Testimonial received 7/17… Gary was very professional and attentive to even the smallest details. Through creative negotiations, I was able to get the property I wanted at a price I was happy with. Best realtor experience I have ever had and I’ve bought and sold 6 properties in the last 13 years.
L. Smith
A large selection of Wilmington homes are for sale in these beach communities. The Los Angeles Time (7/10/09) reported that mortgage rates dropped this week. Interest on 30-year fixed mortgages, 15-year fixed loans, five-year adjustable-rate mortgages, and one-year ARMs all fell this week, according to Freddie Mac.
What do all these numbers and percents mean? How can the $8,000 tax buyer credit help you? As an experienced Wilmington real esate agent, I am able to help home buyers interpret information so that informed decisions can be made. Please call me, Gary, at (910) 620.8838 so we can get you into your deam home on the beach. I look forward to working with you.
The Wilmington Real Estate market offers a wide selection of homes for purchase; however, finding that “perfect” place to call home can be an overwhelming task, especially if an individual is trying to navigate this process without assistance from a realtor. Working with a realtor has many benefits which include:
1. Understanding the paperwork involved. Whether you are a first time homebuyer or someone who been a homeowner before, I can help you prepare the best deal, avoid delays and costly mistakes.
2. Provide information and opinions. I reside, raise my family and work in the Wilmington area; therefore, I can provide information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. Another one of my services as a realtor is to provide objective information about each property. I want to be able to help you answer two important questions: Will the property provide the environment you want for a home? Will the property have resale value when you are ready to sell?
3. Help finding the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market. I can complete a thorough investigation to find all available properties in the Wilmington real estate area that best meet your needs.
4. Negotiating skills. There are many factors that require negotiation in real estate transactions. Factors, including but not limited to: price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs. I can help you understand these factors and advise you so that you can make informed decisions.
5. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing. A large share of Wilmington real estate sales come as the result of my contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. In addition, because I work closely with individuals who are looking to purchase a home, I am better able to match perspective buyers with homeowners looking to sell.
6. Someone who speaks the language. Every profession has its own acronyms, including Wilmington real estate. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, don’t worry. I can translate these acronyms and help you understand what they mean.
7. Experience. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you have bought and sold homes before, laws and regulations change. As a Wilmington real estate broker, I handle these transactions on a daily basis and can provide you with the necessary information.
8. Objective voice. A home is more than four walls and a roof. A home symbolizes family, rest and security. Homebuying and selling can be an emotional undertaking and for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they will ever make. I want to help make your home buying experience in the Wilmington real estate area enjoyable. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you and your family.
I look forward to helping you navigate through the Wilmington real estate experience. Please call me direct (910-620-8838) so I can help you and your family get into the home of your dreams.
Today in Wilmington Real Estate, I wanted to discuss real estate reports for our local area. One of the first questions I usually receive when conversations turn towards real estate always becomes, “So how is the market doing these days?” Actually that question is much tougher than it sounds, if you want a thoughtful answer.
Real Estate will always be a local thing. Just because the national statistics show one thing, Wilmington Real Estate will always follow a different path. We are a destination area where people want to be. Unlike other areas where a career has brought you to town, but you may not have wanted to be there otherwise. Wilmington, Hampstead, and Brunswick County are chosen buy buyers because they are more often than not, making a lifestyle change.
With all that being said, market conditions are always changing and they vary by the price range, area of town, etc… They are all also heavily influenced by current interest rates and seasonal changes through the year.
If you would like to receive a real estate report that is specific to your area of interest, feel free to contact me at any time. Price range and the area of town (possibly by zip code) would be a great area to begin with. I can usually return the results to you by email within 24hrs of receipt.
Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing from you.
Today in Wilmington Real Estate and Wilmington Homes for Sale, I would like to talk about the topic of Getting to your Next Home.
When most people put their home up for sale, they tend to think about how much money they will put in their pocket at closing. It is a rare Seller who thinks ahead to the “second” closing of the home where they will live next.
With interest rate starting to rise and prices unstable, it makes sense to sell now and buy your next home before rates rise again. Sounds simple, but most Sellers are reluctant to lower their price because they think they are leaving money on the table. They are probably not. Their property is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay, not all of the other reasons that are floating around in the heads of most sellers.
