Add Curb Appeal to Your Crystal Coast Home

This spring season, Crystal Coast homebuyers will be on the move. With rising mortgage rates and housing prices, they have noticed that now is the time to buy and they will be flocking to the local real estate market to start the process. How do you make your home in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Cape Carteret stand out? With curb appeal! Curb appeal will get the North Carolina homebuyers to your door, especially if it stands out from all angles.

Landscaping
When it comes to Crystal Coast real estate, homebuyers will first notice the exterior. They may begin their home search for homes on the Crystal Coast online and the photos will peak their interest. Start with landscaping. Make sure your home is presenting its best possible image from all angles by landscaping the property all the way around. Be sure your home's landscaping is trimmed and well-manicured, so no matter which angle the homebuyer may view the property from, it always looks its best.

Your Sunroom
Do you have a sunroom or porch on your Crystal Coast home? It's important to play it up to homebuyers. MSN Real Estate suggests even adding a sunroom to your home can drastically enhance the back or side of your home. When viewing from the outside, this addition (whether you add this feature or already have one) can really play up the coastal factor of Crystal Coast real estate.

Windows to the Coast
Adding new windows or doors to your Crystal Coast home can be pricey. But increasing curb appeal does not have to include a complete renovation. Adding new windows or doors this spring can have the same affect in terms of the exterior appeal of your home. For instance, "a sunroom, a well-placed bay, bow or picture window— or a bank of windows— does more than just improve your indoor living space."

Attracting the right homebuyers to your homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Cape Carteret this spring is a key factor in the success of your real estate transaction. It all starts with how you portray your home, especially in online photos in your listing. By ramping up curb appeal and properly displaying your home's best features, not only will homebuyers be interested in getting to your home's front door, but they'll be more interested in calling the place home. Have other questions about local North Carolina real estate? Give us a call today!

Gena Gilbert

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Tax Breaks for Crystal Coast, North Carolina Homeowners

It's tax season again on the Crystal Coast! If you're a homeowner in areas like Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Cape Carteret, you won't want to miss out on the tax breaks associated with purchasing real estate. In fact, many homeowners overlook such tax write-offs like mortgage interest and property taxes. 

And while your taxes may have to get difficult to completely take advantage of homeowner benefits, with the tips below, you won't miss an important tax write-off again.

Mortgage Interest
According to MSN Real Estate, the biggest tax break you will see involves your house payment every month and for most homeowners, the bulk of that goes directly to mortgage interest. "All that interest is deductible, unless your loan is more than $1 million," they reported. 

More deductibles can come in the form of money you pulled out through refinancing or from when you decided to get a home equity loan. If you have equity debts of $100,000 or less, these are fully deductible for tax purposes.

What's more, if you own a second homes in North Carolina, or multiple properties, your mortgage interest on these homes is also fully deductible. But beware, warns MSN Real Estate, "If you don't vacation at least 14 days at your second property, or more than 10 percent of the number of days that you do rent it out (whichever is longer), the IRS could consider the place a residential property and ax your interest deduction."

Property Taxes
Another mortgage deduction comes from property taxes. For most monthly mortgage payments on Crystal Coast real estate, a major part is dedicated to taxes and goes into an escrow account for a yearly payment. If you've been a homeowner for some time, this amount will be found on the annual statement you get from your lender and will be a deduction for as long as you own Crystal Coast real estate.

If you're new to the homeowner circle and have just purchased a home on the Crystal Coast, you can find tax payment information on the documents you received at closing. 

When You Sell Your Home
Planning to sell your homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Cape Carteret this year or have just sold your home? When you move to a new home on the Crystal Coast, you'll be able to avoid a portion of taxes on the profit you make. In past years, the law was changed so that up to $250,000 in sales gain ($500,000 for married couples) is tax-free so long as you owned the home for two years and lived in it for two of five years before you sold.

But, if you sell the home before you meet these residency requirements, you will indeed owe taxes on the profit.

Gena Gilbert

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What to Do on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina This Spring

Are you ready for spring on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina? Take this month and next to visit area events like the Coastal Home and Garden Show to familiarize yourself with local vendors to spruce up your homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Cape Carteret. 

