If  spring cleaning is on your to-do list, you’re not alone. A study conducted by International Communications Research for the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) found that 66% of Americans regularly conduct spring cleaning. According to the survey of 1,000 American men and women, top priority goes to kitchens, living rooms, master bedrooms, and bathrooms.

Cleaning By Gender

The SDA study found those most likely to do spring cleaning were women aged 35 to 54 and men in the 18 to 24 and 55 to 64 age groups. Women reported feeling most rewarded after cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. Men, however, felt most rewarded cleaning garages and basements–the least rewarding choices for women.

Reasons To Clean

“It just needs to be done,” was the answer 53% of spring cleaners chose when asked why they conduct their annual ritual. Other reasons were to: “Get rid of a winter’s worth of dust and dirt” (22%); “It just makes me feel better” (12%); and, “Get organized” (2%).

Rooms By Rank

When asked what their top cleaning priority was, respondents said:

Most Rewarding Cleans

Least Rewards Cleans

Too Busy?

Of the 1,000 respondents, 22% of women and 11% of men said they were too busy to do spring cleaning. To that response, the SDA has some suggestions:

• Put cleaning on your agenda, just as you do professional and personal appointments.
• List your cleaning priorities and the supplies you’ll need to accomplish the jobs.
• Pick up the supplies you need while making your regular rounds to grocery and drug stores.

Convenience Sells

The report indicated single-use wipes and dust mitts have gained popularity for their ease of use and disposability. Such products are now available for glass, furniture, floors, and even leather upholstery. All-in-one electro-static mops have also found a strong market. Another increasingly popular product: all-in-one battery-operated floor cleaning appliances with cleaning pads and all-purpose cleaning solutions.

Today’s housing market is challenging. That’s a given. It’s tough on buyers and sellers alike, who are anxious, not knowing where the real estate market is going next. They both want — and often need — a great deal whether they are buying or selling. Our current real estate market requires a special perspective no matter which side of the settlement table you are on. The rates inched up a bit last week, and the market has been hot.  If you have been waiting for interest rates to get better and home prices to fall, then you might get left out of the chance to buy.

Savvy buyers can readily find a lot to love in today’s market. Buyers feel the love from low interest rates and competitive prices to a huge selection of homes and incredible investment opportunities. Look past the national headlines — which are gloomy at best and don’t apply at worst — to our local real estate market. Here is where buyers benefit the most when the going is tough. Unless, of course, you wait and miss out.

Smart sellers, on the other hand, can benefit from a buyer’s market as well. Successful home sellers in today’s market know they must price their home correctly and be flexible. Providing a buyer with a great deal on their home opens the door for sellers to move on to their own next step — whether it’s moving up, downsizing or relocating. Smart sellers also know what they may give up on price, they can make up — and then some — on their next home purchase. That’s another bright side of today’s real estate market.

Take a moment to learn the seven reasons why it’s a great time to buy a home. And, be sure to contact us when you’re ready to make a move.

1. Loving Low Interest Rates
Historically low interest rates continue to allow home buyers to afford more home for their money. Lower interest rates reduce your monthly payment and increase your buying power. Locking in at a low, fixed-interest rate means your monthly loan payment will never change over the course of your loan.

2. Embracing Investment Property
Even if you’re not in the market to buy a primary residence, you should take a look at the properties available for sale as investments. With ever-increasing numbers of families looking to rent, it’s an opportune time to invest in a rental property. Being a landlord can be a rewarding experience when you find the perfect property.

3. Attractive Home Prices
Home prices have never looked better! Many sellers are motivated to get their homes sold and are pricing accordingly. Don’t be afraid to make an offer on a home or to work with us to negotiate a great price on a great home.

4. Wondrous Selection Of Homes
If your “needs and wants list” of home features can’t be contained, now is the time to be looking at homes. The selection available in our area is outstanding. No matter what your budget, family size or life stage, we can help you find the home that fits.

5. Digging Distressed Properties
Others’ foreclosures, bank-owned and short-sale properties can be the key to your next home. Don’t overlook distressed properties, as you may uncover a hidden gem priced right so you can make upgrades and improvements without breaking your budget. Distressed doesn’t always mean a steal, but it can often lead to a great deal.

6. Engaging Your Financial Options
If you’re tired of seeing your savings yo-yo in the volatile stock market, real estate is a great asset balancer. Consult your financial professional to make sure you have the savings to spare. When you’re ready, we can help you find great investment property or a home to buy for all-cash if you desire.

