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 […]
Oyster Restoration by Diane Lea
The history of Pamlico Sound and Hatteras Island is a compelling story of the first Native American inhabitants and later European explorers who were blessed with the bounty of the area’s sounds, inlets, creeks and marshes. Archaeological evidence and historic journals describe mountains of discarded oyster shells, known as “middens,” that testify to the abundance […]
5 Things Only Home Sellers Understand
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse by Diane Lea
It is the tallest lighthouse in the nation. It stands 210 feet, and its beacon can be seen 20 nautical miles at sea. From its spectacular location amid sand dunes set with sea oats and bordered by the thick growth of maritime forest, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, constructed in 1870, is the jewel in the […]
These Small Home Improvements Can Pay Off Big When Selling
First impressions matter when selling a home. But the first thing buyers see isn’t always your staged living room or upgraded kitchen. The price is the first impression buyers have of your home. The price also determines whether buyers skip over your home or go inside for a better look. Home buyers are attuned to […]
What You Haven’t Considered About Owning a Vacation Home
Wouldn’t it be great to own a place at the beach, in the mountains, or by the lake? If you are seriously considering buying a vacation home, you have probably weighed many of the pros and cons already. But you should carefully consider everything before you buy. Have you taken these additional costs and benefits […]
3 Surprising Ways Public Schools Affect Your House Hunt
It’s back-to-school season. School supplies are front and center in the stores, back-to-school sales are everywhere, and school buses are becoming part of the morning commute. Even if the public school district is not an important factor in your home search, the location of public schools can still have a significant impact on your home […]