Sunset Open House & Wine Tasting 

Williamsport Community in Swansboro, NC.  

Thursday, February 23rd

From 4-7pm

201 Ashley Place

Click here for more information

108 Gobblers Way

It's MOVE-IN ready and BACK on the MARKET!

Click here for more information & photos

$152,900

• MLS ® : 121951
• Bedrooms: 3
• Baths: 2
• Partial Baths: 0
• Lot Size: 0.41

The marketing company surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals to discover which DIY home improvement projects give sellers the biggest return for their buck. Here are six projects under $1,000 (amounts are estimated) that made the list.

1. Cleaning and decluttering. Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and shelves, and make the home sparkling clean.
   • $290 Cost
   • $1,990 Return
2. Brightening. Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
   • $375 Cost
   •  $1,550 Return
3. Smart staging. Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, and play soft music in the background.
   • $550 Cost
   • $2,194 Return
4. Landscaping enhancements. Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and back yards by adding bark mulch, bushes, and flowers and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared for and manicured.
   • $540 Cost
   • $1,932 return
5. Repairing electrical or plumbing. Fix leaks under the sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition. Update the home’s electrical with new wiring for modern appliances, fix any lights or outlets that don’t work, and replace old plug points with new safety fixtures.
   • $535 Cost
   • $1,505 Return
6. Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets. Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.
   • $647 Cost
   • $1,739 Return

1. Visit our website or call The Lori Smith's Hometown Team.

North Shore Country Club Homes

         114 North Shore Drive        

215 Port Side Drive

544 North Shore Drive 

 click the pictures for more information & photos

Community Information:

North Shore is nestled in the quaint fishing village of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina and is the ideal place to live the dream. Whether it’s a morning of fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway,a round of golf on a beautiful 4-star course surrounded by natural wetlands or walk on the miles of beautiful beaches at sunset, you’ll have it all in the area being called, “The Hamptons of North Carolina.” This prestigious community is situated between Wilmington, NC and Jacksonville, NC and is conveniently located within a short drive of shopping, dining and cultural centers.

check out our other New Communities at

www.lorismithhomes.com

Learning Center: African Art

  Cape Fear Museum

February 4th from 1-4pm

 Discover the African influences in Lower Cape Fear art and culture. 

Explore the geography of Africa. Uncover the origins of Low-Country basketry then make a

basket to take home. Find out how African artisans helped design local historic architecture. Create your own art

using African-influenced symmetry and design in the style of local artist Minnie Evan.

Check out all of our homes at

www.lorismithhomes.com

A buyer’s market means it’s the seller’s turn to be flexible, especially with sale terms. Purchase price, closing dates, move-in dates, storage, appliances, window treatments, points and fees may all require a little negotiation. Whatever the terms, don’t let personal feelings stand in the way of a good deal.

The basics

In a buyer’s market, curb appeal, cleanliness, overall good condition and updates are especially crucial. Any little flaw should be taken care of before the first buyer drives up.

• Attend open houses in your neighborhood to see what “sell-ready” really looks like. If you don't want to go by yourself call one of the Agents on the Lori Smith's Hometown Team.
  
• Back home, start with the exterior to ensure you’re making a good first impression. Reseed or throw down some turf on lawn patches, change the lights in the lamppost, and if necessary, reset the walkway stone.
• Clean the interior beyond your standards. Even if they are impeccable, rent an industrial carpet cleaner or hire a professional cleaning service. Brighten the interior ambience with light fixture updates, as new lighting is one of the most inexpensive and noticeable improvements you can make prior to listing.
• Fix leaky faucets and make sure the water pressure is strong in both the kitchen and bathrooms.
• If necessary, a great way to improve the appearance of your home is to paint. Use only neutral colors that can easily lend themselves to different décor and styles of furniture.

