July 20, 2022

Ocean Front | Luxury Homes For Sale

Just listed | Ocean Front Property

Premier New Construction Homes For Sale 

Here is the opportunity you have been waiting for! First row, oceanfront property in North Topsail Beach, NC! There is room for a crowd with 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. The bedrooms all have access to decks to enjoy the outdoor living. The living area is located on the 3rd floor with an open living room, dining room and kitchen. The views from the decks on the 3rd floor - WOW! A pantry and 1/2 bath round out the top floor. An elevator makes multi-floor living easy. Ample parking and a spacious storage room for all the beach toys on the ground level. Close to Surf City shopping, restaurants and night life. Convenient to Jacksonville and Wilmington. Would also be a fantastic beach rental property!

 

This could be your front yard! Call us today at 910-389-7407

North Topsail Beach, NC | Real Estate

 

The Eastyn Floorplan by Wellman's Construction and Lori Smith Homes - Click here to view this beautiful Ocean front property and turn your dream into a reality!  

 

July 1, 2022

Ocean Front Premier Homes For Sale

We are happy to announce that we have contracted to purchase a beautiful tract of land in Surf City, stretching from the Ocean to the Sound!!  This is a rare opportunity for a great deal; we are accepting reservations now for 6 Oceanfront and 5 Second Row Homesites!  Call today, to take advantage of this unique offering!! 910-389-7407 or 910-279-3545

Phase 1, First Row, OceanFront - we are now accepting contracts!

First Row, Oceanfront Property in Surf City, NC

Large Home For Sale - Beach Living

 

May 22, 2022

Jacksonville, NC Area Happenings

Freedom Fountain

The Freedom Fountain sits at the gateway to downtown Jacksonville, NC, which is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.  The freedom fountain was built with community donations from the city and county and honors those who have passed through Onslow county while serving their country. To learn more about this historic spot, check out the full story here - Jacksonville, NC History....

Freedom Fountain near Camp Lejeune, NC

(Photo: Visit Jacksonville, NC)

May 21, 2022

Homes on Topsail Beach, NC

Dreamed of living close to the beach on the coast of Eastern North Carolina?  Look no further than Topsail Beach!  This cute beach town is waiting for you. Take a look below at all of the great opportunities awaiting you.  Call or email me today @ Lori@LoriSmithHomes.com or I would love to take your call @ 910-389-7407.

Luxury Beach Homes for Sale | North Topsail Beach, NC

Topsail Beach, NC

 

May 12, 2022

Waterfront Homes in Oriental, NC

WaterFront Homes for Sale in Oriental, NC

Looking for a fun, friendly, small town to settle down in?  Enjoy sailing, boating and enjoying the great outdoors?  Look no further than Oriental, NC!  Oriental has a population of around 1100 people with a median home sales price of $324,000. For more information on this cute town, to get your homes value, and see what homes are on the market, GO HERE!

Sailing - Waterfront Homes For Sale

Nov. 3, 2021

Luxury townhomes vs. Single Family Homes -- Key Differences for Homeowners

 Photo by Ricarda Molck via Pixabay

 

More and more communities are creating spaces for both individual homes and multi-family townhomes. Both styles offer lots of space, comfortable living, and access to a neighborhood's amenities -- but there are some key differences that might make one style more suitable for you than another. Learning more about the differences between these styles of home can help you make the best possible decision for your family and needs. 

Luxury Townhomes vs. Single Family Homes -- What's the Difference? 

When luxury homes and townhomes are in the same neighborhood, they often have similar design styles, interiors, and access to amenities, but there are some key differences to be aware of. Consider the following when you choose your next home. 

Your family size: How much space do you need, both now and in the future? A growing family may find that a bedroom is needed for each child and that more living space is better -- or will be in the future. Singles or retirees may need a guestroom and space to entertain, but not a lot of extra bedrooms or living space, so a smaller, more compact townhome may be the best bet. 

How much maintenance will you do? Do you love to garden, enjoy caring for the yard and the exterior of your home? If so, then a single-family home will give you the space you need without being burdensome when it comes to maintenance. If you prefer to enjoy landscaping, hardscaping, and even external maintenance and features that are cared for by someone else, then a townhome is likely a better option. 

How do you feel about stairs? It may not matter now, but there may be a day in the future that a single-level home serves you better than a home with stairs. Many, but not all townhomes are multilevel, so be sure you are comfortable with steps (or have space to make accommodations later). SIngle family homes are often (but not always) on a single level, making the entire home accessible. 

Will you resell the home? If you expect to move again in a few years, then consider the resale value of the property. Your realtor is the best source of information here and can help you determine if one type of home moves more swiftly in your current location. Some markets can't keep up with demand for low-maintenance townhomes, while others have a huge demand for family homes. Knowing the preferences in your own area can help you determine how easy it will be to sell if you need to. 

