EmeraldFest, SwanFest Bring Coastal Carolina Fun Through Summer

Summer is full of great weather, great food, great friends and great music— most of which you can find at the local EmeraldFest and SwanFest events in Emerald Isle and Swansboro, respectively, through the end of the season.

EmeraldFest

EmeraldFest is Emerald Isle's outdoor concert series that kicked off in mid-June and will continue through the end of August. Every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 PM, EmeraldFest offers Crystal Coast visitors and residents alike the chance to enjoy great music and coastal scenery. Held at the Western Ocean Regional Access Facility (off Islander Drive, 1 block east of Coast Guard Road intersection), EmeraldFest will feature the following performances yet this summer:

July 24: Redneck Juliets (Country)

July 31: Dependable Taxi (Pop/Alternative)

August 7: Wild Honey (Blues/Country/Rock)

August 14: Scearce & Ketner (Seagrass)

August 21: Big Drink (Acoustic/Rock)

SwanFest

This ongoing event is held on Sundays from 6:30 to 8 PM in downtown Swansboro and put on by the Seaside Arts Council. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to the Pavilion at Olde Town Square in Swansboro, NC to see the following performances, ranging from local artists to Nashville recording stars:

July 27: Justin Castellano (Eclectic)

August 3: Andy & Kathryn Karg (Lover's Harmony)

August 10: Aqoostix (Eclectic & Eccentric)

August 17: Big Drink (Acoustic/Rock)

August 24: Beaucoup Blue (Blues)

August 31: Acoustic Hwy (Country/Rock)

September 7: Unknown Tongues (Zydeco)

September 14: Scearce & Ketner (Seagrass)

Looking for more recommendations on how to enjoy the summer on North Carolina's Crystal Coast? Contact us today! We're happy to assist you with everything from buying and selling homes in Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, Havelock, Newport to sharing local activities.

Gena Gilbert

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Crystal Coast, North Carolina Home Updates for Summer

This summer, you'll likely be spending a lot of time enjoying the great outdoors on the Crystal Coast   From returning home after a day trip to the beach to relaxing on your deck or patio, your home in Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, Havelock, Newport should be updated to reflect the season. You may already have everything on hand to give your outdoor spaces a spruce— so take some time this weekend to make your Coastal Carolina home your personal oasis.

The Patio
The summer is a time for bright colors and coastal prints, like waves and nautical stripes. Incorporate these into your Crystal Coast condo or vacation property or on your patio with throw pillows, linens and cushions made from outdoor fabrics. With a home on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, you can bring the beach back with you— try filling glass jars with sand or seashells to display on outdoor dining tables or on a covered porch.

Outdoor Dining
If you're thinking of selling this summer, be aware that many homebuyers are now looking for outdoor living space, especially those in which they can entertain. You likely already have outdoor furniture, but consider moving it around to give the space a fresh feel. "Moving furniture around makes a small (and free!) change with a big payoff," says Coastal Living. Pull from other rooms, give indoor chairs a coat of paint and move them outdoors. When you rearrange, you'll see the space in a new light.

The Deck
Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, Havelock, Newport are all poised for relaxing coastal living, especially during the summer months. Bring the relaxed vibe to your deck by painting the railings a calming shade of blue, green or fresh white. Arrange your beach finds in glass jars to display on ledges, bring in mirrors and beach-inspired paintings to make the space feel cozy. You can even update your current furniture by getting creative— "a hole cut into the seat of an old rattan or wooden chair makes the perfect stage for a flowerpot," Coastal Living adds.

Gena Gilbert Real Estate is here to help make your house a home, from beginning your journey as a homebuyer to selling your current property and finding a new oasis. Contact us today!

Gena Gilbert

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Fourth of July Celebrations on the Crystal Coast, NC

The Crystal Coast of North Carolina will offer a string of Fourth of July events next week, ranging from fireworks to festivals to parades and cruises. Beaufort, Emerald Isle, Morehead City and Atlantic Beach are just a few of the communities hosting summer festivities over the July 4th week and weekend ahead. Below are details on Coastal Carolina happenings for all North Carolina residents and visitors to enjoy with the family:

Atlantic Beach July 4th Fireworks

July 4, 2014

The Circle

Atlantic Beach, NC

Atlantic Beach will begin its annual fireworks display at 9 PM along the boardwalk at "The Circle."

