Carolina Beach Real Estate Agent

Justin Donaton – Coastwalk Real Estate – #1 REALTOR Since 2008

If you are looking for results, then be sure to contact Justin Donaton of Coastwalk Real Estate.

Donaton has consistently been the Top Producing agent on Pleasure Island. Each year since 2008, Donaton has been the #1 Sales Agent on the Island. Since 2005, Donaton has personally generated sales in excess of $120,000,000.00 across the Greater Wilmington area!

While proud of these accomplishments, Donaton states that the greater accomplishment is the success of his clients. “Every past client is a current reference, and that is what I am most proud of. Repeat business, and referrals is what I have built my business on!”

Nearly 80% of the company’s clients are generated through referrals and past clients.

I work hard, I provide regular updates to my clients, and am pretty much available 24/7. I love what I do, it’s a job, but I have fun doing it, said Donaton!”

Donaton and Coastwalk Real Estate’s business model focuses on the creative implementation of technology.

“Today’s buyer has a limited amount of time to digest a tremendous amount of information. We have excelled under these conditions by incorporating technology and processes that enable clients to make educated decisions” says Donaton.

“Our technology and our processes are also customized to those selling property, as we understand many of these properties are second homes and many of these owners live out-of-town, said Donaton”

How is this done? The company utilizes professional photographers, virtual tours, YouTube Videos, call capture technology, a dedicated call center, eMarketing and extensive nationwide advertising.

Coastwalk Real Estate provides maximum exposure for its clients’ homes. As a result, it often leads to a faster sale and a higher sales price. Combine this with great customer service, and you have a winning combination!

Coastwalk Real Estate will do the “little things, that make a big difference”, especially when it comes to preparing your home for a showing.

Coastwalk can turn lights on prior to a showing, sets the thermostat to a comfortable temperature, and put some background music on! If a home needs to be cleaned, if repairs need to be made, or if landscaping has to get done, they’ll assist with that as well.

“In a short period of time we are trying to recreate a lifetime full of enjoyment, says Donaton. So it’s important we do our best to make this happen.”

“To succeed in this environment it is imperative to have a great team, great technology, and proven processes that tie the two together. I believe we have done a good job at this, although we’ll never stop trying to do better!”

Justin Donaton has lived in the area for the past 14 years, and has become an expert on the local real estate market in the area. His primary area of coverage is Southern New Hanover County. “This is the area I know well. My clients deserve local market expertise,” said Donaton.

Donaton moved to the area after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received his Bachelors in Journalism and played varsity Lacrosse.

“While in school, I first visited Carolina Beach when the Marriot Hotel was a go-cart track. I fell in love with the beach, the State Park and Ft. Fisher. I grew up on the beaches of Eastern Long Island, so it was a blessing to move back to the beach. I’m lucky that I can go to work in flip flops sometimes!”

In his spare time, Donaton enjoys being outdoors. He enjoys nature and spending time with his friends, family, and his dog Nash. When there are waves, he can likely be spotted at one of the areas surf breaks. He also enjoys running, biking and sushi.

If you’re looking for a top producing REALTOR whose past clients are current references, then contact Justin Donaton. Donaton is hard working, creative and energetic. He may be reached in the Coastwalk Real Estate office at 910 458-9119 or on his cell at 910 352-0998.

To find out more about Coastwalk Real Estate and their current listings visit http://www.coastwalkrealestate.com.

Coastwalk Real Estate has three offices across the region. They can be found in Carolina Beach at 103 S Lake Park Blvd, and 1009 N Lake Park Blvd, and in Wilmington at 4037 Masonboro Loop Rd.

Carolina Beach Cottage for Sale

Great new beach home for sale in Carolina Beach, NC. Contact Coastwalk Real Estate for more info and details at 910-458-9119

Copy and Paste This Link to See the Virtual Tour
↪ www.listingsmagic.com/74041↩

• Property Details
• Offered at $304,500
  Bedrooms: 3
  Baths: 2.00
  Square Feet: 1667
  Year Built: 2014
  MLS #: 501250
  
  
  
• Description
• Call 910-458-9119 for more info !!! THE PORCHES in Carolina Beach offer all the charm and beauty of Classic Beach Cottages - with all the benefits of being new! THE PORCHES provides an ideal location. The community is centrally located within walking distance to downtown Carolina Beach, the town Marina, the State Park, Carolina Beach Lake, and of course the Ocean. All while being tucked in a residential neighborhood that is outside of the flood zone. THE CAROLINA COTTAGE plan offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, an open kitchen / living area, formal dining area and a finished 2 car garage. Interior features and finishes will impress. Granite counter tops in kitchen! Wood and tile floors. Single level floor plan for easy living! Heated Sq Footage is 1,667 sq feet. Sodded and Irrigated yards, a side patio, and a darling front porch with a swing! Construction by award-winning builder, Sanco Homes. Call for more info, floor plans and spec sheets.

