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Summer Concerts on The OBX
Summer concerts on the OBX, what could be better?
Add an incredible venue like the Roanoke Island Festival Park for the perfect summer night! That’s exactly what promoters VusicOBX Festivals are doing. The VusicOBX festivals have a family-friendly vibe, with children welcome in a safe and fun environment. In addition to incredible musicians taking the stage, local artists and food vendors are set up in the Vusic Village at the festival as well. Make plans to attend one of these great upcoming concerts on the OBX!
Who’s Playing VusicOBX in 2024?
Sunday, June 30
Michael Franti & Spearhead with Niko Moon & Bombargo
Saturday, July 13
ZOSO The Ultimate Led Zepplin Experience with Funkamungus
Saturday, July 20
OBX Is For Lovers Festival: Motion City Soundtrack, Hawthorne Heights, Less Than Jake, Thursday, Armor for Sleep, This Wild Life
Saturday, July 27
Iriation & Pepper
Friday, August 9
311 with Awolnation & Neon Trees
Thursday, August 29
Sublime with Rome, The Farewell Tour
Saturday, September 7
Jamey Johnson with Whitey Morgan & The 78s
Summer Concerts on the Outer Banks-Buy Tickets
Tickets are available online at vusicobx.com.
All show details and FAQs area available on the website.
Mother’s Day 2024
It’s their special day-let’s celebrate! If you are looking for the perfect place for Sunday Mother’s Day brunch, we have compiled a list of local restaurants who offer a delicious Sunday brunch.
Outer Banks Restaurants offering Sunday Brunch on Mother’s Day
(some may require reservations)
Duck:
The Blue Point
Red Sky Cafe
Kitty Hawk-Kill Devil Hills:
Pony and the Boat
Salt Box Cafe
Sandtrap Tavern
Nags Head:
Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe
Nags Head Cafe
Owens
Mulligans
Happy Mother’s Day from Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty!
Outer Banks Real Estate Q1 Results
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is proud to be leading the Outer Banks real estate market for the first quarter of 2024!*
Q1 2024 Ranking by volume:
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty | $66,713,402
Q1 2024 Ranking by units sold:
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty | 106
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty also continues the tenth year as the #1 Outer Banks Real Estate Firm by total units!**
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Q1 Super Stars
| Top 5 Teams: 1.VanderMyde Group 2. The Sakers Team 3. The Garcia Team 4. The Mausteller Team 5. The Driscoll Team |
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| Top 5 Agents: 1. Sunny Berle 2. Brook Sparks 3. Emily Bray 4. May Oo-Muuse 5. Yuliya Hristov |
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*Based on information provided by the Outer Banks Association of Realtors. 1/1/24-03/31/24.
**Based on information provided by the Outer Banks Association of Realtors. 1/1/14-03/31/24.
Top Listing Agent For 2023-Brook Sparks
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is proud to announce Brook Sparks as their Top Listing Agent for the Firm, earning her the title of Listing Agent of the Year for the 3rd consecutive year.
Brook has also been awarded the Top Producing Agent of the Year for the Elizabeth City office. This accolade is determined by closed sales volume in 2023. Previously, Sparks achieved the title of Agent of the Year for the firm in both 2021 and 2022.
Brook is ranked in the Top 3% of all selling agents* on the Outer Banks. Her impressive sales volume has earned her the prestigious 2023 Coldwell Banker International President Elite Award, an honor bestowed upon the top 2% of all Coldwell Banker agents worldwide.
“Being recognized for this achievement means everything to me. I have been beyond blessed to have the greatest clients and friends that support me in everything that I do. Showing property with your friends is the very best and makes the work day pass pretty quickly! I am fortunate that I get the opportunity to spend my days with clients that are true friends and partners. I am excited about 2024 and I look forward to helping my friends, neighbors and investors reach their homeowner goals in our area. No matter if clients are looking for a high returning investment or a forever home, I always want to be the person they trust” says Sparks.
