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

Flood Insurance, Do I Really Need it?

         Click Play to watch a quick video of things to know directly from FloodSmart.gov

The flood season is here and with one out of every 5 homes not covered with Flood Insurance we want to give you the facts. The most active flood periods are from October through March, affecting all regions in the United States. 

FEMA updates flood risk zones regularly, so be conscious of what your home's risk is. But, take note that there are still risks of flooding, even if you do not fall in a "high-risk" area. You can check where your home falls on the risk map here.

If you have flood insurance, make sure you know what your policy covers. Some policies do not replace personal items. And others do not cover high value items if they are stored in the basement. Make sure you are familiar with the clauses within your Flood Policy.

For more information about flooding or for quick insurance facts visit FloodSmart.gov

Contact Bluewater Insurance if you would like to add or change your flood insurance.

School Shopping...I Mean House Shopping

The millennial generation is looking for homes to expand in. (millennials being individuals born between 1980-2000). Over 60% of home buyers overall will consider schools in their home hunt. 90% of which are willing to exclude specific wish list amenities in return for living in the desired school zoning. Buyers will pay upwards of 20% more than budgeted to achieve ideal placement as well. Websites like Realtor.com and Zillow are now including school rating on their home search results. If you or someone you know falls in this vast category, make sure they know how to acquire the necessary information.

Interview local residents in the area:
Ask them about their school experiences
What programs are available at the schools
How is transportation (bus routes)
Are there after school programs
Private or Public
How are the sports programs


Carteret County Schools
If you are looking to relocate to Carteret County, visit the Carteret County Public School site here. There are a total of 17 public schools from Pre K to High School. Carteret County Public Schools has a total of 8,587 students enrolled spending $8,884 each year per student.  Annual EOGs have shown that students enrolled at Carteret County Schools score higher in math, science and reading than the North Carolina average. GreatSchool.org gave this district an 8 out of 10 rating.  


Onslow County Schools

If your home search is within Swansboro, Jacksonville or other towns in Onslow County - you have a total of 37 public schools. For more information about Onslow County Public Schools, visit their website here.  Over 25,000 students are enrolled in the Onslow County School System. Annual EOGs have shown that students enrolled at Onslow County Schools score slightly higher in math, science and reading than the North Carolina average. GreatSchool.org rated this district a 6 out of 10. 

Home Improvements with the most Bang

• New paint job
• Freshly maintained landscaping
• Remodeled and/or upgraded interior
• Deck and/or patio addition
• Additional bedroom or bathroom
• Go Green
• Addition to the garage

When selling a home adding to the square footage allows the appraiser to make "higher adjustments" to the total worth of your home. 

Consider, most projects do not earn dollar for dollar what you put into your home. On average home improvement will make 20 to 30 cents on the dollar. 

When considering refinancing, these  changes will benefit you the most

• Additional bedroom or bathroom
• Addition to the garage
• Kitchen remodeling and upgrades
• Improvement that expands the “use” of the home - think outdoor living and beyond

New Paint and Carpet

-The home begins at your front door! Try to spice up the color and make sure everything is in working order, the doorbell, handles are not loose, and rid of cobwebs. 

-Touch up any paint imperfections throughout your house

-Freshly paint your walls, if you have bold bright colors that may not appeal to the masses try looking into warm designer neutrals to give the feeling of cozy comfort. 

-94% of real estate professionals recommend spending a few dollars on your floors. They appeal to buyers and boost the overall cleanliness of your home. 

*Spending $600 to $900 can see up to double their return in value. 

Landscaping 
One of the top 3 investments that bring the biggest return.
$400-$500 can return 4 times this amount - 2007 Broker Survey
Overgrown trees and bushes create an unwelcoming dark appearance to your homes image. Your curb appeal is the first thing potential buyers notice when searching for a new home, even when they visit without an agent and do a drive by.

What is considered going green?
Energy savings adds an estimated 20 times the annual savings to the value of your home value- Appraisal Journal
This includes:
replacing old windows with more efficient models 
Upgrading appliances to eco friendly options, possibly including solar panels or solar can lighting and replacing your heating/air conditioning systems
Solar Power Water heaters can save as much as 80% on water heating bills

Inexpensive Upgrade Options
Apply Fresh Caulking throughout your home
Replacing or Upgrading hardware on cabinets and doors
Replacing faucets

Just keep in mind, once a buyer sees one thing out of place they will be prone to look for every other thing they can find that may or may not have an issue. So be prepared and change/upgrade/remove any questionable items within your home, whether that be rickety stairs, blue carpet, or 1970s wallpaper. 

Remember the appraisal process is most heavily determined by homes similar to yours that sell. Any additions you have made to your house will be considered after the base selling price is figured.