EmeraldFest

July 3, 2014

Western Ocean Regional Access Facility

Emerald Isle, NC

EmeraldFest is back this summer beginning on July 3, with free weekly outdoor concerts from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Western Ocean Regional Access Facility. The concerts will be held on Thursday evenings through August 21 and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Upcoming performers will include 4EverAll (Pop), Justin Castellano (Eclectic), Conch Stew (Pop/Beach), and more. 

4th of July Fireworks

July 4, 2014

Emerald Isle, NC

Starting at 9 PM on July 4, Emerald Isle will kick off its annual fireworks display off Bogue Inlet Pier as well as along NC 58. For all those interested in watching the display, the fireworks will be visible from Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Beaufort July 4 Parade

July 4, 2014

Beaufort, NC

Beaufort is hosting a Fourth of July Parade along the waterfront at 11 AM, starting on the corner of Gordon and Front Streets. This year the parade will include pets, wagons, flags and music and free ice cream will be provided.

Morehead City July 4th Celebration

July 4, 2014

Jaycee Park, Morehead City Waterfront

Morehead City, NC

This July 4, head to downtown Morehead City for the annual 4th of July celebration with music and fireworks. The Main Event Band will be performing from 7 PM to 10 PM and fireworks will be launched from Sugarloaf Island across from Jaycee Park at 9 PM.

Gena Gilbert

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3 Tips for Finding Your Crystal Coast, North Carolina Vacation Home

The beaches of North Carolina are idyllic for spending the summer and with the season almost underway, many homebuyers will be flocking to the area, looking to purchase a home in Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, Havelock, Newport and the surrounding communities. But before you set out on that house hunt for the perfect Crystal Coast condo or vacation property, here are three tips to keep in mind:

Research the Market
Doing your homework ahead of time, as a North Carolina homebuyer, can save you a headache in the long-run. You'll want to research the local real estate market, get the update on the conditions of the housing industry in your desired community, and start crunching the numbers on your own finances. Just as you did with your first home, getting all of the details on the affordability of your new Crystal Coast home are essential to coming out ahead.

Work with an Agent
From finding available homes on the Crystal Coast to negotiating an offer that you're comfortable with, Gena Gilbert real estate will be your greatest asset. As the premier real estate agents in Atlantic Beach, we can make all the difference in your purchase of a condo or vacation home in the area. Remember, your agent has the resources and expertise to successfully navigate your home purchase. It's less stress for you as you move forward with the real estate process.

The Not So Vacation
While the Crystal Coast of North Carolina is a great place to spend the summer, know that not every day will be a vacation for you as a homeowner. Your condo or vacation home in Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City or Havelock will still need repairs and maintenance. Just like your primary residence, this house will need TLC as well. 

Are you thinking about purchasing a condo, vacation home or even primary home on the Crystal Coast? We'd be happy to help find you a property that matches your homebuyer wish list! Contact Gena Gilbert Real Estate today! 

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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Green Updates for Your Coastal Carolina Homes

You may be planning to sell your homes on the Crystal Coast and have begun spring cleaning to attract buyers, but what's your home's green factor? When searching for North Carolina real estate this year, many homebuyers are drawn to properties with eco-friendly appliances and upgrades. Many of these you can attempt this weekend and require little money at all!

Detox Your Bedroom
Did you know you can detox your bedroom simply by replacing the bedding and letting the sun shine inside? Washing your bedding is probably something you do regularly, but what about your pillows? Many toxins and dust mites can take up residence in your pillows and washing them will keep you away from their harmful effects. Next up, open the blinds and windows! The sun can eliminate extra moisture that may be building around windows and its rays shining on your bedding can go one step further in the detox process.

Energy Efficient Lighting
One easy way to "green" your homes on the Crystal Coast is to upgrade your light fixtures, even switch out the light bulbs. Making the change to compact fluorescent lights or CFL can save you up to $30 and use one-fifth of the energy that a typical bulb does; these bulbs also last longer in your home. Keep in mind, however, that these bulbs should not be used in areas with high traffic where they will be turned on and off often.

Add Houseplants
One of the best ways to update your Coastal Carolina homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, and Cape Carteret this spring is readily available right now! Houseplants and flowers not only make your spaces look great for potential homebuyers touring the property, but actually improve your health! In fact, "having almost any type of houseplant in your home will help remove volatile organic compounds [or] VOCs," says home improvement website Bright Nest.

If you're thinking of selling your home on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina this year, adding these eco-friendly updates can really push your home to the top of a buyer's list. Try these projects this weekend and feel free to contact us when you're ready to start the Crystal Coast real estate process!

Gena Gilbert

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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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