910-279-9398 Download Our Brochure
  • Homes for sale in coastal southeastern NC

Posts Tagged ‘Wilmington’

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

Posted by

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

5 Reasons To Hire A Real Estate Pro

20160606-Hire-A-Pro-STM

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

New & Existing Home Sales Climb

20160527-EHS-APR-STM

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.

Low interest rates – Now is a good time to buy

Posted by

Mortgage Rates Remain at Historic Lows

STM-Share-5

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.

Most affordable NC housing markets

Posted by

 

W3_20130806_3716

Coastal Realty Connections

According to Coldwell Banker’s annual Home Listing Report, Ocean Isle Beach costs the most, while Elizabeth City is the most affordable housing market.  The report uses average listing price of a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home over 2,700 US markets. The report shows that an average home price for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in North Carolina is $232,748. Within our area the beach communities of Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Oak Island, Topsail Beach area, Wilmington and Winnabow all fall above the average.

(more…)

Wilmington Shows Signs of Continual Economic Growth

Posted by

William “Woody” Hall, senior economist at University of North Carolina Wilmington, predicts the Wilmington area will grow 3.5% this year and 3.8% in 2016. According to an article printed in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, 3% is a key figure as it is the rate the economy needs to grow to keep the unemployment rate stable. Mr. Hall has been a senior economist for 41 years at UNCW.

The growth prediction is good news for the Wilmington area. His evaluation of the economic condition from the local economic indicators he uses show that with the exception of airport passenger traffic, there is a good outlook for 2015 – unemployment, residential real estate, retail sales, tourism and State Port activity show signs that the sectors have fully recovered or are on their way back from the Great Recession that crippled the economy about seven years ago.

Hall maintains that retail sales and tourism have rebounded completely from what was considered one of the worst economic downturns since The Great Depression. Furthermore in an economic outlook for 2015 released by a Wells Fargo analyst indicate recovery is gradually building with areas such as Raleigh and Charlotte leading the way. Asheville, Wilmington and Durham were specifically mentioned as growing areas. Most other areas in the state will grow at a slower pace than the stars mentioned above, according to the analyst.

A number of factors will contribute to the continual growth one of which is the possibility of increased interest rates. Taking advantage of the growing economy to purchase property now may save buyers increased interest rates and guarantee buyers a better selection of properties. As the economy continues to improve real estate “deals” of the past seven years are disappearing. Let us at Coastal Realty Connections help you take advantage of today’s market!

Top Five Reasons to Buy Coastal North Carolina Property Now

Posted by

From the places that draw crowds to the places that help you escape them, when you are in North Carolina you will find it all.  Those of us who call it home experience its beauty daily. For others that #visitnc and wish to return time and time again, consider purchasing this year.

  1.  CNN Money reports home prices are climbing. Wilmington is expected to rise 8% through third quarter 2014.
  2. CBS Money Watch predicts 2014 will be another year of gains for the real estate market.
  3. The National Assoc9225_066iation of Realtors indicated in their March report that a shortage of inventory is proving problematic.
  4. Albeit still low, according to Forbes, the average mortgage rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is expected to rise the most recent year’s 3’s to 5.5% this year.
  5. The coast of North Carolina is gaining in popularity. New Hanover and #Brunswick Counties in particular continue to get national exposure on film and are experiencing growing awareness through national publications. CNN Money Magazine listed Wilmington, NC real estate as the #7 city to invest in and #Brunswick Forest located in Leland just outside of Wilmington and near Southport, NC has been given the Bliss Award Winner designation, Best North Carolina Community of the Year for the Coastal Southern North Carolina area.

At Coastal Realty Connections we understand buying is often an emotional choice. So more than the statistics, it is about finding the place that matches your natural rhythms, provides activities that bring you joy, and above all brings you peace of mind.

From #golfing  and #sailing in the isles of Brunswick County and #antiquing in New Bern to soaking up the sun’s rays see why the Coast of North Carolina is the place to be.

Read more about locations in Eastern Coastal North Carolina and begin your property search now.

Focus on Brunswick County

Posted by

What attracts so many people to the coast of North Carolina? Is it the Southern charm of its residents, the laid-back way of life or simply the beauty of its shorelines? Where we live is as much about an expression of our personalities as it is finding the place that makes us feels “at home”.

Southern Living, Coastal Living, Garden & Gun and a host of publications have written about a special place in North Carolina, Brunswick County. Amanda Hutcheson of StarNews recently shared what most of us who live in the area can sense, Brunswick County represents one of the hottest destination in North Carolina.

9350_107 Developed coastal communities such as St. James Plantation, Brunswick Plantation, Compass Pointe, Indigo Plantation and Marina, Winding River, Lockwood Folly and Bald Head Island have helped make Brunswick County the fastest-growing county in North Carolina and the 47th-fastest growing county in the nation. The population growth rate from 2012 to 2013 was higher than any other county in North Carolina.

Along with Brunswick County’s assets, its proximity to Myrtle Beach and Wilmington provide a host of added benefit for residents. While the latest census reported substantial growth for the Myrtle Beach and Pender County areas, Brunswick County topped the list. Mike Hargett, Director of Planning and Community Development was quoted in the StarNews article, “The figures reflect continued interest in Brunswick County as a desirable location to live, work and visit. Based on the increasing level of development activity, this positive trend is expected to continue.”

It has never been a better time to explore relocation or second-home in Brunswick County. Before you begin your selection process, it is important to refine your “wish list” and work with someone who can assist in narrowing down and matching your search criteria.

Whether you choose Coastal Realty Connections or one of a number of other capable agencies as your buyer’s agent it can be invaluable to have someone experienced in this ever evolving market working on your behalf.

Finding a new home is as much about connecting to a feeling of belonging than it is about a structure. Explore more about North Carolina’s fastest growing county at http://www.ncbrunswick.com/ and start your search for a new home today.