Real Estate Information

Monday Morning Coffee - 3/15/10

Monday, March 15, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"I keep waitin' for my ship to come in, but all that comes in is the tide."

- Lyrics from "Hard Time Losin' Man" by Jim Croce

THE WAITING GAME!

The well-known Nike commercials have hammered into our heads the phrase "Just do it!" Regardless of how you view their advertising, there is magic in the words "just do it." The real key to the message is "doing it," a.k.a. taking action. Anything you have ever desired is available to you if you will it.

Now, consider those who are constantly washed over by the "tide." Note that the lyrics in Jim Croce's song say, "I'm WAITING for my ship to come in . . ." and then, "but all that comes in is the tide." That sounds like a victim's lament, as in, "Oh poor me, here I am ready and excited, waiting for my ship to come in, and I get dumped on by the sorry tide. Bummer. How unfair." Duhh! Helloooo!

It's easy to see that "action" is the opposite of "waiting." Yet, it's so easy to do nothing - waiting passively. Action requires energy, enthusiasm, movement, and objectives, while waiting requires not even a thought.

Whether your desire (your "ship") is a relationship, wealth, a healthy body, or a new car, you must be the captain, not the port - the "master of your fate," not a tide-washed, sand-covered beach ball. Life is great! On your next trip to the beach, buy a boat, a map, and a compass, and then choose your own port of call. You'll dine at the Captain's Table every day!

Wilmington NC Real Estate & Homes – Michelle Roberts , Your Realtor

Michelle loves working with clients that have high expectations and works diligently to exceed those expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw and Hampstead. (910) 431-5686

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Banks Make Efforts to Work with Past Due Homeowners

Saturday, March 13, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

If you tried to work out a payment plan with your mortgage company with no luck, now may be a good time to try again. Mortgage companies have increased the number of employees in their home retention departments and now may be better equipped to assist homeowners… Check out this article from Finance-Commerce.com.

Mortgage foreclosure sales increasingly delayed as federal program offers alternative

by Scott Carlson Staff Writer Finance & Commerce

When Kathy Maloney suffered a brain aneurysm, the incident set her back not only physically but financially.

Maloney, of St. Cloud, could not work for four months, then returned to work on a limited schedule in early 2009. During that time, she fell behind on her $1,200-a-month house payments, and asked her mortgage lender, HomeEQ of California, if she could make half payments a month until returning to work full time.

HomeEQ refused — and last May, filed a foreclosure notice against her. For Maloney, the specter of facing a sheriff’s auction sale was not only frightening, but insulting.

“I felt disrespected,” Maloney said. “I bought the house in 2000 and I had never been late in paying in eight years.”….. Full article at Finance-Commerce.com.

Wilmington NC Real Estate & Homes – Michelle Roberts , Your Realtor Michelle loves working with clients that have high expectations and works diligently to exceed those expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw and Hampstead. (910) 431-5686

Wilmington NC Homes Michelle Roberts Past Due Homeowners Banks Mortgage Foreclosure Foreclosure Sales Scot Carlson Finance-Commerce

Boys Lose Their Minds!

Friday, March 12, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

Baby pulling Cat's Tail Long story short…my first time homebuyers put a house under contract. All I have to do is get some final initials. I offer to bring the documents to them at their home. It is only going to take 5 minutes. So…I bring my boys. We walk in things seem fine, begin to review the changes to initial – the boys lose their minds! I look over and they are chasing my client’s very old cat. Not only are they chasing her they are pulling her tail! I calmly ask them to stop so she does not scratch them…do they stop? NO! They want to see if she will scratch them! What???

The story ends with me stopping to yell at my boys, making them stand by the front door with their hands in their pockets…and of course, the buyers think it is the funniest thing ever.

Wilmington NC Real Estate & Homes – Michelle Roberts , Your Realtor

Michelle loves working with clients that have high expectations and works diligently to exceed those expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw and Hampstead. (910) 431-5686

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Weekly Wilmington 411 – Week of March 8

Thursday, March 11, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

Quote of the Week:

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day. – P.S. I Love You

Local Market Statistics

There are currently 5005 single-family homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties. In the last 6 months (9/5/09-3/7/10), 1875 homes have sold. These numbers indicate that if NO other homes are listed for sale that there is approximately 16 months worth of inventory.

During the last week (3/1/10-3/7/10):

242 Homes were listed FOR SALE
81 Homes went UNDER CONTRACT
58 Homes SOLD
102 Homes FAILED to SELL (Withdrawn or Expired)

The increase in inventory is partly due to homeowners that were planning on selling and decided to wait until the Spring Market to list their homes. We should begin to see an increase in homes under contract and sold as the Home Buyer Tax Credit reaches it’s expiration.

Please note all of these statistics are based on single-family residential homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.

