You know, since I have been a realtor, we have gone from 1 page for a  listing and 1 page for a offer to purchase...to about total pages of around 15 pages.  Don't that seem like a waste of trees. Our state of NC has just revised the forms and we are having a webinar on that today. Would love to get back to a more simplistic way of giving buyers and seller what they need. Agree??   Ginger 06/23/2009

        Listing # 634436 122 SE 58 St #110 Oak Island, NC 28465 Listing Price: $399,999   County: Brunswick See Map   Prop Type Single Family Prop Subtype(s) Condo Area Oak Island Beach Subdivision Southern Shrs Villas     Beds 3 Approx Htd SF 1401 Baths(FH) 2 (2 0)     Year Built 1986 PID 250AG00916 Lot Acres (approx)   DOM/CDOM 160/160 See Additional Pictures School District Brunswick ELEM Southport JRHI South Brunswick HIGH South Brunswick   Directions  From Oak Island Drive to left on SE 58th Street. Condos are located on the left at the curve. Unit # 110 Marketing Remark  LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!! Great oceanfront condo located on the 1st level with great views of the ocean and the pool. Remodeled 2007 including new appliances. Ceiling fans, extra large deck and close to pool... 06/21/2009

  Summer marks both the end and the beginning of a cycle. It's a perfect time to reflect on what we've accomplished so far and to plan for what we're hoping to do next. This summer, give us a call. Let's review our successes and prepare for even greater triumphs in the coming years!   I just love this picture of enjoyment on the oceanfront. Ginger of Oak Island 06/19/2009

WE have been dealing with this for a couple of years now...(thinking of 2005). WE had folks buying up lots on Oak Island for $220,000 and now their worth is only about $65,000.  I am finding it difficult to tell a buyer that they can only get $65,000 for a lot that they paid $220,000.  I think that it is almost better for them to give it back to the bank...but that is one of the reasons that we are in the position that we are in now.. Any advice? Ginger of Oak Island 06/18/2009

An article in the Wilmington Star-News, Brunswick Edition,  stated that a Manatee, also known as a Sea Cow, had strayed a bit north of their normal waters, and was lounging around in the South Harbor Marina.  This Marina fronts directly on the Intracoastal Waterway.  Our Manatee was estimated to be about 9' long, and an advisory was issued to boaters to be on the lookout for and avoid any contact with this docile Mammal.  I rode over early this morning but either the Manatee had moved on or it wasn't an early riser.   Sunday on the beach I saw a great school of dolphin and I'll keep my eyes open in search of the Manatee. 06/18/2009

110 NE 21st Street # 638709    NEW LISTING OFFERS 2 LOTS!!! $275,000       Ranch style 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located on 2 lots on NE 21st Street. Includes appliances, 2 storage buildings, generator, screen porch. Call to see this home today! House sold "As Is' and Appliances sold "As Is"    110 NE 21st Street Oak Island, NC    Property Type: Single Family Company: Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty Bedrooms: 3 Agent Name: Ginger Harper Square Feet: 1365 Agent Phone: (910) 798-1079 Baths: 2 Agent Email: gingerharper@seacoastrealty.com    Ginger HarperColdwell Banker Sea Coast RealtyDirect: 9107981079Toll Free: 8003467671Cell: 9104706713 Email me at:gingerharper@seacoastrealty.comVisit my website at:Http://www.GingerHarper.com         06/17/2009

Oak Island                                                                 Picture by Tammy Hanson                                                   "Put your footprints in the sand"Located on the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy the ocean breezes that sweep across Oak Island while golfing at one of two gold courses on the Island.  With beautiful live oaks and yaupon trees, the Island has so much to offer, you must see it for yourself.  This town is best described as a family-oriented community with 10 miles of beautiful beaches on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other.                                                                        Picutre by Jim Harper                                                 With Oak Island facing south, there is gentle surf, moderate tides and spec... 06/16/2009

Oak Island - The Town of Oak Island was formed in 1999 when the towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach consolidated. This consolidation gave it the distinction of the most populated incorporated town in Brunswick County. Although the largest Town in the County, a small town atmosphere is enjoyed by its residents. The foundation of this beach community has always been public access - consider the over 52 public beach accesses (most with parking), two public boat ramps, several areas to put in canoes and kayaks, an extensive sidewalk system for bikes and pedestrians to enjoy, recreation trails, numerous parks and playgrounds, a full service parks and recreation department, and youth friendly facilities such as the newly completed skate board park. Programs geared toward senior citizens are ... 06/16/2009

We are are listing and  selling in a coastal community of North Carolina need to set up our own blog.  I think that we can share ideas to each other that work and what does not work.  I know that if I can sell to a  buyer at our beaches and quaint towns, I should be able to refer these buyer to YOU...In your community. Let's get together on line and share ideas of what we can do to make this work. I represent the Southport Oak Island area of North Carolina..Brunswick County,   Thanks in advance, Ginger of Southport 06/15/2009

