About Dare County, NC

Condos and town homes on the Outer Banks under $250,000 prove to be best buys! "How?" you say. Think about it. They are priced lower than a single family residence. Most exterior maintenance is the responsibility of the association. No work for you! Perhaps one of the best features is the proximity to the ocean for a fraction of the cost a home in the same location would cost. There is usually a pool close by. Well ... the list goes on.

Why not consider a condo as your answer to Outer Banks ownership? Come on and enjoy your place at the beach. You can use it at your own pleasure or rent it out and let others help pay your expenses!

Take a look at a few of the selections available in our various communities. These are all priced under $250,000.

Corolla
Duck
Southern Shores
Kitty Hawk
Kill Devil Hills
Nags Head

Don't see anything you like? E-mail me. I will send you others priced above $250,000. Many are in the $250,000 to $400,000 range. Have fun looking. You'll see why condos and townhomes may be the answer to your search for Outer Banks ownership.

Condos and townhomes on the Outer Banks under $250,000 prove to be best buys because financing and insurance readily available. Rates are fabulous. Selection is fabulous. Prices are fabulous. The Outer Banks is ... well, fabulous. What are you waiting for?

Mike and Linda Powers are Broker Associates of Resort Realty in the Duck office. If you are looking to buy or sell Outer Banks property, Mike and Linda will use their expertise to produce the results you want. Visit their web site or e-mail them with your questions. If you would like immediate response, call 252-599-2845.

The value of a cat varies greatly depending on who is commenting. Why is that? No one questions the value of a dog, a horse, or even a skunk! But cats are not loved by many. In fact I understand cats are - by law - considered to have no value. What?!?!?

The story goes something like this.(Remember I was so stressed by what I heard that I didn't hear every detail.) A local pet shop had a kitten looking for a home when a teenager FOR FUN stole the kitten, hopped in a getaway car and sped away. A bystander saw what happened, hopped in his car and followed. Make of car and partial license plate was taken. Police called. Perpetrator tracked down. Kitten returned. Perp didn't get charged, didn't apologize. Why? Because according to the police, cats are considered to have no value.

Don't tell my pampered cats that. They would laugh out loud. They are loved beyond reason - valued dearly. My collie, Lady. believes she is part cat. She wants a bite of their food and their yummies. (She has her own treats. There is a difference, you know.) The dog doesn't need to share. She is conflicted. The cats are not. They are sure of their identity. Furthermore, they understand their superiority!

We have many feral cats here on the Outer Banks. I don't know why. Many people take pity on them and feed them. They really need to be captured (humanely) and neutered. Unfortunately, most can not be tamed. I had a feral cat several years ago. Her name was Tigger. She was afraid to be touched, but followed me around knowing she was safe and loved.

Let me introduce my "pride" and joys. Above left ,Odie is resting from a hard day of showing property. Baby, the tiger stripe is listening to a client and ready to give purrfect advice.

The last photo is Baby saying her prayers in hopes that people will be kind to cats and support the many fine organizations like Feline Hope. Do help. Love a cat today!

The Outer Banks real estate market continues to put up good numbers as we head into the last quarter of 2009. For the 5th straight month the number of sold houses were over 100. If the number of sold houses continues on its current pace in October it will be 6 months in a row. Buyers are realizing that the prices and mortgage rates are just too good to pass up. Out of the 126 sold properties only 24 were either foreclosure or short sales. There are some great properties on the market that are not distressed.

There has also been an increase in higher priced homes selling in recent months. This can be attributed to mortgage rates for jumbo loans dropping and the availability of 10% down programs for 2nd homes. In my opinion, the buying environment will be extremely favorable for the next few months. Sooner rather than later mortgage rates will be going up and that is going to impact every buyer. The cost of waiting to buy can significantly impact the price of the house you can afford. The tide of the real estate market on the Outer Banks is turning!!

