Many people have heard the term/phrase "appreciation rate" associated with Real Property...ie: Real Estate.  It can be deceiving it you just read one article or tidbit on what the "current" appreciation rate is because.....since all Real Estate is local, the appreciation rates vary from city to city; also from neighborhood to neighborhood.

In the Raleigh, NC area the appreciation rates have stayed steady over the years...especially in the early 2000's with the Real Estate Boom across the country.  In a nutshell, the "bubble" you may have heard of is caused by appreciation rates rising too fast and then leveling off, then ultimately coming back down (depreciating) to where they should be.  We have not had that problem because of our steady rates.  A good rate is usually defined within 3-6% a year.  That is healthy as well as a debatable number, but at any rate overall that is where our rates have been.  With that said there are certain pockets/neighborhoods of our Triangle Areathat have seen higher rates, but not nearly in the double digits that got other states in trouble.  If you are concerned about your home's appreciation rate or possibly depreciation rate you should contact a local REALTOR to perform a CMA (comparable market analysis) for you.  For more information visit us here.