Date Archives: March 2020

Spring is beginning, and it's a perfect time to plan your garden. The weather is warm enough that you can plan your garden outdoors, even if the lawn isn't as lush and green as it will be in a month or two. While exotic greenhouse blooms win flower shows, if you select plants suited to the local climate, you'll have multiple choices for beautiful blooms and plants that require relatively little intervention to thrive. Whether you've never planted a seed or win gardening prizes every spring, consider the following plants when planning a garden for your Southport home. 

1. Peace Lily
   The peace lily is a tropical plant that thrives in Southport's hardiness zone, classed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as zone 8A. Its dark, glossy leaves spread out over the ground, helping to maintain the soil moisture it needs, and the ivory blooms give the peace lily its name, despite not being a true lily. It's an excellent plant for novice gardeners, but not for those with small children or pets, as several parts of the plant are toxic.

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At some point in your house-hunting process, you may begin to wonder if you'll ever find just the right home. But then one day, like magic, there it is...your dream home. A little later, though, doubts set in, and you second guess yourself. Need some help? Our REALTORS® can advise you on discerning when you've found your ideal home among all the Southport homes for sale that you've looked at.

Here are seven signs you have found just the right home for you and your loved ones.

1. You're willing to overlook flaws.
   You know how you've felt in so many houses when you've encountered flaws. You know they can be repaired or negotiated over, but you're just not willing to do so. In your dream home, however, it's a different story. As the real estate agent points out flaws, you are mentally finding ways to fix them.
   
   
2. It's within your budget.
   Sometimes house hunters get so excited over a home that they forget it's not within the budget they have set themselves, and they start looking for ways to make it happen anyway. It's a bad idea to go over budget; otherwise, you could end up with buyer's remorse when you remember things like property tax, home insurance, closing costs, and renovations. Concentrate on saving as much as you can and then plan on investing that amount in your home, but staying strictly within your means.
   
   
3. It's the right location.
   You have in mind the locations you're willing to live in. Maybe it's about proximity to your job, to schools or amenities, but if the home is in one of your primary choices for location, it's checking an important box. There's not much reason to consider homes that aren't where you want to be.
   
   

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Dining out is even more special when you can share the experience with your best friend. Our real estate agents have put together a list of their favorite dog-friendly restaurants in the Southport area.

1. Fishy Fishy Café - 106 Yacht Basin Dr., Southport, NC 28461
   Seafood is the centerpiece of North Carolina cuisine, and it doesn't get better than Fishy Fishy Café. Dine on coconut shrimp, lobster mac and cheese or Cajun crab cakes as you and Fido enjoy a stunning sunset view from the waterfront deck. Stop in after a Saturday of touring Southport homes for sale to get the prime rib special. Hours are 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily except Friday and Saturday when closing time is 9 p.m. 

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No matter how carefully you plan, moving day can be time-consuming and tiring.

Our real estate agents know nothing beats the excitement of moving into the home of your dreams. After weeks visiting the best Southport homes for sale, getting financing in order, and negotiating a good price, it's not unusual to crash into bed exhausted but accomplished.

The next day, most people start thinking about all the things they forgot.

Even the best-planned move tends to have a few hiccups along the way. There are so many things to take care of that you may simply run out of time. The sooner you catch up with those errands, though, the easier it'll be to enjoy your new property to the utmost.

So, what are the biggest things home buyers forget to do after they move?

Here's our list of the five top culprits:

1. Make Sure Utilities Are Turned On 
   Water, electricity, internet. While they're working, it's out of sight, out of mind. The problem? Many utility companies take a very long time to start up service in a house that's been vacated before the sale. Be sure you call early – and give the company a "due date" a day or two before you actually plan to be moved in.
2. Scope Out Smoke Detectors
   Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers are basic safety devices you want to know you can rely on. People easily forget when they last changed alarm batteries, so get it done the first week. Some modern alarms have a diagnostic mode that tells you if the battery is still charged. Fire extinguishers, on the other hand, are often easier to replace than refill.

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