Wilmington NC real estate market

The Wilmington NC real estate market is really making a bounce back with the number of showings at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast up a whopping 72% over December! There were 2757 showings of our very own listings in January! That is amazing.

If you are in the market to sell your home this year, now is the time to be getting your home on the market. You don’t want to be left behind when we get into our Spring selling season this year. The Northeast market is rebounding, as well. When that happens, those buyers will be here in the Spring to purchase .

And Wilmington NC home buyers, don’t forget the clock is ticking for the tax credit. If you would like to search for homes in Wilmington, NC by price range, schools, map, zip codes and even neighborhoods, my website does it all at www.cbbaker.com. Please feel free to contact me at kaybaker@ec.rr.com.

Wilmington NC Jobs Increase

There are signs of a recovering economy as a recent jobs report listing cities with jobs growth over 1% for period July-October 2009, listed Wilmington NC in the top ten cities for jobs growth during that period. The list was compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were 77 cities that saw jobs increase during that period and 19 cities saw growth of over 1%. Wilmington NC jobs increased by 2.1% while Merced, Calif saw a 2.7% increase and Raleigh-Cary 1.3%. That is really good news for the Cape Fear Region.

The housing market seems to be experiencing a comeback, as the market has had 4 consecutive months of sales increases over 2008.

Wilmington NC Real Estate

If you are thinking about purchasing Wilmington, NC real estate, please take advantage of the $8000 tax credit. What an opportunity for homebuyers! And, you can search for Wilmington NC homes by neighborhood, schools, maps, zip codes, price and more at www.cbbaker.com. Please feel free to contact me at kaybaker@ec.rr.com or 910232-0363. We are here to assist you with your real estate needs every step of the way.

Homebuyers Good Faith Estimate

Recent guidelines from Washington have forced a change to the way that loan originators will disclose closing costs for all homebuyers. The purpose of the new Good Faith Estimate is to level the playing field for borrowers comparing loans to be able to make apples to apples comparisons for loan scenarios.

In essence, HUD is working to bring all lenders up to the same standard of excellence in reporting closing costs that I have always adhered to, estimating realistic fees that a buyer should expect to pay at closing with no last minute surprises.

Closing costs for the homebuyer

What are the important facts you should be award of as a homebuyer? Below are some important points to know:

All fees paid to the lender/broker are to be consolidated in one line, including processing fees, origination fees, etc. These charges cannot change from the original estimate without a material change to the loan requested.
In the event fees are being charged to obtain a lower rate, these are to be broken out and itemized for the borrower’s ease of comparison to other loan programs.
Estimates for fees from government recording charges and third party settlement providers we suggest are to be itemized and the lender is held to a tolerance of 10% for their accuracy. In the event the estimated charges exceed the amount listed by the allowable tolerance, the lender will be responsible for making up the difference.
Estimates for services that the buyer can shop for and do choose can change at settlement without the lender being held accountable. This can include title charges, homeowner’s insurance, and initial deposits for an escrow account.

Wilmington NC Homebuyers

As always, we strive to assist our Wilmington, NC homebuyers in selecting a reputable home lender that will give you an accurate estimate of closing costs and funds for closing.

Wilmington NC Real Estate

Why not contact a professional Realtor with many years of local knowledge and experience, Kay Baker. I am here to assist you in your purchase of Wilmington NC real estate every step of the way. Whether you are looking for foreclosures and short sales, second home, golf course home or a first time buyer, we are here to guide you in one of your most important decisions. Take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a home. Interest rates are at historic lows and homes are all on SALE! Contact me today kaybaker@ec.rr.com.

Wilmington NC Real Estate

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Associates now have the ability to leverage the power and success of Homes.com! One of real estate’s fastest-growing property portals, Homes.com features nearly 100 percent organic traffic for better listing performance and higher quality leads. Now all of our Wilmington NC real estate listings will be near the top of the search results.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty and Homes.com have
partnered together to increase your listing exposure
to more than 4 million monthly viewers.

Homes.com

Homes.com Premier Listings include:
Up to 30 photos of your current listing will
automatically be displayed
Virtual tours will automatically display
Agent photo and name will appear
Your phone number, email and link to your agent
website will appear
Listings included on the Homes.com search application for the iPhone include a link from to drive traffic directly to your website
Live mapping of each property
Control panel access for tracking and lead distribution
A Control Panel is available for those agents who wish to make additional changes to their listings on
homes.com.

If you are looking to sell Wilmington NC real estate, please give us a call today. We will show you our very aggressive marketing approach for 2010! Don’t hesititate, give us a call today or email kaybaker@ec.rr.com.

Porters Neck Plantation

Porters Neck Plantation is a private and gated country club community located in Wilmington, NC. It  offers Southern hospitality with its low country architecture and friendly neighborhoods of years gone by. Whether you are seeking the easy life of low maintenance living in a patio home or villa, or the Southern architecture of distinctive Porters Neck homes, you will find it all right here. Porters Neck Plantation is located minutes from bustling Wilmington, NC,  Wrightsville Beach and Historic Wilmington on the riverfront. Porters Neck is also home to a fine country club and championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio. In addition, you will enjoy all types of water activities with access to the ICWW at your fingertips. Take a cruise over to popular Lee Island and Rich’s Inlet for fabulous afternoon relaxation.

