On Tuesday, April 13th, we ask that everyone come out to ILM Airport at 7:30pm to help us greet the veterans from our area as they return from their trip to the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.

This generation sacrificed so much for all of us to be here today and we want to show them just how much we appreciate those sacrifices. There’s no greater way to say thank you to our WWII Veterans!

Join us on April 13th – All groups are welcome so please share this opportunity with your family and friends. If you’d like to donate, sponsor or go with a veteran as their trip guardian, please visit the website below:

http://www.honorflightsenc.org

This is an incredible opportunity for consumers to shop for a new home while:
 
   o   Interest rates & home prices are still low
   o   There are lots of attainable home choices
   o   Expanded Homebuyer Tax Credit is still available until April 30th

We are asking that you and your offices join this effort to reach out to consumers by holding as many Open Houses as possible on Saturday and Sunday, April 10th & 11th.  
 
Please encourage your buyers to visit and your sellers to participate. Your MLS recommends posting these Open Houses to show up on THEwilmingtonMLS.com’s Open House page. To watch a quick video tutorial on how to do this in Rapattoni, please Click Here.
 
The REALTOR® Store at your Association office will also be offering some special discounts on items you might need for these Open Houses.
 
To view these items as well as other valuable resources, key messages and tools to help you  prepare for this weekend, please go to: www.wrar.com/nationwideopenhouse

Local Public Awareness TV Campaign
 
Earlier this week, your Association launched its first pair of TV segments on Time Warner Cable’s Cape Fear NOW (channel 18) and Carolina Homes On Demand (channel 1115 for certain subscribers).
 
These segments called “Get Your Tax Credit” and “Why Rent? Just Buy!” are designed to educate consumers about the local housing market, the homebuyer tax credit, why now is the time to buy and to contact a REALTOR®.
 
This campaign kicked-off last month with two commercials that also promote REALTORS® and the extended tax credit. They are currently airing on HGTV, Food Network, Lifetime, LMN, News 14 Carolina, Oxygen, & TLC.
 
We ask that you help us track the effectiveness of these campaign efforts. Please ask your clients if they’ve seen any of these TV segments or commercials and whether or not they impacted their decision to use a REALTOR® and/or buy or sell their home. Please send these comments and any other feedback to comm@wrar.com. 
 
Thank you in advance for your enthusiasm and participation in the Open House Weekend and I look forward to great results from our Awareness Campaign.

Five Ways NAR is Helping REALTORS® Save:

Do you have coverage? If you have no coverage… these plans are guaranteed acceptance for NAR members.

• “[SASid representative] has been enthusiastic and professional every time I have spoken with her. My husband has had a pre-existing condition that made it difficult to find affordable coverage for just every-day needs. I had my questions answered repeatedly and [SASid] showed great patience. I am most appreciative with consistent communication and confident that both my husband and I have medical coverage.” – Vickie H. (Florence, KY)

Are you paying a lot for coverage? You may save on your current health plan by buying additional (supplemental) insurance.

• “I initially called inquiring on possibilities of a cheaper plan through the NAR. I was paying $1,200 per month and it just seemed like stealing when I am so healthy. With the guidance of SASid I was able to find a major medical plan that would be a good fit with a REALTORS® Core Health Insurance plan. I not only have more affordable major medical coverage now, but I also have coverage for my day-to-day needs that will save me nearly $500 a month!” – Richard G. (Celebration, FL)

Have you had difficulty obtaining coverage? Being a guaranteed acceptance program, you are already qualified for coverage with no medical tests or questions required.

• “Thank you again for all your patience, helpful commentary, great attitude, and simple explanations of such a complex issue as determining a suitable medical insurance policy. You „Made My Day‟ and ended a five-day search for health care insurance that wouldn‟t break the bank, yet would give us day-to-day coverage for normal medical issues encountered by healthy adults…” – Deberra O. (Menlo Park, CA)

Are you looking for accessible medical providers? You can go to ANY doctor or hospital and the benefits do not change.

Are You Looking for Options?

