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Summer Outdoor Activities at Mayfaire Town Center

Posted by Donald Howarth

Are you looking for things to do outside with your family this summer? If you are going to be in the Wilmington, NC area, look no further than Mayfaire Township. Offering shopping, dining, residential properties, movies, hotels and an office park this “go to” location has something for everyone including outdoor events.

Upcoming events include family oriented fun at Barnes & Noble. Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. toddlers can participate in Toddler Storytime. Bring the entire family on Fridays at 7 p.m. for Family Storytime. Each Saturday at 11 a.m. there is a Special Storytime and each second Tuesday at 7 p.m. an American Girl Night. For those inspired by mystery a Magic House Night is offered each third Thursday of the month.

Stuff the BusA community-wide event, Stuff the Bus, will be held August 5th. Communities in Schools of Cape Fear will collect school supplies at Mayfaire Town Center in front of Regal 16 Cinema on August 5-6 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and again on August 7, 12-5 p.m.

UNCWUniversity of North Carolina at Wilmington fans will enjoy UNCW Shopping Weekend August 13-14. Shops throughout Mayfaire will be offering special discounts for UNCW students.

Breast RIbbonOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Mayfaire Town Center is hosting a Run for the Ta-Tas on Saturday, October 1 with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. This Chaser Run is one of a kind in the Wilmington area. Music and entertainment will be provided.

Heart Association

The Cape Fear Heart Walk brings thousands to walk for funds supporting lifesaving education about heart disease and stroke research. The walk will take place on October 15th in the parking lot between the Macaroni Grill and Smokey Bones on International Drive. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

 

The Coastal Carolina Auto Show allows dealerships to showcase their new and exciting models. This year’s event is sponsored by StarNews Media and will be held across from Belk on October 22-23.

Mayfaire Town Center is a designation for fun and family. The convenience to the larger Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach area makes it an easy regular favorite of residents and guests. The Township also provides living, shopping and an office park area.

Enjoy living in the Mayfaire Township. There are several communities to choose from including homes such as 557 Garden Terrace Drive 205.  When you are ready to view residential properties at Mayfaire, let us assist you as a Buyer’s Agent. Contact us for more information.

House Prices are on the Rise – It’s Time to Buy!

Posted by Donald Howarth

Home Prices Up 5.67% Across The Country!

Home Prices Up 5.67% Across The Country! [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights:

  • Across the country, home prices are up by 5.67%.
  • Each state is appreciating at a different rate, however, which is important to realize if you plan on relocating to a different state.
  • Regionally, prices have appreciated year-over-year by as high as 8.15%.

Let the Coastal Realty Connections team help you find your next real estate purchase. Contact us today.  910-279-9398.

5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Pro

Posted by Donald Howarth

5 Reasons To Hire A Real Estate Pro

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Whether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite an adventurous journey. You need an experienced Real Estate Professional to lead you to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner or FSBO.

The 5 Reasons You NEED a Real Estate Professional in your corner haven’t changed but have rather been strengthened due to the projections of higher mortgage interest rates & home prices as the market continues to recover.

1. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true Real Estate Professional is an expert in their market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork necessary to make your dream a reality.

2. Ok, so you found your dream house, now what?

According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, there are over 230 possible actions that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, someone who knows what these actions, are to make sure that you acquire your dream?

3. Are you a good negotiator?

So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. However, after looking at the list of parties that you need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll realize the value in selecting a Real Estate Professional. From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible) to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people that you will have to be knowledgeable with and answer to, during the process.

4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you the truth as to your home’s value. According to the National Association of REALTORS, “the typical FSBO home sold for $208,700 compared to $235,000 among agent-assisted home sales.”

Get the most out of your transaction by hiring a professional.

5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market?

There is so much information out there on the news and the internet about home sales, prices, and mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively price your home correctly at the beginning of the selling process? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much, or offending the seller with a low-ball offer?

Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring an agent who has their finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying/selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line

You wouldn’t replace the engine in your car without a trusted mechanic. Why would you make one of the most important financial decisions of your life without hiring a Real Estate Professional? Contact us today and let us help you buy or sell. 910-279-9398.

Is it time to buy or sell my home?

