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

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

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

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/ 

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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!

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.

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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!"

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.

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.

Click here to view the draft presentations and maps. 

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Christina Block and Tammy Barnes
chatting with other Realtors.

I believe the current market makes these types of events more important than ever. It was great to talk with other agents, discuss the obstacles we are facing and brainstorm about how we can move forward. Just realizing that we are all in this together makes a huge impact on overall attitude. These interactions also go along way in getting houses sold, when real estate agents work a deal with another agent whom they know and like it is a much smoother transaction from start to finish.

Kathleen Passanisi speaks about how humor
can have a positive influence on your health.

You could feel the mood in the room change as Kathleen Passanisi discussed humor and its impact not only on our attitudes but our health and physical well-being. Kathleen talked about how humor can put a new perspective on almost any situation, she also pointed out that new perspective can be good or bad. In other words, use humor appropriately! This is easier said than done, we have all put our foot in our mouths or laughed at the worst possible moment. The evening ended with good food and conversation. After all, we (real estate agents) do like to talk. Thank you WRAR for a great event and fantastic association! 

Tammy Barnes and Michelle Roberts
checking out Kathleen's books.

To see more pictures of the event, visit my Wordpress blog.