Outer Banks Real Estate – Sharing the Benefits of the CMA

Comments Off

October 26, 2011

I was approached by a neighbor recently about listing her home in Southern Shores for sale. Having been focused on Marshes Light in downtown Manteo for several years, I told her I was a bit rusty in the market outside of Marshes Light, but would welcome the opportunity to prepare a CMA, or comparative market analysis. After all, this would also reveal my own home’s current worth.

Our local realtor group uses a multiple listing service by Paragon. We recently converted to the newest version and it’s been a bit of a chore learning the new technology. It does have a great CMA wizard and it allowed me to enter information about the subject property (which can later be converted it to an active listing) and gather comparable properties, both active, sold and under contract listings. Using the wizard, I was able to prepare an attractive, easy to understand presentation that gave my neighbor a clear idea of what her property is worth in today’s market.

I also learned that the real estate market is strong on the Outer Banks.  On a national level, a recent CNN Money article states that “home prices continued a winning streak in August, the fifth straight month of price gains, but remain lower on a year-over-year basis.”

This new listing caught my eye:

Southern Shores west-side, 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home sits on a large lot with pool has a newly renovated professional kitchen with stainless appliances and granite counter tops. There are lots of decks overlooking a large pool. The home was built in 1989 by Olin Finch, and will appeal to a year-round family or rental investment buyer. $419,000. MLS 72296.

Categories: Home & Garden, outer banks, Real Estate, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , ,

Enjoy the Outer Banks this Fall

Comments Off

October 21, 2011

AT THE ELIZABETHAN GARDENS

October 22 – Autumn Finale with Brent Heath
12noon-2p.m. Workshop for Adults Autumn Finale with Fall Flowering Bulbs – We’ll guide you through the process of adding interesting, new colors to your garden that will change it from a ‘waning garden’ to a colorful, end of the season gala. For more information contact nharvey@elizabethangardens.org.

October 29 – Harvest Hay Day
Fun, food and festivities; stuff a scarecrow and learn at our discovery stations. Hot cider, pumpkin pie and bonfires are sure to warm your heart. We will also crown Miss Mum and The Chrysanthemum King this year (For children 6 and under.)

October 29 – Harvest Hoedown ~ Diamonds and Denim
Evening Adult Fund Raising Event for the Elizabethan Gardens. Wear your blue jeans with your diamonds and have a good old fashion hoedown with dancing, food and seasonal harvest fun like hay rides and dancing. Enjoy the harvest moon as well as a silent and live auction. Ticket Price $50 per person. Contact nharvey@elizabethangardens.org.

AT THE AQUARIUM ON ROANOKE ISLAND

October 27 – Trick or Treat Under the Sea
Popular event! 6 – 8:30 p.m. Ghosts and strange aquatic creatures will greet children as they enjoy this “spooktacular” event. Hosting the event is Count Sharkula who always scares up lots of ghoulish fun. Crazy costume contests, creepy crafts, spine-tingling scream contests and yummy munchies are just a few of the things to howl about. Tickets are limited. (252) 473-3494 or www.ncaquariums.com.

DOWNTOWN MANTEO

November 4 – First Friday
Manteo Waterfront. 4– 8 p.m. Historic Inn Tour from 4 – 6 p.m. (tour maps at Dare County Arts Council), Live music from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Blue grass to Jazz to Classic Rock ‘n Roll), Boutiques and Restaurants open late, Enjoy family friendly activities, Famous rock climbing wall, Historical interpreters in period costumes and more.

November 4 – 29 Art, Automata and Christmas Clocks by Michael Davis
Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. (252) 475-1500 or www.roanokeisland.com.

November 4 – 30 Nancy Pederson: A Fiber Exhibit (Vault Gallery)
Dare County Arts Council. Opening Reception Friday, 6 pm – 8pm. For more information, please call (252) 473-5558; www.darearts.org.

November 5 – South Arts Film Festival – Ahead of Time
7 p.m. Indoor Theatre at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The event is sponsored by the Dare County Arts Council. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at http://darearts.org/film-media. For more information call 252-473-5558 or visit www.darearts.org.

November 12 -Outer Banks Jewelry Expo
Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Local and regional designers showcase a wide variety of their jewelry and metal work in this expo. Demonstrations included. (252) 475-1500 or www.roanokeisland.com.

RUNNING EVENTS

November 12 – Outer Banks 8K, Buccaneer 5K & Fun Run
The Outer Banks 8K is an out-and-back course which will start in Kill Devil Hills at the First Flight High School track (in front of the grandstand), continue through Nags Head Woods Maritime Forest and finish at the track. The course is partly on a dirt road and is walker-friendly.

Buccaneer 5K & Fun Run presented by Kelly Hospitality Group
An out-and-back course (part of the Outer Banks 8K course), which begins at First Flight High School (FFHS) track in Kill Devil Hills, enters and returns along Old Nags Head Woods Road, and finishes at FFHS.

