Topsail Homes, October 2015 by NCCOAST

HOMES TOPSAIL

magazine

VOL 35-10

Serving Pender and Onslow Counties

Find your new home, property & Realtor

inside!

TOPSAIL HOMES Magazine • October 2015

CONTENTS

Featured

Ennett Realty

1968 Hwy 172 Sneads Ferry, NC 910-327-3600

Room To Improve: Factors to Consider Before Selling Your Home.................. 9 Prepare a Deck or Patio for Entertaining.......................... 20

FIND your REALTOR & HOME HERE!

201 N. 17th Street Morehead City, NC 28557 252.247.7442 nccoast.com Publisher: Allyson Sproul Sales: Jamie Bailey, 252.241.9485 Ashly Willis, 252-342-2334 Scott Hopkins, 252-342-2689 Director of Operations: Kim LaChance (kim@nccoast.com) Layout/Graphic Design: Roze Taitingfong (roze@nccoast.com) Area Guide Graphics: Morgan Davis

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Managing Editor: Amanda Dagnino

A Beach Place Realty............................... 7 Access Realty Group.............................. 21 Century 21 Action, Inc............................ 17 Century 21 Waterway Realty.................. 11

Production Director: Rudy J. Taitague Lead Pressman/ Mail Center: Skip Hicks Pressman: Allen Henry Sublimation: Edd Moore, Andrea Vangelist Bindery Leader: Jason Yates Bindery Operator: Rudy D. Taitague Distribution Manager: Dorrie Nicholson Pre Press: Kyle Dixon

Coldwell Banker SeaCoast Advantage... 22-23 Ennett Realty............................................ 2 Island Real Estate.................................... 6 Kinco Inc Real Estate............................... 8 Landmark Real Estate Group.............. 5,24 LaRue Hambrick Realty......................... 21 Lewis Realty Associates Inc................... 11 TGT Realty & Construction ..................... 4 Treasure Realty ................................ 12-16

Ad Copy & PHOTO deadline for NOVEMBER 2015 ISSUE: Monday, October 12, 2015 at 5pm. Please include your name and company in the subject line of your email

Turner Real Estate .................................. 9 United Country Coastline Realty....... 10-11 Ward Realty Corp.............................. 18-19

COPYRIGHT NOTICE Entire contents, maps, advertisements and graphic design elements copyright 2015 NCCOAST. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without the publisher’s consent. Though every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all advertising and editorial copy contained herein, the publisher may not be held responsible for typographical errors. NCCOAST and its employees, agents or representatives may not be held responsible for any actions or consequences derived as a result of following advice or instructions contained herein. NCCOAST reserves the right to refuse any advertising or editorial content deemed inappropriate, misleading or in violation with the law.

TOPSAIL HOMES Magazine • October 2015

Factors to Consider Before Selling Your Home Selling a home is no small undertaking. It often pays to be patient when putting a property up for sale, but waiting for an acceptable offer can be stressful, especially for those homeowners who have already found their next homes. Because so much tends to be riding on the decision of whether or not to sell a home, homeowners would be wise to consider the following factors before putting that “For Sale” sign in their front yards. Motivation: Many homeowners sell their homes because their families are growing and they have outgrown their current residences. Others may recognize a seller’s real estate market and want to strike while the iron is hot, while still others might be moving for a new job. The factors that motivate homeowners to sell their homes vary with each individual case, but prospective sellers should keep in mind that moving can be expensive, and finding a new home may not be so easy, nor is the grass necessarily greener on the other side. When deciding if now is the best time to sell your home, make sure you will be selling for the right reason. That can make the often trying process of selling a home a lot easier to handle. Market: The local real estate market is another factor to consider when deciding whether or not to sell your home. A home is a significant investment, and you want to earn as substantial a return on that investment as possible. Selling when the market is struggling will make your investment less valuable. Research recently sold homes in your neighborhood to get an idea of how much you can expect to get if you sold your home in the current market. It might be worth it to sell now, or it might pay off to be patient and wait until the market rebounds. Kids: Selling your home will impact your family just like it will impact your bottom line. Unless you plan to move down the street or to another home in your community, selling may mean you and your family no longer see your friends and neighbors. That can be a difficult adjustment, especially for schoolaged kids who will have to adjust to a new school. The potentially negative impact that selling can have on your children may not be worth the financial benefits of selling, so the decision of whether or not to sell should not be taken lightly by homeowners who also happen to be parents. Quality of life: It can be difficult to turn down an opportunity to make a lot of money on your real estate investment. But if you plan to sell and move further away from your office and your friends and family, the financial windfall you earn when selling your home may not be worth the sacrifices you have to make in order to earn that money. Studies have shown that longer commutes can elevate stress levels, and even the most affordable property may not be worth moving to if you won’t be able to enjoy the home with your friends and family. When deciding whether or not to sell their homes, many homeowners make the decision a strictly financial one. But there is more than money to consider when deciding if now is the right time to sell your home.