7. Winning Over Motivated Sellers
Successful sellers keep the market going. Homeowners are eager to sell their homes to buyers who make realistic offers. It’s a crowded market for sellers, but the ones who are motivated will offer a great price and may throw in incentives (e.g., helping with closing costs, etc.) or much-valued sweeteners — such as a home warranty — that are as good as cash.

8. Professional Partner
When you’re buying or selling a home, it’s difficult to go it alone. We can help you every step of the way when it comes to getting a great deal on a new home. Feel free to contact us anytime you’re ready to jump into our real estate market to buy or sell. We’d love to work with you!

Thinking of updating your kitchen? Re-doing your bath? Adding on to your home? Most likely, you’ll need to hire a home improvement contractor.

You can start your search for a contractor by talking to friends, family members or neighbors who have used a contractor recently. Ask if they would recommend the person or firm they used. To verify each contractor’s reputation, ask these questions:

• Did the contractor begin and end on time?
• Did the contractor try to minimize disruption of your family? How?
• How do you score the contractor on both technical expertise and finished appearance of the project?
• Did the contractor work neatly and clean up at the end of each workday?

Once you have a list of prospective contractors, do some research on your project by reading do-it-yourself magazines and manuals. You don’t need to know how to do the job yourself, you just need an idea of the work involved.

Now it’s time to ask at least three contractors to bid on your project. As you talk through the proposed improvement, ask what special or unexpected problems could arise and ask how the contractor would resolve them. If a contractor is vague or dismisses your question, scratch him off your list.

When adding rooms, rearranging the kitchen, moving walls or performing other major improvements, spend the extra money for a design professional. Be sure anyone who works on your house is licensed and insured.

Once you receive the bids, review them carefully. Don’t automatically go with the lowest bidder. You may get a better job or the contractor may use better materials when you pay a little more.

Write the contract to include exactly what the project will entail, how much it will cost, and at what points payments will be made; how changes in plans will be handled; the quality of materials to be used; the beginning and ending dates and sanctions for tardiness.

Keep on top of the project, checking progress and the quality of workmanship. If you are unhappy with something, talk to the contractor immediately. Make sure all changes from the original contract are made in writing and keep in mind that changes may affect the schedule and delay completion.

If possible, have your chosen contractor do a small job first, so you can learn first-hand the quality of work and what it’s like to have that person temporarily take over a part of your home.

We have concierge list of contractors in the Wilmington NC area that we would be glad to share with you.  Just email me at kaybaker@ec.rr.com and we will get it right out to you.

Have fun with your project!

Riverfest logo 2011 from www.wilmingtonriverfest.com

The first Riverfest was October 1979.  A group of Wilmingtonian’s who were interested in the arts and wanted to resurrect the feeling of community in Downtown Wilmington brainstormed on how to bring back the alive nature of the downtown riverfront.  The area had become in disrepair and not family friendly.  The beautiful old buildings and the setting on the Cape Fear River deserved something better than the current conditions in the 1970′s.  The group of 40 volunteers put together the first Riverfest  with a budget of $5,500 (all donations).  This would be a free festival and would include trolley rides, 4 concessions and fireworks.  It was a huge success, thereby starting the tradition of holding the Riverfest every year since then on the first week of October.  This years festivities have grown even larger than past celebrations.

According to the Riverfest 2011 Reflections website ”

Over thirty years later Riverfest consists of: Twenty plus committees, over 300 volunteers, a budget of $90,000, over 200 craft vendors, 35 concessions booths, entertainment on various stages, Saturday night fireworks, Run the River 8K, the Great Wine Waiter’s Race, A Children’s Area, and more than 6 sporting events with contests for all ages. The end result is a half mile of free family entertainment, dependant on sponsorships and donations from community businesses and organizations. The economic impact on Riverfest on the surrounding community has been estimated at over three million dollars with attendance in excess of 100,000 per year.

As delightful as the festival outcome is, the end result is awarding of scholarships for marine related studies at Cape Fear Community College. The ultimate goal of Riverfest is to increase the amount of scholarship funds each year to Cape Fear Community College.”

It is wonderful to see such a great event in the fall in Wilmington NC.  The arts, cultural scene, music scene and the picturesque background of the city, is something not all cities can boast about.  Please join us in celebrating this years Riverfest ~ Reflections on the River October 7th – 9th.  For all the highlights and schedules please visit  www.wilmingtonriverfest.com

If you see any historic homes or any neighborhoods  that catch your interest, give us a call and we can show you the homes available in the area.  Feel free to visit http://www.cbbaker.com or text 14059 to 44133 to view listings on your phone.  Above all, welcome to our town and may you feel the Southern Hospitality all weekend.  Enjoy.

