Raleigh, NC

Raleigh sits at a median home value of $435,807 as of the latest Zillow read, down 2.2% year-over-year — a meaningful softening that’s putting deal flow back on the table for cash buyers.

The sale-to-list ratio of 0.982 signals a balanced market — neither bid wars nor fire sales dominate. 66.2% of closings land below list, leaving room to negotiate on the right deal but no broad discount across the board.

Rents are workable but not generous. ZORI of $1,576/mo against a $436k median gives a 4.34% gross yield — average for the metro tier, requiring tight underwriting on any hold.

Median days-on-market is running around 20 days against 1,877 active listings — that’s a fast-moving market. Speed is the moat; pre-arranged proof of funds and a tight buyers list are the difference between getting under contract and getting outbid.

MDR’s composite investor score for Raleigh is 58/100 based on rent yield, sale-to-list discount, motivated-seller proxies, and DOM. Lower tier this quarter. Watch list, not deploy list — re-evaluate next read.