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R O O M to improve...

Prepare a Deck or Patio for Entertaining Few things are better than having a functional and beautiful outdoor space to entertain guests. Having a great outdoor space enables a person to hose parties or intimate gatherings all year long. Establishing an entertaining space and maintaining that space are essential when planning another year of fun in the sun. There are many things homeowners can do to ensure their entertaining space is safe and functional. As the season approaches, include some landscaping and decorating components to your preparatory plans to make the space as comfortable and aesthetically appealing as possible. Here are a few key tips for readying your yard for entertaining possibilities. Expand on these basics to customize an area for your unique needs. • Check the area for any needed repairs. Prior to your first entertaining session, look over the deck or patio to take note of any flaws that may present safety hazards. Are there any loose railings? Are all screws and nails flush so they do not cause tripping? Are there any cracks in concrete or loose patio blocks? Be sure to remedy all of the repairs needed to ensure guests will be safe. If you are unsure of any structural deficits, consult with a contractor. • Hire a reputable contractor. If you are just laying the groundwork for a new patio or deck, it is important to get the necessary permits and then hire a person who has been properly vetted. Check qualifications and licensing before hiring a contractor and ask to view a portfolio of his or her previous work. Word-of-mouth recommendations from trusted friends and family members are good, and you can also double-check qualifications by contacting the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged or use a service such as Angie’s List to read reviews of his or her work. • Think about closing in a portion of a deck or patio. The use of a canopy, netting or even greenery to protect an entertaining space can help minimize weather-related damage to outdoor furniture. Netting will keep a good number of biting insects at bay when the weather is warm and humid. Having a bit of concealment also means you can create a private space that isn’t easily viewed by neighbors or passersby. • Plan well-defined areas. Just as rooms serve different purposes inside of the home, outdoor areas can be separated according to usage. Establish a sitting nook where guests can gather and talk. Have a bar or serving area where refreshments are made and served. Make sure 20

TOPSAIL HOMES Magazine • October 2015

there is a shaded area for when the sun is too uncomfortable to make sitting outside enjoyable. Similarly, have a sunny area where people can soak up a few rays or dry off after a dip in the spa or pool. Don’t forget to establish a spot for the kids to converge with scaled-down amenities. • Consider a fireplace or fire pit. For centuries man (and woman) has gathered around fire for socialization and a means to warming up. Having a backyard fireplace, pit or chiminea is a conversation-starter, a decorative focal point, and a functional tool to extend the number of seasons in which outdoor entertaining can take place. Place the fire wisely and with concern for safety. It should be out of the way of foot traffic, but central enough so that it can be a gathering point. • Invest in quality outdoor furniture. Today’s yards are extensions of a home’s interior. Guests no longer want to sit on uncomfortable metal or plastic furniture. There are many different outdoor sofas and chairs that are as stylish as they are comfortable. These pieces can be matched to the decor inside your home for a cohesive look. • Accessorize. Consider the creature comforts of indoors and mimic that outdoors. Don’t shy away from hanging artwork on an exterior wall or using urns or pottery to decorate the space. Weather-resistant materials ensure everything from clocks to televisions can be used outdoors. Think about having an entire set of serving dishes and other entertaining items for the outdoors. When refurbishing outdoor entertaining area, emphasize comfort, safety and functionality.

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