Lookout THE FIRST COAST
your guide to Crystal Coast living
spring edition OUR KIND OF SPRING FROM THE BIC RWFC HAPPENINGS UPCOMING EVENTS TOP 6 REASONS NOT TO BUY A HOME - DEBUNKED COASTAL FLAVOR : ASPARAGUS & PARMESAN CREAM PASTRY VACATION FEATURE UNDER THE UMBRELLA
VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 3 • MARCH, 2016
our kind of
spring it's more than just a season, it's a chance for new beginnings
WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY // Christine Chadwick
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
March 13, 2016. This is a Sunday that we have been looking forward to for some time. To many, Spring means pretty flowers, pastels and daydreaming of their next beach vacations, but Spring along the Crystal Coast, means so much more. The seasons seem to ebb and flow like the tide, but when they show up, they come in like a tidal wave. One day, it’s 50º and calm, the next, it’s 73º and the wind begins it’s quarterly ritual of blowing in the weather.
vacationers, like long-lost family, are welcomed with open arms.
Sure, much like our landlocked friends and family, we look forward to the beautiful colors and smells of a new season, but there's something else - we begin to get excited about the vacationers returning, sprucing up the house and opening the windows, and the possibilities of what the new season will bring. Boating season will ramp up, and of course, fishing. The main point being, we get excited about getting back out on the water - however you prefer it. Take a stroll along the Beaufort waterfront and you'll notice local shops take extra care to ensure that their storefronts are in tip-top shape and ready for a busy season. Us homeowners get back in the yard to plant beautiful flowers beds, clean up shrubs and dust off the winter blues. It doesn't take us long to get back into the swing of things. Come Spring, vacationers begin to return and, like long lost family, are welcomed with open arms. Not having seen many of them these last few months gives us a bit of nostalgia for the classic sun-filled beach days. Laughter permeates the air and we are proud to be the host to such a wonderful time. These “part-timers” bring with them excitement and energy that helps provide Springs' fuel to transform into Summer. Spring along the Crystal Coast provides days that are a bit longer and air that is just a little sweeter. And whether you consider it luck, being blessed, or perhaps coincidence, we’re simply happy to live here. 2
MESSAGE
from the
BIC
Chris Latham, our trusted BIC, gives us the full picture when it comes to the Carteret County Real Estate Market.
Supply
DEMAND
Over the last seven to eight years we have grown accustomed to a buyer’s market, with supply far outpacing demand. During the truly terrible times, some areas experienced as much as a four to five year supply of inventory. This ultimately drove down real estate values. Based on current sales, however, this protracted period of buyer dominance will soon come to a halt. Our return to a normal, healthy market with an average of around a six month supply is near.
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
Supply & Demand Town Breakdown
Beaufort
MOREHEAD CITY
# Active Listings
120
# Active Listings
125
# Sold Last 12 Months
148
# Sold Last 12 Months
213
# Months Supply
9.7
# Months Supply
# Months Supply September 2015
12.5
# Months Supply September 2015
7 9.5
ATLANTIC BEACH
CAPE CARTERET # Active Listings
51
# Active Listings
48
# Sold Last 12 Months
65
# Sold Last 12 Months
66
# Months Supply
9.4
# Months Supply
8.7
# Months Supply September 2015
14.2
# Months Supply September 2015
PINE KNOLL SHORES
14.5
EMERALD ISLE
# Active Listings
41
# Active Listings
125
# Sold Last 12 Months
60
# Sold Last 12 Months
186
# Months Supply
8.2
# Months Supply
# Months Supply September 2015
10.4
# Months Supply September 2015
8 14.7
As of March the 1st of 2016, each of the largest cities in Carteret County had significantly less than a one year supply of single-family residential homes listed for sale. This represents an ongoing trend toward a balanced supply and demand over the last few years.
Learn more about Chris: chrislatham.com
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featured team member Sharon Barnes
RWFC happenings Direct: 252-241-2095 Email: sbarnes2095@gmail.com Web: sharonbarnesrealestate.com
Growing up in nearby Wilson, North Carolina, Sharon visited the Crystal Coast often as a child. "As kids, we didn't know there was another beach! Atlantic Beach and the surrounding Carteret County area still hold the same mystique for me. There is so much beautiful water here. From the ocean to broad sounds, rivers and creeks, there are opportunities for every facet of boating and beachcombing and a quality of life unsurpassed for those drawn to the water." Sharon and her husband Frank Barnes made their home on the coast in 1986. From the ocean to broad sounds, rivers and creeks, there are opportunities for every facet of boating and beachcombing and a quality of life unsurpassed for those drawn to the water.
