On Covid 19, your 401K, toilet paper shortages, and the real estate market. Some sanity from Kirk Pugh, Broker Realtor, at KBT Realty Group.



Let's add some insight into the question we get almost a hundred times a day now, "What is going to happen to the real estate market in light of the COVID-19 virus and in light of the tumultuous state of the stock market right now?"


On COVID-19 and the Real Estate Market

What's going to happen? The honest answer is, "We don't know."

In the six years prior to the real estate market crash in 2008, the average home price appreciation for each of the six years was somewhere in the 17-20% range. So, there was a huge appreciation in home values, leading to a great big bubble, that burst when the financial markets crashed in 2008.

In the six years prior to today, average appreciation on homes has been running in the 4-6% range, creating no where near the bubble and the overpricing that we saw back in 2006 and 2007.

On that ...

contributed by Jen Reed


The end of the year can often spark some soul-searching. What happened in your life over the past 12 months—good and bad? What would you like to achieve during the year ahead? Lose weight? Travel? Try something new? Perhaps you want to find yourself a new home?


Don’t wish. Make it happen.


Could you use an extra room, or more space in your kitchen? Does your current place need a new roof or windows? If you’re spending time trying to figure out which walls to knock down and how to make improvements so your home presents a better fit for your lifestyle, maybe it’s time to find a new home that fits your needs.


At KBT Realty Group, we see a lot of people make good on their plans to move out of a home that isn’t their ideal and into one that becomes their happy place. As the year winds down, we encounter determined people who have decided to fulfill the promise they made to themselves to make this dream happen by the n ...

People choose where they live for hundreds of reasons. Being close to work, family, or education, top the list of why people buy a home in a specific location. Weather, affordability, and lifestyle are also important considerations in narrowing down the places home buyers opt to purchase. 

For those who are devoted 5K, 10K, or marathoners, water sports competitors including SUP and swim, and bike riders, the Cape Fear region offers year-round athletic challenges. Living in the Wilmington area means that a race, walk, or water sport is always just a short distance from your home base. Training is a pleasure at the numerous parks with walking/running paths and greenways.

Many of the Wilmington area's events are so popular that competitors register and travel from other state to participate. Race devotees living in Wilmington and the beaches have these races right at their doorstep.

An advantage of living in southeastern North Carolina are year-round weather conditions that ...

You've finally found your dream house. It has all the features you are looking for, from shiny hardwood floors to a walk-in closet and an amazing location - all for an irresistible price. But those aren’t the only factors that go into getting your perfect home. Here are ten crucial questions to ask your real estate agent before you sign on the dotted line.


Handy Checklist of Questions for Your Agent
How old is the roof?

This is one of the most important things to ask your real estate agent. The price of asphalt roofing replacement is extremely pricey and is more common in beach towns like Wilmington. So ask your real estate agent how old the roof is, because the last thing you want is to buy a home with a damaged, weathered-down roof.

What are the parking restrictions around the house?

Here are a few more questions about parking: How many parking permits do you as the homeowner obtain? And can you get more if you decide to throw a party? If you have a large fam ...

Breaking Through the Confusion Regarding Home Warranty HVAC Inspections
Armed with clear information on Home Warranty HVAC inspections, many buyers and sellers opt to contract for this service. The upfront payment for an HVAC inspection is usually in the range of $85, and considering the potentially hefty cost of HVAC repairs, clients may find this warranty pays for itself.


Repairing Your Home's HVAC Can Be a Big-Ticket Item
What is an HVAC?

HVAC stands for "Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning." Your home's HVAC is the entire system that regulates the cooling and heating of the interior, making the indoor environment comfortable through the changing seasons.

There are four different types of HVAC systems. The four HVAC systems are designed to suit the size and interior specs of a home or commercial building.

Heating and Air Conditioning Split System

A "split system" has an outdoor unit that houses both the condenser and the compressor, and an indoor unit w ...