Wilmington NC Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog postshttps://www.buddyblake.com/blog/Copyright BuddyBlake.com2024-03-12T06:41:15-07:00tag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18897Monday Coffee March 12 2024Firstly, if you haven't heard already, Wilmington and the surrounding Cape Fear area were recently voted as one of the top cities in the entire country! It's a testament to the charm and appeal of our region, and I've included a link to the article below for your perusal.<br /><br />
TOP WATCHED VIDEOS & DOWNLOADED REPORTS
<a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/blog/i-want-to-sell-but-where-will-i-go/" data-custom="link">I Want To Sell, But Where Will I Go?</a>
<a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/blog/due-diligence-and-earnest-money/" data-custom="link">Due Diligence vs Earnest Money</a>
<a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/blog/unlocking-massive-tax-savings-on-your-home-sale/" data-custom="link">Navigating the Real Estate Tax Exemption: A Guide for Homeowners</a>
<a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/blog/maximize-your-real-estate-profits-with-a-1031-exchange/" data-custom="link">Maximize Your Real Estate Profits with a 1031 Exchange</a>
<a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/blog/buying-new-construction-vs-used-homes/" data-custom="link">New Construction vs. Resale Homes: Understanding Negotiation Dynamics</a>
<br /><br />Links Mentioned In Video
<a href="https://www.southernliving.com/wilmington-nc-8597998" data-custom="link">Wilmington, North Carolina, Is The South's Best City On The Rise</a>
<a href="https://www.embassysuitescarolinabeach.com/" data-custom="link">Anchoring the North End of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk</a>
<a href="https://overlookatriverplace.com/" data-custom="link">Downtown: Overlook at River Place</a>
<a href="https://wrightsvillecommodore.com/" data-custom="link">Commodore Club at Wrightsville Yacht Club</a>
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// ]]><br /><br /><a href="https://reviewmyagent.org" target="_blank"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/asdfasdfsaf.png" width="600" height="450" alt="reviewagent" title="review" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a>2024-03-11T21:34:24-07:002024-03-12T06:41:15-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18742Unlocking Massive Tax Savings on Your Home SaleNavigating the Real Estate Tax Exemption: A Guide for Homeowners
Navigating the real estate market and understanding tax exemptions can be challenging for homeowners. However, there's a significant tax benefit that many may not be aware of, which can profoundly impact your financial planning and decision-making process when it comes to selling your home. Let's dive into the specifics of this exemption and how it can benefit you.<br /><br />Understanding the Primary Residence Exemption
If you've lived in your house as your primary residence for two out of the last five years, you might be eligible for a substantial tax exemption when you sell your home. This exemption means that as long as your profit from the sale does not exceed $250,000 for single homeowners or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly, you may not have to pay any capital gains tax on the sale.
The Significance of the Threshold
The threshold set at $250,000 per individual or $500,000 per married couple is more than just a number—it represents a significant financial advantage for homeowners. This exemption is especially relevant in today's real estate market, where many are seeing the largest profit margins in recent history due to the appreciation of property values.
Making Strategic Moves in the Market
Despite the potential of moving from a lower interest rate to a higher one, the tax savings from this exemption can outweigh the costs associated with a higher mortgage rate. Homeowners are increasingly looking to cash in on their equity, selling their current properties to either upgrade or downsize, depending on their life events and needs.
Life Events and Real Estate Decisions
Life is unpredictable, and various events, such as job changes, family expansion, or retirement, can necessitate a change in residence. The primary residence tax exemption provides homeowners a valuable option to make these transitions more financially manageable.
Starting the Conversation
If you're considering selling your home and want to understand how this exemption could apply, it's important to seek professional advice. Engaging with accountants, attorneys, and financial advisors can give you a clearer understanding of your options and the tax implications of selling your home.
Valuing Your Home
Are you curious about your home's worth in today's market? Websites like <a href="https://freehousevalue.com" target="_blank">Freehousevalue.com</a> offer a straightforward way to get a preliminary estimate of your home's value without any obligation. These platforms can also provide monthly updates, informing you about market trends and how they might affect your property's value.
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/Special_Report_Primary_Home_Tax_Exemption.pdf" mce_href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/Special_Report_Primary_Home_Tax_Exemption.pdf">VIEW/DOWNLOAD Special Report</a>
Conclusion
The primary residence tax exemption is a powerful tool for homeowners, offering a way to maximize profits from the sale of their home with minimal tax implications. By understanding this exemption and planning accordingly, you can make informed decisions that align with your financial goals and life circumstances. Remember, consulting with professionals can provide clarity and confidence as you navigate these decisions.
Disclaimer:
While I am a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina, the information provided here or in any associated communications should not be construed as tax advice. Real estate decisions can have significant tax implications, and it is crucial to consult with a professional for guidance tailored to your specific situation. I strongly encourage you to seek advice from a qualified accountant, financial advisor, or attorney to ensure that you make informed decisions based on accurate tax advice. My goal is to support you in the real estate process, and part of that support involves recommending that you consult with experts for specialized advice.
<br /><br />Your Feedback Matters
If this information has been helpful, I would appreciate your taking a moment to post a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Google review. <img src="/res/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/img/smiley-smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" border="0" />
<a href="https://go.reviewmyagent.org/buddyblake" target="_blank"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Review-My-Agent-Logo-Light-Transparent.png" width="199" height="57" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a>2024-02-18T15:16:03-07:002024-02-18T16:23:50-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18741Maximize Your Real Estate Profits with a 1031 ExchangeMaximizing your returns on real estate investments is a goal many investors share, but navigating the tax implications of selling property can be daunting. One powerful strategy to consider is the 1031 Exchange, a tool that, when used correctly, can significantly enhance your investment portfolio's profitability while deferring taxes. Let's dive into how you can leverage this strategy to your advantage.
Remember, I'm not a tax professional, but this video is designed to make you aware of options and encourage discussions with your accountant, tax advisor, and attorney who understands 1031 Exchanges.<br /><br />Understanding the 1031 Exchange
The 1031 Exchange, named after Section 1031 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, allows investors to defer paying capital gains taxes on the sale of an investment property by reinvesting the proceeds into a like-kind property or properties. This strategy is particularly appealing in a booming real estate market, where the appreciation of property values can lead to substantial capital gains. See how much your property may be worth at <a href="https://freehousevalue.com" target="_blank">https://freehousevalue.com</a>
The Benefits of a 1031 Exchange
Tax Deferral: The primary advantage of a 1031 Exchange is the deferral of capital gains taxes, which can be up to 20%, depending on your income tax bracket. By reinvesting the sale proceeds into another property, you can keep your capital working for you, potentially increasing your investment returns over time.
Portfolio Diversification: A 1031 Exchange allows you to diversify your real estate portfolio by enabling the acquisition of different types of properties or properties in various geographic locations.
Leverage Increase: Reinvesting in a property of equal or more excellent value increases your leverage in the real estate market, allowing you to own more valuable properties.
📚 Additional Resources: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/like-kind-exchanges-real-estate-tax-tips
How to Execute a Successful 1031 Exchange
1. Consult with Professionals: Before starting, consult a tax advisor, accountant, and real estate attorney specializing in 1031 Exchanges. They can provide valuable advice and help navigate the complexities of the process.
2. Use a Qualified Intermediary: The IRS requires that a qualified intermediary hold the proceeds from the sale of the property until they can be transferred to the seller of the replacement property. This intermediary acts as a neutral third party to facilitate the exchange.
3. Identify Replacement Property: After selling your property, you have 45 days to identify potential replacement properties. You can select up to three properties as potential replacements, regardless of their total value.
4. Complete the Exchange: You have 180 days from selling your original property to close on one of the replacement properties you've identified.
Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult with your accountant and tax attorney regarding your specific situation.
Strategies for a Successful Exchange
- Plan Ahead: Start planning for your 1031 Exchange as early as possible. This strategy requires careful timing and adherence to IRS rules.
- Consider Multiple Properties: You can split your investment across multiple properties, which can be a great way to diversify your portfolio.
- Reverse Exchange: Sometimes, you might find the perfect replacement property before selling your current one. A reverse 1031 Exchange allows you to purchase the new property first and then sell your old property later.
Conclusion
A 1031 Exchange is an excellent tool for real estate investors looking to maximize their profits while deferring taxes. However, it's crucial to approach this process with thorough preparation and the proper professional guidance. By understanding the rules and strategies behind a 1031 Exchange, you can make informed decisions that align with your investment goals and continue to grow your real estate portfolio efficiently. Remember, the key to a successful 1031 Exchange is not just deferring taxes but making smart investment choices that will benefit you in the long run.
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/Special_Report_-_1031_Exchange.pdf" mce_href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/Special_Report_-_1031_Exchange.pdf" target="_blank">VIEW/DOWNLOAD</a> Report on 1031 Exchanges
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/REVERSE_1031_EXCHANGE.pdf" mce_href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/REVERSE_1031_EXCHANGE.pdf" target="_blank">VIEW/DOWNLOAD</a> Report on REVERSE 1031 Exchanges
2024-02-17T13:38:22-07:002024-02-18T14:25:35-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18688Navigating the Modern Real Estate Market: How Buyers Find Homes TodayNavigating the Modern Real Estate Market: How Buyers Find Homes Today
In the digital age, the process of buying a house has undergone a profound transformation. Gone are the days of flipping through physical listings or solely relying on a real estate agent's recommendations. Today, buyers embark on a journey of discovery, leveraging online platforms and search engines to navigate the vast landscape of available properties. In this blog post, we'll delve into the intricacies of this journey, focusing on the crucial first step: understanding the buyer and how they find their dream home.<br /><br />When you're thinking about selling your house, the very first thing you need to consider is who your potential buyer is and how they will discover your property. In today's world, the internet reigns supreme as the primary tool for home searches. Whether it's through popular platforms like Zillow or Realtor.com, or a simple Google search, buyers initiate their quest for a new home online.
Let's take the example of someone contemplating a move to Southeastern North Carolina. Their initial search query might be something like "Wilmington NC real estate." Wilmington serves as the hub for the region, and prospective buyers often begin their search with this broader term. From there, they gradually narrow down their options based on factors such as price, neighborhood amenities, and specific preferences.
Unlike the traditional approach of immediately contacting a real estate agent, today's buyers prefer to conduct extensive research on their own terms. They want to explore various neighborhoods, view property listings, and gather information before engaging with an agent. This shift in behavior underscores the importance of providing an online presence that caters to their needs without imposing unnecessary barriers, such as forced registrations or constant follow-ups.
As buyers sift through listings and refine their criteria, advanced technologies come into play. Platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com employ algorithms to learn about users' preferences and serve up personalized recommendations. This AI-driven approach streamlines the search process, presenting buyers with relevant listings that align with their interests.
In addition to price and location, buyers often have specific requirements, such as proximity to golf courses or access to amenities within a planned community. Online tools allow them to filter listings based on these criteria, ensuring that they find a home that meets their unique needs.
Moreover, the abundance of available information empowers buyers to explore a wide range of options beyond their immediate area. Whether they're considering properties in neighboring towns or contemplating a move to a different state altogether, the digital landscape opens up a world of possibilities.
Ultimately, the modern real estate market is characterized by flexibility and empowerment. Buyers have the freedom to conduct thorough research at their own pace, leveraging online resources to guide their decision-making process. As sellers, it's essential to adapt to this changing landscape by providing a seamless online experience that caters to the needs and preferences of today's discerning buyers.
The journey of finding a home in today's world is vastly different from decades past. By understanding the evolving behaviors and preferences of buyers, sellers can position themselves for success in an increasingly digital marketplace. So, if you're thinking about selling your house, remember to consider the buyer's journey and embrace the digital tools that facilitate their search.
2024-02-09T07:31:00-07:002024-02-09T07:35:41-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18681Buying New Construction vs used homesNew Construction:
Seller Dynamics: In the case of new construction homes, the seller is typically a builder or developer with broader concerns beyond individual property sales.
Focus on Value: Builders are keen on establishing a value baseline and setting appraisal anchors to ensure consistent or increasing purchase prices for future properties.
Limited Price Flexibility: While builders may negotiate on terms such as closing costs, fences, appliances, or upgrades, they are often less flexible on the purchase price reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Resale Homes:
Seller Priorities: Sellers of resale homes are primarily focused on their specific property sale and may be more willing to negotiate on price.Greater Price Flexibility: Depending on the seller's motivations, there may be more room for negotiation on the purchase price of a resale home compared to new construction.
Potential for Term Negotiation: Sellers of resale homes may be open to negotiating terms such as closing costs or other contingencies to close the deal.
The Role of a Buyer's Agent:
Professional Representation: Whether purchasing a new construction or a resale home, having a knowledgeable buyer's agent by your side is essential.
Maximizing Value: A buyer's agent can help you navigate the negotiation process, ensuring you secure the best possible deal while protecting your interests.
Whether considering a new construction or a resale home, approaching negotiations with the right expectations is key. While new construction transactions may offer less price flexibility but more opportunity for term negotiation, resale homes may present greater flexibility on price with the potential for negotiation on terms.
By partnering with a seasoned buyer's agent, you can confidently navigate the negotiation process and secure a favorable outcome. Remember, having the right representation ensures you maximize value and achieve your homeownership goals.
<a href="https://www.ncrec.gov/Brochures/WWREABrochure.pdf" target="_blank">CLICK HERE </a>to learn more about how Real Estate Representation works in North Carolina<br /><br />Navigating New Construction vs. Resale Homes: Understanding Negotiation Dynamics
When it comes to purchasing a home, whether it's a new construction or a resale property, understanding the nuances of negotiation is crucial. Each type of transaction presents unique challenges and opportunities for buyers. Let's delve into the key considerations when negotiating the purchase of a new construction versus a resale home:
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/New_VS_Used2.pdf" mce_href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/New_VS_Used2.pdf">Click Here</a><a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/newvsused.pdf" mce_href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/newvsused.pdf"></a> to view/download a special report I created.2024-02-08T11:41:43-07:002024-02-13T12:48:42-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18680Due Diligence and Earnest MoneyDue Diligence Period:
In North Carolina, due diligence refers to a specified period during which the buyer has the opportunity to thoroughly inspect the property and decide whether to proceed with the purchase. This period is negotiated at the beginning of the contract and typically ranges from a few weeks to a month.<br />During the due diligence period, the buyer can conduct various inspections, such as home inspections, pest inspections, and appraisals, to ensure the property meets their expectations. Importantly, until the last day of the due diligence period, the buyer retains the right to walk away from the sale without penalty.
