How Your Coastal Carolina Real Estate Agent Can Help Sell Your Home

To sell your Crystal Coast, NC home or condo at the right price and under the right terms this summer, it's important to team up with the right real estate agent. The team at Gena Gilbert Real Estate will work for you to market your home to motivated buyers as well as find the right price that will keep the property on top of must-see lists.

But that's not all! The following are 3 top moves that could help you achieve the best results when selling your Coastal Carolina home:

List During the Week
When you list your home during the week, for instance on a Wednesday, it gives homebuyers the weekend to tour the property and make an offer if they're interested. Most homes are sold on the weekend and listing during the week can create a buzz around your home.

Your local North Carolina real estate agent will know the best time to market and list your property according to your specific community.

Consider Buyer Finances
For home sellers in Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, Havelock, Newport  choosing an offer can be overwhelming. That's one crucial area where your real estate team can help! To end up with a solid deal, you might like to speak with the buyer's lender to ensure there will be no concerns during the closing. Remember, the highest bid isn't always the best! You're looking for the one that comes with stable finances to make the sale happen.

Consider the Inspection
After your North Carolina home or waterfront condo sells, the home inspection will follow. Be up front with the buyer's agent about what you'd ultimately like out of the home inspection— one suggestion from home maintenance site BrightNest is to ask, "In choosing your offer, would the buyer agree to go easy on repair requests after the inspection, so long as no major issues pop up?" If they agree, you save money in the long run!

Working with Gena Gilbert Real Estate can save you a huge home seller headache this year, so don't hesitate to contact us! We will work for you on selling your property as well as finding you your next dream home!

Gena Gilbert

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More Homebuyers Looking for North Carolina Condos

While the sales of existing homes have been rising recently, there is another type of property that is peaking Coastal Carolina homebuyer interest— condos.

According to the National Association of Realtors, single family home sales have risen slightly month-to-month this year, but condo sales have seen a spike of over 7 percent. Comparing these two increases with last year's numbers, you will find single family home sales were actually down 7 percent, while condo sales fell flat. It's a significant jump in popularity for both types of North Carolina homes, but condos are coming out ahead.

"We are beginning to see people liking more closer-in developments," said an economist for the National Association of Relators. "The baby boomers who are looking to trade down, they are looking for condominiums. Many of the younger people, if they can qualify to buy, they are looking into the condominium style of living, compared to single family with backyards."

These increases in single family and condo sales come at a time where more Crystal Coast homebuyers are found to be looking at easier living, more often in what are characterized as the suburbs or "exurbs." More Americans are streamlining their finances and their home choices are reflecting that. They're moving to areas like Emerald Isle, Morehead City, Havelock, Beaufort, Atlantic Beach for not just a more relaxed lifestyle, but for condos or homes that allow them to build long-term wealth with Crystal Coast real estate, but also save while doing so.

The median price for a condominium, nationwide, has been lower than single family home prices, according to the NAR. However, last month did see a jump— perhaps due to a stronger demand for the properties.

This summer, the local real estate market will likely see more home sales, many of them condos, as North Carolina homebuyers get the itch for new scenery and change in surroundings, but into a property that makes sense for them and their finances. We will likely see many Crystal Coast homebuyers choosing condos or townhouses.

"It's in the conforming mortgage limits, and people can get into those homes easier," said one East Coast builder.

Contact us today for a list of homes for sale along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. Whether you're looking for a single family home, condo or townhouse, we're happy to help find a property that works for you!

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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Moving Tips for Coastal Carolina Homebuyers

Whether you're moving in the heat of summer or the holiday hustle and bustle of the holidays, moving is a stressful process. And no matter if you've done it before or have just purchased your first home on the Crystal Coast— homebuyers can always use moving tips, especially from real estate experts. Below are a few tips for moving that can help you in your moving process to new homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle and make your transition into new homeowner a smooth one:

Find a Reliable Moving Company

Many times homeowners don't desire to do all of the heavy lifting themselves— hauling belongings from one piece of Crystal Coast real estate to the next— in which case you will need a moving company. It can be tough to find a reliable moving company, especially if this is the first time you're hiring one. Oftentimes, your real estate agent has a recommendation and can refer you to one of their own. Contact your real estate agent for referrals on these types of companies.

Make a List, Check It Twice

It never hurts to be too organized and there is no such thing as too organized. Make a timeline for your move and all of the moving parts and steps that will be involved. Break down the tasks that you should be doing each week and the pieces that should be moved during which times. It can also help to color coordinate boxes and keep a log of them with your timeline and checklist. The earlier you start, the easier it will be come moving time!

Make a Budget

Many times new homeowners do not estimate the amount of money it might take to move to a new homes in North Carolina. Real estate agents are always better equipped to discuss the budget of a move and what to account for in that budget— always contact your real estate agent with questions in this area. If your budget is tight for your move, your agent will be able to help you get it down to the essentials and keep costs low.