From left to right: Bandy Herman; Llew Ramsey; Tricia Smith; Catherine Reid; Cyndy Mann; Marcia Holcomb; Millie Arnold; Elaine Main; Tammy Main; Marc Atkins; Chris Latham; Vicky Parsons; Norwood Jackson; Mari Hickerson; Julius McCabe; Sharon Barnes; Karen Willis; Dan Bartolini; Jane Rouse; Penny Smith; Christine Chadwick
As always, our monthly All-Office meeting was a great success! We dove into the new MLS program, discussed the local market and spoke about our involvement in our communities. We are happy to announce our award winners. The awards and recipients are as follows: January Top Listing Agents:
January Top Selling Agents:
Carolyn Fowle: BFT
Sharon Barnes: BFT
Julius McCabe: AB
Coastal 1 Team: AB
2015 Overall Top Selling Agents Sharon Barnes
Chris Latham
Norwood Jackson
Coastal 1 Team
Pastor Bob Heap
Tia Yelton
Vicky Parsons
Llew Ramsey & Elaine Main of The Selling Team
Tricia Smith
Dan Bartolini
BFT = Beaufort; AB = Atlantic Beach
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
Always the diplomat, Sharon's strongest skills come into play in negotiating and finalizing transactions. "The purchase of real property is typically the most important acquisition in our lives. I pride myself in using my experience and knowledge to insure that clients are wellinformed every step of the way in this process. My familiarity with the Crystal Coast and an understanding of the unique characteristics of coastal living have been invaluable. Most of my business comes by way of personal referrals from past customers and clients. I treasure those relationships and take very seriously my duties and responsibilities." Having owned her own real estate company in past years, Sharon's affiliation with Realty World First Coast Realty has opened new doors in her real estate career. Years of experience, added to the benefits of association with an internationally known real estate company make Sharon a natural choice for both sellers and buyers in today's complex real estate market. Learn more about Sharon on YouTube: youtube.com/Realtyworldfirstcoast
Sharon recently won the award for 2015 Selling Agent of the Year
the
Coastal Home & Garden Show
WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY // Christine Chadwick The official mascot of the booth. "Pete" the Pelican joined us sporting is RWFC sunglasses.
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If you were out and about the weekend of March 5, you would have found us, along with the rest of the home and garden industry, showcasing our services to the community. From spa's to unique choices in counter tops, water purification to must-have tools for the happy homeowner, and, of course, real estate and vacation rentals. Many of our team members took time out of their days to join in on the fun and get to know the neighbors.
Agents Don Johnson, Gina Albritton & Pastor Bob
While in our booth, you could have signed up for a free Market Analysis by one of our experienced agents, checked out one of our many professionally developed videos, learned about how Realty World - First Coast differentiates itself from the competition and even snagged up some swag along the way. With such overwhelming positive response, you'll be sure to see us there again next year.
Agents Bandy Herman, Norwood Jackson & Marketing & Creative Services Director Christine Chadwick
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
The finished product
UPCOMING EVENTS ALONG THE CRYSTAL COAST BHA Summer Camp Sign-up March 1–July 19 130 Turner St, Beaufort, NC 28516 The Beaufort Historical Association’s summer camp gives students the opportunity to tour and learn about each of the buildings and the gardens on the Beaufort Historic Site. Campers will participate in colonial activities to learn about life in early America. The three-day Summer History Day Camp is for children ages 8-11 years old. There will be two sessions for students to choose from: July 19-21 and July 26-28. Camp runs from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm each day. To register call 252-728-5225 or visit www.beauforthistoricsite.org _____________________________________________ Youth Tennis Clinics with Tony Pereira February 15–March 14 Emerald Isle Community Center Youth Tennis Clinic in Emerald Isle with Tony Pereira will take place at the Emerald Isle Community Center on Mondays from 4:00- 5:00pm. The five week session will be $60 for ages 7-13.* All levels* Registration is limited to 6 students. Students must be registered by February 5, 2016. Forms can be picked up at the Community Center or downloaded at www.emeraldisle-nc.org
Sustainable Tourism Workshop March 9 NOAA Beaufort Lab Auditorium 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC FREE workshop presented by N.C. Green Travel and the Carteret County Tourism Development Authority Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm (check-in begins at 8:30 am)
Crystal Coast businesses will learn about: Sustainable tourism efforts and how they can help the environment and a business’s bottom line; The N.C. Green Travel program and its certification process; Waste Reduction Partners and the services they offer businesses; and The sustainability efforts implemented by the Hampton Inn & Suites of Jacksonville, N.C.