Don’t reject low offers; negotiate

• Don’t dismiss lower-than-expected offers. Instead, consider buyer incentives that help you meet your asking price. Offer to pay the buyer’s closing costs, moving costs or loan origination fee. These can help the buyer with upfront costs. As well, you may consider offering a limited home warranty that covers HVAC systems and some appliances for a definitive period of time.
• Be cautious of purchase offers that are contingent on the buyer selling their home first. Their home may be in a softer market than yours and you could be in for a long wait. Be sure that the purchase agreement includes a contingency-release clause. This way you’ll be able to sell if another buyer comes along.

If you are getting ready to put your home on the market,

The Lori Smith's Hometown Team is here for you!!

Call us at:

910-389-7407

Agents are on duty today!!

Call 910-389-7407

154 Hawks Point Road

       $182,000

• MLS ® : 128205
• Bedrooms: 3
• Baths: 2
• Partial Baths: 1
• Lot Size: 0.3

Click here for more pictures & information about this home

For more information on the HAP Program go to:

http://hap.usace.army.mil/

or call the

Lori Smith's Hometown Team!

910-389-7407

has a

New QR

Code!!

A Message from Lori

"OPEN HOUSE"

This weekend Saturday-Sunday from 12-5pm

and Monday 1-6pm.

Click here to see all of our inventory at Turkey Ridge!

January 08, 2012 12:35 PM JANNETTE PIPPIN - DAILY NEWS STAFF

There’s a bit of good news for the area real estate market heading into the New Year.

In the Eastern North Carolina Home Sales Index released in December, pending home sales had increased 2.7 percent as 2011 came to a close, with the number of pending sales reaching 1,283 at the beginning of December compared to 1,249 in November.

It was the first increase for the 15-county region after months of decreases.

Onslow and Carteret counties, which are among the 15 counties in the index, each saw increases, with Onslow seeing pending sales jump 2.8 percent over the previous month and Carteret making a 0.9-percent jump.

Pending home sales in Onslow and Carteret have remained relatively steady in recent months. Onslow pending sales have ranged from 284 to 320 over the past three months and Carteret’s numbers have stayed around 105 to 155.

While the numbers fluctuate by month and by county, pending sales are an indication that buyers are signing contracts.

Jay Shackelford, a certified general real estate appraiser who puts together market data reports for Rasberry Shackelford & Associates, said the pending sales are a key indicator of sales that will take place over the next 30 to 45 days.

“They are homes under contract. An offer has been accepted but it is not yet sold,” he explained.

As pending sales turn to final sales, area real estate agents are keeping a positive outlook for 2012.

“Homes will continue to sell, and the overall outlook is optimistic,” said Jenna Morton, president of the Jacksonville Board of Realtors.

Morton said the area continues to see an increase in new construction sales.

Over the past three years, new construction sales have increased from 1,206 in 2009 to 1,497 in 2010 and 1,585 in 2011.

Morton said there are currently about 2,400 homes for sale in the Jacksonville area with the average days on the market of active inventory being 161 days. The average days on the market for homes in 2011 was 120 days.

The average price for homes sold in 2011 was $174,678.

Onslow County’s market has fared better than others in the region, but it has still felt the impacts from the economic downturn.

“Home prices have fallen; however, our market has not seen the huge loss in values that other markets have faced. We are down about 5 to 10 percent,” she said.

Shackelford said Onslow County has been insulated to some degree from the economy because of its military presence, and while there was somewhat of a dip in sales volume over the past year, he said sales in the market have remained steady.

“Jacksonville’s market is so different from the rest of Eastern North Carolina because it is so driven by the military,” he said.

There were 2,895 single-family sales from December 2010 to November 2011, down from 3,361 the previous year; but the numbers have stayed above 3,000 since the economy has soured and traditionally peaks during the second quarter of the year.

By comparison, home sales in the Carteret County market dropped significantly several years ago and are now beginning to see a turn around.

“Carteret County is more of a tourism and second-home market,” he said.

Mark Mansfield, president of the Carteret County Association of Realtors, said they are starting to see sales numbers move up, a positive sign going into 2012.

“For four or five years we were experiencing a downward trend, and 2009-2010 was probably the bottom for us. The later part of 2010 and in 2011 we started seeing an upward trend in the numbers,” he said.

