Analyzing real estate market statistics is often like looking at the ocean after a storm. There are a lot of cross-currents, and rarely do all of the indicators point in the same direction. This seems to be the situation in the market today. We think that a strong case can be made that the real estate market on [...]
Prospective buyers of Cape Hatteras real estate received an early Christmas present today when interest rates dropped below 6.0 percent! Interest rates on conventional 30-year fixed rate loans (those below $417,000) offered by a major lender are 5.875 percent with no points and 5.625 percent with the payment of one point (one percent of [...]
Over the past few months, a variety of very interesting and important issues concerning Hatteras Island have been at the forefront of our local headlines. Some have been resolved, and others will probably be with us for the foreseeable future. Here is a summary: On November 6th, Hatteras Island voters defeated a [...]
With all of the recent news reports about the problems of the sub-prime mortgage market and wild swings in the stock market, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking the “sky is falling.” In reality, the mortgage market relative to Hatteras Island properties is still quite attractive. Interest rates for mortgage amounts up [...]
The recent tragedy in Minnesota has served to focus renewed attention and generated an increased sense of urgency concerning the need to replace the bridge over Oregon Inlet. As you know, the Bonner Bridge is Hatteras Island’s only non-ferry, land link to get on and off the island. Here is a brief summary of the situation. [...]
A variety of issues concerning driving on Hatteras Island beaches and a surprise ruling by a U.S. District judge have taken center stage in local news reports during the past week. There are three main topics that are the focal points of the discussions: On Friday, July 13th, a new interim protected management [...]
In recent weeks there have been a number of articles in our local newspaper that have dealt with a variety of topics related to the roads that we use getting to and while on Hatteras Island. This winter (January to March), a large section of Route 12 on Ocracoke will be closed while the bridges [...]
After some encouraging signs late last year, it was frustrating to see the Hatteras Island real estate market showing signs of further softening in the first quarter of 2007. Residential sales were down 13.5 percent, and unimproved lot sales declined 70.0 percent compared to the first three months of 2006. When all categories of properties [...]
Did you know that part of a major Hollywood movie is going to be filmed on Hatteras Island? “Nights in Rodanthe”, based on a novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks is scheduled to start shooting on May 9th. Richard Gere and Diane Lane will be the stars of the film. Even more exciting, [...]
Plans for replacement of The Bonner Bridge over Oregon inlet continue to hold center stage among the current issues facing Hatteras Island. Last Thursday, a public information session was held at the community center in Rodanthe, and a number of attendees expressed their opinions concerning the best option. At the present time, there are at least seven [...]