About the author of this blog:

Matt Huband is Broker/Owner of Hometown Realty in Kitty Hawk, NC. Working with buyers and sellers from Corolla to Hatteras interested in foreclosures, short sales, 2^nd home, investment property, new construction, and condo sales. Put Matt's extensive area knowledge to work for you.

To learn more about Outer Banks real estate go to www.HometownOBX.com or email MattHuband@HometownOBX.com

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JUMBO LOAN RATES ARE IMPROVING. That certainly is good news for anyone looking for a second home in a resort area such as the Outer Banks. Here on the Outer Banks we have seen the number of sales increase, but the price of homes being sold has remained, for the most part, under the $600,000 range.

When the large income producing homes have a proven record of strong rental income, and prices have dropped significantly, the lack of sales among this price point has been frustrating both for the owners and their real estate agents. Hearing news that jumbo loan rates are improving certainly is welcome news.

The resort homes for sale on the Outer Banks offer ocean views and easy beach access. Many have 6 or more bedrooms to accommodate large family reunions or wedding parties. Most have private pools and hot tubs. You can also find pool tables, game rooms, additional sitting areas with TVs or loft areas. Game rooms are often equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, sinks, ice makers. In other words, there's just about everything you could think of to make an extra-ordinary vacation. With jumbo loan rates improving - FINALLY, now may be your time to buy.Because jumbo loan rates are improving, the buyer can now get fantastic rates with or without an origination fee. Depending on the county, the down payment could range from 25 to 35%.

Not all lenders use the same guidelines. While the rules state second homes can be used for seasonal rentals, not all banks apply this rule to their second home lending practices. If you are discussing an Outer Banks purchase with your local lender, please ask what his guidelines are. If you have questions or concerns, please call me at 252-599-2845 or e-mail me. I can recommend reputable Outer Banks lenders who do follow the second home federal guideline which allow seasonal rental income.

Again, jumbo rates are improving. If you have been waiting to purchase your second home on the Outer Banks, now is the time to act. Earlier in the year, jumbo rates made it impractical to buy. Jumbo loan amounts have now been raised with many lenders. Sellers are anxious. There are many bargains waiting. Why not be a trend setter and be among the leaders who take advantage of this market.

Thinking of buying or selling a home on the Outer Banks - or know someone who is? Why not put the Powers Team knowledge to work for you. Find out how Mike and Linda Powers can help you in the process. Feel free to contact Linda at 252-599-2845 or Mike at 252-599-2844 or e-mail Linda.

Search here for homes on the Outer Banks.

You can also visit our website for more information on the Outer Banks.

I wanted to pass along a great story that was posted in The Outer Banks Sentinelabout a local cancer survivor named Ed. I am sure everyone in America knows someone who has had cancer, both my parents are cancer survivors. Each and every person who survives cancer goes through a great amount of shock, grief, and then the torture of chemo or radiation. Like so many other survivors Ed has as a story to tell. He was able to take is own personal experience and capture it by writing a book titled"Ed ... It Was Malignant". The book talks about the struggles Ed endured and the great resources that are available that helped him get by each day. Ed now trains for the OBX Marathon which falls 1 year and 1 day from the time he was diagnosed with cancer. Ed thought it would be a great testament to all those who inspired him and to those who lost their fight to be able to finish the marathon. If you know someone who is currently battling cancer reach out to them and pass this article along.

Ed is donating a portion of the proceeds from his book to The American Cancer Society. Each and every year my family donates and takes part in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life and I encourage everyone else to do so. To read the story go to When Cancer Called Ed

About the author of this blog:

Matt Huband is Broker/Owner of Hometown Realty in Kitty Hawk, NC. Working with buyers and sellers from Corolla to Hatteras interested in foreclosures, short sales, 2^nd home, investment property, new construction, and condo sales. Put Matt's extensive area knowledge to work for you.

To learn more about Outer Banks real estate go to www.HometownOBX.com or email MattHuband@HometownOBX.com

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