For more information, please contact Sarah Cutillo, Program Supervisor, Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation (252) 354-6350 or scutillo@emeraldisle-nc.org.
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Merry Time for Tots: Hatteras Jack March 9 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC (252) 728-7317
Volunteer Training at the Beaufort Historic Site March 10 9am–4pm 130 Turner Street, Beaufort, nc 252-728-5225
Preschoolers and their caregivers will hear the legend of the albino dolphin “Hatteras Jack” and learn more about the dolphins that frequent the North Carolina coast. This class will include a craft, story and game to practice following directions, review their colors and learn about themselves as they learn about dolphins. Ages 2-5. Free. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. 252-7287317. Program by School & Group Coordinator Christine Brin. North Carolina Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516. www. ncmaritimemuseums.com _____________________________________________
Attendees are invited for an orientation for those interested in volunteering at the Beaufort Historic Site. Anyone interested in historic preservation and research, student educational programs, driving a double-decker bus, leading tours, retail sales in the gift shop or helping with the many committees that are the backbone of the Association are welcome to attend. _____________________________________________
Brown Bag Gam: The Beaufort Dolphins March 9 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC (252) 738-7317 Pack a lunch for the Brown Bag Gam during your lunch hour and join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster for an informal discussion about the biology, behavior, and conservation issues affecting the Beaufort Dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins occur in Beaufort year-round but they’re not the same individuals and we’re learning a lot from photo-ID and stranding response. Gam is defined as a friendly conversation between whalers or to visit with another ship while at sea. Free Admission. No advance registration. Walk-ins welcome. 252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516. www.ncmaritimemuseums.com.
Student Art From The Heart Show 2016 March 11–20 Morehead Plaza Shopping Center Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC The 2016 Student Art From The Heart Show, sponsored by the Arts Council of Carteret County, will take place March 11th through the 20th. Artwork from the county school system, plus the private, charter, and home-school community will be on display in Morehead Plaza, in the storefront between Snap Fitness and the new Tractor Supply Company. Gallery hours are 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12:00 Noon through 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This show is an annual exhibit of students' artwork from across the county. Each of our schools has a dedicated visual arts teacher and this event will showcase both their skill at instruction and students' own talent and perseverance. In addition to encouraging creativity, arts instruction carries lessons applicable across the core curriculum. The pieces will be judged by school system representatives and a cadre of local professional artists, including Heather Sink of Beaufort. A special awards ceremony will be held at the exhibition space on Thursday, March 17th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Also during that time, the Arts Council will give the arts teachers gift cards for arts supplies for their classrooms, thanks to the generous donations from the community during events such as the Artwalk (December) and Art from the Heart (February).
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
Leon Russell at the Carteret Community Theatre March 11 1311 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557 Please join us March 11, 2016 at the Carteret Community Theatre for a night with Leon Russell! Advance tickets are available here. Leon Russell has played on pop, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, standards, gospel, and surf records. As a session musician, arranger, producer, singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, record company owner, bandleader, and touring musician, he has collaborated with hundreds of artists, including Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Edgar Winter, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, J.J. Cale, David Gates, Bruce Hornsby, Hal Blaine, Tommy Tedesco, Bobby "Boris" Pickett, B.B. King, Freddie King, Bill Wyman, Steve Cropper, Carl Radle, Chuck Blackwell, Don Preston, Jesse Ed Davis, Rita Coolidge, Barbra Streisand, Ike & Tina Turner, Ricky Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and on and on and on… _____________________________________________ 25th Annual Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival March 12 8700 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC (252) 354-6350 25th Annual Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival sponsored by Transportation Impact on Saturday, March 12th from 9am-6pm at the Emerald Plantation shopping center. Admission and parking are free for the festival. This year’s festival will feature over 75 arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, clowns and static displays along with amusement rides, a climbing wall, face painters, and many other fun, family-oriented activities. As always, the festival will feature delicious foods such as corned beef and cabbage, shrimp burgers, hamburgers and hot dogs, Mediterranean cuisine, BBQ, funnel cakes, fried peanuts, cotton candy and much, much more. Festival goers can also enjoy a beer garden. The Little Ms. & Mr. Leprechaun Contest will take place on the main stage at 9am. The contest is for boys and girls ages 2-3 and 4-5 with each participant being judged on the originality and creativity of their costume and overall stage presentation.
