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.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it is a good idea to purchase a home warranty to give you peace of mind.  If you are selling, you can use the warranty as an incentive for the buyer.  I would highly recommend purchasing a warranty when you purchase Wilmington NC real estate, as this gives you 1 year to make sure things are working as they should.  Of course, a home inspection should be done before you purchase to let you see what exactly you are buying.  Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Realty uses 2-10 Home Buyers Resale Warranty.  If a seller is purchasing a warranty, we can start the warranty at the time of actually listing the house.  The seller is covered during the listing agreement time, and for a extra fee the Seller’s AC/Heat Pump are covered as well.

Provided at the closing of your home or purchased directly from 2-10 HBW*, this warranty covers normal wear and tear to your home’s major systems (furnace, hot water heater, air conditioner, plumbing and electrical systems) and major appliances (refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, built-in microwave, disposal, trash compactor). Complementary to your homeowner’s insurance, your 2-10 HBW warranty covers the repair or replacement of the most frequent and likely home system and appliance breakdowns.

When a covered system breaks down, simply place a claim online or call their toll-free number, and we will immediately dispatch a contractor to make the repair. You pay the contractor a small service fee and we pay the rest for all covered items. You don’t have to hassle with finding a contractor or worry about negotiating the cost of the repair work. In the event that a covered system or appliance cannot be repaired, we will replace it with a system or appliance of comparable or better quality. It’s the perfect solution for today’s busy homeowner.  There are warranty plans for existing homeowners who are not planning on selling as well.

For more information please visit http://www.cbbaker.com/pages.php?page=152

New Hanover County loves technology… The New Hanover County government is on the cutting edge of new technological advances by utilizing the TV White Space that was abandoned in 2008 with the national launch of digital TV.  Wilmington was the first test city for the use of the non analog device.  The FCC laid ground rules concerning the use of the White Space Spectrum and New Hanover County is the first to utilize the technology.  The first commercial installation of the White Space network was set up at Hugh McCrae park. Phase 2 will include other parks and gardens such as Vetarans Park and Airlie Gardens.  Wi Fi on caffeine will be available.

“Community leaders have been eager to keep the area in the race to develop new technologies and uses since the FCC chose the local television market as the first in the country to transition to digital TV.  New Hanover County and Wilmington are also noted in the FCC’s National Broadband plan as a model of the usability of the spectrum.

New Hanover County has provided network IP cameras, Wi-Fi routers, antennas and other hardware as well as technical installation of the new FCC approved radios.  New Hanover County, city of Wilmington and TVBS have been using white spaces for a number of business applications already, including water quality monitoring and security purposes.

Chaney says the county and city governments collaborated on a pilot project that provided Wi-Fi and video surveillance in the Creekwood housing development.  The county is also using white space to automate the collection of water quality data in environmentally sensitive areas that would have required trenching of wires.

Wilmington NC is getting  a Miracle Field for the new Miracle League.  Accessible Coastal Carolina Events Sports and Services (ACCESS) was started to bring the field to the area. “The overall mission of ACCESS is to not only provide an opportunity for those who have not yet had the chance to experience the power of play and the joy of sports but to also show the importance of inclusion within a community. Creating a place where people of all ages, races, and abilities can actively participate together, will naturally allow relationships to develop as people share interest. More importantly it is opening the door to a better world for everyone.” The Miracle League was started in the late 1990′s in Rockdale Youth Baseball program in Atlanta.  They recognized the need to include all children in a sport regardless of their abilities.  Hence the Miracle Field was started.  People of all abilities and ages could play baseball.  Eventually the fields were made to  have a rubber, non-latex surface that is helpful and safe for persons with any mobility difficulties.  The Wilmington area is excited to participate in such a wonderful project.  The fields will be built at Olson Fields off Murrayville Road. There will be playgrounds for all abilities and restrooms.  The project has raised 87.5% of it’s goal of 1.2 million dollars.  If you would like to donate in someones name as a gift for Christmas, what a great way to honor them.  The Miracle Field is truly a “miracle”  Please watch this video of the Wilmington Miracle Field.  For more information or to donate online, please visit www.miracleleaguewilm.org/

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.  ~Johannes A. Gaertner

We would like to wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  No matter where you may be celebrating this day of thanks, may you be filled with gratitude and good feelings.  This time of year is a time to share your talents and good fortunes.  One of the best good fortunes for you to share is your time.  Our great city has plenty of volunteer opportunities to help those that are less fortunate.  The Wrightsville Beach Magazine has a list of organizations that could use your help.  Get involved, meet new people and share your enthusiasm for our hometown.  Enjoy family and friends and reach out to those who might not have the chance to do the same.  

For a list of opportunities please click the cover photo.

 10/27/2011

Well it is official.  Screen Gems Studio and Wilmington NC will be host to the filming of IRon Man III.  Welcome to our great town.  Enjoy.

So why is Gov. Perdue coming to Wilmington today to Screen Gems Studio to make an announcement?  We shall know at 2:30 pm.  North Carolina beat out Michigan in posssible places to film Iron Man 3.  Aaron Syrett, director of the N.C. Film Office sent out an email last night to members of the state film council about the visit.  The studio has made a call for crew members for another production, rumor has it that it is really for Iron Man 3.  More later after 2:30 today.  Cross those fingers and get ready to say “Welcome to Wilmington Iron Man III” we hope…..

