Many hardworking North Carolina families don’t earn enough to afford an average-priced home in their community.  Real estate professionals with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty recently earned the North Carolina Workforce Housing Specialist certification and learned about programs that can help teachers, firefighters, nurses, and other service workers in our community achieve the dream of home ownership. 

Brett Adams, Cathi Anderson, Carolyn Dunwell, Paul Dunwell, Tom Gale, and Amy Whetsel from Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s Wilmington office earned the certification.  Homes4NC, a housing foundation created by the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, offers the certification to REALTORS® who take extra steps to learn about the federal, state and local housing programs specifically designed to help buyers that earn less than the area median income.  They also work within the community to increase housing affordability for all citizens.   

“My wife is a teacher, so I hear from her colleagues all the time about how hard it is to find affordable housing,” said Tom Gale.  “With the training we received, I know about more lending programs that can help them.”

According to Homes4NC, wages in North Carolina are not expected to keep pace with the cost of housing.  Half of the state’s future jobs are expected to pay 60% of the state’s current average earnings.

To earn the certification, REALTORS® must complete sixteen hours of educational courses that focus on national, state, and local affordable housing resources. For more information about the North Carolina Workforce Housing Specialist certification, visit www.Homes4NC.org.

Readers of Wilmington’s Encore magazine have voted Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty as Wilmington’s Best Real Estate Company in their “Best of Wilmington 2010″!

Thanks go out to everyone that voted for for us.  Though this isn’t our first “Best of Wilmington” award, we’re still thrilled by this honor.  Our more than 300 agents and staff take great pride in the fact that every year for the last decade, we’ve sold more homes in southeastern North Carolina than any other real estate company.

Check out the nice things Encore had to say about us:

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY

The local and national housing markets may have taken a hit due to the recession as of late, but Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty is soaring high above the rest with their win for Best Real Estate Agency. Serving the cities of Wilmington and Jacksonville; the coastal communities of Carolina Beach, Topsail Beach, Surf City, Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island, North Topsail Beach, Kure Beach, Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach; and coastal communities, including Porters Neck, Southport, Sneads Ferry, Leland, Scotts Hill, Hampstead, Holly Ridge, Camp Lejeune, New River, Bolivia, Shallotte, Boiling Spring Lakes and St. James, Sea Coast is without a doubt a leader in its industry. In fact, it is the number-one real estate company in southeastern North Carolina, selling more properties than any area firm for the past eight years.

With 300-plus agents and seven convenient locations (two in Wilmington, on Military Cutoff Road and at Porters Neck) Sea Coast is more than equipped to satisfy anything their customers desire. They can handle relocation needs, from start to finish, and even offer a 100-percent Satisfaction Guarantee. In an ever-changing real-estate climate, Sea Coast has remained true to its roots and continues to offer first-class service with a reputation clients have learned they can trust. Their easy-to-navigate Web site, www.seacoastrealty.com, only adds to what Wilmington recognizes as dependable, up-to-date and quality service.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, or Onslow County, North Carolina, shouldn’t you have the “Best of Wilmington” working for you?  Visit us online at www.seacoastrealty.com or call us at 1-800-522-9624.

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.

Ocean Isle, NC is a town located in Brunswick County with population of under 500 people. With access to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Ocean Isle remains a popular vacation destination today. Attractions include the Museum of Coastal Carolina, the Ingram Planetarium, and the annual NC Oyster Festival. With its close proximity to other major beaches and charming beauty of its own, there is no doubt that Ocean Isle real estate is also many people’s primary residence.

Holden Beach real estate offers oceanfront single family homes, condos, and duplexes, also located in Brunswick County. Voted among the top 10 family beaches in the U.S., Holden Beach remains a perfection vacation spot for friends and family. With nine miles of water your family can take advantage of water sport activities, or just relax and enjoy the natural wildlife.

The North Carolina coastline has many beautiful towns that have great beaches. Ocean Isle beach is one such town with a small population and many second/vacation homes. Its natural beauty and access to many other beaches have made it a very popular tourist destination. So if you are looking to buy a second home or a vacation home the Ocean Isle real estate market is the one to look at. If you are a golfer, you can also look at Porters Neck NC real estate. Porters Neck has amazing coastal golf courses. Both places have affordable houses and are very close to Wilmington.

Ocean Isle beach is a small piece of land (4.4 square miles) with a population of about 500. It is a part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Area. As you would expect it is a very quiet town and a great place to relax. It has many beach houses and second homes and is a tourist attraction because of its beauty and access to many beaches. Check out Ocean Isle beach real estate listings if you are looking for a vacation home. Holden Beach real estate also has to offer a lot of good beach houses and properties. Holden beach is 3.4 square miles with a population of about 800.

Southeastern NC features Oak Island real estate, home to almost 7,000 Brunswick County residents.  A popular beach community, Oak Island is known for its fresh seafood found in local markets and restaurants.  Famous for the yearly King Mackerel fishing tournament, Oak Island grows seasonally with people from all different areas.  Also located in Brunswick County is the town of Ocean Isle, a quiet community home to less than 500 residents.  Located near all of the activity of major beach towns, Ocean Isle Beach real estate offers many beach houses and second homes for a getaway resort.  Whether you desire a cottage on the beach or a quaint old home that features the beauty of dated architecture, Ocean Isle could be your next year-around home or vacation house.

Now is the time if you are looking for a great investment property, whether it be a beach house or a new home to live in. Ocean Isle hosts around only 500 residents year-around but flourishes during the season, with its close proximity to Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. A popular destination, The Museum of Coastal Carolina, is a fun place for families to visit and discover all of the interesting history of the Coastal Carolinas. Many local festivities occur on this coastal barrier island, including the North Carolina Oyster Festival, Irish Festival, Oktoberfest and Purple Feet Festival. Ocean Isle Beach real estate offers many beach houses and second homes so your family can enjoy all the activities in a small town community.

Also located in Brunswick County is Holden Beach, populating just fewer than 800 residents. Twelve months a year, residents and tourists can enjoy golfing, fishing and most other outdoor activities in the mild climate. Recognized by National Geographic Magazine, Holden Beach was rated 9^th out of all beaches in the United Sates, and named one of the 38 best beaches for families. Whether you are looking for a small cottage on the beach or a gorgeous oceanfront castle with a dock for fishing, Holden Beach real estate has it all.