Thinking of relocating, but you just aren’t sure? Why not take a “test drive”?

Pat Maloney with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty suggests three great ways that you can get a feel for areas like the NC coast before you make a commitment.

Why not rent a beach cottage during the off-season to get a feel for the area? Pat says it’s a great option, especially if you’re already retired.

If you aren’t retired, but want to test the waters, Pat suggests buying a “little something”, a small home that you’ll use for weekend getaways and family vacations. Then when you do retire, you can decide if moving to the coast is what you have in mind.

For those that are more daring, but still not ready to buy, Pat suggests moving somewhere and renting a home for no longer than 6 months.

With all the natural beauty and friendly folks on the Cape Fear Coast, you’ll be surprised how quickly you feel at home.

For more information, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/seacoastrealty.

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.

These days, homebuyers need a minimum 620 credit score to qualify for a home loan. However, folks with scores that aren’t up to snuff don’t have to kiss their dreams of home ownership goodbye.  We’re partnering with Wilmington-based American Credit Resolutions to help home buyers boost low credit scores.

“They were recommended to a client of mine and he went from a 570 credit score to over 620 in less than 10 days. I don’t know how, but they did it and my client enjoyed working with them,” said Sea Coast Realty associate Sherri Pickard referring to the credit clean-up team. Other associates praised American Credit Resolutions‘ quick results too.

American Credit Resolutions managing partner Dwayne Furmidge says that a “do-it-yourself” approach is the best way to solve credit problems. “However, there is a learning curve for most Americans and many make costly mistakes in the process,” he says. Furmidge and his team put their years of experience to work, handling the often tedious process of resolving credit issues on behalf of their customers.

“Clients with small issues may be completed the same day,” said Dwayne Furmidge, Managing Partner of American Credit Resolutions. “Clients with major issues may take longer.” He says that the average credit clean up takes four months.

He warns consumers against working with credit repair companies that charge exorbitant fees and non-profit agencies that creditors sometimes pay to stretch out the credit repair process. The fees for American Credit Resolutions services vary depending on the issues, but the price for the average four month clean-up would cost $545.95 - a price many consider worthwhile when low credit scores stand between them and the dream of home ownership.

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.

The average interest on a 30-year mortgage fell to a 38-year low of 4.85 percent during the week ending March 27 from 4.98 percent the prior week, Freddie Mac reported. The decrease came on the heels of the Federal Reserve’s announcement that it plans to purchase another $750 billion in mortgage-backed securities and up to $300 million in Treasuries. President Obama says refinancing is now possible for 40 percent of mortgages and encourages home owners to reap the benefits of the record-low rates.

Visit www.SeaCoastRealty.com today for all your real estate needs.