This unique low country style home in Porters Neck with beaded cedar siding is a very  spacious home with 3BR, 2.5 Bath and an oversized 3-car garage with a double and single garage door and laundry sink. The 26 X 15 finished room above garage has a walk-in closet. This quality home has numerous upgrades including a Culligan Reverse Osmosis and Water Softener. Hardwood floors in the main living area and custom built-ins add elegance and flank the gas log fireplace. Wonderful storage areas exist inside and out where you’ll find a 10 X 12 crawl space slab area for most any outdoor item. This home sits on a professionally landscaped .58 corner cul-de-sac lot. Enjoy flowering Hydrangea, Camellia, and other lush trees and vegetation from the 13 X 11 screened porch and adjacent deck. Also wide moldings, French doors, plantation shutters, smooth ceilings, large walk-in closets, a separate jetted tub and walk-in tiled shower in the master bath, double vanity and a walk-in laundry room with cabinets. Enjoy wonderful walks on the beach or day fishing just minutes away.

Wilmington NC Real Estate

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or requests about homes for sale in Porters Neck Plantation, Wilmington, NC real estate, or any location in the Cape Fear Region. I have lived here all my life and can help match a neighborhood with a home and schools. I know where the best shopping is and all the main attractions. If you are looking for a second home or investment property in Porters Neck Plantation, there are still really affordable homes in the great coastal area, but you will need a real estate expert to help you.

Pine Valley Estates| Wilmington NC real estate: OPEN HOUSE Sunday 12/6 1-4 pm | http://www.relocationwilmingtonnc.com/ via @addthis

The Holiday Season is now officially underway with the kicking off the annual Holiday Flotilla in Wrightsville Beach,  NC.  This highly anticipated tradition is rated among the top 20 must see events by the Southeast Tourism Society and is held every year on the weekend following Thanksgiving. Thousands of viewers both visitors and locals jockey for position along the waterway in anticipation of the many boats decorated with animated characters and every color of twinkling light from stem to stern.  And this year was no different, especially with the perfect weather for this anticipated event. The themes this ranged from “Wizard of Oz” , “Christmas Shaggin” to  the winner “Santa’s Flight Over Twin Moonlights”.   

It was a wonderful event that ended with a fabulous fireworks display showcasing the great holiday spirit of the locals and serving as just another reminder why Wilmington is still one of the most desired places in North Carolina to live.  We hope your Thanksgiving was also a treasured family tradition and maybe next year you’ll consider joining us for the 27th annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla.  Happy Holidays!

For complete details on all annual events and attractions in the Wilmington NC area, please visit my website at www.cbbaker.com.

Great news for Wilmington, NC real estate market

Congress is extending the $8,000 stimulus package to first time home buyers and buyers who have not purchased a personal residence within the last 3  years.  Also an extra bonus to home buyers is a $6,500 stimulus to homeowners who have owned their home for 5 years and would like to purchase a personal residence.  Both stimulus plans require that the buyer be under contract by April 30. 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.  If you have been thinking about purchasing your first home or a move up home, NOW is the time to do it.

The housing market continues to show signs of improvement day after day. Looking at the very latest local data and trends is key to making a sound buying or selling decision in any particular market. That’s one of the most important services we offer our clients.  We are the local experts, use our knowledge to your advantage.

Wilmington, NC Foreclosures, Short Sales

We can send you detailed information on the latest listings, Wilmington, NC foreclosures, short sales and more. There prices won’t last for long. Many homes sell within 48-72 hours of listing. Be the first to know about them. Call or email kaybaker@seacoastrealty.com today!

Foreclosures Wilmington NC

The number of foreclosures listed in the Wilmington MLS are at an all time high of 75. These foreclosed home range in price from $28,000 to $2,163,055 in Porters Neck Plantation and everything in between including homes at Landfall, Northchase, Pine Valley, MacCumber Terrace and even waterfront communities such as Tangle Oaks.

Short Sales Wilmington NC

Short sales are even higher in numbers with a record 152 short sales listed for sale in the Wilmington, NC area. You will find short sales at prestigious Figure Eight Island, Landfall, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Carolina Beach, NC, Historic District, Waterfront communities such as Turtle Hall and Sandfiddler Point, Whitney Pines and Somerset Place. As you know a short sale is when the home is listed for less than the payoff due the lender. They are always subject to lender approval and the process is usually a very lengthy one.

For a complete list of foreclosures and short sales, please call 800-497-7325 Ex. 3607 or email me at kaybaker@ec.rr.com.  You can also search Wilmington NC real estate at www.cbbaker.com by map, neighborhood, price, zip code, schools and more.

First Time Home Buyers

According to the National Association of Realtors, First time home buyers are driving the market to a rebound as home sales in September bounced back strongly. Home sales are at the highest level in 2 years! And, here in my home town, Wilmington NC real estate is on the move, as well.

$8000 Tax Credit

NAR chief economist, said favorable conditions matched with a tax credit are boosting home sales. “Much of the momentum is from people responding to the first-time buyer tax credit, which is freeing many sellers to make a trade and buy another home,” he said. “We are hopeful the tax credit will be extended and possibly expanded to more buyers, at least through the middle of next year, because the rising sales momentum needs to continue for a few additional quarters until we reach a point of a self-sustaining recovery.”

Adding to the real estate market recovery is that home affordability is the best it has been since 1970. And, with the added $8000 tax credit. Buyers are jumping in to take advantage of this once in a life time opportunity.

The market housing supply is the lowest it has been in over  two years nationwide and that in itself is a strong signal that the market is on the rebound.

Wilmington NC Real Estate

Don’t wait to take advantage of this great time to buy real estate, start your search today online at www.cbbaker.com. You can search homes in Wilmington, NC by price range, neighborhoods, zip code, schools, map and more. And, please contact us for a detailed list of foreclosures and short sales at kaybaker@ec.rr.com or 910 232-0363. You will receive a list right in your inbox or on your mobile phone.