If you have been considering a getaway, waterfront home in eastern North Carolina, this is it!  Take a look at our new listing in Crystal Beach Estates located on Nevil Creek.  This home offers an extremely well-protected harbor that is just a couple of minutes from the wide open Pamlico River.  The home itself is WELL elevated (see photos), which means no mandatory flood insurance.  The yard and driveway are terraced and offer nice level areas adjacent to the outbuilding.  The affordability of this home makes it all the more desirable. 

The home sits on 2 lots offering 173' of shoreline and majestically overlooks Nevil Creek with breathtaking views from most rooms.  A 24’ X 16’ sunroom was added on the south side of the home and offers direct access to the 12’ X 16’ treated deck which also overlooks the creek.  What a wonderful place to sit with your morning coffee or a glass of iced tea on a warm afternoon.  The home’s living room is also adjacent to this deck and one of our photos illustrates the view from the living room.  The open area created by the kitchen and living room will be welcomed when people visit and the split bedroom floorplan will offer privacy for family or guests.  Full bathrooms are convenient to both bedrooms. 

Nevil Creek is accessed directly from the Pamlico River and open to a sizable body of water after a short distance (see photos).  The Crystal Beach Estates subdivision offers a boat ramp, a sandy beach on the Pamlico, as well as other amenities for the community adjacent to Nevil Creek.    The fishing is said to be good here at various times of the year.  The pier offered with this property has been recently rebuilt and features a nice deck at the end as well as a powered boat lift.  The yard slopes gently to the water on this lot which and greatly to the appeal of the property. 

In addition to the dock renovation, there have been other significant improvements to this home recently.  The 12’ X 16’ deck mentioned above was added along with doors to access it from the home.  The heat pump serving the main portion of the home and a split system heat pump serving the sunroom were replaced.   A block and mortar foundation was added to replace vinyl skirting.  Wooden bulkheads were added in strategic areas to allow more efficient terracing.  The roof coverings were added to the outbuilding.

You should look at this home if you are considering the purchase of this type property.  For the price of a relatively modest home in the city, you can own a little piece of paradise here on Nevil Creek!  Give me a call at 800-693-1120.  I’d love to show it to you!

Curb appeal!  Location!  Move-In Ready!  Affordable!  At first glance, it is obvious that this home has been afforded a lot of TLC and it has it all!  Take a second look and just think about how nice it looks.  The shingles are rich in color, lying flat and clearly ready for a lifetime of service.  The vinyl siding is well fitted and in good condition.  The old drafty windows have been replaced with modern, very efficient, low maintenance thermal units all around.  The new owners of this home will appreciate that the sellers restored this home to its original configuration by turning an ill-conceived “garage to living area conversion” back into a nice garage.  Take a look at the professional job of installing the new garage door and all the trim, etc.  Additionally, a new concrete driveway was poured as a bonus.  Note all the work that has been done with flowers and shrubs.  Check out the planter adjacent to the front door.  Someone has a green thumb!  Let’s take a look inside.

You’ll notice a couple of things when you enter the front door.  First, you’ll notice that this room is almost 22’ long.  Secondly, how about how bright it is, thanks to all of the aforementioned windows.  You’ll find this abundance of windows in the dining room, kitchen and front bedroom, as well.  Notice the condition of the oak hardwood flooring that fills this room and the hallway.  This is the real thing!  The wood stove insert in the fireplace can be a workhorse to help save on heating costs or just a nice flickering fire on a cool winter evening.

It’s obvious that quite a bit of work was done in the bathroom.  Actually, the same is true about the bedrooms as well.  I have followed this home for the past several months and documented its transformation.  Let’s talk about it.  Ask me to show you some photos.  The bathtub is the only original fixture from the start of this project.  It was used because it fits perfectly and you just can’t beat an old cast iron bathtub.  That truly is something that they just don’t build like they used to.  The new backsplash, toilet and pedestal sink do add a nice new flair to the room.  Don’t forget to check behind the door and take a look at the built-in cabinetry.  Notice how nice a job the tile guys did on the ceramic tile in the bathroom.  Like the rest of the house, the bedrooms received fresh paint and new carpet.  Take a deep breath and just think about how good it smells in here.  The hall closet doors are ordered and will be installed as soon as they arrive.

Check out the size of this kitchen!  Two or more cooks will not be bumping into each other in here.  You’ll find that the base cabinets are new, as is the countertop, the sink, the faucet AND the range.  The vinyl flooring is new here and in the dining room.  A convenient serving window is provided in the wall between the kitchen and dining room to help keep the family fed.  Again, everything has a fresh coat of paint.  All it needs is plates, silverware and all that other kitchen stuff!

