Blog: Expert Tips on Purchasing a Home

How to Buy a Home When You’re Self-Employed Professional in Raleigh — Your Lease-to-Own Raleigh Solution

Tamera Nielsen August 21, 2025

Being one of the self-employed professionals in Raleigh is a journey filled with freedom, independence, and the satisfaction of being your own boss. But when it comes to buying a home, that same independence can create roadblocks. Mortgage lenders often view entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners as risky borrowers. Verifying fluctuating income, documenting complex tax returns, and meeting rigid underwriting guidelines makes getting approved for a traditional mortgage extremely difficult. So, what’s the solution? At Burson Home Advisors, we’ve lived this challenge ourselves. We purchased our own home through a lease-to-own program — and it completely changed how we think about homeownership for self-employed professionals in Raleigh. Why Getting a Mortgage When You’re a Self-Employed Professional in Raleigh is

Case Study: From Graduation to Keys in Under 3 Weeks — Lauren and Jack’s Lease to Own Journey

Tamera Nielsen August 19, 2025

Some moments in real estate are purely transactional. Ours never are—and we love that. When Lauren and Jack found us online on July 7th, they weren’t just looking for a house. They were on the cusp of a life transition—a move from student life to professional life, from “someday” homeowners to right now homeowners A Life in Transition Lauren was just days away from graduating from PA school, with a position already secured at a dermatologist’s office in the Triangle. Jack worked from home, so a dedicated office space was a must. Their vision was clear: They told us they could move anytime. But experience has taught us that when you move can be just as important as where you

The Financial Trap of Builder Incentives—and a Smarter Way to Buy a Home in Raleigh

Tamera Nielsen August 14, 2025

In today’s shifting housing market, builder incentives are eye-catching—sometimes up to $50,000 per home—to lure in buyers. On the surface, rate buydowns and closing-cost offers can look like a windfall, especially for first-time homebuyers in Raleigh and the broader Triangle. But behind the glossy ads and limited-time offers often lies a deeper risk: inflated pricing, misleading “affordability,” and long-term exposure that many buyers don’t discover until it’s too late. At Burson Home Advisors, we believe clients deserve clarity, stability, and a path to homeownership that protects their future. Our partners’ lease-to-own and no-bank-financing programs offer safer, more financially sound alternatives for families looking for homes for sale in the Triangle, and across the Triad. The Hidden Cost of Builder Rate

Lease to Own Raleigh Success Story: Rhonda’s 4-Week Move

Tamera Nielsen August 12, 2025

We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve heard it: Let me get this straight… You’re online, searching for safe, financially sound housing options for your family. You find Burson Home Advisors, read our articles, reviews, and case studies, then request a Personalized Lease to Own Raleigh Consultation… and before we even meet, you send an email saying, “I think this is a scam.” Just because something—and someone—seems too good to be true doesn’t mean it is. There are still people in this world showing up every day, doing good work, offering real solutions to real-life challenges. We know because we are those people. And housing transitions—especially cross-country ones with tight timelines—can feel like pressure cookers. That’s where we come

Why More Raleigh Families Are Choosing Multigenerational Living (and How Lease-to-Own Homes Can Help)

Tamera Nielsen August 5, 2025

The number of families choosing multigenerational living has reached an all-time high. According to the National Association of Realtors, 17% of buyers are now purchasing homes with the intention of living with parents, adult children, or extended family. And in 2024, the top reason isn’t caregiving—it’s affordability. More families are pooling resources to get into a home they love. With home prices and mortgage rates still high, combining incomes and expenses—like utilities, down payments, and everyday costs—is making homeownership possible for more Triangle residents. And with lease-to-own Raleigh homes available, it’s never been easier to create a win-win for every generation under one roof. A New Path to Homeownership for Families Teaming Up Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer in Raleigh

Why 2025’s Housing Correction Could Be Your Best Chance to Buy in Raleigh—Even Without a Mortgage