Contest organizers require pre-registration by 12pm on Thursday, March 10th and ask that participants be under the main stage’s tent by 8:30am on the day of the event. Please contact 252.354.6350 to register. _____________________________________________ Carteret Community Theatre Fundraising Dinner March 12 A fundraising dinner with music from the 1960s & ’70s is at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at a Morehead City restaurant. Tickets are $60 each. Call 252-247-5838 for more information. _____________________________________________ Alice In Wonderland March 14–19 1311 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557 Missoula Children's Theatre, the world's largest touring children's theatre, is hosted by Carteret Community Theatre each year. It serves as a vehicle to bring a large number of area children into the theatre for a fun and exciting week of intense theatre experience. Children audition on Monday afternoon, rehearse all week and present their work to the community in two performances on Saturday. This year's production is Alice in Wonderland. The auditions are March 14. Contact Anne Lindsay for information. 252-247-5745 _____________________________________________ Brown Bag Gam: The Sinking of the Caribsea March 16 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC (252) 728-7317 Pack a lunch for the Brown Bag Gam during your lunch hour and join Associate Museum Curator Benjamin Wunderly for an informal discussion on the sinking of the Caribsea, a casualty of World War II. This cargo freighter was sunk by a German U-boat off of Cape Lookout on March 11, 1942. Gam is defined as a friendly conversation between whalers or to visit with another ship while at sea. Free Admission. No advance registration. Walk-ins welcome. 252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516. www.ncmaritimemuseums.com.
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St. Patrick’s Day @ MacDaddy’s! March 17 130 Golfin Dolphin Drive, Cape Carteret, NC Join us for our St. Patrick’s Day event on Thursday, March 17, 2016. Live entertainment will be presented by Naked Knees Band from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Join us for our food and drink specials. Irish Banger with onion and green pepper, served with sauerkraut and garlic mashed potatoes for $11.95. $3 pints of Guinness and $3 aluminum pints of Bud Light. _____________________________________________
During the event participants can ask specific questions related to fishing gear or fish habitats which gives them better insight on how to target specific fish species along North Carolina’s coast. This year, sessions and instructors include the following: Offshore Bottom Fishing presented by Stewart Merritt Surf Fishing on Bogue Banks presented by Dr. Bogus
The International Film Series presents “The Road North” March 18 Carteret Community College, Arendell Street, Morehead City
Saltwater Fly Fishing presented by John Mauser
The International Film Series presents “The Road North” (Finland), March 18, at Joslyn Hall in the McGee Building at Carteret Community College. Showtime is 6 p.m. Suggested donation is $5. Complimentary pastries. Reservations are required for the “Dinner & Movie” option: Dinner at the Civic Center at 6:30 p.m./film at 8 p.m. Individual price is $40 per person. Tickets for the full series of four films are $140 per person. New this year: Cash bar for dinner participants opens at 5:30 p.m. Upcoming films are:
Inshore Bottom Fishing presented by Tim “Trout Man” Rudder
King Mackerel presented by Mark Henderson Speckled Trout presented by Gary Dubiel
Flounder presented by Noah Lynk Saltwater Reel Selection and Maintenance presented by Mark Henderson Offshore Trolling presented by Stewart Merritt Red Drum presented by Jeff Cronk
April 29: “Closed Curtain” (Iran) _____________________________________________ 10th Annual Get Hooked Fishing School March 19 1 Roosevelt Blvd, Pine Knoll Shores Tune up your fishing skills and learn a few new ones in time for the spring season during the 10th Annual Get Hooked Fishing School on Saturday, March 19 at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The day-long seminar features in-depth presentations by experienced anglers on fishing techniques and speciesspecific methods.
