I was recently awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS. 

REALTORS who receive the CRS Designation have completed advanced courses and have demonstrated professional expertise in the field of residential real estate.  The CRS Designees are an elite group with less than 4% of REALTORS nationwide earning the designation.   

Home buyers and sellers can be assured that CRS Designees subscribe to the strict REALTOR code of ethics, have access to the latest technology and are specialists in helping clients maximize profits and minimize costs when buying or selling a home. 

To learn more about Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

Today we had a “Poker Run” luncheon in Cross Creek.  Seven agents teamed up to showcase their listings in this wonderful Hampstead neighborhood.  It was a beautiful, sunny and mild day which made a perfect day for agents to tour homes they may not know about.  Cross Creek is located off of Hwy 210 West in Hampstead making it convenient to Hampstead, Wilmington, Topsail Beach and Jacksonville, NC.  Cross Creek is also just minutes to I-40 and I-140.  To learn more about Cross Creek or Hampstead Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

 I am excited to announce that my new website has launched today!  Take a look at www.livingbythecoast.com.  I have designed it to be your source for Wilmington area real estate.  There is plenty of information for those who are relocating to the area, moving within the area or selling a Wilmington area property.  For more information about Wilmington area real estate or Wilmington area information contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my new website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

I received a great article today that was provided by the NC Association of REALTORS.  Here are the 10 things you should know about today’s NC Real Estate Market:

1. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NATIONAL REAL ESTATE MARKET.  This is what the news implies but all Real Estate is local!  Whether you are buying or selling it is important to look at the facts & figures in your market rather than looking at national sales trends.
2. NORTH CAROLINA HOME VALUES ARE STABLE.  The average sales price in North Carolina grew by 4% in 2007.  Since 2000 the average home price has risen by 25% and in a 12-month period through September 2007, North Carolina had the seventh-highest appreciation in home prices in the country.
3. HOUSING DEMAND IN NORTH CAROLINA IS ON THE RISE.  In 2007 there were more than 125,000 existing home sales in North Carolina which is the third highest number ever and only exceeded in 2005 & 2006.  Estimates are an increase in population of 400,000 by the year 2010.  Everyone loves North Carolina!
4. A HOUSE IS WHERE YOU MAKE A HOME, NOT JUST A BUCK.  Most home buyers do not buy a home to flip it but instead to live in it, raise a family and establish roots.  High quality of life is more important to home buyers!
5. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPUTABLE MORTGAGE COMPANIES READY TO LEND.  Good credit and staying within your budget means that mortgage approval will be easily attained.  I can refer you to fantastic lenders!
6. OWNING A HOME BUILDS WEALTH IN A WAY THAT RENTING CAN’T.  The average renter’s net worth is $4800.00 and the average homeowner’s net worth is $171,000, need I say more?
7. IT’S A PRIME TIME FOR SECOND HOMES.   Nationally, 1/3 of home sales are second homes or vacation properties but in North Carolina the figure is nearly 40%, mostly due to the highly desired locations in the mountains and on the coast.  Wilmington is on the coast and is a great place to buy a second home!
8. IT MAKES SENSE TO USE A NORTH CAROLINA REALTOR.  There are almost 45,000 REALTORS in North Carolina who subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain the highest level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling a home.  I am a NC REALTOR and would love to help you!
9. NOW REALLY IS THE TIME TO BUY.  Interest rates dropped twice in January in an effort to stimulate the national economy.  While NC’s economy hasn’t suffered as much as a lot of states we are able to reap the benefit of the lower rates.  If you are a buyer now is the time to buy!
10. IF YOU ARE A SELLER, BE PATIENT…AND SMART.  Pricing your home correctly is most important.  Your home’s value is what a buyer is willing to pay for it, not the price you think it should sell for.  Competitive pricing is the single biggest reason that a home sells or does not sell.  Your REALTOR knows the market and can help you determine the optimum sales price.  Call me today for a free market analysis for your home!

To learn more about Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395. 

So far this week in Wilmington has been great!  It looks like it is going to be a little bit cooler this weekend but the sun will be shining.  This weekend it is also time to Spring Forward so make sure that you set your clocks ahead on Saturday before going to bed.  To learn more about Wilmington Weather or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.

I just read an article in REALTOR Magazine which may be interesting to any Wilmington home owner that is trying to sell their home.  The article discussed a survey compiled by the NAR (National Association of REALTORS) which investigates what features were important to buyers when choosing a home.  According to survey the most important home feature on the interior of a home is a walk-in closet in the master bedroom.  Following the closet in order of importance are: having cable/satellite TV available, separate showers in the main bath, hardwood floors, granite countertops, whirlpool bath and sitting area in master bedroom.  All of the features had an increase of importance from 2004 to 2007 except for the sitting area in the master bedroom, it declined 1%. 

The most important exterior feature is an oversized garage which actually jumped from 41% to 57% in the last 4 years.  After the garage the most important exterior features are a fence, patio and porch.

The most important feature in choosing a neighborhood are sidewalks.  Following the sidewalks at only a difference of 1% is the proximity of the neighborhood to shopping.  Following that are proximity to schools, parks and public transit. 

On the list of features that buyers would be prepared to pay a premium for, are a walk-in closet in the master, an oversized garage, hardwood floors, granite countertops, a patio, fencing, a porch, separate showers in the main bath, a whirlpool bath, cable/satellite tv connections, and a sitting area in the master bedroom. 

To learn more about these Important Home features or about marketing your home in Wilmington contact me at 910-431-9395. 

July was one of two months since January that the Wilmington MLS has had a decline in listing inventory.  That is great news but the other great news is that Wilmington’s average sales price continues to remain ahead of 2006 which is going against national trends.  The average year to date sales price is 2.7% ahead of 2006 this time last year.  While the number of sold units is down from previous years, July did see an increase from previous months.  To learn more about Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.