Tamera Nielsen July 23, 2025

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to become a homeowner in Raleigh, your timing might finally be perfect. Contrary to headlines warning of a market crash, what we’re actually seeing is a healthy correction—a much-needed return to balance after years of overheated prices and limited inventory. Lease-to-Own Raleigh Homes are one of the standout opportunities in this shifting landscape. For first-time homebuyers in Raleigh, relocating homeowners, and even those turned away by traditional lenders, this shift opens new doors—especially through lease to own Raleigh and no bank financing options. Here’s what’s happening—and why it could be your moment to move forward. More Homes Are Finally Hitting the Market After years of record-low housing supply, 2025 is offering something different: choices. National inventory is up 15% year-over-year, and

5 Smarter Ways to Buy a Home in 2025—Without a Mortgage

Tamera Nielsen July 16, 2025

2025 isn’t just another year in the housing cycle—it’s a whole new landscape. High interest rates, rising rents, and tighter lending guidelines are changing the rules. And if you’re one of the nearly 60% of U.S. households currently unable to qualify for a $300,000 mortgage (source), you’re not alone–—and a Lease-to-Own home in Raleigh may be the perfect solution. But you’re also not out of options. If you’re self-employed, between jobs, rebuilding your credit, or simply tired of renting, here are five smarter ways to secure a home in 2025—without waiting for the market (or mortgage rules) to shift. 1. Lease the Home You Want—While Building Equity Instead of applying for a mortgage first, our Lease-to-Own Raleigh partners let you choose a move-in ready

Buy Now or Wait? 3 Reasons This Summer Might Be the Right Time—Even Without a Mortgage

Tamera Nielsen July 15, 2025

If you’re wondering whether to buy now or wait until the market shifts, you’re not alone. Many would-be buyers are hitting pause out of fear—fear of high interest rates, fear of overpaying, fear of making a move they might regret. But if you look beyond the headlines and understand the full picture, this summer may actually be the best time to buy in years—even if you can’t yet qualify for a mortgage. Here are three powerful reasons to consider buying now, especially if you’re exploring a Lease to Own Raleigh option or pursuing one of our no bank financing homes. 1. You Have More Negotiating Power Than You Think It’s a question many buyers are asking as the market shifts in their favor. After

What Hurricane Helene Reveals About Housing Risk—And How Raleigh Buyers Can Build Smarter Resilience

Tamera Nielsen July 11, 2025

When Hurricane Helene made landfall, it became one of the deadliest U.S. hurricanes since 1950—leaving over a million without power and hundreds of lives lost. But the devastation didn’t stop when the skies cleared. Now, the storm’s aftershocks are rippling far beyond its path—impacting housing markets from western North Carolina to South Carolina, Georgia, and beyond. Even in Raleigh, where the storm didn’t directly strike, buyers are left asking: Is my next home—and my financial plan—resilient enough to withstand the unexpected? At Burson Home Advisors, we don’t just help clients find a home. We help them create a housing strategy that’s flexible, protective, and ready for life’s pivots. Why Natural Disasters Matter to Homebuyers—Even Outside the Storm Zone While Helene

Math Doesn’t Lie—But Your Mentors Might Be Misinformed

Tamera Nielsen June 24, 2025

What self-employed buyers need to understand about timing, equity, and smarter home entry strategies. At Burson Home Advisors, we’ve helped dozens of self-employed buyers chart a path to homeownership—without waiting two or three years to qualify for a mortgage. But sometimes, even the clearest strategy gets drowned out by well-meaning mentors who don’t fully understand today’s market. And unfortunately, that kind of advice can cost a buyer far more than they realize. Meet Chris: A Self-Employed Buyer in Raleigh Chris is a self-employed buyer in Raleigh. He’s passionate, driven, and serious about proposing to his girlfriend and settling into their next chapter together. He wants to move into a new construction home, start building equity, and set himself up for

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