Rumors abound.  According to the Latino Review, a website that reviews and researches films, director Shane Black  is scouting the Wilmington NC area to film Iron Man 3.  The previous versions have all been filmed in Los Angeles and the thought is that the director would like a change of scenery for the sequel.  Screen Gems Studio is home to many movies and television shows.  Currently “One Tree Hill” and “Eastbound and Down” are being filmed in the area.  Colin Firth and Emily Blunt will start filming in the area for ” Arthur Newman – Golf Pro” in October.  If the rumor is true Iron Man will be taking over 10 of Screen Gems sound stages and set designs are rumored to have already started.  Filming should start in June 2012 and the release should be May 3, 2013.  The budget for Iron Man 2 was $200 million and this film should have a similar budget.  We welcome you Shane Black, Robert Downey Jr.  and crew.  You will love Wilmington NC and the creative crew at Screen Gems Studio.  You will also love the people of Wilmington NC, who make the city we live in “perfect”.

If you see the area and want to look at real estate please feel free to search on www.cbbaker.com for virtual tours, videos, photos and more.

photo from movietrailers.com

IDLE EQUITY:

Put Your Home’s Equity To Work

With Six Savvy Strategies

Do you have idle equity sitting in your home that could be building wealth instead? One of the great aspects of homeownership is that you increase your wealth every month by building equity in your home and reducing your tax bill at the same time.

After you’ve been in your home a few years, you may have some equity that you could put to work for you. Even if the property has appreciated by just a few percentage points per year, significant equity can build up fairly quickly. Just be sure you retain enough equity that you’ll be able to pay a real estate agent’s commission when you sell the home.

Home equity loans are the most common means of tapping a home’s value. In states where home equity loans are not allowed, however, you can still put your home’s value to work by refinancing it for more than you currently owe–a “cash out” refinancing.

The first way most homeowners think of using their equity is to pay off high-interest debt. That’s one popular option, but you could also invest that equity in other ways. Here are six more ways to put your equity to work for you.

1. Trade Up

Using your equity as a down payment for a larger home could make financial sense. If you’re in a $200,000 home now and it appreciates by 5% each year, your gain is $10,000 for the first year. In five years, that home would be worth $255,256. But in a $275,000 home, that same 5% growth would be $13,750 for the first year. After five years, the more-expensive home would be worth $350,977 — nearly $100,000 more than the less-expensive home.

Of course, you may not be able to count on 5% appreciation every year. It could be higher or lower, depending on the state of the economy and market conditions. Not to worry, though. Even 2% appreciation will still add up over time.

Using additional equity to trade up will allow you to put a significant amount of money down on your next home. That could allow you to own a home you never could afford before.

2. Downsize

Another way to use your equity is to scale down. With the recent changes in tax laws, homeowners may sell a home every two years and walk away with tax-free profits up to $250,000 (for singles) and $500,000 (for married couples). By scaling down, you can purchase a smaller, less-expensive primary dwelling, and use the extra cash for investments, debt reduction or even purchasing an investment property.

3. Second Home

The real estate market has been fueled during the past few years by retiring baby boomers purchasing second homes. Maybe now is the time to purchase that home on the beach, at the lake or in the mountains. We can refer you to a knowledgeable agent in a resort area to help you with this move.

If you know you’re retiring to a particular area in the next few years, study that market now. You may want to buy the home now while prices are still affordable. If you do, you could rent the home during the peak vacation season. Many second homeowners discover they can just about cover their annual property expenses by renting out during peak season.

4. Investment Property

While the stock market often bounces up and down, many investors feel comfortable with the security of real estate. Not everyone has extra money to play the stock market profitably, but landlords can enjoy income every month. The secret is selecting the right property and finding expert property management if you don’t want to manage the property yourself. We can help with both these issues.

Some buyers have found it beneficial to purchase a property in the area where their college-age children are going to school. Their child can help manage the units and share the housing with other students to defray costs. The young adults learn responsibility and property management skills, and you have a live-in manager to watch over your investment.

5. Shared Equity

Another way to put your idle equity to work is to lend it to an adult child as a down payment for his or her first home. Some parents maintain a co-ownership interest while the young adult makes the mortgage payments. At the time of the sale, the equity is then split between the two. This is called a shared-equity arrangement.

6. Remodel

If you really like where you’re living, but desire a few more amenities, consider taking cash out for remodeling or adding to your current home. The interest paid on some home equity loans is tax deductible, just as it is with your first trust. Give us a call to find out what financing options suit your situation best.

Call us, we are the experts with expert partners in mortgage and everything real estate related. 800-497-7325-3607 or kaybaker@ec.rr.com . Sign up for our newsletters and our weekly TGIF Scoop on everything Wilmington NC!

Wilmington NC makes the news again.  This time for being the #79th  most searched real estate market on Realtor.com website for September.  This is good news.  The market has been slowly picking up and the buyers are starting to look again.  With the interest rates below 4%, now more than ever is a great time to buy.  Realtor. com was one of the first real estate websites that the public could search all over the United States.  We have been with them for over 17 years.  It is a great tool to have to expose your properties to the public.  In addition to the regular service Realtor.com provides, we also “Showcase” our listings so that we can add more information, virtual tours  and photos to each or our listings.  We also have “Featured Homes” on Realtor.com.  When someone types in Wilmington NC in the search term, our listings are featured at the top and bottom of the screen in a revolving sequence.  We do get more public hits on the Featured Homes and think that this helps increase exposure on each home.  Being progressive and proactive are vital in this real estate market, and Kay Baker and Associates have always tried to stay above of the trends.