Which Home is Right for You? 

Consider both your current needs and any potential future changes when you choose between these models. If you know you will have kids and want a big yard in the future, then a single-family home is likely your best bet, even if you are not expecting it right now. If you are enjoying your golden years, there may come a time that a big property and the care it needs may be too much for you -- investing in a stunning and comfortable townhome now will ensure you are comfortable later. 

Posted in Market Updates
Oct. 21, 2021

Is it time for a Digital Detox?

Posted in Marketing
Sept. 30, 2021

How to Plan Your Expenses for Your First Home

Buying your first home can be an exciting process, but with so many different expenses to account and plan for, it can also be overwhelming. Not sure where to begin with it comes to saving for your first home? There are a few expenses you won't want to overlook.

Down Payment

First, make sure you have enough money saved up for a down payment. This amount can vary depending on the sale price of the home you purchase and the type of mortgage you take out. For a conventional home loan, for example, you'll be expected to make a minimum 20% down payment. FHA loans, however, only require 3.5% down. Meanwhile, if you qualify for a VA loan or a USDA loan, you might not have to make a down payment at all.

Closing Costs

Closing costs are another notable expense that can vary based on the sale price of the home and even where you live. However, expect closing costs to account for about 2-5% of the sale price of your home. This means if you're buying a home for $150,000, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $7,500 in closing costs.

Appraisals/Inspections

Having a home appraised and inspected is par for the course for most home sales. An appraisal determines the current value of the home to make sure that you're not paying more for it than what it's worth. Meanwhile, an inspection looks for underlying issues with a home (such as a leaky roof or a short-cycling HVAC unit) that you'll want to be aware of before closing.

Appraisal and inspection costs can vary, but you should typically expect to pay between $200 and $600 for a home appraisal. Meanwhile, inspections cost an average of about $300.

Furniture and Lawn Care Equipment

Once you buy your home, you'll probably need to buy your fair share of furniture. Likewise, if you're coming from an apartment-living situation, you may also need to purchase some lawn care equipment such as a lawnmower, weed eater and other gear.

As you can see, these costs can add up quickly—so it's important to plan accordingly and make sure you've saved up enough money to purchase your first home comfortably. From there, you can close on your home with confidence.

Sept. 21, 2021

Try These Simple Backyard Oasis Ideas

Image by Narcisse Navarre from Pixabay

As the weather warms and the days become longer, many homeowners spend more time in their outdoor spaces. No matter the size, a backyard can be an escape from the stress of the work day and a relaxing place to socialize with friends and family. Creating a sense of calm and beauty in your backyard will make you want to spend more time enjoying the fresh air. Here we will go over some ideas for how to turn your backyard into an oasis in the desert of daily life.

Just Add Water

You don’t need a swimming pool in order to enjoy water in your backyard oasis. From full inground ponds to free-standing fountains, there are lots of choices for adding the soothing presence of water to your backyard. If you’re short on space, try a combination birdbath water feature. This will give you the calming sound of fresh running water as well as encourage birds to visit your oasis. The movement of the water will also help you avoid mosquitos or other pests that thrive in stagnant water.

Comfortable Seating

You want your backyard oasis to be as comfortable as possible. Investing in the right outdoor furniture will keep you coming back for more. However, investing doesn’t mean you have to spend lots of money—rather, take the time to test out furniture before you buy it. If you have the opportunity to sit in chairs, sofas or benches you’ll be able to make a much better choice. Spending the time to find the right outdoor furniture that’s comfortable rather than just good-looking means you’ll be happy to sit and stay a while when you go outside.

Plenty of Shade

Every oasis needs the cooling shade of trees or other coverage to maintain a comfortable temperature. Building a pergola is a great way to create partial shade and also provide a place for climbing plants to grow. Canvas sails are another option for creating shade in your backyard as are privacy screens and curtains. Depending on the size and layout of the space, some options will work better than others. As long as you create enough shade to escape the heat, you’ll be more comfortable and relaxed in your personal oasis even in the hot sun.

Don’t Forget the Plants

Even if you don’t have room for planting in the ground, you can still add some extra greenery to your backyard oasis with containers and planters. Surround yourself with lush and hardy outdoor plants or add color and sweet scents with your favorite flowers. You can hang individual planters from awnings or on walls, or use multi-tiered plant stands to save floorspace. Keeping container plants also means that you can take them indoors when the seasons change. That way, you won’t have to worry about your plants adjusting to cooler weather.

Creating a backyard oasis is all about creating a space to relax, recharge and enjoy nature in comfort. These are just a few ways to transform your backyard regardless of the size or layout. Adding your own personal touch will make your backyard a place you want to spend as much time as possible.

Posted in Backyard Oasis
Aug. 3, 2021

Transform Your Outdoor Space

Posted in Marketing