Home of the Flat Fee Business Model for Sellers

Save Money When Selling Your Home!

A consumer friendly full service representation FLAT FEE business model.

Learn how you can save thousands with Carolina Flat Fee Realty.

I owe you as a visitor to my site a formal, down to earth introduction. My name is Stu Barnes and I have been a REALTOR® for over 20 years serving the Raleigh suburban areas. I live in Holly Springs with my wife, who is a school teacher, and our 3 children.

For the first two years of my career I worked for two larger franchised firms. It was just like any big corporation….high pressure sales, quotas, and most importantly, the lack of encouragement for relationships with my clients. For these reasons I started my own firm; and I don’t need a team of agents and staff to fully represent you. I am present at all stages of the transaction.

I am frugal by nature. I buy my clothes at Costco. I used to be in retail. I am vigilant on returning calls and being on time for appointments. I have a fiduciary relationship with my clients and my business model is designed to not only save you money, but also to guide you through the process with confidence.

Real estate is about realtionships and representation.

Contact Us

Lori Hauer

21:03 15 Oct 25

This is our second home purchase with Stu. Using him a second time already speaks highly for itself. He cares about his clients and always has our best interest at heart. Can not recommend enough! Thank you Stu!!

Response from the owner 13:22 16 Oct 25

Thank you Lori. It's always great to see my clients happy with their purchase. Here's to years of happiness to you and your family in your new home.

Wendy Collins

23:13 06 Oct 25

I've worked with Stu on two occasions, very patient and knowledge, a pleasure to work with, definitely recommend using him as your realtor!

Response from the owner 16:31 07 Oct 25

Thank you Wendy....thank you for trusting me to help the second time around as well. I wish you the best.

Shreyas Kuloor

15:41 12 Sep 25

I could not be more grateful to have had Stu as my realtor during the home buying process.

I was a first time homebuyer with very little knowledge on anything about the process purchasing a home, to the point where it was even difficult for me to ask good questions because I simply didn't know what I didn't know. Stu was a godsend - not only was he an immense source of knowledge from start to finish when I did have questions, but he consistently checked in with me at each step to ensure I had context around what was happening and why. He is an excellent communicator and was also incredibly considerate with my time.

Something in particular that stood out to me is any time I did a walk through of a home, he made sure to point out things, large and small, that would be worth considering when purchasing the home. His attention to detail was impressive and incredibly helpful - there were so many things that I would not have noticed or even thought to pay attention to, and ultimately allowed me to make a much more informed decision.

Ultimately my home buying process was relatively stress-free and I can confidently say it was largely due to Stu's diligence, friendliness, and knowledge. I would highly recommend Stu to anyone looking to purchase a home in the area. He's a great person who is easy to work with, and will make sure not only that you're treated well, but also that you truly understand all the facets of every step you take towards such a big decision.

Response from the owner 19:23 12 Sep 25

Shreyas...thank you so much. I think this is the most detailed review I have ever had and it means a lot to me that you thought so highly of my services. I know you will enjoy your new home and I sincerely appreciate your kind words. Stu

Gabrielle Tysa

19:42 29 Jul 25

Absolutely fantastic experience selling with a flat fee realtor! We saved literal thousands (five figures) going with flat fee instead of traditional commission. Stu's experience shows and he knows the triangle market very well, resulting in our house going under contract quickly and closing smoothly! Stu provided great service and communication throughout the entire process with photos, listing, offer negotiations, and closing coordination - really the same a full commission realtor would offer. Flat fee with Stu is the way to go!

Response from the owner 20:14 29 Jul 25

Thank you so much Gabrielle. I am happy that you are happy:). I appreciate you trusting in me to handle your home sale.

Adriel Tomek

00:57 21 May 25

This is our second wonderful home buying experience with Stu and it was fantastic. The first home several years ago, we had a broader search and he helped us narrow it down and was with us every step of the way. The second home, we knew exactly what we wanted and he helped us secure that. He helped us navigate the entire process of the home buying experience with a friendly and professional approach. It’s like he is part of our family! We are so thankful for our experiences with Stu and would recommend him to anyone in the Raleigh area. He is so very knowledgeable of this area and knows the ins and outs of real estate. We are extremely satisfied!

Response from the owner 13:57 21 May 25

Thank you so much! Part of our family....that really means a lot. I wish you guys the best in your new place...that location is awesome and I know you will love it!

W T

14:40 06 Mar 25

I have known and had a professional working relationship with Stu Barnes for more than 15 years. During that time I have found him to be highly competent, most professional and personable. Above all else, I found him to be honest. It was for these and other reasons that my wife and I chose him to sell our home. He was easy to reach by phone and if unavailable, would call back immediately. In this day of texting and emails, it is refreshing to have someone who will actually talk to you, answer your questions, and walk you through the process. Our home was listed and under contract within 23 days. There were no surprises along the way nor were there any surprises at closing. This was as smooth as home selling gets. We very highly recommend Stu Barnes for your residential real estate needs.

Response from the owner 16:23 06 Mar 25

Thank you so much for the glowing review. Part of the reason your home sold for what it did and within a month around the holidays was the way you guys took excellent care of your home over the years. That is one piece of the puzzle and it helps me do my job. I really appreciate your kind words and wish you the best. Stu

Scott Warren

14:23 27 Feb 25

I’ve known Stu for a while now, and I can confidently say there’s no one I’d trust more for any real estate needs in the Raleigh area. His professionalism, expertise, and commitment to his clients are truly top-notch. Whether you're buying, selling, or just looking for advice, Stu is the person you want in your corner!