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
Enjoy additional presentations and demonstrations while dining on a catered lunch. The action-packed event also includes giveaways and drawings for great fishing gear. Get Hooked is from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and all sessions are at the Aquarium. Advance registration is required and space is limited. The fee is $60 per person and $54 for members. Sign up online at www. ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores, by calling 252-247-4003 or at the Aquarium. See the Aquarium website for the full schedule. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament sponsors Get Hooked Fishing School.
2nd Annual Core Sound Run! March 19 252-728-1500
Carolina Maritime Model Society Meeting March 19 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC (252) 728-7317
If you think last year was fun...WAIT 'til THIS YEAR! For race details...And to Sign Up NOW to guarantee shirt size... REGISTER WITH RUN THE EAST HERE Let's top the 200+ who ran last year...One of the most beautiful race locations ever! Spread the word to runners, walkers, strollers, friends of all ages! Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center "At the End of the Road" ~ Harkers Island And if you'd like to VOLUNTEER or SPONSOR, call the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center at 252.728.1500 and we will WELCOME YOU! Introduction to Wooden Boat Building Course 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC (252) 728-7317 In this two-day hands-on course, students will explore the art of boat building from start to finish. They begin with the design and lofting of boats, and move on to the setup, steam bending and different methods of creating the back bone of small boats. In addition, they will learn how to make planking systems, both carvel and lap strake and all the appropriate fastening systems. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skill to choose a design and style of boat to build on their own and the confidence to take on the job. Course fee: $135. Minimum age: 16 yrs. old. All courses are limited in size. Advance registration required. 252-728-7317. The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, North Carolina Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516. www.ncmaritimemuseums. com.
The Carolina Maritime Model Society exists to promote the active participation in building ship models, a craft as old as shipbuilding itself. The group is the only such organization in the entire state and has become a major vehicle for widening public interest in North Carolina's maritime history and culture. Free admission. Membership is open to all members of the Friends of the Maritime Museum. 252.728.7317. North Carolina Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC 28516. www. ncmaritimemuseums.com. ___________________________________________ Crystal Coast Chapter of CCA Annual Fundraising Banquet March 19 Crystal Coast Civic Center, Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC Join us Saturday, March 19th at the Crystal Coast Civic Center for the Crystal Coast Chapter of CCA's Annual Fundraising Banquet. Doors will open at 6pm. We have some exciting raffle prizes this year including sought after firearms and top-rated fishing gear to get you ready for spring fishing! You won’t want to miss the pinnacle of the evening, the always exhilarating Live Auction featuring local and destination guided hunting and fishing trips, exotic vacations to Belize, Costa Rica and Saint Thomas, beautifully hand-crafted mahogany and teak furniture, original artwork by local artists and much more. We will also be hosting a wine tasting this year along with tables dedicated to items exclusively for the ladies! Come have a ball and help us support the resource! Tickets are $65 per person or $100 a couple and include a mouthwatering catered meal, open bar and your annual CCA membership! For tickets and more information please contact: Lee Sykes: 252-945-8995 Callie Freeman 919-455-5000 CCA NC Office: 919-781-3474
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Emerald Isle’s Easter Egg Hunt March 20 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC (252) 354-6350
Escoffier Dinner Series March 22 Crystal Coast Civic Center, Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC
Easter Egg Hunt & Festivities will take place on Sunday, March 20th at Emerald Isle Parks & Recreation beginning at 12 pm (noon). Join the EI Bunny at noon for festivities including sidewalk chalking, face painting, music and more. Sharply at 1pm the egg hunting whistle will be blown. Egg hunters should bring their own basket and arrive prior to 12:45. There is no fee to participate in the egg hunt. Three age categories: Ages 4 & Under • Ages 5 to 8 • Ages 9 to 12. Prizes will be awarded in each age group for the person(s) finding the EI bunny’s prize eggs. Joy the Clown will be present for fun face painting! The EI bunny himself will be on hand for photographs and to award the prizes. Everyone is invited! No registration is required. ___________________________________________
Escoffier Dinner Series is at 6 p.m. at the Crystal Coast Civic Center, 3505 Arendell St., Morehead City. Individual dinners are $60 each.
