http://seacoastrealty.com/blog/archive_201108/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ 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 issuesIncome (salary, bonuses, commissions)Tax returnsAssetsEmployment historyHelping 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. http://seacoastrealty.com/blog/1474/first-steps-to-approaching-a-home-loan/ Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0500 You’ve seen those late-night commercials that say you can buy beautiful foreclosed homes for only hundreds of dollars. While that might seem like an ideal situation, there may be some things you should be aware of before you enter the foreclosure arena.What Are Courthouse ForeclosuresBuying a foreclosed home from the courthouse may be an inexpensive alternative to buying a new home, but it also means you are responsible for paying any existing leans on the house and many times you can’t even look inside the home until after you purchase it. Buying a home like this requires extensive research and a solid understanding of how the process works. In many cases, purchasing a foreclosure this way also requires a leap of faith.What Are Bank-Owned ForeclosuresA bank-owned foreclosure is a foreclosed home that was actually bought back by the bank. When shopping for a bank-owned property it is important for you to consider the condition of the home, because the bank won’t do any repairs before putting the house up for sale. Many foreclosures are in a state of disrepair that can range from cosmetic fixes to major necessary repairs. While this is a much easier way to purchase a foreclosed home, it still requires a fair amount of research.What Else You Should Know The important thing for you to understand when considering a foreclosure is that it can be risky business if you are not properly informed and prepared. Choose a real estate agent that offers experience with foreclosures to help ensure you get the best deal on your Jacksonville, NC real estate.While foreclosures make up a large portion of the listings in many areas, it can require patience on your end to find one that matches your needs, budget and taste. By using your head and staying informed about the market, you can actually make a successful foreclosure transaction.Want to learn more about foreclosures? Watch our video of a Sea Coast Realty real estate agent telling you what you need to know about foreclosures. http://seacoastrealty.com/blog/1475/what-you-need-to-know-about-home-foreclosures/ Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0500 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 powerA 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 homeReal 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 processRealtors 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 negotiateIf 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. http://seacoastrealty.com/blog/1476/how-realtors-improve-the-home-buying-experience/ Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0500 The Conway & Keenan team with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty in Carolina Beach, N.C. was ranked in the Top 10 teams in North Carolina for the Coldwell Banker® franchise system for the second quarter of 2011.  The Conway & Keenan team consists of Shawndy Conway and Jessica Keenan.The Conway & Keenan team ranked No. 10 in Adjusted Gross Commission Income out of the approximately 100 Coldwell Banker affiliate teams in North Carolina.“Shawndy and Jessica exemplify the standards of excellence for which Coldwell Banker professionals are known,” said Frank Lindsay, Southern regional director for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “It is an honor to recognize them as one of the top 10 teams in the state of North Carolina.” http://seacoastrealty.com/blog/1477/conway-&-keenan-team-ranks-in-the-top-10-coldwell-banker-teams-in-north-carolina/ Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0500 The Kay Baker & Associates team with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty in Wilmington, N.C. was ranked in the Top 10 teams in North Carolina for the Coldwell Banker® franchise system for the first quarter of 2011.  The Kay Baker & Associates team consists of Billy Baker, Kay Baker, Debi Byrd, Robin Jones, and Chris Rice.The Kay Baker & Associates team ranked No. 9 in Adjusted Gross Commission Income, No. 4 in Selling Units, and No. 10 in Total Units out of the approximately 100 Coldwell Banker affiliate teams in North Carolina.“Billy, Kay, Debi, Robin, and Chris exemplify the standards of excellence for which Coldwell Banker professionals are known,” said Frank Lindsay, Southern regional director for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “It is an honor to recognize them as one of the top 10 teams in the state of North Carolina.” http://seacoastrealty.com/blog/1478/kay-baker-&-associates-ranks-in-the-top-10-coldwell-banker-teams-in-north-carolina/ Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0500