Response from the owner 17:55 27 Feb 25

Thank you so much.....I wish you and your family the best. Stu

Bonnie O'Brien

17:48 18 Mar 24

Stu Barnes always provides exceptional service! I have worked with Stu over many years as one of his mortgage lenders. He has a profound understanding of the market and the complexities of the homebuying process, and always guides our mutual client with patience and clarity. Stu's meticulous attention to detail, and clear communication are always instrumental in facilitating a seamless and efficient transaction. I highly recommend Stu to anyone in search of a highly competent and reliable real estate agent!

Response from the owner 19:03 18 Mar 24

Thank you Bonnie. It is always a pleasure working with you. I can always trust you to take care of our mutual clients.

Anthony

15:42 08 Feb 24

My wife and I were first time home buyers, and we reached out to Stu.

Right away, we had a good feeling about working with him.
He wasn’t at all pushy about buying any particular home and took his time answering all of our questions about the homes we saw and the process in general.
He also knows the area very well.

Once we did put an offer in, Stu was in constant communication with us about how things were progressing.
He guided us through the entire home-buying process from start to finish and was always available to answer questions.

In the end, we were able to buy a home that we absolutely love!

We could not have had a better first time home buying experience, and I would 100% recommend Stu to anyone looking for a realtor in the area.

Response from the owner 13:57 09 Feb 24

Thank you Anthony. It was an honor and privilege to help both of you find the right home. I wish you many years of happiness in your new home. Stu

Kelly Fraser

12:19 24 Aug 23

When may parents were considering relocating to North Carolina from New Jersey following retirement they didn’t know much about it or where to start. We were fortunate to find Stu through his you tube videos introducing people to the triangle area giving first hand tours of the holly springs, Fuquay Varina and the developments in the area. We contacted him and he was happy to take us around. It was his knowledge and expertise that helped our entire family relocate and start the next chapter of our lives in these great communities. He was not only able to find my parents their dream home but he was able to find my husband and I and our daughter our dream home. He was able to answer all my concerns and put my mind at easy. I would highly recommend Stu Barnes to find your next dream home.

Response from the owner 16:37 24 Aug 23

Thanks Kelly!! I really appreciate you and your entire family. I was more than happy to help you guys find that perfect home. Please stay in touch. Stu

Alexander Manning

19:03 22 May 23

Stu is very knowledgeable about the area and the local market. He was great to work with every step of the way. He was quick to respond to any requests I had and made the process of buying a home from out of state all the easier. Thanks Stu!

Response from the owner 19:26 22 May 23

Thank you so much for the review!! I know the stress of selling in one State and then buying in another can be overwhelming at times. Welcome to the area...I know you will love it here! Stu

Robert Howard

14:34 20 Nov 22

Great experience with Stu. We moved to North Carolina from out of state, so we were not completely familiar with the area. Stu listened to our interests and what we were looking for. We asked for a lot including a large property, public utilities including water and sewage.
The things we were looking for turned out to be few and far between however Stu was able to locate a new build in the area we wanted that offered exactly what we were looking for.
After letting us know about the property, Stu dropped what he was doing and went to the location of the build where we met with a builder representative who walked us through the house. The property and house were great and no HOA which we were happy about.
We were able to quickly make an offer which worked out great because the builder later informed us after our offer there were multiple families attempting to obtain the property.
Stu was very professional and friendly throughout everything. He was able to build a positive rapport with the builder that made things incredibly smooth. After moving in, we found a couple minor issues with the house. One phone call to Stu and he was able to contact the builder and quickly resolve the issue.
We had a good time finding a home with Stu, it was a totally pleasant experience.

Response from the owner 14:53 05 Mar 23

Thanks so much for the review and such kind words. It was a pleasure helping you guys get settled. I know you will love your new home and North Carolina! Keep in touch. Stu

Chris Harper

13:48 16 Nov 22

For the second time, Stu has handled the sell of a home for me and ensured that I received the maximum value out of the home. First time, the house sold the same day as the listing. Second time, we were under contract in days and held out in a rough economy for a few months until all was finally able to close. Stu was very responsive to any question that I sent and he did a fantastic job with the listing of the house.

Response from the owner 14:06 16 Nov 22

Thanks for trusting me again Chris. I wish you guys the best with your next life adventures. Stu

Lisa Davidson

23:38 07 Oct 21

I had a great experience working with Stu to purchase my first home. He was extremely knowledgable and realistic about the current market. Stu was also very responsive to all my calls, texts and emails, and he was more than willing to see houses with me on less than a 24 hour notice. Thanks for all your help, Stu!

Audrey Suehs

19:22 29 Jul 21

We just purchased a home with Stu's help (despite this extremely competitive market!). He was very upfront and realistic with us, while still being encouraging and helpful. I highly recommend his services.

Nate Newbury

14:40 02 Dec 18

Stu knows the Raleigh area very well. In South Raleigh he knew each neighborhood and even predicted where we were going to buy! He is not pushy and listens to you.

If you're reading reviews to make a decision about a realtor, just call Stu and talk with him. After talking with him, you'll know he's genuine and a good realtor.