The dining room is more than adequate, even for the holiday feast.  The door on the east side of the dining room opens to the garage.  How nice it will be to keep an auto inside in bad weather.  The door on the west side of the dining room opens to what I call “the room of the South”……the screened porch.  How nice it will be to sit out here and enjoy a cup of coffee with the morning paper or a glass of sweet tea after a hot summer day.  Also, at 10’ X 20’ this screened porch will accommodate a crowd.  Call your friends……tell ‘em to bring some rocking chairs!

The yard at this property is exceptional.  It offers enough room without having you chained to a lawn mower.  The fenced back yard offers some help with pets or children and the access from 15^th Street will come in quite handy.  The centerpiece of the back yard is a 15’3 X 18’3 workshop/storage shed which matches the home.  It’s neat that there is floored attic space and just all kinds of possibilities.

You know, I could go on about this home all day!  There are lots of other things that are so nice.  Take the heat and air conditioner system for example.  The aging platform supporting it was replaced with a HEAVY built, treated wood platform that will serve this home for years and years.  The heat and air system was also completely serviced by a prominent local HVAC service shop and was pronounced serviceable.  Unlike so many of the homes within the city limits of Washington, this home is NOT located in the AE (100 year) flood plain, which means no mandatory flood insurance.  Speaking of the city limits, this home is less than 5 minutes from ?shopping, medical, banks and virtually every other business in Washington.   A local pest control company gave the home their contract-type treatment and arrangements have been made to transfer this contract to the new owners.   

You see, the sellers want you to buy with confidence.  After everything that has been done, they will provide money at closing toward a home warranty with an acceptable offer.

Let’s talk about this home.  Give me a call at 800-693-1120.  I’d love to show it to you today!

Despite being almost 40 years ago, I still vividly remember turning off of East Main Street onto Riverview Street in Belhaven, NC and seeing "The Manor" for the first time.  With its large round columns, elegant entrance and waterfront location, this structure takes on an almost palatial air in eastern North Carolina.  For decades, it was “THE” place to be for special occasions….and not so special occasions.  The food that was served in the restaurant truly earned the designation “smorgasbord.”  You see, in addition to being plentiful and diverse, it was “comfort food” prepared the way southern families have enjoyed it for centuries.  It might not have been too good for your waistline, but you could tell immediately that it was something special.  People still speak of the wonderful casseroles and seafood (oyster, crabmeat, etc.) fritters.  It makes my mouth water just to think about it.

Belhaven, NC is a small town that just happens to be in a perfect place on the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway).  The ICW is the inshore (as opposed to running offshore) water route between the northeastern United States and Florida.  It is sort of like the I-95 of the waterways.  Belhaven, NC is a “DESTINATION,” which means that it is a natural stopping point for vessels normally traveling this waterway.  This special location, combined with the flair of a southern mansion and finger-licking good food made the marina at The River Forest Manor a natural place for weary water travelers to stop, stretch their legs and charge their batteries, so to speak.

The ground was broken for the main building in 1899 and was completed in 1904.  Italian craftsmen were hired to finish this home in grand style, with ornate carvings, imported moldings, crystal chandeliers, etc.  The property was originally used as a residence by Mr. and Mrs. John Aaron Wilkinson. In 1947, it was purchased by Axson Smith Sr. from Belhaven, who just happened to have a background in hotel management, and The River Forest Manor, as we know it today, was born.  The addition of the marina completed the business triangle (food, docking, hotel) mentioned above.  I should mention here that the hotel and restaurant can be purchased separately from the marina if you prefer not to be in the marina business (see below).  Over the years, you never knew who you might rub elbows with at the RFM.  Some of the notable guests have been Walter Cronkite, Roy Clark, James Cagney, Burl Ives, Tallulah Bankhead, Twiggy, Robert Ripley, Neil Sedaka and Harvey Firestone.

The infrastructure here was built for business.  The restaurant features the expected walk-in freezers, updated dry-fire extinguisher system, icemakers, ovens, fryers, etc.  Despite being dormant for about 3 years, the expectation is that the restaurant could be up and running in short order.  The dock is ready for up to 30 boats, and has handled vessels up to 130’.  Shore power is available up to 100 amps and the fuel dock stands by with 10,000 gallons of gasoline and 21,000 gallons of diesel.  The inn is full of beautiful antiques, which will convey with this sale.  There are a total of 10 rooms for rent, each of which has its own bathroom.  There are 6 bedrooms in the main building, 3 in a separate building and 1 over the dock house.  The bar and deck area was added to the main house in the early 1990s.  As the pictures indicate, the attention to detail and theme of the main house was carried into this addition.  The tennis court and swimming pool are also wonderful additions that are ready for business.  What a wonderful facility this would be for weddings, anniversaries, retreats, corporate meetings or training.  The possibilities are practically limitless.

