Wilmington NC Real Estate Guide

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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.

The Wilmington NC real estate market made a maj0r accomplishment in September by not only beating August sales, but also sales increased over August 2008 numbers! The Wilmington market has not seen this kind of increase in 3 years, according to WRAR records.

This could indicate a bottom for our market and a major turnaround if these numbers can hold out for a few months or so.

The sales volume was $104.67 Million and September 2008 was $88 Million. $264,340 was the average sales price for September as opposed to $235,528 for August 2008.

Of course, a lot of the increase could be attributed to the $8000 tax credit due to expire in November. If you are thinking of buying a home now and want to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity, please give us a call or email kaybaker@ec.rr.com. We can send you a detailed list of homes for sale in the Wilmington area and even foreclosures and short sale opportunities. You may also log on to my websites at www.cbbaker.com or www.kaybakerwilmington.com to search all Wilmington NC real estate.

Many of you have asked about economic conditions in the Wilmington NC area.

Here are a few as stated in the Star News.

Home sale prices

Average Price of Homes Closed $234,988; $271,800 in 2008

Median Price of Homes Closed $183,233; $204,939 in 2008

Unemployment for August 2009

North Carolina 10.8%; 6.6% in 2008

Wilmingon Metro 9.7%; 6.1% in 2008

New Hanover County 9%; 5.6% in 2008

Brunswick County 10.6%; 6.9% in 2008

Pender County 11.1%; 6.4% in 2008

If you are interested in finding out more details about the Wilmington NC real estate market, such as foreclosures or short sale opportunities, please email kaybaker@ec.rr.com or call 910 232-0363. We can send a detailed list right to your inbox. You may also log on to my website at www.cbbaker.com to search all homes in Wilmington, NC.

Windward Oaks

One of the most popular upscale family neighborhoods in Wilmington, NC is Windward Oaks. Just the charm of the winding streets and southern diverse architecture is enough to get you driving out to see this premier neighborhood nestled off Masonboro Sound Road. It is so close to the waterway that you can hear boats go by on most days. There are marinas close by for boating enthusiasts.

Homes for Sale in Windward Oaks

Presently there are 14 homes for sale in Windward Oaks ranging in price from $450,000-$775,000. In the past year, there have been five homes sold from $436,000 to $635,000.

6808 Hardscrabble Court is an absolutely breathtaking custom built Frank Betz design. The detailed moldings, upgrades and Australian Cypress flooring downstairs are unbelievable. The custom wet bar is handcrafted  with granite and copper. The true  gourmet kitchen has center island bar with granite, 6 burner gas cooktop, with adjacent relaxing sitting/keeping room,  breakfast room and screened porch. The luxurious master suite is on the first floor with walk-in shower and whirlpool. Theater room is on the second floor with 3 additional bedrooms. Complete home office located on the first floor. Covered rear porch overlooks tropical paradise with inground, fiberglass pool, pool house storage and bath, outdoor shower and professionally landscaped grounds. This home truly has it all!

If you are looking to purchase Wilmington, NC real estate, please contact me at kaybaker@ec.rr.com or 910-232-0363. I will be happy to send you a detailed list of homes that suit your needs. We also have foreclosures and short sales that may fit your search criteria. I can send those, as well.  And, please log on to my website at www.cbbaker.com to search all real estate in the area including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Topsail Beach and more!

Announcing another Coldwell Banker Sea Coast innovative marketing tool that will show sellers in “real time” for every 7 days worth of exposure how many views their home has received on the Sea Coast Web Site.  Reports can be sent out daily or weekly automatically.   The SC Seller Web Advantage is a unique and great tool that will breakdown the viewing traffic in a variety of ad spots.

1. Listing agents profile page with their properties

2. Viewed as a “Featured Property” (Home page for Sea Coast )
3. How many times the home is clicked on for “more” details.
4.  How many times your home was in a “search” result ( eg neighborhood, price)

The report is visually easy to read with graphs, and text details.    

The other report is a Market Comparative analysis report on your home.  This is just to see what is selling around you, in different price ranges, either by zip code or by map.

A complete breakdown of traffic on your listing from SeaCoastRealty.com for every 7,30, and 240 days.

·         Agent Listings – How many times it shows up under an agents, “My Properties”.

·         Featured Property – How many times it is featured on SeaCoastRealty.com.

·         Property Detail – How many times the property detail page is viewed for that listing.

·         Property Results – How many times your listing was returned in a search result.

The report includes not only a text layout but also a very nice Pie Graph to visually compare traffic information.

If you are thinking about selling your home in Wilmington, NC, why not let the most innovative and aggressive marketing team go to work for you? Call or email Kay Baker at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty now. She knows more about the Wilmington NC real estate market!

Area Home Sales Remain Strong

Home sales in the Wilmington NC area rose for the third month in July. The total for July was 435 in comparison to 416 for June. The average sales price was $274,832 versus June at $256,616 and July 2008 was $246,437.

Lenders are still remaining very strict for many home buyers in the area. Large down payments are required in some cases. But, the $8000 tax credit is giving a boost to first time home buyers. Home builders are asking Congress to extend the credit for another year and to include more home buyers.

If you are thinking about purchasing a home in the area, please do not hesitate to give us a call or email at kay@cbbaker.com. You can also search by price, map, schools, size, zip code, city and more right on my website at www.cbbaker.com.