In just a few days, Summer will  be here.  In  driving to Durham on Saturday, the temps were in t he 97 degree range.  I think that is too hot for us yet.  There must be something to this global warming thing. Are you experiencing hotter temperatures than you normally see this time of the year.  I know that the garden is doing well. But we are storing rainwater to water it with.  Well water is just not the same. We are eating cucumbers and squash from the garden now. Nothing could be better. Have  a great day, Ginger Harper 06/15/2009

Construction on the Oak Island Bridge resumed.  This new entrance to Oak Island off of Highway 211 has created a scramble of annexation.  Looks like the Town of Oak Island is going to prevail.  06/14/2009

One of the biggest things that we are faced with still in our area, is the dreams of what was going on in 2004 and  2005.  That day is gone. What we have to do as a Realtor and as a professional is to educate our buyers as to TODAY'S Market.  We all sold properties in 2005 that we are having to sell for half of what they sold during the HayDAys! When I have a seller  to call me and say that they bought in 2005 and HAVE to SELL  right a way..I just cringe. Who knew?  This is a nationwide happening, not a local problem/ We have to be honest with our sellers and give them the facts.  And hopefully we will be able to relieve some of their pain.   Ginger of Southport. 06/13/2009

I am crushed..  I have worked 2 weeks on putting this deal together.  All seemed to finally be working out until this morning when my buyer emailed to me tell me that his job was in flux due to the economic situation that we all find our selves in..so This deal went south. I am OK...I know that they are strong and if they can weather the first cuts..they will be OK. Nicest folks.  I would really like to get them into this area.   Pick your self up, dust yourself off and start all over again. Ginger of Southport 06/09/2009

an informed Real Estate sales have greatly picked up in May.  With interest rates tweaking up investors and primary and second home buyers are in the market.   Proper pricing to attract these buyers is a must!  Oak Island property owners know to let us help them in their pricing, not too low, and not too high.  We also know where the best priced properties are and can guide buyers to make choice.  06/03/2009

Last weekend I bicycled on Caswell Beach Road, past the Oak Island Golf Club, to the entrance to Fort Caswell and then back to the Oak Island Lighthouse which is beside the Caswell Beach Coast Guard Station.  The lighthouse was open because it was during the standard hours on a Saturday (they will open it by appointment as well).  I sat and waited while our friends climbed the ladder like stairs up to the first level and then back down again.  After a while I wandered over to a table display of lighthouse items for sale.  The sale of these items keeps the lighthouse open, as it is now operated by a Friends of the Lighthouse group rather than the US Government.  The quality of the items was wonderful, and many of these item are going to show up on my Christmas list.  These items may be a... 06/01/2009

It is such great fun to get an offer in that you can negotiate. I feel very good about being able to do my job. It is a foreclosure and the price is right... WE will be closing in just 10 days.. Price of 599K.. Prettty good days work. ginger of Southport 05/27/2009

Thank the Good Lord for another Good day. Today I showed property to folks that I have sold to 20 years ago.  It is good to still have folks that think you did a good job for them then and I hope that I can still do good for work them now. They are choosing to move back to Oak Island after building their dream home on the banks of a river in  Tennessee.. It will  be good to have them back home.   Ginger of Oak Island 05/15/2009

  The Southport-Oak Island area has a variety of attractions for the whole family. The list below represents just some of what our area has to offer. Click on the attraction for more information.   Bald Head Island FerryBald Head Island Historic ToursBrunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic SiteCommunity Art CentersFort Fisher Civil War MuseumFranklin Square Art GalleryFrying Pan Shoals Light TowerHistoric Southport TrailIngram PlanetariumMuseum of Coastal CarolinaNC Aquarium @ Fort FisherNC Maritime Museum @ SouthportOak Island LighthouseOak Island Nature Center & Register ParkOld Baldy LighthousePrice's Creek LighthouseProgress Energy Visitor CenterSilver Coast WinerySouthport-Fort Fisher FerryUnknown TreasuresBattleship NORTH CAROLINATregembo Animal Park Old Baldy Lighthouse, Bal... 05/08/2009

I just did my first Broker Price Opinion since 1994.  It seems to be more simplified than I remembered.  The forms can be saved in WORD and them sent to the RELO folks via an email.    I would like to do more of these until the market gets stronger here on the coast.  Does anyone have any ideas on how to get hooked up with the foreclosure folks and lenders? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Take care, Ginger of Southport 04/24/2009

FYI As of April 1, appraisals on loans sold to Fannie Mae  need to include form 1004MC.  This requires the appraiser to do a thorough market analysis, and based on what they raw data says, they may be forced to label that property in a declining market.  If it is marked as such, the appraiser then is required to have at least 2 of the comps be sales completed in the last 90 days.   If you're dying for more info you can google "appraisal form 1004MC" and see Fannie Mae's statement on why this new form they're requiring is going to "enhance transparency" with appraisal reports, contrasted with numerous appraiser blogs on why the costs of appraisals will go up 50-100%, the good appraisers will leave the business, and appraisal values will start to come in unrealistically low. This is adver... 04/17/2009