• “We are grateful to be able to provide health insurance options for NAR‟s uninsured members. What we didn‟t anticipate was the impact on the 70% of members who currently have medical coverage. Many of these members have high costs associated with their current major medical* premium‟s. We have been able to reduce these costs by supplementing their major medical* with the RCHI program. SASid is passionate about helping members explore their coverage options.” SASid (program administer) President Shannon Kennedy, Licensed Agent (Janesville, WI).

For more information, please call 877-CORE-PLAN (or 877-267-3752) or go online to:
http://www.RealtorsCoreHealthInsurance.com/AE

Get the education and credentials you need to serve the fastest growing pool of homebuyers through the North Carolina Workforce Housing Specialist (WHS) Certification program. It’s a great low-cost education program that will pay you back in new business! To learn more and sign-up for courses in Wilmington, please go to: http://www.wrar.com/workforcehousing

HURRY! Sign Up Today & SAVE $150… Enroll for the discounted price of just $449! Simply register with our discount code “DSC150” to take advantage of this deal.

WRAR Director Buddy Blake of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty says:

“I just wanted to say this is BY FAR the best money you can spend if you are involved in short sales. The systems they provide are incredible AND CDPE now owns Starpower, so they are totally cutting edge and it’s amazing they are actually doing it in little ole Wilmington. Again, the more we all understand the RIGHT way to handle this, the better we all are. Please consider investing in yourself… Short sales and distressed properties are going to be something we all have to deal with. THANKS to WRAR for creating this local opportunity!”

CDPE Live! Designation Course (Certified Distressed Property Expert)

• Date: Thursday & Friday, February 25th & 26th
• Registration: 8:30am
• Class: 9:00am to 5:30pm
• Location: Hampton Inn, 2320 S. 17th Street, Wilmington, NC

Click Here to Register or Call 1-800-482-0335.

DESIGNATED REALTORS®
John Arntsen, JWA Properties, LLC
Janiel Blackman, J Blackman Real Estate
Robert High, Robert High Properties, LLC
David Loy, David G. Loy
Kenneth Richmond, Richmond Realty & Investments
Nancy Trout, Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
Charles Ward, Shoreline Realty

NEW OFFICE
David G. Loy
J Blackman Real Estate
JWA Properties, LLC
Richmond Realty & Investments (Secondary)
Robert High Properties, LLC
Shoreline Realty

NEW REALTOR® MEMBERS
Jason Bell, Harley & Associates Commercial
Georgianne Bolinger, Prudential Laney Real Estate
Paula Campbell, Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
Steven Campbell, BlueCoast Realty Corp.
Carol Ellington, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Alice Ervin, (Secondary), Intracoastal Realty Corp.
Dustin Faithful, Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
John Femia, Wilkinson & Associates
Misty Ganey, Azalea Realty, Inc.
Steven Graham, Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
Robert High, Robert High Properties, LLC
Miriam Hunt, Coastwalk Real Estate, LLC
Nicholas Jupena, Wilkinson & Associates
Eddie Lewis Jr, Braxton Realty, LLC
Chelsea McNeil, Prudential Laney Real Estate
Harriet McNeill, Network Real Estate
Matthew Ovaitt, Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
Jessica Pirone, EXIT Coastal Connection Realty
Joanne Smith, Wrightsville Realty Group, Inc.
Terrant Smith, Barfield & Associates
Mary Stephenson, Intracoastal Realty Corp.

REINSTATEMENTS
Morris Atkins Jr, Atkins Appraisal Services
John Craig, Craig and Associates
Tambra Jackson, Realty World Carolina Shores
Brian Lewis, Autumn Hall Realty, LLC
David Motte, Wrightsville Sands Realty, Inc.
Karen Patrick, Prudential Laney Real Estate
Edward Paula, Intracoastal Realty Corp.
Tom Roper, Southeastern Real Estate Co, Inc.
Theresa S. Smith, Wilkinson & Associates

