Enjoy easy coastal living in this low maintenance 3 bedroom 3 full bath townhome in the pool and tennis community of Williamsburg @ NorthChase.  With a very spacious and open living areas and sizable bedrooms you have a choice of having the master bedroom up or downstairs!  Features such as updated wood laminate, ceramic tile and carpet flooring, ceiling fans in each bedroom, large pantry, garage parking, covered porch and more make this an ideal place to live.  Located just a short drive to historic downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, shopping, and I-40, you will love to call this home.  This property is backed  by a one year AHS home warranty! Community also offers trails, picnic area, basketball court, stocked ponds for fishing & more!

Lovely, spacious and open 3 bedroom 2 bath patio home in the desirable pool and tennis community of Winchester II @ NorthChase is an entertainers dream!  Vaulted ceilings and bamboo floors grace the huge living room with fireplace and the sunroom casts a blanket of warmth throughout and walls of windows bring in the spectacular pond & fountain views.  Just off the kitchen is an open den/ keeping room perfect for a variety flexible lifestyles.  All bedrooms are extra large and there is a separate laundry room and plenty of storage.  Expansive side and back decking is great for cook-outs and relaxing.  NorthChase is just a few minutes from Wrightsville Beach, I-40 and historic, riverfront    downtown Wilmington. The community offers pool, tennis, picnic area, playground, trails, stocked ponds for fishing & more. All of this and home is backed by one year AHS home warranty. Don't miss out!

This wonderful home is move-in ready & offers a blend of desirable features. Enjoy easy living with the open & inviting floor plan and gorgeous water front view. You’ll love the new carpet, vaulted ceilings, huge great room, cozy fireplace & solid red oak flooring. Relax on the peaceful screened porch overlooking the pond, fountain and beautifully landscaped backyard including Azaleas, Camellias & flowering perennials. Upgrades galore include new roof, HVAC system, windows, kitchen appliances, water softener, lighting, ceiling fans, bathroom fixtures & countertops. Other highlights are the extra-large bedrooms, walk-in closet, oversized 2-car garage with utility sink, washer/dryer & front yard irrigation. Neighborhood walking trails provide access to the North Chase pool & tennis courts. Winchester II is a well-maintained community that provides complete lawn care. This home is pre-inspected, wired for a generator & backed by an AHS One-Year Home Warranty & Transferable Termite Bond. Come take a look today - you will be glad that you did!

Welcome home to this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath in the desirable community of NorthChase. You’re greeted by an open floor plan with lots of natural light, vaulted ceilings, gleaming hardwoods, a cozy wood burning fireplace, flex dining room, & soothing custom paint colors. The kitchen boasts ceramic tile, pantry, lots of cabinet space, built-in microwave, a pass through window, ceiling fan & a bright breakfast nook. The owner’s suite showcases a vaulted ceiling, dual vanities, garden tub & separate shower. Relaxing is made easy on the spacious patio under your own gazebo while overlooking the fenced yard that backs up to a wooded area for extra privacy. Other features include updated interior lighting, irrigation system, security lighting, split bedrooms that are all wired for cable, a new 16 x 12 wired shed with ramp & more. NorthChase offers its’ residents pool, tennis, basketball courts, picnic area, playground, trails and stocked ponds for fishing. Located just a few minutes from Wrightsville Beach, historic downtown Wilmington, and I-40. Come take a look today!

This is a wonderful opportunity to own a very well maintained 3 bedroom 2 bath home in the quaint community of Ivywood.  With a vaulted ceiling and cozy fireplace, the living room is open to the dining room and kitchen to create a flowing and friendly floor plan.  Low maintenance laminate flooring adds elegance and beauty.  The large third bedroom is currently used as a den and has a separate entrance. Other desirable features include ceramic tile flooring in the bathrooms, multiple ceiling fans, side by side refrigerator, washer/ dryer, built in microwave, water filter system and more!  Outside the yard has been professionally maintained and the back yard is privacy fenced, has extensive decking for entertaining, and includes a large 12x16 storage shed/ workshop with roll-up door.  This house is ready for you to move right in!