“Brook is truly exceptional. She not only excels in sales, managing both the Outer Banks and Currituck mainland markets, but also successfully operates a boutique property management firm. What sets her apart even further is her dedication to local charitable organizations, such as the Wounded Warrior in Action program which brings purple heart recipients to the Outer Banks for a week of duck hunting, comradery, and relaxation” says Pamela Smith, Vice President of Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty.
*As reported by the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS MLS 1.1.23 – 12.31.23
**As reported by the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS MLS 1.1.14 – 12.31.23
2023 Team of the Year-The Vandermyde Group
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is excited to announce the VanderMyde Group as winner of the firm’s Team of the Year award for 2023.
For the seventh consecutive year, the VanderMyde Group led the firm in listings, units and sales volume.
In addition to being the Top Producing Team, the VanderMyde Group led the firm in the most units sold with a total of 87 closings equaling close to $70 Million in sales volume. The VanderMyde Group was also the #1 Listing Team of the Year and earned the
2023 Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Team award—a prestigious recognition given only to the top 10% of all sales associate/representative teams worldwide.
The Vandermyde Real Estate Group is founded on the pillars of trust, reputation, hard work, and dedication. Each member of the team is passionately committed to going above and beyond for their clients, delivering exceptional service and exceeding expectations time and time again.
Led by Heather VanderMyde, who Ranked #2 out of 609 producing agents in the Outer Banks Association of Realtors MLS, the VanderMyde Group includes agents Kiirsten Farr, Will Greg, Kasey Rabar, and Trish Berruet. Saska Zivkovic is the team’s assistant and John VanderMyde provides professional HDR photography and drone video for their listings.
“I am thrilled the Vandermyde Real Estate Group has been honored with a prestigious top agent award, a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence, professionalism, and delivering exceptional results to our clients. Receiving this award fills me with a deep sense of gratitude and pride. I extend sincerest appreciation to our valued clients and are thankful for the opportunity to be their trusted advisors throughout their real estate journey” says Team Leader VanderMyde.
“The VanderMyde Group maintains its position as the consistent leader in listings and sales within our firm, achieving the top honor for the seventh consecutive year. Their consistent dedication to clients, expert marketing strategies, and proactive approach to their business growth, regardless of market fluctuations, sets an exemplary standard” says Pamela Smith Vice President of Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty.
*As reported by the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS MLS 1.1.23 – 12.31.23
**As reported by the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS MLS 1.1.14 – 12.31.23
Top Producing Team for 2023 Announced-Heather Sakers
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty was proud to recently announce The Heather Sakers Team as their Top Producing Team for the Kitty Hawk office.
Based on total sales volume for the year, this accolade was earned by The Heather Sakers Team for achieving $21 Million in sales volume for 2023.
The team was honored at the firm’s Annual Awards Luncheon, held recently at Duck Woods Country Club in Southern Shores, NC. Heather and her team also earned the Coldwell Banker International Sterling Society Team Award, an esteemed honor given to the top 27% of all sales associate/representative teams worldwide.
The Heather Sakers Team consists of team leader, Heather Sakers, along with team members Ann Taylor Lusk and Charles Gill. Heather Sakers is ranked in the Top 3% of all Selling agents in the Outer Banks Association of Realtors MLS*.
“My team and I are so incredibly honored and grateful to be named the Kitty Hawk team of the year for a 3rd consecutive year in a row! A client recently wrote me a review after selling their home, and said I was ‘extremely well prepared’. After 18 years of selling real estate on the Outer Banks, one thing has remained constant in every unique transaction and that is you can never be too prepared in real estate.
It takes constant communication, a deep market understanding, good old-fashioned integrity and endless perseverance to help our clients meet their goals year after year. You also need the right local contacts since it truly takes a village to successfully get a deal to closing. I will say one of our highs for the year was just having an amazing behind the scenes group of local attorneys, insurance providers, contractors, inspectors, and property managers to call on that helped make every transaction come together seamlessly.
