It's the most wonderful time of the year. Wilmington, NC

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Contact Jessica at 910-352-1043 or email JessicaRiffle@SeaCoastRealty.com.

Don't picture your buyers into disapointment

Make sure you aren't setting your potential buyers up for disapointment.

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If you have any questions, comments or disagree please email Jessica at JessicaRiffle@SeaCoastRealty.com.

Lenders reputation or lack of can tell you the bigger story, not what they promise.

When deciding on a lender for you home purchase it is important to keep in mind the reputation, or lack of, that the lender has. Often choosing someone who will cut fees and agrees to this and that, etc, that other lenders will not comes back to bite you at the closing table....if you get that far. Too many times when someone goes with the person who cuts this and that and promises all these things ends up coming to a hault half way through the process when the lender all of sudden says "oh, well that wont actually work, or we can't actually get that rate or do this bc of whatever". You want a lender who is reputable and more importantly someone who will get you exactly what they told you.....no surprises and no oopsie's. Save $300 today maybe cost you $3000 before the process is over.

If you disagree with what Jessica says, please contact her at JessicaRiffle@SeaCoastRealty.com. And, CLICK HERE for more info on Wilmington, NC real estate!

Put it away...your doll collection is distracting from selling your home.

Put it away! Collectibles and trinket collections are so distracting and draw attention away from what buyers are supposed to be looking at...your home!

If you disagree with Jessica, please contact her at JessicaRiffle@SeaCoastRealty.com.

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Pictures really are worth a thousand, dollars that is, in real estate. Wilmington, NC

Pictures in real estate are more important now than they ever have been. With the large majority of buyers searching online and agents searching through high inventory for homes that best meet their buyers needs it is so important to make sure that your home is being showin in it's best light through the photos used. Make sure your agent is maximizing or close to maximizing the number of photos allowed on various online sites as well as the local MLS. Make sure that your home looks stellar online. It should look better and the same as it does in person. You have got to get those buyers inside and if the pictures are lacking or are not flattering, then you may lose interest.
Contact Jessica at 910-352-1043 or email JessicaRiffle@SeaCoastRealty.com.

Real Estate Flyers...Are they worth it?

Do you often see flyer boxes next to for sale signs that are empty or the flyers are wet and stuck together? If you were really interested in a house don't you think you would call the listing agent for more info or your own buyer's agent? If you are a seller wouldn't you want someone to speak with your agent or an agent on duty in regards to your house rather than grabbing a flyer and driving off? I think they are a waste...what about you? If you have any comments or disagree, please feel free to email Jessica at JessicaRiffle@SeaCoastRealty.com.

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FREE Buyers Agent

In the state of North Carolina you can have full representation when buying a home and it is FREE!

Contact Jessica at 910-352-1043 or email JessicaRiffle@SeaCoastRealty.com.

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Curb Appeal

First impressions are everything right? So, then why do some sellers forget that this is often the most important impression on buyers and the impression that will ultimately influence the final opinion that they will have on the home that is for sale? When someone first pulls up to a home that is for sale, the outside of that property has to "sell them" before the inside will even be considered. Often we spend so much time and money on the inside that the outside if an afterthought. Don't let this be an obstacle you have to face when selling your home. Appeal to your sellers from the outside, in!

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Call me 910-352-1043 or email jessicariffle@seacoastrealty.com!

Remodel or Sell

Sometimes there is more than just "what color cabinets" to think about when remodeling your home. Is it best for you to remodel or purchase up? The cost of the remodel can sometimes be much higher than the actual value it adds to your home. Email me if you would like me to email you the cost vs. value list.

H.O.A. Madness

What happens when one individual decides to play by their own rules instead of their Home Owner Association Rules? What happens when that same person decides to quit paying those home owner dues?

Please call me or email me if you disagree with what I have to say. 910-352-1043 or jessicariffle@seacoastrealty.com

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Realtor vs. Realtor

To friend or not to friend...I say friend...for sure. Bring on the competition! It only makes me a better Realtor and better at what I do each and every day. This means I ultimately better serve my clients and helps me to strive to be the best. Or should I say...The Carolinas Finest!

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For Sale By Owner vs. Realtor

The 2008 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reveals that among recent home sellers surveyed in August 2008, the pure For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) sales - those cases where the seller did not know the buyer - remain historically low at 7 percent. It had been closer to 10 percent during the housing boom years.

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Email me at jessicariffle@seacoastrealty.com or call me 910-352-1043.

NC Foreclosures

Foreclosure numbers by NC city are below. Looks like Wilmington isn't as hard hit as other NC cities. That is a good sign of our stronger real estate market. There are many factors that keep Wilmington at the top of places to buy, invest, and live lists published year after year. The projected growth and industry are here. The University of North Carolina grows in size year after year. We have many people wanting to relocate to the coast at all different ages. This will keep the coastal area of Wilmington strong for many, many years to come. The information below is from realtytrac.com.

Raleigh - 611 foreclosures
Charlotte - 2,141 foreclosures
Greensboro - 730 foreclosures
Wilmington - 143 foreclosures

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Moving Money

When purchasing real estate getting ready for a closing make sure your funds are where they need to be AND that you are actually able to access them on the day you need to. This can and has delayed closings...even up to a week!

If you disagree with my opinions or have any questions, please call me @ 910-352-1043or email me @ jessicariffle@seacoastrealty.com.


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Gov. Perdue Stimulates Ecomony Signs Additional Tax Credit

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue recently signed the authorization that will provide new financial assistance to first-time home buyers and stimulate sales of about 1,500 North Carolina homes. The authorization enables the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency to expand its Mortgage Certificate Credit (MCC) program, which allows eligible home buyers to reduce their federal tax liability by 20 percent of the mortgage interest they pay annually. The program is one of only a handful in the nation and may ultimately save North Carolina home buyers more than $30 million.

“The MCC will help stimulate the housing market, which is integral to the recovery of our state’s economy,” Gov. Perdue said. “This is just the type of innovation from a state government agency that will help spur our economic recovery.”

The MCC program enables first-time buyers to take a tax credit up to $2,000 every year they occupy their home. This is in addition to the itemized mortgage interest deduction that all homeowners can claim.

“The MCC not only helps home buyers get into their first home but keeps the home affordable through the life of the mortgage by increasing their monthly take-home pay," stated Lucius Jones, board chairman, NC Housing Finance Agency.

For example, a home buyer who borrows $146,750 at 5.5 percent interest pays $8,022 in interest in the first 12 months. The 20 percent MCC means that home buyer reduces his tax liability by $1,751 for that year and allows the buyer to reduce his monthly tax withholding accordingly. Over the first 10 years of ownership, the home buyer would save $14,873 in taxes paid to the IRS.

For buyers who qualify, the MCC can be even more beneficial than the home buyer tax credit in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008. While Congress made the HERA tax credit a true tax credit, it still expires this year, while the benefit of the MCC continues throughout the life of the loan. Even if the home buyer refinances, the 20% MCC tax credit may be reissued with the new mortgage.

To qualify for an MCC, a buyer’s income cannot exceed certain maximums, which range from $85,000 for a family of three or more in urban areas such as Raleigh down to $62,000 in more rural areas. The MCC can be used in conjunction with most mortgages, and borrowers can apply through the Agency’s more than 700 participating lenders and their branches. To find a lender, go to www.nchfa.com.

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