As mentioned above, the hotel/restaurant/bar can be purchased separately for $800,000.00, if you prefer to purchase separately.  But keep the following in mind.  This property is well-known by countless people from Maine to Florida…..and well beyond.  When I think of this offering, I think of an often misquoted line from the movie “Field of Dreams.”  The misquoted line is “If you build it, they will come.”  This line fits this property perfectly.  The above mentioned countless people are waiting for this property to return to its glory days.  Talk about a ready market!  Let them know it’s active again.  They will come. 

Give me a call at 800-693-1120 if you have any interest.  I’d love to show it to you.

Come to see us!

From Colonial times until the early 20th century, Washington, NC was a major maritime trading center, due primarily to its proximity to the Pamlico River.  The Pamlico River runs approximately from northwest to southeast, splitting Beaufort County, while on its way to the Pamlico Sound.  One of the most prominent features of the Pamlico is Blount's Bay, a large triangular bay on the south side of the river approximately 5-6 miles east of Washington.  

The entrance to Blount's Creek can be found at the southern tip of Blount's Bay.  From its entrance, Blount's Creek meanders under the Blount's Creek Bridge, which offers a significant clearance for powerboats. Past the bridge, Blount's Creek opens into one of the most favorable bodies of water in eastern NC for water sports.  This creek is protected enough to be able to find just the right skiing condition on all but the most blustery of days.  At the same time, it is open enough for great daysails or fun on your personal watercraft.  You’ll find this area teeming with wildlife! 

As you continue into Blount’s Creek watch on your right for the peninsula that is the northern edge of Long Point Landing.  Just past this point watch on the right for Lot #7.  It is easy to recognize with the 115’ pier that has a nice “T” on its end.  Pay particular attention to the commercial-grade construction of this structure, which means that it was built with heavy pilings and features bolted stringers.  It was built to last!  This lot features 137’ of waterfront and 157’ of road frontage on Long Point Road.  You will notice how nicely it was cleared and how beautifully the terrain rolls down from Long Point Road to the creek.  Many waterfront lots dictate the placement of the homesite to one or maybe a couple of locations.  This is not the case with Lot #7, as it offers quite a few potential locations spread over the 3+ acres from which the owner can choose their homesite.

We have a current septic permit on file for a 3 BR home and are confident that this property will perc for a larger home, if desired.  The covenants, which we have on file, are considered adequate without being onerous.  Please ask for a copy to be sent via email.  Feel free to view this property anytime.  You will find that it is mowed regularly and offers a path that leads to the water’s edge.  If you access this property by land, feel free to drive down the path briefly to take a look at the pier and water views.  I would love to discuss this exceptional property with you.  Give me a call at 800-693-1120.

It is often humorous how something observed will trigger elaborate thoughts from our past.  Some time ago, my wife, Nancy, and I were driving through Washington and the PCM Skatepark caught my eye across the open grounds toward 7^th Street.  I thought about those hand-me-down skates that I inherited from my cousins, Chuck and Bill Wall and all the great times they provided.  Then I also thought that most of the kids who frequent this park would not know that skates used to have keys, nor what their use was.  We decided to drive over and take a look. 

My family has made this trip down 7^th Street countless times, while carrying our children to what was then the 7^th Street Recreation Center.  It is now aptly named the Bobby Andrews Recreation Center but I’m going to save telling you about Bobby Andrews, one of Washington’s favorite sons, for another time.

The PCM Skatepark is located adjacent to the recreation center and is a clean and very nicely landscaped facility.  A plaque is located on a granite stone in a small flower bed, which memorializes Patrick Cochran, a young man that was lost in an automobile accident on August 30, 2003.  What a positive tribute this facility is!  The design appears to offer a wide level of challenge, the concrete surface appears to be relatively smooth and user friendly.  There are rules that must be followed and this park is free for those who will do so (there is a small charge for replacement or additional decals).

On the particular day that Nancy and I visited, there were about a dozen kids utilizing the park.  One young man, who appeared to be older than the rest (maybe 13-14 years of age) was sitting on the rim of one of the less challenging bowl-shaped features.  I spoke to him, not really expecting much of a response, remembering how awkward life can be for some when entering the teenage years.  Surprisingly, he was very responsive and chatted with Nancy and me for quite some time.  I then realized that most of the younger kids were sitting around and hanging on his every word.  You see, he was in the process of teaching them how to “drop-in” to the bowl-shaped features, a move that starts them skating down the vertical sides of the bowl from a standing start.  Nancy and I were amazed.  The older young man then moved to the most advanced bowl feature and made something that would put me in traction for a month (or worse) look so easy.

