REALTOR’S Help Habitat~Onslow County NC

Onslow County has struggled to have a successful Habitat for Humanity chapter for quite some time.  Currently Onslow County is paired up with Carteret County and the Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity is working to improve our success. We have currently got 3 lots to build homes on, one of which is located at 272 Ford Street in Downtown Jacksonville NC.  It kicked off with a Woman’s Build Day on the 30th of April, then we had a general build day on the 4th of June, where we built the crawl space, putting in all the floor joists and blocking.  Saturday June 18th was our first REALTOR Build Day for this Habitat home.  We put up the sheathing for the first floor of the home.  Work on the second floor is progressing.

I really enjoy working for a company that contributes to Habitat for Humanity every year with a large donation presented at our Annual Convention.  Along with sponsoring several builds in the US and Canada every year.  As a corporation EXIT collects $5.00 from every single transaction, those funds are pooled to make our donation.  Habitat for Humanity is an awesome organization and I look forward to helping with many more builds.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty,
910-330-6103 (Cell)

Short Sales, Not Quick Sales~Onslow County NC

Being a REALTOR in Jacksonville NC can be challenging. What we are experiencing right now is a lot of potential buyers that need to get their financial life in order, so that they can qualify to purchase a home. Once that happens though and a buyer has been pre-qualified to purchase a home then the active search begins.

There are lots of Foreclosed homes on the market ranging from VA Repo’s to Bank Repo’s and then there are the short sales. Short sale homes are properties that will need the banks approval (the current mortgage holder) for a potential sale and the “owner of record” in most cases has to sign the offer to purchase. That means any offer that is made on a short sale property could take a few days for an answer of acceptance or rejection. A short sale is almost certainly NOT going to be a quick sale. And there is a pretty high probability that it will be sold “as is”. No repairs to be made, so when you have a home inspection and find something major that should be fixed, the bank is already looking at losing money and the “owner of record” will be getting nothing from the sale you may be out that money for the home inspection. So, please ask questions when you are out there looking for “a deal” it might not be quite what you are hoping for.  You need to remember that short sales are basically controlled by the bank that currently holds the mortgage, they already know they are going to lose money, they just need to determine how much of a loss they are willing to accept.  While it may be listed with a REALTOR, and the “owner of record” may be cooperating the bank has the final say, regardless of what the other parties may say.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station,
Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)

Full Disclosure is Key~Onslow County NC

As a licensed North Carolina Realtor, doing business in Onslow County, I believe in complete disclosure of fees involved in a transaction.  There are Home Warranty companies that will pay a fee to an agent for selling a home warranty.  There are some mortgage companies that will also pay a real estate company a fee for closing on a home with a client that was referred to them.  I have no problem with people getting these incentives as long as the parties involved in the transaction are informed.  That is where the problem lies.  Some people don’t think you as a client in the transaction need to know if the agent is getting a little something extra from one of the vendors that is also in the transaction.  Any fees that an agent collects, as a result of selling something or sending a client to a vendor, are supposed to be disclosed. 

Some clients don’t care if an agent is getting a little something extra, but some may care.  It could change who you get your Home Warranty from, or your Mortgage, Home Inspection, Insurance, etc.  But shouldn’t you make an informed decision?  Don’t you have the right to know that the agent is urging you to use a particular vendor because they will get a little extra something when you close on your home?  Be informed so you can make informed decisions.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)

Where to Hang your License?~Onslow County NC

Choosing the right company to hang your license with is probably one of the biggest decisions in your career.  Do you choose a company that claims to provide lots of training and only 50% commission, plus your franchise fee, plus your desk fee, cost of copies, MLS fees and the list goes on.  How much of that 50% do you actually get to see???  I know it’s easy to go to a company that will “pay everything for you up front” and you just pay it back as you have transactions close, what if you have trouble getting that to happen?  What if you can never get your Broker In Charge to give you a few minutes of their time when you have some questions?  Do you need to pay a fellow agent a portion of your deal if they help you?  What if you started your Real Estate career in January and it was a slow start for you, you don’t get your first closing until April.  How much of that first check are you actually going to see if you have been building up that amount of money you owe the company?

