Real estate agent doesn't want us to look at Durham (Raleigh: for sale, real estate market)

[zitsky]

I'm flying out for an interview on Tuesday with a company in north Durham. I've been researching neighborhoods in case they make an offer and we decide to move. I talked to a real estate agent today who is basically trying to discourage us from looking at Durham. She said the usual, "schools aren't good", "bad resale value" blah blah blah. I will admit, there are some nice older houses in downtown Raleigh, but it doesn't seem practical to live there.

I've looked at a lot of houses in Durham, but can't find a lot of things that excite me. I either find (1) overpriced houses in popular neighborhoods (2) derelict houses in "urban pioneer" areas or (3) nice and cheap houses that aren't really walking distance to anything. I have started to think that I won't be able to find something in Durham that is under $400K, has decent resale value and is in a walkable neighborhood. Maybe I just not looking in the right places. I've looked at Watts-Hillandale, but there aren't too many houses that I like. I've found a lot of new development in Durham priced under $300K, but there is so much on the market that I wonder if we'll be able to resell the house in a few years.

My partner says he wants to be close to a park (or walking/hiking trail). I think he's listening to the agent too much and we'll end up living in God knows where. How do I convince him that Durham will be the best area for us to be?

[Calvitts]

You need a new agent. You CAN find the kind of home you are looking for in Durham, but it appears your realtor is not motivated to help you find the home that will work for you and your family in DURHAM.

There are some very good agents who are familiar with Durham that could help you. Do you have an agreement with the agent you are currently dealing with?

Since you are just interviewing, this is your opportunity to get a feel for the company and the working environment. When the company makes an offer, find out how much time they will give you to come on a house-hunting trip. Some companies only offer a couple of days, and you really need no less than a week.

Good luck on the interview and keep us posted. There are great resources on this forum, and there are plenty of people in Durham knowledgeable with the different neighborhoods and areas that will provide valuable information.

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by Calvitts

You need a new agent. You CAN find the kind of home you are looking for in Durham, but it appears your realtor is not motivated to help you find the home that will work for you and your family in DURHAM.

There are some very good agents who are familiar with Durham that could help you. Do you have an agreement with the agent you are currently dealing with?

Since you are just interviewing, this is your opportunity to get a feel for the company and the working environment. When the company makes an offer, find out how much time they will give you to come on a house-hunting trip. Some companies only offer a couple of days, and you really need no less than a week.

Good luck on the interview and keep us posted. There are great resources on this forum, and there are plenty of people in Durham knowledgeable with the different neighborhoods and areas that will provide valuable information.

Thanks. This forum has been great. Having access to all the advice and opinions has really helped me.

I'm just working with an agent assigned by the company I'm interviewing with. I think if we "get serious" then we'll need to get another agent. Can anyone recommend a good agent who knows Durham. I don't think you're allowed to post names, but perhaps someone can PM me with a recommendation?

[sneezecake]

Under 400k you can find a TON of options.

Define walkable neighborhood, though. That's the trick, whether in Durham or truly anywhere. This is not really a walker-friendly metro area.

Many people like places like Treyburn in N. Durham, Fairfield in SW Durham, etc.

[coltank]

I think there are plenty of neighborhoods in durham that offer what you are looking for, and what your agent is doing is illegal, it is called "steering". Get yourself a new agent that knows Durham, and you'll be much happier. There are a ton of neighborhoods close to parks and walking trails, depending on what part of town you want to be in.

[cherryweb]

Consider Trinity Park next to Duke. Has a Whole Foods Market, new homes mixed with old, close to campus, but not college kid crazy, hard to have poor resale when you are next to a WFM.

Here are some images.

[Charlton Dude]

The Triangle is very walker/biker friendly, so you should be able to easily find something. There are homes just south of Southpoint that are walkable to the Southpoint area and also to the American Tobacco trail. Another option is to go just south of Durham to NW Cary and there are plenty of homes that are very walkable to things, including a great park and yet you will have an easy ride to work. It is a very quick shot to pick up the Durham Freeway from NW Cary.

There are many other options available. The walkability/bikeability is what really caught our eye down here. It's great.

[MrsSteel]

I agree that you definitely need a new real estate agent. Sounds like this particular realtor is not familiar with Durham. The Triangle is a pretty large area & most realtors tend to focus on specific areas. If I were you, I'd look up that realtor's listings on her agency's website & see which properties she has for sale. More than likely, they'll all be in the same area of the Triangle - and I'd bet that they aren't in Durham.

As for your concerns, there are more homes on the market all over the Triangle for the same reason that there are a lot of homes on the market all over the country. Hopefully when the economy rebounds, our real estate market will improve, too. About a year ago before the economy tanked, houses in my neighborhood in southern Durham would frequently sell within a month. And my neighborhood is within walking & biking distance of all sorts of amenities. So what you want is here! You just need to talk to someone who knows where to find it.

[NoneOfThis]

It's interesting that a North Durham company would hire a real estate agent who discourages living in Durham. I bet they are unaware. Like the others, I encourage you to find an agent that knows Durham well.

While I understand Charlton Dude's enthusiasm for NW Cary (I live there), I really wouldn't recommend it if you're going to work in North Durham. I commute to Duke everyday and that's about 25 minutes when everything goes my way. For N. Durham you could add another 10-15 minutes, maybe more if it's really north. Is it worth it? I say "no," especially knowing that Durham has great housing that's closer. I'd also look in the Hillsborough direction before I'd make the commute to Cary. Downtown Hillsborough is walkable and has some nice restaurants and cafes.

[underPSI]

Sounds like this particular realtor is not familiar with Durham.

Maybe this realtor is familiar with Durham and is trying to the o.p. a favor?