Getting to know the Crystal Coast towns

Experiencing the Crystal Coast

Swansboro

The home of Hammocks Beach State Park, the “Friendly City by the Sea” offers a historic downtown district overlooking the water. The quaint village atmosphere and historic downtown area offers shopping in an area alive with restaurants, boutiques, gift shops and waterside parks. Host to the Arts by the Sea Festival, the Mullet Festival and multiple fishing tournaments – Swansboro offers some of the best hospitality on the North Carolina coast.

Emerald Isle

The outdoorsy adventurous guests to Emerald Isle are in heaven with activities like surfing, kayaking, kiteboarding and paddleboarding . Families can enjoy miles of walking, jogging and bike paths and several nature trails that allow you to enjoy the natural pristine environment with a variety of birds, waterfowl and families of white tail deer.  The Point in Emerald Isle is not to be missed when visiting the western shores of Bogue Banks; the sunsets are breathtaking!

Salter Path

Known for its history as an old fishing village, Salter Path is different because it is home to a large dune system, excellent beaches, breathtaking sound front views and even a small maritime forest.  Family beach cottages are easy to spot as you cruise through Salter Path.  Be sure to stop and look at Bogue Sound; as it sparkles a magnificent blue on a bright sunny day.

Indian Beach

Indian Beach is conveniently located in the middle of Bogue Banks.  Its location allows easy access to the sights and sounds of Morehead City and Emerald Isle, as well as restaurants &  shopping.  But above all, you’ll enjoy the quiet calming expanse of soft sands and lush maritime forest. Its location allows easy access to the sights and sounds of Morehead City and Emerald Isle, as well as restaurants &  shopping.  But above all, you’ll enjoy the quiet calming expanse of soft sands and lush maritime forest.

Pine Knoll Shores

The wide beaches and sound side access make it easy to swim, go shelling, clamming or kayaking along this beautiful stretch of island.  The North Carolina Aquarium is located in Pine Knoll Shores and offers a variety of marine species including fish, crabs, sea horses, lionfish and sharks. The sea turtle nursery features an albino turtle named Nimbus! Nature trails offer a walk above a tidal marsh where marine creatures live and shore birds wade looking for food. All in all, it’s a tranquil way to spend the afternoon.

Atlantic Beach 

Atlantic Beach has a retro “beach-town” feel of days past and has been North Carolina’s “go to” beach since the 1930’s. Located at the eastern end of Bogue Banks, Atlantic Beach features a laid back friendly feel with wide sandy beaches, a boardwalk and a commercial district with plenty of dining and shopping options. Nature trails, public parks and beach accesses will draw you in. Atlantic Beach is also home to Fort Macon State Park, an historic Civil War fort, which is the most visited state park in North Carolina.

Morehead City

Downtown Morehead City has alluring waterfront appeal lined with charter boats, legendary seafood restaurants, charming shops all overlooking Sugarloaf Island.  The Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament is held annually in June with crowds , Beaufort, NC gathering daily at the weigh station to see which boat will bring in the biggest blue! Also home of the North Carolina Seafood Festival, held every year the first weekend in October. Vendors line the waterfront with all types of seafood & arts and crafts, along with kid’s rides and activities! Families can also enjoy watching the Morehead City Marlins play baseball at Big Rock Stadium. With multiple shopping centers throughout Morehead City, there’s something for everyone!

Beaufort

Beaufort, the 3rd oldest town in North Carolina, is known for its Bahamian and West Indian style architecture and its close ties with a notorious pirate. It offers a beautiful sandy shore as well as stunning waterfront views and  many specialty shops and delicious restaurants downtown . You can watch the feral horses from the banks of Beaufort or board a ferry to see them in their unspoiled habitat. Hop atop the English Double-Decker bus for a tour around this historic fishing village to see Blackbeard’s home and the mysterious Old Burial Ground. You’ll see exactly what makes this coastal community so special and why it was voted Best Small Town in the USA in 2012.

Leap into a Renovation!

 Leap into a Renovation!

Does your home need a fresh look? Are you tired of looking at that 30 year old carpet and just need something that inspires you? Take advantage of the extra day we receive this Leap Year and get inspired to jump start your next home improvement project! Check out these before and after photos of Crystal Coast homes and condos that received face-lifts this past year. Some of the updates include new kitchen cabinets, replaced decks, updated counter-tops, brand new furniture, new paint and new artwork. A few of these homes don't even look the same!

In large open-concept rooms counter-tops, updated flooring and sometimes just a new color on the walls goes a long way - giving the entire room a new look.   Enjoy these before and after photos of these unique transformations.

If you are interested in selling your home - renovations not only look great to potential buyers but they also can add value to your home! Also - make sure your agent has professional photos taken of your home so that your renovations stand out in the crowd online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Improving Email Marketing

Matthew Ferrara’s Improving Email Marketing 

·         Ways to improve the impact of your email marketing in an increasingly mobile/smartphone world whether you’re messaging to your entire database or to smaller targeted groups: 

• Mobile-optimize emails to increase click-thru rates
• Redesign emails by planning content around how it will look on a mobile screen.