• Contact Info:
  
  Name: Justin Donaton
  Company: Coastwalk Real Estate
  Phone: 910-458-9119
  Cell: 910-352-0998
  Website: www.MyCoastwalk.com

Copy and Paste This Link to See the Virtual Tour
↪ www.listingsmagic.com/74041↩

Provided by Justin Donaton

Kure Beach Real Estate

I hope you had a great Holiday and New Year. I look forward to sharing real estate news and updates with you in 2014!

This week, I wanted to provide a quick summary of 2013 Sales Statistics for Carolina and Kure Beach.

The MLS Stats are in and for a 7^th consecutive year I’ve been recognize as the Top Producing Agent on the Island. I have personally been involved with 69 transactions on the Island this year. The 2^nd Place Agent pulled in 29 transactions, followed by 24 and 23.

While I am proud of this accomplishment, the greater accomplishment is the success of my clients. We worked hard together, we had fun, and we accomplished their goals!

Taking a step back, Coastwalk Real Estate was also the Top Producing Firm on the Island, having been involved in the most number of transactions in Carolina and Kure Beach in 2013. We completed over $53,000,000 in transactions!

There were 4 Coastwalk Agents in the Top 10. I wanted to also congratulate Julie Damron, Lexi Sweetz and Carol Ellington for their accomplishments!

For all New Hanover County beaches, inclusive of Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, Coastwalk Real Estate ranked 2^nd in total transactions. Coastwalk employs only 20 agents, so we’re super proud we have such a large foot print in the market. Congratulations to Intracoastal Realty, Coldwell Banker Seacoast and Century 21 Sweyer who rounded out the Top 4.

Provided by Justin Donaton

Wilmington Real Estate 2014

I hope you’re well!  Every year I check in with my clients to offer them a free annual review of their real estate situation. 

It’s interesting that a home purchase is a major financial and life decision, but few people manage that decision beyond the initial transaction. Financial portfolios, insurance policies, and even our kids’ education is managed on an annual or even quarterly basis. Why isn't home ownership?

In most cases, a simple review reveals opportunity.  If you can answer “yes” to one or more of the following, it might make sense for us to have a conversation soon:

• Are you considering a move?
• Are you renovating?
• Are you thinking about investment properties?
• Are you considering a vacation home?
• Do you want to consolidate debt?
• Would you be interested in options to decrease your mortgage payment?
• Is there a benefit now to increasing your payment to pay off your loan faster?

I would be more than happy to provide you with guidance on any of these topics, or provide you with a balanced view of any moves you might make now or in the near future to improve your position.

So now let’s talk about home buying…

It starts innocently enough... you pass a house in a neighborhood you like, you hear someone is selling their home, you happen to look up home prices online. Before you know it, you’re knee-deep in home shopping and open house visits. This can actually be exceedingly dangerous to your financial future.

Falling in love with a home before you actually know what you want in a home is risky. To avoid the “buy first, think later” syndrome that burdens family finances, marriages, and work life, ask yourself these important questions:

1. How much do we want to spend each month on home expenses? There’s a tendency for people who shop first to try and “make the math work” on purchasing a home. Often this leads to stretching the home budget and ignoring crucial expenses such as maintenance and property taxes in order to “make the mortgage.” Determine a comfortable, conservative range for home expenses first.

2. Which neighborhoods make sense from multiple angles? You may love a neighborhood for its leafy streets and family-friendly atmosphere, but what if it adds thirty minutes to your commute? Are the schools good? What are the crime stats like? What’s the walkability score? Don’t view a neighborhood with rose-colored glasses based on a single quality you like.

3. What’s a priority and what’s a nice extra? You may think you want extra bedrooms for guests and a home office, but which one is more important? Rank the must haves against the “nice to haves.”

4. What’s our long-term ownership picture look like? Are you settling in for ten years, or do you suspect you’ll need to move in four? While you can’t predict the future, you can make some estimates. Those estimates will help you understand how much home you should buy, what kind of down-payment you’ll want to have, and what the picture might look like in terms of renovations.

