Working With a Realtor

Posted on April 29, 2013 by cbsloane

For anyone in the market to purchase a new home, you’ll need to have a Realtor that you can successfully communicate with, one that works with you to find the house of your dreams. You can’t afford to lose things in translation when it comes to discussing what you want in your next house. But it can be difficult to define what you want if you’re not all that sure yourself. This is where a good agent really shines. This is why CB Sloane Realty should be your next Realtor.

Take for instance the Caswell Beach real estate we currently have available. You can visit our website and peruse the properties online to see how the features you think you might want reflects on the price of a home. You might also see features that you come to realize are important to you. Things like a garage, fenced in yard, being located among other houses in a neighborhood, for instance.

Many homeowners think they know what they want when they start out but come to change their minds once they start looking at properties. Maybe what they wanted wasn’t realistic or perhaps simply isn’t available in the neighborhood they want to live in. It’s important to be flexible and determine what you can and can’t live without.

For instance, if you want a home with a swimming pool you might want to purchase a home with a large yard at a cheaper cost to you now and put a pool in yourself at a later date. The same goes for landscaping. Don’t dismiss a home based on its curb appeal when it comes to landscaping. That is something you can install your self or pay a professional landscaping company to do.

If you would like to look at any Caswell Beach real estate, just give us a call at 910-579-1144 and we’d be happy to meet with you.

Save a Bundle on a Forever Home

Posted on March 26, 2013 by cbsloane

If you are thinking about how you can purchase your Forever Home, a home you can move to when you retire and stay forever, you should consider the low cost foreclosure homes. More and more people are making offers on foreclosed properties, having patience with the process, and winding up with a home for a fraction of what it’s market value is. They then apply for an equity loan to make any necessary repairs, update appliances, and make the home wheelchair accessible for the day when they may need to use one.

Certified “Aging in Place” specialists can come to your home and inspect it for safety issues, while making suggestions for what you would require in the years to come as you age and how you can prepare for that now. If you’re considering building a home and you’re of retirement age, definitely have one of these specialists involved in the design process. It will save you a lot of money later to have these necessary features built into the home now rather than remodel for them later, or worse, have to altogether move into a home that is wheelchair accessible.

More and more people are retiring to North Carolina these days and if you love the coast we have some beautiful properties in the Sunset Beach area of the Brunswick Islands. When you’re ready to look at the Sunset Beach NC foreclosures on the market, give CB Sloane a call and we’ll talk business with you. In the meantime, keep an eye on our site for the Sunset Beach NC foreclosures that are listed periodically but never seem to hang around for long. We think the secret is out about how to save a bundle on a Forever Home.

Downsizing for Your Retirement

Posted on February 26, 2013 by cbsloane

Downsizing from a large family home to one of our Sunset Beach condos when you retire, can save you both money and time on home maintenance. It also means paring down what could be a massive inventory of your current belongings. While most people say they like the idea of getting rid of years of accumulated things they no longer use or need, it’s still a process that can be more difficult for some than others. Moving is the perfect time to purge items you no longer need or use.

Schedule plenty of time before you move to sort through your belongings and decide what you keep and what you want to toss or donate. When looking through your things ask yourself the hard questions. When was the last time you used the item? Does it serve a purpose in your life going forward? Could it be replaced easily?

Objects and furniture you no longer need may be a treasure to another family member. Ask them. For anyone setting up a new home of their own, they would probably be grateful to be offered your household items. Try posting an ad on Craig’s List or in your local newspaper to sell or give away the items you no longer want. You could also donate items to the Goodwill or Salvation Army and use it as a tax deduction.

You should also consider the idea of selling all of the bigger items and just starting over. If you’re not keeping a lot of furniture it might be cheaper to replace it than to pay to have it moved. You can sell your items yourself or hire an auctioneer to come in. A professional auction company can be a big help, but they will get a percentage of the profits (typically between 25 to 35 percent).

There are many ways to reduce your inventory of belongings, but the first and often hardest step is to begin. Choose one area at a time like a closet or a corner of the basement and just start sorting. You just might find it rather liberating!

If you’d like to see any of our Sunset Beach condos get in touch with us at 910-579-1808 and we’d be happy to show you around the neighborhood.

