Real Estate Information Archive

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed the time with your family and friends.  I know the presence of my family was the best present of all!

Conditions continue to be favorable for home buyers in our market with continued low interest rates and high inventory.  The winter months are a great time for serious buyers to shop for homes as it is traditionally a time where fewer buyers are competing for properties.  I think you'll continue to see favorable conditions for home buyers into the New Year although I would expect to see interest rates start to creep up in 2011.

President Obama signed legislation last week that extends the Bush tax cuts, keeps the capital gains tax at 15%, and a provision for the reduction of payroll taxes for employees and self employed individuals during 2011 (H.R 4853).  All of which I'm optimistic will help our economy get back on the right track.

If you're ready to explore your options whether buying or selling, give us a call.  We're here for all your real estate needs.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year and we look forward to working with you in 2011.

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Alexa Winstead, Marketing/Closing Coordinator 910.202.2547

Diligently working to exceed real estate expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw, Rocky Point, and Hampstead.
P.S. If you would like to receive this update on Monday via e-mail, you can sign-up for our weekly newsletter by sending us a quick contact.

Happy Monday and Merry Christmas!

One thing for sure is that events never sit still in the Real Estate world.  Over the past month, mortgage interest rates on both 30 year and 15 year financing have increased.  The increase has been about 1/2 of one percent.  Even with this, the rates are below where they were at this same time period last year and historically they remain extremely low.  With the increase though comes a potential slow down in home sales.  Increased rates mean that fewer people can qualify for financing and the higher rates also have a negative effect on consumer confidence.  The truth is that the higher rates will push home prices down even further and in most cases this will more than compensate for the slight increase in interest rates.  

Inflation or the fear of inflation may push rates even higher in the months ahead.  This would certainly have a negative effect on home sales and home inventories would build.  Pressure on home prices would be the immediate result.

If you are thinking of selling your home or have a home on the market, your best bet is to cut to the chase and price your home to sell quickly. Remember, that if you are buying on the other end of the transaction the home you are purchasing is going to have a lower value as well.

Have An Awesome Week and fantastic Christmas!  May the joy of the season bring you peace, joy and happiness.  We greatly appreciate your business and look forward to working with you in the coming year.

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Alexa Winstead, Marketing/Closing Coordinator 910.202.2547

Diligently working to exceed real estate expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw, Rocky Point, and Hampstead.

Quote of the Week:

Every piece of the universe, even the tiniest little snow crystal, matters somehow. I have a place in the pattern, and so do you…Thinking of you this holiday season!
-- T.A. Barron

Local Market Statistics

There are currently 4505 single-family homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.  In the last 6 months (6/21/10-12/15/10), 1878 homes have sold.  These numbers indicate that if NO other homes are listed for sale that there is approximately 14 months worth of inventory.

During the last week (12/8/10-12/15/10):

• 115 Homes were listed FOR SALE
• 56 Homes went UNDER CONTRACT
• 75 Homes SOLD
• 144 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.

In Case You Missed It

December 11th was the university of North Carolina - Wilmington's Fall Graduation. This was the first year the school graduated a class from the doctoral program in Educational Leadership, which was started in 2007 through the Watson School of Education.

Area Happenings

December 16th - Holiday Pops

December 17th - Barbara Bailey Hutchison: Songs of this Season

December 19th - Candy Cottages at the Children's Museum

December 19th - Cape Fear Skies: Solar System at the Children's Museum

December 23rd - Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life"

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Alexa Winstead, Marketing/Closing Coordinator 910.202.2547

Diligently working to exceed real estate expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw, Rocky Point, and Hampstead.

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a great weekend and are staying warm with the unseasonably cold weather we are having.

Well, the stats are in for November!  We saw a decrease of 143 homes in our listing inventory.  As of December 1st, we have 5,007 homes on the market in our MLS.  This continues to put us in a strong buyer's market with a listing inventory of over 16.3 months.  Our average list price has continued to stay below $400,000 and is currently at $353,465 (which is $10,632 lower than last month).  Our average days on the market remain at 121 days and our list to sold ratio is 93.2%.

Our monthly average sold price ($251,5220) is up by 6.8% from last month and up 11.2% from November 2009.  Both of which are good signs.  The number of sold homes is down 3 homes from last month and down 22.7% from November 2009.  Last month we had 309 sold units and this month we had 306 sold units.  Last year in November we had 396 sold units.

While our current year to date numbers are lower than Year End 2009, they do show promising signs that our sales are on the upswing.  The eleven months of 2010 has a 130 sold unit gain over the first eleven months of 2009.  The average sales price is down 1.9% for the first 11 months of 2010 than the first 11 months of 2009.

