Friday, September 19, 2014

New Bern-Certified Retirement Community

New Bern-Certified Retirement Community?

I think we need to get New Bern designted as a Certified Retirement Community. Certainly we can beat out the cities listed below. We are missing out on opportunities such as the one listed below. What do you think?

RetireNC promoted at the Ideal Living expo in N.J.


The Division’s Andre Nabors (lf)
and Fearrington Village’s Nathalie
Condoret (center) listen intently
to attendees
Tourism Development Manager André Nabors and Division representative Ashlee Kirk promoted North Carolina as a retirement destination at the Ideal Living Resort & Retirement Expo in Whippany, N.J., this past weekend. The Expo drew approximately 800 potential retirees from the region interested in exploring opportunities and conversing with exhibitors from across the Southeast. Attendees talked with experts from towns and community developers to gain insights and get answers to help plan, design and enjoy their retirement. North Carolina has consistently been one of the most requested states by the attendees. The Division attended the Expo, along with community partners from Fearrington Village Real Estate, to continue its efforts to promote the N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program, which consists of Asheboro, Eden, Edenton, Lumberton, Marion, Mount Airy, Pittsboro, Sanford, and Tarboro. For more information about the Certified Retirement Community Program or the Division's marketing initiatives for retirement relocation, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 733-7502.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Searching for a Townhome or Condo in New Bern?

Search no more. Just click the link below and begin your search.


Let us know if you have any questions.


Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Waterfront Home Sales in New Bern

Waterfront Home Sales in New Bern and Craven County



Today we are going to take a look at waterfront home sales in both the New Bern market and the Oriental market.

Waterfront sales in New Bern and Craven County Through 8-28-2014

Total units sold=38

By price range

$100,000-$200000=9. Down 35% over last year

$200,000-$300,000=10. Down 1% over last year

$300,000-$400,000=8. Up 33% over last year

$400,000-$500,000=5. Up 400% over last year

$500,000-$600,000=3. Down  25% over last year

Over $600,000=3. Down 40% over last year

How does this stack up with past years? Lets take a look.


Waterfront sales in New Bern and Craven County through  8-28-2013

Total units sold=41

By price range

$100,000-$200000=14

$200,000-$300,000=11

$300,000-$400,000=6

$400,000-$500,000=1

$500,000-$600,000=4

Over $600,000=5 


Waterfront sales in New Bern and Craven County through 8-28-2012

Total units sold=31

By price range

$100,000-$200000=7

$200,000-$300,000=10

$300,000-$400,000=8

$400,000-$500,000=3

$500,000-$600,000=2

Over $600,000=1



So what is going on with Waterfront Sales?

First the good news. Average sales price is up a little over .5%. Not much, however it is heading in the right direction for the first time in years. The above $500,000 price range is still tough. Just not as many buyers in that price range and plenty of inventory, 30 to be exact. If you are selling in that price range you will need to be patient.

Waterfront Home Sales in Oriental and Pamlico County


Waterfront sales in Oriental and Pamlico County Through 8-28-2014

Total units sold=22

By price range

$100,000-$200000=5. Down 50% over last year

$200,000-$300,000=4. Down 33% over last year

$300,000-$400,000=7. Up 75%over last year

$400,000-$500,000=6. Down 14% over last year

$500,000-$600,000=0. Down 100% over last year

Over $600,000=0. Down 100% over last year

This seems a little strange to me as I would have thought the market in Pamlico County was up this year. The numbers do not lie. Still a tough buyers market in Pamlico.


Waterfront sales in Oriental and Pamlico County through  8-28-2013
Total units sold=31

By price range

$100,000-$200000=10

$200,000-$300,000=6

$300,000-$400,000=4

$400,000-$500,000=7

$500,000-$600,000=2

Over $600,000=2


Waterfront sales in Oriental and Pamlico County through 8-28-2012

Total units sold=20

By price range

$100,000-$200000=10

$200,000-$300,000=3

$300,000-$400,000=5

$400,000-$500,000=1

$500,000-$600,000=1

Over $600,000=0



The old adage that time heals all wounds will ultimately prove true with waterfront home sales. Unless we have another meltdown in the economy  waterfront home sales should continue to improve. The rate of improvement for high end waterfront will be very slow. Seems like waterfront buyers have downsized their price points. That said, Eastern NC is really starting to become a destination for retirees, and they ain't making anymore waterfront. 

If  we can be of assistance in anyway at this time give me a call. For all your Real estate needs please visit New Bern and Oriental Real Estate



Tuesday, August 12, 2014

 Home Sales in New Bern Year-to-Date August 2014



How are home sales so far this year? Let's take a look at closed homes through 8-9-14 in Craven County and
compare to the past 2 years.