If you are buying within the same market area such as here in Wilmington, Hampstead, or Leland, chances are the pricing is a wash since the conditions affecting you as a seller will still be there when you are a buyer. For instance, if you had to negotiate down to sell your current property, you will probably be able to negotiate a similar result for yourself as a Buyer. If you wait for the price to rise on your current house, you can count on the price of your next house to rise just as much.
In this market, it makes sense to get at the front of the line in terms of pricing your current property so when it sells you can then become a power buyer with a loan approval letter from your lender.
Call me when you have any questions involving real estate in the Wilmington, Leland and Hampstead, NC area. My direct number is 910-620-8838.
Today we have a new update in the popular tax credit program that will make purchasing a home even more possible than ever before. FHA will now permit lenders to provide a short-term bridge loan allowing home buyers to use the tax credit to make a larger downpayment, cover closing costs, or even buy down their interest rate.
What this means for you is in the past, the tax credit was great but still wasn’t what today’s first time home buyers needed the most. Todays buyers in Wilmington Real Estate need help at the closing table. This new amendment provides support to get people in the door.
This program is overdue and will have a huge impact to todays buyers. Wilmington Real Estate and Wilmington Homes for Sale will benefit greatly. When one home goes under contract a chain reaction starts allowing sellers to become buyers in other areas of Wilmington.
If you have more questions about this recent update, feel free to contact me at anytime at 910.620.8838.
Today in Wilmington Real Estate I wanted to update all of my clients on the very latest in rates for USDA programs. I also have list the current rates for other loan programs suitable to all parts of Wilmington Real Estate.
June 29th 2009
Based on 30 day locks and most with 1% origination
USDA 30 year fixed 5.0%
Conventional 30 year fixed 5.0%
FHA /VA 30 year fixed 5.0%
Feel free to contact me for a list of my preferred lenders. My direct number is 910.620.8838. Thank you again for reading Wilmington Real Estate.
This week in Wilmington Real Estate I would like to spotlight the tax credit of up to $8,000 now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009. The program defines a first time home buyer as someone who has not owned a pricipal residence in the last 3 years. A principle residence means a property where you lived the majority of the year in.
Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit doesn’t get repaid to the government. However, a critical part of this program is the ending date which will be here before you know it… December 1st. When you look at the timing of a 30 day closing period, a home search process taking atleast 30 days, before you know it the deadline has arrived.
Contact me today on my direct line at 910.620.8838 to learn about beginning your search now. I am always available to answer all of your questions about this wonderful program. Purchasing Wilmington Real Estate has never been more affordable.
This week in Wilmington Real Estate, I would like to discuss USDA loan financing. USDA financing is very unique as it is about the last program around that still can offer 100% financing to qualified buyers.
This program focuses on rural areas in order to boost this segment of the marketplace. USDA has quickly become a program that more and more families are turning to as their lending solution. The qualifications are easy to come by but the area where the homes are located is actually what matters the most. As a general rule, the home needs to be located in a rural area and outside of most city limits. This will depend on the size of the town however and you should consult your lender for a general map.
If you would like to learn more about this special program, feel free to contact me at any time. My direct phone number is 910-620-8838 or visit my website at http://www.garysmyagent.com .
This week in Wilmington Real Estate, I would like to cover a very important topic affecting all home owners in the New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick County areas. Homeowners Insurance policy holders will see a sharp increase in their coverage averaging about 30% per year. Below I have listed out some key points in order to find a way to reduce your premium and not be impacted by this new plan.
1. Shop Around… This holds true for everything in life with a big price tag
2. Raise your deductable… $500 saves 12%, $1,000 saves 24%, $2500 saves 30% etc….
3. Combine home and auto coverages onto the same policy
4. Deduct the land value… The land isn’t going anywhere, typically land represents 25% of the total value and shouldn’t be part of the overall insured value
5. Ask for discounts if you have a home security system, fire monitoring, etc…
6. Ask for senior discounts if you may qualify
Coastal NC is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Insurance companies are merely reacting to recent storms in other parts of the country by raising our rates. Follow these steps listed above to ensure you are paying the lowest insurance rates available today.
Thank you for reading Wilmington Real Estate and have a great day!