We have hit historic lows in mortgage rates and they are possibly on the rebound.  If you've considered buying or refinancing, get in touch with us ASAP!  We're here for all your real estate needs.

Have a great week!

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Alexa Winstead, Marketing/Closing Coordinator 910.202.2547

Diligently working to exceed real estate expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw, Rocky Point, and Hampstead.
P.S. If you would like to receive this update on Monday via e-mail, you can sign-up for our weekly newsletter by sending us a quick contact.

What would you do if you had a large empty warehouse? Some residents in San Francisco are making warehouses into group residences adding couch swings, jungle gyms, and ongoing fanciful art displays. Watch the video below and let us know what you think.

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Alexa Winstead, Marketing/Closing Coordinator 910.202.2547

Diligently working to exceed real estate expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw, Rocky Point, and Hampstead.

Quote of the Week:

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. ~Thomas Edison

Local Market Statistics

There are currently 4529 single-family homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.  In the last 6 months (6/14/10-12/8/10), 1896 homes have sold.  These numbers indicate that if NO other homes are listed for sale that there is approximately 14 months worth of inventory.

During the last week (12/2/10-12/8/10):

• 73 Homes were listed FOR SALE
• 61 Homes went UNDER CONTRACT
• 30 Homes SOLD
• 102 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.

In Case You Missed It

Sunday, December 5th was the Wilmington Holiday Parade. It was a bit cold, but it didn't stop a nice sized crowd from making it to Downtown Wilmington to see the lit floats and vehicles.

Coming Soon!

This Saturday, December 8, 2010 is the annual SantaCon. So, watch out Wilmington, there's more than on Santa this weekend checking to see if you're naughty or nice!

Area Happenings

December 4th – Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour

December 9th – Musical – White Christmas at Thalian Hall

December 10th - Holiday Shopping Bazaar to support the Senior Center

December 11th – Ballet: The Nutcracker at Thalian Hall

December 15th - Natalie MacMaster: Christmas in Cape Breton

December 16th - Holiday Pops

December 17th - Barbara Bailey Hutchison: Songs of this Season

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Alexa Winstead, Marketing/Closing Coordinator 910.202.2547

Diligently working to exceed real estate expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw, Rocky Point, and Hampstead.

Happy Monday!

WOW, a cold weekend around here but a great time to get in the Christmas spirit.  I hope you had a great weekend!

Recently several national indicators are showing that the decline in the housing industry nationally may be slowing.  Several companies that are industry watch dogs have indicated that the light at the end of the tunnel may be nearing.  What we will all need to do is to watch and see if these indicators remain positive and that a positive trend begins to develop.  Any positive news is good news and we can only hope that the first quarter of 2011 shows continued signs of growth in the housing market.  We'll be watching closely and keeping you informed.

It still remains an incredible opportunity for buyers in our market.  If you are already getting listing updates of properties that meet your needs OR if you want to get a list of local properties emailed to you, revise or tell us what you're looking for at www.wilmingtonlistingsonline.com   We're here for all your real estate needs.

Have a great week!

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Alexa Winstead, Marketing/Closing Coordinator 910.202.2547

Diligently working to exceed real estate expectations in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas including Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne, Leland, Burgaw, Rocky Point, and Hampstead.
P.S. If you would like to receive this update on Monday via e-mail, you can sign-up for our weekly newsletter by sending us a quick contact.

Quote of the Week:

 “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur”—Red Adair, fire fighting legend

Local Market Statistics

There are currently 4571 single-family homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.  In the last 6 months (6/5/10-12/2/10), 1915 homes have sold.  These numbers indicate that if NO other homes are listed for sale that there is approximately 14 months worth of inventory.

During the last week (11/24/10-12/2/10):

• 88 Homes were listed FOR SALE
• 46 Homes went UNDER CONTRACT
• 38 Homes SOLD
• 177 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.

In Case You Missed It

The 27th Annual NC Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach occurred November 27^th. This annual event featured fireworks and multiple decorated boats with themes ranging from A Griswold Christmas to Christmas Snow Globes “Once in a Blue Moon” (this year’s Best in Show by Reel Hot).

Coming Soon!

The sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth, titled Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, is set to start filming in Wilmington in January. The film stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson ("The Scorpion King," "Tooth Fairy"), Michael Caine ("The Dark Knight," "The Cider House Rules"), Josh Hutcherson ("Journey to the Center of the Earth," "Bridge to Terabithia") and Vanessa Hudgens ("High School Musical"). Read more on the StarNews.

Area Happenings

December 4th – Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour

December 9th – Musical – White Christmas at Thalian Hall

December 10th - Holiday Shopping Bazaar to support the Senior Center

December 11th – Ballet: The Nutcracker at Thalian Hall