RESIGNATIONS
Rebecca Anderson, Korman & Associates
Judith Beha, Brookside Realty Group
Doris Canady, Intracoastal Realty Corp.
Kristopher Caudle, Intracoastal Realty-Rentals
Jeffrey Chase, RE/MAX Coastal Properties
Becky Filer, Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
Nancy Freiburger, Prudential Laney Real Estate
Cynthia Jacobs, Port City Properties, Inc.
Kathy Kibler, Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
Ronald Mikesh, Parker Realty Group, LLC
Holly Ogle, Ogle Sales & Marketing
Tina Pike, Network Real Estate
Thomas Shoaf, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Joan Sibbald, Premier Homes and Properties
Walter Smith, Coastal Community Specialist, LLC
Melissa Snowden, Investments By The Sea, Inc.
Susan Wiliams Prudential Laney Real Estate

TRANSFERS
Howard Bailey, Keller Williams Realty
Roger Boggs, Prudential Laney Real Estate
Robert Cunningham, Wilkinson & Associates
Jackie Dae, Prudential Laney Real Estate
Janice Devos, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Dana Gore, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Danielle Houfek, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Rene Hunter, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty
Thomas Inksetter, Wilkinson & Associates
Cynthia Jones, Wilkinson & Associates
Thomas Plaskett, Commercial Realty
Meredith Rouse, Intracoastal Realty Corp.
Lisa Sledzik, Century 21 Sweyer & Associates
Peggy Stone, Wilkinson & Associates
Charles Turner, SeaShore Realty Group
Gene Wallin, Southeastern Real Estate Co, Inc.
Susan Walker, Prudential Laney Real Estate
Bettielou Weddle, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty

TERMINATIONS (For Nonpayment of Fees) 2/1/10
Sean Layton, Prudential Laney Real Estate
Tom Roper, Southeastern Real Estate Co, Inc.

TERMINATIONS (For Failure to Resign or Transfer After 30 day Drop)
Thomas Prince, Wilkinson & Associates

*NONE for: COOPERATING KEY & DECEASED

By Christine Dugas, USA TODAY

The Wilmington, N.C., housing market ended the year on a good note, despite the region’s tough economic times. Home sales rebounded from a slow start when a boost from the first-time home buyer tax credit kicked in. The buyers who took advantage of it accounted for 34% of home sales last year, says Mary Martin, president of the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors.

Now that the tax credit has been extended and expanded to include repeat home buyers, agents hope it will keep sales moving. But beach property sales are still lagging: Loans are much stricter for vacation-home buyers and investors, Martin says.

HOUSING MARKET: Track the rise, fall and … rebound?

• Sales status. Last year, Wilmington home sales were down 16.2% compared with the previous year. But in the last quarter of the year, sales reversed. In December, sales were up 19.8% from December 2008. The improvement has raised hopes that the market has hit bottom and may be turning around, Martin says.

• Price points. The median price of houses sold was 5.6% less than a year earlier. Home foreclosures are declining. “Prices seem to be stabilizing, which is good,” Martin says.

New homes are being concentrated in the $200,000-to-$250,000 range, because those are selling, Martin says. The price range is not just desired by first-time home buyers: Older empty-nester couples are moving into such smaller homes, too.

• Local economy. The unemployment rate was 10.2% in November, slightly higher than the national rate of 10% at the time.

“We’ve been more hard hit with this downturn than any of the five that I’ve experienced as an economist,” says William Hall, professor of economics at University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

The real estate development industry in particular is suffering.

“That is more than just construction. It includes finance, insurance, real estate leasing, architects and others,” Hall says.

About three years ago, economic analysts estimated that one out of five people in southeastern North Carolina had a job related to real estate development. The numbers are closer to one in 10 now, Hall says.

• Hot ‘hoods. Wilmington is a historic port city. The downtown area has cobblestone streets, boutiques, restaurants and the Cape Fear Riverwalk. Many people love the historic charm, Martin says. And of late, more of them can afford to live downtown because condominiums have been built there.

The new buildings are not modern-looking on the outside, because the city requires them to fit in downtown. The price for a one-bedroom condo ranges from about $160,000 to $180,000, while a two-bedroom starts at about $200,000, Martin says.

(View original copy of article at: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/closetohome/2010-02-08-Wilmington-Delaware-real-estate_N.htm)