The Market is Beginning a Come Back

Posted on January 22, 2013 by cbsloane

Homebuyers out shopping for a home these days have a new sense of confidence with regards to the real estate market and rightfully so. Many people have heard that the market is coming back and it’s going to favor the sellers more as time goes along. The price of homes are starting to rise and the interest rate is still at a record 20 year low.

There is much Ocean Isle Beach real estate on the market that we’d love to show you. This is the time to purchase before the prices really pick up. The days of real estate prices and interest rates dropping lower are over. It’s time to take action if you want the lowest prices you can get on a home purchase.

If you’re someone that has been renting, you need to know the price of rent is climbing. We’ve reached the point again where it’s cheaper to make your own monthly mortgage payment than to continue paying rent to someone else.

It’s going to be an exciting ride both for home sellers and home buyers as the market makes its come back. This summer promises to get us well under way in moving properties like no other summer has in quite awhile. If you’d like to look at the Ocean Isle Beach real estate we have listed, just give us a call at 910-579-1144. We’d be happy to take you out to see any of the properties in person. We look forward to meeting with you.

Planning Your Big Move

Posted on December 20, 2012 by cbsloane

Every year more and more people are moving into new homes. With property prices low and interest rates at their lowest in many years, there’s never been a better time to purchase Brunswick County NC real estate than right now. In the U.S. alone there are millions of families moving locally and relocating long distance at any given time.

There is plenty to know about the process of moving if you want it to go smoothly. From the moment you start looking at Brunswick County NC real estate keep in mind the following resources for your upcoming move.

Did you know you can obtain free maps, relocation guides, addresses of quality real estate companies and several How-To Guides that can be quite handy for your move? The local Chamber of Commerce or city offices are both a great place to get maps as well as relocation guides for the area you’re moving to. You can get information about the city and county, the facilities, schools, even the churches available near your location. You can also get some useful checklists that will come in very helpful during the actual packing and moving.

AMSA is the American Moving And Storage Association, an organization that includes more than 3,000 professional moving companies that you can hire with confidence. If you check out the association’s website, you will find several How-To Guides specifically catering to most of your moving needs.

All of us at CB Sloane Realty would like to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!

Buying Real Estate During the Holidays

Posted on November 21, 2012 by cbsloane

Can a buyer find and close on a new home during the peak of the holiday season? We offer a resounding “Yes!” While the period between Thanksgiving and New Years are busy times there is still Sunset Beach NC real estate available to be shown and we’re available to do it. It’s not too late to be moved in just in time for Christmas either!

You can count on us at CB Sloane Realty to be available when you need us. We know you’re busy with holiday parties and family dinners so we’ll work with your schedule to go on showings. We’re always easily reached by phone, text and email.

Just as your time for showings is limited, so is the time of some sellers for opening their home for showings. If you’re serious about purchasing and moving into your home during this holiday season you must be willing to be flexible with your time. Being readily available when an open house is scheduled may mean a fast sale on that perfect property.

There are especially great deals to be had on Sunset Beach NC real estate over the holidays. Many sellers are feeling the spirit of the holiday and you may find them to be more receptive to your offers.
Don’t let your home search deter you from celebrating the holidays this season. Maintain your family traditions, especially if you have children.

We’d like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving holiday from our families to yours!

Real Estate Market Improving

Posted on October 30, 2012 by cbsloane

The continuing low interest rates — in the neighborhood of 3.25% for a 30-year mortgage — continue to drive the real estate market in our region. These historically low interest rates are a huge part of the strong market we have but in addition to that there is quite a bit of value to be found. We can see that in much of the available Bald Head Island real estate.

For those wondering how difficult it is to get a mortgage in this post-Great Recession climate the answer is that it’s manageable. If you can manage the down payment and closing costs of a purchase, the chances are excellent that you will be able to get a lender to back your purchase of Bald Head Island real estate.

Closing costs average about 3% of the purchase price and are separate from the down payment. A fact that sometimes people forget.

As for the down payment, having 10% of the purchase price ready to go is a good idea. There are loan programs that only require a 5% or 3% down payment but they are very choosy. Bear in mind that with a down payment of less than 20%, private mortgage insurance (PMI) kicks in and will be part of your monthly payment. This rate is also determined by your credit score.