November 13 – Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon
The marathon starts in Kitty Hawk, the half marathon will begin in Nags Head, near the largest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and both cross the beautiful Washington-Baum Bridge and finish on Roanoke Island.
www.obxmarathon.com or register online at http://www.active.com/marathon/to-nags-head-nc/outer-banks-marathon-half-marathon-8k-5k-and-fun-run-2011.

November 24 – Annual Outer Banks Gobbler 5K and Little Giblet Fun Run
8 a.m. Run, walk, stroll through the picturesque Village of Nags Head and enjoy views of the Roanoke Sound! Post Race Feast! Pumpkin Cheesecake to the Overall Finisher who gets bragging rights at the 2011 Outer Banks Gobbler! Presented by the Outer Banks Running Club. Register at http://www.fsseries.com/index.php?action=event&event_id=163.

FISHING

November 19 – 14th Annual Manteo Rotary Rockfish Rodeo
Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A fishing tournament sponsored by the Manteo Rotary. (252) 473-6644 or www.rockfishrodeo.com.

For more fishing information, check out http://www.outerbanksfishing.com.

Categories: Arts, Environment, Fall Weather, Fitness, Holiday Happenings, Home & Garden, outer banks, Roanoke Island, Sporting Events, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Living Shoreline Project at Marshes Light

Comments Off

October 17, 2011

About a month ago, the Town of Manteo provided a dump truck load of fossil/spent oyster shells to Marshes Light.  This past Saturday (October 15) a group of volunteers bagged the shells for placement along the marsh to help stabilize an eroding expanse of coastal marsh – one of the last of its kind in Town limits.  The bagged shells will be used much like rip rap or wood and vinyl bulkheads; however, this method utilizes natural materials.

The volunteer effort was part of an overall project aimed at creating a “living shoreline” to protect a Juncus marsh that is part of the Marshes Light Development in downtown historic Manteo.  The “living shoreline” stabilization will allow the marsh to regenerate along its eroding fringe and return valuable oyster shells to our waters.  These shells will also provide a great home to numerous marine creatures.

Thriving coastal marshes are vital to the overall health of our estuary, effectively filtering nutrients, fine sediments and toxins from overland runoff.  These critical habitats also support fisheries and protected resources by improving water quality and buffering shorelines.

It was an interesting process and hard, dirty work. We used UV resistant netting material (used and recommended in the aquaculture industry) which was stretched over a piece of PVC pipe that was about 36” long and 8” in diameter.  Wearing thick gloves, we placed the shells into the pipe with bag stretched and when full, the pipe was pulled out of the bag and the bag tied.  Each bag was estimated to weigh about 30-35 pounds!

Once the necessary permits are in place, the next step will be to load the bags onto a barge and haul them over to the marsh.  The Town also plans to install native marsh plants along the landward side of the stabilized shoreline next spring.

 This project is an on-going and volunteer collaborative effort between Marshes Light new home community, the Town of Manteo, Quible & Associates, P.C., and our many friends!  Check back in early next spring for information about volunteering for more projects along the Manteo waterfront.

I want to give special thanks to Marshes Light owners, Bob & Joan Ciardi (and friends), Jim Lambie and Jeff & Carol Nease for their hard work!

Categories: Environment, Fall Weather, Home & Garden, Land Development, marina, Marshes Light Marina, outer banks, Roanoke Island, T Shirts, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to the Coast” Fall Ride

Comments Off

October 8, 2011

There were over 850 cyclists registered for the 2011 Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” October 1 to October 8; and they arrived in Manteo yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful, sunny day for their ride from Plymouth, 80 miles inland.

Photo by Wayne Whitley

Working with Cycle NC event organizers, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, College of the Albemarle, Town of Manteo, and the Marshes Light community, we gave them a warm and exciting welcome. Shuttle service provided transportation to area hotels and restaurants. A good number of cyclists camped on COA property and walked over to Manteo on the sound-side boardwalk, a short walk to First Friday with live music, food, wine, and other festivities.

They leave Manteo on Saturday and ride to Corolla, 61 miles, along the Beach Road for the last leg of the trip.

For more information about Cycle North Carolina and future rides, click here.

Directions to downtown

Categories: Cycling, Fall Weather, Fitness, outer banks, Roanoke Island, Sporting Events, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

2nd Annual Marshes Light Marina Super Slam T-Shirts Now Available

Comments Off

October 1, 2011

Back of Shirt

  • Pocket, crew-neck style
  • Short sleeve
  • 100% cotton
  • Pink, Carolina Blue, ECU Purple, Camo, Black & White
  • Sizes Small to 2XLG
  • $20 (not including shipping)
  • Credit card accepted
  • Email lee@marsheslight.com
  • Phone 252-475-9863

    • Categories: Arts, Fall Weather, Marshes Light Marina, outer banks, Roanoke Island, Sporting Events, T Shirts, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

    Tags: , , , , , , , ,