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- Realtors offer many services that will save you both time and money.
- Realtors have refined their negotiation skills to save you both time and money.
- Their market knowledge is based on a number of years' experience working on the Outer Banks. They know the area, let their knowledge work for you.
- Realtors look out for your best interest from showing to closing.
- Let the realtor do the shopping and set up the appointments. This will save you lots of time and your agent will only show you houses that meet your specific needs.
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OBX MLS stands for Outer Banks Multiple Listing Service. The OBX MLS is a database
that Outer Banks real estate agents use to manage their listings. This
listing is available on our website for you to browse, then contact one
of our agents and we'll help you find more information about that
property. We can show any property, regardless of the listing agent.
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- Supply and Demand (The supply is just about gone for lots, which makes the demand greater)
- 83% of Hatteras Island is National Park Service (which means building
is limited and you will always have most of the Island to enjoy forever) No
other part of the Outer Banks has National Park Service as Hatteras Island does.
- Traffic - just travel the By-Pass and Rte 12 on the northern beaches
of the Outer Banks and you will see why people flock toHatteras Island
- Prices on Hatteras Island are the best on the Outer Banks
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What
size house can I build on the sq. footage of my lot?
New regulations are: 10,000 sq. ft. or less, a 4 bedroom. 10,001
to 15,000 sq. ft. a 5 bedroom. the number of bedrooms increases with the
size of the lot.
Is the insurance costly?
With the federally funded program, it is very reasonable!
How many rental weeks can I expect?
Depending on location: O/F 24-28 - 1-back - 20 -24. Closer
to the ocean or sound, the more rental weeks you get.
How far back from the oceanfront can I build?
Grandfathered - 60 feet from the high vegetation line. Current rules
480 feet from the high vegetation line (newly platted lots).
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How
long do you think it will take for my house to sell?
It is a sellers
market which means houses are selling faster than they have in the last
10 years. We can show you the stats.
How should my property be priced?
What is the most you think I
can get for my house?
We can show you comparables based on properties that have recently sold
which would match your home and asking price.
When is the best time to sell?
Actually onHatteras Island, any time of the year is good due to the fact
that houses do not stay on the market very long due to the great demand
at this time for housing onHatteras Island.
Should I do anything special to prepare my property prior to listing?
First impressions are lasting ones. Make sure your property is clean and
well maintained for a faster sale at a higher price. It's not a bad
idea to paint and do minor improvements prior to listing.
How can I help my property sell?
Make your home available for showing with reasonable notice. This is a
vacation market, so many buyers might only be here for the week, or the
weekend. Make sure your agent is able to get in contact with you. Be open
to suggestions that will help your property sell, such as minor improvements
to the home. Spread the word – word of mouth is the best form of
marketing.
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Suggested
by the Outer Banks Homebuilders Association
- Ask for referrals. Call the
Outer Banks Homebuilders Association (252-449-8232) for a list of members
who do the kind of work you want done. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals.
- Make sure the contractor has
done projects similar to yours.
- Ask contractors for tentative
job schedules.They won't be able to give you an exact time they will
need to complete projects because of weather and other unforeseen circumstances,
but they can usually give you a rough estimate.
- Ask for a written estimate of
the job based on your set of plans. Make sure if you're shopping
around, compare apples to apples. Get estimates on the same set of plans.
Any additions can be listed as options.
- Choose a contractor who acts
professionally, takes the job seriously, has experience in your type of
job and comes in at a reasonable price. There are times when the lowest
bidder isn't the best deal.
- Make sure you have a signed
contract including job specifications, lists of materials including brand
names requested, final cost estimates, a payment schedule, a change-order
clause and estimated start and completion dates.
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If you are buying a second home with the hopes of reaping the
rewards of the strong rental market on the Outer Banks, then
you will need a Property Management Company. What we do,
is manage the rentals in your home from getting the renters
interested in the home, to booking them, getting the signed
lease to checking them in and out. We provide services to
you such as house cleaning and maintenance. These services
are especially valuable to the out-of-area owners. But who
do you trust with your investment? To see what type of Property
Management services Surf or Sound Realty offers, click
here or request a Property Management Package here.
Here are some tips to finding the right Property Management Company:
- Look for a company that will provide personal service to their homeowners. Will they treat you with respect and professionalism? Do you find them trustworthy?
- What kind of image does the company project? Would you rent a home from them? Are you happy with their marketing materials? Don't forget, that is how your home will be marketed. (this includes a rental catalog, website and advertising, and sometimes more)
- Ask about maintenance plans. What are the rates for a maintenance visit? Do they up charge invoices from outside vendors? Do they offer winterization service? Will they close up your house in preparation for a hurricane? Will they follow up on repairs you request done on the home?
- Ask about their house keeping program. Do they have quality standards that their cleaners are expected to reach or exceed? Do they make an attempt to have the same cleaner clean your house each week?
- What is their rental record for the past few years? Ask them how comparable houses to yours have been renting through their program.
- Ask for a rental projection which will include a commission rate, seasonal rate recommendations and number of projected weeks the home should rent.
- Property Managers usually have a good idea of what rate your home will rent at. Be careful not to list your rate much higher than the recommended rates. Don't forget, that manager is recommending that rate to other homeowners in their program with similar homes to yours.
Should I try to manage the rentals of the home myself?
There are restrictions put in place by the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act
that you would need to be aware of. Among other things, you must provide a written
lease for every rental, and you will need to open a trust account. You will be
trying to advertise your home with competition from the other rental agencies
of the Outer Banks. It is a highly competitive market to capture potential renters.
Then there's cleaning and maintenance of the home. It's a lot of work and liability
to take on yourself. Do you have the time or money for that level of investment?
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Provided by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
www.ncrec.state.nc.us/consumers/coastal.asp
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Provided by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
www.ncrec.state.nc.us/consumers/inspections.asp
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Provided by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
www.ncrec.state.nc.us/consumers/EarnestMoney.asp
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