Welcome to desirable Fairfield Harbour. This home boasts an inviting, uniquely designed floor plan built for entertaining.  Open layout eases gatherings and room to spread out. Lovely color scheme enhances the attention to detail of each room. Sun-filled Carolina room gently beckons relaxation. Home

Historic beauty awaits your exploration. Upon entering the inviting foyer the charm is evident immediately. Original hardwood flooring and ornate staircase recall the character of days gone by. Tastefully upgraded and lovingly restored, this alluring home is perfect for those seeking a small town. Walk to downtown and enjoy the friendly people and the quaint atmosphere. Wonderful, unique shops with something for everyone. Many desirable dining experiences await your exploration.

Look no further! Exceptional custom built home with all the upgrades you would expect from a property of this caliber. Conveniently located in desirable Greenbrier, featuring an award winning golf course. Luxurious living is well within reach at this price. Professionally landscaped and awaiting your exploration. Close proximity to medical facilities, shopping, dining and all New Bern has to offer.

Charming bungalow almost like new in convenient Trent Park. Freshly painted and re-vamped interior, makes this home a real bargain. Located close to shopping, dining and medical facilities in the heart of New Bern. Double garage with workshop and loads of storage for those seeking a "Man Cave!" LOOK AT THIS!!

Turn key duplex in the charming Mulberry section of River Bend. Property is in immaculate condition and sure to please the discriminate buyer. Tree-lined backyard boasts privacy and lovely setting for outdoor enjoyment. Convenient to shopping, dining and medical facilities. Progress Energy electric!

WOW!!! A truly unique private waterfront property where the "River  Bends". Situated on over 3 acres, this retreat is a private getaway constructed to enhance views of nature and the outdoors. Commanding views from almost every room, this home is meant for relaxing and entertaining on every level. Enormous Master Suite and Bath await the pampered. Multi-level decking leads to the water for easy access. Located on a cove off the main, protected Trent River, this paradise is very private. Fish off your own boat mooring while relaxing at the waters edge. The eclectic town of River Bend boasts many amenities such as; a wonderful golf course, club house, swimming pool, marina, local shops and a restaurant.

Awaiting the discriminating buyer, this property has been lovingly cared for. Located in desirable Tucker Creek, convenient to Cherry Pt. MCAS and just minutes from New Bern. This home boasts an open, inviting floor plan with room for all. Relax in the sunroom or by the fireplace on chilly nights. Enormous fenced back yard for safety of children or pets.

Beautiful, spacious home located in desirable Haywood Creek Landing. Progress Energy!! Water access via community pier leads to protected Trent River. Perfect for large gatherings and entertaining. Updates include: kitchen flooring, french doors with interior blinds and HVAC. All appliances convey!

Meticulously maintained, spacious brick home in desirable Taberna. Generous-sized rooms will highlight your large furniture pieces. First-level master suite boasts room for separate sitting area. Second story has enormous bonus room with access from upper level or garage. Versatile space off bonus for office or playroom. Taberna neighborhood boasts golf, tennis and swimming amenities as well as a community park and nature trails. Come experience the good life!

Everywhere I go the common question from EVERYONE is "Is anything selling"???

I reply "Of course it is!", where is the message getting out that it is not???  

  What we know for sure is that our homes represent our single largest investment, personal security, and a chance to create our individual life styles.  Home buyers and sellers will always continue to "up-size" due to larger families and "down-size" due to "empty nesters".  Other reasons that real estate remains a constant include job changes, finances, schools, neighborhood changes, leaving area, newlyweds, retirement, etc, the list goes on and on.

So as you can see whether it is a "buyers" market or a "sellers" market, real estate is a constant.  There are indeed times that we have more sellers than buyers (like now), but 5 years ago it was just the opposite with increasing buyer traffic causing "multiple offers" on limited inventory.  Real estate is a "cyclical business" as Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Realty, states in his book SHIFT.  What goes up must come down. And what is down won't stay there, that is the news you and I want to hear.  

You often hear your Realtor@ professional speak of the best times of the year to put your home on the market.  There is a natural build up of home inventory from January thru April, and a decline in inventory May through October.  Realtors@ for years have advised their clients "the best months" in their local areas to buy and sell their homes.  While seasonal cycles occur within a single year, economic shifts happen over several years.  Economic shifts feel unpredictable, indefinite, and overwhelming, and is most definitely a challenge.

How long will this last?  Will real estate values ever be the same as 05?  Who knows?  We simply must deal with the "market at hand" and make the best of it.  The sellers that are clinging on to the "saving my equity" mentality will find that they will stay put in their existing homes for quite some time.  The sellers who "get it" will listen to their real estate professional and take heed to their advice so they can move on with their lives.  The upside to selling in a down market is that you get the "gift" of buying at a record low price. Affordability is at a record low. So really is it a loss?  Or a trade-off of equity?

Remember the most important thing is not the "house" but the impact your necessary sale will make on your family, your health, and financial future. That is what you cannot put a price on...

Until next month,

Donna Harmatuk

Real Estate Consultant

New Bern, NC