Get Recommendations

Again, finding the right moving company and all of the other services you'll need for a move can be difficult. It's helpful to get recommendations from friends, family, and your local real estate expert who can guarantee a reliable, trusted service for you and your move. You'll save time and money in the long run when you use a trusted company with a proven record. KCM even recommends real estate agents "provide [their] clients with a list of people [they] recommend, including a cleaner, exterminator, interior decorator, handyman, contractor, and anyone else [they] find necessary or helpful to clients during the moving process."

Gena Gilbert

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Latest Carteret County, NC Real Estate Market Stats

These  Crystal Coast real estate market stats from RealtyTrac should help give you an idea of the current conditions for buying homes in North Carolina.  Are you looking for more information on buying a home in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle or another community in our area? Contact Gena Gilbert Real Estate today to discuss your options for buying your next Coastal Carolina home or selling your current home.

Want more great real estate statistics, reports, and resources? Visit our website for free information on Crystal Coast real estate.

Gena Gilbert

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Existing Homeowners Move in on Crystal Coast, North Carolina Real Estate

Recently in the housing market, investors— both foreign and domestic— have dominated snatching properties from local homebuyers and current homeowners looking to move. But now that seems to be slowing down. Existing homeowners are now taking over Crystal Coast real estate and taking a bigger share.

"A sustainable housing market typically includes a more balanced share of first-times, move-up buyers, and inventors, and that's how the housing recovery is beginning to shake out," reported Realty Times.

Now in first place in the local market are current homeowners— whether they be move-up, move-down, or simply move-over North Carolina homebuyers—who accounted for nearly 45 percent of the real estate market in June's home sales. This number was up from 43.8 the month before, according to the Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse.

What's causing more homeowners to once again buy a home on the Crystal Coast? The recent rise in housing prices and return of equity is planting the seed for homeowners to make a move, especially as rising mortgage rates push further into housing affordability.

But it's not all homeowners. First-time homebuyers are being held back and, in many cases, facing serious obstacles in purchasing real estate in North Carolina. Lending standards have become more strict on account of the rising rates and housing prices, thus shutting out many first-time buyers.

Homeowners have been able to come out ahead of investors due to rising prices and fewer foreclosures and distressed homes— investors have been purchasing large quantities of these distressed properties up until recently. According to HousingPulse, the investor share in home purchases dropped to 19.7 percent in June, from 23.1 in February. And now that they're slowly moving away from purchasing properties, current homeowners are able to step in.

Are you looking to purchase a new home along the Crystal Coast, NC? We will be happy to provide all the information you need to buy or sell real estate in Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, Havelock, Newport and surrounding areas.

Gena Gilbert

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Crystal Coast Real Estate— Home Sales Rise to Highest in Five Years

Rising mortgage rates may be pressuring more North Carolina homebuyers into purchasing their piece of real estate now before further increases and home sales are showing the signs. According to Realtor Magazine, new-home sales have not been affected by the rising rates, but instead have risen to a 5-year high.

Are you looking to purchase a home on North Carolina's Crystal Coast? Have the rising mortgage rates and housing prices as of late forced you to question if now is the time to buy? It seems other buyers have spoken for you as new-home sales have soared through the housing recovery.

"The recent increase in mortgage rates hasn't slowed demand as long as home affordability remains high," Bob Walters, Chief Economist at Quicken Loans told Reuters. "We are, however, seeing an increased urgency from potential new homebuyers as they move to secure today's historically low rates."

It turns out, more and more buyers are returning to local real estate markets as housing inventory is slowly beginning to rise— following a long period of record lows— and housing prices continue to increase. With more bidders to move inventory quickly, buyers are urged to act fast to ensure they will snag their dream home.

So, don't let the rates scare you from purchasing your Crystal Coast home! Let us find you the right property in Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Harker's Island, and more!

Gena Gilbert

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Crystal Coast Real Estate— Optimism Soaring!

Despite the recent surge in housing prices and mortgage rates, local real estate demand and optimism is soaring! Buyers are more confident than ever that now is the time to purchase a home, although housing inventory levels are less than abundant, and a recent study reported that household formations are improving— meaning more children are moving out on their own and jumping into North Carolina real estate.

This is all great news, but what else is on the up and up? Realtor Magazine is reporting that builders haven't felt this upbeat about real estate since 2006!

"Builders continue to feel more optimistic about the direction of the recovery for newly-built single family homes. Builder confidence rose six points in July to 57," according to the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Any number above 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as favorable.

The index is based upon builder perception of home sales, expectations over the next six months, and buyer traffic. And with the current sales conditions, the gauge rose to its highest level since 2006, with expectations for sales over the next six months also rising to its highest level since 2005.

The report showed that builder confidence has increased across every region of the United States, making this a great time to purchase a home on the Crystal Coast.

Are you ready to start your local home search? We have new real estate listings added daily, offer free consultations, and are ready to help you reach your homebuyer goals!

Gena Gilbert

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