Happy New Year! As you are in the midst of obtaining the list of 2010 resolutions which normally have a tendency to consist of hefty promises to yourself like hitting the gym, or tossing a bad habit, you may want to be enlightened on one more worthwhile resolution! According to a survey available on Move.com, 18 percent of Americans resolved to become a homeowner in 2010. Why wait? With mortgage rates and property prices at an all time low, this is the perfect time to buy your first home! If that is not convincing enough, maybe the extension of the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit will persuade you. The first time home buyer tax credit has been extended to April 30th 2010. Although that may seem right around the corner, the purchaser will have up until July 1, 2010 to close. Current homeowners who are looking to upgrade to a newer home can take advantage of the $6500 credit until April 30th, 2010, if they have lived in their primary residence for at least five years.

Making your move now would not only be smart, but extremely timely because of the favorable market conditions and bargain home prices! As a result of the incentives the extended home buyer tax credit has on first time home buyers, purchasing a home is finally in reach! This is a 2010 resolution that can be achieved in no time, and the Fine Coastal Living team is available to assist you throughout this exciting experience whether you are buying or selling your home!

I hope your 2009 ended well and that your New Year is off to a great start! Our team ended the year strong with a 60% increase in sales, putting us in the top 1 percentile of agents in Wilmington.

As a whole, New Hanover County ended the year with just over 2500 transactions, down 11% from 2008.  The ’09 average sales price was also down 11% from last year and average days on market up 17%.  Total closed dollar amount (the sum of sales prices of all sold homes) declined 21%. 

With interest rates bouncing above and below 5% (for a 30-year fixed), this continues to be a great time to move up or buy a first home. If you or anyone you know has plans to buy, sell or invest in the New Year, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.  We are by no means the high-pressure sale type, and we promise to take great care of you!