Earnest Money:
Earnest money is a deposit the buyer makes to demonstrate their commitment to purchasing the property. A closing agent, such as a real estate company, title company, or attorney, typically holds it in escrow until the transaction closes.<br />Unlike the due diligence fee, earnest money is refundable if the buyer decides not to proceed with the purchase before the end of the due diligence period. However, if the buyer terminates the contract after the due diligence period expires, they may forfeit the earnest money to the seller.
Due Diligence Fee:
In addition to earnest money, buyers in North Carolina often must pay a "due diligence fee." Unlike earnest money, the due diligence fee is non-refundable and goes directly to the seller. It compensates for taking the property off the market during the due diligence period.
Buyers need to understand that the due diligence fee is separate from the earnest money deposit and may vary depending on the terms negotiated in the contract. Buyers should consult with their real estate agent, lender, or attorney to clarify any questions regarding these fees and their circumstances.
Navigating the intricacies of due diligence, earnest money, and associated fees can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with North Carolina's real estate practices. However, with the guidance of a knowledgeable real estate agent or legal professional, buyers can confidently navigate these aspects of the home-buying process.
If you're considering purchasing a home in North Carolina and have questions about due diligence, earnest money, or any other aspect of the transaction, don't hesitate to ask for assistance. We're here to help you make informed decisions and achieve your real estate goals.<br /><br />Understanding Due Diligence, Earnest Money, and Fees in North Carolina Real Estate Transactions
Are you considering buying a home in North Carolina? Understanding the intricacies of due diligence, earnest money, and associated fees is crucial for effectively navigating the real estate market. In North Carolina, these terms hold specific significance and play a vital role in home-buying. Let's break down what you need to know:2024-02-08T09:51:21-07:002024-02-08T10:52:27-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18452I Want To Sell But Where Will I Go?Navigating Today's Real Estate Market: Solutions for Sellers in Uncertain Times
By far, this is the number 1 question I am answering today from homeowners, buyers, and even agents. Just like anything else in life, every problem reveals an opportunity.<br /><br />In today's real estate market, many homeowners find themselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to sell their homes amidst uncertainties about their next steps. The lack of available properties for sale, coupled with the unpredictability of the market, can leave sellers feeling stuck and hesitant to take the plunge. However, strategies and mechanisms are in place to help bridge this gap and ease the transition to a new living situation.
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/Uncertain_Sellers_Feb_24.pdf" mce_href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/Uncertain_Sellers_Feb_24.pdf">View / Download Special Report</a>
One of the primary concerns for sellers is the fear of not knowing where they will go after their home is sold. This uncertainty can be a significant barrier to listing a property, even in a market ripe for selling. Sellers may worry about finding a new home or rental property in time, leading to hesitation about putting their current home on the market.
We understand these concerns at the Buddy Blake Real Estate Team with Coldwell Banker and have developed tailored solutions to address them. One such solution is the Seller Possession After Closing agreement, a state form that allows sellers to retain possession of their home for a specified period after the closing date. This arrangement gives sellers the time to secure their next residence without the added pressure of a tight timeline.
Additionally, we've collaborated with legal experts to develop custom addendums that offer even greater flexibility for sellers. These addendums grant sellers the option to rent back their property for a specified period, allowing them to explore their options without rushing into a decision. Whether sellers need a few days or months to transition, we can negotiate terms that suit their unique needs and preferences.
We aim to empower sellers with the information and resources to make informed decisions about their real estate journey. We understand that selling a home is a significant life event, and we're committed to providing guidance and support every step of the way.
Whether you're ready to list your home or simply exploring your options, we're here to help. Our team of experienced real estate professionals is ready to answer any questions and provide personalized guidance based on your needs and goals. From recommending reputable real estate attorneys to facilitating seamless transactions, we're dedicated to ensuring our clients a smooth and successful experience.
If you're a homeowner feeling unsure about selling your home in today's market, rest assured that solutions are available to help you navigate the process confidently. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving your real estate goals.2024-01-15T18:56:57-07:002024-02-12T12:02:19-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18413Monday Morning Coffee Jan 8 2024This week's Monday Morning Coffee, Buddy Blake of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage shares his philosophy of when and how to use technology and how important it is more than ever to have real conversations for things that really matter. 2024-01-08T09:19:27-07:002024-01-08T09:53:40-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18397Buddy Blake's Bridge Pricing StrategyHow you price your home when you come to market can make or break your success potential. In this video, Buddy Blake of Coldwell Banker share his experience and strategies on what he calls "Bridge Pricing".2024-01-03T12:08:54-07:002024-02-06T09:20:50-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18350Christmas Eve Trivia Contest Winner DrawingCongratulations to Diana Morgan of Leland, NC, on winning our $100 Christmas Eve Live Drawing. <br /><br />2023-12-24T18:49:49-07:002023-12-24T19:01:44-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18346Christmas Eve 2023 TriviaLet's Have Some Fun!
On Christmas Eve, my family and I will select one winner from all the correct answers.<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/7028105910559236" target="_blank">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK LIVE at 8 PM</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/7028105910559236" target="_blank"> (Eastern)</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/buddyblakedotcom" target="_blank"></a><br /><br />2023-12-23T07:40:07-07:002023-12-23T08:56:13-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18312Monday Morning Coffee with BuddyThis week Buddy shares that mortgage rates are now in the 5's and 6's with good credit, but check with your lender. Also, we will have a big Christmas Eve drawing for $100 we will venmo to you that night.
<br /><br /><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrIwJorM5G_reL3gQBOXDJCL755ByLNU0jJqtl1fsU9VOO-g/viewform" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO PLAY TRIVIA</a>
<br /><br />Are You Thinking About Selling or Trading Your Home Soon?<br />See your latest home value and estimated equity now.<br /><br />
We are happy to prepare a free no-obligation market review for your Wilmington area property
2023-12-18T11:17:45-07:002023-12-23T07:05:00-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18262Monday Morning Coffee - Dec 11, 2023Happy Monday
🎄CHRISTMAS TRIVIA WINNER🎄
Congratulations to last week's Christmas Trivia Winner:<br />Teresa Sanders of Castle Hayne.
We had many more entries last week and look forward to seeing even more this week if you would like to participate visit <a href="https://forms.gle/MH5MRVB6jfm8RqTa7" target="_blank">THIS LINK</a> to play.<br /><br /><br /><br />
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Are You Thinking About Selling or Trading Your Home Soon?<br />See your latest home value and estimated equity now.<br /><br /><br />Ask about Buddy's Trade Your Home Program
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Things That Make You Say Huh?
Do NOT let your young kids watch this video2023-12-10T19:14:10-07:002023-12-22T05:56:13-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:18230Monday Morning Coffee December 4 2023Congratulations to Nancy Pane of Leland, NC, for winning last week's Christmas Trivia drawing! <br /><br />As we enter into the last month of the year, we are seeing some moderate changes in mortgage rates, as the FHA & VA rates are in the 6s again for the first time in a while. Also, we are seeing an unusual increase in homes coming to market this time of the year compared to regular holiday season percentage changes. Usually, fewer properties come to market, but it looks like more sellers are getting wise that it's sometimes better to come to market before the rest of the crowd does in the New Year and Spring. Fewer buyers are looking in the holidays, but usually, the ones that are are more serious, as they have a "need" to move versus just a "want" to move.
<a href="https://buddyblakerealtor.com/mmc120423" target="_blank">CLICK HERE </a>to download the PDF of my presentation
<a href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:113363d5-6ad8-4c88-9b7c-774de1026da6" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to download the customizable Market Review I did for Wilmington. We can do one of these for your specific neighborhood at no charge and with no obligation, as we are just wanting to serve you for as long as it takes to earn the opportunity to be considered when the time is right for you. 2023-12-04T13:36:54-07:002023-12-04T14:13:43-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:17996Monday Coffee Oct 16, 2023Thanksgiving Pies & Cool Cars<br /><br />We are looking forward to seeing everyone for this year's Thanksgiving Pie Day. To reserve your Apple Pie to pickup at our event on Wednesday, Nov 22nd, from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/pieday/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>2023-10-18T17:20:35-07:002023-10-18T17:27:58-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:17909How's The Market - October 20232023-10-02T16:43:51-07:002023-10-02T16:52:25-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:17771Market Update for September 11, 2023Market Update from Buddy Blake
The below chart just released by the Area Association of Realtors shows that sales are substantially down year over year. But keep in mind that much of this is due to very limited options for home buyers and interest rates soaring into the 8% range.
The good news is that while it is taking longer to sell homes with the restricted number of buyers that are able or choosing to pull the trigger, we are seeing an increase in the number of online views for the listings that are on the market.
Normally, we see in-home showings follow online showings over the next week to 14 days - especially when we are utilizing <a href="https://youtu.be/Yr3Z7pm1Kuc">price marketing </a>(improving the price incrementally to stay top of mind with home buyers and agents)
Also, median home prices are still strong, and some price ranges are still increasing.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/chart091123.jpg" width="600" height="362" alt="chartyoy" /><br /><br />Fortunately for our team, over the years, we have navigated market shifts numerous times, and we can utilize our curated database of 30,000 plus home buyers, whereas many agents do not know what to do. Our database systems are constantly watching for behavioral cues that buyers are performing (e.g., looking at the same home or price range X amount of times over a period of time, putting their current home where they live on the market, etc.). Please let me know if you would ever like to see a behind-the-scenes look at how everything works.
2023-09-11T08:03:43-07:002023-09-12T18:33:42-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:17610Monday Coffee with Buddy for August 23 2023Happy Monday to you this is Buddy Blake here in Wilmington North Carolina realtor with Coldwell Banker.
If you are out there and you're thinking about selling your house I want to share with you one of the tactics that we're using and we're using it very well is price marketing I realized for the last two or three years up until the last year or so you set a price everybody comes in makes offers go above and beyond pick the highest and the best and you work it out when you get 10 offers well that's not the market now if you're thinking about selling your house what you don't want to do is put your house out there and yeah I get you're going to try to get an aggressive price because you know your neighbor did your friend did or your relative did or maybe you did it a few years ago and were able to get whatever you wanted well listen to your realtor and price it according to what your realtor's saying not necessarily what somebody automated systems including ours are saying because they're not always up to date and especially now when we got a market that's moving kind of trending down where the median price inventory starting to pick up but what I want to talk about is Price Market don't put your house out there and leave it at a price because let me tell you how it works your home buyer their first showing is going to be online whether it's on our website whether it's on Zillow whether it's on realtor.com whether it's on ABC realty they are going and they've got some system that's sending them updates on houses that not just come on the market that fit their criteria but also that have price adjustments the magic number that we've seen is about every 14 days you need to have a planned price Improvement adjustment reduction whatever you want to call it that sounds more palatable but don't put your house out there and just leave it priced Forever at a certain price because what happens is the market forgets your house and I get that some people say oh I don't want somebody to think I'm desperate well here's the deal I'd rather get offers on a property and not be able to work them out because they came in too low then they get no offers at all so you kind of pick your poison there but we think 14 days and we're kind of seeing it in our Market where if you do it it and adjust it every 14 days and it doesn't have to be massive price reductions if you adjust it every 14 days you're going to see initially you're going to see your online views they go up and they go down they go up and down with the price adjustments versus the straight line where you see it just goes down down down down down and then everybody thinks there's something wrong with your house but the other thing is usually a week or so behind the showing activity you're going to see the actual visits agents showing your house activity this is the one that's critical now a lot of people bought houses over here just off viewing during covet but it's not the case now they're coming to take a look at the house because they want to be more selective they don't want to make a mistake because they realize they're probably paying a higher interest rate if they're getting a mortgage or if they're paying cash they're taking their cash out of something that might be earning five percent or six percent in some cases if you look at the treasury market don't put your house out there and just leave it forever at a price it's not the way to do Marketing in today's world because people get those notifications of things that change prices if they've looked at it before maybe they've saved it every time something happens to it every time a price is reduced they're going to get a notification and you want to stay top of Mind in this market so that when the buyer is ready to do something or in many cases has to do something you're going to be top of mind and ready to go I hope this is helpful if you have any questions about this and you'd like to see our strategy kind of laid out how we do it you can click below or you can give us a call or shoot us an email thank you so much2023-08-28T09:58:21-07:002023-08-29T08:26:17-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:17519Monday Coffee with Buddy for August 14 2023
Navigating the Wilmington, NC Real Estate Market with Buddy Blake
Are you curious about the <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/market-trends/market-reports/" target="_blank">current state of the real estate market in Wilmington, North Carolina</a>? Look no further! I'm Buddy Blake, a dedicated Realtor with Coldwell Banker, and I'm here to provide you with a comprehensive update on what's happening in our local market.<br /><br />Navigating the Wilmington, NC Real Estate Market with Buddy Blake
Are you curious about the <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/market-trends/market-reports/" target="_blank">current state of the real estate market in Wilmington, North Carolina</a>? Look no further! I'm Buddy Blake, a dedicated Realtor with Coldwell Banker, and I'm here to provide you with a comprehensive update on what's happening in our local market.
The Current Real Estate Landscape in Wilmington, NC
As we delve into the real estate landscape in Wilmington, it's evident that there have been notable shifts in the market over the past couple of years. The housing market has experienced a decline both compared to last year and the year before. While there are numerous factors contributing to this trend, one of the key elements is the relatively high-interest rates we're facing at the moment.
It's important to note that these interest rates, though higher than they were, are not remarkably high when put into historical perspective. I remember purchasing my first house with an interest rate of eight and three-quarters, which puts today's rates in a more manageable light. However, despite this, we've witnessed a year-over-year decline of approximately 37 percent in sales, leading to a corresponding 37 percent decrease in inventory.
Factors at Play
One might wonder why the market is showing these trends. The answer is multifaceted. Many homeowners are hesitant to put their properties on the market due to various reasons. Some are not ready to part with their current homes, while others are hesitant to leave behind their current interest rates. Furthermore, some potential sellers are finding a lack of suitable options to move to, which can impede their decision to sell.
Predictions for the Future
Looking ahead, it's worth acknowledging that the coming year may bring its own set of challenges, particularly given the upcoming election season. Regardless of political affiliations, we can anticipate a degree of uncertainty in the market. However, amidst all this uncertainty, there's one constant: the intrinsic value of real estate.
The appeal of Wilmington, NC as a destination for retirees, vacationers, and homeowners remains strong. The demand for our area continues to persist, even in the face of economic shifts and political changes. Despite the market dips we've seen, Wilmington remains a sought-after location, and the demand will persist as soon as potential sellers feel ready to make their move.
Navigating the Challenges
While there's no crystal ball to predict the exact trajectory of the real estate market, one thing is certain: real estate is a finite resource. This scarcity inherently contributes to maintaining a certain level of demand for properties in our region. After all, they don't make more land.
