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.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast realty and Kay Baker and Associates continue to strive for new ideas and creative outlets for marketing of Wilmington NC real estate.  Visit http://www.cbbaker.com/

COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE WINS COMMUNICATOR CREATIVE EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF VISUAL ARTS

Brand’s ‘On Location’ YouTube Channel Honored in Real Estate Website Category

PARSIPPANY, N.J., (July 7, 2010) – The International Academy of the Visual Arts has named Coldwell Banker On Location, the brand’s YouTube channel, a recipient of this year’s Communicator Awards for Creative Excellence in the real estate website category. The category honors the best site for the sale or rental of residential or commercial property.

“We were the first national real estate brand to add streaming video to our website. Today, our agents across the globe have posted more than 15,000 videos to our On Location channel,” said Mike Fischer, chief marketing officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “The most exciting part of On Location is that we have only just begun – there’s a lot more to come.”

On Location has been rated among the top 10 most-viewed brand channels on YouTube. In April, just 11 months after launching On Location, Coldwell Banker announced it had received over 1 million views. The site was launched in May 2009 and was produced in collaboration with FD Kinesis.

“Home buyers would much rather see a home than only read about it,” Fischer said. “Our On Location videos empower them to get a feel for a home, a community or a real estate professional that they could not get from photos or a text description alone. Equally important are the home sellers who are now expecting video to be a part of marketing their property.”

With thousands of entries received from across the United States and around the world, the Communicator Awards is one of the largest and most competitive awards program honoring the creative excellence for communications professionals. The Communicator Awards are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from acclaimed media, advertising and marketing firms.

About Coldwell Banker®

Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate. Coldwell Banker is the oldest national real estate brand in the United States and today has a network of more than 98,000 agents working in more than 3,600 offices in 50 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker brand is known for creating innovative consumer services as recently seen by being the first national real estate brand to augment its web site www.coldwellbanker.com for smart phones, the first to create a iPhone application and the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through its Coldwell Banker On LocationSM YouTube channel. The Coldwell Banker system is a leader in specialty markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® marketing program.

© 2010 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated.

Wilmington NC Real Estate

And, if you did not take advantage of the tax credit, there are still great deals to be had in the marketplace right now. Many sellers with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast are offering the $8000 buyer bonus. So, get out and take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a home. You can begin your search right on my website at www.cbbaker.com or email kaybaker@ec.rr.com for a complete list of Wilmington NC foreclosures and short sales.

Starting April 5, 2010 the Government will be paying homeowners in default, to relocate. The new program will demand lenders to honor short sales whereby the homeowner can sell the property for less than the mortgage payoff. The Obama administration is trying a different approach to assist more than 5 Million households who are behind on their mortgages. In turn, the homeowner will receive $1500 for relocation assistance and the lender $1000 for expediting the short sale process.  

This arrangement could prove very beneficial to the homeowner, as they will not suffer further credit damage and they will get reassurance from the lender that they will not be sued for the balance. And, under this arrangement, the number of potential  foreclosed homes on the market should drastically decrease which in turn, should improve the  overall housing market.

Finally, short sales will have their day! If you are facing a foreclosure, and need assistance, we are specialists in the Wilmington NC real estate short sale and foreclosure market. We are there for you every step of the way. Just give us a call or email kaybaker@ec.rr.com.

And, if you are looking to purchase a short sale or foreclosure, we have you covered there, as well.  We have a Certified Distressed Property broker on our team and will help you with your short sale or  purchase a short sale or foreclosure with complete knowledge of the process.  Read more here

If you are in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to call or email kay@cbbaker.com. We are happy to answer any questions you may have concerning short sales and foreclosures in Wilmington, NC. And, if you are a buyer, we can send you a list of short sales and foreclosures, or you can search short sales and foreclosures.

The real estate market in Wilmington is definitely showing signs of improvement in the number of homes sold and the list price for Dec 09 over Dec 08. And, our average sales price has decreased 9.6% over 4th quarter 08, and increased 5.3% over 3rd qtr 09. There was a 12% decrease in median sales price over 4th quarter 08 and.03% decrease over 3rd quarter.

Sales price to list ratio was at 94.3% in the 4th qtr 2009 and the 4th qtr had an increase in number of homes sold by 34.5% from 4th quarter 08. As we know a lot of these sales were primarily driven by the tax credit that was set to expire Nov 30, 2009.

Hopefully last year will be the year that the market has bottomed out and started to stabilize. And, 2010 should be the very best year in a long time, for home buying opportunities. Remember, first time home buyers tax credit has been extended and expanded to include repeat, move up buyers, prices are down 10% from 2008, foreclosures and short sales are excellent buying opportunities,  mortgage rates are at historic lows, and  there is a large inventory of homes for sale to choose from.

So, start your real estate search today at www.cbbaker.com. You can search by price range, map, schools, neighborhoods and more.

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!

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.

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!

If you are thinking about purchasing a second home, here are a few good reasons to go ahead and make that purchase. Wilmington, NC real estate prices are very attractive right now and interest rates are at historic levels. In addition, there is an abundance of available beach homes, condos, townhomes or just a nice comfortable brick ranch homes for sale near the beach. Also, don’t forget the foreclosures and short sale opportunities right now.

Uncle Sam also has some tax savings for you on second homes, as well.

Mortgage interest and property taxes on a second home may be tax deductible, just as the interest on your primary home.

Interest on a home equity loan is tax deductible, whether for your second home or not. There are some limitations on the deductibility of all equity loans. Be sure to check with your tax advisor.

You may be able to deduct rental expenses including depreciation if your second home is considered to be a vacation home.   Tax laws are complicated, so be sure to check with your tax advisor.

Convert your second residence to a primary residence for two years for either you , your spouse, or both of you and shield gain from capital gains tax. You can qualify for this break if, during the five year period leading up to the sale date, the property was owned for a total of two years and used by you as a principal residence for a total of two years. What establishes a principal residence is virtually a laundry list of factors. Again, be sure to consult with your tax advisor.

Remember, Wilmington NC homes beach homes are on sale right now. You can choose from a condo on or near the beaches, or maybe a  beach home for the family on Figure Eight Island, NC or Wrightsville Beach, NC. We have it all. Just send me your specific criteria and we can find the best deal for you. Also, search for homes on my website by price range, neighborhood, map, zip code and more at www.cbbaker.com.