Archive for the "tips" Category

Answering the Two Most Common Home-Selling Questions

September 5, 2011

When you are getting ready to sell your home, it’s common to have many questions. A qualified real estate agent can help you to answer many of the questions you have about the process of selling your home.

But, before you even begin the process of selling your home, it may help to know the answers to the two most common home-selling questions from a Sea Coast Realty real estate professional:

How do I know what my house is worth?

Every homeowner entering the process of trying to sell their home wants to know how much their house is worth. They don’t want to under-price their home, but they also don’t want to get stuck because they have over-priced their home. A real estate agent will tell you there is no magic number to price your home at. There are a variety of variables that need to be considered.

When selling your home, the price will consist of the overall condition of your property, how much competition you have in the area, and the average price range of Jacksonville, NC homes for sale in your area. The goal is to make your home one of the best conditioned and best priced in your specific sub-division.

How long will it take to sell my home?

Every home owner wants to know how long the process will take. Having a home on the market for a long period of time has a lot of drawbacks for both the buyer and the real estate agent. However, any real estate agent will tell you there is no magic number for this, either.

The speed in which your home will sell rests on a variety of factors. If your home is priced in the mid-range, it may sell faster than a home that is more on the high-end of the spectrum. It will also depend on the area your home is located in and the condition of your home. The more cooperative you are in the selling process, the easier it will be for your real estate agent to sell your Jacksonville or Wilmington, NC real estate.

Looking for a qualified real estate agent to help answer the rest of your home-selling questions? Contact Sea Coast Realty today.

Category: Jacksonville, Real Estate, Selling, Tips, Wilmington

First Steps to Approaching a Home Loan

August 29, 2011

While you may think being approved for a loan is one of the last steps in the home-buying process, any real estate agent will tell you that is not true. It is necessary for you to assess your specific situation before you begin shopping seriously for Jacksonville, NC homes for sale.

It is the job of a mortgage broker to tell you how much you can afford to spend on a home. There are several ways they go about evaluating this information. A mortgage broker or lender will better determine how much you can afford to spend by assessing:

• Credit issues


• Income (salary, bonuses, commissions)


• Tax returns


• Assets


• Employment history

Helping you determine the range of money you are qualified to borrow will help you and your real estate agent get a better idea of the price range you can shop in. It will not be beneficial for you to look at homes that are outside of your price range, because it will only make the homes in your price range seem less desirable.

Your real estate agent will also benefit from finding out your exact price range before you start shopping. They will be able to start immediately finding houses that suit your tastes and your price range so you can find your dream Wilmington, NC real estate faster than you had hoped.

Ask friends for a solid reference and only meet a mortgage broker or lender that you feel comfortable with. Often times, people see the mortgage lender as the bad guy, when in reality it is their number one priority to help you find a home that you can afford.

Want to learn more about taking the first steps to approaching your home loan? Watch this Sea Coast Realty video from Chris Hutchens, an Alpha Mortgage professional.

When you’re ready to start the search for your Jacksonville, NC new home, contact the real estate professionals at Sea Coast Realty.

Category: Buying, Home Financing, Real Estate, Tips

How Realtors Improve the Home-Buying Experience

August 15, 2011

The number one goal of a trained Realtor is to improve the home-buying experience for a buyer and a seller.

If you are an inexperienced home-buyer, why wouldn't you want the guidance and support of a trained professional with years of experience? There are so many aspects that go into the home-buying process that you may not be aware of or fully understand.

A professional real estate agent can help you understand and narrow your options, while also helping you to negotiate the best deal. A professional real estate agent can also:

Determine your buying power

A real estate agent can help you identify how much you can afford to spend on a home. Taking into consideration your borrowing capacity and available financial reserves, a real estate agent can help you narrow your selection and find a home that suits your means.

Access additional resources to find your home

Real estate agents have access to Jacksonville or Wilmington, NC real estate that may not be actively advertised on the market. Your agent could have access to a variety of properties that you didn't even know were out there.

Assist in the selection process

Realtors have access to a variety of informational resources that can assist you in making a better decision about your future home. Real estate agents have access to facts on zoning, schools, utilities and other valuable information that could help you make a more informed decision.