Youth Tennis “How To Play Tennis” with Tony Pereira March 21–April 25 Emerald Isle Community Center emerald Isle, nc
Escoffier Luncheon is April 14 ($30). ___________________________________________ BHA’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 26 100 Block Turner Street Beaufort Hop over to the Beaufort Historic Site at 130 Turner Street and join the fun at the Beaufort Historical Association’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 26 at 11 am. Children ages seven and younger are invited to search for hidden eggs filled with candy and enjoy light refreshments. This is a free event; all you need to bring is your Easter basket and arrive early to position yourself for the start of the hunt! The gates to the grounds will open at 11 o’ clock sharp for all age groups. Details, 252-728-5225 or www. beauforthistoricsite.org
Youth Tennis Clinic in Emerald Isle with Tony Pereira will take place at the Emerald Isle Community Center on Mondays from 4:155:15pm, March 21-April 25, 2016. The six week session will be $70 for ages 7-13. Only those students who have taken the beginners clinic may participate. Registration is limited to 6 students. Students must be registered by March 14th 2016. Forms can be picked up at the Community Center or downloaded at www. emeraldisle-nc.org For more information, please contact Sarah Cutillo, Program Supervisor, Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation (252) 354-6350 or scutillo@ emeraldisle-nc.org.
To keep up with area events, be sure to visit us online at: RealtyWorldFirstCoast.com/Calendar-Of-Events
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
TOP 6 REASONS TO NOT BUY A D E K N HOME EBU
D
You? Buy a home? If that prospect sounds as unlikely as your becoming the next U.S. president—well, this campaign season has shown us that anything can happen. Sure, amassing the funds and slogging through the necessary paperwork for your own piece of the real estate pie can be daunting, especially if you’re a less-than-stellar loan candidate. Still, if you just assume there’s no way you could buy a home, without doing any research, you could be missing out.
Here are some oft-cited reasons people don’t buy a home, and the reality checks showing why they shouldn’t give up hope.
REASON NO. 1 ‘I don’t have enough money for a down payment’ This is probably the most common justification for not making the leap into homeownership. After all, few people have a huge chunk of cash lying around—and you need 20% down to buy a home, right? Wrong. “Needing a 20% down payment has lingered as a myth for years and causes many potential home buyers, including those in the millennial generation, to miss out on getting into a home,” says Christina Bartning with National MI, a private mortgage insurer in Emeryville, CA.
AJ Smith, a personal finance expert at SmartAsset, points out that with a loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration or Department of Veterans Affairs, you can usually get by with a down payment of 3% to 5%.
However, if you do put down less, keep in mind you’ll need private mortgage insurance until you pay down the loan to the 20% threshold.
REASON NO. 2 ‘I can’t afford a mortgage payment’ “Some people don’t realize the amount they pay in rent is more than if they had a mortgage,” says Realtor Kenneth Cagan of the Cagan Team in Coral Springs, FL. Information provided by realtor.com
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“Landlords are trying to recoup their taxes, insurance, maintenance fees and still make a profit. When you buy, you’re investing in yourself.” To find out if renting or buying makes more sense in your neighborhood, try realtor.com‘s Rent vs. Buy Calculator. For first-time buyers with low to moderate incomes, organizations such as Neighborhood Housing Services of Richmond have plenty of experience in helping.
be able to set up a one-year outline to get your credit on track. But there’s one substantial caveat: Typically, mortgages for people with a lower credit score do come with a higher mortgage rate. And a very low score may require a higher down payment.
REASON NO. 4 ‘I don’t have any credit history at all’
“Laniesha, a young mother of two, gave us every excuse in the book as to why she couldn’t purchase a home, from ‘I don’t make enough money’ to ‘I am not married,’” says Samuel Robinson, NHSR’s marketing and public relations officer. “After explaining that none of these issues could stop her, we worked with Laniesha to pay off her debts and raise her credit score. She’ll be purchasing her new home in 2016.”
REASON NO. 3 ‘I don’t have good enough credit history to get a mortgage’ So you’ve made some late payments, or have other skeletons in your past that have dinged your credit score. That doesn’t put a mortgage out of reach. “If you’ve paid down your credit cards and kept a steady job, your application may be approved,” says SmartAsset’s Smith. “Potential home buyers with bad credit can also explore options like lease-to-buy programs, financing through the seller, and loans from private lenders.” Get this: Some private mortgage insurance programs allow for credit scores as low as 620, Smith says. Meanwhile, you can slowly improve your credit score by paying your bills on time and keeping your balances and inquiries low, says Murray. A licensed loan officer should
Information provided by realtor.com
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
Even without a credit card, there are ways to build credit history, says Anne Postic of Mortgages.com. “If you’re a renter, ask your landlord about reporting your payments to establish a history. Experian makes it easy for your landlord to report your payments, or for you to do it yourself.”
