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4 Ways to Keep Your House Pest-Free

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Many of us are heading back to our homes and many stayed and weathered the storm. Regardless, you may have some cleanup, and during that time, rodents and other pests may have found shelter in your home. This prompted this post today because we’ve talked to a lot of our neighbors that are dealing with rodents and pests in their homes seeking shelter after the hurricane. But how do we prevent these pests in the first place and what do we do once we have them?4 Ways to Keep Your House Pest-Free

Here are 4 Ways to Keep Your House Pest-Free

Keep the home clean.

Obviously, cockroaches and other pests gravitate toward dirtier homes but it doesn’t necessarily mean your home is dirty if you find a pest or two. This could mean a wayward roach, wondering mouse, or a curious rat. But, keeping your home clean is a great way to start. Keep pet food containers sealed and closed, seal off or put screens on roof vents to prevent rats and birds from making nests, and pick up any fruit that may have fallen off of fruit trees around your area. Pests will come where there is food and water and if they’re finding both of these items out in the open on your property, the more you’re going to have.

Stay on top of it.

Being a proactive homeowner can keep pests at bay. Termites are one of the most common type of past for homes in it typically enters the home by constructing mud tubes on the foundation. These termites can get into the attic, the walls, foundation, and insulation causing havoc wherever they go. Simply staying on top of these potential infestations can keep them at bay. Check for beehives underneath eaves, in the walls of your garage, or through cracks in stucco, under decks, and siding. If you see one or two aunts, there’s probably thousands more. Follow them to see where they’re going or where they’re coming from and spray around the foundation of your home at least twice a year.

Seal of the house.

Ceiling your home is one of the best ways to keep all types of pests out. This could mean blocking off common entry points, caulking gaps in stucco and around doors, window screens, and window frames and cutting off any easy entries to the home for crickets, cockroaches, ants, bees, mice, and rodents.

Get a professional opinion.

Talk to a professional pest technician to find out the best way to not only handle current problems but preventative measures that you can do at home. They will tell you what to be looking out for, red flags to be aware of, and what to do when you see a certain type of pests in or around your home.

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Are You in the Missing Middle? How the Market is Failing

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Are You in the Missing Middle? How the Market is Failing

Is the American dream downsizing? Have you noticed that there are a lot of lower income housing, smaller properties, and then these large, elaborate estates? But what’s left in the middle? Many people are noticing that when they’re moving from larger cities to suburban areas, the middle class is kind of getting forgotten about. The housing market in different Metro places around the country is very different but a lot of middle-class Americans are simply getting forgotten about.

So what do you consider the American dream? An elaborate 5000 square-foot house or a small 900 square-foot condo on the beach? It seems like the homes in the middle are getting forgotten about; those 1500 to 2500 square-foot properties between $200,000 and $400,000. We see it ourselves. Homes in this price range fly off of the market because there are more people looking for this type of property than the other two.

Larger metro markets have been catering to the more affluent real estate buyers, which results in slowing sales from too few houses that moderate-income buyers can afford. Many developers are calling this the “missing middle housing”.

This is calling attention to the need for more diverse housing choices at affordable prices in markets all over the country. People are looking for walkability, homes that are not right on top of each other, and properties that may even include duplexes, courtyard apartments, bungalows, and multiplexes.

Search all Homes 1500-2500SF | $150K-400K

According to the National Association of Home Builders, more developers are beginning to cater to buyers in the middle, which is a great start, but nowhere near where it’s currently needed. Their data shows that new houses sell for the third straight year 2018 where median square footage on a single-family house decreased from 2500 ft.² to 2300 ft.². Entry-level buyers are still looking for homes under 2000 ft.² so having some options for them, rather than the crazy “unicorn” housing that’s almost impossible to find is really where builders need to focus. Price growth has been the fastest due to lack of inventory in these markets. Younger buyers and millennial’s are trying to find entry-level housing and there’s just not a lot out there.

So what type of impact will this have for the economy as a whole?

Average new house size tends to correlate with economic figures and with smaller houses built during recessions and larger houses built during boom times, the significance of figures as an economic indicator .2 rising interest rates and a 10 year low in housing affordability. [Source]

As we all assumed, builders are now making up for lost time rather than reacting to a market that may have turned. Although this new “missing middle” means more zoning, it also means that buyers may be shying away from the term “density”. Nobody likes to live in a close-knit, dense neighborhood where you’re practically on top of the person next to you. Things like multi-family and multiplex may seem scary to people looking to buy their first home, but if more builders can focus on what starter buyers really want, they can create neighborhoods that appeal to not only first-time homebuyers but multiple return buyers year after year. Many of these housing markets cater to families even though a single person household makes of about 30% of the market.

Search all Homes 1500-2500SF | $150K-400K

Like I just said, zoning and municipal codes require a minimum lot or house sizes, so even if the builder wants to create homes that have more demand, zoning laws may prevent it. City and town management require affordable housing but they also want large lot programs, finding a balance is practically impossible. Smaller homes tend to sell for less so building them at a profit is another challenge that developers have been struggling with.

Buyers usually want the largest home they can buy. Not many people will turn away a large house if they can afford it, but the key is “affordability”. Can they actually afford these types of homes? We recommend building equity on a starter home and then moving up in the next 5 to 8 years. This seems to be one of the best options for the choices that are out there.

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Highest Priced Homes in Sunset Beach NC

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Coastal homes in Sunset Beach are fetching quite a good profit these days. Whether you planning on buying or selling, it’s important to know the market and understand who’s buying and who selling. As we start off 2018, here are the highest priced homes in Sunset Beach.

