Relocating or retiring? Take a "Test Drive"

Thinking of relocating, but you just aren't sure? Why not take a "test drive"?

Pat Maloney with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty's Southport, NC office suggests three great ways that you can get a feel for areas like the NC coast before you make a commitment.



Why not rent a beach cottage during the off-season to get a feel for the area? Pat says it's a great option, especially if you're already retired.

If you aren't retired, but want to test the waters, Pat suggests buying a "little something", a small home that you'll use for weekend getaways and family vacations. Then when you do retire, you can decide if moving to the coast is what you have in mind.

For those that are more daring, but still not ready to buy, Pat suggests moving somewhere and renting a home for no longer than 6 months. After that amount of time, you should have a good feel for the area and can make an informed decision about where to buy a home.

With all the natural beauty and friendly folks on the Cape Fear Coast, you'll be surprised how quickly you feel at home.

For more information, please visit SeaCoastRealty.com or find us on Facebook.

Renting to Students Is Good Business

Off-campus student rental housing is surviving the recession nicely, say landlords who rent apartments and rooms to students near campuses all over the country.

"I wouldn't say it's recession-proof, but it's recession-resistant," says Jim Arbury, an executive with the National Multi-Housing Council, a Washington, D.C.-based trade group for the apartment industry. "It's still one of the bright spots in the housing market."

For instance, Brad Hastings, whose company Walk2Campus rents 400 units in South Carolina, has about a 94 percent occupancy rate.

Hastings says it's not a business for everyone because it's management-intensive. "You have a customer base who, possibly for the first time, are living out on their own. There's a certain amount of hand-holding, teaching of life lessons."

Source: Inman News, Mary Umberger (12/30/2009)

Wilmington, North Carolina is home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), Cape Fear Community College, and a variety of small professional and technical schools. To find income-producing properties near these schools, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com.