2014
$0-$100,000=150 sold There are currently 242 homes for sale in this price-range. This is about 12 months of inventory.

$100,001-$200,000=331 sold There are currently 477 homes for sale in this price-range. This is about 10 months of inventory.

$200,001-$300,000=125  sold There are currently 203 homes for sale in this price-range. This=12 months of inventory.

$300,001-$500,000=45 sold There are currently 119 homes for sale in this price-range. This is about 19 months of inventory.

Over $500,000=9 sold There are currently 61 homes for sale in this price-range. This is about 52 months of inventory. 

2013
$0-$100,000=184 vs 150 for 2014
100,001-$200,000=321  vs 331
$200,001-$300,000=127 vs 125
$300,001-$500000=39  vs 45
Over $500,000=12 vs 9

2012
$0-$100,000=112 vs 150
$100,001-$200,000=327 vs 331
$200,001-$300,000=117 vs 125
$300,001-$500000=45 vs 45
Over $500,000=8 vs 9

The under $100,000 sales are down but I have been expecting that as bank owned sales and foreclosures are down. Many of the sales in this range were and still are forelosures.

$100,000-$200000 sales are up by a small amount, not enough to affect prices at this time, but better than nothing.

$200000-$300000 sales are down by just about flat, I would rather see it up, but nothing earth shattering.

$300000-$500000 sales up, not by a big margin and still good news.

$500000 and over sales are down by 25%. What I believe is going on here is that buyers in this range are hesitant to buy.  High end home values were hit the hardest in the housing recession. Some buyrs are opting to rent or buy in a lower price ranges. 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN, FOR THE HIGHER END PRICE-RANGES? IT IS A STRONG BUYER'S MARKET. IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS LOOKING FOR A HOME OVER 500K, TELL THEM TO CALL ME TODAY. THERE ARE A LOT OF MOTIVATED SELLERS IN THIS RANGE AND I KNOW WHICH HOMES ARE EXCEPTIONAL DEALS! CALL 252-675-9595 OR 252-514-9157


If you know anyone that owns a high-end home they need to sell, we are uniquely qualified to help them. Not all agents are the same. Sellers frequently make the costly mistake of choosing their agent because the agent is a friend, neighbor, or fellow church member. And, sometimes they select their agent because their children 
are friends with the agent's children. 

If you were ill, would select a doctor based on that criteria?

Buying and Selling real estate is a MAJOR BUSINESS DECISION.Buyers and sellers need honest, informed, and experienced agents.
They need an agent that will tell them the truth,
even if it is not what they want to hear.


WHEN YOU HIRE THE TYSON GROUP
Steve and Jana J.
YOU GET THE FACTS-GOOD, BAD OR UGLY!

MAYBE SELLING IS NOT THE BEST OPTION.
RIVERTOWNE  RENTALS offers focused management for all price ranges and Specializes in Upscale Home Property Management.
If you know someone that does not want to sell for today's prices, have them give us a call.  They might be surprised at how much income we can get them! We manage several properties with rental proceeds over $2000 monthly and even a few over $3000 monthly. Call Us!
RIVERTOWNERENTALS.INFO OR 252-638-6868


For all your real estate needs go to New Bern Real Estate. If you have any questions about the market in the New Bern area give us a call. 

WE DEFINITELY BELIEVE YOU WILL ENJOY THIS HANDY APP. 

DOWNLOAD IT ON YOUR SMART PHONE, ACCEPT THE TERMS OF USE.
 ANYTIME YOU WANT PHOTOS AND INFO ABOUT AREA HOMES, OPEN THE APP AND CLICK "NEARBY HOMES". THE APP RECOGNIZES YOUR LOCATION, SO IF YOU ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF A HOME THAT IS FOR SALE OR RENT,  YOU HAVE THE DATA  IN THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS.







Friday, August 08, 2014

Homes for sale in Hardee Farms


Hardee Farms is New Bern's newest and most exciting community. With a very appealing location and a wide assortment of home plans this community has a lot ti offer to young families and retirees. 


For folks with young children Hardee Farms is less than a mile from Creekside Elementary School, the highest rated elementary school in the county. How convenient is that?

As an added bonus Hardee Farms is about a mile from the largest county park. Did you know in Creekside Park you can fish and launch a canoe in Brices Creek?


Hardee Farms is about 12 minutes from historic downtown New Bern


And 20 minutes from Cherry Point. Hardee Farms has a selection of new homes starting in the low $160,000's. The first phase is almost sold out. Don't wait, call Steve Tyson today at 252 514 9157 and lets look at some houses.

For a list of Homes for sale in Hardee Farms, click the link below.


