When I first looking for coastal property, I had a tremendous number of questions that I wanted answered before I moved to the coast.

It took nearly three summers and multiple real estate agents before I got to the point of buying a property.

Many of the questions I ended up answering myself or asking someone other than my real estate agent.

Now that I am a real estate agent, I have made a tremendous effort at learning as much as I can about our area.

Much of my knowledge I have put in five websites that I maintain, Southern Outer Banks, Coastal Paradise, Living on the Coast and Loving It,
Accessible Trails and Coastal Carolina Restaurants.

In addition to that I have taken up boating. Doing that was one of my goals when we moved to the Crystal Coast, but I also think that as I get experience under my belt and further certifications, some potential customers might end up in my boat.

I say that because I firmly believe that you cannot fully appreciate a coastal area from the highways.  Most of our area is much more scenic when looked at from the water.

My answer is quick as to why I love this area, compared to Roanoke, VA where we lived for the last eighteen years.

Roanoke is a wonderful place, but our home there is on a mountain, and being on a mountain limits what you can do.  For years we had a wonderful trail that went higher up the mountain.  Eventually development wiped out much of the trail.  I came to feel trapped on the mountain.  In order to swim, I had to get in a car and drive for fifteen to twenty minutes.  Biking required loading a bike on the car.  Kayaking and fishing were the same.

In Bluewater Cove, I walk out my front door and in less than five minutes, I am already swimming laps in the neighborhood pool.  Kayaking involves pushing the kayak in the water.  fishing involves throwing a line off the dock.  When I want to bike, I get on the bike and start riding.  Now in ten to fifteen minutes I can be walking on a beach.  Then there is boating which is hard to do on a mountain.

We traded this mountain view for a smaller coastal one.  It was a tough choice, but I'll take the smaller view with more activities. 

I have traded more convenient shopping and access to lots of movies for a much more active lifestyle.  I think many people are looking for a similar place that frees them to do many things.  In our case, we have found the perfect spot.

There are lots of people whose lifestyle needs are changing. They probably want one last shot at trying some different things.  They likely have many questions, I hope by doing a great job answering their inquiries that I can win the trust of some potential customers.

I have learned a tremendous amount about real estate in the last year, but I have done an even better job learning about the wonder local events and culture that make our area such a wonderful place for people looking for that active lifestyle. 

How many places have Oyster Roasts that define their community.