“All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.”-T.E. Lawrence

Featured Home for Sale

114 N. 7^th Street, Historic District

Near the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, there is a magical place called the Historic District. Now, it’s not REALLY magical, but its live oaks, Spanish moss, carriages, horses, brick streets, and structures from the 1700s can make you feel like you’ve been transplanted back in time. There are under 50 homes for sale in this area right now and the home located at 114 N. 7^th Street (Circa 1883 Bowden-Foard house) is a beautiful example of a historic home renovated for today’s needs.  
 
Visit our web site for full description and details – 114 N. 7^th Street.
View more Historic District homes for sale.

In Case You Missed It

The local movie industry is heating up. It was reported in Fall 2011 that Iron Man 3 is slated to start shooting in our area sometime this year. Since then, numerous new feature films have made it into the schedule, including “Heart of the Country”, “The Conjuring”, and “The Occult”. Also in the works is an independent film starring Jennifer Connelly and Greg Kinnear titled “Writers”. Wilmington has the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California and is nicknamed Wilmywood. It’s a great financial source for our economy and helps employ many locals, so it’s always wonderful to hear of new projects in the area. For some fun this weekend, check out Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, which was filmed in Wilmington.

Coming Up

2/09/12: University of North Carolina Wilmington's 18th annual Young at Heart Social – Burney Center
2/10/12: 23rd Annual Trauma & Emergency Symposium – Wilmington Convention Center
2/10/12: Valentine Carriage Ride – Springbrook Farms, Inc.
2/11/12: Cape Fear Heart Ball - Wilmington Convention Center
2/11/12: Art for All – Brooklyn Arts Center
2/14/12: Over 50's Valentine's Dance – New Hanover Senior Center
2/14/12: Valentine's Day Cruise (Free for Couples Married 45+ years)
2/18/12: 10th Annual Full Belly Feast – Coastline Convention Center
2/23/12: North Carolina Symphony: Rachmanioff-Piano No. 2 – Kenan Auditorium
Now – 4/1/12: Murrinis Within a Crystal Matrix: The Poetic Glassworks of Richard Ritter – Cameron Art Museum

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Gina Martin, Buyer Specialist, 910.619.1987

Meghan Riley, Client Care Specialist, 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

Well the jobs market report was better than expected last week which helped boost the DOW up to it's highest level since 2008. I think we still need to proceed with caution about the markets because there is a lot of uncertainty still here and abroad on many different levels. Locally, January was off to a phenomenal start as opposed to last year at this time. Coldwell Banker Sea Coast, alone, placed 453 properties under contract in January. That's 195 more properties than January 2011 and accounted for over $28 MIL more in volume than last January. As the old saying goes, "time will tell" but buyers finally seem to be taking advantage of the great deals and interest rates that are available.

If you have any questions, or we can help you with any of your real estate needs, just give us a call.

Have a great week!

The community has sidewalks for safe pedestrian traffic as well as landscaping created to offer privacy to homeowners. Add to that the community's amenities of a club house, pool, playground, tennis courts, oceanfront gazebo, tiki bar, and beach walkover...Well, the residents have it made!

Not only are the community aesthetics great, but the home interiors are wonderful too! There are 113 lots and the homes feature three levels, open floor plans, 4-6 bedrooms, 3-6 baths, 2400-3900 sqft, decks/balconies on multiple levels, and parking below (garages or carports). They're well built and nice to look at. See for yourself:

View Homes for Sale in Seawatch

If you are interested in viewing property in Seawatch, we would be happy to show it to you. Fill out our contact form or give us a call at (910) 202-2546.

Service - The listing contract is a personal services contract between you and the real estate broker.  It gives the terms and conditions by which the broker will be representing you in the sale of your property. This includes providing knowledge, experience, advice, and marketing for the sale of the property while maintaining a code of ethics.

Compensation – In North Carolina, commission is paid by the home seller. The listing contract details how that commission is to be paid as agreed upon by the real estate agent and home owner. The standard form of payment is a percentage of the sales price paid at closing, but a flat fee is also an option.

