Sell Your House

Posted in Seller Tips on Apr 19, 2011

Sell Your House

We have all seen the TV shows where the crew comes into a house that just won’t sell, parade a bunch of people through, make the owner listen to the snide remarks, fix up the home then like magic, it sells. Problem is none of the owners seem to realize exactly what the problem is until a stranger points it out. I often wonder if their agent says anything to them about the clutter, color or smell. I would hope my agent would speak up but then again, I hope I know better after watching many, many hours of these shows and years spent working in the real estate field. Question is- ...

Expressive Art Group in Leland

Posted in Events In Our Area on Apr 18, 2011

Expressive Art Group in Leland

Leland Parks and Recreation is now hosting an Expressive Art Group that is open to everyone!  The group meets the second and fourth Friday of each month, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. in the Classroom Annex located beside Town Hall (102 Town Hall Dr.).  All mediums (oils, acrylic, watercolor, pencils) are welcome.  This is a group for people to come together and share their ideas and learn other art techniques in a social setting. Participants are asked to bring their own materials and projects. There is no charge to participate.

For more information please contact Ni...

Tips to Spruce up Your Living Room

Posted in Seller Tips on Apr 14, 2011

Tips to Spruce up Your Living Room

I was sitting in my den the other day only to realize that while it’s my favorite room in the house because of its coziness, it is in need of an update. I don’t have a lot of money to spend making over different rooms of the house and as a few of my readers know, since I currently live with my parents, I don’t think my mom would like me painting the kitchen, living room and den “just because.” What I can do is revamp what I have and add in a few inexpensive items to suddenly have a den that looks brand new. Here’s my game plan that you are welcome to use as y...

Going Digital At Home

Posted in Buyer Tips, Seller Tips on Apr 12, 2011

Going Digital At Home

Technology is the wave of the future. Going green is the wave of the future. How do you combine these two concepts into one and supercharge your home in the process? Thanks to modern marvels, it’s now easier than ever to use technology to help save the planet.

Books are a reader’s best friend, I should know as I own a great many books myself. Today’s technology allows us to now view our favorite books without using trees to create them. The Nook & Kindle are the most popular e-readers and each has apps that allow you to read your favorite book on your phone, computer or t...

The 15th Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook Off

Posted in Events In Our Area on Apr 11, 2011

The 15th Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook Off

Six of my favorite words regarding Pleasure Island (Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Fort Fisher) are “The Pleasure Island Chowder Cook Off.” Just the memory of sampling the local fare is enough to get my mouth watering and my taste buds jumping. My last visit not only resulted in my best friend and I voting for the winner (Carolina Beach’s own Surfhouse) but in earning a delightful lobster necklace that still hangs from my truck’s rearview mirror. With live music, a kid zone and 8 local restaurants doling out samples (plus other food vendors once yo...

Updating Your Fireplace

Posted in Seller Tips on Apr 05, 2011

Updating Your Fireplace

Prepping your house to sell can be a bit over-whelming. If you have a lot of little things that need a makeover, you might feel like you will never get them fixed and you are watching your profits go out the window. Don't fret. In a few short steps you can make almost anything look fresh and new.

The ideas below are straight from HGTV's website and Designed to Sell designer Lisa LaPorta.

Excerpt from "30 Can't-Miss Home Staging Tips"

Do you have an overpowering brick fireplace that sticks out like a sore thumb?

Here's an easy way to tone it down with paint. Use a rag or...

Top 10 Real Estate Movie List?

Posted in Team Gale, Video on Apr 04, 2011

Top 10 Real Estate Movie List?

Coldwell Banker is known across the nation (and perhaps the world?) as a big name in real estate. Their blog is not only informative but creative. However this takes the cake. They actually created a list of the top 10 real estate movies. Perhaps it's a little out there for most people's taste, but I loved the freshness of this post (even if it is almost a year old) and I had to share!

FYI-#6 is my favorite, solely for the reason!

REPOSTED FROM: http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/my-real-estate-top-ten-movie-list/

My Real Estate Top Ten Movie List

Spring Comes To Carolina Beach with Artful Living Group’s “How Does Your Garden Grow” Exhibit

Posted in Events In Our Area on Apr 04, 2011

Spring Comes To Carolina Beach with

Artful Living Group’s “How Does Your Garden Grow” Exhibit

 Carolina Beach, NC – April’s art exhibit at Artful Living Group brings together three well-known local artists for a spring garden yard art show.  “How Does Your Garden Grow” located in the gallery starts April 7^th and will run through the month.

