Normally, the winter months are a pretty slow time in the real estate business.  While the weather has been cold outside this year, the real estate market has been getting hotter and hotter. 

In January 2009, homebuyers toured Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty listings 2,757 times!  That’s a whopping 72% increase from the previous month.  The number of showings is expected to grow even more over the next few months.

Our real estate professionals say that there are lots of homebuyers hunting for homes earlier than usual this year, so that they can take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit before the April 30, 2010 deadline.  First-time homebuyers are eligible for an $8,000 tax credit.  Homeowners that have been in their current home for the last 5 years are also eligible for a $6,500 tax credit.  In addition, real estate agents say that there are lots of investors and folks looking for second homes out looking for great properties at a bargain price.

If you are considering selling your home, it’s smart to contact a Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty agent today.  Our real estate professionals in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Onslow counties will expertly market your home, so that it will get the attention it deserves and sell for the most money.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty has been southeastern North Carolina’s top home seller for the last 10 years!  Find out more at www.seacoastrealty.com.

Sixteen associates and staff from Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s Leland, N.C. office recently took time out from selling homes to build one. The real estate professionals joined other volunteers in painting a home for Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Saturday, January 23, 2010.

Howard Bailey, Julie Bass, Scott Bowser, Bruce Brown, Linda Cline, Peter David, Kari Essig, Brenda Freckleton, Doug Jackson, Linda Killian, Denise Kinney, Peggy McKay, Leslie Morgan, Karen Schwartz, Regina White, and Ophard Willis spent the day painting the primer coat on a new Habitat home in Navassa. They were joined by the homeowner, her family, Lam Nguyen from Alpha Mortgage, their friends and families, and other Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

“Throughout the day, we shared laughs and splattered paint marks on our faces,” said Denise Kinney, managing broker of Sea Coast Realty’s Leland office. “Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity was an amazing experience. I was so proud to see the Leland office supporting our community by lending a helping hand. We have a great team.” Since 1997, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty has been involved in the construction of several homes for Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty associates, staff, and their families pitched in to help volunteers build a Navassa home for Habitat for Humanity January 23, 2010.

“Raising walls, Raising spirits” for Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity are (left to right): FRONT: Julie Bass, Linda Cline, homeowner Carrie, & volunteer Lindsay Bass. BACK: volunteer Stephanie, Peter David, Lam Nguyen of Alpha Mortgage, Peggy McKay, Leslie Morgan, Howard Bailey, volunteer Corey, Bruce Brown, Doug Jackson, volunteer coordinator Julie Hale. Not pictured are: Scott Bowser, Kari Essig, Brenda Freckleton, Linda Killian, Denise Kinney, volunteer Trace McKay, Karen Schwartz, Regina White, volunteer Eddy Wilkinson, and Ophard Willis.

Over the last 40 years, Bruce Brown has been a teacher, counselor, freelance writer, real estate professional, business coach and small business owner. 

At Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s Leland, NC office, Brown puts his talents and experience to work helping home buyers and sellers.  He is also vice-president of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and frequently attends networking events to promote and support other local businesses.  His enthusiasm and willingness to share his wisdom energize the business community and Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty.

Brown is also the owner of his own business coaching company.  He shares his passion in “31 Days to Networking Event Mastery,” a book he’s written with a month’s worth of daily tips for making the most of networking events.  He will share networking tips and plan for business success Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 at the Brunswick County Association of Realtors, located at 101 Stone Chimney Place in Supply, NC. 

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty agents were on hand at this weekend’s first annual Cape Fear Italian Festival in Leland.  The festival organized by the Italian Heritage Society of Wilmington featured live entertainment, games, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, booths, and lots of terrific food.

Agents Tom Schoaf and Don Scrime manned a booth for Harbor Bay, a new home community in Holden Beach, NC.  Agents Karen Stant and Ashley Pagliughi joined Mark Whitmarsh at a booth representing the Brunswick County new home communities of Lennon Hills and Lanvale Forest.

Brunswick County in North Carolina is home to many beautiful coastal cities like Southport and Leland. Leland is a very interesting town with a very interesting history. Early plantations around the Cape Fear and Brunswick rivers brought settlement in the Leland area. Due to the proximity to the river, it served as a transportation center in the early times. In modern times, the access to river has given Leland real estate a lot of homes with beautiful views. Oak Island real estate, a town nearby that includes Caswell Beach, also offers plenty of coastal properties at bargain prices.

Looking to move to a serene community where life is simple? Topsail Island is a 26-mile long island, home to a small population just 45 minutes north of Wilmington. Accessible by only two bridges, Topsail Island real estate has a favored balance of year-around and seasonal residents. If you’re looking to move further south but still maintain a quiet atmosphere, consider Leland, NC in Brunswick County. Less than 2,000 residents, Leland is known as the gateway to Brunswick with its small town feel and vast economic potential. With an increase in residential growth, Leland real estate is flourishing. Only five minutes west of Wilmington, the town of Leland and its surrounding area has been a popular place for shooting movies, such as Domestic Disturbance. Recreational activities are also commonly seen in the community, with parks, trails, and a a 27-hole championship golf course in Magnolia Greens.

If you are searching for a place to buy a home, and you enjoy camping with your family, then it’s time for you to consider some Sneads Ferry real estate. You will have access to Surf City Family Campground, which is a wonderful place to spend a weekend, or a week. There is also Fulcher’s Landing Campground. Leland homes are a good bet because they are also near some great places to enjoy nature, like the Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, which is actually right there in Leland.

If you’re on the hunt for a relocation, possibly a retirement locale or vacation home, a lovely spot is Leland North Carolina. Just west of Wilmington, it has become a fast growing area with a lively business community along with terrific opportunities in the outdoors. The Leland area has offers a warm climate, and is easily accessible. Leland real estate is affordable and ranges from historic to contemporary, multi-family to lots for building, and a low tax base. Are you convinced to visit and take a tour? I hope so. The community is incomparable and offers something for everyone.

For people who love to be surrounded by beautiful nature and who love to get out in it – whether that means going to the beach, fishing or hiking – there are some Leland homes available for purchase. Just think of living in the place where you actually want to be, instead of always having to travel to find your bliss. If you don’t find something exactly in Leland, then why not try Southport real estate instead? That’s nearby and so you still get all the great perks.