More Credit Score and Credit Report Transparency | Mortgage Match News.

According to Mortgage Match new rules will make it mandatory for Mortgage Lenders to give mortgage applicants credit scores and credit report factors used during the loan application process.  If a Mortgage Lender quotes an applicant an interest rate and points that the loan will cost and there is a difference between interest rate and costs quoted to other applicants the loan officers will be required by Federal law as of July 21 to:

“–Tell you that you received a less favorable offer because of negative information in your credit bureau files;

–Provide you the actual credit scores used for your rate quote;

–Disclose the name and contact information of the credit reporting company that supplied the scores that led to your less favorable quote;

–Provide consumer education materials explaining credit scores, how they are used, and how your own score ranks against other applicants, plus the credit file factors that may have depressed your score. For example, if maxed-out credit cards and late payments are in your files, they could play significant roles in lowering your credit scores” per Mortgage Match.

The applicants will be able to have access to their credit report and the whole loan application process will become more transparent for the applicant.  Consumer education materials will be available for the applicant, so they can see why they were turned down, or received a higher interest rate.  They will have the right to obtain a  free credit report if turned down for the loan.

We’ve all thought about it while lying on the beach or inhaling the fresh mountain air: “Why don’t we buy a vacation home?” Owning a vacation home can be a good decision if you buy smart.

They provide another investment that includes a mortgage-interest tax deduction.

Whether you rent it out or not, you can deduct the mortgage interest as long as you use the home more than 14 days or more than 10% of the number of days the home is rented annually at a fair rental, whichever is longer.

Qualified second homes include houses, condominiums, cooperatives, mobile homes, house trailers, boats or similar properties that have sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities.

Here’s an interesting twist on the mortgage interest deduction: If you take out a home equity loan on your first home and use the funds to acquire your second home, the interest on the home equity loan is also deductible. That’s three mortgage interest deductions off your tax return!

Consult IRS Publication 936 for a complete discussion of how mortgage interest for a second home is deductible.

You can purchase your future retirement home in Wilmington NC now, at today’s prices.

Though your second home may be a vacation home now, if you buy right you can convert it into your principal residence later.

They can produce their own income.

Renting out a second home occasionally or often can help you pay for the property with OPM (other people’s money). Check with your tax advisor about how much of the upkeep and management expenses are deductible against your income.

Buying Tips From The Experts

Buy something within a reasonable distance.

Be sure you can get to your vacation home in a short amount of time. Before you make a final decision, travel the distance on a typical Friday afternoon to see whether the drive will be too much to deal with after a long work week.

Rent in the area several times before you buy.

If you really like a particular area, check it out during different seasons. This way you get to know the climate, people, pests, traffic patterns and other regional particulars first-hand.

Consult other owners.

Check with owners of nearby properties about public and private facilities, special maintenance required due to location or weather, the social climate, local development plans and prevalence of crime. Learning about the lifestyle of the area may help you narrow down your choices.

Think home first, investment second.

Although you may be able to generate rental income from your vacation home, it may not cover your ownership costs. (If you want to try real estate investments, give us a call to look at properties in the Wilmington NC  local area.)

Consider different styles of properties in a vacation area.

To minimize upkeep and have a more secure environment, a condo may be preferable to a single-family home. If you plan on converting it to a retirement home, consider what type of home you’ll want as a full-time residence.

Here are some of the current Wilmington NC real waterfront/waterview real estate  in our area.

Priced from 100,000 – 200,000  Click here

Priced from 200,000- 400,000  Click here

Priced from 400,00 -600,000  Click here

Priced from 600,000 – Click here

To search all properties please visit www.cbbaker.com

With the beautiful weather, scenery and talent here in Wilmington NC, what do you think one of  our favorite things to do in the summer is?  Listen to music outdoors of course.  The venues have just started and will continue throughout the summer months.  The Star News compiled the list so we just have to look in one place.  Please bookmark this post so that you can look at the schedule weekly.  Take time to enjoy and relax.  You deserve it. 

Airlie Concert Series

Location:Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington

Times: 6-8 p.m. every other Friday, May 20-Sept. 16

Details:$8 adults, $2 children, free for Airlie members. General admission parking is off-site. Free parking and shuttles provided from the old Cinema 6, 5335 Oleander Drive. Picnics welcome.

