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.

What’s so great about Wilmington, North Carolina?  Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s Michelle Gurrera decided to call Wilmington home more than twenty years ago. She explains that the Port City has something for everyone and why you’ll love Wilmington too.

The race began in Wrightsville Beach with a 1,500 meter swim through Banks Channel.  The next portion of the race was a 20 kilometer (12.4 mile) bicycle route that wound through Wilmington and returned to Wrightsville Beach.  Then the race concluded with a five kilometer (3.1 mile) run along Wrightsville Beach’s popular “loop”.

Most of the Sea Coast team was participating in a triathlon for the first time, including agent Melanie Cameron.  “A group from the office has been training for about four months now.  We’ve been swimming the channel at Wrightsville Beach all summer and I’ve been running and biking on my own to get ready,” she said.  Director of Business Development Brian Moxey, a triathlon veteran, says that running a triathlon and a real estate career are not that different. “The reward of finishing a race is very similar to closing a transaction, but it’s also similar because people don’t see all the preparation and hard work that an agent goes through to get there.  There’s a lot of grunt work involved before you ever get to the big day.”

Whether they are swimming, biking, and running to the finish line or helping folks buy and sell homes, these hard-working real estate professionals “never stop moving.”  Learn more about how to make Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty part of your winning team at seacoastrealty.com.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty agents and staff participated in the Wilmington YMCA Triathlon, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. Proceeds from the race with benefit the YMCA’s youth programs. Sea Coast team members included, from left, front row: Nicole Ferguson, Michelle Gurrera. Back row, Jessica Keenan, Alisha Murray, Mary Ellen Condon, Ryanna Avery, Wendy Shorter-Bridges, Alex Paen, Dana Little, Melanie Cameron, Shawndy Conway, Tina Abraham, Rebecca Moxey, Brian Moxey, Ryan Crecelius. Not pictured, Theresa Brockway and Sean Skutnik. Photo courtesy of Russ May.

If your new move is bringing you to North Carolina Coast area, consider Wilmington as a perfect spot to live, work, and play.  The homes here can be historic, modern or contemporary, and can be in subdivisions, historical areas, or beach property.  Wilmington has the appeal of southern charm and big city living bumped together.  Then there’s always those great North Carolina beaches, Including Wrightsville.

North Carolina Beaches

Wilmington NC picturesque riverfront emerges from NC’s Cape Fear River. The downtown area and square is built around one of the state’s largest historic districts, numbering approximately 230 blocks.  A walk here leads past  historic mansions and landmark buildings.  Or you can take an enchanting tour via horse-drawn trolley or carriage tour, riverboat cruise, restored trolley car, or take a walking tour given by some of the port city’s most knowledgeable historians. Across the river on Eagles Island rests the Battleship North Carolina, a restored World War II memorial. A few miles to the east you can visit Wrightsville Beach with it’s long section of beautiful coastal white sand beaches.  There are many good home values in and around Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach.  So if you are looking for investment or personal real estate, take a look at these areas.

Figure Eight Island is one of the places in North Carolina that is home to many celebrity houses. Celebrities like John Edwards and former Vice President Al Gore own houses on this island. The island has beautiful views as it is located between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The entire island only has about 440 houses making it an ideal place for couples and individuals to relax. It is also home to many beautiful exotic animal species. If you are looking for a vacation house, check out the Figure Eight island real estate. Wrightsville beach real estate also offers many bargains and great houses.

If you are looking for a beach house or a property on a beach in North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach is the place for you. It is a part of the New Hanover County and a part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Area. It offers a beautiful beach with lots of opportunity for fishing and surfing. There are several restaurants and marinas on the beach for you to enjoy. Wrightsville beach real estate market currently offers great bargains and deals. You can also look at Wilmington real estate if you want to be in a more urbanized area while still enjoying the beaches.

If you’re looking for a balance between relaxation and fun, then Wrightsville Beach is your answer.  Enjoy fishing, boating, surfing or just relax along this North Carolina coastal beach.  Located just near the end of I-40 and accessible to the Wilmington international airport, Wrightsville is the easiest beach to get to on the NC coast.  Wrightsville Beach real estate features affordable homes with an ocean view, as well as exclusive oceanfront homes.  Want more of a small town feel with easy interstate access nearby?  Then check out Carolina Beach real estate for affordable oceanfront cottages.  Enjoy outdoor movies, live music and fireworks on The Boardwalk or head over to the Carolina Beach Marina & Fishing Center.

Looking for the ultimate spot to buy or rent a vacation home in North Carolina? What better location than a private island located near the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean? With only 441 homes, Figure Eight Island is a very popular location, known for providing a beautiful and private coastal community for its residents and tourists. Only accessible by a swing-bridge, Figure Eight Island is located just north of Wrightstville Beach, NC, making Wrightsville Beach real estate a great choice.

The well-known show, Dawson’s Creek, has been notorious for film scenes at this popular tourist location. Other celebrities and politicians, such as John Travolta, Al Gore and John Edwards, have been known frequenters of Figure Eight. With over five miles of sandy white beaches, it has become the perfect spot to take pleasure in boating, kayaking, windsurfing, bird watching and deep sea fishing. Whether you desire an oceanfront property revealing the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, or a waterfront soundside home for boating, Figure Eight Island is sure to satisfy your vacation needs.