Our challenges included staying one step ahead of an ever changing and shifting market, and really understanding the core of where those shifts were coming from so we could advise our clients accordingly. This will continue to be a challenge in 2024 as I expect our market to continue shifting with many factors involved. My team and I truly love digging into the details of our Outer Banks market and being prepared as your local experts. We are always available to connect and start curating a plan that is as unique and individual as each of our clients and properties we represent, ” -Heather Sakers.
“The Sakers Team stands out as one of the most efficiently managed teams, thanks to the professionalism and unwavering commitment demonstrated by Heather, Ann Taylor and Charles. They excel in educating their clients about market trends, empowering them to make well-informed real estate decisions, be it purchasing or selling properties.
Each member of the team is highly regarded within the Outer Banks community and consistently support our local charitable organizations” says Pamela Smith, Vice President of Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty.
Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty has once again sold the most* real estate on the Outer Banks!
*As reported by the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS MLS 1.1.23 – 12.31.23
**As reported by the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS MLS 1.1.14 – 12.31.23
A Guide to Getting your Home into Selling Shape
A Guide to Getting your Home into Selling Shape
We’ve finally turned the corner on Winter, which means longer and warms days are ahead. It also means it’s the busiest season of the year for buying and selling homes. Are you thinking about putting your home on the market? When it comes to selling your home, it can be overwhelming just thinking about where to start. But there’s no need to panic. We’ve put together a Home Seller’s guide to help you get your home into home selling shape.
Start by having a conversation with a local lender of your choice. If you are going to finance your next home purchase, work with your lender to get pre-qualified.
Getting pre-qualified will:
- Give you an understanding of how much you can afford for your new purchase
- Let sellers know you are serious and are qualified to purchase their home
- Allow you to meet with an experienced professional and weed out issues early on
- Give you peace of mind and is a simple, no obligation process
Your mortgage lender will help you review loan options and get you organized and prepared to purchase your next home.
Then, select a real estate professional.
Take your time and find a real estate professional who knows and understands your local market. Your real estate agent will meet with you and compile a plan to get your home into selling shape. They will help you price your home to sell quickly and for the most money possible, and they will let you know how they plan to market your home so that it garners attention for the most amount of buyers possible.
Together, your professionals should be available to help you with:
Pricing- Price your home so you’re competitive with current market and price trends
Marketing– Market your property via email, direct mail, flyers, social media and viewing to find prospective buyers
Availability -Always available to help walk you through each step of the process, from listing to the closing table.
Updates-Provide you with weekly updates detailing marketing efforts and progress
Staging-Recommend staging strategies that are proven to cast your home in the most positive light, and highlight the features that are most important to buyers
Negotiating -Negotiate the best possible sales price and terms
Before you put your home on the market, it can be helpful to understand what factors will influence the sale of your home:
- Price
- Industry trends and local market conditions
- Reason for selling and timeline
- Your motivation level
- Location
- Condition of property
- Size
- Design style
- Accessibility
You will also want to understand the cost of selling.
Before you start the selling process, you should review your finances, figure out how much equity you have in your current home, and work with your real estate and mortgage professionals to prepare for sale-related expenses. These costs include:
- Agent commission
- Repairs to property
- Taxes and capital gain taxes
- Advertising Costs
- Home reports (such as property inspection)
- Closing costs
- Moving and storage expenses
Of course, you’ll need to get your home into showing shape:
Work with your real estate agent to develop a plan to resolve any known problems in your home. Address any flaws that might lower the value of your home and take away from its appeal. Consider hiring an inspector to determine the state of these areas:
- Floors
- Interior/exterior paint
- Plumbing
- Lighting
- HVAC
- Water heater
- Doors/windows
- Driveways/walkways
- Outdoor drainage system and roof
Clean and stage your interior:
- De-clutter and de-personalize. You want potential buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your house. Take family photos, memorabilia collections, and personal keepsakes and place them in storage.
- Repaint the walls. Give your walls a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color, such as white, beige, or gray.