Eventually, armed with my "internet education" on the subject, I will consult with friends or aquaintences and then eventually professionals that can steer me in the right direction.  Perhaps I will even need to hire someone to assist me in getting (whatever it is I am hoping to accomplish) started and/ or completed.

The problem is, often I find the information is not quite right nor is it always the same in various parts of the country from which the information was originated.  National statistics or data can skew my perception of what the trends are in my area. This holds especially true for Wilmington NC Real Estate. 

All real estate markets are local in nature.  We can see that here in Wilmington NC where value trends, client needs, employment opportunities, and recreation are very different than nearby markets like Jacksonville, NC or Charlotte, NC.

Hiring a good local agent is the best advice when it comes to finding the right property for you.  When shopping for real estate, we all want to find the property we are looking for, greatly shorten the learning curve about the area, reduce risk, whatch out for pitfalls, and save money.  Driving around in a car, wasting gas and calling every listing agent on the signs can help you get familiar with the area, but it is not an efficient use of time or money.

If you commit to hiring an experienced Buyer's Agent, that agent will commit thier time and valuable resources to you so that you find the right area and home while working efficently, safely, economically, and with a greatly reduced risk of purchasing a problem home. Most of the time, you need not compensate that agent as the listing agents generally provide a commission to the Buyers Agent. That is pretty much a no brainer.

Now, if I could just find an auto mechanic that does not directly charge me for the work he does...

Daily Real Estate News  |  January 22, 2010  | 

6 Surprising Facts About the Buyer Tax Credit
The homebuyer tax credit is not as simple or straightforward as you might think. Here are some nuances that will affect homebuyers who plan to use it.

• To qualify for the move-up tax credit, a home owner must have occupied the same principal residence for five of the last eight years consecutively.
• Buyers can elect to claim the credit on either their 2009 or their 2010 tax return, whichever is best for them.
• Buyers who claim the credit in 2009 can’t file electronically because the Internal Revenue Service hasn’t put the required forms on line. The wait for a refund is three or four months.
• The home can be a mobile home or travel trailer that is fixed to land owned or leased by the home owner. A mobile home or travel trailer that is actually mobile doesn’t qualify.
• The home can’t be purchased from a close relative, including a parent, spouse, child, grandparent or grandchild.
• A buyer who earns no taxable income or doesn’t owe any federal income tax can qualify for the tax credit and file a tax return just to claim it.

Source: Bankrate.com, Marcie Geffner (01/21/2010)

Your search is over! We have the one for you - 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located on corner lot in the desirable pool and tennis community of NorthChase! Some of the fine features include formal dining room with hardwood flooring, vaulted ceilings, large kitchen with breakfast area, fresh paint, 2-car garage, gas log fireplace and much more. Master suite boast hardwood flooring, vaulted ceilings, double vanity sinks, garden tub, separate shower, and walk-in closet. Step outside to your own personal oasis - here you will find a large deck, in-ground pool, privacy fence and lush landscaping. All of this plus home is backed by a 1-year AHS home warranty. Don't miss out!

"I expect the buying season will be moved up," says Jim Gillespie, CEO of Coldwell Banker. Sales "are going to take off in February and March and really take off in April. ... My concern is that the move-up buyer hasn't thought what they need to do. Their window is really short. They have to coordinate closing dates."

There is risk in waiting until the last minute to contract on a property.  Inspections may turn up problems that cannot be overcome resulting in a terminated contract and then they buyer is past the tax credit deadline.  Additionally, the average time needed to close is now 45 days though some lenders can close it faster.  A good local lender like Alpha Mortage can speed up the process if the buyers have thier documents in order.

Many websites like www.HomeSearchWilmington.com offer home buyers acces to the Wilmington MLS system to search for properties.  Once they set up the search criteria, they will be notified of any new properties that hit the market right away.  This helps them locate the very best properties first.  Other websites like www.WilmingtonAreaProperties.com can provide additional local Wilmington NC information.