Nancy and I left the park that day with a warm feeling about our visit.  What a nice facility and the wonderful role model for those kids was just icing on the cake!

Do you like pizza?  Come on, who doesn’t like pizza?  Well, good pizza, that is!  Let me tell you about a very favorite place on Main Street in Washington, NC. 

La Bella Pizzeria presents a cozy store-front just down the street from the renovated Turnage Theater.  It features a daily-special sign announcing selections that are always mouth-watering and perfectly prepared.  There is seating for a few diners in the alcove of the entrance for those days when the weather is just too pretty to go inside.  Get yourself a slice (or two if you are a big eater), maybe some garlic knots or mozzarella sticks for starters, take a seat and watch the passers-by on Main Street. 

If you prefer, go on inside, but be careful.  When you enter that door, you are going into another world.  The wonderful aromas of the Italian cuisine will consume you.  Look at the unmistakable artwork on the walls.  You can watch the staff cooking the various components on the big gas range, assembling the masterpieces and sliding the different items into and out of the big ovens.  Take a seat in one of the booths along the walls, close your eyes and imagine yourself in “The Big Apple.”  Just about that time, someone sitting near you will say, “Y’ALL” and you will come “crashing” back to Washington, NC.

My wife and I love their food so much.  I have always eaten pizzas smothered in various toppings but literally drool over the simplicity of their cheese pizza.  I could eat just the crust.

Stop by and see Marie (as well as some of the other Tomasulo and Albano family members) sometime.  Countless people miss Marie’s husband Gary, who was a genuine friend to all and the utmost champion of the Downtown Area of Washington.  Tell'em that Warren sent you. 

You will be glad you stopped by.

As I have indicated in several previous posts, the beautiful

This weekend (April 30-May 1) the Washington Harbor District Alliance is sponsoring the Washington Marine Market on Stewart Parkway.  This is the first open air market that is billed as “anything and everything nautical.”  It opened Saturday (April 30^th) at 9 AM and ran through 5 PM.  If you missed that, be there at 11 AM today (May 1^st) at 11 AM and enjoy until 4 PM.  It is free to the public and, as the billing implies, offers boats from small to large, all types of nautical gear, antique boats and engines exhibitions, etc.  For more information go to the Washington Marine Market website.

There are also seminars, demonstrations, nautical crafts, food, beverages, etc. and you might even get your picture taken with George and Martha Washington.  You never know, there might even be some pirates lurking on the waterfront. 

Come on down and enjoy the “Fun on the Pamlico!”

You see, I have known Frankie and Phil Black for many years.  Their families operate the Black Brothers Farm, which also happens to be on Black Road, just a few miles east of Washington (see map).  A number of years ago they diversified the farm, which for generations had been a typical Eastern North Carolina farm, raising tobacco, corn, soybeans, etc.  During this split from tradition, they added strawberries and some greenhouse vegetables to their crop selections and my wife and I have enjoyed watching this aspect of their family business grow.

The strawberry season is VERY dependent on weather.  Black Brothers Farm opened for the 2011 season just over a week ago and if all the stars align will run until early June (usually the month of May).  You can buy already-picked berries or you are welcome to go into the field and select each one yourself.  It is first come, first served and when they are gone…..they are gone!  You might want to call Beth at 252-945-8234 to make sure they have not run out.  If they have them, buy a few more than you need.  We find that they freeze well, prepared (chopped, sweetened, etc.) or washed andstraight to the freezer.

Stop by and check them out.  You’ll be glad you did!  Tell ‘em Warren sent you.  If you are from Alaska or somewhere that it’s just too far to come to Black Brothers Farm for strawberries, get yourself some from somewhere else.  You can always pretend they are Black Strawberries!

Mama’s “Almost Good for You” Strawberry Cake Recipe

I say that this cake is “almost good for you” because my wife, Nancy, uses artificial sweetener (Splenda®) and sugar-free pudding, which helps some with the calories.  Hey, there’s not too much we can do about the cake.

INGREDIENTS: (Adjust the amounts of the ingredients to satisfy your taste)

1 Box white cake mix
1 large container of whipped topping
1 pkg. sugar-free instant vanilla pudding
1 container of strawberries

Bake cake per pkg. directions.  Chop strawberries and sweeten to taste (if needed).  Mix in pudding.  Fold in whipped topping.  Frost.  Refrigerate prior to serving.