Title Owner - All listing contracts identify who the exact title holder is. All title holders must sign the listing agreement authorizing the sale of the home. If you married after purchasing the home, it is now part of the marital property and both spouses must sign.

Termination/Expiration Date – Every listing contract should have an expiration date to protect yourself when the agreed upon duties are not being fulfilled. It’s common to see listing agreements dated to expire after 6 months or a year. If the expiration date arrives and the property has not sold, you are welcome to renew.

In North Carolina, the listing agreement is often accompanied by certain addendums specific to the property. These include a Residential Property Disclosure revealing any faults with a home, an Owners Association Addendum disclosing HOA fees, and a Short Sale Addendum if the home is being sold for less than what is owed. It’s important to thoroughly read the contract and ask your real estate agent or an attorney any questions you may have. You can reach Melanie at (910) 202-2546 or MelanieCameron@seacoastrealty.com.

"You get the best efforts from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within."-Bob Nelson

Featured Home for Sale

321 S. Kerr Ave, #144

If you’re attending the University of North Carolina-Wilmington now or in the future and would like to purchase a starter home, consider this immaculate townhome located within walking distance of the school. It is beautifully priced for under $75/square foot making this a very affordable option. Plus, the washer, dryer, and refrigerator stay with property, so no extra cost of buying appliances after you purchase.

The home features three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms with the Master Suite on the first floor. The first floor has an open floor plan and sliding glass doors that lead to a back patio – all great for entertaining! Best of all? The HOA covers the lawn maintenance.
 
Visit the listing page for more information – 321 S. Kerr Ave, #144.

In Case You Missed It

The City of Wilmington is in talks with the Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball Properties to build a new baseball stadium and bring a minor league baseball team our area. It is unsure if this will include a tax increase. Mayor Bill Saffo has stated it may mean a rise in taxes, but he’s going to work hard to prevent that. If the city proceeds with negotiations, Mandalay Properties will have 6 months to figure cost and location, and decide if there is an available team. Baseball is a popular sport in our area, so a new stadium and team is sure to make fans happy…as long as a tax increase isn’t included. Keep up to date with the story at StarNews Online.

Coming Up

2/2/12: To Kill a Mockingbird – Thalian Hall
2/4/12: Wilmington Garden Show 2012 – Schwartz Center
2/4/12: Chopin & Tchaikovsky – Kenan Auditorium
2/5/12: Wilmington Wine & Chocolate Festival – Coastline Conference and Event Center
2/11/12: Cape Fear Heart Ball - Wilmington Convention Center
2/18/12: 10th Annual Full Belly Feast – Coastline Convention Center
2/23/12: North Carolina Symphony: Rachmanioff-Piano No. 2 – Kenan Auditorium
Now – 4/1/12: Murrinis Within a Crystal Matrix: The Poetic Glassworks of Richard Ritter – Cameron Art Museum

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Gina Martin, Buyer Specialist, 910.619.1987

Meghan Riley, Client Care Specialist, 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

I remain cautiously optimistic about our local real estate market. We continue to see slow and steady signs of improvement.  Coldwell Banker Sea Coast sales exceeded January 2010 in the first 3 weeks of January by several million dollars...definitely a good sign!  In addition, the last 2 months of activity has been higher than we've seen in the last 4 years (with the exception of the period where the tax credit was in effect). The Fed announced last week that it intends to keep interest rates down through the latter part of 2014 which continues to make for the perfect scenario for home buyers.  Even Warren Buffet is saying now is a great time to buy.  Need help or would like a free consultation?  Give us a call!

A great addition we recently made to our website (Thanks Meghan) was the addition of a "Lifestyle Search" on our website.  Just go to our website at www.TheCameronTeam.net and click on "search listings" and in the drop down menu, choose "lifestyle search" to find homes that are waterfront, in a golf or gated community, homes with boatslips, etc.  It's simple and user friendly so check it out!

Have a great week and as always, we're here for all your real estate needs.

An Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement does not allow you to hire more than one Realtor to represent you in the transaction. If the commission is not due to be paid by another party (as stated above, usually the seller), you are responsible for paying commission to your agent. Exclusive agreements typically last six months to a year and cover a general area. As a buyer, you are required to present to your agent homes that you are considering. Commission is paid despite how you were introduced to the subject home, because the agent is still going to work to protect your interests. If you enter into contract to purchase a home that the agent introduced you to a specified number of days after the expiration of the agreement, you must pay that agent commission. While the Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement is more restrictive than the Non-exclusive Agreement, it provides the most room for negotiation on your behalf.

A Non-exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement allows you to hire more than one Realtor to find you a home; however, you must inform each agent you work with that another agent is involved and whether they have shown you specific homes. You are not obligated to pay the agent commission, if the seller or another party does not agree to pay. However, the agent may choose not to represent you if that is the case. Non-exclusive Buyer Agencies usually last less than a few months and are specific to a property/complex or a list of specific features. You could potentially pay less money, but you could also sacrifice representation and negotiation potential.

If you are unsure which Buyer Agency Agreement you should sign, it’s best to discuss your options with Gina, Susan, or Melanie. They may provide additional provisions to the buyer agency, like an easy termination, that will put your mind to ease about entering into an exclusive agreement. Realtors are bound by a code of ethics to make you aware of your options and many are happy to explain this form to you. After all, the purpose of the Buyer Agency Agreement is to protect all parties involved.

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Gina Martin, Buyer Specialist, 910.619.1987

Meghan Riley, Client Care Specialist, 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

“Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life.” ~ Burton Hills

Featured Home for Sale

326 Pages Creek Dr., Wilmington, NC

Some homes resonate with character and life. You can feel it as soon as you walk in. They sing of stories and memories, and memorable moments to come. You don’t find it very often, but this is one of those homes.

It features beautiful wood work, including Pine wood floors throughout most of the living area and stained paneling in the living room and dining area. A brick gas log fireplace creates beautiful ambiance in the living room on cold nights while the screened porch is a welcoming environment on warm days.

This home has some wonderful features, but best of all is its location – right on Pages Creek. It’s southern waterfront living under majestic oaks!

Visit the listing page for more information – 326 Pages Creek Dr.

In Case You Missed It

Not a resident and thinking of visiting Wilmington? Want a place to stay that exudes the charm of Historic Wilmington? Two local bed and breakfasts recently received the AAA Four-Diamond award for 2012 – The Graystone Inn and The Verandas. Winners of the award are selected by specially trained anonymous guests. Only the best of the best receive the award – that’s about 3.5% of 58,000 establishments. So, if you’re looking for a great place to stay, here’s your recommendation! Read more about the award.

Coming Up

1/26/12: Wilmington Theater Awards – Thalian Hall
1/28/12: 15th Annual Model Railroad Show and Sale – American Legion Post 10
1/29/12: Brooklyn Arts Center Wedding Showcase – Brooklyn Arts Center
2/4/12: Wilmington Garden Show 2012 – Schwartz Center
2/5/12: Wilmington Wine & Chocolate Festival – Coastline Conference and Event Center
2/11/12: Cape Fear Heart Ball - Wilmington Convention Center
2/18/12: 10th Annual Full Belly Feast – Coastline Convention Center
2/23/12: North Carolina Symphony: Rachmanioff-Piano No. 2 – Kenan Auditorium
Now – 4/1/12: Murrinis Within a Crystal Matrix: The Poetic Glassworks of Richard Ritter – Cameron Art Museum

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Gina Martin, Buyer Specialist, 910.619.1987

Meghan Riley, Client Care Specialist, 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

Long Answer: Before the recession, most buyers probably never heard of a short sale. Now with short sale properties making up about 13% of the Wilmington area real estate market, more and more buyers are learning that buying a home can take a little more time than they first thought. For some buyers, that’s okay. They have time to wait for the bank’s approval. Others have moving deadlines they need to meet, if it’s to be moved in for a new job or before the next school year begins. Then, there are fence sitters, who just aren’t sure if they want to wait a few months for bank approval. As a home owner, you can improve the number of people willing to make an offer on your home through one important step – preapproval.