Here is a link to the National Association of Realtors' chief economist Lawrence Yun and his thoughts on this:

Although there may be some more slight adjustments in pricing before appreciation is evident, the excellent interest rates and affordability of homes will greatly offset any minor adjustments down in pricing.  We are very conservative when it comes to advising our clients but we feel this is truly a great time to purchase residential properties in the Wilmington NC area for personal use or investments. Wilmington NC real estate information is available on this website or feel free to call us for more specific data.

Look at this outstanding 4 bedroom 3 bath home in the highly desirable Windemere community.  There is plenty of room-over 2500 ft2 of heated space.  An open kitchen/ dining room features updated cabinetry and extra counter space.  A cozy den is complete with custom marble surround fireplace and built in desk.  A formal living room up front is great for entertaining guests.  Just off the kitchen is a huge game room complete with pool table and built in shelving.  The walls have been freshly painted and new carpet has been added.  Other improvements include a new roof, vinyl windows, new siding on the top floor exterior, updated HVAC, large new deck, and a wonderfully private backyard with mature landscape hedges.  You are only a very short drive from Wrightsville Beach, Mayfaire shopping, I-40 and the airport.  An excellent value, superb house, and fantastic location and value, this house is ready for you to call home!

The Home Buyer Tax Credit was due to expire at the end of November so September and October saw what seems was a "rush" to get in on the action. Even since the Tax Credit inception, sales have posted increasing numbers for the last 9 months.  October 2009 numbers show an increase of 10% over September 2009.  October 2009 was over 24% higher than October of 2008.  That is substantial!

On November 6, 2009, the Tax Credit was extended to April 30, 2010 or at least have a valid contract in place by that date and close by June 30, 2010.  The Tax Credit was also expanded to include qualifying repeat buyers.  These buyers could also realize a tax credit up to $6500.  Since the primary numbers of growth we have seen thus far were from First Time Homebuyers, this "Repeat Home Buyer Tax credit" will hopefully encourage the next higher tier of homes to move in stronger numbers. 

Since the pressure is off the deadline, the seasonal slow down is expected to resume for now and into January. Then we expect a good bit of home purchasing action into the end of the first quarter and second quarter of 2010. 

One last consideration-mortgage rates.  Now at levels below 5%, this will not last forever.  Interest rates are expected to jump in February and March and that will reduce the affordability of homes.

I recommend not waiting until the last minute to take advantage of this unique opportunity.  Too many things can go wrong in a transation.  If a deal falls apart at the last minute, it may be too late to find another home and close in time.  Rates can go up, opportunities go away.  Start getting financing in order and begin shopping now so you can be ahead of the game and not lose out!

• First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit:  this is basically the same as it was but the income limits have been expanded to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples filing jointly. This expires April 30, 2010.

• Existing Home Owner Tax Credit:  

To be able to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.  The credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.

This tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500 and applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.

The dateline for the this credit is it's available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. But, in cases where a legal sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.

Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

Visit www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com for more details and for the information source for this article.

Immaculate 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath custom all brick in the pool and tennis community of NorthChase.  Features include 14’ ceilings, columns, and an open floor plan that is great for entertaining.  The great room is spacious and a shares a warming double sided fireplace with the breakfast area. A huge sunny kitchen is loaded with cabinets and features tile flooring and custom tile backsplash.  The formal dining room with vaulted ceiling seats 12 comfortably.  The downstairs master suite includes walk in closet and a large bath with double vanity sinks, whirlpool tub, and sep. shower. Upstairs there are 2 bedrooms, walk in closets, a full bath, office/ media room,  and walk-in attic and soffit storage as well as pull down stairs.  From the kitchen, the deck provides outside enjoyment as does the fully privacy fenced back yard. Property is located in a quiet cul-de-sac and is a MUST SEE!

