Author: Phil Neari
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Raleigh and Charlotte Continue to Rank Among the Nation’s Best-Performing Cities
The Milken Institute has released its Best-Performing Cities 2026 report. Once again, North Carolina’s largest metros rank near the top among large U.S. cities. For those who track economic fundamentals over multiple years, the takeaway is consistent: both Raleigh and Charlotte remain high-performing, diversified regional economies. Raleigh–Cary: Top 5 Among Large Metros Raleigh–Cary ranks #5…
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FUJIFILM and J&J Lock in Long-Term Biomanufacturing Growth in Holly Springs
This is another clear economic development win for North Carolina—and it builds directly on momentum already underway. Rather than a new, standalone announcement, FUJIFILM’s Holly Springs milestone cements a long-term biomanufacturing anchor that was already signaled by Johnson & Johnson’s prior commitment. Capacity, demand, and duration are now aligned. Below is the short version of…
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Charlotte Ranks Among Top U.S. Metros for In-Migration in 2025
Charlotte’s in-migration performance underscores its role as a demand engine, not merely a beneficiary of statewide growth. We track migration data closely because population in-migration is a direct demand signal for housing and local retail. For a broader explanation of why this matters for real estate investing, see Why Population In-Migration Matters for Real Estate…
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Why Neighborhood Shopping Centers Belong in a Modern Investment Portfolio
Neighborhood shopping centers are one of the most reliable and misunderstood real estate assets. They don’t behave like malls, they don’t depend on fashion trends, and they aren’t threatened by e-commerce in the same way other retail categories are. Instead, they exist for one purpose: serving everyday needs. For investors who want stable income, inflation…
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Maersk Picks Charlotte for Its North American HQ
When a global logistics leader decides to elevate a city to “headquarters” status, it’s more than a headline—it’s a signal. Maersk’s choice to name Charlotte as its official North American headquarters isn’t a relocation; it’s an expansion that builds on more than two decades of operations in the region. In other words, this is a…
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North Carolina’s Strong Economy Continues to Support Real Estate Investment Potential
When WalletHub released its 2025 Best & Worst State Economies report, North Carolina once again stood out — ranking #6 in the nation. That’s up from #8 last year. For investors, this matters: a healthy, growing state economy is one of the strongest foundations for consistent, secure real estate returns. A Data-Driven Look at Economic…
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Misconception: Real Estate Income Is Taxed Like a Paycheck
It’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep. Many investors assume that all income is taxed the same — whether it’s from a paycheck, bonds, or real estate. But that misconception can lead to missed opportunities. Real estate, especially when held passively through a syndication or fund, is structured to let investors keep more…
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Earn Like an Owner—Without Being a Landlord: The Passive Real Estate Advantage
Many professionals love the idea of real estate income but hate the idea of managing tenants, fixing toilets, or getting late-night calls about a leaky faucet. It’s one of the most common misconceptions about real estate investing: that to benefit from it, you have to be a landlord. That’s simply not true. Today’s real estate…
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J&J Commits $2 Billion to Holly Springs for BioManufacturing
The Investment at a Glance Johnson & Johnson has announced a $2 billion investment to establish a 160,000+ square foot biomanufacturing facility at the Fujifilm Diosynth campus in Holly Springs, NC. The project will create approximately 120 new jobs and marks another milestone in the Triangle’s growing reputation as a national leader in life sciences.…
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From Rent to Riches: Passive Equity Growth Through Loan Pay-down
When most people think about growing wealth through real estate, appreciation often comes to mind first. But there’s another, quieter force that builds your net worth year after year—loan pay-down. When you combine it with smart leverage, this slow and steady process can accelerate your path to long-term wealth, without your direct involvement. How Loan…