Figure Eight Island, NC

Figure Eight Island, NC is located just north of Wrightsville Beach, NC . It is a private island, only accessible by a swing-bridge with a gatehouse and is bordered by the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The island consists of 1300 acres and approximately 441 homes. Before the turn of the century,  Figure Eight  was only home to horses roaming on the dunes. Figure Eight Island today is a beautiful coastal community offering the ultimate in privacy and security and just minutes from the conveniences of Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, NC. Figure Eight remains untouched by commercial developments like hotels and shopping centers, although there are many conveniently located nearby. Read the rest of this entry

An Ounce Of Prevention

Sometimes a $1,000 disaster can be prevented with a $4 hose. That’s the finding of many Wilmington NC homeowners who end up paying a lot for repairs that could have been prevented with just an ounce of inexpensive prevention.

One of the best places to check first is any place in your home that can be damaged by water. A survey by the American Society of Home Inspectors found that 40% of home maintenance problems are related to water. Water seeping into the basement or crawlspace, leaks from neglected washer and dishwasher hoses, and leaking pipes can leave you wet and poor.

Pay attention to the following items in your home regularly:

Water Threats
• Check for leaks from appliance hoses (washer and dishwasher), connections to the hot water heater and humidifier, outside spigots, exposed plumbing. Tighten all connections.

• After a heavy rain, check for water in attics, basements and crawlspaces. Make repairs as soon as the area is dry.

• Backed-up gutters can cause water to seep back up into the attic. The solution is simple, though: regularly remove leaves and debris from the gutter system.

Electrical System
• Check the circuit breakers about every six months.

• Check switches when lights seem to blink when the switch is touched.

• Keep wall-socket plates secure and replace broken ones.

A/C and Heating System
• Check these systems at least once a year; have them cleaned and serviced. You could save thousands in repair/replacement bills later, and improve operating efficiency thereby lowering monthly costs.

• If you have a fireplace, make sure it is professionally inspected and cleaned annually. Wood-burning fireplaces can cause creosote to build up in their chimneys–a dangerous fire hazard.

To Search all Wilmington NC real estate please visit www.cbbaker.com

 The 6th Annual Justice 4 ALL day will be this Friday March 1, 2012 from 7 am – to 7pm. 

North Carolina residents may call in with any legal question they may have and they may be offered referral resources.  The NC Bar lawyers will have the phones manned with volunteers.  There are  7 call centers in NC.  These are the numbers to call for your area of the State.

N.C. residents who reside in the viewing area of the stations are encouraged to call the toll-free numbers and view coverage of the event throughout the day. Personal visits are not permitted, and calls to the call center’s normal phone numbers cannot be transferred. Asheville: (800) 289-0013; Charlotte: (866) 616-4255; Greensboro: (877) 391-6179; Greenville: (888) 616-0614; Raleigh: (800) 424-9725; Wilmington: (888) 442-3428; Spanish-Language Call Center: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., (855) 455-4255.

If you need Real Estate advice, please call us 800-497-7325-3607 or email bakerwayneassociates@ec.rr.com – please visit  www.cbbaker.com

The Market has been hot and the inventory is low.

Right Sales Price For Seller Is Buyer’s Call

Proper pricing is critical to a timely sale in any market. Yet, some home sellers today still want to set their price in relation to what their neighbors have sold for or are asking now, sometimes ignoring current market conditions and the differences between homes. When pricing a home — especially in today’s housing market — we find it’s helpful for sellers to understand what governs a buyer’s decision to purchase.

Here’s a quick look at how buyers view price:

• Monthly payments are usually more important to buyers than the sales price.

• The “out of pocket” cash needed at settlement/closing is a big factor with buyers.

• All buyers want to cash in on a good deal.

• Buyers have often shopped the competition and know how your home compares.

• Buyers recognize value and shy away from overpriced homes.

• Buyers don’t want to pay for your mistakes (paying too much when you purchased, over-improving the home, poor-quality remodeling jobs, etc.).

• Buyers have no interest in how much money you need to realize from the sale to make your next move.

• Buyers who work with a buyer’s agent mean business. They are ready to negotiate and close a deal.

Look at your competition and compare… www.cbbaker.com for all your Wilmington NC real estate needs.

You’re someone who knows the value of real estate.

Like you, our clients have seen their personal residence grow in value over the years. They know the only thing better than one valuable property is two valuable properties. The secret is timing. Knowing when to buy BEFORE demand sends prices up.

That’s exactly what experts are predicting will happen to vacation homes soon. In fact, every 7 seconds a baby boomer turns 50, and these “boomers” are beginning to influence second home demand. There has never been a better time than now to buy a second home.

As a neighborhood real estate specialist, we don’t sell beyond our market. But once we know your interests, we’d be happy personally to put you in touch with a pro in the best position to help you. Please give us a call soon. Looking forward to talking with you.

P.S. In the meantime, you can get immediate, expert advice on finding the perfect vacation home to fit you lifesytle. Click here now for our FREE e-Report, PLAY SMART: Savvy Tips On Buying A Vacation Home. You’ll be glad you did!

Start your Wilmington NC real estate search on www.cbbaker.com or on your phone at mobile.cbbaker.com

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Great news for Wilmington NC real estate!  January 2013 numbers are in and the market is looking great compared to January 2012 .  All the numbers are up except Days on Market, which is a great thing.  It looks like the market is slowly climbing back up.

For all the stats from prior year please visit here….

To view our local real estate market, please visit www.cbbaker.com.  The market has been hot.  Homes are getting multiple offers, which is something we have not seen in awhile.  Looking forward to a healthy spring and summer.

