Author: Michael Ruark

Can I sell a house that is in a trust in North Carolina? Absolutely. One thing to note is that it needs to be a Revocable Living Trust. The grantor (owner) retains the power to sell. If it’s an Irrevocable Trust, this is where the designated Trustee has that authority to sell so long as … Continued

I think I’ve heard this painful lamentation from many people selling their homes many times: “why isn’t my home selling quickly while everyone else around me is”. They check the real estate listings of homes in their neighborhood. While theirs remains on the list, the one down the road from them is “pending”. They see … Continued

Pet damage is a nightmare to deal with. You know that such damage is going to turn away numerous buyers. The home goes and sits on the listing for a lengthy period of time and you lose money due to holding costs in the process. I even have people asking me: how do I sell … Continued

Can I keep the house in a divorce in North Carolina? Yes, but it usually requires a Mortgage Assumption or a refinance. Because North Carolina is an “Equitable Distribution” state (not Community Property), the court can award the home to one spouse, but that spouse must still qualify for the mortgage on their own single … Continued

When North Carolina homeowners think about selling, many assume they need to be able to pay off their mortgage beforehand. Seeing a monthly mortgage payment along with the remaining mortgage balance can be stressful. Looking at the years left on the loan can make the stress worse, while also making selling feel risky or complicated. … Continued