Highest Priced Homes in Sunset Beach NC

#1. 1520 North Shore Dr. – 6 bedrooms – 5 bathrooms – 3954 ft.² – $1,725,000

This beautiful waterfront coastal home is the epitome of expert living along North Carolina’s shore. It’s been professionally decorated and features 4 bedrooms with 2 flex rooms or offices and can be used as 6 bedrooms. This home comes completely furnished including lamps, light fixtures, all accessories, bed linens and exquisite matching window treatments. You literally just have to move in with your own clothes and that’s it. The home has gorgeous Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and custom tile work. Of course, it offers stunning spectacular waterfront views from the front and back covered porch.

1821 East Main St.

#2. 1821 East Main St. – 4 bedrooms – 5 bathrooms – 4001 ft.² – $1,475,000

Built in 2005, this gorgeous exceptional waterfront home is nestled in the private enclave of cul-de-sac properties in Sunset Beach. This home is custom crafted featuring luxurious coastal living in mind. There are two levels and over 100 windows featuring breathtaking panoramic views of the waterfront and surrounding areas. The master suite offers a spacious design and the gourmet kitchen boasts views of the ocean joining the upper-level dining and great rooms. The chef inspired kitchen offers granite counters, a center island, breakfast bars, stainless steel appliances, a five burner gas range, to ovens, warming drawers, icemaker and more. There’s nothing missing except for you in this fabulous home.

307 West Main St

#3. 307 West Main St. – 4 bedrooms – 4 bathrooms – 2206 ft.² – $1,250,000

Built in 1983 is a beautiful Sunset Beach home with beach access featuring ocean views, a large open living room and dining room, and a perfect kitchen for gathering and entertaining. There’s plenty of outdoor living on this home as well with large decks and a spacious yard. It’s been recently updated with new flooring and kitchen counters. There’s also new siding on the exterior. This home is unique as it is on a rental program and has established rental history, so this could be a great investment for someone looking for a coastal home.

534 Twisted Oak Lane

#4. 534 Twisted Oak Lane – 4 bedrooms – 4 bathrooms – 3266 ft.² – $1,149,000

Built in 1997 and located on the Intracoastal Waterway with a pier and boat dock, is this fabulous coastal home. It features along the dock and Boardwalk out to the waterway with a great outdoor entertainment area. The inside is cozy it offers plenty of space.

#5. 7256 Farm Loop Path Southwest – 5 bedrooms – 5 bathrooms – 3000 ft.² – $799,000

This beautiful outdoorsman’s retreat features 24 acres of remote Lakeside living at its best. The pond is well-stocked and there are dozens of hiking trails, dirt bike trails and tracks and of course breathtaking views of the lake. This eastern white pine log home offers beautiful hardwood floors throughout the main floor with vaulted two-story living room and exposed beams. There’s a gorgeous gas log rock fireplace with control thermostat and of course the spacious living of over 3000 ft.² is perfect for entertaining. The rustic, eat-in kitchen offers a large island with seating and the master bedroom offers spacious closets and a private en-suite bathroom. This is a one-of-a-kind home and you have to see it in person to appreciate everything about this fabulous property.

Give us a call or contact us below to schedule a showing on any of these homes in Sunset Beach.

Subdivisions of Carolina Shores

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Carolina Shores is a small town in Brunswick County North Carolina just north of the border of South Carolina and home to about 3000 residents. It’s considered part of the Myrtle Beach Metropolitan area and was incorporated just recently in 1999 after a split from the town of Calabash.Subdivisions of Carolina Shores

 Carolina Shores is made up of six planned communities: the Carolina Shores subdivision, the Farm at Brunswick, Calabash Lakes, Beacon Townes, the Village at Calabash, and Lighthouse Cove. The entire community borders the ocean highway on the north and Highway 179 on the south but is interlocked with Calabash.

 Here’s a rundown of some of the smaller neighborhoods and planned subdivisions of Carolina Shores.

Beacon Townes –  This is a planned townhouse community featuring 152 townhomes with common areas, community pool and over 32 acres of fields, greens and residential communities. The city of Carolina Shores handles most of the necessities including garbage and recycle, water, sewer and maintenance of green space, trails and amenity centers. This community is located in the northern section of Carolina Shores just next to the Food Lion Grocery Store, CVS pharmacy and highway. These townhomes range in price from about $120,000-$200,000.

Calabash Lakes –  This community was started in 2007 and features 103 single-family homes, 265 townhouses and 86 duplexes, all situated on about 164 acres. Residents enjoy the amenity center, clubhouse and common areas. This community is still being built out and features homes and lots between $120,000 and $300,000.

Carolina Shores Subdivision consists of numerous residential neighborhoods adjoining the golf course with single-family homes, patio homes, gated homes and villas. This also includes part of the Acreage Estates, which are 1 acre single-family lots.

 Lighthouse Cove was developed in 2005 is located on the eastern side of Carolina Shores. This residential community is home to about 180 single-family homes on over 56 acres. The community features and amenity center, clubhouse and several common areas. These homes are priced from about $150,000.

The Farm at Brunswick was developed in 2004 and is approximately 150 acres. This residential community consists of single-family homes and townhouses. When completed, it is designed for over 500 single-family homes and 280 townhomes on over 260 acres. 84 of those acres are for nature trails, common areas and green space. These homes are set at about $200,000 on up.

The Village at Calabash –  This subdivision was one of the first in the area developed around the mid-1980s and annexed by the town in 2003. This residential community consists of 520 single-family homes with a clubhouse, community center and over 170 acres of green space and major trails. These homes range from about $120,000-$400,000 depending on size, condition and location.

 For more information on the subdivisions at Carolina Shores, homes, real estate or if you’d like to tour any of the homes up close and personal please contact us at any time. We’d love to send you a customized list of homes in Carolina Shores that mean your search criteria and price.

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