The sad truth is that there are many licensed Real Estate persons out there that are just learning as they go.  Who ultimately pays for their training or lack there of?  Their clients and them.  Especially if you don’t have the support of the Broker In Charge or are shadowing a more experienced agent.  I believe that if you find the right office you can flourish in the Real Estate industry, but you need the right environment for that.  Bigger is not always better.  Some of the smaller companies have a wealth of knowledge and are usually a more cohesive unit, meaning that you have several people that are willing to offer advise, support and guidance.  I have chosen to follow the path less traveled and believe that is the right choice for me.  I don’t like to be in an environment that I can’t trust the people around me.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)

You Passed the Test, Now What???~Onslow County NC

Of course everyone that is trying to get started in the Real Estate field, I would think, would like to present themselves as competent and professional.  I have found that sometimes it is merely “window dressing” or “a show”.  When you get right down to it some people just don’t have a clue what they are doing.  They have taken the required amount of class room hours, passed that class test and then managed to pass the state exam.  Then what?  Do they automatically know how to sell a house?  Work with buyers?  Find qualified service providers, i.e. Mortgage Brokers, Home Inspectors, Attorney’s or Title Companies, etc.. 

While it may seem as simple as googling what you are looking for it is really not that easy.  I have had dealings with some providers because my clients really thought that they were getting a deal and those transactions have rarely, if ever closed on time.  My clients get stressed and aggravated with the process and really wonder if this is what it’s like to buy a home then they will not do it again.

Newly licensed persons need to keep learning, building relationships, keeping themselves informed on the ever-changing real estate industry.  Real Estate is always evolving and if you don’t evolve with it you will be left in the proverbial dust.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)

Proud American Town~Jacksonville NC

As a resident of Jacksonville NC for the last 19 years and the wife of a career United States Marine, I am a Proud American that is glad that I live in the United States of America.  Jacksonville NC is the home of Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and New River Marine Corps Air Station, to say that we are a Proud American community is an under statement.  We are home to the Beirut Memorial, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial (they just held there opening ceremony June 15th), we are the future home of  The Museum of the Marine.  While the area has long been thought of as “not the greatest duty assignment” it’s come a long way to be an area that is good for raising our families.   Jacksonville NC  has become home to many retired Military as well.

The 4th of July is much more then a long weekend.  It’s a wonderful time to express our Patriotism.  It’s a time to remember all the people that have fought for our freedom, to be greatful for the sacrifices that have been made so that we can have all that we have.  It’s a time to enjoy being with your family and friends.  There are family activities all around Onslow County and lots of fireworks displays.  Camp Lejeune always puts on quite a show, there is a day full of activities for all the military in the area.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)

Onslow County NC REALTORS Should Dress for Success

As a REALTOR in Jacksonville NC I believe that if you want to be a successful REALTOR you should dress the part.  After all you are telling potential clients a lot with how you present yourself.  If you show up at a listing appointment looking like you are going to the beach, you probably are not going to impress anyone.  If anything you will show those potential clients the type of person that they don’t want to work with.

While REALTORs are “Independent Contractors”, able to have a very flexible schedule, which I believe is the downfall of many aspiring REALTOR’s.  You are in business for yourself.  So, act like it’s a real job, not a hobby.  There are many new REALTOR’s that just can’t seem to handle the fact that they have almost complete freedom to come and go as they please.  Most of us are creatures of habit, if we don’t have structure we waste a lot of time.

When I was starting out in the Real Estate business my Broker in Charge frowned on you wearing jeans ever!  Casual Friday?  Absolutely not!!  Dress well….. like you have a clue about what you are doing and that you are definitely worth the commission you earn.  I am not saying that you have to wear a suit every day, but you need to make an effort to dress professionally.  You never know when you could be meeting your next client.