Great news for the Wilmington NC real estate market.  Just released ~

By R.J. Alex, 2013 President, Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors®

When analyzing six major zip codes in our region – 28403, 28405, 28409, 28411, 28412 and 28451 – an average of the zip codes for the fourth quarter of 2012 shows that:

• Our list to sales price ratio for 4th Quarter is 96.1%, an increase from 94.1% for 4th Quarter 2011.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th Quarter was 121 days, compared to 158 days for 4th Quarter 2011.
• The median sold price of $189,000 for 4th Quarter has increased 5.0% from 4th Quarter 2011.
• Our average sales price has decreased by 2.8% from 4th Quarter 2011.
• Of the 847 sellers in 4th Quarter – 30.4% paid some sort of concession toward the purchase of the house.
• The average list price of the sold properties is $233,703 and is down 4.8% from 4th Quarter 2011.

The areas of focus in this analysis were:  

• Selling Price – The price the seller accepts for his or her house.
• Sellers Concessions – The amount of money a seller of a house contributes toward the buyers purchase.
• List to Sales Price Ratio – The difference between the list price and the selling price shown as a percentage.
• Days on Market – The number of days a house remains for sale, from the listing date to the date the property is placed under contract.
• List Price – The amount of money a home is listed on the market.
• Median Price – The middle price of all the properties sold in the given time period

28403 Zip Code

• The average selling price, of $193,951 has decreased 9.3% from 4th Quarter 2011 average selling price of $213,785.
• 21% of sellers paid a concession, compared to 25% in 4th Quarter 2011. The best of all zip codes.
• The average list price of $206,816 has decreased 11.0% from 4th Quarter 2011 average list price of $232,379.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th Quarter was 161 days, compared to 181 days for 4th Quarter 2011.
• The median sold price of $162,500 for 4th Quarter has increased 2.5% from 4th Quarter 2011.
• Sold homes in the 4th Quarter received 93.7% of the asking price, an increase from 92.0% for 4th Quarter 2011.

28405 Zip Code

• The average selling price, of $264,738 has decreased .01% from 4th Quarter 2011 average selling price of $264,936.
• 26% of sellers in 4th Quarter paid a concession, compared to 22% for 4th Quarter 2011.
• The average list price of $284,578 for 4th Quarter has decreased .09% from 4th Quarter 2011 average list price of $287,135.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th Quarter was 130 days, compared to 182 days for 4th Quarter 2011.
• The median sold price of $150,000 for 4th Quarter has decreased 9.1% from 4th Quarter 2011.
• Sold homes in 4th Quarter received 93.03% of the asking price, an increase from 92.2% for 4th Quarter 2011.

28409 Zip Code

• The average selling price, of $252,711 has decreased 4.0% from 4th Quarter 2011 average selling price of $263,235.
• 35% of sellers in 4th Quarter paid a concession, compared to 33% in 4th Quarter 2011.
• The average list price of $258,589 for 4th Quarter has decreased 8.0% over 4th Quarter 2011 average list price of $281,212.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th Quarter was 87 days, compared to 142 days for 4th Quarter 2011. The best of all zip codes.
• The median sold price of $227,121 for 4th Quarter has decreased 13.0% from 4th Quarter 2011.
• Sold homes in 4th Quarter received 97.7% of the asking price, an increase from 93.6% from 4th Quarter 2011.

28411 Zip Code

• The average selling price, of $262,073 has increased 3.6% from 4th Quarter 2011 average selling price of $253,001. The best of all zip codes.
• 45% of sellers in 4th Quarter paid a concession, compared to 45% in 4th Quarter 2011.
• The average list price of $273,299 for 4th Quarter has increased 1.6% over 4th Quarter 2011 average list price of $269,054. The best of all zip codes.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th Quarter was 109 days, compared to 177 days for 4th Quarter 2011.
• The median sold price of $240,500 for 4th Quarter has increased 20.6% from 4th Quarter 2011. The best of all zip codes.
• Sold homes in 4th Quarter received 95.8% of the asking price, an increase from 94.03% for 4th Quarter 2011.

28412 Zip Code

• The average selling price, of $181,470 has increased 2.0% over 4th Quarter 2011 average selling price of $177,917.
• 29% of sellers in 4th Quarter paid a concession, compared to 31% in 4th Quarter 2011.
• The average list price of $188,012 for 4th Quarter has increased 1.2% over 4th Quarter 2011 average list price of $185,863.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th Quarter was 115 days, compared to 157 days for 4th Quarter 2011.
• The median sold price of $165,000 for 4th Quarter has increased 13.0% from 4th Quarter 2011.
• Sold homes in 4th Quarter received 96.52% of the asking price, an increase from 95.7% for 4th Quarter 2011.

28451 Zip Code

• The average selling price, of $205,675 has decreased 7.6% from 4th Quarter 2011 average selling price of $222,492.
• 23% of sellers in 4th Quarter paid a concession, compared to 33% in 4th Quarter 2011.
• The average list price of $209,787 for 4th Quarter has decreased 8.7% over 4th Quarter 2011 average list price of $229,874.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 4th Quarter was 132 days, compared to 115 days for 4th Quarter 2011.
• The median sold price of $195,940 for 4th Quarter has increased .01% from 4th Quarter 2011.  
• Sold homes in 4th Quarter received 98.0% of the asking price, an increase from 96.79% for 4th Quarter 2011. The best of all zip codes.

Summary for Real Estate Consumers
As we continue on our path to recovery, two out of six zip codes reported an increase in the average sales price. We have four zip codes that have the List to Sales Price Ratio above 95% – this is the second quarter that we have had this ratio. A good sign that real estate is recovering is that clients are getting closer to their asking price. All zip codes, except 28451, reported fewer days on the market by an average of 31 days.

For all the Wilmington NC real estate with buyer and seller advice please visit www.cbbaker.com

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