Happy Friday!

Here’s where the Triangle gets really fun this week.

The Raleigh Christmas Parade is rolling in tomorrow and people are ALREADY staking out their spots!

Then over in Durham, the city’s trying to decide what the future of the Durham Athletic Park should look like and the options are actually pretty surprising.

And if you’ve been wondering where the housing market is headed, the new NAR forecast has a few numbers that might change how you think about 2026.

Let’s dive in! ⬇️

—Brette Davis

Best Things to Do This Weekend in The Triangle!

Local News

2025 Raleigh Christmas Parade: Quick Guide

The 81st annual Raleigh Christmas Parade is almost here. Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 22, the holiday season officially takes over downtown Raleigh. And it all starts tonight with the Downtown Tree Lighting.

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📌 WHEN IT STARTS

• Tree Lighting: Tonight, Friday, Nov. 21
• Live Coverage Begins: Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
• Parade Start: Tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

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📌 PARADE ROUTE (1.5 miles)

Tomorrow’s parade will follow this path through downtown:

• Starts at Hillsborough St. & St. Mary’s St.
• Heads toward the State Capitol
• Continues down Salisbury, Morgan, and Fayetteville St.
• Ends at Lenoir St.

It usually runs about two hours.

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📌 GETTING THERE

• Road closures on Hillsborough St. and St. Mary’s St. from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow
• Downtown parking decks and street parking available
• Arrive around 7 a.m. for the best viewing spots

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📌 GRAND MARSHAL

NC State legend Dereck Whittenburg will lead this year’s parade.

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📌 SKIPPING THE CROWDS?

Catch the entire parade live on TV or stream it from wherever you are.

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​EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW→​

Durham’s Historic Stadium May Get New Life

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📌 Driving the news: Durham leaders are leaning toward restoring the historic Durham Athletic Park (DAP) rather than turning it into a fully open green space.

📌 Details:

• DAP opened in 1926 and was home to the Durham Bulls and the film “Bull Durham.”
• It was last renovated in 2008 with a $4M bond.
• Today, it’s mostly unused, open only 124 days a year.

The city reviewed three redesign options from consulting firm Perkins&Will:

• Option 1: Restore the baseball field, enhance walkability, add green space ($48M–$68M)
• Option 2: Convert it to a civic green space ($40M–$60M)
• Option 3: Expand on Option 2 with more play areas and creek restoration ($62M–$85M)
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Why it matters: Preserving the DAP keeps a beloved piece of Durham’s culture alive. It also gives residents a unique downtown space for recreation and community gathering, not just more concrete.

The big picture: While some cities replace old structures with sleek parks, Durham is considering a hybrid approach: keep the past, add more access, and activate the space year-round.

Between the lines: Public support leans toward keeping the stadium. Former Mayor Nick Tennyson and the Durham Sports Commission both spoke up in favor.

Three potential tenants are already interested, including a new minor league team and NCCU's softball squad.

What’s next: Durham City Council directed staff to refine the renovation option. A final decision is expected in 2026, pending funding and planning.

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​SEE MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PROJECT→​

Featured Listings

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Exciting Opening Of the Week!

Real Estate Insights

NAR Forecast: 2026 Brings Big Rebound for Buyers and Sellers

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📌 Driving the news: Home sales are projected to surge 14% in 2026, with home prices rising another 4%, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

That comes after a slower 2025, where sales remained flat and prices edged up just 3%.

📌 Details:

• Mortgage rates are expected to drop from 6.7% in 2025 to 6% in 2026.
• Mortgage applications are already up 31% year over year, buyers are getting a head start.
• New home construction is forecasted to rise 5%, adding much-needed inventory.
• Home prices aren’t expected to fall. Instead, tight supply will keep values climbing.
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📌 Why it matters: After a challenging 2025, this forecast signals a shift. More sales and stable prices could mean smoother moves for both buyers and sellers.

For local homeowners, that likely translates to rising equity and stronger selling positions.

And for buyers? Easing rates offer a more affordable entry point (if they act before competition heats up).

📌 By the numbers:

• 14%: Forecasted jump in home sales in 2026
• 4%: Estimated home price increase for 2026
• 31%: Year-over-year rise in mortgage applications
• 21%: Current share of first-time buyers (down from the historical 40%)
• $750K–$1M homes: Segment seeing the most activity
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📌 Between the lines: While the market is moving, it’s not moving evenly. First-time buyers are being priced out, with the average age now 40. Equity-rich homeowners are the ones driving the market.

If you’re buying for the first time, strategy and preparation are key.

📌 What’s next: Expect more buyers to return to the market as rates slide and headlines shift from uncertainty to opportunity. But don’t wait too long, when momentum returns, competition follows.

📌 The bottom line: 2026 is shaping up to be a window of opportunity. Whether you’re thinking of selling or buying, let’s talk now so you can hit the ground running when the market does.

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​SEE THE FULL FORECAST→​

Other Things Around The Triangle:

• ​New Honey Baked Ham store opens in the Triangle to help with holiday ‘Ham Jam’​

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• ​Christmas-themed bars return to Raleigh and Durham​

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• ​Michelin Guide's South edition puts Carolina restaurants on the map with new stars​

Hope you enjoyed! ​Follow me on social to always be in the loop, you won't regret! —Brette Davis

Check out our Instagram page to stay updated on real estate insights, local events, things to do, and major news around the Triangle.

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