Absolutely pristine, this 3 bedroom 2 bath home is ready for you to move in! Featuring an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, ceiling fans, one car attached garage, cul-de-sac lot and more!   Washer, dryer and refrigerator are included.  Outback you’ll enjoy a privacy fenced back yard, deck and patio for entertaining, and best of all, a 24’ x 12’ workshop/ garage that is wired for 220, phone and cable! The location is convenient to shopping, dining and the beach.  Furnishing are available—call agent for details. Don’t miss out on this gem!

Income limitations will rise with both credits to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples. Contracts will have to be signed by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30, 2010.

This extension is expected to help new and existing home sales as well as to soak up some of the foreclosures which have been diluting home values.

Final revisions should be completed by next week and it should see a fairly smooth completion and enactment could come as early as next week.

We get a lot of questions about home inspections and are they really worth several hundred dollars?  I took the following from the NC Real Estate Commission's required forms and posted here for easy access to you all.  This is required reading for anyone purchasing a home.

"For most persons, purchasing a home is the largest investment they will ever make. It is no wonder then that many homebuyers employ professionals to inspect the structural and mechanical systems of the home and report to them on their condition. Sometimes sellers also employ Home Inspectors to alert them to problems with their homes which could arise later in the transaction. But normally Home Inspectors are employed by buyers. For this reason, this brochure is written from the viewpoint of the potential homebuyer.

This brochure is a joint publication of the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board and the North Carolina Real Estate Commission designed to give consumers a better understanding of the home inspection process. What a home inspection is, who can perform an inspection and what to expect. If you have further questions regarding home inspections and Home Inspectors, you should contact the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board, 322 Chapanoke Road, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27603, Phone 919/662-4480.

Questions

• What is a home inspection?
• Can anyone perform a home inspection?
• Why should I have the home inspected?
• In my home purchase I have chosen to sign the standard Offer to Purchase and Contract* form which many real estate and legal professionals use. It states that I have the right to have the home inspected and the right to request that the seller repair identified problems with the home. Will the home inspection identify all of these problems?
• How do I request a home inspection, and who will pay for it?
• Should I be present when the home inspection is performed?
• Are all inspection reports the same? What should I do if I feel something has been missed on the inspection?
• If, following the home inspection, the seller repairs an item found in the home inspection, may I have the Home Inspector perform a "re-inspection"?

Answers

What is a home inspection?

It is an evaluation of the visible and accessible systems and components of a home (plumbing system, roof, etc.) and is intended to give the client (usually a homebuyer) a better understanding of their condition. It is also important to know what a home inspection is not! It is not an appraisal of the property's value; nor should you expect it to address the cost of repairs. It does not guarantee that the home complies with local building codes (which are subject to periodic change) or protect you in the event an item inspected fails in the future. [Note: Warranties can be purchased to cover many items.] Nor should it be considered a "technically exhaustive" evaluation, but rather an evaluation of the property on the day it is inspected, taking into consideration normal wear and tear.

Can anyone perform a home inspection?

No. Only persons licensed by the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board are permitted to perform home inspections for compensation. To qualify for licensure, they must satisfy certain education and experience requirements and pass a state licensing examination. Their inspections must be conducted in accordance with the Board's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Why should I have the home inspected?

Most homebuyers lack the knowledge, skill and emotional detachment needed to inspect homes themselves. By using the services of a licensed Home Inspector, they can gain a better understanding of the condition of the property, especially whether any items do not "function as intended"or "adversely affect the habitability of the dwelling"or "warrant further investigation" by a person who specializes in the item in question.

In my home purchase I have chosen to sign the standard Offer to Purchase and Contract* form which many real estate and legal professionals use. It states that I have the right to have the home inspected and the right to request that the seller repair identified problems with the home Will the home inspection identify all of these problems?

*Jointly approved and copyrighted by the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® and the North Carolina Bar Association.

