Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty represents 18 different new home communities in the Jacksonville, NC area.  Homebuilders, developers, and real estate professionals all got together for fresh oysters and fun Thursday, December 10, 2009 when we hosted a Homebuilder Appreciation Event at our Jacksonville, NC office.  Check out the video shot and narrated by Linda Snow, Managing Broker of the Jacksonville office.

“Jacksonville is a very unique area,” says Jenna Morton of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty.  Morton has lots of experience helping folks in the Jacksonville, NC area buy and sell homes.  The Onslow County town of almost 70,000 neighbors Marine Corps Base Camp Legeune.  As Morton explains, Jacksonville has a variety of housing options, whether you’re a civilian or military active duty, dependent, or retiree.

Remodeling and decorating trends in 2010 are likely to reflect the fact that many home owners are settling in for the long haul.

Here are some ideas for updating homes and gardens from decorators and leading real estate practitioners:

• Environmentally sensitive furniture. Natural fibers, sustainable woods, and recycled products are key to attracting environmentally concerned buyers.

• Classic neutral colors. Deep gray browns and gray blues, muted beige, and chalky white will be particularly popular shades, Pittsburgh Paints predicts.

• Backyard gardens. First Lady Michelle Obama led the way in 2009 when she installed one at the White House.

• Backyard living. Wood-deck additions offer an 80.6 percent payback, according to the annual Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine and REALTOR® magazine. Simple fire pits and outdoor fireplaces also will be popular, trend-watchers say.

• Made in America. As more people feel compelled to support local employment, U.S. manufactured products and antiques will become more popular, says Patricia Shackelford, author of design blog, Mrs. Blandings.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, Jean Patteson (12/26/2009) and Kansas City Star, Stacy Downs (12/27/2009)

Sellsius has named Jessica Riffle Edwards with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty to its “Top 12 Women Real Estate Bloggers for 2009.”

“I am very enthusiastic about what I do and the videos have allowed people to see that passion for my business and my clients,” said Edwards, who found out she’d been named to the list of top bloggers after she began receiving emails about her blog from across the country.  “I love the positive feedback, because it keeps me going.  I appreciate knowing that people are out there watching on a regular basis and that they expect to see new videos each week.”

Sellsius, a popular real estate blog, began publishing the list four years ago.  “…We meant for it to raise awareness of women real estate bloggers…and to inspire others to blog,” said Sellsius publisher Joseph Ferrara.  Bloggers named to this year’s list were recognized for their excellence in creative content, utilization of video, and community involvement.

Edwards is the first blogger named to the list that uses exclusively video.  “I applaud her consistent work in this medium,” said Ferrara.  “She’s not a veteran, but an upstart. Watch her videos and you’ll get a sense of her passion for her profession— AND clients.”

Edwards’ blog is available at www.HotPropertyBlog.com.  This isn’t the first recognition that she has received for her video blog.  It was also featured on NBC’s TODAY show blog in October 2009 and in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal in June 2009.

The end of the year is not just about holiday shopping, family gatherings and other festive events.  Many people use the time off to move before the New Year.  The professionals at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty offer the following tips to help sellers maximize their home’s charm and allure during the holidays:

Increase Curb Appeal: First impressions are critical. If the home is in a snowy area, make sure to clear the walkways and driveway.  Remove any late fall leaves, and ensure the path to the stairs is free of ice. Put up a few exterior holiday lights and decorations to display seasonal tidings and pride in ownership. Do not overdo the lighting. Keep it tasteful and consistent with the rest of the neighborhood. A holiday welcome mat outside the front door is also an inviting touch. 

Keep the House Warm and Welcoming: November, December and January can be cold, so make sure the home is warm and cozy.  If the house has a fireplace, light a fire to bring the room to life and enhance the ambience.  Bake holiday cookies and treats to give the home an enticing aroma.

Decorate the Interior:  It is important not to overwhelm home shoppers with dramatic displays of holiday cheer, so be conservative with holiday decorations.  Decorate to accentuate the house, not to cover it.  Tasteful decorations will help connect buyers to the home, remind them of pleasant memories and help them imagine their own holiday celebrations there.