Matt Huband

I wanted to share this great slide show of black and white surfing pictures taken on the Outer Banks of North Carolina by a photographer named Chris Bickford. The slide show appeared on the New York Times website. These pictures are awesome and are truly unique with the black and white presentation. The Outer Banks has some of the best surf anywhere along the east coast. Recently Kill Devil Hills was named one of the Top 10 surf towns in the country by Surfer Magazine. Surfing is just another great thing to do here on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina.

To see the full photo shoot go to Chris Bickford's website. It is well worth it!!

Outer Banks Best Beaches and Bargains 2009

Top Travel Lists And Great Offers Make NC Barrier Islands Smart Choice

(Outer Banks, NC) June 25, 2009 - The Outer Banks of North Carolina is fast becoming the preferred choice for families looking for value-added vacations closer to home with all the fun in the sun this summer. Here is some of what the world is saying about our barrier islands: Coquina Beach in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, near Nags Head, NC is listed by Fodor's as one of the 7 Best Family Beaches in the East, and Forbes Traveler has named Nags Head, NC as one of America's Favorite Beach Towns. The town of Kill Devil Hills, NC is ranked by Surfer magazine as #6 of its Ten Best Surf Towns in America. The Travel Channel lists Duck, NC as one of its Best Beaches. And national beach expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman a.k.a. "Dr. Beach" has ranked Cape Hatteras as one of his 2009 Ten Best Beaches in America. With accolades like these this summer, coupled with the value-added travel incentives and specials put forth by our local businesses to grab your attention, the Outer Banks is the smart choice for your summer getaway.

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is excited to announce Great Summer Offers feature on the homepage of the official website outerbanks.org. Here local restaurants, retail businesses and accommodations providers like hotels, bed and breakfasts and cottage rental companies post specials designed to make your Outer Banks trip more enjoyable, and most importantly, more affordable this summer. But we're not just tooting our own horn. Trusted journalists and travel review outlets are celebrating the Outer Banks of North Carolina for its diversity and broad appeal to families, couples and seekers of outdoor recreation and adventure.And it's absolutely gorgeous. In just a few hours drive, you can reach 130 miles of seemingly endless island beaches that will make you forget that you're still in America's backyard. Along with some of the largest remaining tracts of undeveloped coastline left in the country, that's the beauty. We're just a few hours away, but you'll feel a million miles from the cares of home. You'll also never have to worry about finding a place to park, or having quarters handy. Parking is free, and there's enough for everyone. Our beaches are free to access, and with three islands, you can be as secluded or as sociable as you like.

Outerbanks.org is your first stop to planning that perfect beach vacation that won't break the bank. You can find all of our accommodations, restaurants, outdoor activities and historic attractions here, as well as our brand new for 2009 Great Summer Offers including great retail savings. Give us a call to get your free travel guide at 877-629-4386, or go online to download our paper-free eGuide with links to all there is to see and experience on the Outer Banks.

Coquina Beach, located just south of Nags Head, NC in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is ranked by respected travel website Fodors.com as one of 7 Best Family Beaches in the East. Free parking, free access and free of development, this "best kept secret" beach offers full amenities from restrooms and showers to handicapped access. Photo courtesy Outer Banks Visitors Bureau outerbanks.org

Go to www.HometownOBX.com to learn more about the Outer Banks

With 5 months of 2009 down I believe the Outer Banks real estate market is on the road to recovery. May was another strong month as buyers took advantage of the great deals that remain. Since reaching the bottom of the market in January of this year there has been on a steady upward trend in houses going under contract and closing. There are not as many foreclosures and short sales coming on the market which will help stabilize prices and many are now receiving multiple offers. The overall economy is looking a little better and the stock market is also coming off it's bottom. All of this plus low mortgage rates are making for tremendous buying opportunities on the Outer Banks.

To learn more about buying real estate on the Outer Banks email MattHuband@HometownOBX.com or call 252-255-0221

The chart below shows the market peak in August 2005 and the bottom in January 2009

Well the Outer Banks has done it again this year with the beach at Cape Hatteras making Dr. Beaches Top 10 List of America's Best Beaches. It is no secret that the Outer Banks from Corolla to Ocracoke provide some of the most breathtaking and natural scenery anywhere on the east coast. It's the reason why over 5 million tourists a make the Outer Banks their vacation destination each year. In fact in 2007 the beaches on Ocracoke came in at #1 by Dr. Beach in 2007, the first time any beach outside the state of Hawaii or Florida was awarded the top honor.

Living the beach life surrounded by all that nature has to offer makes the Outer Banks an ideal setting to vacation, own a 2nd home, invest in rental property, or to live year round. To learn more about owning a piece of the Outer Banks go to www.HometownOBX.com or email MattHuband@HometownOBX.com

North Carolina State Senator and Outer Banks native Marc Basnight has successfully introduced legislation the ban all plastic bags from the big box stores on 3 coastal counties starting in September of this year. This trial program covers Dare, Currituck, Hyde counties and may be expanded to the rest of the state if all goes well. Senator Basnight hopes to reduce the amount of trash that blows around on the Outer Banks and help the environment due to the windy conditions that are prevalent all year long.
I think it's a great idea and my family already uses cloth bags when we go shopping. I see plastic bags flying around while driving up and down the beach so I hope everyone gets on board and recognizes this ban as a positive.

To read more go to Senate Bans Plastic Bags On Outer Banks