REASON NO. 5 ‘I haven’t been at my job long enough’ “Work history is important,” says Jeremy David Schachter with Pinnacle Capital Mortgage in Phoenix AZ. “But even if you recently changed jobs and have only been there for a month, you can get qualified depending on your income and field.” A letter from your boss or place of employment will go a long way, so be sure to ask if you fear your relatively brief employment history might be an issue.
REASON NO. 6 ‘I can’t find a home I like in my price range’ “People often think they have to buy their last home first,” says Fort Myers, FL, Realtor Angeline Sackett. But making a dream home a reality takes time. After all, they call first homes “starters” for a reason, right?
Coastal Flavor
ASPARAGUS & PARMESAN CREAM PASTRY Compliments of Mandy Heason TasteofHome.com
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1 package (8oz) Philadelphia Cream
Preheat Oven to 400º F. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice & basil. Unfold puff pastry on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Cut into 4 rectangles, placing them slightly apart on baking sheet. Spread cream cheese
Cheese, softened 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese 3 Tbsp. lemon juice 5 fresh basil leaves 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 lb. fresh asparagus, trimmed 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 Tbsp. shaved Parmesan cheese
Total Time: 40 mins: Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Yield: 8 servings
mixture to within 1/2" of edges. Trim asparagus spears to 1-1/2" shorter than pastry. Press 4 spears into each pastry, alternating direction. Drizzle with oil. Bake at 400º for 18–22 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan cheese. Slice each pastry in half. Serve warm. 16
vacation feature
rustic
// with front row sea
Adorned with bleached conch shells and the classic beach house charm, this oceanfront home has more to it than meets the eye.
WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY // Christine Chadwick
The aptly named "Unplugged" is a true gem along the beautiful community of Ocean Ridge in Atlantic Beach, NC. While it provides all the perks of outside living, the inside, trimmed with knotty pine and beautiful hard wood floors, provides the guest with a truly rustic experience.
The dining room and living room are combined to offer an extra large living space. The dining table is nothing to be missed. Reminiscent of classic family gatherings, this solid wood table has enough room for the family plus some.
The kitchen, which is separate from the living space, offers plenty of room for cooking but ensures that the guests mingle in the main area.
If you're looking for full oceanfront views, you're at the right place. The windows in the living area lead out to a spacious deck that offers plenty of shade for those extra warm months.
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The Lookout - A Guide To Crystal Coast Living || March 2016
As it's name says, this home lends itself to those who are truly looking to unplug themselves from
ating
Main Upstairs Bedroom
The View From The Large Front Porch
the day-to-day. Offering just the basics in regard to technology, this vacation is meant to be spent outdoors or enjoying a conversation with the family. Aside from the living space, you'll find 3 bedrooms with more than enough sleeping accommodations. Completely closed-in, the downstairs has enough room for ample sleeping, an entertaining area that includes a ping-pong table and other amenities.
Large Dining Room & Living Room
The one thing that truly sets this home apart is the functionality for the outdoor enthusiast. Being a diving hotspot, the owner's have installed a tub specifically for the purpose of rinsing off wetsuits and other salty belongings. If you've forgotten the fishing pole or boogie board, this home has you covered. A closet downstairs holds many of the necessities for those looking to ride their first wave, or have a fishing story to tell.
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under the The vacationers insight to the Crystal Coast
Umbrella
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We always stay with Realty World - First Coast NC! We have stayed at two different properties while vacationing on the Crystal Coast and have always felt welcomed and safe. The attention to detail that goes into the condos we have stayed at truly made us
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feel like we were at home. My family enjoys the calm and quiet that
this area provides. No overcrowded beaches and heavy traffic. Just a
small town atmosphere that we appreciate and love. Perfect for a long weekend away or an extended stay. We can't wait to come back!
- Jamie
ExperienceTheCoastNC.com SALES RealtyWorldFirstCoast.com Beaufort: (252) 728-6455 • AB (252) 247-0077
VACATION RENTALS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT NCVacations.com AB (252) 247-5150