I count my blessings that I have a job that I love, meeting and working with wonderful folks from all over the country, and all walks of life, and getting the chance to share my affections for Southport and the surrounding coastal communities with you. My goal as a local Buyer’s Agent, is to gather as much information from you about the type of property you are looking for and put together a well thought out plan to help facilitate a stress-free search for the the perfect fit. So here is my "to do" list for potential buyers….• Get a pre-approval letter from your lender if you will be getting a loan to make your purchase and bring it with you. If you plan to make a cash offer, bring a “proof of funds” statement from your bank. One of these will be required to accompany any offer.
• Don’t be afraid to give your price range. As a buyer’s agent I am looking out for your best interest at
every turn. My goal is to help you find the best property for the best price possible. Just because you tell me you are willing to go as high as X amount, doesn’t mean I would try and steer you towards your high end.• Do your homework before you come. Maybe you have vacationed or visited the area many times, and you have a good sense of where you want to live … Historic Southport, Harbor Oaks, Indigo Plantation, Price’s Creek, The Landing, and more. Then there’s Oak Island, Boiling Spring Lakes, Arbor Creek, St James Plantation, River Run Plantation, Winding River, Lockwood Folly. These varied communities are just a drop in the bucket and all have their own unique appeal, depending on what you are looking for. Brunswick County is BIG, really big. We haven’t even gotten to the South Brunswick Islands of Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach. So if you’ve never been here and think that Brunswick County may just be the perfect landing spot, then my all means, come for a visit…better yet, several visits. There’s a lot to take in before you can narrow your search to a manageable area.
• Do an online search for properties available on the Brunswick County MLS in the areas you are interested in. This will give you a good sense of current property values and market conditions for your target communities.• If you get this far and are ready to plan a visit to look at properties, make a list of your criteria…the more specific the better, but at minimum include desired locations, price range, property type, number of bedrooms/baths, square footage requirements, lot size, age of home desired, etc. How important are amenities and which ones, proximity to restaurants and shopping, demographics, and schools. Your questions are important and I will do my best to answer them, provide additional information, and address all concerns you might have.
• Before you come, get organized. I’ll have a folder ready for you, but bring a notebook, your camera, a measuring tape, etc. If you do find a property that might just be “the one,” you’ll want to take extra tim
e and photograph and document the details that are important to you.• Be ready to make a decision. For some, this is the most difficult part. Sleep on it yes, but if we have done our homework, and you’ve found that perfect match, don’t be afraid … this is just the beginning!
• Bring your checkbook just in case you end up making an offer. All offers require a good faith earnest money deposit at the time the offer is made. There is not a set standard but 1% is a good starting point unless there are multiple offers expected. As your buyer’s agent, I make a copy of the check to submit with the offer and hold it until the contract is negotiated. If an offer is agreed upon, the EM check is delivered to the listing firm to be held in their trust account until closing unless contingencies in the contract are not satisfied and earnest money is released. On the other hand, if the contract is not agreed upon, then your check will be returned immediately.
• The reality of making "low ball" offers. I know, I know, there are a few cases of buyers making seemingly ridiculous offers that were accepted…but for the most part, they are the exception and not the rule. If this is your mindset, and this is your goal, I am NOT your girl. Indeed, there are some sellers who refuse to lower their list price…refuse to accept the fact that their home is not worth what they paid for it or what they think it’s worth. These are the very last of the hold outs and the very last ones who would likely entertain a low ball offer. For the most part though, sellers have seen the reality of the current market and lowered their asking price to current market/appraised values. One thing I’ve learned in this market…if you price it right, it WILL sell. Sales have been steady this year across the board, for well-priced homes. So the majority of homes for sale you will be looking at have already reduced their asking price 25% or more. Many sellers are underwater. Are prices still negotiable? You betcha! But seriously if "low balling" is your mindset, you may be disappointed.
• Lastly, if you are currently in the “exploratory” mode, and are not sure if the Southport area is your
final destination, that’s OK. Disregard the above. Everyone thinking of buying a vacation,retirement, or relocation home needs to visit and explore first. If this is you, I am happy to provide you with a local packet of information and maps of the various communities so you can look on your own, at your leisure, and get a good feel for the area and the communities you may wish to be a part of.Here are a few pictures from the various communities in and around Southport. No doubt there is something for everyone looking to call Southeast North Carolina home. Please don’t hesitate to call me with your questions. I’m here to help and welcome the opportunity to help facilitate to search for a home in Southport. My phone is 910.540.0551 and email is southportsoundings@gmail.com.
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