No one can control how quickly a bank gives final approval to a contract, but you can get a lot of work, which equals time in short sales, out of the way by getting preapproved. That means calling the bank before submitting an offer, explaining what you are trying to do, and finding out how you can get short sale preapproval. Depending on the loan, the mortgage may qualify for the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program (government run) or an in-house program. If so, you gather up all the important documents – W2s, taxes, pay stubs, bank statements, hardship letter, etc. – and submit them to the bank, who reviews the documents and the property for sale. Then, the bank will give you an idea of what they are willing to accept, which will remove a lot of guess work and hopefully speed up the offer approval process. Knowing that the process has already begun makes buyers feel a little more secure about making an offer.

Not all banks will give preapproval. That’s why it’s important to call them when you first list the home. It's also important to stay active with your short sale. Many short sales are delayed, because homeowners put-off returning needed documents. The quicker tasks are completed, the sooner the financial relief.

Buyers, make sure to verify that pre-approved short sales are indeed pre-approved. Some agents will advertise short sales that previously had offers on them as being preapproved. That does not guarantee a similar offer will be accepted, nor does it promise a quick close. It all depends on the offer terms and type of funding.

If you have any questions about short selling your home, give Melanie a call at 910.233.2840 or send her an email at MelanieCameron@seacoastrealty.com. She is a Certified Short Sale Specialist with experience selling short sales.

Today, I received an email from the President/CEO of Alpha Mortgage, Michael Lopez about the pending fee increase for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed loans.  I thought it was some great information to share and instead of summarizing what he said, I thought I would share it all with you.

So here it is:

Fee Increase to Impact Home Loans

In December 2011, Congress reached a last-minute deal to fund the payroll tax cut extension. The payroll tax extension will provide a 2% tax reduction for individuals making up to $106,800, so the tax extension will be very helpful for many Americans who are struggling during these tough economic times. But like so many things in our tangled economy, there's a flip side. In this case, the tax cut deal has a rippling effect that will impact the mortgage world.

Here's what's happening and what it means to home loan rates:

What is happening and why? To put it bluntly, the passage of the payroll tax cut extension is being funded via a mandate to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the nation's largest providers of mortgage money) to increase their guarantee fees or "g-fee's" by at least 10 basis points on the rate. So rather than giving a par rate of 4.00%, for example, the par rate is now increased by at least 10 basis points, or approximately 4.10%. But as you probably know home loan rates are priced and offered in .125% increments, so this will most likely impact the consumer by .125% in rate. Whether you agree or not on the politics behind this cost being passed along to folks who are taking out mortgages, the Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that the increase will ultimately pay for about $35.7 Billion of the cost of the payroll tax extension.

What exactly is this "g-fee"? The guarantee fee or "g-fee" is an amount charged by mortgage-backed securities (MBS) providers, like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, to help protect against credit-related losses in the overall mortgage portfolio. In other words, it acts a lot like insurance and helps lower the overall risk which means home loans can be offered at terrific interest rates to borrowers that have good - but not perfect - credit.

What exactly is the impact of the rate increase? For example, for a $200,000 home loan, the increased g-fee (assuming a .125% increase in rate) would equate to $250 more per year in interest, or $7,500 more over 30 years. Someone buying or refinancing a home can certainly choose to buy down the cost with cash up front - but most folks will not do this.

Who will this impact? The change will impact all new borrowers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. The bill will also impact Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans by increasing the annual mortgage insurance premium that borrowers pay by one-tenth of a percent.

When will it start? Officially, the increase to guarantee fees will begin on April 1, 2012. However, the increase is already starting to be seen in rate sheets right now, since home loans being originated now will likely not be closed, pooled and securitized until April and therefore will need the increased g-fee priced in earlier.

How long will this be in effect? The increase will be effective through October 1, 2021.

