The movie, Hounddog, opens tonight in Los Angeles, New York and several other cities.  Hounddog was filmed in Wilmington a few years ago and stars Dakota Fanning.  To learn more about movies filmed in Wilmington or Wilmington Real Estate, contact me at 910-431-9395. 

Establishing a reasonable and profitable listing price for a home is perhaps the biggest challenge for every home seller. Before coming to a final figure, many sellers ask themselves: “That home down the block went for a lot; can I just price my home in the same ballpark?” “Can I jack the price up in a hot market?” These and many other factors must be considered before settling on a listing price. The professionals at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty recommend taking the following steps before setting an asking figure.

Choose the Right Sales Associate: While many people use a friend or relative’s referral to select a sales associate, it is smart to interview many prospective agents. Invite several sales associates to show their listings presentations. Pay attention to how they plan to market the home, and find out the reach of their company’s Web site. Also, make certain they plan to list the home on the multiple listing service (MLS) and inquire about how broad their real estate contact network is.

Do The Homework. Ask a real estate sales associate for a written comparative market analysis (CMA). This will provide a list of recent sales prices of similar homes in the area (with comparable numbers of bedrooms, baths, square footage and lot size), the asking prices of homes currently for sale nearby and other important information. Then a sales associate will provide a professional estimation of a legitimate selling price.

Take the Emotion Out of It. While the seller likely has great affection for the home, the sales associate will not set the price based on the seller’s emotion. Instead, he or she will evaluate the location, condition and size of the home. A house in a secluded, exclusive area may appeal to some, while others will want to be closer to schools, shopping and health care facilities. What is the physical condition of the home? Is it a fixer-upper? Does it make a good first impression (the ever important curb appeal)? Will it appeal to a growing family, or is it better suited to empty nesters?

Determine If It Is a Buyers/Sellers Market. Home inventory, mortgage interest rates and the economy play a role in determining whether the buyer or seller has a negotiating advantage. Interest rates remain at historically low levels even as the economy shows signs of improving, putting buyers in a good position to shoulder “good” debt of homeownership.

Do the Math. Do not forget to figure in closing costs, legal fees and other selling expenses when determining the selling price. The sales associate should be able to provide cost estimates, and negotiate with a potential buyer to ensure a good sale price.

Give It the Once Over. There is one more step to ensure that the house sells for your price, or more. Do as much as possible to improve the home’s appearance: touch up the paint, fix leaks, seal any cracks, clean up the clutter, and eliminate pet odors. The house has only one chance to make a first impression.

 To learn more about pricing your home or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.

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. 

Encore Magazine, a local publication, revealed their annual “Best of” awards for 2008.  Coldwell Banker Seacoast Realty was bestowed the honor of Best Realtor for 2008.  Coldwell Banker Seacoast has become the dominant Real Estate Company in Southeastern North Carolina.  The company has eight offices in New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick and Onslow Counties.  Coldwell Banker Seacoast has been selling more properties in Southeastern North Carolina for the past eight straight years than any other company and also recording the highest dollar volume of sales for the past two straight years, and three of the past five.  To learn more about Coldwell Banker Seacoast Realty or any Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.   

This is a fantastic home for sale in highly desirable Fairfield Park.  The community has a pool, tennis courts and a clubhouse.  Fairfield Park is located off of Independence Blvd. in Wilmington which is central to many areas including Carolina Beach, Historic Downtown Wilmington, New Hanover Regional Medical Center plus many shopping and dining options.  To learn more about this wonderful Fairfield Park home or any Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.

There is a great new way to search for homes in the Wilmington MLS system.  There is now a public search that enables buyers to search the latest and most up to the minute listings.  You can also search for Wilmington Real Estate on my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.  To learn more about the new Wilmington area MLS or about Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.

A lot of my friends and clients ask me what the difference is between a REALTOR and a Real Estate Agent.  All REALTORS are licensed to sell real estate as an agent or broker but not all real estate agents are REALTORS.  Only REALTORS can display the REALTOR logo.  REALTORS belong to the National Association of REALTORS and follow a code of ethics, a comprehensive list containing 17 articles and underlying standards of practice, which establish levels of conduct that are higher than ordinary business practices or those required by law.  Less than half of all licensees are REALTORS.  I am a REALTOR and I assist clients in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.  To learn more about Wilmington or Wilmington Area Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.