Onslow County NC Homes Talk

On January 31 in honor of Black History month a one man play "A Game Apart" featuring the life of Jackie Robinson, famous baseball player, will be performed at Swansboro Middle School at 10 AM and at the Main Library in Jacksonville at 2 PM.  This date would have been Jackie Robinson's 91st birthday.

Mike Wiley, a 10 year veteran of tv, film and theatre  lives in Apex, North Carolina.  He performs seven  black history focused plays in an effort to share lessons of courage and leadership from heroic African American athletes.

The plays are FREE and open to the public.

For more information contact the Onslow County Library 910-455-7350 or visit their website.

Keep abreast of Onslow County NC events and information by following my blog.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

Thoughts determine beliefs, beliefs determine actions, actions determine destiny.  

I'm sure that's not original but I'm not sure exactly where I heard it or to whom it should be accredited-  I Googled it and did not find the quote so I'm probably paraphrasing.

With that out of the way, let me expound a little.  As a real estate agent, of course I am applying this quote to agents and their role as such.

First let me say, I do not believe you can just think something and it will magically happen--I believe to accomplish a task or goal requires work.  But first you must formulate the thought--so what will you thought (s) be?  

• "I will be more successful in 2009"
• "I will blog more this year"
• "I will take advantage of educational opportunities"
  

Even if deep inside you do truly do not believe that you will be more successful, etc.;  you still must think "your thought" over and over again until it is an automatic thought.  At first you may need to include it in your daily routine--write it in your daily planner to do at 8AM, noon and again at 4PM.  In other words, make it a habit!

Thinking "your thought"  will  soon generate a plan  in your mind.  Having a plan will  lead you to believe in "your thought (s)".  Now that you have a plan and believe in  your "thoughts and plan", the work begins.  Remember just thinking and believing does not bring results, it takes action or "work".

 But you know what I've learned?  If you have progressed through the steps and have arrived with a plan that you believe in, the work does not seem like work--it seems more like a journey.  A journey that takes you a little further each day to your destiny--whatever that may be

Rita Mae Brown said "Creativity comes from trust.  Trust your instincts and never hope more than you work".

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

Last week we looked at the Swansboro/Hubert Housing market in Onslow County, North Carolina and   discussed how it was fairing in the current real estate market.

This week, we are moving down the road to Richlands, a small, friendly town and outlying rural area which has been one of the more active residential areas in Onslow County in the past year.  Military families relocating to Camp LeJeune have found this area very affordable and convenient. 

Richlands, NC home prices have held pretty steady and sales have been relatively good.... but as in other areas, the number of days on the market has seen a dramatic increase.  Compared to many residential markets,  the Onslow County NC real estate market has remained for the most part, stable.

 Sellers who list their home in Richlands, N C  with an experienced, local and knowledgeable agent will have the peace of mind knowing that agent understands the local market and will help them price their home to sell in the current market.

Richlands, North Carolina Residential Housing Report 2007 and 2008

Now let's look at the 4th Quarter of 2008 - Richlands, North Carolina

For more information on real estate in Richlands North Carolina or any area of Onslow County NC, please contact me.  I would consider it an honor to assist you with your Onslow County real estate needs.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

I know some of you think I've lost my mind but snow is exciting here--it is a rarity!  This is the first measurable snow we've had in 5 years.

We loved watching it fall and blanket all the trees, bushes and grass making our yards a winter wonderland here in Hubert N C.  We only got a couple of inches but in the South, that's enough to stop EVERYTHING and cause us to sit by the window and watch it fall.

W

By the end of the week, our temperatures will be back in the 60s so we'll enjoy the beautiful snow while it lasts, who knows when we'll see it again in Onslow County North Carolina.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

My 4 year old totally floored me yesterday.   She said "Mommy, do you know why we don't have school (play school) tomorrow?"  To which I replied "tell me". 

She said "because Martin King had a dream and they made Rosa Parks sit in the back of the bus because she had dark skin--now she doesn't have to anymore".

You could have knocked me over with a feather!  After talking with her, I realized...she got it! 

• She really did understand that the reason Rosa had to sit in the back of the bus was because of her dark skin.
  
  
• She really did understand that it was not right or fair. 
  
  
• She really did understand that Martin King (as she called him--- she missed the Luther) was the man who helped change that.

I learned an important lesson from my 4 year old yesterday-----never miss the opportunity to teach, almost everything can be put on a level that anyone can understand.