For homeowners in Wilmington, it's essential to keep a few things in mind. If you're contemplating selling your home, it's crucial to be proactive and reach out to us. We've developed tools and resources, like our innovative home Equity estimation tool, to help you gauge the potential value of your property. This tool, while based on AI and data, provides a useful estimate of your property's worth.
Protecting Your Investment
Furthermore, for those who own homes in Wilmington, don't overlook the importance of updating your homeowner's policy. Whether you've recently paid off your mortgage or are still in the process, having a conversation with your insurance agent about the replacement cost of your property is vital. With inflation and property values on the rise, it's crucial to ensure that your policy adequately covers the cost of rebuilding in case of unforeseen events.
Conclusion
As we move forward, the real estate market in Wilmington, NC might encounter challenges, but its fundamental value remains constant. With my experience as a Realtor, I'm here to guide you through the ever-changing market dynamics, helping you make informed decisions whether you're buying or selling. The intrinsic appeal of our region, coupled with innovative tools and resources, ensures that even in uncertain times, real estate in Wilmington holds its own.
Whether you're ready to take the next steps or just seeking information, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help, and we understand that each individual's journey is unique. Let's work together to navigate the real estate landscape and ensure that your investment remains secure. Here's to a prosperous future in Wilmington, NC!
Buddy Blake, Realtor<br />(910) 395-1000<br />buddy@buddyblake.com
Disclaimer: The estimates and predictions mentioned in this blog post are based on available data and market trends at the time of writing. Actual market conditions may vary.
2023-08-14T11:00:22-07:002023-08-17T17:20:39-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:17394Will Existing Home Sales Climb at all This Year?A Look at the 2023 Real Estate Market: Supply, Demand, and Price Trends
In the midst of an unprecedented real estate boom, the 2023 housing market has been an intriguing rollercoaster ride for buyers, sellers, and analysts alike. As demand continues to soar, the limited supply of homes has become a major driving force behind the market's resilience. In this blog post, we'll delve into the data provided by Altos Research, which sheds light on key aspects of the housing market, including pending sales, inventory levels, and median home prices.
1. Pending Sales: A Closer Look at the Numbers
NAR (National Association of Realtors) recently reported a decline in existing home sales for June, with an annual rate of 4.2 million. The primary factor contributing to the stability of home prices throughout 2023 has been the high demand that consistently outpaces the limited housing supply. However, the burning question on everyone's mind is whether we have turned the corner on home sales. Will the total sales rate fall below 4 million or climb closer to 5 million?
Altos Research tracks every home for sale in the country on a weekly basis, providing valuable insights into pricing, supply, and demand changes. The data reveals that there are now 378,000 single-family homes in contract, with 68,000 new contracts added this week. Additionally, 15,000 condos and townhomes were also put into contract, contributing to the overall sales rate of 4.2 million homes per year.
2. Inventory: A Critical Factor
In a supply-constrained market, inventory levels play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the real estate landscape. The pending sales data provided by Altos Research serves as an early indicator of future sales, as homes typically take 30 to 45 days to close. While demand is limited by affordability, it's the lack of available housing that keeps the sales rate below 5 million. Although the rate of sales isn't accelerating, the comparison with last year's sales, which were heavily impacted by the pandemic, is now getting easier.
3. Median Home Prices: Holding Steady Amidst Rate Fluctuations
The median price of single-family homes that went into contract this week was $380,000, up slightly from last week and 1% higher than the previous year. The data also highlights how home buyers reacted swiftly to last year's significant mortgage rate jumps, causing temporary dips in the market. However, with mortgage rates holding steady between 6% and 7% throughout the year, the expectation is that home prices will end the year slightly higher than in 2022.
4. Price Reductions and Market Balance
The percentage of homes with price reductions increased to 33.7% this week, indicating that sellers are willing to adjust their prices to attract buyers. However, the real estate market remains balanced between buyers and sellers. Price reductions tend to be more prevalent when mortgage rates are near 7% compared to rates closer to 8%. Nonetheless, the overall trend is on the slow side of balance, suggesting that sales prices in the coming months will remain relatively stable.
Conclusion:
As we navigate through the second half of 2023, the real estate market continues to demonstrate its resilience, driven by strong demand and a limited supply of homes. While the rate of sales isn't accelerating significantly, the easing comparison with last year's pandemic-affected sales is likely to lead to a modest increase in the total sales rate for 2024. Moreover, the data indicates that home prices are holding steady, with the potential for a slight increase by the year's end.
However, the market remains sensitive to mortgage rate fluctuations, which could impact both sales volume and price reductions. As we approach the peak of housing inventory, staying informed and understanding local market dynamics will be crucial for both buyers and sellers. Altos Research's data provides valuable insights to help navigate this ever-evolving real estate landscape and make well-informed decisions.
How Much Is Your Home Worth?<br /><br />
Find out fast and without any obligation. You can even see how much estimate equity you have in your home.
2023-07-24T17:20:53-07:002023-08-17T17:18:25-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:17393Monday Coffee with Buddy for July 24, 2023Unraveling Real Estate Insights with Top Realtor Buddy Blake in Wilmington, NC
Hello, this is Buddy Blake, your trusted realtor with Coldwell Banker in Wilmington, North Carolina. In this blog post, I'll be sharing some valuable insights from the latest happenings in the Wilmington real estate market. If you're considering selling your house or looking to buy, you won't want to miss this. We've observed some intriguing shifts, and it's essential to stay informed to make the right decisions in this dynamic market.
The Current Real Estate Landscape
Interest rates continue to hover in the sixes and sevens, depending on your credit scores and loan type. While they are expected to remain steady for a while, we anticipate a potential easing in the future. More buyers are getting comfortable with the current rates, realizing they can refinance later when rates eventually settle down. As for housing prices, the rapid surge we saw in the past has tapered off, particularly in the higher price segments above $600,000. In contrast, houses below $500,000 to $600,000 remain in high demand, and prices are projected to continue their upward trajectory. <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/blog/wilmington-area-real-estate-market-july-2023/" target="_blank">WATCH THE FULL 14-MINUTE MARKET OVERVIEW HERE</a>
Timing Matters
If you're in the market for a home under $500,000 to $600,000, the window of opportunity is now. Prices are likely to keep rising, and waiting for a lower interest rate might not be feasible given the persisting demand in the Wilmington area. Many buyers are leveraging their home equity from previous sales to make cash purchases, making the interest rate less of a concern for them.
Strategies for Sellers
For sellers in this market, we have some fantastic strategies that have proven to be effective. We've combined time-tested approaches with innovative new techniques to ensure our clients get top dollar for their homes and a quick sale. Our team of agents is dedicated to assisting you in every step of the selling process. From listing your property to expert negotiations, our focus is on getting you the best results.
Check Your Home's Value
Are you curious about your home's current value in this evolving market? Click on the button below to access our cutting-edge AI-powered technology that will give you an estimate of your property's worth. While the technology may not account for recent updates, it will provide you with valuable insights.<br /><br />
Experience the Difference with Our Team
As a real estate professional, I spend significant time engaging with people like you. My team and I are always available to have conversations, whether you're planning to make a move now or in the future. We take pride in our exceptional customer service and focus on helping you achieve your real estate goals. From finding your dream home to strategizing for a successful sale, we're here to assist you every step of the way. <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ocf-crosspoint-podcast/id1339399907?i=1000434443001" target="_blank">Listen to their inspirational podcast here.</a>
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. In the video linked below, you'll find a wealth of information about the current state of the Wilmington real estate market. If you have any questions or need assistance with your real estate endeavors, please don't hesitate to reach out. My family and I have recently been inspired by a touching experience at <a href="https://www.hopeheals.com/camp" target="_blank">Hope Hills Camp </a>in Alabama, and I encourage you to explore their story through the provided link.
Here's to a great week ahead, and I look forward to helping you navigate the dynamic world of Wilmington, NC real estate!2023-07-24T16:49:01-07:002023-08-17T17:19:01-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:17392Wilmington Area Real Estate Market July 2023Changing Tides of Wilmington NC Real Estate Market: A Seller's Perspective
Welcome to the Great Wilmington, NC area, a picturesque coastal region known for its vibrant real estate market. In this article, we will explore the local market statistics and trends in the Wilmington area, focusing on key indicators such as the Market Action Index, inventory levels, and pricing dynamics. We'll delve into how these factors have evolved over the past couple of years and what they mean for sellers in the current landscape.
The Market Action Index: Gauge of Seller's Market
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/marketguage0723.png" width="400" height="252" alt="market action" title="Market Guauge " style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
To understand the Wilmington NC real estate market, we use the Market Action Index, a valuable tool to identify whether it's a buyer's or seller's market. A score of 100 signifies a balanced market where supply and demand are equal, and properties typically take four to six months to sell. Wilmington has been experiencing a seller's market, characterized by high demand and limited inventory, resulting in quick sales and competitive bidding.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/market-trends/market-reports/" target="_blank">View our real-time market reports, updated daily.</a>
Market Trends in 2022 vs. 2023
In April 2022, the Market Action Index reached its peak at 68, indicating a robust seller's market. However, over time, the market dynamics began to change. Rising interest rates and a slowdown in relocating due to COVID contributed to this shift. As a result, the index now stands in the 40 range, signifying a more balanced market.
The Median Price Over Time
Analyzing data from 2021, 2022, and 2023, we find that while prices haven't experienced a crash, they have reached a turning point. The growth trajectory seems to have plateaued, leading to more price reductions and an increase in the number of days properties spend on the market.
The Role of Inventory
Inventory plays a crucial role in determining the health of the real estate market. In April 2022, the Wilmington area had a limited inventory of 522 units, resulting in high demand and intense competition. However, in 2023, the inventory increased significantly, nearly tripling to 1300 units. This rise in inventory has led to an increase in days on the market and more price reductions.
Advice for Sellers<br />
In the current market landscape, sellers must adapt their strategies accordingly. Overpricing is no longer a viable tactic, and sellers must have a clear pricing strategy that aligns with market conditions. Pricing plays a significant role in marketing a property, impacting its visibility and desirability. Setting realistic prices based on comparable properties and current market trends is essential for a successful sale.
Find Out the Value of Your House Today!<br />
Curious about the current value of your house in the Wilmington area? Discover its market worth with a complimentary property evaluation. Visit <a href="https://buddyblake.hifello.com/lp/9595ed1f-9be4-4a69-bc6f-cf2a5cb35707" target="_new">Buddy Blake's HiFello AI page</a> to get your free estimate today. Take advantage of the changing tides in Wilmington NC real estate and make informed decisions for your property.
How Much Is Your Home Worth? <br /><br />
Conclusion
As the Wilmington NC real estate market experiences shift, sellers need to be intentional and strategic in their approach. Understanding market indicators like the Market Action Index, inventory levels, and pricing dynamics can help sellers make informed decisions. Taking advantage of the current market conditions while being realistic in pricing will enable sellers to navigate the changing tides of Wilmington real estate successfully.2023-07-24T16:05:02-07:002023-07-24T16:39:28-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:15215Seller Home InspectionsWhy Sellers Should Have Inspections Done Before Listing
Today's residential real estate market is no longer the seller's market it was during the "pandemic market." With less buyer demand, we are no longer seeing insane bidding wars, and consequently, most sellers are no longer receiving the all-cash offers they had become accustomed to.
That means sellers have to navigate some old friends – inspection requests, appraisals, and buyer's remorse.
An inspection informs buyers of any significant work that needs to be done on a property. In many cases, these inspections re-open negotiation discussions for either work to be done or a price reduction.
If you're a seller in today's market, having a pre-listing home inspection could save you time and future heartache and get you more money - and actually have a closing. It's a high likelihood that a buyer will request a home inspection. If the inspection uncovers any big-ticket items, then you better believe that buyer will use the assessment to negotiate.
Having a pre-listing home inspection gives sellers powerful information they can use to get ahead of repairs that a buyer's inspection will uncover. If a buyer's inspection reveals a laundry list of deferred maintenance, it may scare the buyer away from the deal. A pre-listing inspection allows sellers to get on top of home repairs and save money, all on their own time.
Often, when repairs need to be done after a purchase contract is signed, there's either a limited time for them to be completed unless the buyer asks for a lower sale price. Both situations result in sellers paying a premium for repairs they could have addressed for less money before the property was on the market. A pre-listing home inspection allows sellers the time to control how items are fixed and how much they spend. Furthermore, because home repairs can add value, sellers might find that these repairs allow them to list their property for even more, which is a much better outcome than having to lower their price during negotiations.
Lastly, a pre-listing inspection can help a sale close faster. Instead of spending time fixing items on an inspection, the sale can progress smoothly.
If you're considering selling your property, remember that the selling process doesn't start when your home hits the market. Having an experienced real estate agent that can guide you in planning and execution is the first and most important step in today's real estate market.
<a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/sellers/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE </a>to learn more about selling your home in today's market.2022-12-21T17:26:20-07:002022-12-21T17:46:25-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:15123The Real Estate Market Is FrozenWILMINGTON, NC - The real estate market in most parts of the country, yes, even here in Wilmington, is at a state of a standstill. Despite a significant decrease in buyers in the market, <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/market-trends/wilmington/" target="_blank">inventory levels just aren't increasing</a>. In fact, according to recent industry data, last month, we had only just over 12,000 newly listed homes in all of North Carolina, a 26.2% decrease from the previous year. There may be fewer buyers, but there are even fewer homes available.<br /><br /><br /><br />One would think that with fewer buyers searching for homes that inventory would rapidly skyrocket, like the slow-downs of the past. Over the last two years, inventory levels were held low because of the sheer number of homebuyers and investors on the hunt for properties. As soon as a property was listed for sale, buyers swarmed to make offers. Today, the offer environment has changed. Buyers are looking at much higher finance costs, which heavily impacts their buying capacity.
As the housing market continues to shift, many potential homebuyers find themselves in a pinch when it comes to rising mortgage rates. This shift has not gone unnoticed as it's created a unique challenge for those wanting to secure a property, even though there are fewer buyers in the market to compete against.
Sellers Are Afraid To List Their Properties
The challenging mortgage environment has not gone unnoticed by sellers. While home prices haven't taken as big of a hit as some expected, sellers have another concern regarding listing their property. Unless a seller isn't looking to purchase another property or happens to be an all-cash buyer, they will be faced with the same high-interest rates and low inventory of homes to choose from as current buyers.
Imagine being a homeowner with a current mortgage interest rate of around 3% and then being faced with a 6 to 7% interest rate should you choose to sell your home and purchase another. Such an interest rate jump could mean hundreds, if not thousands, more on monthly payments of a loan of the same value as your previous mortgage. Furthermore, potential sellers are aware of the lack of inventory in the market and know they could have difficulty securing a replacement property. For many sellers, this is enough motivation not to move and to wait out the current mortgage interest rate climate.