There were 903 home sales in the Carteret County market from December 2010 to November 2011, up from 834 the previous year and the highest number since December 2006 to November 2007, when 1,088 single family homes were sold.

While there are signs of improvement, Shackelford said the biggest boost to the area’s real estate market will come as the job market improves and people gain more confidence in the economy.

“When people ask me when the real estate market is going to get better, my answer is that it’s going to improve once the unemployment numbers improve and consumer confidence follows and people feel better about their jobs and the economy in general.”

Call or visit the Lori Smith's Hometown Team for your buying and selling needs in 2012!!

Home Staging

De-cluttering and having a good looking home from top to bottom are the no-brainers that can make your home look better than the house down the block. Your home must be cleaner and less cluttered than it's ever been. You need to put away the day-to-day buildup (the mail, the shoes, last season's clothes, the dog hair), but also several years' accumulation. Steam cleaning the carpets, repainting the walls, storing, selling, or giving away anything you can. Then you'll have a bare canvas you can really spruce up.

If you have any questions or need answers about Selling your home call the


Lori Smith's Hometown Team!

www.lorismithhomes.com

This charming brand new home is located within minutes of the New River Air Station, and the new Wal-Mart shopping center at Freedom Village! The spacious great room with vaulted ceilings is adjacent to the dining area and kitchen, which leads to a dedicated laundry area with a door to the large two-car garage. Tile Floors in kitchen and bathrooms! The large master suite has a spacious walk-in-closet and his and her sinks in the bathroom! The back patio is perfect for entertaining, or just sitting and enjoying your lovely backyard! Seller will pay $3000 in closing costs!

$159,900

Listing Information

• MLS ® : 124542
• Bedrooms: 3
• Baths: 2
• Partial Baths: 0
• ft²: 1330
• Lot Size: 0.5
• Garage: 2 Car

Check out our other listings at:

www.lorismithhomes.com

Have you been thinking of buying a New Home this coming New Year?

Let the Lori Smith's Hometown Team work for you!

Turkey Ridge is the place for you and your family!

Quiet country setting, great family neighborhood and NO CITY TAXES!! 

Close to shopping and convenient to New River Air Station & Camp Lejuene.

Check out our Active Listings today!

www.lorismithhomes.com

From:

The Lori Smith's Hometown Team

Lori, Robyn, Laura, Madison & Kim

Mike's Farm

presents:

The 2011 "Festival of Lights"

Come have Dinner and enjoy the Lights!

Farm, Gift Shop & Bakery

Hours:

Mon-Sat 10am-9pm

Sunday 2pm-9pm

Restaurant:

Hours:

Thursday-Friday 4pm-9pm

Saturday 2pm-9pm

After enjoying the GREAT food and the Lights,

stop by our New Community Turkey Ridge.

www.lorismithhomes.com

The Marine Toys for Tots program is accepting applications and toy donations at locations throughout Eastern North Carolina.

The program, operated by the Marine Corps Reserve, has distributed toys and Christmas gifts to needy children since 1991.

Deadline for registration is Dec. 15. Registration for the program is available at the following regional distribution agencies:

Onslow: Christmas Cheer, 1210 Hargett Street, Jacksonville NC, 28540.

Contact: Mrs. Warwick, 910-347-4646.

Onslow: Ecclesia Ministries Church, 303 E. Frank Street, Richlands NC 28574.

Contact: Luvenia C. Foster, 910-358-7418.

Jones: Jones County Partnership for Children, 115 Market Street Trenton, NC 28585.

Contact: 252-448-5272 or jcpfc@embarqmail.com.

Click out our New Communities at:

www.lorismithhomes.com

Southwest Commons is conveniently located near New River Air Stationand Camp Lejeune. Southwest Commons offers Gorgeous Craftsman Style Homes and Unique Floorplans.  Southwest Commons is a family neighborhood, great schools and convenient to the NEW Freedom Shopping Center.

Call the Lori Smith's Hometown Team for your private showing.

910-389-7407

Click on the Southwest Commons Icon for more information!