Note: For an added punch, stick some holes in the baked cake layers and drizzle a little of the strawberry juice into the holes.  Then add some sliced strawberries between the layers and on top.

Note2: This recipe also works very well using pineapple instead of strawberries.  As far as I know, the Black Brothers Farm does not grow pineapple.........yet.

ENJOY!!!

Kenly, North Carolina is a quaint, “Mayberry-like” town located roughly half-way between Raleigh & Greenville, North Carolina.  Being located directly on Interstate 95 and very near RDU International Airport makes Kenly a great location for people who travel by either car or airplane.  Arguably since 1983, Kenly’s greatest claim to fame is the Tobacco Farm Life Museum of North Carolina which preserves the very special heritage of eastern NC. 

We are offering 3 building lots southeast of downtown Kenly just off of Highway 222.  These lots are part of a small recorded sub-division on Crumpler Road.  They offer plenty of room with over 1 acre each (see attached photos), protective covenants, and have city water available.  These lots are being offered for $19,900 each.  While each lot is almost identical in size, the general shapes of the lots vary slightly.  Choose yours while the selection is best.  You’ll love the life-style that Kenly’s residents enjoy.

The seller is a realtor’s wife.

The latest numbers reflect that Washington Beaufort County has again led the state with a 29% year-to-date total dollar sales growth.  Regarding sale prices, Washington/Beaufort County experienced more good news, being second only to the Charlotte area's 8% price appreciation, recording 7% appreciation for our area.  See my "Real Estate Really is Local" post.

Go to http://www.ncrealtors.org/uploads/October10.pdf for detailed information on the above figures.

The interest rates continue to be at historic lows in our area.  It is still a great time to buy a home!

Come to see us!

This beautiful Colonial home is nestled in the tall, longleaf pines of eastern North Carolina adjacent to the Pamlico River.  The Pamlico Plantation subdivision is one of the best kept secrets on the Atlantic Seaboard.  First, the Washington area is blessed with a temperate climate that encourages year-round activities, such as boating, tennis, golf, etc.  Secondly, in addition to amenities, such as tennis courts, boat ramp, clubhouse and swimming pool, Pamlico Plantation was structured initially so that each property enjoys the use of a personal slip in a very nice marina for the price of the homeowner association fees.  Simply put, all of the above mentioned amenities are provided for the single family homeowners in Pamlico Plantation for about $80 per month. 

This property is the owner's custom design and was built by Patrick Tetterton Construction (completed in 2007).  The home is centered around a very open floorplan.  Hardwood is the predominate flooring on the lower level.  The kitchen is light and airy with a center island, double ovens and the expected amenities.  The adjacent great room is warm and cozy, featuring a large, switch controlled LPG fireplace.  The front hall offers passage to the half bath, the front bedroom, the stairs and a massive (8' X 52') front porch.  Tell ALL of your friends to come over and rock on this porch.  There is room for everyone, but they might need to bring a few more rocking chairs!  The master bedroom is roomy with direct access through French doors to the back deck (8' X 36').  What a wonderful place for your coffee and the newspaper on warm mornings.  The master bath features a whirlpool tub, custom tile shower and matching offset vanities (see photos).  Many buyers will appreciate the spacious home office with separate entrance, which others might use as a 5th bedroom.

This home was designed so that not only is there zoned, Trane ("It's hard to stop a Trane") HVAC equipment, but the upper level can be closed when not in use.  This can potentially result in significant energy savings, depending on one's every day needs.  The upper level of this home consists of a massive bathroom, 2 very roomy bedrooms and a unique sitting area.  The bathroom features a bathtub, shower and free-standing vanity. Note the size of this room in the provided photos.  The upstairs is centered around a very warm, inviting sitting area.  What a great place to curl up with a good book on a rainy winter afternoon.

The over-sized, detached garage also offers a roughed-in, but not finished, bonus room.  The potential for this room is practically limitless. Speaking of limitless, you'll love all of the easy-access storage areas that were built into this home.  You can never have too much storage, but this home comes closer than most.

I could go on about this home all day.  The exterior of the home is HardiePlank Lap Siding.  Go to the previous link if you are not familiar with this very durable type of siding. I've already mentioned the Trane Heating and Cooling equipment, which certainly doesn't need any introductions.  As mentioned above, this home was finished just 3 years ago.  This means that it will be years before the mechanical equipment, shingles, etc. will need replacement.  To be sure you can buy with confidence, the sellers are offering a one-year home warranty to be initiated at closing.

I hope you will take a closer look at this home.  The closer you look, the better you will like it.  For more information, feel free to give me a call at 800-693-1120. I'd like to show you this home today!