The bottom line is that the g-fees will be going up and this will impact homebuyers looking to obtain a home loan through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA.

The good news is that home loan rates are still at historic lows right now, and it's a great time to purchase a new home.

Forest areas, ponds, lakes, and green areas provide a variety of views and home sites. Homes are quality designed and built in a variety of price ranges. So, if you're a first time buyer or looking to upsize, there are options for you.

View Homes for Sale in Magnolia Greens

View Land for Sale in Magnolia Greens

If you are interested in viewing property in Magnolia Greens, we would be happy to show it to you. Fill out our contact form or give us a call at (910) 202-2546.

This 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3000-3100 SF,coastal inspired, craftsman style home is located on a large .78 acre lot in the prestigious gated community of Pecan Grove Plantation. This home has breathtaking views of the ICWW and beyond, and warm ocean breezes on the 2nd and 3rd level decks. Custom built by Chris Martin, you'll love the many custom amenities including extensive trim and wood work, hardwood floors, pocket doors, granite counter tops, custom shelving and much more. The 4th bedroom is on the ground level and could be a playroom, den or home office. The master suite features access to the 3rd level deck, double pocket doors leading to the bath that features a Jacuzzi tub, separate tile shower, double vanity and HUGE walk-in closet. Neighborhood amenities include a kayak launch, pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, playground, boat storage, and boat ramp with a day dock. You'll enjoy calling this spectacular home your own! This is a short sale and all offers are subject to bank approval!

FOR MORE INFORMATION,  CALL OUT HOTLINE AT 800.287.2804 AND ENTER AD CODE 5056

“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” ~Ovid (43 BC - 17 AD)

Local Market Statistics

There are currently 3716 single-family homes for sale in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.  In the last 6 months (7/23/11-1/19/12), 1891 homes have sold.  These numbers indicate that if NO other homes are listed for sale that there is approximately 11.7 months worth of inventory.

During the last week (1/12/12-1/19/12):

• 140 Homes were listed FOR SALE
• 41 Homes went UNDER CONTRACT
• 37 Homes SOLD
• 75 Homes FAILED to SELL (Withdrawn or Expired)

*Please note all of these statistics are based on data taken from the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors multiple listing service.

In Case You Missed It

The Wilmington Theater Awards will be happening on Thursday, January 26. If you are familiar with the area, you know Wilmington has a strong theater community with numerous venues around town and on the local college campuses. Thalian Hall, which continues to be the local theater epicenter, is co-sponsoring the event and it sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch. Tickets to the event are being sold online and are $14.

Area Happenings

1/20/12: Tree Fest – Independence Mall
1/20/12: Live Music from Local Bands - Brikhouse
1/21/12: Murder at the Museum – Cape Fear Museum
1/21/12: Nature Hike – Halyburton Park
1/21/12: Kids @ CAM – Cameron Art Museum
1/24/12: Health & Wellness Expo – Miller Motte College
1/24/12: Grammy Nominee, Nicolay, with The Hot @ Nights – The Soapbox
1/25/12: Bald Head Island Nature Tours – Bald Head Island Conservancy
Now – 4/1/12: Murrinis Within a Crystal Matrix: The Poetic Glassworks of Richard Ritter – Cameron Art Museum

The Cameron Team

Melanie Cameron, Broker 910.233.2840

Susan Harkins, Buyer Specialist, 910.431.2362

Gina Martin, Buyer Specialist, 910.619.1987

Meghan Riley, Client Care Specialist, 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

The numbers for December are in! The average sold price for December was at $215,056 which represented a 7.2% increase over November and the list to sale price ratio increased slightly to 94.1%. Almost 23% of the sales in December were in the price range of $200,000-$299,000. Even more telling was that over 44% of the transactions were for $160,000 or less. 371 units closed in December which was an increase of 29 units over November.

Our current listing inventory is at 3,751 which is the lowest we've seen in a while and represents an inventory supply of around 10.1 months. Our average list price for December had a slight decrease to $343,088 and our average days on the market decreased to 152.

