For those of you who enjoy entertaining house guests and family on the Outer Banks during the holiday season and into the New Year, here’s a program note. There is much to be done to amuse and enthrall our guests during these winter months. The days can be sunny and mild or you can huddle […]
Category Archives: OBX News
The Top Real Estate Resolutions (And How to Keep Them)
Want to visit the gym more? Finally complete the home improvement project you’ve been working on? Save money for that new watch/car/house/vacation? January 1 is the perfect time to jumpstart your goals. If you’re like most people, according to Money Magazine, you probably have “stay fit,” “spend less,” or “enjoy the most out of life” […]
Selling Your Home in 2017? Here are the Latest Market Predictions
It’s that time of year: Many homeowners are looking to the New Year and planning their 2017 real estate resolutions (sell the house, move to the suburbs, buy that dream vacation home, etc.). If you’re planning your own New Year’s real estate resolutions, you might be researching 2017 housing market predictions to figure out when […]
Fishing Communication by Diane Lea
Anyone who has heard the Red Clay Ramblers tune “King Mackerel and the Blues are Running” knows that part of the excitement of fishing is the word-of-mouth communication about what fish are biting and where. The local filling station and tackle shop are where you stop for intelligence reports after you’ve heard the first whisper […]
How 2016 Technology Has Changed Your Home Search Forever
Downsizing Your Home? Use These Tips to Plan Your Move
Maybe the thought of moving to a smaller, low-maintenance home has only briefly crossed your mind, or maybe you’re seriously considering downsizing. But before you trade your too-large house in for, say, a cozy condo downtown, there are a few things to consider. Downsizing requires quite a bit of planning: You may need to figure […]
Bodie Island Lighthouse by Diane Lea
Bodie Island Lighthouse on Bodie Island just off NC Highway 12 on the Outer Banks is possessed of a uniquely desolate, yet appealing landscape. Situated on the north side of Oregon Inlet and bordered by dense pine forests and undergrowth, the lighthouse with its distinctive black horizontal bands was constructed in 1872. It retains the lonely […]
The Essentials for Entertaining Big in a Small Home
With the holiday season approaching, many homeowners are starting to plan get-togethers with friends or family. While entertaining can be more of a challenge in a smaller home, it’s not impossible to host a memorable dinner party with your loved ones if you’re working with limited space. Here are a few tips for throwing a […]
5 Home Staging Mistakes That Frighten Buyers Away
Halloween is just around the corner. For many homeowners, that means carving pumpkins, hanging up Halloween decorations, and stocking up on fun-sized candy. But if you’re a homeowner who is thinking about selling this fall season, you might be preparing your home for buyers instead of trick-or-treaters. Home staging is a crucial part of home […]
6 Ways to Save Money for Your First Home
For many first-time home buyers, the idea of a 20% down payment is terrifying. It’s one of the biggest obstacles to homeownership. Maybe you want to own a home someday, but the thought of saving up thousands of dollars for a home purchase has deterred you from seriously considering it. Believe it or not, it […]