That being said, if you are showing raw land and know you will be walking through high grass, or wooded lots, a skirt & heels or 3 piece suit is equally inappropriate.  So, dress for what you know you will be doing.  If you are just planning on being at the office to do some paperwork, during business hours, don’t come to the office in sweats, looking like you just rolled out of bed.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)

Local Mortgage Lenders~Onslow County NC

In the Jacksonville NC, Onslow County housing market we are pretty unique. Being home of Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and New River Marine Corps Air Station the majority of our buyers are VA. Please do not think for one minute that any successful local mortgage broker is not well versed in doing a VA loan for our many veterans and active duty military personel. Some of these on-line based companies try to make is sound like a “special” loan that they are uniquely qualifed to process. It has been my experience that, that is not true. Most of the time these people are learning as they go and can end up making the process more stressful then it needs to be. So, if you are coming to the Jacksonville NC area and want to purchase a home, contact lenders that are here. Ask friends that are here who they would recommend or ask your REALTOR for some mortgage lenders that they work with. Someone that you or your REALTOR can get in front of if you need to. Some of these on-line companies are next to impossible to get on the phone and can take their sweet time in calling you back, if at all.

The same goes for some of these nationally known companies. Just because you get with one of those companies does not mean you will get to work with one of the local mortgage brokers, since they are commission based, national companies will not “refer” you to a local person. Instead of calling that 800 number to the huge building in who knows where, get the local number for the nationally known company here in Onslow County. The person should be responsive, pleasant and knowledgeable. If they talk to you in mortgage speak ask them to explain it in laymans terms, if they can’t do that then keep looking until you find the right person to work with. The mortgage person that you choose should never make you feel like you are not smart or are bothering them. This is one of the biggest purchases you will make, and you should be well informed, not confused or afraid to ask a question.

We have several very good mortgage people here in Jacksonville NC. I would be glad to recommend a few that I work with on a regular basis with good results.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)

Onslow County NC~Septic Permits

Septic permits in Onslow County, NC can be confusing, there are several different types of septic systems with varing degrees of care needed.  Some of the more complicated systems will require regular inspections by the county and you will need to have a contract with an “operator” to maintain the system.  Those extreme systems are not the norm.  But as we continue to develop land and build homes where we would not have in the past, this is happening more often.

  Also, older homes that had their current system fail and a new system is required, can lead to a higher maintainence septic system.  So, if you are looking to purchase a home on a septic system, ask questions, speak to the Environmental Health Department in the county to see what kind of system you are getting.  The septic system also determines how many bedrooms you have.  If you have a home with what you think are 4 or more bedrooms and you are on a septic system, you need to check with the Health Department, if you have a septic permit for a 3 bedroom home, that is what you have with a bonus room or two.  Check with the county you plan on living in for their guidelines, rules & regulations.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)

Jacksonville NC Realtor, Ellen Hough, Never Stops Learning

As a licensed REALTOR in North Carolina the training never really stops. The market is ever changing and evolving. So, in order to keep current with the ever changing Real Estate world there is always some training going on. There are classes on Insurance, Home Warranties, Septic Systems, Home Inspections, Short Sales and so on. I believe in education and staying current on what is going on in the market. My job as a REALTOR is to keep informed so that I can advise my clients on their Real Estate concerns & needs. I am active with the Jacksonville Board of REALTORS serving as a Treasurer and then as the Secretary, currently I am serving on a couple committees and always try to take advantage of the classes that our Board sponsors. I also take advantage of most of the training sponsored by EXIT, they are a very pro-active company that knows their success or failure is tied to the training afforded to their Broker/Owners and Agents. So, when looking for an agent, bear in mind that they are required to have 8 hours of Continuing Education every year, but the better agents will have put in far more then that, in order to keep their edge in the market.

If searching for homes in the CampLejeune, New River Air Station, Jacksonville, Onslow County area please click here to search all active listings.

Ellen Hough, Jacksonville NC Real Estate , specializing in First time home buyers and sellers. Working with EXIT Independence Realty, 910-330-6103 (Cell)