Help you negotiate

If you are an inexperienced home-buyer, it could be helpful to have a professional on your side. When you have found the Jacksonville, NC home for sale that you want to purchase, you need to ensure you negotiate effectively. A real estate agent can help you negotiate things such as price, financing, terms and date of possession.

Choose a real estate agent you can trust. Contact the professional real estate agents at Sea Coast Realty today.

Category: Buying, Home Financing, Real Estate, Realtor, Selling, Tips

The Sea Coast Realty Real Estate Academy

August 1, 2011

Sea Coast Realty goes above and beyond to offer our clients the most experienced and educated real estate professionals. With more than 300 real estate professionals serving our clients, we can only afford to hire the best.

So whether you hope to sell Wilmington, NC homes for sale or Jacksonville, NC real estate, you need to be well prepared.

In an effort to help interested individuals pursue their goal of becoming a licensed real estate agent, Sea Coast Realty offers an educational real estate program. The Sea Coast Real Estate Academy offers pre-licensing classes and post-licensing courses for interested professionals.

Pre-Licensing

Our pre-licensing courses are ideal for someone looking to get their start in real estate. The pre-licensing program consists of 75 hours of instruction in the basic principles and practices of real estate.

Students enrolled in our Southeastern, NC courses can expect to explore diverse topics including:

• Property ownership


• Real estate law


• Finance


• Brokerage relationships


• Closings


• Transfer of title


• Sales contracts


• Valuation


• Taxation


• Fair housing

With successful completion of our pre-licensing courses, students should be qualified to take the real estate license examination.

Post-Licensing

Within three years of initial licensure, “provisional” brokers are required to complete 90 hours of post-licensing education. During each of the first three years after initial licensing, a broker must complete one of their three 30 hour post-licensing courses.

Sea Coast Realty offers post-licensing courses in an effort to help “provisional” brokers meet their requirements. Topics in these courses vary and offer instruction at a level beyond what is provided in the pre-licensing courses.

Want to learn more about our Sea Coast Real Estate Academy? Contact Sea Coast Realty today.

Category: Coldwell Banker, Real Estate, Realtor, SeaCoastRealty.com, Tips

Five Relocation Tips for Your Big Move

June 27, 2011

Being relocated can be stressful. Your family is nervous about being uprooted and you are nervous about starting a new job. Relocating involves more than just a new address; it involves new neighbors, new schools, new coworkers and a new house.

So how can you maintain control when you are treading in unfamiliar territory? Use the following five relocation tips to help you make the most of your relocation to Jacksonville, NC.

1. Give Your New City a Trial Run – If you’re relocating to Wilmington, NC, you may want to visit the area before you plan your entire move. Take the family for a weekend trip and survey the area. Find restaurants and grocery stores that you will be using. By getting familiar with your new town before you move, your family may feel more comfortable when it actually comes time to relocate.

1. Accept Help – If family or friends want to help you pack your things or move into your new place, accept. You can’t expect to do everything, and having the support of your loved ones will actually make the move easier on your family.

1. Use Packing as an Opportunity to Purge – When packing for your big move, give your family a fresh start. Use your packing as an opportunity to get rid of the clutter you have accumulated over the years. Start fresh in your new house without clutter and without the stress of having to find places for all of the stuff you packed, but don’t actually need.

1. Be Aware of Cost of Living – When moving to a new city, you need to make yourself aware of any changes in your cost of living. If you are relocating to Jacksonville, NC your cost of living may actually decrease depending on where you are moving from. Assess your current financial situation and do research to find out what changes you will experience.

1. Create a Network – If you have friends or family that have relocated to where you are moving, use it as an opportunity to look them up. Use social networking to find old friends or colleagues that may be living in your new city and get in touch with them. Surround yourself with people you know.

Don’t let the process of relocating to Wilmington, NC get the best of you. Stay strong and embrace the experience for what it is. Moving to a new city gives you the chance to write the next chapter of your life. Don’t dwell on what you’re leaving behind, but on all the opportunities that are waiting for you.

Need help finding a new home? The Realtors at Sea Coast Realty are experts in helping you’re your relocation. Contact us today.

Category: Real Estate, Realtor, Relocation, Tips