I believe this lesson is one that agents need to learn and understand.  It is our responsibility and duty to educate our clients.  If we work hard enough at it, we can explain the home buying process in a language that our clients will understand. 

Different people comprehend and process information in different ways.  I believe it is my duty and responsibility to find the right way and words to make sure that my clients understand everything I asked them to sign! 

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

You have heard it said time and time again but it can never be said too many times or in too many ways "Real estate is local".  In other words what you hear from the news media about the housing market may not be true for your area.  

What is true for one state, county, town or community may or may not apply to its neighbor.  That is why it is so very important that when you are ready to buy or sell real estate that you work with an experienced, local agent who knows your area.

Onslow County North Carolina is comprised of several small towns and each is unique and home prices reflect that.

Today I am concentrating on the Swansboro/Hubert area  and providing you with the market statistics for that area.  Let's take a look at how  2008 Hubert/Swansboro homes sales compared with 2007 home sales.

Now let's look at the 4th Quarter of 2008

As you can see from these statistics (from the Onslow County, NC MLS)  Swansboro/Hubert real estate is holding its own pretty well.  Houses are taking longer to sell but they are selling.

 It all comes down to understanding the local market and pricing a property right from the very beginning and to do that you need a local, experienced and knowledgable agent.

  Remember the current market price of your Onslow County N C home has nothing to do with

• How much you owe on the mortgage
• How much you paid for the house
• How much it appraised for last year
  
• What you have spent on repairs and/or improvements
• What the county shows as the tax value
  
• How much you think you should "make on it"

 It is the price determined by comparable sales in the vicinity.  

For more information and assistance with buying or selling a home in Swansboro or Hubert N C, contact me..... I can help you price your Swansboro or Hubert NC home to sell.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

If you are active military and have thought about continuing your education, the opportunity to do so as an active serviceman or woman is incredible indeed.  The U.S Armed Forces offer several programs to assist members with their education.  

Perhaps the most popular program is known as TA (Armed Forces Tuition Assistance). It is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress has granted each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members.  

Each branch of the Armed Forces has its own guidelines. 

 A brief overview of the requirements for Marines

Who is Eligible?

• Active Duty Only

What is Covered?

Amount Covered?

100 % Tuition Not to exceed

• $250 per Semester Credit Hour
• $166 per Quarter Credit Hour    
• $4500 per Fiscal Year

TA (Tuition Assistance) is not a loan and is viewed as money earned, the same as base pay.

I work with military families stationed at Camp LeJeune Marine Base, New River Air Station and The Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.  I would consider it an honor to assist you in buying a home in Onslow County N C.   

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

There is one thing I think we all can agree on---times are tough and money is tight for most people.

We all are trying to stretch our our dollars and get the most for them.  If you are a military family, I have a resource for you that can help you save money on everything from cars, groceries, travel, toys and more.

Over 700 companies offer discounts to military personnel as a way of saying "Thank you for your service to our country".   Some of these discounts are available only online and others are availabe "in the store" or by a printed coupon.  

If you are military,  I urge you to click on the link and take advantage of the discounts these merchants are offering you.  If you are not military, I urge you to click on the link and see who is supporting our troops and support these merchants!

I work with military families stationed at or relocating to Camp LeJuene Marine Base, New River Air Station and Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville North Carolina.   It would be my honor to help you find a home in Onslow County North Carolina.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina

Business Week Magazine recently named Jacksonville  in Onslow County as the best city in North Carolina to raise kids.

To qualify for the distinction

• Towns must have at least 50,000 residents 

• Median family income must be between $40,000 and $100,000

Criteria used in determining the decision include

• School performance and safety
• Number of schools
  
• Household expenditures
  
• Crime rates
  
• Air quality
  
• Job growth
  
• Family income
  
• Museums
  
• Parks
  
• Theaters
  
• Other amenities
  
• Diversity

However the factor which carries the most weight is School performance and safety.

Jacksonville, North Carolina is and has been recognized as one of the most diverse communities in the United States as a result of the wide variety of cultural, racial and ethnic people in the area.

If you are relocating to Camp LeJeune Marine Base, New River Air Station, Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune, Jacksonville, Hubert, Swansboro, Richlands or any other area of Onslow County, N C; you will want to check out  my relocation package which will provide you with information on schools, child care, entertainment/recreation and much more.

I hope you find this information helpful and please know I am here to assist you with your relocation to Onslow County, North Carolina in any way I can.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military Families locate a home in Onslow County when relocating to Camp Lejeune North Carolina

 Area expert for homes in Hubert North Carolina