1.   Do some research: Dig into web metrics (website and blog traffic reports) to see who’s reading your site on a tablet, smartphone, third screen & in some instances you’ll be able to see what resolution they are using. Marketing can give you those stats!
2.   Design email templates that fit smaller screens – simpler, manage graphics, layouts that work better on small hand-held screens. Consider how columns and colors will look whether the smartphone is being held vertically or horizontally.
3. Easier link placement for “click” with a finger. It’s extremely frustrating when you want to select something and the link is too small or hard to navigate to and from. Make sure the link font is large enough, that there is plenty of space around them, not to close to other links to things the recipient may not want to see
4. Minimize scrolling – even if it’s not difficult to scroll, it can be distracting and try to avoid left and right scrolling on top of up and down navigation.
5. On most blogging platforms, the text will automatically resize for a mobile user but not all templates to that well.
6. Use VIDEO in your email marketing. It’s easy to see and absorb. Mobile users are more likely to watch and it easier to get the message across.

Preparing for Selling Season

 

 Preparing for Selling Season

Tips for taking advantage of spring selling season: 

• Be the expert on the market – know what’s new on the market to get the jump on the competition and to share with buyers

• Communicate to your sellers about new listings coming on to the market 
• If neighbor lists home for less, may need to adjust price if the new listing is comparable and looks better to buyers 
• If neighbor lists home for more, will make seller’s home look even better

• Look for opportunities to take advantage of what’s going on in the marketplace: 

• Hyperactivity + Low Inventory + Lots of Buyers = Selling Season!! 

•  Take Action: 

• Get in front of as MANY PEOPLE as possible – market yourself as extensively as possible to continue to build your brand
• Stay Top of Mind – Double up on online (and offline) business development efforts and promotion. Launch new websites dedicated to specific towns or market areas, increase personal marketing 
• Capture mind share during the times when the most people are thinking about houses

A resolution that should be kept....for the sake of your home

Here is a bit of food for thought, all be it not fat free, low cal or all natural. 

In order to start your year off successfully it is necessary to streamline your home. Prepare yourself for an easy breezy, at least first couple of months, while the organization lasts.

Here is how to you can. (you may pick and choose the points that seem attainable based upon your motivation to get with the program in 2016)

Streamline the stuff
-We hear this time and time again DECLUTTER. But it's true. You will automatically feel a sense of accomplishment by cleaning counter-tops, cleaning out "junk drawers" and putting everything else in containers with labels (if you are feeling so ambitious)

Work out a weekly cleaning schedule
If you know what small things you need to achieve every day, you wont have to dedicate Saturday to doing everything. Set up a daily goal that minimizes weekend tidying.

Create a home improvement list
-What do you see that needs adjusting around your home. Invite a friend over to critique things and give them food in exchange for their "kind words"

Find DIY projects
-We have created an entire weekend warrior DIY pinterest board just for you to peruse.

Become energy efficient
-Change out a toilet or two. They now have dual flush toilets which uses less water depending on the number you just completed. Number referring to number 1 (a little tinkle) and number 2 (a little more than that) You may even be eligible for some kind of tax benefit from becoming more energy efficient.


Visit our Pinterest boards for DIY ideas and Organization guidance. We even have one for home improvements!

Home for the Holidays

Prep you home for success during the festive season!
Quick tips on how to be successful in the real estate market this season. 

(Inspired by an HGTV article)

Decorate tastefully
You do not want to take away from your home's natural curb appeal by cluttering your yard with blow up Santas and an entire herd of light up reindeer. Keep it simple with a wreath and a few lights.

     

Hire an Agent
That's where we come in. You want someone who will continue working hard for you even through this busy family time of year. 
















Price your home to sell
This is a great tip for every time of year, but especially when there are a lot of extra expenses due to holiday purchases. You want to still be affordable along with the tree and gifts. 



Be certain you have AWESOME photos 
Do not settle for mediocore phone pictures or un-professional photos of your home. Pictures sell homes. Especially now that much shopping is done online for homes. Your photos may be the only thing prospective buyers ever see. Make sure your real estate agent can work with a professional photographer to capture the beauty of your home. Bluewater has an in house photographer :)

Photo by our Photographer Liz










Open houses during this Season
These can be very festive and a great opportunity for you to help buyers see what their holidays could look like. Provide things like hot cocoa and peppermint sticks, Make sure the home is warm. And a cookie or two never hurt. 



"Offer holiday cheer in the form of financing.
Bah, humbug! Lenders are scrooges these days, but if you've got the means, then why not offer a home loan to a serious buyer? You could get a good rate of return on your money"

Preparing for the Holidays at your Home

These simple steps can make having family and friends over during the holiday season a breeze. If you plan on hosting a large party of cheerful guests 

(Reader's Digest tips)

Brighten up your bathroom- change out curtains or accent items to give a new fresh look to your space

Stow stuff away- clear counter-tops box up unnecessary items to provide more room

Make sure your entry way is welcoming- door mats, wreaths, lights and NO COBWEBS

Add extra seating- go shopping at your nearest home store like Ikea or Home Goods for foldable chairs that can easily be placed in a closet when not in use. 

(Our tips)

Have plenty of extra linens- bath towels pillows and face cloths

Stock the fridge with snack foods- fruits and veggies, crackers and cheese, nuts and party mix

Get your Wi-Fi password ready- It is always a pain to arrive somewhere and use your data plan, make sure to be ready with your internet information to make guests stay a breeze

Stock the bathrooms with extra toiletries- We all forget something any extra items from your previous hotel stays work perfectly for sink top baskets of essentials