In what must have been the late 1970s, I was invited to the eastern shore of Broad Creek, near Washington, NC, to view the beginnings of a quite unique residential subdivision known as Pamlico Plantation.  Being a business owner on Broad Creek, I had heard rumblings of this development for some time and over the years have enjoyed seeing this area evolve into what I feel is one of the best kept secrets on the east coast.

Pamlico Plantation was developed by Weyerhaeuser Company on Broad Creek, which is about 6 miles east of Washington, NC. The most unique aspect of this subdivision was that it was planned around a robust, 200+ slip marina, which was to be held as common property with every residential property owner enjoying the use of an assigned boat slip.  This arrangement continues to this day, with the residents enjoying the marina, a club house, swimming pool, tennis courts and a boat ramp for a very modest HOA fee (approx. $80/month for a single family home or building lot).

Over the years, residents in our area have found North Carolina a wonderful place to live, retire or vacation.  We are blessed with 4 distinctive seasons, while avoiding the long-term, frigid cold of the north or the seemingly endless oppressive heat of the south.  Pamlico Plantation literature indicates the average summer and winter temperatures to be 78 and 45 degrees, respectively. We find that our average yearly snowfall of 1-2 inches is a real crowd pleaser.  Many people love to see a little of the white stuff, as long as there is not a shovel involved.

Our temperate climate also offers the opportunity for a comfortable daysail or boating trip on a warm afternoon in most any month of the year.  The Pamlico River offers both anchorages for short overnight trips or can be the launching point for one's worldly excursions.  Quite a few Pamlico Plantation residents have enjoyed extended boating trips while leaving their homes to the safety of this close-knit, gated community.  For more information on the Pamlico River, go to Washington....on the Pamlico.

If you are worried about the maintenance at Pamlico Plantation, fugetaboutit!!  You'll notice the freshly paved streets as you are driving in on the beautiful tree-lined entrance. Close inspection will reveal that every stringer, every riser, every brace, every deck board, every railing and every bolt has been replaced in the entire marina in the last 2 years.  That's a lot of "everys."  And the financials of Pamlico Plantation are just as solid as the concrete on the revamped launch ramp.

Probably the most impressive aspect of Pamlico Plantation lies in the hearts of the residents.  All accounts are that they genuinely enjoy each other's company and community get-togethers are the order of the day.  If you are considering moving into a recreational community and enjoy boating, you should look more closely at this rare find in eastern North Carolina.

Come to see us!

Check out the properties currently listed in PP below.

View ALL Pamlico Plantation Homes for Sale!

​View ALL Pamlico Plantation Building Lots for Sale!

Friday evening is packed so full of events that you will want to plan your schedule to be able to get it all in.  Music in the Streets (Free), Movie in the Park (Free/Featured movie is We are Marshall) and The Red Clay Ramblers (Ticketed Event at the Turnage Theater) are all included for your enjoyment.  You will not want to miss the "Parade of the Pig" at 6:30.  The "showmanship" portion of the pig cooking judging will begin Friday evening, as well.  May the best pig win!

Saturday morning jumps off to a quick start with a 5K Run. The "serious" judging of the pig and chili cooking also begins with awards presented late in the morning.  Festivities during the day include an art show (Civic Center), a Classic Car Show (Stewart Parkway), a rock climbing wall, live music during most of the day, children's story telling, a fire engine pull and more. On Saturday, the winning pigs and chili (they are all winners in my book) will be sold by various vendors in the form of sandwiches, chili bowls, etc. Also, don't forget to visit the sidewalk sales offered by the hard-working Downtown Merchants.

If you are close to Washington, why don't you come on by and have some fun.  If you are not close to Washington, you should be and I can fix that!  I'm at The Rich Company in Washington now and would just love to talk with you (or your friends or family) about your real estate needs.  Please visit our new website.  You might also want to check out our "almost famous" home search website.

Come to see us!

As the July 28th post points out, the overall market in NC has been much stronger than 2009. We experienced 4 consecutive months of double digit growth in the state, as a whole, and saw sale prices rise by a 1% average over the state. The average sale price increase in the Pitt County market was 6% at the end of June, leading the state in this category.

The almost good news is that existing home sales started to slide a little in July and continued this trend in August, when compared to each month from a year ago. Despite this little bump in the road, year to date sales data continue to be ahead of 2009.  

Speaking of year to date sales growth, the really good news is that Washington-Beaufort County led the state this month with a 61% increase in total dollar sales.  Washington-Beaufort County also showed the largest price appreciation in the state, with a 9% gain.  The average existing home sale prices increased by 3% statewide.  The Outer Banks area also showed some nice increases.

For full information on the statistics compiled by the North Carolina Association of Realtors, go to http://www.ncrealtors.org/uploads/August10.pdf .

