Ar_home_b_search
 



realtors: Do you speak “Realtorese?” - 12/20/11 04:56 PM
 
Do you speak “Realtorese?”  Maybe your buyers and sellers, neighbors and friends don’t.  Here’s a few important translations:
 
NAR                        National association of REALTORS®
NCAR                       North Carolina Association of REALTORS®
HOA                         Home Owner’s Association
PUD                          Planned Unit Development
HVAC                       Heating, venting and Air conditioning system
Closing                      Settlement Day
FISBO                      For Sale By Owner
Frog                         Finished Room over Garage
Agent Unavailable      Playing golf
ABR                          Accredited Buyer’s Agent
GRI                          Graduate of the Real Estate Institute
CRS                          Certified Residential Specialist
PMI                          Private Mortgage Insurance
CMA                         Comparable Market Analysis
LTV                          Loan to Value
 
REALTORS®…Go … (4 comments)

realtors: It’s scary out there. Don’t go out alone.! - 10/31/11 08:02 AM
 
 
 
It's scary out there.  Don’t go out alone.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home or investment property, you are about to make one of the largest financial decisions of your life.  REALTORS® are trained to know how to make it as safe as possible. There are  ghouls and scary things around every corner. 

Protect yourself.  Call a REALTOR®!
 
 
 

 
 
… (2 comments)

realtors: Almost speechless Sunday on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina - 12/27/09 04:07 PM
I'm not a bird watcher but pelicans are awesome! 
I guess this is the time of year when pelicans fly South for the winter.  This week-end everywhere I went, there were flocks.  My husband and I walked down to the beach on Friday and there were probably about 100 diving for fish.  We stood on the "sittum" mesmerized for the longest time watching them dive.  Then yesterday I was out walking our dog and there were great flocks of them at the Beacon's Reach marina.  Every piling had it's own pelican.  I couldn't believe how close I was able to … (4 comments)

realtors: Genesis Condominiums in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina - 12/18/09 02:42 PM
Genesis Condominiums in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina is a unique, ocean side condominium complex featuring 71 condominiums with varying sizes and floor plans. The five buildings that make up Genesis are built around its beautiful, landscaped pools – one main pool with a rock waterfall and two jacuzzi pools.

 
 
Genesis also provides several convenient beach accesses directly from the parking lot. Other features may include (depending on the condominium and floor plan) secured interior entry, multiple decks and automatic garage. Genesis Condominiums in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina is conveniently located less than one mile from … (2 comments)

realtors: Pine Knoll Association in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina - 12/17/09 10:39 AM
 
If you are considering a move to Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina, you'll definitely want to check out the different associations.


Pine Knoll Association in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina, also known as PKA, is the oldest and one of the most popular home owner's groups in Pine Knoll Shores.  Early in the development of the town of Pine Knoll Shores a group of home owners established the first home owners association; Pine Knoll Association, Inc.  At that time PKA members were responsible for maintaining streets, parks and waterways.
Today members of Pine Knoll Association in … (5 comments)

realtors: Single Family Association in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina - 12/16/09 02:14 PM
Single Family Association in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina consists of 104 single family homes scattered throughout the community.  Each home is custom built and ranges in size from one level at about 1600 square feet to three stories up to 6000 square feet. Some are direct sound front, some are direct ocean front, some are lagoon front and some are interior homes.  All are unique.
Beacon's Reach has thirteen separate associations; twelve individual associations and a Master Association with oversight of the entire complex.  A professional manager serves Beacon's Reach from offices on site.  Security is provided … (1 comments)

realtors: Westport II in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina - 12/16/09 09:54 AM
Westport II in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina is a unique marina front condominium community.  The condos each overlook the marina and beautiful Bogue Banks Sound. There are two and three bedroom flats.  Each unit has a screened porch overlooking the marina.
Ownership at Westport II in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina comes with all the amenities of Beacon's Reach; marina, several sound side pools, lighted tennis courts, walking and biking trails, "sittums" on both ocean and sound and more.
 
Almost all the owners in Westport II are second home owners.  Boating … (0 comments)

realtors: Ocean Grove in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina - 12/10/09 09:28 AM
Ocean Grove in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina is a unique and special ocean front condominium community.  Surrounded by the Maritime forest in the middle of the island of Bogue Banks, Ocean Grove, is a relaxing, fun place to escape and get away from the hustle, bustle and stress of city life.Imagine stepping out your front door and right onto the beach.  Ocean Grove units provide direct beach access and spectacular ocean views.  From your deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you can enjoy the sunrise and the sunsets due to the fact that Bogue Banks faces due South.  … (2 comments)

realtors: The Breakers in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina - 12/10/09 02:26 AM
The Breakers in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina is a unique and special ocean front community.  Nestled in the Maritime forest in the middle of the island of Bogue Banks, The Breakers, is a relaxing, fun place to escape and get away from the hustle, bustle and stress of city life. Imagine sitting on your deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, tall glass of sweet North Carolina iced tea in hand, flip flops propped on the railing, enjoying the ocean breeze, the salt smell and the sound of the laughing gulls.  Life doesn't get much better than this at … (1 comments)

realtors: Coral Shores in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina - 12/08/09 01:25 PM
Coral Shores in Beacon's Reach in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina is an exclusive oceanfront community in the center of the small island of Bogue Banks just off the coast.  The community offers a private ocean front pool and several other private pools on the sound side, a marina,  private access to beautiful uncrowded beaches, lighted tennis courts, bike and walking trails, and picturesque access to Bogue Sound.  Beacon's Reach is a community of 465 units with only twenty-four of those units being part of Coral Shores which offers two basic designs.  There are eight Garden units, each with four bedrooms … (1 comments)