5. When can you move vs. when would you like to move? Rental leases, selling your current home, and job and schooling factors all impact the timeline for a purchase. Wrap your head around the pragmatic timeline as best you can.

I’m more than happy to help you think these through, and any of your real estate requirements.

Expect Results:

Your Real Estate Market Report is provided by Justin Donaton of Coastwalk Real Estate. Any data provided, unless otherwise noted, is courtesy of the Wilmington Association of REALTORS MLS and/or the National Association of REALTORS.

Justin does not just "list" properties, he sells them! To get your home SOLD for the highest possible price, call Justin at 910-352-0998. Justin has SOLD the most real estate on Pleasure Island every year since 2007. He has the highest dollar volume of sales, and has had the most number of closings. His business is built on hard work and high-impact marketing. Coastwalk Real Estate is the #1 Sales office on Pleasure Island. Please visit:  www.CoastwalkRealEstate.com for more info.

provided by Justin Donaton

Wilmington NC Real Estate Info - December 2013

From our Coastwalk Family to yours, we’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas, and a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!

Recently the Wilmington Association of REALTORS released is comprehensive Q3 2013 Sales report for Wilmington and the area beaches.

Below is a portion of that report highlighting sales data that may be of interest to you:

When analyzing ten major zip codes in our region – 28403, 28405, 28409, 28411, 28412, 28451, 28480, 28428, 28449, and 28443 – an average of the zip codes for the third quarter of 2013 shows that:

• Our average sales price has increased by 5.5% from Year End 2012.
• Of the 1,346 sellers in 3rd Quarter – 26.30% paid some sort of concession toward the purchase of the house.
• Our list to sales price ratio for 3rd Quarter is 96.74%, an increase from 95.25% for Year End 2012.
• The average list price of sold properties is $267,970 and is up 3.8% from Year End 2012.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 3rd Quarter was 114 days, compared to 144 days for Year End 2012.
• The median sold price of $212,928 for 3rd Quarter has increased 9.2% from Year End 2012.

28428 Zip Code

• The average selling price of $274,869 has increased 3.7% from Year End 2012 average selling price of $265,146.
• 18% of sellers in 3rd Quarter paid a concession compared to 17% for Year End 2012.
• The average list price of $287,147 for 3rd Quarter has increased 3.2% over Year End 2012 average list price of $278,143.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 3rd Quarter was 184 days compared to 160 days for Year End 2012.
• The median sold price of $233,500 for 3rd Quarter has increased 1.4% from Year End 2012.
• Sold homes in 3rd Quarter received 95.72% of the asking price, an increase from 95.33% for Year End 2012.

28449 Zip Code

• The average selling price of $291,612 has decreased 15.5% over Year End 2012 average selling price of $345,291.
• 13% of sellers in 3rd Quarter paid a concession compared to 21% for Year End 2012.
• The average list price of $303,299 for 3rd Quarter has decreased 17.7% over Year End 2012 average list price of $368,454.
• The average number of days a property remained on the market for 3rd Quarter was 130 days compared to 199 days for Year End 2012.
• The median sold price of $250,000 for 3rd Quarter has decreased 22.5% from Year End 2012.
• Sold homes in 3rd Quarter received 96.15% of the asking price, an increase from 93.71% for Year End 2012.

In a few weeks I’ll summarize complete 2013 Stats. If you need any data or information before then, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Thanks a ton, and Merry Christmas.

Provided by Justin Donaton

Making a Home for a Good Night’s Sleep

Have you been struggling to get a good night’s sleep? Here are some interesting findings about sleep and some tips you might use to improve your slumber.’

A good night’s sleep is more important than you might think. While rising early and burning the midnight oil are worn like badges of honor in this “always on” culture of ours, the truth is that sleep is crucial.

Did you know...

Sleep loss can mean the decline of mental skills, including attention span, memory, mood, logical reasoning, and math skills.

Sleep deprived people have trouble recalling pleasant experiences, but can easily recall negative experiences.

Sleep improves your mood and in a recent study of professional violinists showed that a good night’s rest was more important than nutrition!

Sleeping on a decision measurably improves our ability to make better choices.

Fortunately, there are things we can do to improve the quality of our sleep. While a drink or two might put you to sleep, it can actually disrupt sleep later in the night. Other methods are much more effective. Exercise during the day, a cool shower at night (to lower body temperature), and turning the lights lower about 30 minutes before bedtime can help you sleep better. So put those glowing iPads and laptop screens away!