There are also more opportunities to experience local seafood and view area artists in the events mentioned below. Take a look and enjoy the spring season on the Crystal Coast!

Art from the Heart
February 14 through March 1, 2014
Gallery Hours: Mon-Wed 10 AM to 6 PM; Thurs-Sat 10 AM to 5 PM; Sun 12 PM to 5 PM
Morehead Plaza
Morehead City NC

The Arts Council of Carteret County is presenting a three-week exhibition and sale of original artwork by area artists beginning February 14. Open seven days a week through March 1, guests can come view innovative and traditional works of art including an annual exhibit by area school children. The exhibition will also include: original oils and acrylics, water media, photography and computer-generated art, glass, stone, fiber arts, 3D artwork, pastels and drawings, and mixed media.

Seafood Series in Beaufort
February 24, 2014; 2 PM
To be held at the following locations:
February 24- Island Grille, Atlantic Beach
March 3- Amos Mosquito's Restaurant & Bar, Atlantic Beach
March 17- Island Grille, Atlantic Beach

The Aquarium is teaming up with top restaurants and area chefs to present guests with recipes and tips on preparing fresh, local seafood from North Carolina. This recurring event will also feature Aquarium staff members sharing details on the featured seafood, like life cycles and habitats. The Succulent Seafood Series is scheduled for various Mondays at 2 PM. 

26th Annual Coastal Home and Garden Show
March 1 through March 2, 2014; Sat 10 AM to 5 PM; Sun 11 AM to 3 PM
Crystal Coast Civic Center
Morehead City NC

A great chance to get ideas for sprucing up your Crystal Coast homes this spring! The 26th Annual Coastal Home and Garden Show will include services, wares and expertise of local businesses from building to landscaping to decorating. The show will feature more than 65 exhibitors where visitors can grab ideas, advice, products and more for home projects this spring.

Seafood Shell-ebration
March 1, 2014; 11 AM to 5 PM
Downtown Swansboro
Swansboro NC

This event kicks off Friday, February 28 with a wine tasting and seafood pairing at the White Oak River Bistro and continues Saturday, March 1 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Presented by the NC Coastal Federation and Swansboro Parks and Recreation in downtown Swansboro, guests can enjoy North Carolina oysters and seafood from area restaurants. Progressive tastings will be offered at establishments like Icehouse Waterfrnot Restaurant, Saltwater Grill, and more. Local shops will also be offering gifts and discounts in conjunction with the Shell-ebration.

Looking to start your home search this spring or prepare your home to sell? Contact Gena Gilbert Real Estate today!

Gena Gilbert

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Get Your Crystal Coast NC Home Ready for Spring

Spring is the time to make repairs, bring your Crystal Coast home out of the post-holiday winter lull, and really be sure everything is in working order for the busy months ahead. Your first order of business? Making sure no water is able to come inside your Crystal Coast homes by securing every spot possible. Along with updating home staples like the shower curtain, here's how you can get your homes in North Carolina ready for spring:

Change the Shower Curtain
In preparing for spring, you'll want to check your bathroom for leaks, including the shower head. While you're at it, check if the shower curtain needs replacing as damp curtains can cause mold and mildew to take up residence. Also remember to open and let the curtain air out when you're done using the shower to prevent mold from contributing to problems in the tub.

Seal Up Energy Leaks
One of the most important precautions you can take before spring is to seal any leaks or cracks where you might be losing energy. You can use a tube of spray caulk or spray insulation to fill in large gaps and be sure to take a pencil and paper with you to note troublesome areas you may not be able to tackle right now. Walk around your homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Cape Carteret, to feel for areas where air may be entering and energy escaping, especially around electrical and plumbing fixtures, appliance vents, and furnace ducts.

Clean Out Storage Areas
Spring cleaning at its best— get a head start before it arrives by taking on a cluttered storage space, maybe in the garage, attic, laundry room or shed. Begin by removing everything from the space and piling it up outside, clean the space from top to bottom before going through the items to be sure they're still worth keeping. Let go of things you haven't used in the last year and donate or recycle.