And thus, we have a frozen real estate market. Those homebuyers and investors still in the market remain hungry for inventory, while potential sellers no longer see it financially beneficial to move unless absolutely necessary. Yes, they can still sell at a much higher price than they could pre-Covid and likely for more than they could in the coming year, but they are frozen with nowhere to perceivable go.
Opportunity for New Home Builders
The current home finance climate and lack of inventory are highlighting the already existing housing shortage in <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/idx/results/?searchtype=3" target="_blank">Wilmington and surrounding areas</a>. As a result, the market is frozen, but it's also creating a unique opportunity for home builders to consume even more of the area housing market. Sure, it's going to take longer to sell, and home builders will have to pay attention to buyer demands and be welcoming to agents again, but if builders stay focussed on being fair and attentive to what buyers want, they will do quite well in the coming year.
What Will Be The Disruptor?
There's always a disruptor, and a disruptor is needed to improve market conditions; the only solution is more new inventory. New home builders or existing homeowners that can sell should not fear high-interest rates as the market is desperate for new inventory and achievable prices remain high. Wilmington has one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, with the median sale price increasing by over 35% in the last year.
If you’re looking to <a href="http://sellingwilmington.com" target="_blank">sell your home</a>, or need help finding a property, <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/contact/" target="_blank">contact Buddy's team</a> at Waypost Realty. We sell properties through traditional listings and offer an easy wholesale purchase through our investment team, who complete a buyer-friendly fix and flip.
by <a href="https://agentvcards.com/agent/buddyblake" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a>, Broker & owner of Waypost Realty, located in Wilmington, NC.2022-12-09T09:44:07-07:002022-12-09T11:13:07-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:15085Monday Morning Coffee - Dec 5, 2022WILMINGTON, NC - Quick video overview from Buddy Blake of Waypost Realty in Wilmington NC. Buddy and his team serves all the real estate, homes and property needs of buyers and sellers in the great Wilmington and surrounding areas: Leland, Hampstead, Carolina Beach, Castle Hayne and more.
Are We In A Buyers Market?<br /><br /><br /><br />Hi, this is Buddy Blake for another edition of Monday morning coffee first off, I want to wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas season ahead wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year also, I want to address kind of the market conditions we get calls and emails and texts and chats and social media messages every day asking us what's the market like well the biggest question is, is it a buyer's market or is it a seller's market?
It just depends down below is an article that I wrote that kind of highlights what's going on in the market right now, and also, you're going to find that I've started a series of <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/blog/a-time-for-patience/">real estate stories</a> I've always found that success leaves Clues and so if we can just speak into another buyer another seller another agent or something like that and just give some experiences I think that it helps.
It is more of a buyer's market in certain price ranges once you get over the five and six hundred range, we see more negotiations, we're seeing some price reductions we're seeing Home Inspection negotiations and things like that, but still, we're struggling to have enough, inventory for things under the 400 Mark the only thing that's coming out in a lot of cases is some of the new construction, and a lot of it's just not even ready yet the interest rates they spiked up to almost eight percent there for a week or two now, they're settling back down in the fives and sixes, which is not as good as it was a year ago, but it's still a very good rate historically if you're thinking about buying or selling in this market feel free to reach out happy to be a resource in any way but down below you'll find some articles, and also there's a link<a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/about/market-reports/" target="_blank"> to the latest Market statistics for our area </a>so you can see the trend lines yourself.
Happy to talk more about it otherwise, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.2022-12-05T10:20:14-07:002022-12-05T10:44:17-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:15081Is It A Buyers Market Now?It's time for sellers to readjust their expectations and understand that the current market is much different than it was a year ago. The market is shifting in favor of buyers, so sellers need to be realistic about what they can expect to get for their homes. While there are still some buyers out there who are eager to snatch up a property as soon as it becomes available, the number of these types of buyers has rapidly shrunk in response to high-interest rates. In addition, the current lending environment has resulted in buyers being unable to qualify for the same loan amounts they once could, effectively reducing competition and sellers' power in the market. <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/pictureofhousees.jpg" width="400" height="309" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" />
Interestingly, the reduction of buyers in the market has led to buyers having more power in the market, not less. Sellers now need to price their properties competitively and be open to negotiations. That means offering selling agent bonuses, lender-paid closing costs, and working with buyer contingencies. Gone are the days of all-cash, contingency-free bidding wars. Instead, most properties are only getting a single offer, often below asking as buyers negotiate lower prices.
We need to be realistic, the market has normalized, and sellers need to change their expectations to meet the market.
<a href="http://buddyblakeguarantee.com" target="_blank">Homeowners considering selling</a> need to understand that market conditions have changed so they can strategically sell their homes. The balance of supply and demand now favors buyers. However, interest rates are high (for now), and buyers are going to be choosy. If you're worried about selling only to get locked into a loan with a higher interest rate, remember that mortgages can be refinanced, but property values are dropping, so if you want to take advantage of current prices, it's best not to sit on the sidelines.
Waypost Realty works with Wilmington, North Carolina sellers to help them sell their properties. We offer a <a href="http://buddyblakeguarantee.com" target="_blank">guaranteed sale program</a> through which sellers can choose a traditionally marketed listing or opt for a wholesale program for a quick and easy sale. Our wholesale program if for fix and flip assets and is ideal for properties that need upgrades or have deferred maintenance costs that are building up.
Get in touch with a member of <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/about/our-team/">our team </a>for more information about how to strategically your Wilmington property in today’s rapidly changing real estate market. 2022-12-03T19:52:37-07:002022-12-03T20:03:51-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:15080A Time For Patience<br /><br />Today we're going to talk about having patience in this real estate market as a seller and as a real estate agent as a listing agent that's working with the seller there's a piece of property it goes under contract before the market started shifting here it is it's time to close and everybody wants to close the listing agent wants to close I can assure you because they want to get paid their
Commission and the sellers are the most anxious to close typically and I get it I've been a seller I've been a realtor I've been a buyer I've been all these things but what you have to look at is you can't look at what was months ago the conditions that we were in because everything is when it shifts so quickly like it's done everything is different now when it went under contract it was a different market and different conditions there was
Different fears different economic outlooks different Bank rates so what happens now is you got to look at it right now you can't say what was what was supposed to be you got to say okay here's my options we've just got the buyer said they still want to buy it they've still got work to do your goal as a seller and as a listing agent in my opinion at that point is okay here's the options we can say no we're not doing any kind of
Modification to the contract Let It Die put it back on the market or just take it off the market and do nothing with it well here's the deal if you go back on the market when it's Market shifted like it has it's extremely unlikely you're going to be able to get the same number that you went under contract with because people are going to wonder what's wrong with it and plus they shouldn't be less buyers out there because buyers are being very
Careful now they're watching everything because interest rates have risen and even when they're paying cash they're still looking at what they do with their disposable resources all of a sudden you've got to make a decision what can I do right now if I take it off the market and do nothing and bring it back a year from now it's pretty unlikely we're going to see the market that we saw a year ago there's no question about that I mean that Market's gone and now we're
Waiting for this thing to reset we don't know where it'll go before it resets and starts moving again but we do know it's going to reset at some point and we've probably not found the bottom yet but anyway getting back to what a seller needs to think about is okay here's what we got right now not what was not what was supposed to happen buyers already said that didn't happen so what you need to do is say okay how much can I get out of this
Thing can I get more money for an extension and hold the price we're at does it make sense to Discount the price a little bit to try to entice the person or maybe in my opinion I think the best thing to do is always offer you know here's a b or c Mr buyer here's your options a we'll extend it for this amount of time and we're going to charge you this amount of money B we will close right now but we'll give you an x amount of
Discount if you'll go ahead and close it or see your option is just say no we're not doing anything well if you do nothing it's going to probably be four or five years before you get back to the price that it was under contract at if that so I just want to put that out there that have patience and as a seller it's really tough right now because you've got this mindset of the whole world's been on fire for the last two or three years and all your
Neighbors and all your friends and all your relatives are telling you that you know oh no stick it in their eye let's go find somebody else well that's probably not going to happen and the world has shifted listen to your real estate agent listen to your mortgage lenders because they're in the front end of it they can tell you what's really going on in the market and it is a different market so be careful before you get proud and look at the situation
<a href="http://buddyblakeguarantee.com" target="_blank">SEE WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH</a>
Where it is right now because what you're looking at you're looking straight out the front view of the windshield and you're looking at a situation that you very well may get significantly less money for the property than you would if you just held the course get as much non-refundable money as you can possibly negotiate for and keep moving because you're probably not going to sell it even if you put it back
On the market or if you take it off and wait a while you're still not going to sell it for the number you are until many years in the future that's this week's story it's talking about patience and I know it's super hard for a home seller right now that's looking at what was and it's not bad anymore okay what was is gone if we can help in any way please let me know or if you've got some comments about this please post it below<br /><br />In today's real estate market, sellers and agents must be patient. Things are not what they were, and you must be very careful about who you are listening to. <br /><br />How Much Is Your Home Worth?
Enter your address below for a quick estimate of your price OR you can request a no-hassle instant offer from our investor group.
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2022-12-03T17:58:26-07:002023-01-26T02:33:43-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:14941Thinking of switching brokerages?If you’re brokerage shopping for 2023, this may be the perfect time to plan your change and execute it.
The past couple of years has made many agents feel more or less invincible. For newer agents, hitting the ground running may have been the priority. For veteran agents, splits and caps were probably the only things that mattered.
Now, as the market slows and the economy presents challenges, many agents find themselves brokerage shopping for 2023. This time of year may feel like the right time to plan a change and execute it.<br /><br /><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/isnowthetime.jpg" width="355" height="200" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" alt="isnowthetime" title="Is Now The Time" />
For some agents, change is good, and the changes they make now will be positive. For others, changing brokerages won’t get to the root of what’s wrong in their businesses.
Now is the time that agents should consider switching brokerages if they are going to do so before the beginning of the new year. However, you need to make sure that you set yourself up for success and that you’ve asked yourself some hard questions before you make a change.
Before you start your search, Before you begin looking for a new brokerage home, you need to do the following:<br /><br />
1. Make sure that you’re switching for the right reasons<br />Are you switching because you’re scared, even though your business is currently doing well? Are you switching because of a personality conflict? Are you switching because you’ve never navigated a down market and don’t feel supported?
Get a handle on the motivation behind your switch and see if you can address it in some other way
2. Look at yourself in the mirror before you make a switch.<br />Are you dissatisfied with something in your professional or personal life and looking for a change to avoid dealing with it? Are you insecure about your ability to navigate your career and seek out the cover of a bigger or more prominent brokerage when you should be betting on yourself?
Remember, your name is bigger in your sphere of influence than any brokerage or brand; are you staying in touch with your SOI?
3. Find out whether you’re looking for a brokerage to do the work you should be doing for your business.<br />Are you hoping that a big-box brokerage’s name will take the place of the brand-building you should be doing? Are you hoping that a prominent local broker at the helm will keep you from having to push yourself and prioritize your own growth?
4. Have you let the easy market of the past couple of years make you a little lazy?
Are you doing the marketing activities that count?
Are you working in the business or in your business?
Are you chasing a better commission split because you are selling fewer homes?
Are you being promised cold inbound leads and hoping that will make up the difference in production?
Do you know your numbers, and do you know what caused the increase or decrease?
What could you or should you do differently to increase your production?
5. Remember that word will get out that you’re talking to brokerages, so be discreet<br />If your current broker is a friend or mentor or if they took a chance on you and helped you launch your business, give them the courtesy of an honest conversation.
6. This is not the time to burn bridges<br />Remember, you will need to maintain your professional network, and that includes the agents and brokers in your current brokerage. Do your best to stay on good terms with them by leaving in a friendly and professional manner.
7. Look at what the new brokerage offers and its differentiators when you’re evaluating your new brokerage; you’ll want to consider what it offers and what differentiates it from your current brokerage. Have a clear idea of your professional goals, and find out how the brokerage you’re talking with will help you accomplish those goals.
Determine what they offer in terms of each of the following:
Are they an independent or big-box brokerage?
What kind of support staff do they provide?
What kind of tech stack do they provide?
What marketing support do they provide?
What training do they provide?
What does accountability look like in the brokerage?
What is the commission structure, and what additional fees does it charge?
<br />8. Remember, anyone can make promises during recruitment.<br /><br />Find out what kinds of assurances they can offer of long-term support, tech availability, and other resources.
9. Take advantage of slower times
As the holidays come in, you typically have fewer transactions. That gives you time to get organized and ready for your upcoming move. Buy some coffee, have some conversations, and make sure you’re ready to hit the spring market hard when it comes around.<br /><br />
10. Get all of your marketing dialed in<br /><br />Plan ahead with new brand elements, marketing collateral, updated social media accounts, and updated contact information on all real estate portal profiles.
11. Start letting your clients know what’s going on now<br />Connect with them through a holiday letter, holiday-themed pop-bys, pie deliveries, grateful letters, a New Year’s letter, a 2022 wrap-up letter, and their closing statement (so they’ll have it for tax purposes) delivered in January.
12. Send an announcement letter to your sphere of influence<br />Make sure people know what you expect to be able to offer through your new brokerage — enhanced marketing, better service, greater reach — so that it feels like a win for them, too.
13. Leverage what the new brokerage has to offer<br />If it’s tech, use this time to learn that tech, top to bottom. If it’s marketing support, connect with the support staff, and find out how they can help you. Creative copywriting? Mastermind classes? Events? Training? Look into and learn the systems. If it was important enough to make you switch, it’s important enough to get serious about it and get the most out of it.
Switching brokerages is not something to do casually or to take lightly, but when the time is right and when they’re offering something you need, it can be the right call. Do it the right way, and get the most out of the opportunity it provides so you will have many happy years in your new professional home base.
<br /><br />If you would like to have a conversation about joining Waypost Realty, complete the form below
2022-11-15T05:32:59-07:002022-11-15T07:01:16-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:14561Where Are All The Agents?Hi, my name is Buddy Blake and I am the owner of Waypost Realty located here in Wilmington, NC. I have been in the real estate business since 1998. I was with a number of other firms, I actually owned some franchises for about 10 years and we went independent a couple of years ago, the month right before COVID I might add. We thought the world would and then the world went nuts.
All right, here's the deal. We in the real industry, the market is shifting and we are starting to see the same problems and challenges that other industries are seeing with trying to get people to come in and do the stuff. What has happened in our industry is we have been so busy answering the calls that have been coming in from all the buyers that have been trying to move and everything else, and now things have slowed down. Now does that mean its dead, no it's still better than normal, it's just not the way it was the past few years. But what is happening is that there are a lot of agents that got into the business in the last two years and they never learned the full sales and service process of what it normally takes to work through a seller or a buyer.