realtors: The other side of the story.... - 12/07/09 08:26 AM
I've read so many blogs lately and heard so much complaining about unresponsive, unprofessional and unethical REALTORS that I just have to tell you the other side of the story. Here on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina we must truly be getting the "Cream of the Crop". I've had a few closings lately.  (Let's hope that continues.) The agents on the other side of the deals have been awesome.  They have kept me informed, returned calls quickly, responded promptly to requests and maintained a professional, ethical attitude at all times.
This week-end I worked with buyer clients.  The wife is … (4 comments)

realtors: Almost Wordless Wednesday on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. - 12/02/09 08:38 AM
When I took off on my run this morning about 6:30 am here on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, the sun was just beginning to come up.  I had admired the beautiful full (I think) moon to my west but I always start out running due east.  I've been told running toward the morning sun is good for your soul. 
It works for me.
About 3 minutes into my run, I had to stop and dig the camera out of my fanny pack in hopes of capturing this scene to share with you.  Awesome!  Have a great day everybody!

… (8 comments)

realtors: Why would you want to live on an island? - 11/24/09 10:29 AM


I live, work and play on the island of Bogue Banks.  My company, which I founded, is Pine Knoll Shores Realty and is located almost dead center of that island.  I'm about 10 minutes from the bridge to the mainland and I can't imagine living anywhere else. 
I sell property on the mainland and love the little towns over there too, but not the same way I love my home town of Pine Knoll Shores.
I just had an email from a potential buyer asking why prices are so much more on the island. Her question made me revisit … (5 comments)

realtors: What do you do if you gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now? - 11/23/09 03:28 PM
 What do you do if you gotta go right now?
Unless you live and work in a resort, rental and second home market like I do, this blog may not make sense to you.  The rest of you will definitely "Get It."
Please don't (and don't allow your customers/clients to) use the facilities when showing vacant properties.  Around here folks often turn off the water when the house or condo is not in use.  I can't tell you how many times I've gone into one of those and noticed that a while back somebody used the toilet and then of course, couldn't … (5 comments)

realtors: Oh, good grief...Just do it! - 11/19/09 10:18 AM
What are you waiting for?  Just do it!
Just do what?  I don't know.  (I'm sighing and rolling my eyes.) Whatever it is you've been putting off. (Exasperation in voice.) Whenever you say (in your head, or out loud) "One of these days, I'm gonna...fill in the blank."  Just do it!
I think we all do it sometimes but it's not a good habit.  Putting things off, that is.  If it pops into your head, you probably need to do it NOW. 
I can't tell you how many times I've said, "I've got to clean out this drawer."  This is actually how it … (17 comments)

realtors: Almost...Wordless Wednesday on the Crystal Coast!! - 11/18/09 07:29 AM
 
Now, this should put to rest forever any claim that Carolina Blue Skies are rivaled anywhere!
As some of you know, I'm learning to use my new digital camera.  I try to have it with me everywhere I go and I take hundreds of shots every day.  Most shots are simply deleted.  I was thrilled with this one!  I think the way the birds' formation outlines that beautiful cloud is exquisite but I was most pleased with the fact that I actually captured the color of that sky.  ENJOY!

… (9 comments)

realtors: Don't leave home without it...Your digital camera, of course - 11/02/09 09:56 AM
You should have your digital camera ready to grab at any given moment.  Shots like this one cannot be 'staged'.  They just suddenly appear and if you're ready you may be able to capture a moment to enjoy and share for years to come.
 

I should probably stop right here to say that "Yes, I know many of you have one piece of equipment that does multi-tasking to the Nth degree."  My best friend Paula, scoffs at me constantly for my antiquated tools.  But, they work for me.
When I go out for my morning walk or run each … (7 comments)

realtors: Is a picture really worth a thousand words? If so..... - 10/21/09 03:37 PM
I've been using my professional, business card, head shot picture for my profile in Active Rain since I started here.
Today I decided to change the picture for the season.  Since I just had a pretty fun shot taken on the front porch at home with my three grandsons,  (Just after we carved the Jack-O-Lantern)  I decided to use it until after Halloween.
Will it make me look unprofessional if somebody (Wonderful Thought) googles me and it pops up?  Do I look fat and stupid?  Is it too far away?  And is it OK to change pictures with the season? 
Check … (6 comments)

realtors: What to do while waiting for BIOPSY results... - 10/11/09 08:17 PM
OK, I'm sure it's nothing.  Or I should say "they're nothing".  But let this be a warning to all of us.
Thursday I went to the dermatologist to have her look at a suspicious mole.  She quickly dismissed it and said, "oh, that's just a (fill in the blank with some unpronouncable medical term.)  Whew!  I'm reaching for my bra...
"mmm...I don't like the looks of this one over here."  What "one over here?" I'm thinking as she shined some fancy light on the area.
In any case, an hour later I'm on my way with three bandages where once there were … (7 comments)

realtors: How hard is it to decide if it's a bedroom or not? - 07/21/09 01:33 PM
Come on, you walk through the house and there are 5 rooms with beds and dressers.  Nice comfortable bedrooms, right?  NOT!  Go back and check.  Do each of these rooms have closets?  If not, they are not technically (legally) bedrooms.  OK, so they all have closets?  Well, now go to the health department and ask for a copy of the septic permit.  It says 3 bedrooms?  Well, now you know.  It's a three bedroom house with two bonus rooms that are currently being used for sleeping quarters.

Don't advertise that house as a 5 bedroom house!

I know, I … (9 comments)