The moral of this story is "it's an opportune time to buy property in NC!" The prices are great, the mortgage rates are at historic lows making it a win-win for buyers!

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Bill's Hot Dog Stand was opened in 1928 here in Washington. The original stand's present location is at 109 Gladden Street in Washington, NC.  A second location has been opened in the past few years at the Washington Square Mall.  A few "Bill's Connoisseurs" claim the original location's dogs to be better than the new stand (sort of a large bottle of Coke vs. small bottle of Coke thing). I must say that I have had plenty from both locations and can't discern any difference. I had the pleasure of working for a short while with one of the founder's sons a few years ago, and enjoyed his "hot dog" stories from his youth.  Does he still eat them? Absolutely, and quite a few at the time.

When you enter either of the locations (but particularly the original), the first thing that catches you attention is the ambiance!  The fact that this establishment was founded next to a feed/hardware store is inescapable.  You can almost imagine people coming to town for supplies all those years ago and enjoying a few "dogs" on the return trip home (you can't eat just one / it's a law!). The bottom line is that if you are looking for elegant seating (or seating of any kind for that matter), a diverse menu, or chit-chat, you might want to rethink a visit here.  There will almost always be a line of people waiting and don't be surprised if the person in front of you says something like, "I'll have 20 all the way, 6 with extra chili, 12 with no onions and 1 with just mustard."  My question is, "Who orders a hot dog with just mustard at Bill's?" This person in front of me probably made the mistake of saying that they were going to Bill's for lunch, at work!  While at work, any mention of going to Bill's for lunch brings numerous friends forth, all with orders in hand.

At Bill's, you get your choice of any combination of mustard, onions and chili......or double chili for the adventuresome!  All of the above are applied with wooden paddles and the ladies who work here are "professionals."  Do not attempt this at home!  The very best can toss the onions and catch them with the buns, which are steamed, soft and just right.  It is amazing just how fast the above-mentioned order of 39 dogs can be prepared (large orders can be called in/please do this if you are standing in front of me).  The mustard and onions are pretty self-explanatory, but, unquestionably, it is the cooking and the chili that magically makes it a Bill's Hot Dog.  The dogs are cooked pretty thoroughly to a shriveled state (I'm not a cook and will refrain from offering too much detail) before they are "plated." In this case "plating" means slapped in a bun with the desired condiments. The chili, which is likely quite different than what you are probably envisioning, is a SPICY, proprietary mix that so many people find almost addictive.  My son-in-law, Justin, is addicted and lives about 200 miles away.  Sometimes it takes quite a few during visits to get him fixed up again!

Please take what I am about to say in a positive light.  Bill's Hot Dog Stand enjoys an almost cult following and it's not just from the locals.  All these years of people moving into and out of Washington have created a need for shipping Bill's Hot Dogs to far away places by various methods (by friends and family/not Bill's staff). This happens so often that the ladies at Bill's suggested to me recently that they do not steam the buns for some of these "Trip Dogs."  Recently, my wife and I were having our car serviced at our dealership about an hour away and our salesman, Shawn, started looking around in our car. Acknowledging our puzzled expressions, he said, "I just figured there had to be some Bill's Hot Dogs in here somewhere!"  This was obviously a little nudge that it's time to take him a dozen or so on our next visit.

Well, I've got to go now.  After all of this, guess what I'm having for lunch?

If you know anyone moving to Washington to be nearer to Bill's Hot Dog Stand, tell them about my new state of the art home search website.

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Contact Info for Bill's Hot Dog Stand

WYCC is located on Broad Creek, which is on the Pamlico River
just east of Washington, NC. Broad Creek serves a significant portion of the marina complexes in the Beaufort County area with several boatyards, commercial marinas and one large private marina, in addition to the WYCC. Whether you visit by land or water, you will be impressed with just how well-kept, groomed and tidy everything is. The clubhouse is a beautiful, contemporary brick structure, which was well ahead of its time, when constructed. It sits conveniently between the marina and golf course.  The marina offers a good mix of both open and covered slips to accommodate power and sailing vessels alike.  The golf course is well-groomed and highly respected in this area.  I know individuals who drive past other 18-hole courses in this area for the competitive, yet less intense style of play at WYCC.  If tennis or lounging by the pool is more your cup of tea, WYCC has that covered as well. After a day of relaxation, you might want to retire to the restaurant for an excellent meal in the clubhouse dining room or stop by one of a couple of private watering holes for a cocktail.

All of the above is available for far less money than you would imagine! Click here to learn more about the features and costs of this jewel in eastern NC.  If you are thinking of moving to our area, please visit my website. I'd love to tell you more about some other eastern NC treasures.