To search all homes for sale go to www.newbern-nc.info







Wednesday, August 06, 2014

How is the Rental Market in New Bern?

How are Rentals doing in the New Bern area?


Pretty good according to property managers that I speak to. I spoke to the manager of Rivertowne Rentals recently and she told me that of the 150 rentals that they have only a few were not leased. She said she gets calls all the time from folks looking to rent but right now they have limited inventory. Other property managers say they are busy as well. 
If you are trying to sell you home and are not having any success then  perhaps you should consider renting. Especially if you have moved and are no longer living in the home. The expense of a vacant home can really add up. Light bill, insurance, yard maintenance, water and sewer bills, really get old after a while. Even if you rent the home at a loss it is usually better than than the house being vacant. Below is an example of the expenses you will have to carry a vacant home.

  1. House payment=$1300.00
  2. Light bill, if home is empty=$175.00
  3. Water and sewer bill, if house is empty, $30.00
  4. Yard work=$100.00
  5. Total =$1605
Lets say you get $1200 a month rent with an average occupancy rate of 90% and a Management fee of 10%.

$1200x.90x.90=$972. On paper you are losing $328 a month or $3936 a year. This is about the amount it will cost you if the house is vacant to carry it 2.5 months. 

Here are my thoughts. If you are upside down on your home, and millions of Americans are, here are your options if you need to sale your home.
  1. Sell it for current market value and bring money to the closing.
  2. Try to sale a home for more than it is worth in today's market. Hint, this never works.
  3. Rent the house and let a tenant make most of the payment for you. 
Option 3 may be the best option for many folks. Here is why. The market seems to have bottomed out and hopefully will start moving upwards. It will take a while to get back to the values of 2006-2007. But they will come back. In the meantime you are paying down the loan.

If you would like to have a free consultation to discuss renting your home, give us a call. We look forward to helping you with your real estate needs.





Saturday, August 02, 2014

Luxury Homes for sale in New Bern NC


What is a luxury home? Good question, and I am not sure if there is an accurate definition. But for now, I am going to say homes priced over $500,000. 
Currently there are 98 homes for sale in Craven County, New Bern, and Pamlico County, Oriental. Wow, that is a lot of homes for sale. In the last year 32 homes in this price range sold. That is a 3 year absorption Rate. Great news for buyers. Lots of homes to choose from. Not so good news for sellers. 
If you are in this price range and are thinking about selling your house, you better hire a top agent who is not afraid to tell you the truth about the value of your home and how long to expect it will take to sell it. 
For a list of the current homes for sale priced over $500,000, click the link below.


To search all homes for sale in the New Bern area go to 


Thanks and have a great day,



Friday, August 01, 2014

New home sales in the New Bern area

New Home sales in New Bern


So, how are new home sales in the New Bern area? Not so great according to the latest data. Lets take a look at the last 3 years.

2014= 92 new units sold
2013=106 new units sold 
2012=144 new units sold 



Below is a list of new homes for sale. 


Still a tough market for new homes, but it in line with my prediction back in January. The demand for new homes is just not there right now. And it likely will not come back in the immediate future. For now, there are plenty of newer homes for sale priced reasonably. And many buyers are opting to buy these in lieu of buying or building a new home. 

There is some potential good news in the wake of all this. Several high end builders I have spoken with lately have told me they are talking to folks that bought lots some years ago and are now ready to build. I certainly welcome that news, building employs a lot of of workers, many that have been under employed for years.

To search all homes for sale and learn about the latest in real estate go to





Thursday, July 31, 2014

Waterfront Homes for sale in the New Bern area

Waterfront Homes for sale in the New Bern area


Everyone wants to live on the water. And why not? You can still find affordable waterfront property i the New Bern area. I live on the water and love it. That's me in the photo above proving that senior citizens can still enjoy skiing. Of coarse it took me a week to recuperate, but that ok.

Below I have listed some waterfront properties for sale under $350,000 that I feel are good buys. 

To search all waterfront homes for sale click the link below.

Let us know if you have any questions about any of these homes. To search all homes for sale in the New Bern area click the link below. 

It is still a buyers market in New Bern but waterfront home sales have picked up and great deals are harder to find. Call Steve or Jana today at 252 514 9157, and let them help you find a great deal.



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Bank Owned Homes for sale in New Bern

Bank Owned homes for sale in New Bern


Click the link below to view bank owned homes for sale in the New Bern area.

Sometimes you can get a nice bank owned home that is priced well. on a bank owned home, other times they are in such bad condition that unless you are a professional contractor it is not a idea to consider buying. 

Realtor Steve Tyson is a licensed General Contractor with over 30 years experience in building and remodeling homes in the New Bern area. He will gladly help you assess if a bank owned home works for you.

To search all homes for sale go to