Contact: 798-7700

SCHEDULE

June 3: Grenoldo Frazier (jazz, showtunes)

June 17: Da Howlies (Hawaiian)

July 1: The Imitations

July 15: The Dynamic Thermotones (blues)

Aug. 5: Stardust

Aug. 19: L Shape Lot (folk, country)

Sept. 2: Stephanie Nakasian and the Hod O’Brien Trio (jazz)

Sept. 16: 360 Degrees

Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Location: Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Times: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays, followed by fireworks

Details: Free, adjacent to amusement park.

Contact: 458-8434

SCHEDULE

Still waiting for these guys to get back to us on their schedule. Feel free to post below if you know it.

Carolina Beach Free Summer Concert Series

Location:Air Force Recreation Area, Kure Beach

Times: 6:30-9:30 p.m. every other Friday, June 10-Aug. 26

Details: Free. Bring blankets, chairs and picnics but no pets or beverages. Beverages will be for sale.

Contact: 458-8434

SCHEDULE

June 10: Live Bait (classic rock, blues)

June 24: BLP (classic rock and dance)

July 8: South of K (bluegrass)

July 22: Cowboy Chrome (country rock, blues)

Aug. 18: Spare Change (beach, classic roc, country)

Aug. 26: The Mako Band (beach, boogie and blues)

Concerts on the Coast

Location: Leland Municipal Complex Park, 102 Town Hall Drive

Times: 6:30-8 p.m.

Details: Free. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets.

Contact: 332-4818

Schedule

June 30: UBU (party band with three female vocalists)

July 14: The Main Event (party band with horn section)

July 28: Central Park Band (dance)

Concert in the Park

Location:Soundside Park, next to the swing bridge in Surf City

Times: 6-8 p.m.

Details: Free. Snacks and drinks available. Parking is limited. No alcohol. July 3 concert is 6-9 p.m., followed by fireworks.

Contact: 329-4446

SCHEDULE

May 20: Dixon Middle School Jazz Band

May 27: The Mako Band

June 10: Lucia & Levi

June 13: Langley Winds

June 24: Stump Sound Ramblers

July 2: Longo & Co.

July 3: Mark Roberts & Breeze

July 8: Highway 17 Band

July 22: Sea Pans

Aug. 5: Camouflage

Aug. 19: Pamlico Joe & Clean Water Flow

Sept. 2: James Rimes and Friends

Downtown Sundown

Location: Riverfront Park, Water Street between Front and Princess streets in downtown Wilmington

Times: 6-10 p.m. Fridays, May 27-Sept. 2

Details: Free. Beer, wine and food available. Rain or shine.

SCHEDULE

May 27: Appetite for Destruction (GnR tribute)

June 3: The Breakfast Club (80′s tribute)

June 10: Frontiers (Journey tribute

June 17: Funky Monks (Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute)

June 24: SRVT (Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute)

July 1: ZOSO (Led Zeppelin tribute)

July 8: UV (U2 tribute)

July 15: Girlz Girlz Girlz (80′s hair metal tribute)

July 22: Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi tribute)

July 29: Cosmic Charlie (Grateful Dead tribute)

Aug. 5: Dave Matthews Tribute Band

Aug. 12: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones tribute)

Aug. 19: Onward, Soldiers (rock, Americana)

Aug. 26: Machine Gun (rock covers)

Sept. 2: Tuesday’s Gone (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute)

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

Location: 1941 Amphitheater Drive, Wilmington

Times and details: Vary

SCHEDULE

July 3: JJ Grey & Mofro

July 7: Dark Star Orchestra

July 10: Jack’s Mannequin

July 24: Donovan Frankenreiter

Aug. 14: Bela Fleck and The Flecktones

Jazz at the Mansion

Location: Bellamy Mansion, 503 Market St., downtown Wilmington

Times: 6:30-8 p.m., the second Friday of each month through September

Details: Bring a picnic and blanket and enjoy the show. $12 non-members/$8 members of CF Jazz Society or Bellamy Mansion. Wine and beer for sale.

Contact: 251-3700

SCHEDULE

June 10: Mike Waddell & Bob Russell

July 8: Melodious Thunk (feat. Susan Savia)

August 12: Jack Krupicka & Julie Rehyder

Sept. 9: Liz Pina & Kevin Kolb

Mayfaire Music on the Town

Location:Mayfaire event field behind Ulta and World Market

Times: 6-9 p.m. Fridays

Details: Free. Bring a blanket or chair. Food, beverages and kids’ activities available.