January seems to be off to a good start and only time will tell if these trends will continue. Interest rates remain incredibly low and it's a great time to invest in real estate. If we can help you or anyone you know with your real estate needs, please let us know. 

On a "Cameron Team" note, we are pleased to announce the addition of Meghan Riley to our Team.  Meghan is our new Client Care Specialist and Team Administrator which basically means she does all the work behind the scenes.  She is incredibly talented, a pleasure to work with, and another asset to our Team.  Welcome, Meghan!

Have a great week!

According to their website, Kiplinger evaluates 500 public 4-year colleges throughout the nation to compile their top 100 list. They evaluate test scores, admission and retention rates, graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratios, in-state student costs, and financial aid. Currently, UNC-W maintains a 45% graduation rate for 4-year students and a 66% rate for 6-year students, and consistently ranks in the top 5 colleges in North Carolina. UNC-W was outranked by only one other North Carolina school, UNC – Chapel Hill, which ranked number 1 overall.

Quality colleges - just another reason why living in Wilmington is so great! 

We have definitely seen an increase in showings since the New Year and I'm optimistic that trend will continue.   One factor homeowners need to keep in mind is that pricing is still the key to getting your home sold in this market.  With a shadow inventory of bank owned properties coming on the market this year, sellers have to be competitive.  Not only that, but your home needs to show great too!  We have professional stagers available for anyone that may want to use their services.  If you're in the Wilmington market and want a market analysis of your homes value, check us out at www.WilmingtonHomeValuesOnline.com

On the buying end of things, interest rates are still incredibly low.  Yes, getting a loan is a little more difficult but buying opportunities that are available in our market right now have not been seen here in almost 8 years.  Thinking of buying?  Let us help you out and explain the process.  Just tell us what you are looking for at www.WilmingtonListingsOnline.com

Have a great week and we look forward to working with you in 2012!

Well the Stock and Bond markets are closed today in observance of the New Year holiday but expect it to open up full swing tomorrow.  December's report for consumer confidence came in at 64.5, which was the third highest number reported in 2011 (and the highest it's been since April). 

With the economy in Europe still struggling, we should continue to see low interest rates here.  Tomorrow will bring reports of the Fed's last meeting in 2011 and it will be interesting to see what is said about inflation.  Friday brings the Job's Report from the Labor Department, which will certainly have an effect on the market.

Of course, the Presidential Election will be front and center in coming months and we'll be watching that closely as well.

If you have any questions or concerns about the market, please let us know.  We look forward to working with you or anyone you know that may need a competent, professional Realtor.  Have a great week!

As the year comes to an end, we've seen another roller coaster year in our real estate market both locally and nationally.   Interest rates have been incredibly low and it has remained a strong buyers market throughout the year although we have seen in recent months the inventory of homes start to dwindle.  I'm asked frequently what I think the coming months and years will be like in our local market and my common response remains the same.  We aren't going to see any record breaking appreciation in our area any time soon.  I'm cautiously optimistic that the significant decline in values we've seen in the past 3-4 years is slowly coming to an end but we'll have to continue to see strong indicators month after month for some time in order to prove that to be true.  When we do see the tide turn, I think we'll see very conservative appreciation (2-3% per year) for several years.   The days of 10-20% appreciation in short periods of time are over...and I don't think we'll see them again any time soon.  The silver lining that I do see in all this economic turmoil that we've been through, is that more people are getting their finances in order which will help everyone in the long run.  

We wish you much love, laughter, health and prosperity in the New Year!

Retail sales for November were up slightly, though not as high as expected and interest rates remain incredibly low.  Up until the past few days, we've been relatively busy in our local market.  I expect a quiet week this week but am optimistic things will pick right back up after the Holidays.  If you'd like to revise or start a search, check out our Buyer's Resource site at www.WilmingtonListingsOnline.com and tell us what you are looking for.  Also check us out and LIKE us on Facebook.  Just search "The Cameron Team".

Have a great week!