Of course, your home can have a dramatic impact on your ability to catch those elusive Zs. Ambient light, highway noise, or even nearby neighbors can cut into your ability to turn off your mind and start that all-important dreaming.

While this tends to be more of a problem for renters in apartment buildings and those in urban environments, even single-family home owners can find themselves in sleep-negative situations.

Don’t settle for a sleep-deprived life! If your living situation makes a good night’s sleep difficult, consider looking for a new place. Sleep is too important to ignore.

Need a nice, quiet house? I know where to find them. Let’s have a chat today: I an be reached at 910-458-9119.

And here is a list of homes for sale in Carolina Beach NC:

http://www.coastwalkrealestate.com/carolina-beach-homes-for-sale/

Provided by Justin Donaton

How to Prevent Moving Damage to Your Most Precious Possessions

Don’t let your move become more expensive than it already is! Check out these tips for protecting your valuables during your next move. Some of the techniques might surprise you.

Post Body:

Moving isn’t cheap. And really, it shouldn’t be. If it is, you might find out how expensive it can get when all of your valuable possessions have been destroyed in the move! Whether you’re hiring a company to help you relocate, or you’re planning a DIY (Do It Yourself) adventure, keep these handy tips in your pocket to protect your goods.

Use the right-sized boxes. Small boxes are ideal for heavy, dense objects (see: books), while larger ones are preferable for lighter items such as pillows and comforters. A large, heavy box is more likely to split or crush other items, so keep an eye on each boxes’ size-to-weight ratio.

Fill until it’s still. If a box is rattling around, you’re risking damage. Fill in the empty space with towels, padding, or other cushioning items to isolate the valuable contents from stop/start or shaking motions.

Pad and side-load dishes. Place bubble wrap or packing paper between dishes and wrap bundles of four or more with extra padding. Be sure to pack dishes on their sides, not flat. This will mitigate the hazard of shattering from accidental side impact! Padding in the bottom and top of the box will provide an additional layer of insurance, too.

Don’t flatten out your flat-screen. Spend the money on a special packing box for your flat-screen LCD and/or plasma TV. Having the original shipping box is best, but an aftermarket die-cut, foam-supported kit will save you the hundreds (if not $1000+) in replacement costs. (Also: Don’t lay the TV flat or stack any boxes on top.)

Tape in the reinforcements. Taping all the way around the top and bottom edges will provide additional support to the areas where most of the load is distributed.

Keep tiny things with big value to yourself. Anything that’s small and irreplaceable should be set aside and kept with you during the move. This might be your grandmother’s heirloom necklace, vital financial/legal documents, or special family photo collections.

I want all of the items that make a house a home to get there in one piece. Hopefully these tips will help that happen.  Need an agent to help you find that perfect home for your valuables? Get in touch with me today!

Call Justin at Coastwalk Real Estate 910-458-9119

And here are some homes for sale in Wilmington NC

Provided by Justin Donaton

Why Hire a Real Estate Agent to Buy from a Builder

Do you need a real estate agent to buy a new home from a builder? Legally, no. But here’s what you might be missing out on if you don’t.

Q: Do I need to hire a real estate agent to represent me when I buy a new home from a builder?

A: Legally, no. But if you don’t, you might be missing out on some tangible benefits that impact your wallet and how much you get for your money.

There are many reasons why an agent is a sound investment during the purchase process with a builder. While some of them can be quite complex (and go beyond the scope of this blog post), here are a few highlights:

Market Value Compared to Purchase Price: How much money are you going to be able to come out of pocket for your down payment? If you don’t want a nasty surprise when it comes to disparities between your agreed upon purchase price and the actual market value of the home, you’ll want an agent with access to information which will help you accurately assess the true value of that brand new home.

Negotiation Power: Real estate agents are professional negotiators, and often an agent can get more from a builder than you would on your own. While some of this might be related to purchase price, other perks may include property or home upgrades.

Financing: It’s probably no surprise that your builder will have preferred financing partners to work with. Many of those “partners” pay good money for the opportunity to handle your loan. But is it the best loan at the best rate? An agent can be both a sounding board for financing terms and a source for trusted alternatives.

Contract Expertise: While your real estate agent isn’t an attorney, they know a great deal about the ins-and-outs of property contracts. This includes builder’s contracts, which may have provisions that put you in dicey territory should something unforeseen happen. Protect yourself with an agent.

These four reasons are a good place to start, but there are plenty more. The bottom line is: The builder will have their own system in place to maximize their profit and minimize their costs. Shouldn’t you?