Yes and No. Home Inspectors typically evaluate structural components (floors, walls, roofs, chimneys, foundations, etc.), mechanical systems (plumbing, electrical, heating/air conditioning), installed appliances and other major components of the property. The Home Inspector Licensure Board's Standards of Practice do not require Home Inspectors to report on: wood-destroying insects, environmental contamination, pools and spas, detached structures and certain other items listed in the Offer to Purchase and Contract form. Always ask the Home Inspector if he covers all the things which are important to you. If not, it is your responsibility to arrange for an inspection of these items by the appropriate professionals. For a description of the services to be provided by the Home Inspector (and their cost), you should read carefully the written contract which the Home Inspector must give you and which you must sign before the Home Inspection can be performed.

How do I request a home inspection, and who will pay for it?

You can arrange for the home inspection or ask your real estate agent to assist you. Unless you otherwise agree, you will be responsible for payment of the home inspection and any subsequent inspections. If the inspection is to be performed after you have signed the purchase contract, be sure to schedule the inspection as soon as possible to allow adequate time for any repairs to be performed.

Should I be present when the home inspection is performed?

Whenever possible, you should be present. The inspector can review with you the results of the inspection and point out any problems found. Usually the inspection of the home can be completed in two to three hours (the time can vary depending upon the size and age of the dwelling). The Home Inspector must give you a written report of the home inspection within three business days after the inspection is performed (unless otherwise stated in your contract with the Home Inspector). The home inspection report is your property. The Home Inspector may only give it to you and may not share it with other persons without your permission.

Are all inspection reports the same?

No. While the Home Inspector Licensure Board has established a minimum requirement for report-writing, reports can vary greatly. They can range from a "checklist" of the systems and components to a full narrative evaluation or any combination of the two. Home Inspectors are required to give you a written "Summary" of their inspection identifying any system or component that does not function as intended, or adversely affects the habitability of the dwelling, or appears to warrant further investigation by a specialist. The summary does not necessarily include all items that have been found to be defective or deficient. Therefore, do not read only the summary. Carefully read and understand the entire home inspection report.

What should I do if I feel something has been missed on the inspection?

Before any repairs are made (except emergency repairs), call the inspector or inspection company to discuss the problem. Many times a "trip charge" can be saved by explaining the problem to the inspector who can answer the question over the telephone. This also gives the inspector a chance to promptly handle any problems that may have been overlooked in the inspection.

If, following the home inspection, the seller repairs an item found in the home inspection, may I have the Home Inspector perform a "re-inspection"?

Yes. Some repairs may not be as straightforward as they might seem. The inspector may be able to help you evaluate the repair, but you should be aware that the re-inspection is not a warranty of the repairs that have been made. Some Home Inspectors charge a fee for re-inspections."

In our area, we have several very good licensed home inspectors available.  We have been recommending Sims Home Inspections to all of our clients.  His reports are very thorough with plenty of color pictures showing areas of concern.  Not only is Neil Sims a licensed Home Inspector, he is also a NC Licenced General Contractor.  He can inspect homes but he can also build them and I can tell you first hand, Neil Sims and his uncle, Geoff Sims build an excellent home.  You can contact Neil at 910-617-7467 or visit his website at http://www.simshomeinspections.com/

For more information on North Carolina Home Inspections, contact the board at the following address:

The new rules will standardize Good Faith Estimates of Closing Costs, promote transparency, and allow buyers to make better decisions when shopping for a lender.  Often, fees may change within a short time period and the differences in the original and final "fee quotes" from a lender will be readily apparent.  These new rules will apply to all residential contracts.

More details can be found at www.HUD.org.

Spread out & enjoy the space afforded by this lovely 3 bed 3 bath home on over an acre of land!  Inside you will find plenty of updates & room to grow with a large family room, spacious kitchen with island, mud room, & formal dining room with French doors leading to a deck overlooking the beautiful landscaping.  The main level master bedroom is a convenient & the bath is updated with a whirlpool tub & more. Upstairs are two large bedrooms & a bath with plenty of storage.  Outside, you can relax on the covered front porch or cookout on the deck.  A 30x16 workshop in the back also features covered tractor storage area & there is an irrigated garden space ready to plant.  Horseshoe Estates is a quaint community with river access and is only a short distance from Wilmington and the beaches!