Area Happenings

March 12^th: Bob Russell Quartet @ Cape Fear Museum Winter Jazz Series
Thru March 15^th: American Images @ Wilmington Railroad Museum
April 2^nd: Battleship Easter Egg Hunt

Wilmington Random Acts of Kindness

Meghan Riley is a friend of mine and we sell real estate together, she asked me last week about starting a group focused on random acts of kindness. She has since started a group for the Wilmington area.

I am extremely excited about this, I have two boys and everyday I ask them to do something kind for someone. These can be small acts such as opening a door, picking something up that was dropped, etc. My idea for them was to help build their self esteem; I believe that when we do something kind for someone else it not only makes the receiver feel good but the giver also.

If you are interested or just curious here is the link to the site: http://wilmingtonrandomactsofkindness.ning.com/

FREE EMAIL ALERTS OF NEW BANK-OWNED PROPERTIES.

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Monday Morning Coffee - 3/8/10

Monday, March 08, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"The path you're on looks different when you turn around."

- Cynthia Copeland Lewis

LOOK BACK TO THE FUTURE!

Life has been described as a path, a direction in which we travel over time - rather than a single event. Each of us gets to choose the direction our path will take us. By making those choices, we also clear the way to achieving the objectives we've set for ourselves.

When we fail to choose the path we will travel, that is also a choice. In that case, the path we travel becomes less distinct with more twists and turns than we would have liked. Each side path we encounter tempts us to change direction. Lacking any roadmap of objectives we might have chosen, we often end up somewhere - else.

Regardless of the quality of our choices, we can get a clear understanding of where we are likely to end up - just by turning around. By simply looking back at the path we have been following, much can be learned. For example, is the path behind us straight, or filled with curves and detours taken? Is it paved with solid, masterfully laid stepping-stones, or filled with muddy ruts that zig-zag around every obstacle?

Chances are that, as teenagers, most of our paths seemed to have had many twists and turns. As we matured and learned from our mistakes, however, it is also likely that we began improving the direction and quality of the path we traveled. The more attention we paid to the path, the more enjoyable the journey became.

Want life to be a most pleasant journey? Build your own roadmap - then start paving!

Michelle Roberts Monday Morning Coffee inspirational look back to the future path roadmap

Wilmington One of 20 Healthiest Housing Markets for 2010

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

Builder Magazine just named the Wilmington, NC housing market as one of the “20 Healthiest Housing Market for 2010.”

By: Boyce Thompson

17. Wilmington, NC

Market Health Indicator: 33.6

Total Building Permits: 1,827

2010 Building Permit Forecast: 1,925

Strong employment and population growth is the story in Wilmington, which should witness a turnaround in new home construction this year, according to Market Intelligence forecasts. Home prices, which fell 9.3% last year, should fall only another 2.7% this year before leveling off. Wilmington suffers from some low median income levels, $40,508, compared to elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic. But its location, minutes from Atlantic Ocean beaches, makes up for that. A tourist destination, Wilmington has a large downtown historic district encompassing nearly 300 blocks. A new state of the art convention center is slated to debut in 2010. The Port of Wilmington is proceeding with port expansion plans. And GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy will break ground on a new nuclear energy plant within the next several years.

See the full article here.

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Wilmington 411 - Week of March 1

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

Quote of the Week:

Experience is the teacher of all things. – Julius Caesar

Local Market Statistics

There are currently 4815 single-family homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties. In the last 6 months (8/29/09-2/28/10), 1905 homes have sold. These numbers indicate that if NO other homes are listed for sale that there is approximately 15 months worth of inventory.

During the last week (2/21/10-2/28/10):

227 Homes were listed FOR SALE
115 Homes went UNDER CONTRACT
102 Homes SOLD
152 Homes FAILED to SELL (Withdrawn or Expired)

These numbers reflect the seasonal “pick-up” in the real estate market. March generally marks the beginning of our Spring season.

Please note all of these statistics are based on single-family residential homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.

Area Happenings

March 7^th: Battleship 101 and New Hanover County Resident FREE Day

March 12^th: Bob Russell Quartet @ Cape Fear Museum Winter Jazz Series

Thru March 15^th: American Images @ Wilmington Railroad Museum

April 2^nd: Battleship Easter Egg Hunt

The 63^rd Annual Azalea Festival (April 7^th – 11th)

It is Azalea Festival season again in Wilmington, NC. The beautiful azalea lined streets and southern homes on the garden tour are just a few of the wonderful things to see during this event. The Cole Brother’s Circus comes to town – my boys have already reminded me to buy tickets! This year the concerts are featuring Goo Goo Dolls and Montgomery Gentry. My favorite part is the street fair – there are bands, vendors and of course wonderful street food!

If you are looking for a great family time, you are sure to find it at the Wilmington NC Azalea Festival.

FREE EMAIL ALERTS OF NEW BANK-OWNED PROPERTIES.

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Monday Morning Coffee - 3/1/10

Monday, March 01, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide on what to do."