I’m more than happy to help you buy from a builder: Please contact Justin Donaton at 910-458-9119

Here are new homes for sale in Wilmington NC: http://www.coastwalkrealestate.com/new-homes-wilmington-north-carolina/

Provided by Justin Donaton

Q&A: All Cash Home Purchase vs. Mortgage

Debating whether or not to buy that next home with cash or not? I know, what a problem to have! But it’s a serious decision, especially for Baby Boomers who have significant equity in their current home.

Many of my clients (especially Baby Boomers who are downsizing or relocating) ask me if they should pay cash for their next house or finance it with a new loan. While the idea of owning a home free-and-clear is certainly appealing, I always present them with a series of questions to help them clarify the big picture. Perhaps you or someone you know may benefit from these as well:

How much will you be left with after an all-cash purchase? Maintaining a safety net of three to six months’ worth of living expenses can be a real comfort after you’ve done well on the sale of your home. How comfortable will you be if an all-cash purchase brings you near zero?

Are you retiring soon? This goes to two issues: First, whether or not the absence of a mortgage will significantly improve your monthly position, keeping in mind you’ll still need to make insurance, tax payments, and maintenance. Second, if you’re thinking about applying for a loan. It can be a challenge to qualify for a loan after you’ve retired, so if you think you’ll need a loan, it may be better to get it in advance.

What’s your tax and income situation look like? For some people, the mortgage interest deduction on income taxes has a significant impact on their annual tax bill and overall cash flow picture. It’s always a good idea to consult with a financial professional before you “write off” the write off.

Might you need to help someone out in the near future? Sometimes having the liquidity to help family members or close friends in need is important. Are you planning to help someone else with a down payment on a home? Is it likely you’ll have to help a close friend or relative through a tough time? Having cash on hand can be a comfort.

How important is “free and clear” to your mind? For some, there’s nothing that compares to the idea of owning a home free and clear. Sometimes the feeling of “no debt” simply can’t be overpowered by tax or liquidity benefits. It’s important to be honest with yourself, and if you’ve always dreamed of dodging a house payment, it could be the right emotional move.

For all of these reasons and more you’ll want to choose wisely before you go in for an all-cash purchase of your next home. Naturally, if you need any help selling your current home or looking for the next one, I’d be happy to help: 

Please contact Justin Donaton at Coastwalk Real Estate

910-458-9119

Provided by Justin Donaton

Carolina Beach Real Estate Info

From our Coastwalk Family to yours, we’d like to wish you a safe, healthy and Happy Holiday!

We’ve been blessed and have had an amazingly productive year at Coastwalk Real Estate. We have had record sales!  2013 saw the highest sales volume and the most number of transactions for Coastwalk since our founding in 1996.

Interestingly, our volume is split about 50/50 between Pleasure Island, and the Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach areas. That said, the island will always be our favorite playground!

As we prepare for 2014, our level of excitement, enthusiasm and confidence in our ability to connect buyers and sellers is sky high. We are working with some great buyers, investors and developers.

This week I wanted to share a quick summary of sales, comparing 2012 and 2013.

I also will highlight a few recent closings of some really cool properties on the beach!

In 2012, through 12/7/12, there were 170 sales of single family homes on the island, with an average price per square foot of $175, and an ‘average days on market’ of 144 days. This compares to 160 single family home sales, and average price per square foot of $176, and an ‘average days on market’ of $157 for 2013. The two years are pretty similar.

When you take into account house, condos and land sales, there have been 430 total sales in Carolina and Kure Beach so far this year, compared to 447 for the same period in 2013

The highest priced property to sell on the island in 2013 was at 217 S Fort Fisher Blvd in Kure Beach for $1,600,000

The highest priced property to sell on the island in 2012 was at 405 Marina St in Carolina Beach for $1,138,000.

Now for a summary of a few cool homes that recently SOLD:

1412 Bonito Lane #1, Carolina Beach- - Duplex with elevator, really nice tiles in Master Bath,  sold for $335,000.

1001 Carolina Beach Ave S, Carolina Beach -- Ocean Front condo with super views, sold for $550,000

209 Marquesa Way, Kure Beach -- Super nice home in Live Oak Village, sold for 588,430.

853 S Fort Fisher Blvd, Kure Beach -- Ocean Front home with a great location, sold for $922,000.

810 S Fort Fisher Blvd, Kure Beach -- One of the coolest looking houses I’ve seen. Check it out, sold for $749,754.

Provided by Justin Donaton