Recently we listed a home for sale in Duck. In just four days we ended up with eleven offers. Just one of them was for the asking price. The rest were higher. During the time we were receiving offers about half the agents told me that their clients had made offers on two, three or four other houses and had not been able to be the accepted offeror. This certainly is an usual market. It’s unknown how long this will last but if you are serious about purchasing an Outer Banks property now then … Continue reading...
Get OBX Market Exposure
Since 2020, we have seen the housing market explode. Some expected this to fizzle out in 2021, but three months into 2022 and the housing market, especially in the OBX is hot. More importantly, there is a lack of inventory, which is sending prices up. Inventory is down 34% between February 2021 and February 2022. Current inventory in the Outer Banks Association of Realtors’ MLS system is sitting near 700 properties whereas last year it was just over a thousand. Moreover, in March 2020, there … Continue reading...
Outer Banks Vacation Rental Income
Most Outer Banks buyers want to know about the vacation rental income available with a house. That income helps make homes here more affordable. Good rental income is a critical part of the information needed in most buying decisions. This article will help you better understand Outer Banks vacation rental income. Property Management Companies vs. Self management Most OBX vacation rental owners don’t want to be involved with the day to day management of the property. Local … Continue reading...
Affordable OBX Ocean Front
Frequently in the summer we’ll get calls on the little affordable OBX ocean front homes for sale. Many of these smaller ocean front homes located in Kitty Hawk, northern Kill Devil Hills and South Nags Head appear to be priced to sell quickly. Good weather makes the beaches in front of these houses very inviting this time of year. Similar to most investments the pricing of these homes follow the risk versus reward theory. In short, the more risk involved the more reward possible. This post is a … Continue reading...
Best OBX Buying Information
It’s hard to make a smart OBX real estate purchase without the best OBX buying information. It's surprising how much information my clients find from an Internet research. Buyers finding owners on Facebook is a pretty common occurrence. Some of that type of information is not very helpful in making purchasing or selling decisions. Other information can make a big difference. For example, it is helpful to see actual vacation rental income. Depending upon the time of year you might be able to get … Continue reading...
Why should I get a survey?
We often hear the from Outer Banks buyers, "Why should I get a survey?". It's not necessary to have one completed and they cost a considerable amount of money. On the other hand, having an accurate drawing of your property does have its advantages. Here are some stories and thoughts on why having a survey is important. Land Swap A few years ago, a Kitty Hawk homeowner installed a pool in the side yard setback. Unfortunately, the town does not allow that. Instead of moving the pool the owner … Continue reading...
Sight Unseen OBX Purchase?
A sight unseen OBX purchase was as rare as purple sea glass just a few months ago. Our bridges to the Outer Banks have been closed since mid-March. Prior to the pandemic many out of town buyers were seriously looking at purchasing and collecting the summer rental income. Of course, those plans are over or delayed for most folks since they can not get here to see the houses. Not everyone has stopped shopping here though. In fact, we’ve had three different buyers who have been comfortable … Continue reading...
Virus Effects to Outer Banks Real Estate
With access to Dare and Currituck County beaches closed off to most people without local driver's licenses, we are sure to see some virus effects to Outer Banks Real estate. Some changes to the busy Outer Banks real estate market are already happening. Probably the most affected type of property is homes for sale since people can not get here. Here are some initial thoughts about how local real estate is being affected. Comparing Months It makes sense to compare residential real estate … Continue reading...
Outer Banks Insurance Primer
Questions about Outer Banks insurance are often the first thing buyers ask me when they start their home search here. Yes, homes can be insured for just about all types of events. It can be expensive and it can be fairly reasonable depending upon the property. This blog will provide you with some of the basics of insuring a home here. It’s likely we’ll go into more detail about each of these types of policies in the near future. Different Environment Different Insurance This coastal area has … Continue reading...
Outer Banks Flood Insurance
A common question I’m asked by people who are thinking about buying a beach house is "Can I get flood insurance on the Outer Banks?" Flood insurance is available on every property on the Outer Banks. In some cases, it can be more expensive than others but it is still available. This article is the first part of a two-part series on Outer Banks flood insurance. It will focus on the reasons for higher and lower premiums. Preferred rate guidelines The best priced flood insurance … Continue reading...