For instance, usually in a normal world like the last twenty years that I have been doing it, you list a house with some folks, you work through it and come up with a plan and it takes months and months to sale sometimes. You have to make price adjustments and do different marketing techniques. Well we just came out of a world where if someone said something was coming for sale a line of traffic is coming out there. If they post it on Facebook it sells for whatever over asking. Well we are not in that world anymore. Now does that mean if you live in our area and have a house priced $200,000 in certain areas that you aren't going to get multiple offers, no it doesn't mean that. You are still going to get a lot of activity. You are just not going to get 30 offers. And it's probably going to be way over asking and things like that like it was.
So most real estate agents that got into the business the last couple of years never learned that process. Like I am going to list it, and as soon as I put the sign up in the yard, the next day it sells.Well from the buyer side we have gone from a world where we had an abudance of buyers that were ringing our phone like crazy cause they are trying to find a place to live and there was no inventory. Well inventory is coming back. I don't know if you have noticed but a lot of builders, they have been building during all of this and now they have got inventory coming. Like we have some in Windsor Park coming online and we have our first house out there that we are going to be debueing in two and a half years. We now have something we can show somebody. So we are super excited about that. Other builders are doing that too, there are incentives coming out.
But what I am looking for, we are looking for some real estate agents. We great agents that are coming in, some of our best are coming in and doing the work, calling their prospects, calling the people who have inquired, and that is what sales is. It's called calling people, following up with people, giving them service, providing service, helping them work through issues so that when the time is right, you will be the person top of mind that they will look to to help them. Well a lot of those habits we have lost, me included, and we have had to refocus. Well it's time to get back to work. The real estate business is a sales business. Selling does not mean talking someone into something that don't want to do, but talking to people and that either have a need or a want, and answering questions and helping them with any issues. And wait for them on their time and when they are ready to do something.
So if you are in real estate school, we have an opportunity, we call it an intern program where we will actually pay you to come in. Now you can't sell things, you can't show property and all that, but we can definitely teach you the different systems that we use., We can have you shadow agents. We can have you go through and spend time with what it is really like to be in the business. Beacuse in real estate school they are going to teach you how to use the forms, and all that, which you do need, but that is not going to teach you how to do business. Our job here at Waypost is turn the training around backward. A lot of places you are going to get another 12 weeks or how to do forms and how to do this. What we do here is teach you how to build relationships, how to interact with prospects, how to show houses. Because it we don't get you to the point where you are actually services clients, you don't need to learn the forms or any of the other stuff because you will never get to that point.
If you are interested you can reach out to me. You can call me on my cell at (910) 262-7006 or email me at buddy@buddyblake.com and I'll be glad to have a conversation with you. If you would like to check out some interviews with real agents who have gone through this process, check out <a href="http://waypostjobs.com" target="_blank">waypostjobs.com</a>.2022-09-16T12:36:00-07:002022-09-16T13:13:48-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:14466Visit Poplar Grove Farmers' Market<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/popular_grove_farmers.jpg" width="1710" height="1140" />
Come stop by the <a href="http://poplargrove.org/farmers-market/" target="_blank">Poplar Grove Farmers' Market</a> and see the food the local Wilmington area residents have grown, caught, or baked themselves. The market offers a unique chance to purchase these items as well as a variety of crafts and one-of-a-kind goods and interact with the people who made them. This event takes place at the historic <a href="http://poplargrove.org/" target="_blank">Poplar Grove Plantation</a> every Wednesday from 8:00am to 1:00pm and lasts until September 28th, 2022. <a href="http://poplargrove.org/" target="_blank">Poplar Grove Plantation</a> is located at 10200 US Highway 17 North in Wilmington, NC.
<a href="http://poplargrove.org" target="_blank">Poplar Grove Plantation</a> is located within the <a href="https://gullahgeecheecorridor.org/">Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor</a> and is a historic house and museum. This agricultural center predominantly produced sweet potatoes and peanuts and was founded when the original manor house and land was purchase in 1795 by James Foy Jr of New Bern, NC. The house was rebuild in 1850 after the original house was destroyed in a fire. The plantation crossed racial lines during the Civil War providing its crops to both the Union and Confederate sides. For more information about the history of <a href="http://poplargrove.org/" target="_blank">Poplar Grove Plantation</a> please visit their <a href="http://poplargrove.org/" target="_blank">website </a>and learn more.
Wilmington is steeped in history dating back from the Colonial times with its first permanent settlement being founded in 1732. There are many historically preserved buildings in Downtown Wilmington and a number of museums that serve to record and retell the history of the area. If you are interested in learning more about Wilmington or are thinking about a move to the area, please feel free to contact <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/agents/22/buddy--blake/" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a> at <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/" target="_blank">Waypost Realty</a> at (910) 395-1000.2022-09-06T10:25:00-07:002022-09-06T11:02:34-07:00Patrick Chamberstag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:1444220 Years Exhibit at Cameron Art Museum<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/cam_twenty_years.jpg" width="670" height="470" />
The <a href="https://cameronartmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Cameron Art Museum</a> is holding an art exhibition called Twenty Years, celebrating their most memborable showings from the past two decades. Among other leading contemporary artists, this exhibit presents thet work of sculptor Bob Trotman, acclaimed American artists Donald Sultan and Faith Ringgold, Canadian kinetic sculptor Diane Landry, and the costumes of Alonzo V. Wilson for HBO. The exhibit lasts until Sunday, September 4 with standard hours from 10am to 5pm Tues through Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults, and children under 18 get in for free.
The <a href="https://cameronartmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Cameron Art Museum</a> is one of the prized cultural gathering places within the <a href="https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/" target="_blank">Wilmington</a> area. It's primary goal is to enrich the lives of the visitors to the museum though their exhibitions and dynamic public programs. It is one of the many public artistic draws to <a href="https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/" target="_blank">WIlmington</a>, and if you haven't been yet, you really owe it to yourself and your family to take some time and take a tour. <a href="https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/" target="_blank">Wilmington</a> has a rich history of the fine arts and has been proud supporter of its local artists. Many people have moved to the <a href="https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/" target="_blank">Wilmington</a> area because it has a wide array of interesting things to see and do that exceed just having beautiful beaches. If you are interested in learning more about the <a href="https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/" target="_blank">WIlmington</a> area and whether it should be your next home town, feel free to give <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/agents/22/buddy--blake/" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a> and <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/" target="_blank">Waypost Realty</a> a call at (910) 395-1000 and we'll be happy to help you.2022-09-02T05:48:00-07:002022-09-02T06:09:17-07:00Patrick Chamberstag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:14434Last Fireworks By The Sea on September 2<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/fireworks_by_the_sea.jpg" width="670" height="470" />
It's the final Fireworks By The Sea event of the summer of 2022 this Friday, September 2nd. Come down to the <a href="https://www.carolinabeach.org/home" target="_blank">Carolina Beach Boardwalk</a> and listen to some great music that usually starts around 6:30pm and then stay for the fireworks at 9:00pm. This event is located at Cape Fear Blvd and Carolina Beach Ave North. The best place to view the fireworks is on the beach right in front of the <a href="https://www.carolinabeach.org/home" target="_blank">Carolina Beach Boardwalk</a> by the Gazebo stage where the live music plays.
Carolina Beach is one of the top destinations for prospective buyers looking for beach front property in the area. The community in Carolina Beach is laid back and friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming. Real estate in the Carolina Beach area has been on fire for the past two years and is still prime for both buying and sell right now. If you are interested in learning more about what is going on in the Carolina Beach real estate, give <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/agents/22/buddy--blake/" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a> at <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/" target="_blank">Waypost Realty</a> a call at (910) 395-1000 and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.2022-09-01T06:41:00-07:002022-09-01T06:55:42-07:00Patrick Chamberstag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:14422Art Exhibit at Airlie Gardens<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/hoppy_times.png" width="971" height="683" />
Come celebrate 10 years of art exhibits at <a href="https://airliegardens.org/" target="_blank">Airlie Gardens</a>, open now until December 31, 2022! This years theme is <a href="https://airliegardens.org/exhibits/annual-art-exhibit/" target="_blank">Hoppy Times</a>, where oversized 4.5 foot rabbits decorated by local Wilmington artists are spread throughout the garden on display. Experience the beauty of one of Wilmington's outdoor treasures as you walk through the gardens and try to locate all 10 rabbits.
<a href="https://airliegardens.org/" target="_blank">Airlie Gardens</a> was founded in 1884 when the property was purchased and converted into an expansive garden by Pembroke and Sarah Jones. With the support of local residents, the New Hanover County Commissioners, and a grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the property was purchased by the county in 1999. All 67 acres has been lovingly restored and made available for visitors to enjoy. Guided tours are available with two weeks advance registration, and general admission is $9 for adults and $3 for children.
Wilmington is filled with historic locations like <a href="https://airliegardens.org/" target="_blank">Airlie Gardens</a> which draws over 120,000 visitors per year. If you have never experienced our picturesque city you owe it to yourself to plan a trip to come take a look. There has been a overwhelming draw of new residents to Wilmington and the surrounding area and homes and real estate has been moving at an incredible pace. If you are interested in taking a look at what Wilmington has to offer as your new home, please give <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/agents/22/buddy--blake/" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a> and our team here at <a href="https://waypostrealty.com" target="_blank">Waypost Realty</a> a call at (910) 395-1000.2022-08-31T07:18:00-07:002022-08-31T07:39:14-07:00Patrick Chamberstag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:14405Conversation with Justin Fulford of Fulford Heating and CoolingJustin Fulford of <a href="https://www.fulfordhvac.com/" target="_blank">Fulford Heating And Cooling</a> sits down with <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/agents/22/buddy--blake/" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a> to talk a little about important tips and tricks to know with maintenance on your heating and air conditioning system. There are a lot of people who don't pay attention to the ongoing needs of their HVAC and only deal with issues when they break down. A yearly maintenance plan can greatly increase the life of your equipment and prevent overloading the system that causes many of the problems that cause breakdowns. Some things as simply as making sure to change your air filters every month and not to use filters that restrict too much air flow are key maintenance tasks that home owners should make sure to keep an eye on.
There are big government changes coming in 2022 and 2023 that regulate the efficiency and refrigerant that air conditioning systems use that will require new types of equipment to be manufactured and installed bringing on price increases across the board around 35%. If you have a weak system, now might be a great time to purchase a replacement before these increases take hold. Try and get your unit replaced within the next year or you will face a significant cost increase over the current market prices.
<a href="https://www.fulfordhvac.com/" target="_blank">Fulford Heating and Cooling</a> is a local service company started in 1974 in the Supply, NC area and now expanded to cover the Hampstead, Wilmington and surrounding areas. They are family owned and take great pride in their focus on providing great service and customer support without high pressure sales.
Justin Fulford is a native Wilmingtonian, and is married to Christina with three beautiful girls. He spends his time enjoying the outdoors surfing, fishing and hunting. If you are in need of anything related to heating to air conditioning, please give Justin a call at (910) 842-6589.2022-08-30T06:00:00-07:002022-08-30T08:23:35-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:14189Conversation with Monic Crider & Buddy Blake
Learn more about one of the finest real estate professionals in our entire region and how she has battled numerous adversities as she has been growing her real estate business exponentially, one person at a time. 2022-08-02T13:21:00-07:002022-08-02T13:23:09-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:14188Conversation with Tyler Beverage & Buddy
In this LIVE broadcast, <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/agents/22/buddy--blake/" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a> of <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/" target="_blank">Waypost Realty</a> will be interviewing and having a conversation with <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/agents/24/tyler-beverage/" target="_blank">Tyler Beverage</a>, who in just a few short years has become one of the top agents in the region. You will learn more about <a href="https://www.waypostrealty.com/agents/24/tyler-beverage/" target="_blank">Tyler</a> and also get his take on what buyers, sellers, and agents should be doing in this shifting market. 2022-08-02T13:19:00-07:002022-11-19T09:38:31-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:13861Monday Coffee with Buddy Blake - June 20, 2022
Hi, my name is Buddy blake and I'm here in Wilmington North Carolina with way post realty, if you are looking in the real estate market to buy or sale. I want to share some information with you, not just local to our area, but nationally real quick.
I'm gonna bounce over to my screen and I want to show you showing time is probably the most use service across the country. And this is systems where real estate companies and mLS systems use to schedule showings for houses. And this is really helpful to kind of see where things are in the market place because there's a lot of people that still think that we're operating at the level that we were a year ago or even six months or even three months ago and I kind of wanted to share what's going on first off. You can see in here. This is the last few years. Covid wrecked havoc in here. It just took off like 2020. You can see showing each line of these represents, showings the orange line is what was going on right now. So for instance, here's june 20th right now. But long story short is, you can see that we're back into a normal pattern now. It's much lower. The number of showings are quite a bit lower than they were last year at this time and certainly way lower than they were two years ago at this time. Just understand it's not the same market that we had a year ago, even months ago Now we're headed in. We're gonna see this little bit here and then we're gonna see the 4th of July drop here just like we always do and then we're gonna see the real activity happen but you can see everything has peaked.
So what does that mean for you? So if you're a home seller and you're thinking about selling your house you need to get in the game now. You don't need to wait anymore. Now if you're not thinking about selling I get it. But if you're thinking about selling, taking advantage of probably the best opportunity in the next several years you need to go ahead and get it done now. You're not gonna get the numbers and have the level of activity and the number of offers that we were seeing six months or even just three months ago. It's just gone okay you can't change it. It's gone. It was a wonderful run for sellers and agents and everything else. But that time is gone now. Does that mean it's bad? No it just simply means things are normalizing and that's a good thing because this thing just couldn't keep on forever.
Now if you're a buyer what does it mean? You need to understand what's going on the mortgage rates. These babies are moving within hours not just everyday. We have an in house mortgage company and it's called Waypost Mortgage and Paul Bowers is our lead mortgage officer and he shared with us just this morning in our meeting that the rates moved four times last friday alone, it was swinging from the fives up to the sevens just depending on certainly credit score and what type of loan and things like that. So what does that mean for you as a buyer? Let me tell you what it means. You need to have somebody that's local to the area you're buying in that you're communicating with a real person, not some automated mess because that automated mess isn't going to call you and let you know that the rates just moved and you need to lock in. You need to have a real mortgage person you trust. And if you're in our area, I highly recommend Paul. And if you don't want to use Paul, I got a few others I can recommend to but you need to be using somebody that knows what's going on, that's watching those rates all the time. Not some automated system because their goal is to lock you as high as they can get you because that's how they make money is to spread of what the feds charging and what the bonds are paying what they're paying and how much they can get from you. So if they catch you at the right time where they lock you at a high rate and the rate drips the next hour. Well they're able to really take advantage of that. Now that's business. I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just saying is business, but you need to have someone working for you in that situation. So if you're a seller sell your house, if you're a buyer know about the mortgage, what's going on the mortgage rates?