Contact: 256-5131

SCHEDULE

May 20: Jam SandWich (Southern/classic rock)

May 27: Beach Billy Brothers (country rock and blues)

June 3: BLP (classic and modern rock)

June 10: Selah Dub (reggae, surf and rock)

June 17: Mako (variety)

June 24: Live Bait (acoustic rock)

July 1: Jim Quick & the Coastline Band (blues, soul, R&B)

July 8: The Other Guys (acoustic rock)

July 15: The M-80′s (‘80s covers)

July 22: Phantom Playboys (rockabilly)

July 29: Painted Man (funk, R&B, rock)

Aug. 5: Soul Power Posse (funk, soul)

Sept. 2: Blivet (eclectic rock)

Music in the Courtyard

Location: Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St., Wilmington

Times: 7-8 p.m.

Details: $8, $5 for museum members. Concert held indoors in the event of inclement weather. Beverages available.

Contact: 395-5999

SCHEDULE

June 2: The Workshop (jazz, R&B)

July 7: El Jaye Johnson & The Port City All-Stars (jazz, blues, funk and more)

Aufg. 4: Lisa & Galen (acoustic)

Ocean Isle Beach Concert Series

Location:Parking lot of the Museum of Coastal Carolinas, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach

Times: 6:30-8 p.m. Fridays, May 27-Sept. 2

Details: Free

SCHEDULE

May 27: The Entertainers

June 3: Northern Borders

June 10: The Imitations

June 17: Mark Roberts & the Breeze

June 24: Gold Rush

July 1: Holiday Band

July 8: Craig Woolard Band

July 15: Continental Divide

July 22: Band of OZ

July 29: Tim Clark Band

Aug. 5: The Imitations

Aug. 12: Legends of the Beach

Aug. 19: Sea Cruz

Aug. 26: Carolina Breakers

Sept. 2: Craig Woolard Band

WECT’s Sounds of Summer

Location:Wrightsville Beach Park

Times: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. June 23, July 7 and 21, and Aug. 4

Details: Free. Bring blankets, chairs, picnics. Concerts cancelled due to weather will be rescheduled for the following Thursday

Contact: 791-8070

SCHEDULE

June 23: Key Lime Pie (tropical rock)

July 7: The M-80s

July 21: Selah Dubb (rock, reggae)

Aug. 4: The Imitations (beach, Motown)

Details: Free. Bring blankets, chairs, picnics. Concerts cancelled due to weather will be rescheduled for the following Thursday.

Please come visit our great town and enjoy what it has to offer.  If you would like to look at Wilmington NC real estate, please visit www.cbbaker.com and search by map, neighborhood, street and more.  Happy Summer.

If you find that you are in need of help with your own home financial situation, or you would like to help someone out of their financial situation by purchasing a short sale,  rely on us to help.  Certified Distressed Property Expert can guide you through the selling and the buying process in a far more knowledgeable and timely process than doing it yourself.  Contact us NOW, by signing in below and we will contact you immediately to start the process of selling your home as a short sale or  looking for short sales to purchase. A free list of current short sales and foreclosures will be emailed to you.  Please sign in here.  http://www.cbbaker.com/shortsales.php

Photo from DariusRucker.com

The party is getting started…. The 64th annual Azalea Festival will be held April 6- 10, 2011 in Wilmington NC.  Darius Rucker has been announced as the the headliner for the concert on April 6 at Trask Coliseum to open up the festivities.  Rucker was previously with Hootie and the Blowfish, before he set out on his own.  Deep voiced country music is what you will enjoy at the concert.  The other celebrities are Wilmington’s own  Tampa Bay Buccaneers place kicker and John T. Hoggard High School graduate Connor Barth; Miss North Carolina 2010 Adrienne Leigh Core; Emmy Award-winning actress and soap opera star Leann Hunley, who played the cougar-ish Tamara Jacobs on filmed-in-Wilmington TV series “Dawson’s Creek”; USS Gravely Commander Douglas Kunzman, making his second festival appearance; and Chris Lambton, who appeared on the ABC reality show “The Bachelorette.” The Avett Brothers are headlining a concert on April 8, and that show is sold out.

To listen to a hit “Come Back” song from Darius, click here.

The Azalea Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Wilmington NC and has for 64 years drawn many celebrities including headmaster Ronald Reagan.  Please join us in a great tradition.  Tickets for the concert are avaliable starting Saturday Feb. 12 at http://www.ncazaleafestival.org

While you are in town text 14059 to 44133 to search Wilmington NC real estate, or visit www.cbbaker.com.