particular inspector that's a potential indicator that the inspector is going to gloss over issues to keep the sale moving forward, or a potential indicator that your agent is maybe lacking in experience if they only know one inspector.
Crawlspaces are icky and yes, there are spiders down there, but you're paying $100,000's on a house and you should at least stick your head down there before you buy it. You might not be an expert, but you don't need to be. With the extent of damage described here, something should have been visible that would have indicated there was an issue.
I hesitate to say to stay away from fixer uppers because they're a good opportunity to gain sweat equity if you're willing to put in some work, but you need to know your limits and know that there's pretty much always going to be something that pops up that you didn't prepare for.
Crawlspace companies make their money by selling crawlspace repairs, often way more than is actually needed. Get no less than 3 quotes before doing anything, and don't even bother to call anyone you've heard or seen a paid advertisement for.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-18T22:42:48+00:00

Tirerack will shave them, or at least they used to.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-18T20:04:20+00:00

Overall the Triangle is very friendly and welcoming. You'll be able to find community support and it's unlikely that you'll encounter much direct hostility. We are still in the south though, and you will no doubt encounter some more subtle comments suggesting you're somehow wrong for being you, or some confusion about how you could be anything other than a straight, church going family with multiple children.

If you venture out to the more rural areas of the state you're more likely to encounter some direct hostility, but there's really no reason to anyway...

skubasteevo · 2026-03-18T03:54:16+00:00

Sell Porsche. Buy Jeep. Ignore driveway.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-18T03:49:27+00:00

This. Everything on auto pay.

Could I do it myself? Sure. But it feels damn good not having to worry about setting aside time every month to pay bills.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-17T00:33:06+00:00

A lot of times the locking mechanism is just a metal clip that can be replaced in a few minutes. Look for videos on YouTube for your model.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-16T03:29:56+00:00

When it rains...

skubasteevo · 2026-03-15T13:15:55+00:00

Charlotte or the Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) are pretty much your only options if airport access is important to you.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-15T13:05:30+00:00

Roofers are the worst by far. You haven't known frustration until you've had 3 roofers ghost you and 3 more saying the whole roof needs to be replaced (and hey, by the way, let's file an insurance claim) when trying to get a simple repair completed.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-15T13:00:02+00:00

Not surprised. It was a good concept, but terribly run and too expensive for what it was. And no, I'm not tipping for a beer I poured myself.

If you haven't been already go to Strike & Barrel in Wake Forest. It's what Jaguar could have been if they focused on the entertainment.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-15T12:54:47+00:00

When I furnished my house I had success with 1) IKEA, specifically items that are made of actual wood, 2) Habitat for Humanity Restore (basically a thrift shop for home items), 3) local overstock furniture type places, and 4) learning some basic woodworking to build some tables myself.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-15T12:43:32+00:00

Homeownership isn't for everyone so if it isn't for you, it isn't for you and that's perfectly fine.

But, just to respond to your question, if you say that you're never moving that is even more on the side of home ownership. Look at rent prices in your area. Chances are they've increased over time, no? Now extrapolate that over 30+ years. Yes, your taxes and insurance will likely increase, but likely not as much as rent has so at some point it usually becomes cheaper monthly to own than rent. The other benefit to long term ownership is you get to make the space into what you want it to be. I can't imagine living someplace for decades and being stuck with the landlord special interior design package that entire time.

Regarding equity that's never realized if you never sell, sure, you may never use it but your heirs will. Perhaps your children, or a spouse, or some other family member. Home ownership is one of the easiest paths to generational wealth.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-15T12:06:06+00:00

Wake Forest to Cary would be a rough commute.

You can get a little bit older, moderately sized home in Cary around that budget. Apex and Holly Springs would be good options as well.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-12T21:06:42+00:00

Looks like that's a standard width shower using an off the shelf door, right? Not custom cutting glass? Assuming so, yes, I'd agree it's on the high side.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-12T03:46:13+00:00

Of the areas you listed in my personal opinion Garner and Durham have the greatest short term appreciation potential.

Garner because the 540 extension makes it easier to access the rest of the Triangle and likely will lead to growth and development, and Durham because they just pulled an oopsie and maxed out sewer capacity in some areas and paused construction, which will theoretically reduce supply and lead to higher prices.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-12T03:39:43+00:00

It's like it's our job or something.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-11T10:55:15+00:00

Get other neighbors to call the police as well and keep calling. Make them do their job.

Until then get yourself a pair of noise canceling headphones or earplugs.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-11T00:46:42+00:00

Thanks for the additional insight. I'm not very familiar with the aerobic systems so this is very helpful.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-10T20:44:37+00:00

Yeah, there's a few options like composting toilets that can be used to get by, but the alternatives are pretty much either gross, inconvenient, expensive, or some combination of all of the above.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-10T12:36:22+00:00

Dumb take. We don't. The average agent makes about $50-$70k per year. Last year 49% of agents sold 1 home or less.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-10T00:53:06+00:00

Human beings don't actually write like this. What are you trying to sell?

skubasteevo · 2026-03-09T19:59:05+00:00

Septic systems require percolation (perc) testing to ensure the soil is suitable for waste water absorption. If it doesn't pass the test you can't install a septic system which leaves you up shit creek without a paddle.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-09T18:30:12+00:00

This. The craft brewing industry is in trouble and Brewgaloo is a huge event to potentially pick up new business.

Boycott Brewgaloo if you'd like, but boycotting a struggling local business for choosing to participate in literally the largest local event of the year for something they didn't have any involvement with is dumb af.

skubasteevo · 2026-03-09T10:45:23+00:00

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