So we're going to see more properties coming on the market. We are seeing more but this is not gonna be 2007 where all of a sudden we see all these bank foreclosures hit the market short sales and all that. We're going to deal with some mess. There's no question about what's gonna head what's ahead. But it's not gonna be the same. So if you're thinking about selling it's past time, get it done or prepare to hunker down or prepare to get less money than what your neighbor did or what your family did or whatever. Somebody's yelling in your ears or what the media said. But that's not bad. It's just you just didn't time it. Well, unfortunately nobody can time this thing right. I do this. I've done this for 25 years and I still can't figure out a time this thing guys. If we can help in any way, let us know there's a couple of tools down below that you're free to use on your own and we'll be glad to help you in any way. We can thank you so much for watching this video. Have a wonderful week. God bless to you and your family.2022-06-20T10:38:00-07:002022-08-02T13:35:13-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:13725A Recession does NOT necessarily mean a housing price drop
Want to know what'll happen to the housing market. If we ever have another recession while I can't tell you when or if one will take place I can tell you history. Does leave Clues here. Look at the last six recessions in this country going all the way back to the 80s as the green shows home prices actually appreciated went up in for those recessions. There were only two where the prices went down and that was in the early. Early 90s when the impact was minimal, but what everyone remembers was the housing crash.
In 2008. When homes lost nearly 20 percent of their value since home values actually climbed in most of the recession's history, proves recessions, don't always means home prices, will drastically fall. So if you're thinking about making a move, let's connect. Let's get together and I keep a pulse on what's going on in. In our market and around the country. So you can feel confident in your decision to buy or sell or home today down below is a link to the latest Market stats in our area.
Thanks a lot.2022-05-26T12:26:00-07:002022-05-26T12:32:21-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:13422New music! Plus a great reason to give to your Life 90.5 today!<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/jesus-coming-back.png" width="860" height="380" />
If you’ve been listening to contemporary Christian music for any length of time, you’ve certainly heard this long-haired, hat-sporting artist’s voice through your speakers. Jordan Feliz has released such hits as “Witness,” “Glorify” and “The River.” However, his latest collaboration with Jonathan Traylor and Mandisa just hits different. “Jesus Is Coming Back” is your invitation to a pre-show party before the big one when our Savior returns. Weaved among the audible excitement and danceable beat are some urgent reminders for believers as we await His return.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/your-best-gift.png" width="860" height="380" />
Janice recently sent Life 90.5 the sweetest note. She writes, "I love your music. I can be stressing about something and the music will calm me. Reminds me who is in charge. I listen every morning and my day starts off great. We listen at work, which is a blessing for all of us. Thanks for being there."
When Janice says "thanks," she's not really thanking the DJs or the artists. She's thanking every single person who financially gives to support Life 90.5. As a fully listener supported station, you are needed to keep friends like Janice encouraged every day. And now is the BEST time to become a supporter of your favorite Christian music station.
Now through April 24th, when you give a gift of any size, you'll be entered to win two $500 Visa gifts cards provided by sponsor Buddy Blake and Waypost Realty. That's one card for you and one to give to a friend in need. Don't wait until the deadline to make your gift. Donate now to share the gospel, the hope of Jesus Christ, and desperately needed encouragement with listeners all over the Wilmington area and beyond.
<a href="https://u5832075.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=z98SerCTF2K3cUFGAB6uW7w129T9x-2BFS8cPdcwGygrmRareOO3BlG76P-2BCLyXmtAvNmiHedLj8eMEvwy3oua9A-3D-3DwWKB_PGYwTJZ-2Bv9ab-2FStd-2FUqMVviI6VhEUHYHaIedU5EG5ii09k5yfU0Yk6xPwkaxZnEYhIH4OxqN0eeFSVu5mwdzkE7zMAls9Xl-2FpLK6SOnlKKoI-2FS2Pby69hXMaeHMgEM-2Fjjl2usSSR-2BCd3DGsNYfCvD9v2QC-2BZEg0I3ZZXCb2POQaGVbKEs8THHT1Opyhr7IGHOnnat44AINkFxsIjm9LZp5GzOcVlKCDdcskjUC4MmKp6PA-2BDT5yh66uoz-2BoccEHHpY-2FfB7uY2uf00DQsCwW4DBTNBw9LSwIGqwE0nWsDbMW-2BsdajqUizKqRSE18GrZruKgpwCwt2SrHbgZOtWi6rFpy0NgwpyK9esWMiV3MRwvGx9Kint09DZBpJJTYC8HxK"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/btn-give-now.jpg" width="166" height="44" /></a>
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It's been such a thrill to watch the Lifeguard Kids Club grow! With over 300 kids already signed up, we often hear about how excited they are to receive mail from their favorite Christian music station. The fun, Jesus-centered activities and birthday gifts received help these littles keep their eyes on the Lord. Would your K-3rd grade child like to be in our Lifeguard Kids Club? Sign them up now for free!
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JEFF'S TOP 5 SONGS
Afternoon host Jeff Loman shares his top 5 favorite songs that you'll hear on Life 90.5! You can hear him every weekday from 3-7 pm, sharing some pastoral wisdom and plenty of laughs!
1. Speak to the Mountains - Chris McClarney<br />2. The Commission - CAIN<br />3. Jireh - Maverick City Music<br />4. In Jesus' Name - Katy Nichole<br />5. Sunday Sermons - Anne Wilson2022-04-19T11:30:00-07:002022-04-20T07:29:40-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:13411Real-Time Online Real Estate Bidding NOW HEREMonday Morning Coffee - April 18, 2022
"It is challenging to live a humble life while consumed with living in the epicenter of the selfie". <br />
- Phil Ortego (paraphrased)<br /><br />NEW LISTING - ONLINE BIDDING STARTS THIS FRIDAY We will be bringing to market a lovely single-family home in the Middle Sound / Ogden area of Wilmington (28411 zip) this week as a LIVE ONLINE BIDDING Auction sale.
The property will hit the MLS and the address announced this Wednesday, April 20th with showings and online bidding starting on Friday, April 22nd. We will be having an open house on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 each day. Online bidding will be open until Tuesday 4/26 at 5:00 PM Eastern.
If you are currently working with a real estate agent/broker please disregard this information and contact your agent. Otherwise, if you would like to learn more about this upcoming auction or how our online bidding and auctions system works please visit <a href="https://waypostauctions.com/contact/" target="_blank">https://waypostauctions.com/contact/</a>
Waypost Auctions is a DBA of Waypost Realty, LLC Auction Firm License NCAL #10554, Auctioneer NCAL #8822 <a href="http://WaypostAuctions.com" target="_blank">http://WaypostAuctions.com</a>
<a href="https://waypostauctions.com/register/" target="_blank">Preregister Your Bidding Account Here</a><br /><br />Hey guys, this is Buddy Blake, and I come to you this week because we are getting ready to do something we've never done before. And as far as I know, it's certainly never been done in our market. And I've not seen it done nationally, together. First off, I want to introduce you to Lauren Johnson. Lauren.
Yeah, hey.
Lauren is with our company Waypost Realty. But Lauren brings us also, he has a, he's a licensed auctioneer, has been for a long time.
2009.
2009. Of course, back then you did it for a different kind of market.
Right, absolutely.
Well now-
Because you had depressed market.
Well now, we've got our firm auctioneer license. And one of the issues that we just keep seeing happen is we've got so many buyers looking at properties. They're wanting to make offers. They don't know what to make the offer. We don't know what kind of backend deal's getting done.
It's not transparent at all.
Not transparent. You don't know whether to offer 100,000 over or 2,000 over. Or you don't really know if there really is a buyer out there, if your offer's being shopped or something. So what we are doing is, we're going to be doing it this weekend over in Middle Sound. We're not going to tell you the property yet because it's not going to go live until this Thursday, so I can't tell you where it is, just because we got to abide by all the rules.
Absolutely.
But we will tell you. It's going to be for under $400,000 starting.
That's right.
And what we're going to be doing is an online bidding. It's going to be for sale, but also it's going to go through the bidding process, AKA option, technically.
Which will be a five-day bidding period.
Okay. [crosstalk 00:01:36] Let's walk through it for a minute. You guys are going to have an open house. Tell us about that.
Yeah, we're going to have an open house Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4, this coming Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 4. The time period in which folks can see it is during that time period. And then the bidding starts, online bidding starts that same day.
In other words-
Saturday at noon.
So we're going to put it in the system so it gets out to all the websites, in the MLS, it'll be in the MLS. And we encourage people to have their agents.
Absolutely.
Absolutely. You will work through an agent. We love agents. Your agent is going to have a lot of information that's in what's called agent remarks. And documents of how to do this will be in the MLS system. And if you don't have an agent, you can reach out to us and we can certainly help you through that. They're going to be able to place bids online.
And see what everyone else is bidding at the same time.
That's exactly right. In other words, you'll see this thing run up and it's going to go for five days so everybody gets a shot to actually buy something.
And it's going to be in $3,000 increments too.
Because of the price range of this one.
Correct, correct.
Okay. And then what are they going to need to do? Let's say somebody wants to bid on the property. It's a new term for us.
Exactly.
We've always used it loosely, but officially we couldn't use it. But now we can.
Yeah, exactly. In order to regis- first thing you do is register on the site. And in order to be approved, that is a waypostauctions.com. In order to be able to bid you register on the site. You also provide us with either proof of funds or a preapproval letter. If you don't have one, Paul Bowers here at Waypost Mortgage can help with that. There's also a 2% buyer's premium that would be added to the final bid. And that form needs to be signed and agreed to as well. Once we get those documents, then you'll be approved for bidding.
Now, if they're working with an agent, they need to-
Have that agent do that.
They need to register their agent and then we will coordinate with that agent. We're never going to cut the agents out.
Correct, absolutely.
So if you're working with an agent, do not try to bypass your agent in any condition whatsoever.
Right.
Let's talk about the buyer premium, because that is a term that you guys in the auction world are used to, like 5 to 10%. If you've bought cars or houses at auction-
Or anything on Ebay.
Well, that's exactly right. There's always a 5 to 10% premiums. So what does a 2% buyer premium mean?
Okay, let's say, for instance, the winning bid, the highest bid, winning bid was $400,000.
Okay.
2% of that $400,000 is $8,000. That would be added to the 400,000 so the sales price is actually 408,000.
408,000. And the 8,000 is for the auction fee.
Yeah, exactly.
Now, in this situation, if they got an agent, that agent will still get compensated through the MLS.
That's correct.
Okay.
That's a separate [crosstalk 00:04:31]
Nothing's different from the agent.
Correct.
Okay. They got to have a preapproval.
That's right.
They have to have a proof of funds. And if you don't know what proof of funds means, that means you're buying cash. There has to be proof where it's coming from. And if that is a shocking news for you, then you haven't been trying to buy property.
That's right.
Because no seller is going to take their house off the market without some kind of proof that you can actually [crosstalk 00:04:53].
Just your word.
Yeah, exactly. I know that offends some people who ... "Do you have the money? I need to see that you've got the money." And they get all offended. And I'm sorry, but this is the way it works.
[inaudible 00:05:05] Show me the money.
Let's think through some of the, what are the issues that we're going to have around this of can people ... Let me ask you this. Let's say an agent's got a buyer and they want to present a regular offer to purchase ahead of time. They could still send it in.
Correct. That's right.
But just to understand, it's still going to go through the auction process for that five days.
That's right.
Okay? And you actually, there's a countdown on that at waypostauction.com for that particular auction or that property.
That's right.
And because this will be our very first one coming up, and they will see the countdown.
Right. And this was going to be, it's going to close Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
Wednesday at 5:00 PM. Eastern standard time.
That's right.
And then basically you'll be able to increment your bid. And let's say that you go in there and you make a bid, and you're going to get notified if you're out bid so that you always know what's going on.
Automatically.
Yeah, it'll send [crosstalk 00:05:59] That's exactly right. And so you're going to see, you're not going to see who the people are, but you're going to see the bids as they go up.
Correct.
Now, what happens after ... All right, it's done. You got somebody that bid up here. What happens then? Is it closed and done? Or what do you do them?
No. Everything's going to be the same as a traditional real estate transaction, as far as the documents and the forms and whatnot. But they're going to need to provide us with the due diligence fee.
Immediately.
Immediately.
Right.
And then the earnest money. And then as far as the terms of the auction, they got to file the terms of the auctions in their contract they present.
And then we work with their agent if they have one, or with us.
[crosstalk 00:06:45] Due diligence [crosstalk 00:06:46].
The offer to purchase is the same. They still get the due diligence period. And now the difference in this model too is some of the terms are going to be laid out by the seller ahead of time in this.
That's right. The buyer will have to agree to that as well.
That's exactly right. For instance-
Due diligence [crosstalk 00:07:03] no reason to be if they're not going to agree.
Right. If you're not going to put up X amount of due diligence fee, it's going to tell you what the due diligence fee is going to be. The seller's going to go ahead and name that ahead of time, so really all we're talking about is price.
That's correct.
All the other terms are worked out.
Are already spelled out beforehand.
That's exactly right. Now, closing date and things like that-
That can be, that's, yeah.
But now do keep in mind, let's say that the seller, which a lot of sellers today need to be able to stay in the property 30, 60 days afterwards, what's called a seller possession. If the seller, if our client, the seller needs that, they're going to stipulate that as part of the sale up front.
That's right. That's part of the terms.
Don't even bid if you're not going to be good with that.
Right.
Correct?
That's right.
This really clears and cleans up. The word that keeps coming up ... We just had our big mastermind around, okay, we're getting ready to do this. What are all the unforeseen errors that we're going to see or problems or questions around it. And really the word that kept coming up is transparency.
Absolutely.
You're going to see, I'm going to send an email out about the exact property later this week once everything is kind of ready to go. And it'll go into the MLS, so this is not a hidden thing. It'll be all out there. Everybody will see what's going on.
It's going to be transparent it too, the whole process.
Yeah, exactly. So if you have any questions, all you got to do is go to waypostauctions.com and click the tabs at the top, how it works, strategies, all these kind of things. There's a lot of ... You can answer there. You can get your answers there. Or feel free to just reach out.
Absolutely.
Hit the contact button on there, fill out your question or your information and Lauren will be fee- he'll be handling those.
Getting back to you as soon as possible.
Lauren is the auctioneer, handles the auction side of it. In this case Cheryl Baucom is the listing agent.
Correct.
She will be handling the listing side of it, so it's going to be an interesting run.
It's going to be [crosstalk 00:08:58].