~ Elbert Hubbard

THROW AWAY THE BAND-AIDS!

What do Scotch Tape, Post-It Notes, and paper clips have in common? Each apparently has a different function, is made of a different material, and serves its own purpose. Oh sure, you can say they're all office supplies - and you'd be right - but look a little deeper for their common purpose.

Scotch Tape pieces are placed along the edges and on the ends of holiday gifts - for a short period of time. Post-It Notes are stuck to documents suggesting that a signature is needed, or some action be taken. Once the action is complete, the note is discarded. Paper clips hold two or more things together for a few hours or days, and are then returned to the desk drawer.

Figured it out yet? They are all just a temporary "fix" - a momentary solution to a temporary need. They are used in "reaction" to a short-term need. They are also similar to our daily personal lives. When feelings are hurt and the tears come, we automatically reach for a Kleenex. We might, on the other hand, have taken time to determine the source of those feelings and concentrated on resolving a difference before tears were necessary.

When our children misbehave, we react with a 15-minute (or 3-day) "time-out." We might have avoided that temporary fix by listening to their concerns and teaching appropriate behavior before the fact. Then, there are all the excuses we make, used like Band-Aids, to temporarily cover the flaws in our own behavior. Wouldn't a more permanent solution like performing to expectations, learning from past experience, or practicing excellence be more appropriate?

Yes, we live in a very fast-paced world. Quick solutions are the order of the day, yet we must eventually realize that we continually seem to need a fresh supply of Scotch Tape, Kleenex, or paper clips. By taking more time to look ahead, it is possible to eliminate many of the situations that require those one-minute Band-Aids. Avoid future "boo-boos." Search for, learn, and practice a more permanent and proactive life. That's right - "No more tears!"

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Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty Awards

Thursday, February 25, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

This week, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty held its annual awards breakfast. Agents and teams that had a sales volume of 2 million dollars or more in 2009 were recognized. Tim Milam, president of Sea Coast Realty, thanked and celebrated ALL of the agents with the company for making it through a difficult year in real estate.

During 2009,Sea Coast Realty maintained it’s rank at #1 Real Estate Company in Southeastern NC for Closed Sales Transactions more than doubling the #2 company’s closed transactions. Sea Coast was also #1 in Closed Sales Volume leading the #2 company by over $125 million. Sea Coast has continued to grow during this difficult time thanks to forward thinking management and the fantastic group of real estate brokers they choose to fill their offices with.

The Sea Coast mantras of “Put People Before Profits” and “Attitude is Everything” are discussed at almost all meetings and again were a very large part of the discussion at the awards breakfast. This focus on our customers and taking care of their needs before our own is nothing new; it is part of the oath we all take when we become REALTORS®. Sea Coast has simply found a way to nurture that and keep it at the forefront of our thought process.

I am honored to be a “Sea Coaster” and look forward to another great year in real estate. We are honored to be recognized in the $9 – $10 million dollar sales volume category. Thank you Sea Coast for bringing me aboard and giving me the tools that helped make 2009 a fantastic year.

Michelle Roberts Awards Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty travis best

Wilmington 411 - Week of February 22

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

by Michelle Roberts

Quote of the Week:

Experience is the teacher of all things. – Julius Caesar

Local Market Statistics

There are currently 4719 single-family homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties. In the last 6 months (8/22/09-2/21/10), 1876 homes have sold. These numbers indicate that if NO other homes are listed for sale that there is approximately 15 months worth of inventory.

During the last week (2/15/10-2/21/10):

177 Homes were listed FOR SALE
72 Homes went UNDER CONTRACT
42 Homes SOLD
95 Homes FAILED to SELL (Withdrawn or Expired)

Please note all of these statistics are based on single-family residential homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.

Area Happenings

February 20^th: 17th Annual UNCW Intercultural Week & Festival

February 26^th: 4^th Friday Gallery Walk @ Downtown Wilmington

Thru March 15^th: American Images @ Wilmington Railroad Museum

What Are the Benefits of Annexation?

All the talk about annexation in the Wilmington, NC area, has many people asking what are the benefits?

Some Benefits are:

A stronger voice in State and Federal Government
A stronger voice in land use planning
Residents will receive enhanced law enforcement and fire response
The opportunity to have urban water and sewer services
Enhanced code enforcement
The opportunity for upgraded maintenance of streets and sidewalks
City zoning and stormwater requirements for new developments
Weekly trash service, including curbside recycling, yard waste removal and bulky item disposal at no additional charge
The opportunity for neighborhood traffic management programs.

(Information gathered from http://www.wilmingtonnc.gov)

Most of us are aware that the Monkey Junction area is being annexed however some other possible areas are: Gordon Road/Dutch Square, Kings Grant, Masonboro South, Ogden, Silva Terra, Arrowhead, Springview and Churchill Estates.