March 2026 Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

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Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment. But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking…  expensive , especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to feel a little trapped in the cycle. That’s because there’s so much chatter today about how buying a home isn’t affordable. But the truth is, the math may work out better than you'd expect based on what’s changed recently. Buying Is More Affordable Than Renting in Many Areas  In a lot of places today, owning a home actually costs less each month than renting a 3-bedroom home.  and recent   data   from  A TTOM   shows   that’s true in nearly 58% of counties across the U.S.  ( see chart below ). And that's  after  you factor in things like insurance and typical maintenance costs.  In o...
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FEBRUARY LAWN AND GARDENING: Getting Ready for Spring

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February in the North Carolina Triad can be a mix of cold snaps and warm, sunny days. While winter isn’t quite over, this is the perfect month to prep your lawn and garden so everything is ready when spring arrives.

🌱 Lawn Care (Triad Lawns = Mostly Fescue)

  • Clear away fallen leaves and winter debris

  • Skip fertilizing for now—early feeding can cause weak growth

  • Watch for compacted areas from winter foot traffic

  • Consider a soil test (our Piedmont soil is often acidic)

🌸 Garden Beds & Mulch

  • Clean up dead annuals and trim perennials

  • Refresh pine straw or hardwood mulch

  • Add compost or organic matter to improve soil health

🌿 Trees, Shrubs & Pruning

  • Prune dormant trees, roses, and deciduous shrubs

  • Wait to prune azaleas, camellias, and forsythia until after blooming

  • Check for winter damage from ice or wind

🥕 What You Can Plant Now


If the ground isn’t frozen, February is a great time to plant:

  • Lettuce

  • Spinach

  • Kale

  • Collards

  • Peas

💡 Tip: Keep row covers handy—late frosts are common through March.

🌼 Plan Ahead for Spring Curb Appeal

  • Plan spring flower beds and landscape updates

  • Order seeds and plants early

  • Schedule mulch, pruning, or cleanup services

  • Think about curb appeal improvements as the spring market approaches

Local Note: In the Triad, our average last frost is late March to early April—timing matters!

🌷 A little prep now means a healthier yard, less stress, and more enjoyment this spring.

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