It's going to be fun. But open house two days, Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4. And everybody's going to have a shot at buying this thing. These properties in this area, it's literally almost right across from Ogden Elementary, so they just don't come up very much, so this is going to happen. And we told our sellers, "Listen, you're going to be our very first guinea pig on this so we're probably going to run into some things that we're not used to." Anyway, it's going to be fun. If you would like to learn more about this, give us a call, reply back to this or just reach out to us.
If you're thinking about you would really like to sell your property this way, or you'd just like to learn more about the process, please let us know because we're trying to really create more transparency because we've got a lot of buyers that are just getting really frustrated.
Frustrated, oh yeah. Giving up.
Because they don't know the game. It's like, "Okay, I can play monopoly. But I don't know here what the game is."
Right.
But guys, thank you a lot. I hope you have a great week ahead. And if you have any questions, please let us know. And we're here to help. And we may get this a few things wrong the first time, but we're going to fine tune it. And we're looking for more people to do this with because we want to do things differently. It's a different market.
Absolutely.
And we want to do things differently. And we want sellers to be able to sell their house before these interest rate crank up much more, which takes out a lot of buyers. We don't want to see what happened in '07 seven where a lot of sellers missed it and had to wait 10 years to get back to where it is. So guys, if we can help, let us know. Thanks.
Thank you.2022-04-18T14:22:00-07:002022-04-18T15:10:41-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12983Don't Step Over Dollars To Save Pennies2022-02-22T05:44:00-07:002022-02-22T05:57:02-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12982Straight Talk for Buyers & SellersMonday Morning Coffee with Buddy<br /><br />WILMINGTON, NC - February 21, 2022
Hi, this is Buddy Blake with <a href="http://waypostrealty.com" target="_blank">Waypost Realty</a> right here in Wilmington, North Carolina. I hope you and your family had a great weekend and looking forward to a great week ahead. We're going to see some really nice weather actually up towards the eighties this week, which is super exciting, but I wanted to give you some updates on what's going on in our real estate market and around the country because it's pretty much everywhere now. In our market, it is continually busy, we're not seeing as many deals done only because we don't have homes to sell.
In Wilmington, right now, as of two minutes ago in the Wilmington area, which is not the city limits, but actually anything that has a Wilmington address, which is around 200,000 population, there is 135 single family properties available. So, we are seeing multiple offers on properties, we're seeing site unseen offers on properties, we're seeing frustration built-in with backdoor deals that are going on where some buyers don't know about a property, we are also seeing a number of for sale by owners that are selling to people that are just tying up their property and then the deal falling apart because they don't understand everything that's going on.
So I'm going to make some suggestions for you, whether you're a buyer or a seller. If you're a buyer in this market, you need to understand that the interest rates hover around 4% now and a little more than that, depending on your credit score and what type of loan you get. So we've moved past the twos, they're gone, but there are still some good mid-three rates if you're doing an FHA or a VA rate. The big thing that I would recommend right now is getting with a lender and getting an extended rate lock because everything's taking a little bit longer, especially if you're looking at new construction. To give you an example, we own our own mortgage company. It is called <a href="http://waypostmortgage.com" target="_blank">Waypost Mortgage</a>, and it is backed by Movement Mortgage, which is one of the largest mortgage companies in the country.
Paul Bowers is our loan officer and the manager of our office, which is right here in Waypost Realty. Paul is able to do now, with Movement's help a 90-day rate lock. It doesn't cost you any extra deal, there's nothing added on the back end, the rate is not adjusted. You can do a 90-day rate lock for free. So if you're thinking about buying something, you will need to get with him as soon as possible. He will need an address. Now, the other thing that he can do, and this really is for new construction or if it's an extended closing, he now has the opportunity to do a one-year rate lock. There is a cost to it, okay? You'll need to call Paul and get all the details around it. I can't give you rates or anything like that, but there is a cost, but you get it back once you close. It's not a big cost.
But with this, one year, you're able to lock today's rate for one year and that's going to be super powerful for new construction. And in that year, you get a one-time float down option, where if all of a sudden something happens in the economy, the rate drops, you're able to take your rate down one time during that process. So it's a great opportunity, especially for new construction. Make sure that you're really in tune with your lender, and you're really in tune with your agent right now because things are moving quickly. And as the interest rates go up, that's going to mean you're going to be able to afford fewer houses and house prices are going up. So be very careful.
Now, if you're selling in this market, all right? I'm going to make it really clear. I know you can sell your house by yourself, FSBO, or to your neighbor or on Facebook or on some group or something like that, but I am going to tell you that there are horror stories we're hearing more and more of where yes, we sold it. Well, you didn't get enough, okay? You thought you got enough, but you didn't get enough. You didn't get enough deposit, you didn't do a site unseen, you didn't have the right contract, somebody did what's called tie your house up. And then all of a sudden they didn't close on it, or they ghosted, disappeared, or they beat you up on the back end with home inspections, or quite honestly, you only had one or two buyers look at it and you didn't get exposed to the whole market.
In today's world, it has never been cheaper for a seller to hire a real estate agent, no matter who it is. Hire a real estate agent, they're going to more than exceed their value in the commission that's involved, just in the fact that they're going to bring you more offers, they're going to walk you through which ones to choose, and they're in more in tune with which loan programs and which situations are going on because everything matters right now. We have a wonderful plan. We've started doing these massive open houses every Saturday morning, and we roll out brand new listings so that every buyer has a shot at it. So we have a lot of people come and we have a lot of people interested. We are sold out of everything we've done this with now because we get multiple offers, significantly over the asking price because we are doing something different.
We, me, <a href="http://buddyblakecoaching.com" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a>, and the agents at <a href="http://waypostjobs.com" target="_blank">Waypost Realty</a>, we're paying for a home inspection upfront because we know for a fact that will get you more deposits and a higher price offer, and more offers on the table, especially from all the site unseen West Coast and Northeast buyers who don't have time to get here and don't want to miss it. It is the best thing you can ever do. We are seeing offers $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 higher just because there's a home inspection and they don't have to worry. Known is always, always more comfortable than the unknown. We do that, we pay for it upfront, the seller doesn't pay for it, we do the pictures, when we put a property on the market, everything that's there is a transparent situation and it is to be sold as-is. We're not even going to deal with the backend negotiation on these things. If the appraisal comes in lower than it should, that's the buyer's issue, not our issue because we're going to have enough money on the due diligence to cover that.
These are just some tips that I wanted to share with you because I'm seeing more and more mistakes. Sellers think they're winning and they're bragging about it and telling everybody, and then I'm thinking in my background, "Wow, you have no idea how much money you left on the table," or, "You have no idea how big of an advantage you got taken off." So anyway, there might be the rogue ones, the unicorns that just did something, but I'm just going to tell you that I am absolutely certain, and I'll put my money where my mouth is that if you list your house with me and our team here at Waypost Realty, we will get you significantly more money or you don't pay us anything. Because I know we can get you more than you can get on your own because we're going to do it right and we're going to get you exposed to the entire market, not just try some back door quick deal so we can try to get a little more commission on our end or something like that.
Call us. Challenge us. I dare you to give us a call. Have a great week. And if I can help in any way, please don't hesitate to reach out.2022-02-22T05:16:00-07:002022-02-22T05:27:34-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12839Different Times Different Tactics<a href="http://openhousetour.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Coming_Soon_Grid_600_O_464_px.png" width="undefined" height="undefined" alt="OpenHouse" title="BarHarborOpenHouse" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a><br /><br /> <br /><br />Different Times - Different Tactics<br /><br />I've been helping home buyers and sellers for over 20 years here in the Wilmington NC area and I gotta tell you... I've never seen anything like the real estate market we have. In Wilmington, <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/market-statistics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">we only have 122 single-family homes available</a>, as compared to a "normal" inventory of around 1500-2000 homes at any given time.
So What's The Problem? Well, I don't like to see home buyers not getting a chance to see a property before it gets sold and I don't like to see sellers get themselves in a bind by not having their home fully marketed so they can not just get "A" buyer, but get "THE" buyer that is MOST LIKELY TO CLOSE. We are seeing too many contracts fall out because some sellers are putting their homes under contract with the "wrong" buyer(s), thinking they are "saving money" or quite honestly, getting advice from the wrong people (I'm not talking about active licensed agents).<br /><br />
What Else Are We Doing Differently? In addition to the wrong deals being put together, we are seeing a lot of situations where buyers are simply acting from "FOMO" and not putting their best foot forward because they just don't have enough information to make a real HIGHEST & BEST OFFER, which is made up of timing, price, non-refundable deposits and other things. To help our buyers and sellers, we are offering to our new seller clients to pay upfront for a home inspection, and HVAC and/or Roof inspections if needed. Why are we doing this? It's simple... more and more buyers are making "sight unseen" offers and we know from our experience that the BEST DEAL for all parties is made possible by having as much information to the buyers upfront so they feel more comfortable putting up stronger offers and deposits versus just trying to "tie a property up so someone else won't get it". <br /><br />Buyers - Get A 90 Day Rate Lock! In a rising interest rate environment, you need to look into locking your interest rate for as long as possible. Paul, in our in-house Waypost Mortgage office (yes, I am part owner in this mortgage company), is able to do 90-day rate locks (depending on your credit and the situation) WITHOUT COSTING YOU EXTRA. If you're not being offered an extended rate lock, shop your mortgage with other LOCAL banks and brokers. If you need a list of local lenders I have had good experiences with I'm happy to send you a list of names and numbers... just make sure you pick the "right" one as we are seeing way too many buyers (and sellers) get into binds by using out of area or internet lenders - always get a 2nd and 3rd opinion - shop your mortgage, especially in these times. <br /><br />
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2022-02-10T08:49:00-07:002022-02-10T18:31:09-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12754Monday Coffee with Buddy Blake WILMINGTON, NC - Monday Morning Coffee with Buddy Blake, owner of Waypost Realty.<br /><br /><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/cbvswilmjan22.png" width="600" height="334" alt="chartofinventory" title="CarolinaBeachvsWilmington" />
Learn more about our just released <a href="http://approvedbuyers.com" target="_blank">APPROVEDBUYERS.COM</a> website now.
If you are looking for a career change, <a href="http://waypostjobs.com" target="_blank">WE ARE HIRING at waypostjobs.com</a>2022-01-31T14:33:00-07:002022-01-31T14:40:08-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12684Meet Buddy BlakeIf you would like to learn more about who Buddy Blake is and his business and personal testimonial here are a few videos you might like:
2022-01-19T09:16:00-07:002022-01-19T09:21:28-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12547Seller Home Inspections Equals More Money & More Deposits in 2022WILMINGTON NC - Buddy Blake, owner and broker in charge of Waypost Realty, discusses how home sellers will GET MORE MONEY & DEPOSITS by having a home inspection done before going to market. <br /><br />
Waypost Realty to offer FREE HOME INSPECTIONS to sellers in the first quarter of 2022*. Complete the form at the bottom of the page for more information or call our office at 910-395-1000. 
Hi, my name is Buddy Blake and I am the owner here at Waypost Realty in Wilmington, North Carolina. I just want to thank you for stopping back by our website just a bit ago, to check out your home's potential value in this market. I do want to tell you that the automated systems that we use online, Zillow uses online, and all the other companies use online, are pretty much useless right now. So yes, take a look at it to see kind of what the automated value might be. But just understand that the market conditions have changed so rapidly over the last 18 months, that what was even a month ago may not be what it is now. So we definitely don't want you to leave any money on the table.
And also, I wanted to share with you some current data that is really more timely. Like what's out there, what's coming, what's coming soon, so you can know what your competition's going to be. Because that's what you really need to put into your pricing right now in this kind of crazy market. But I do want to tell you, you will get more money if you do a pre-home inspection. I believe in it so much that for any of the agents at Waypost Realty that work with clients in the first quarter of 2022, I am going to pay for the home inspection upfront. And if it needs a heating and air inspection, I'll do that too. And if it needs a roof inspection, I'll do that too.
We want to make sure that your home is positioned to sell for the highest money and the most non-refundable money in deposits, to make sure that deal gets held together. What we've found over the last well, 20 years for me, but certainly more so in the last year and a half, with all the out of area buyers, site unseen buyers, multiple offers, and things like that. We know for a fact that if you have a pre-home inspection, it gives the buyer the confidence to offer more money, and more deposits, and better terms. Anyway, we'd love to help you with that. I'm willing to take the risk alongside any of our agents here at Waypost Realty, to make sure you get more money, and more deposits, and make sure your deal actually closes. Please don't hesitate to reach out, we'd love the opportunity to serve you any way we can in 2022 and beyond. Thanks.<br /><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />*Call for more details. If your home is already listed with another broker please disregard this offer as we do not intend to solicit active listings. This offer may not be combined with other special offers, paid referrals, homes for heroes, or other discounts. <br /><br /><a id="Form"></a>2022-01-01T18:09:00-07:002022-01-01T18:50:34-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12322December 2021 Market UpdateWILMINGTON, NC - In this video <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/about/" target="_blank">Buddy Blake</a>, the owner of <a href="http://waypostrealty.com" target="_blank">Waypost Realty</a> in <a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/homes-for-sale-wilmington-nc/" target="_blank">Wilmington NC</a>, goes over the recent real estate market stats and what our local regional market is experiencing as we approach the end of the year.<br /><br />All right. Today is December the sixth, Monday, December the sixth, 2021. I hope everybody has a great December going on. It is mid to upper 70s here in Wilmington, North Carolina today. It is amazing. Anyway, guys, I'm going to shoot over some basic market info from last month, give you the latest and greatest. Things continue to shift around a bit. We are seeing indications that the market has slown in many parts of the country. And here also in our local slowdown is mostly due to the lack of inventory. We're just not seeing the houses hit the market, we don't have the new home inventory coming to bear, and we don't have presales in most cases for new homes. So it's tough. I know right here, we've got our in-house lender, Paul Bowers with our Waypost Mortgage company. And I think we've got 14 or 15 pre-approved ready to go buyers in all kinds of price ranges, not just low price ranges. They have not been able to find houses, some of them have made offers on three or four houses, well above asking and still haven't got it. But then we got other situations where houses are sitting on the market and they're not selling, we're seeing price reductions, seeing more price reductions than listings.
But I think what we've got is we've got a combination of a few things. We've got a lot of not great properties come out at this time, people are trying to get rid of. We've also had a lot of sellers that are just testing the market, just to see if they can get some crazy number and they're not really committed to selling. And then we got people just asking too much, and they pushing too far.
So anyway, so let's get going here. First off average price. I ran this back three years just to give you some perspective. COVID was right here. So you can see this is not a natural transition right here. And three years ago it was 270, 260,000 dollars was average price in our three county area right here you'll see. Now we're up into the four thirties is the average price for a single family property in the three county area. Now do keep in mind we have a strange market here, or we used to, we used to have a fair amount of properties in the low to mid 100s, we don't have those anymore. And then we multimillion dollar properties too. But the three county areas are pretty good mix, there's enough sampling in there. But 430, so it has gone up almost $200,000, which is difficult for a lot of folks.