The bottom line on mortgages is that they are still available. Just not the way they used to be. Banks and other lenders are being more careful now and verifying all information they receive.

Finding the Perfect Realtor For You

Posted on September 11, 2012 by cbsloane

One of the biggest financial decisions of your life will involve buying or selling real estate. Choosing the right agent can save you time, money and a whole lot of stress whether you are looking for your first house, an investment property, or would like to sell your home for the best possible price.

Choosing your realtor involves putting effort into finding the right agent that will work well with you. Agents who work for well known, established companies like CB Sloane Realty have some advantages over little-known agencies. Established companies typically have larger budgets so they can spend more on additional marketing tactics and continued education of their agents. In addition, they tend to have greater accessibility when there are questions or concerns.

When you’re looking for that perfect Ocean Isle Beach Realtor don’t rely solely on the advice and recommendations of friends and family. Do your homework and ask the tough questions of agents you interview. Questions like the following:

What is your experience as a Ocean Isle Beach Realtor?

What has your success rate been for home sales during the difficult past 12 months?

What sets you apart and above other agents covering this area?

What is your online presence? Do you use Facebook, Twitter, Linked In?

How involved will you be in the process of selling my home?

Buying Your First Vacation Home

Posted on July 27, 2012 by cbsloane

So you’ve decided to buy your first vacation home? Congratulations on a very wise investment move! There’s never been a better time to make that purchase. Mortgage interest rates remain low and there is plenty of Holden Beach NC real estate on the market for you to choose from. Here are some things to consider when you begin your search.

Location – Determine where you want your home to be located. Are you looking forward to stepping out your door and onto the beach? That would be an oceanfront home. Or would you prefer a place with a dock for your boat and with easy access to the ICW. This is known as a waterfront home.

Property Management – If the Holden Beach NC real estate you purchase is for use as your vacation home, you’ll need to make arrangements for someone to maintain the property when you’re not around. Why not rent it out when you’re not living there? There are many property management companies that can help you with this and we can assist you in finding one.

Home Maintenance – Some homes are just easier to maintain than others. When purchasing a condo, for instance, there is no outside maintenance to worry about. A home with a lawn and beautiful landscaping requires much more work to maintain its good looks. You don’t want to let your vacation home become run down and the eyesore of the community.

Give us a call and we’ll help you find your new vacation home in Holden Beach, North Carolina.

My Home is Awesome! Why Isn’t it Selling?

Posted on June 25, 2012 by cbsloane

Everyone knows it’s still a buyer’s market in the real estate industry. That means people shopping for Ocean Isle Beach North Carolina real estate and other properties will be very particular about what they want and will hold onto their money longer. In short, more Ocean Isle Beach North Carolina real estate on the market and fewer buyers.

But your home is awesome and you can’t figure out why it hasn’t sold yet? Here are some things to consider that could result in getting your home sold faster.

1. Price is everything. Take the awesome factor out of your price. There’s no place for emotions when selling a home in today’s market. To a prospective homebuyer your home is just another property.
2. Ready for prime time. How does your house show? Is it uncluttered and painted in neutral colors? Have you removed some furniture to give the feel of spaciousness and allow for the new owners to see themselves growing in the space?
3. Scent speaks volumes. If you smoke, you may want to enlist the services of a professional cleaning company before putting your home on the market. If you have pets, be vigilant about cleaning up after Kitty’s litter box and keeping Fido bathed and his blankets washed regularly.
4. Make those repairs. As small as they are, even the smallest repairs can turn a prospective buyer off. They show neglect of the property and if you won’t fix the small things what about the big ones they can’t see? Remove any reason for a buyer to walk away.
5. Curb appeal matters. Buyers need to come inside your home to see it. If they don’t like the way the property looks from the outside they’re simply not going to bother coming in. Clean up the yard and porch, hide trash cans, stow away lawn ornaments, and add live flowers if you’ll keep them watered.

If you would like other ideas about buying or selling property in the Brunswick Islands, give CB Sloane Realty a call at 910-579-1144.

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