Coastal Carolina Vacations and Sales, Summer 2024 Sales Newsletter

Outer Banks Hurricane Preparedness

Keeping Your Home and Family Safe

Living on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina means enjoying stunning beaches and the charm of living on a barrier island. It also means being prepared for hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th. As a homeowner, it’s vital to be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws our way and now is the time to plan and prepare.

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Outer Banks Hurricane Preparedness

Keeping Your Home and Family Safe

By following these tips and taking proactive steps below, you can significantly increase your preparedness for a hurricane. A little planning in advance can go a long way in protecting your home, your family, and your peace of mind during hurricane season.

Develop an Evacuation Plan

• Pick a Destination: Decide where you’ll go if evacuation is ordered. Consider staying with friends or family further inland or booking a hotel room in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute!

• Gather Supplies: Pack an evacuation bag with essentials like medications, important documents, toiletries, a change of clothes for everyone, and a battery-powered radio.

• Know your Flood Zone: Find out if your home is at risk of flooding and if it is in a flood zone. You can visit OBXFloodMaps.com for more information and to learn about flood risks in our

area. Keep in mind, hurricanes can affect more than just the oceanfront. The Outer Banks is prone to soundside flooding depending on the track of the storm, so be prepared and plan ahead!

Protect Your Home

• Windows and Doors: Invest in hurricane shutters or plywood to protect your windows and doors. Apply them securely as soon as a hurricane watch is issued.

• Trim Trees and Yard: Remove dead branches and overhanging limbs that could become projectiles in high winds. Secure loose outdoor furniture and grills.

• Stock Up on Supplies: Have a non-perishable food and water supply that can last your family for at least three days. Don’t forget about pet food! Gather batteries, flashlights, a first-aid kit, and a manual can opener.

Stay Informed

• Monitor Weather Reports:

Closely follow weather forecasts from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and local news outlets. Stay updated on storm tracks and potential impacts.

• Sign Up for Alerts: Register for Currituck and Dare County’s emergency alert system at OBXAlerts.com to receive timely updates and evacuation orders.

Remember

• Don’t Ignore Evacuation Orders: Leaving early is crucial for your safety. Don’t risk riding out a storm in a vulnerable area. Know the best evacuation route and consider traffic as congestion will likely be heavy once the order is called.

• Document Your Property: Take photos and videos of your home and belongings before the storm season. This will help with insurance claims, if necessary.

Additional Resources

Dare Co. Emergency Management

National Hurricane Center

NAGS HEAD, NAGS HEAD PIER AND JOCKEY’S RIDGE IN BACKGROUND

Our Favorite Things to Do on the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks may appear to be a series of sleepy beach towns, but, whether you are into water sports, a history buff, sportfishing aficiando or a nature lover, you will be pleased to find it all on the Outer Banks!

Connie

The Outer Banks is a treasure chest of beauty. All I have to do is walk out the door and Mother Nature brings me a gem; in the morning it is the gentle sparkle of the morning sun on the water, both ocean and sound, and midday when I look up there are these fabulous billowing clouds and, best of all, as the sun sinks the sky fills with a gloriously colored sunset. Every day the natural beauty makes my heart smile.

If I want to see something really special I enter Jockey’s Ridge State Park at the soundside entrance and amble along the sandy path until I reach the top of the west sandhill. What a sight! The ocean to the east and the sound to west and I am standing in the middle of a desert. It is a breathtaking view. This walk is one of my favorites. It never disappoints.

Vanessa

My favorite days are spent on the Outer Banks sailing on Albemarle Sound. My ideal wind conditions are a light southwest breeze. However, afternoon winds on the sound are often a bit more spirited.

I have participated in competitive club sailing over the years, but I find the days when I can enjoy less intense conditions more to my liking. I find lighter winds peaceful. I enjoy the sound of the water gently lapping on the hull of the boat and the breeze on my face.

Occasionally, seabirds and even dolphin will accompany us on an afternoon sail. You never know where or when dolphin will resurface. You will often hear someone on the boat shout: “There’s one, there’s another one!” And in that moment, we are all 12 years old again.

Sailing is a relaxing way to end any day and every sunset is unique and rewarding.

Randy

As a 30+ year resident of the OBX there are several activities I really enjoy. Playing golf on our breezy island, paddleboarding and taking in our incredible sunsets. But my favorite pastime is just spending time on the beach with Nancy, my best friend and wife of 37 years.

Jessica

by Lori Douglas

My favorite thing to do on the OBX is walking our dog, Banksy, on the beach in the evenings. It’s really the best time because it’s cooler out and the sky really is beautiful as the sun is setting. Banksy absolutely loves the beach and never wants to leave. He has the best time chasing birds and looking for crabs. It’s a great way to end the day and I really appreciate the incredible OBX lifestyle.

Photography

MARKET SALES

MARKET NOTES

• Inventory is up 67% over June ’23. Yet 50% below the pre-COVID range for active Residential Listings of 1200–1500.

• Listings under contract continue to be within the historical normal range between 300–400, but down 19% from June ’23.

• On average, listings are selling at 96.6% of list price, down 1% from a year ago.

• Though Units Sold are down slightly from pre-COVID year of 2019, property values remain about 60% higher than the 2019 values.

• The Average Days on Market this year is 56 days, slightly higher than this time last year, but still historically low—mostly due to the low inventory. Interest/buyer demand for Outer Banks property remains relatively strong, just not at the record levels seen in 2021 and 2022.

UNIT SALES BY

TOWN

DATA

TOWN

TIPS FROM THE BROKERS

FOR BUYERS:

1. Get pre-qualified from a local OBX lender.

2. Be ready to move quickly on your chosen listing.

3. Be prepared to offer some amount of Due Diligence Fee to the seller with your Offer to Purchase.

4. For cash offers, make sure you have a Proof of Funds verification letter.

5. Shopping for homeowners insurance should be a top priority upon getting a listing under contract.

FOR SELLERS:

1. Make sure your agent uses a professional photographer for listing photos.

2. Address any known repair issues.

3. Know your closing costs:

a) Realtor Commission;

b) Dare County Transfer Tax @1%;

c) NC State Stamp @ .2%;

d) Closing Attorney ~$500; and

e) Prorated property taxes & HOA dues

Interested in receiving an accurate assessment of your home’s current market value?

Call our experienced sales brokers at 252.489.2121.