Now, this is our pending sales. Actually ran this back all the way to the records that we had 2004, right before the last break or bust up. And the reason I did that, I wanted to show, I mean, it is slow this year. Last year we really did not get the same kind of seasonality slow down in December and November last year of contracts, because we had inventory. This year we have slow down because people quit listing as many houses during the holidays and also there's just not much inventory. And the new home thing is really messed things up for us because the pre-sales, a lot of times we'd be writing a contract now, putting somebody on the contract for a house it'd be ready, six to eight months. And a lot of home builders simply aren't doing that due to the uncertain times and supply lines and costs and things like that. But you'll notice this, the ups and downs and ups and downs, in November, December, January, February, that's always kind of the down and then it rebounds.
But this one right here, you'll see last year right here, this was a long stretch up, and this is when all the activities started going crazy. And then it slowed down a little bit, but then right here, we didn't get the fall like last time. But now, we're seeing a double dip here. We haven't seen this double dip like this in a bit. So, personally my thinking, and this is just my world of thinking, I think that we've seen the best days. Are we going to still see multiple offers in certain areas and price ranges? Absolutely. There's no question about it, because of lack of inventory. But once the inventory starts coming online, you're going to see that go away. And unfortunately, the way we human beings act is we typically, me included, we don't put that property on the market thinking it's going to keep going, keep going, keep going. And then when we see things changing a little bit or get a little concerned, we throw it out there based on the data that our friends told us, or we saw months ago and we put it out there and then it doesn't happen. And then we're chasing it down and then get upset at whoever's involved with it and blame them.
But, truth of the matter is people who are putting their house on the market right now, if it's in good condition, good area, and it's price reasonably, it doesn't have to be priced great now just reasonably, within some sense of the realm, it's selling quickly, because there's nothing out there. You have no competition, nothing like the competition you're going to have come January, February, and certainly March and April, that is when the onslaughts coming. Plus you're going to be fighting and you're going to be competing head on with all the new construction that's coming to bear. The presales quit April, May, June in a lot of cases last year, so that means those houses that normally would've been under contract already are going to be coming on the market first quarter next year.
So if you've got a house in, I'm going to say, in the four to five to six range, a resale, and you're thinking about selling it next year, you going to have a lot of stiff competition in the new home sector next year, because there's going to be a out of houses coming online in our three county area, a lot of new homes coming online. So all you got to do is look at the permits and just drive around and see it. But you're just not going to see it in the MLS, you're not going to see it on Zillow, you're not going to see it on a website because no builder wants to deal with that right now. They're trying to finish up the people that are under contract, they don't want to create an argument with somebody else that's wondering when's my house ready, when's my house ready, when they don't have the answers. I'm not defending anything, but the truth of the matter is home builders in a lot of cases don't know anymore than the consumer knows because they're just upheld. Personally, I ordered windows for a screen porch at my house in March, and it is now December, it is nine months later and I still don't have windows. So I don't like it, but I understand it.
But anyway, all right, so this is pending sales, this is the tip of the spear, this is when it goes under contract. This is when the sale actually happens, not when it closes. Homes for sale, here's our issue. This is the inventory. You can see back in 06, 07, we had low inventory, 05, boom went from 4,000 to over 10,000 homes available in our three county area. Now we are down to less than 2000, probably 1700, 1600 homes available in the entire three county area, I've never seen it this low. So you can see for yourself what the dilemma is, we've just eaten up all of the excess houses that we're sitting out there at any given time, the ones that expire, they just have sold. So we are down to the few. And if your house isn't selling and your house is on the market right now, you are either overpriced or there is something terribly wrong with your location or your house. That's all I can tell you. And you need to address it or drop your price, or probably both. That's just my opinion.
Let's see. Next thing, this is Hanover County. This is absorption reports. And down below, you're going to see some links where you can actually download the full reports on these. These are PDF reports you can pull up. All I want you to look at over here right now is just look at the color code, and then the red, this is month supply. Basically what it means is if we quit listing houses in this price range, we would run out of houses in one month in this case right here. So just take a look. You can see 300 active in Hanover County, 404 pending, there's more pending than there is active. And then in the last six months, 2,300 have closed, which is a crazy, crazy number. You can see the prices here, the prices are doing quite well. 99% of ask, in a lot of cases we've... Now, what that does compensate is we have a number of them selling for well over asking, but we have some that's selling for under too, especially as you climb the price range.
I will tell you that last month, this right here, this was red. We were about one, less than two, months supply in all price ranges up to 2 million. So you see these oranges, this is new. We haven't seen this in a number of months, certainly not a yellow where you're starting to see some inventory start coming online and days on market start increasing. So this is three months, four month supply. So we are seeing it happen and it always happens from the top down.
This is Brunswick County, you can see it's pretty solid red still, super busy, not a lot of inventory. Brunswick County's the largest county in North Carolina and there's only 555 total properties. That's everything, that's not just single family, that's multifamily, that's condos, town homes, that's all of it.
Pender County, same thing. All the way up until about a million it is rock solid red, so it is super busy. And again, I think you'll like these reports if you download them, and they'll be very helpful.
Mortgage update. Paul's not with us right now when I'm doing in this, but if you need a mortgage, our in-house guy, we have a joint venture with them and we have our own mortgage firm called Waypost Mortgage. And Paul is our go-to guy, he does a phenomenal job. If you've got a mortgage quote and you want to make sure to kind of keep where you're at on us, he'll do it for free, doesn't charge you anything. And also if you've got an online quote from some of the online mortgage companies, I highly recommend get with a local mortgage company, especially in a coastal area, because those companies just don't know what coastal issues are. They don't understand the flood plains, they don't understand flood insurance, they don't understand wind and hail insurance, they just don't understand those things the same way that local folks do.
But Paul is an advisor first, he doesn't charge for it and he does a fantastic job. He'll get a pre-approval for free. If he can't do the job he'll tell you, if you got a better deal somewhere else he'll tell you. I think it's a great, great solution for you. So much so that we brought it in house because we want to take care of our clients, because so many of the lenders that are out there now it's been busy and the customer service and the response time has not been great. Paul does a phenomenal job and he has room for more clients.
Anyway, I hope this is helpful. If you'd like any more information, more specific to your neighborhood or your community let me know, be glad to share it with you. Just know that the online valuation systems are pretty weak. I don't know if you've been reading the news about Zillow, Zillow offers, which where they were buying houses. They have stopped it and moth bought it, put it on the shelf because their algorithms on their pricing was apparently off quite a bit. So now they're sitting on 7,000 houses that they overpaid for because they used their own algorithms. So just be careful. Automations are fine to get some ideas, but if you're getting ready to sell your house or do something with it, you need an evaluation for an estate purpose. First off, you certainly can call a certified appraiser, pay four, five, $600 to get an appraiser, whatever the number is. Or you can call your trusted realtor and they can run a car and a lot of market analysis for you with the same kind of data from the MLS system that appraisers use. We can't do a certified appraisal, but we can certainly give you some really good price opinions and market condition reports. And I think you'll find them very useful.
Anyway, have a great week. I will be back and talk with you before Christmas. And want to wish you and your family are Merry Christmas, and if we can do anything in our world to help you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks.<br /><br /><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/2021-dec-3ryprice.jpg" width="400" height="240" alt="3 Year Average Sale Price" />
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/2021-dec-5yractiv.jpg" width="411" height="240" alt="5 Year Home for Sale" />
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/2021-dec-5yrpending.jpg" width="404" height="240" alt="5 Year Pending Homes for Sale" />
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/2021-Dec-New_Hanover_County.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/2021-Dec-New_Hanover_County.jpg" width="463" height="600" alt="New Hanover County Market Report" /></a>
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/2021-Dec-Brunswick_County.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/2021-Dec-Brunswick_County.jpg" width="463" height="600" alt="Brunswick County Market Report" /></a>
<a href="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/file/2021-Dec-Pender_County.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/2021-Dec-Pender_County.jpg" width="463" height="600" alt="Pender County Market Report" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/sellers/" target="_blank"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/582/image/Blog_Images/cta-sell-home.jpg" width="600" height="100" alt="Sell Your Home Now" class="img_box_center" /></a>2021-12-07T07:32:00-07:002021-12-07T08:09:29-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12321Hampstead / Rocky Point 15 Acre Estate HomeTake a stroll around this beautiful 15 acre estate located in Rocky Point, North Carolina with a custom brick home, a 3000 sqft warehouse, cell tower rent, and boat ramp access.
<a href="https://www.buddyblake.com/property/5045-nc-210-highway-rocky-point-nc-28457/pid-13569389/" target="_blank">View the full details of this property</a>.2021-12-07T07:14:00-07:002021-12-07T07:27:49-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12288List Now And Get Free Pre Home InspectionHi, my name is Buddy Blake with Waypost Realty. And in this video, we're going to be talking about our December Waypost special for people that are thinking about selling their home in the first part of 2022. We know that just from history, that a lot of people, there's two times when a lot of people think about selling their home, first of the year, right after the holidays, and then when spring hits. So what we'd like to do is have the opportunity to go ahead and get paperwork signed and get the process started during December, even if you want to wait until January to put it on the market. What does that mean? That means we're going to run a special, because we believe that home inspections pre done, up front help you get more money, get more non-refundable due diligence and make deals close at a much higher conversion rate than without them, especially when you've got out town buyer, site unseen that we've seen in the last 18 months to two years.
So we believe in it so much that anybody that decides to list with us from today on with anybody on our team at Waypost Realty, we will pay for the home inspection upfront. Okay. We will pay for it upfront. We'll take the investment, we'll take the risk, as long as you list the property and do the paperwork by the end of December. You can wait and put your house on the market in the 1st of January, no problem, or sometime in January. It does have to be within 30 days due to some of our rules and regulations with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. Anyway, we'd really like to take this opportunity to set you up for success so that you can get more money, you can get more non-refundable money and you can command a better price, especially when you've got multiple offers going on as a seller.
It's a great opportunity, and we would love to show you and talk to you more about this, and actually show you some case studies, a number of them that we've been able to do this on and create much better scenarios, move out scenarios, lease back scenarios for the seller so they can stay there for two, three, four, five months after it closes so they can find something or until their house is ready. It's a great opportunity. Please give us a call, 910-395-1000, and we'd love to have a conversation. Thank you.2021-12-07T07:00:00-07:002021-12-07T07:12:37-07:00Buddy Blaketag:buddyblake.com,2012-09-20:12264Monday Coffee Move Ticket Contest and Christmas Photo Booth
WIN 2 PREMIER TICKETS
for Saturday December 4th at 7:00 PM
Wilmington,NC Mayfaire Theater
<a href="https://www.peoplemustknow.thechosen.tv/" target="_blank"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bbemail/PROD/ulib/rh6ohj/img/moviepic.jpg?bbCB=1638229788112" width="234" class="responsive_image" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; width: 234px;" /></a>
If you would like to see this movie in the theater for free, enter our movie trivia contest.
Join our family in launching our Christmas season this December 4th. "The Chosen" team has created a special episode about the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary and Joseph. You'll also see an extraordinary lineup of musicians perform both new and classic Christmas songs from the set of The Chosen, including: Phil Wickham, For King & Country, Brandon Lake, Maverick City Music, Cain, Matt Maher, Bryan & Katie Torwalt, Jordan Feliz, We The Kingdom, The Bonner Family, Leanna Crawford, Dawson Hollow, and One Voice Children's Choir.
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<a href="https://forms.gle/TvipqvkMnWDyYh8QA" target="_blank" style="font-size: 19px; font-family: Helvetica; color: #ffffff; border-radius: 9px; padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #CC0606; display: inline-block; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Click Here To Enter</a>
<img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/bbemail/PROD/ulib/rh6ohj/img/photobooth.jpeg?bbCB=1638234454838" width="254" class="responsive_image" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; width: 254px;" />
Use Our Christmas Photo Booth for FREE
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You are invited to stop by our office and create and send a personal video Christmas Card to anyone in the world by email, text or DM. We provide the equipment, technology, background and even someone to help you at no charge. <br />​
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Month Over Month Stats
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<br /><br /><br /><br />Hi, my name is Buddy Blake here in Wilmington, North Carolina, and I am the broker and owner of Waypost Realty. And we're a residential real estate firm that specializes in coastal North Carolina. That's all the way from the state line of South Carolina, all the way up through Topsail, Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, and also all the way up to Jacksonville and even New Bern in some cases. I just wanted to reach out and thank everybody for stopping by last Tuesday for our incredible Pie Day. We had a record number of people show up. It was really obvious folks were really, like us, wanting to be around people once again. And it was just great, never seen so many laughing faces, smiling faces. It was so good to see some folks I hadn't seen in a long time.
And I want to congratulate Tim Denny and his family. We had a drawing from all the folks that participated in our photo booth, which was really cool, and we're going to be doing more with that, in just a minute I'm going to tell you about it. But anyway, congratulation. He won a stainless steel smokeless solo stove that we gave away from a random drawing with my daughter. If you haven't seen it, it's on Facebook. You can click below and get a link and take a look at it. But real quick, I wanted to let you know that we're going to do a contest. Last Christmas we did it, and this week we're going to do it again, starting over.
In our area, there is a movie starting this coming week, and it's only going to be here for one week. It's The Chosen, the Christmas edition. It's going to be at Mayfair Theaters, which is the recliner theater. And I have purchased a block of tickets and I'm going to be given some away. So if you're interested, click below and do the contest. And out of all the correct answers, we're going to be drawing some folks to win some pairs of tickets to see The Chosen movie, the Christmas movie. It was just announced recently and they're really hard to get these tickets, but I've already got them and I just want to share that with folks who are interested in it.
Anyhow, otherwise, there's down below there are some market stats. The market is still very busy. We got a lot of buyers wanting to buy. We don't have many houses and folks don't list as much during this time of year, which personally, I think it's a great time, especially right now in the current environment, because we have such low inventory. It's a great time to stand out. You can always pull it off the market once we get into January or something like that and bring it back into spring. But you can pretty much name your own terms right now. And take advantage of this market condition, because we don't know how long this is going to last. With the low-interest rates, the shortage of inventory, and the high demand of buyers, we don't know how long that's going to last. We do know it won't last forever.
Anyhow, have a great week. I can't wait to see everybody's pictures online of their Christmas decorations and things like that. And if you would, reply back to this and give me some insight into what you think of these videos and how we're doing as far as marketing our company and our area. Thanks a lot. Bye-bye.2021-11-29T18:21:00-07:002021-11-29T18:45:03-07:00Buddy Blake