 The exhibit’s opening reception is April 7^th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and features Bonnie and John Gaynor, ReArtcycle, green artists who make eclectic yard sculptures; Chuck Carmack , whose stunning photography captures North Carolina wildlife and flowers in t...

Relocating to the Greater Wilmington Area

Posted in Buyer Tips on Mar 31, 2011

Relocating to the Greater Wilmington Area

Whether relocating for your job or your love the mild climate and warm beaches the Greater Wilmington area has to offer, Wilmington, NC is a beautiful place to live. Surrounded by several beaches, small towns and the end point for I-40, Wilmington is used to having its fair share of visitors and newcomers each year.

The Area

The Greater Wilmington area is divided up into several sections: Leland, Downtown, Ogden, Mayfaire/Landfall, Wrightsville Beach, Monkey Junction, Carolina/Kure Beaches, Porters Neck and Midtown. Within these areas, there are furthe...

The 64th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival

Posted in Events In Our Area on Mar 30, 2011

The 64th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival

Dates: April 6-10, 2011

Ever since 1948, Wilmington, NC has been home to the Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival which currently attracts over 300,000 people to our area each year. While various events take place as part of the Azalea Festival prior to the actual festival, the first big event of the Azalea Festival week is the Azalea Queen’s Coronation on April 6th from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM at Riverfront Park in Downtown Wilmington. Country music star Darius Rucker will continue the events with his concert at UNCW’s Trask Coliseum starting at 8PM. Ti...

Spring Time Tips

Posted in Buyer Tips, Seller Tips on Mar 17, 2011

Spring Time Tips

Spring has sprung in the Port City dear readers and I for one am glad! Cold temps do nothing for me and right now I can enjoy the low humidity days without freezing my toes off. Now that you can open your windows and let the warm gentle breezes in (as I have done), here are a few tips straight from yours truly on how to bring a little Spring into your life.

Lighten up. Switch out heavy drapes for lightweight sheer curtains. These brighten up any room and allow the fresh air to pass easily into your home.

Add some color. Buy or snipe fresh flowers and place them in vases, old g...

Foreclosure Avoidance Options

Posted in Seller Tips on Mar 08, 2011

Foreclosure Avoidance Options

Foreclosure is one of the most devastating financial challenges that a family can face and one that many times can be avoided. The options available to residents for foreclosure are many, including but not limited to short sales.

Reinstatement

A reinstatement is the simplest solution for a foreclosure, however it is often the most difficult. The homeowner simply requests the total amount owed to the mortgage company to date and pays it. This solution does not require the lender's approval and will 'reinstate' a mortgage up to the day before the final foreclosure s...

Closing Cost Glossary

Posted in Buyer Tips on Mar 07, 2011

Closing Costs Glossary Here is an overview of the types of closing costs you may incur on your loan. Some are one-time fees, while others reoccur over the life of the loan. When you apply for your loan, you will receive a Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Charges, and a booklet that will explain these costs in detail.

Questions to Ask Any Agent

Posted in Buyer Tips on Mar 07, 2011

Questions to Ask Any Agent

Answered by Jack Gale, Team Leader for Team Gale

1. How long have you been in residential real estate in our area?

• I (Jack Gale) have been in real estate since 2000 and joined Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty in 2002

2. What is your procedure for assisting a buyer from beginning to closing?

• Get a buyer pre-qualified for a loan or receive a prequalification letter from their banker. This insures when we begin searching for property, we have appropriate financing established.
• Develop buyer net sheet, to determine estimate of closing costs.
• Develop es...

Questions to Ask Before Listing

Posted in Seller Tips on Mar 07, 2011

Questions to Ask Before Listing

Choosing the right REALTOR® to sell your home can be difficult, especially when they all sound so convincing. The following list of questions will not only help you select the right REALTOR®, but will also help you get the very best from the agent you choose.

1.      How many properties did you sell in 2010?

• Team Gale sold 198, that’s closing a home every other day of the year

2.      How many properties did your company sell in 2010?

• Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty sold 3,656 properties

3.      How many major websites do you place your listings on?...