- Make repairs. Make quick fixes and replacements, and take care of any issues that may discourage buyers—such as leaky faucets, squeaky doors, broken cabinets, or cracked windows.
- Clean until it sparkles. Clean or replace carpets, bleach grout, wax floors, wash windows, replace fixtures, and clean every possible surface until it sparkles.
- Stage the interior. Rearrange your furniture to maximize space and showcase your home’s layout. Your furniture should fit the scale of the room, using just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose.
- Hide away pet areas. Pets should never be present during a showing, and pet areas should be stowed away, clean and odor free.
- Create good lighting. A little bit of lighting can go a long way in making a room appear bigger and brighter. Open blinds and curtains to bring in the natural light and add floor or table lamps to brighten dim areas.
Maximize your curb appeal:
- Repaint your front door
- Purchasing a new welcome mat
- Consider adding some potted plants near the door
- Keep the lawn mowed
- Trim bushes
- Clear sidewalks
- Clean the patio
- Stage outdoor furniture
- Clear toys
- Add perennials for a touch of color
Price your home: Pricing your home is an important step. Your real estate agent will conduct a market analysis and strategically price your home. If you price your home too high, it might sit on the market for an extended period of time with little interest. Price your home too low, and you might leave money on the table. A well-priced home will:
- Allow for higher net sales
- Attract better offers
- Get better response from advertising
- Allow for faster sales
- Increase agent response
- Avoid having your home sit on the market too long and become “shopworn”
Once your home is priced and ready to sell, you’ll work with a Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty real estate professional to market and show your home to potential borrowers. With the professionals by your side, your house will be sure to sell in no time!
The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of TowneBank Mortgage, its affiliates and its lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend.
Easter on The Outer Banks
Easter weekend is just around the corner. We hope the OBX is where you’ll be spending it, with family and friends! Easter signifies the beginning of Spring and there is always so much to do! There are some great family events, live music, egg hunts for the little ones, art shows and more! Whether you are looking for some relaxation, sunshine and rest, or activities for everyone, the Outer Banks is the place to be for Easter weekend!
Things to Do Easter Weekend on the OBX
Kitty Hawk Kites
Fly Into Spring And Easter EGGstravaganza
Saturday, March 30th, take your picture with the Easter Bunny, and let your kids join in the fun during the annual Jockey’s Ridge Crossing Easter Egg Hunt! The Easter Egg Hunts on Saturday, March 30th begin at 10:30 AM. You can invite your friends and family to participate with special prizes included! Each Easter Egg Hunt will be 15 minutes with a $7 registration fee for each participant. It is recommended to register ahead of time.
Schedule for Saturday, March 30th
- 10:30 am to 1:15 pm – Easter Egg Hunt – pre-registration strongly encouraged
- 10:30 am to 1:15 pm – Pictures with the Easter Bunny!
Hop into the Gardens! The beauty of spring at the Gardens sets the stage for this fun-filled family event. Children and families may follow a map of the Gardens’ paths to gather eggs at designated “egg stations” and enjoy contests, games and vendors on the Great Lawn. 
More information here.
Ty Fleming at Pioneer Theatre
Ty Fleming has been playing and singing out of Columbia, NC for 26 years. Playing his first bar at the age of 15 with the Alpha Band, he has since played with The Great Shoal Band, Blackwater, and multiple acoustic groups. In that time he has graced the stage of many festivals, pig pickins, porches, parties and bars throughout Eastern Carolina, as well as opening for larger acts such and Molly Hatchett, Mountain Heart and most recently Oliver Anthony. Be sure to get your tickets now for Ty and the Fellas as they make their debut appearance on the stage at The Pioneer Theater.
More information here.
Valentine’s Dinner on the OBX
Restaurants Offering Valentine’s Dinner on the Outer Banks
There are so many great restaurants on the Outer Banks, whether you are planning on visiting your favorite restaurant or looking to try something new, the following restaurants are offering a specialty Valentine’s Day menu.
NC Coast Grill & Bar-Duck, NC
February 14th-Chef’s board curated for the occasion with a romantic table setting.