Take an Outside Tour
Walk around the outside of your Crystal Coast real estate and check for storm damage that may have occurred over the past few months. You can also take the time to clean out your gutters while outside— you should do this twice a year, according to MSN Real Estate— and perhaps more often if your home is surrounded by trees. 

Looking to start your home search and begin the process of moving to a new home this spring? Want more information on what homebuyers are looking for in the Crystal Coast area this year? Contact Gena Gilbert Real Estate today!

Gena Gilbert

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NC Homebuyer Tips— Buying Crystal Coast Real Estate This Year

As we move further into the new year, more Crystal Coast homebuyers are entering the beginning stages of searching for homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Cape Carteret. The spring and summer seasons will bring another influx of buyers as the real estate buying season heats up, with more competition present. 

Housing prices are rising, mortgage rates are increasing, and home sellers have the upper hand at this time in local real estate. So, what can homebuyers do to ensure homeowner success? Gena Gilbert Real Estate offers insight into how we can help, what to do before you start looking, and how to factor in closing costs.

Happy homebuying!

About Homebuying 

Buying a home is an exciting time in one's life. Making the smart move of choosing a REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your new home and community meets your needs. Our services and experience range from financial aid to helping you find the home that best suits you and your family. For your convenience, we also provide listings by email. We pride ourselves on repeat business and hope you'll come to understand why.

As Your Agent, We Will:

• Assure that you see all the properties in the area that meet your criteria.
• Guide you through the entire home buying process, from finding homes to look at, to getting the best financing.
• Make sure you don't pay too much for your new home and help you avoid costly mistakes.
• Answer all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more.

Before You Start Looking For Your New Home:

• Check your credit rating. Straighten out any errors before its too late.
• Determine a comfortable monthly budget for your new purchase, including down payment and monthly payment.
• Find a loan program that meets your needs and get pre-qualified (preferably pre-approved).
• Choose a REALTOR® that you trust and who understands your needs.
• Determine what neighborhood best matches your needs.
• Identify important features you need your new home to have.

Closing Costs to Expect:

• Lender fees include charges for loan processing, underwriting, preparation and establishing an escrow account.
• Third-party fees include charges for insurance, title search, and other inspections such as termites.
• Government fees include deed recording and state & local mortgage taxes.
• Escrow and interest fees include homeowner's insurance, loan interest, real estate taxes, and occasionally private mortgage insurance.

Gena Gilbert

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How to Get Your Crystal Coast NC Home Ready to Sell

Selling a North Carolina home can be a stressful process. From beginning the financial paperwork to marketing the property to getting homebuyers to your front door, home sellers have much to mull over when listing their homes. If you're looking to sell your Crystal Coast homes this year, here are a few tips to help get the property in tip-top shape in ways that won't break the bank.

Get a Hold on the Small Stuff
You probably have a host of "little things" and projects you've been meaning to fix for a while now. It's time to get a hold on those and get to work! Leaking faucet, chipped paint, squeaky doors? Homebuyers will be turned off by these as they will imagine what else might be wrong with the home. Fix these small projects before the buyers tour your home and you'll avoid those walking away with the "what if" questions.

Deep Clean Outside Too
You'll clean the inside of your home before the potential buyers arrive, but don't forget the outside too. Power wash the exterior walls and walkways as dirt and grime can tend to accumulate over time. Take some time and rent a power washer, you'll be amazed at how different (and clean!) your home will look afterwards.

Toss Out the Old
When it comes to selling your homes in North Carolina, you want to put your best foot or furniture forward. It's time to toss out the old and broken pieces and make way for the working ones. "We often get used to certain things such as a cracked planter pot or broken outdoor light," said AOL Real Estate. "It takes just a few minutes to walk around and clear your home of broken things that you simply haven't gotten around to dealing with." You should also replace light fixtures and bulbs outside that may be out. This will make a world of difference in curb appeal, especially to those potential buyers who might be driving by the home after dark.

Use Neutral Colors
When updating paint colors in homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, use neutral colors. You may love bold colors, but potential homebuyers might not and that can be a deal breaker for some. Give your walls a fresh look with neutral paint and choose colors that don't stand out, but simply give a clean feel. If you don't want to take on a big project, you can touch up trim and doorways. 

Gena Gilbert

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