We’re also hearing Warren County School's response to claims of a 6-year-old boy with autism restrained and put in a closet at school. Plus, why some Wake County residents want more of your tax dollars to go toward schools. Watch WRAL-TV at 11 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 11: It’s a warming week, but how comfortable will it feel? We’re tracking temperatures and the next rainmaker

In November 2022 Tessiah Smithen received a letter that's haunted her for 18 months. Since, a teacher has resigned, and the school system is making changes following a 5 On Your Side investigation.

5 On Your Side: An anonymous letter accused a Wake teacher of abuse. What happened after a mom pushed for an investigation

5 On Your Side: Teacher accused of abusive behavior toward student with autism

Raleigh only sits behind Atlanta, GA and Fort Worth, TX.

Raleigh is the nation's third fastest-growing big city, data shows

City of Raleigh skyline from view of Boylan Street Bridge 

All assets associated with the tag: housing market

Housing market Coverage

The last few years have been tough for home buyers with high interest rates, low inventory and rising prices.

GROCERIES, CREDIT CARD AND UTILITY BILLS CONTINUE TO RISE. >> THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN TOUGH FOR HOMEBUYERS WITH HIGH INTEREST RATES. LOW INVENTORY AND RISING PRICES. BUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAYS THERE IS REASON FOR BUYERS TO BE MORE OPTIMISTIC GOING INTO THIS YEAR'S SPRING MARKET. JENN SULLIVAN LOOKS AT WHAT BUYERS AND SELLERS CAN EXPECT. IT'S NOT JUST THE FLOWERS IN BLOOM THIS SPRING, THE HOUSING MARKET IS BLOOMING TOO. >> SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A HOME, MANY EXPERTS SAY THIS IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR. WE ALWAYS SEE MORE BUYERS AS WELL AS MORE SELLERS COME ONTO THE MARKET OR IN TUNA WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAYS MANY FAMILIES WANT TO CLOSE BEFORE THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR STARTS IN THE FULL, WHICH IS WHY THIS IS A POPULAR TIME TO BUY OR SELL. SO WHAT CAN BUYERS EXPECT THIS SPRING? WE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE ABOUT HOME BUYING PROCESS USES BUYERS CAN BE MORE OPTIMISTIC FOR A FEW REASONS. FIRST MORE INVENTORY, WHICH MEANS LESS COMPETITION IN THE PAST 2 YEARS, WE HAVE HAD A HISTORICALLY LOW INVENTORY. SECONDLY, MORTGAGE RATES HAVE SLIGHTLY DIPPED RECENTLY, ACCORDING TO FREDDIE MAC LAST WEEK, A 30 YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE RATE AVERAGED 6.8 8% AT THE END OF FEBRUARY. IT WAS 6.9, 4% OR IT'S ARE SLOWLY COMING DOWN. THEY'RE STILL HIGHER THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR. HOME PRICES, THOUGH, ARE STILL HIGH. WE HAD A SUBSTANTIAL PRICE INCREASE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. ABOUT 30 40% PRICE GAIN IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY IN JANUARY, THE MEDIAN EXISTING HOME SALE PRICE WAS $379,100, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. THAT'S 5.1% HIGHER THAN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR. AND IT'S THE 7TH MONTH IN A ROW THAT PRICES HAVE GONE UP. AND THAT WAS JENN SULLIVAN REPORTING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAYS BUYERS SHOULD GET PREAPPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE BEFORE LOOKING

Home buyers hopeful about spring market

Meet this mom, Tiffany Bowden, a successful real estate broker in Fayetteville. She is determined to empower her community in real estate following her home-buying journey. Bowden discusses motherhood and how she wants to help families achieve homeownership. 


Housing market Coverage

Home buyers hopeful about spring market

Meet this mom: Tiffany Bowden, real estate broker aiming to educate communities on home-buying