$65 per person with the optional addition of a bottle of bubbly for $45.
Text: 252-455-1791 to reserve.
The Blue Point-Duck, NC
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Valentine’s Day pre-fixe menu. Reserve a table for a romantic evening.
Visit www.thebluepoint.com to reserve.
Barefoot Bernies-Kitty Hawk, NC
Valentine’s Day special menu includes starters, mains and delicious desserts.
The Pony and The Boat-Kitty Hawk, NC
Delicious special Valentine’s Day dinner menu in addition to the regular menu.
Reservations are encouraged. Call 252-715-2991
Josephine’s Sicilian Kitchen-Kitty Hawk, NC
Opening for the season on Valentine’s Day!
View the menu here.
Outer Banks Brewing Station-Kill Devil Hills, NC
Special Valentine’s Week menus are available for lunch and dinner.
View their website for the menus. www.obbrewing.com
Noosa Beach Grille-Kill Devil Hills, NC
Special Valentine’s Day dinner menu.
Reservations are recommended. Call 252-715-6393
Cafe Pamlico-Buxton, NC
Special Valentine’s Day Dinner Wednesday and Saturday.
Enjoy a four course dinner with your choice of a bottle of bubbles or wine pairings.
$125 per person.
Call for a reservation: 252-995-4500
Happy Valentine’s Day from our loving team at Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty!
Benefits of a Co-Signer on Your Mortgage
If you’re looking to purchase a home or refinance on your current home, you might have concerns about qualifying due to employment, income, debt, credit, or other factors. Depending on your situation, having a co-signer on your mortgage could help you meet certain qualification standards.
How could a co-signer help you qualify?
A co-signer acts as a guarantor on the loan and does not make monthly payments but promises to assume the responsibility of the loan if the occupant does not make the monthly payment. In some instances, having a co-signer on your mortgage can make the qualification process easier. 
A co-signer differs from a co-borrower in that the co-signer does not appear on the property’s title, whereas a co-borrower does, even if they do not occupy the property.
Here are a few reasons why having a co-signer could help you qualify:
Help meet credit requirements. If you have less than stellar credit, a co-signer with good credit can help the bank feel more confident that the mortgage will be paid back, raising your chances of qualification.
Help meet income requirements. A lender carefully measures your income and debts when evaluating how much you can borrow. If you have a lower income or significant debt, a co-signer can help you qualify for a larger loan. Just a reminder, you should always feel confident that you can comfortably cover your monthly payments, even if you have a co-signer on the loan.
Smooth out employment gaps. If you have not been employed steadily for the past two years, are self-employed, or recently switched jobs, a lender might be wary of your income stream. A co-signer with a strong employment history will give the lender peace of mind that income will remain steady enough to pay back the loan.
Why should you agree to co-sign on someone’s loan?
Often family members will co-sign on a loan for family members who they believe can make the monthly payments but need help qualifying. Whether they have student-loan debts, have just started their career, or are self-employed, co-signing on a loan can help the primary borrower the opportunity to build equity and create a positive credit history.
Potential co-signing drawbacks:
It is important to remember that the co-signer and the occupant will be equally responsible for the repayment of the loan in the eyes of the law. Suppose the primary borrower cannot make the monthly payment. In that case, the non-occupant co-signer will be responsible for paying the total amount or risk a credit hit, late payment fees, or other possible consequences.
If you decide to co-sign on someone’s loan, there are several ways to help protect yourself from any slipups that might make you weary of co-signing, such as:
• Asking the primary borrower to attend a class on homeownership
• Asking for access to the borrower’s online mortgage statements
• Asking to receive notifications when payments are becoming due or are past due
• Having an open line of communication to discuss the possibility of a missed payment
This content is provided as part of the partnership between Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty and Townebank Mortgage. Original blog post can be found here.
The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend.
Disclaimer: Content provided by TowneBank Mortgage for informational purposes only. The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend. TowneBank Mortgage NMLS# # 512138. Equal Housing Lender