Posted by Donald Howarth

New & Existing Home Sales Climb

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Some Highlights:

  • Both New Home Sales and Existing Home Sales are up month-over-month and year-over-year.
  • Inventory remains low which continues to drive home prices up as demand continues to exceed the 4.7-month inventory.
  • The median price of new homes is up 12% from March 2015, while the median price of existing homes is up 6.3% from April 2015.

Take advantage of today’s market by contacting us. 910-279-9398.

Trust Matters

Posted by Donald Howarth

Unparalleled Trust Necessary Before Listing Your House

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You and your family have decided to sell your house. It is now time to choose a real estate professional to help with the process. One of the major attributes this agent must possess is trustworthiness. To what degree do you need to trust them?

You must have enough trust in them that you feel comfortable they will accomplish all four things below: 

1. Sell possibly the largest asset your family owns

In many cases, a home is the largest asset a family has. Studies have shown that the equity many families have in their home is the largest percentage of that family’s overall wealth. 

2. Set the correct market value on that asset

Pricing is crucial even in the best of markets. You want to get the best price for your home without putting your house at a value that buyers will have little interest in.

3. Set the time schedule for the liquidation of that asset

Your family probably has a certain timetable for the sale of your house and the move into your next home. Coordinating the home selling process to meet certain schedules can be tricky.

4. Set a fair fee for the services required to liquidate that asset

You will need to pay a commission to an agent for selling the home and coordinating all elements of the selling transaction, including possible future negotiations (ex. with a home inspector or appraiser).

That’s a lot of trust. Let’s get together to discuss the difference hiring a true professional can make in the sale of your home. Contact us today

 

Where is Housing Headed for the Rest of 2016?

Posted by Donald Howarth

  • Should I buy or sale in 2016?

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    With the overall economy just inching along, some experts are questioning whether the housing market can continue its momentum throughout the rest of the year. People are beginning to ask questions such as:

    • Will disappointing economic news adversely impact housing?
    • Is affordability a major concern in today’s real estate market?
    • Are we approaching a new housing bubble?
    • Are mortgage standards too tight? Or have they loosened too much?

    Freddie Mac, in their April Economic Outlook, addresses the disappointing economic news and what impact they think it will have on housing:

    “Recent data darkened the growth outlook for the first quarter of 2016. However, despite the disappointing economic reports, we still forecast housing to maintain its momentum in 2016.

    We’ve revised down our forecast for economic growth to reflect the recent data for the first quarter, but our outlook for the balance of the year remains modestly optimistic for the economy.”

    What about real estate?

    Freddie Mac was much more optimistic about housing…

    “We maintain our positive view on housing. In fact, the declines in long-term interest rates that accompanied much of the recent news should increase mortgage market activity.”

    They went on to conclude:

    “We expect housing to be an engine of growth. Construction activity will pick up as we enter the spring and summer months, and rising home values will bolster consumers and help support renewed confidence in the remaining months of this year.”

    Let the team at Coastal Realty Connections assist you in determing your home’s market value and whether on not it is time to buy or sale. Contact us by email info@coastalrealtyconnections.com or 910-279-9398.

Low interest rates – Now is a good time to buy

Posted by Donald Howarth

Mortgage Rates Remain at Historic Lows

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The latest report from Freddie Mac shows that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.61% last week, slightly down from the week before (3.66%), and nearly 20 points lower than a year ago (3.80%).

This is great news for homebuyers who are dealing with rising prices due to a low inventory of homes for sale in many areas of the country. Freddie Mac expressed their optimism for the rates to remain low throughout the spring in a recent blog post:

“We expect mortgage interest rates to stay well under 4% as we head into the heart of the spring homebuying season. We’re predicting it to be the best one in 10 years, which should provide even greater opportunities for first-time homebuyers.”

Below is a chart of the weekly average rates in 2016, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage Rates Remain at Historic Lows | Simplifying The Market

Rates have again fallen to historic lows yet many experts still expect them to increase in 2016. One thing we know for sure is that, according to Freddie Mac, current rates are the best they have been since last April.

Sean Becketti, Chief Economist for Freddie Mac recently explained:

“Since the start of February, mortgage rates have varied within a narrow range providing an extended period for house hunters to take advantage of historically low rates.”