Click here for a WYCC brochure. 

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The June 2010 data indicates that existing home sales enjoyed double-digit gains over year-ago levels for the fourth consecutive month.  The June 2010 sales were up 17% over June 2009 levels.  The prices of existing homes are showing stability, as well, with the statewide average increasing 1% to $212,598.00.

The year to date statistics were equally impressive.  Two of the areas that I happen to serve received special mention.  The Washington-Beaufort County area posted a 56% year to date sales growth increase, which was second best in North Carolina to Brevard County's 59% increase.  Greenville tied for the largest price appreciation in the state with a 6% increase.

What does all of this mean for buyers and sellers in our area?  It means that sellers can list their homes with growing confidence. Buyers can expect good inventory, as well as near historic low mortgage rates.  All but the fence sitters stand to win!  

Check out our homes for sale by clicking HERE.

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I should mention that the lighthouse is accessible only by boat.  If you do not have a boat capable of accessing this area, there are other ways to make the trip. The shortest trip is from Harkers Island, the Gateway to Cape Lookout.  Several marinas, etc. on the island operate "ferries," which are actually open outboard-powered skiffs, to carry passengers to the Cape.  It's a fun boat ride, and the captains often go out of their way to point out areas of interest.  If you are nice, they will even come back after you at your desired time later in the day.  That was a joke.  They hardly ever lose anybody!

Naturally, there are reservations to be made, tickets to be bought and some restrictions.   Click here for a full list of schedules, requirements, etc.  And by all means, DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!  Have fun!

Just this week, I was discussing some of the particulars relating to rent-to-own with Lisa Roberts, a home mortgage specialist with Wells Fargo Mortgage.  First, I should note that there are many different flavors of this type mortgage.  Our discussions related to buyers wishing to rent-to-own for a relatively short period (not 30 years), while building credit to be used as a down payment, improving their credit scores or enhancing their employment position.  Lisa pointed out that there are potentially significant requirements by lenders that should be known sooner than later, regarding the above rent-to-own scenario.  A short snippet of these requirements can be found below:

A down payment derived from a “rent with option to buy” transaction may be used only for the purchase of a primary residence and only if the original lease contained the “option to buy” clause. The present rent must have been in excess of market rents, thereby allowing the difference between market and current rents to be applied toward the down payment. The portion of the rental payment that exceeds the market rent can be applied to the down payment if there is a valid rental/purchase agreement in effect. The file must contain a photocopy of the rental/purchase agreement to verify the monthly rental and the specific terms of the lease. The original term ofthe lease must have been at least 12 months.

Five Percent Minimum
The rent credit can be used for all or part of the down payment. The purchaser does not have to make a 5 percent minimum cash down payment in order for the rental payments to be credited towards the down payment.

Verification
The market rents must be developed by an appraiser or by local rental publications. Copies of the canceled checks or money order receipts must be obtained to document the rental payments for the last 12 months.

While the above is but a tiny portion of the information needed to enter into one of these agreements, it does point out the need for more information. Whether buying or selling, my recommendation is to "measure twice and cut once" when entering into any agreement as important as purchasing a home. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions about this topic.

How can this be, you ask.  You have called an agent and possibly confided in them information that could possibly compromise your negotiations on a particular property.  After the fact, you learn that not only does this agent work for the seller, but also is obligated to make the seller aware of your confidential information.  How can this be?  To borrow from the sitcom, Seinfeld, "Oh, it can be! And, it does be!"

The "obligation" mentioned above is mandated by the "common law of agency," the roots of which originated in the Middle Ages. The hypothetical example above was exaggerated to make you aware of exactly why the NCREC requires every agent to discuss this important brochure with you VERY early in your relationship. Agency related matters dominate the complaints heard every year by the NCREC.

So, what do you need to do to ensure that you do not feel ill-used by an agent?  The short answer is understanding.  You should at least understand "seller agency," "buyer agency" and "dual agency."  Don't hesitate to ask questions about this important subject.  If you are a buyer, hire an agent to provide you "exclusive representation" as a "buyer's agent."  In 99.9% of the cases, this is a FREE service to the buyer because the agent's commission is paid by the seller.  It's a great deal for buyers here in NC. Also, here in NC, any buyer's agent must have a "written" buyer's agency agreement in place before they can write an offer to purchase for you.  Many agents also feel that it is just reasonable to reach this formal agreement early in the buyer/agent relationship.  It signifies a mutual trust in one of life's most important dealings.  Maybe that is why this principle has lasted over a thousand years!

Download "Working with Real Estate Agents" here.