Bottom Line

If you are thinking of buying your first home or moving up to your ultimate dream home, now is a great time to get a sensational rate on your mortgage. Let Coastal Realty Connections put their expertise and excellent customer service to work for you. Contact us today. info@coastalrealtyconnections.com / 910-279-9398.

Warren Buffett: There is No Housing Bubble. House Values to Rise.

Posted by Donald Howarth

Warren Buffett: There is No Housing Bubble

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With home prices expected to appreciate by over 5% this year, some are beginning to worry about a new housing bubble forming. Warren Buffet addressed this issue last week in an article by Fortune Magazine. He simply explained:

“I don’t see a nationwide bubble in real estate right now at all.”

Later, when questioned whether real estate and/or mortgaging could present the same challenges for the economy as they did in 2008, Buffet said:

“I don’t think we will have a repeat of that.”

What factors are driving home prices up?

It is easily explained by the theory of supply and demand. There is a lack of housing inventory for sale while demand for that inventory is very strong. According to a recent survey of agents by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer traffic was seen as either “strong” or “very strong” in 44 of the 50 states (the exceptions being: Alaska, Wyoming, North Dakota, West Virginia, Connecticut and Delaware).

Also, in NAR’s latest Pending Home Sales Report, it was revealed that the index was the highest it has been in a year.

What does the future bring?

As prices rise, more families will have increased equity in their homes which will enable them to put their home on the market. As more listings come to market, price increases should slow to more normal levels.

Anand Nallathambi, President & CEO of CoreLogic, recently addressed the issue:

“Home price gains have clearly been a driving force in building positive equity for homeowners. Longer term, we anticipate a better balance of supply and demand in many markets which will help sustain healthy & affordable home values into the future.”

Let the agents at Coastal Realty Connections help you buy or sell. Contact us for a free valuation of your property’s worth or for assistance in finding just the right home for you. 910-279-9398.

Why it Makes Sense to Buy A Primary & Second Home

Posted by Donald Howarth

Billionaire: Buy a Home… And if You Can, Buy a Second Home!

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Three years ago, John Paulson gave a keynote address at the CNBC/Institutional Investor Conference. In his speech, he told those in attendance that he believes housing will continue its strong recovery for the next 4 to 7 years, saying that:

“The housing market has bottomed. It’s not too late to get involved. I still think buying a home is the best investment any individual can make. Affordability is still at an all-time high.”

When asked how the average person could take advantage of the current real estate market at the time, Paulson said:

“Buy a home and, if you can, buy a second home.”

Two years ago, Paulson reiterated his statement, saying:

“I still think, from an individual perspective, the best deal investment you can make is to buy a primary residence that you’re the owner-occupier of.”

Who is John Paulson and why should you listen to him?

Paulson is the person who, back in 2005 & 2006, made a fortune betting that the subprime mortgage mess would cause the real estate market to collapse. He understands how the housing market works and knows when to buy and when to sell.

What do others think of Paulson?

According to Forbes, John Paulson is:

“A multibillionaire hedge fund operator and the investment genius.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, Paulson is:

“A hedge fund tycoon who made his name, and a fortune, betting against subprime mortgages when no one else even knew what they were.” 

So… Is what he said still true?

The core reasons behind Paulson’s statements still ring true today, but why does he believe homeownership is such a great investment?

Paulson broke down the math of homeownership as an investment:

1. “Today financing costs are extraordinarily low.”

The latest numbers from Freddie Mac show us that you can still get a 30-year mortgage at historically low rates of under 4%.

2. “And if you put down, let’s say, 10 percent and the house is up 5 percent,” as many experts predict, “then you would be up 50 percent on your investment.”

How many are seeing a 50% return on a cash investment right now?

Paulson goes on to compare the long term financial benefits of owning versus renting:

3. “And you’ve locked in the cost over the next 30 years. And today the cost of owning is somewhat less than the cost of renting. And if you rent, the rent goes up every year. But if you buy a 30-year mortgage, the cost is fixed.”

Bottom Line

Whenever a billionaire gives investment advice, people usually clamor to hear it. This billionaire gave simple advice – if you don’t yet live in your own home, go buy one.

Let the team at Coastal Realty Connections help you find the right primary or second home. Specializing in coastal real estate from New Bern, North Carolina to the beaches of Brunswick County. Contact us today and let us put our knowledge to work for you.