Outer Banks Real Estate

Town of Duck proposes new planting and vegitation ordinance

For those that live in the Town of Duck, you know the ordinances are pretty strict as far as what you can and can't do with your property.  They are proposing a vegetation and planting ordinance which will be voted on this Wednesday. 

I have a friend in the landscaping business that really takes pride in his work.  Mike Hayes is also a contributing writer for the North Beach Sun.  We were discussing the proposed ordinance last weekend and I thought he would welcome the changes - it would be sure to increase his workload.  I was surprised at his response.  He did not approve of the new ordinance - he didn't want people to be forced to use his services.  He would much rather work with a client that appreciated his work vs. someone that was forced to plant because the Town of Duck said so.

If you live in Duck - you might want to give Mike a call 252-261-0400.  The Town of Duck recommends professional help:

Professional assistance.  Any person or firm subject to the requirements of this chapter is encouraged to seek professional assistance from a certified arborist, landscape architect, or similar professional.

$500 off Closing Cost for your Outer Banks Mortgage

Are you in the market for some Outer Banks Real Estate?  Would you like to refinance your Adjustable Rate Mortgage to a more stable fixed rate loan?  If so, I have an offer for my readers that will save them money at the closing table.  How about a $500 Coupon (this is a .pdf file so don't get upset if it takes 10 seconds to download) to be applied towards closing costs?  You must read the fine print on the coupon - a bunch of legal stuff but nothing bad.  You must also mention this coupon before the application is completed. 

I have debated whether to do a mass mailing or to post the coupon online.  Since I really enjoy the technology, I figured I would give the online version a shot.  I save some money on postage and you save some money on your mortgage.

The coupon is good on the Outer Banks, the Inner Banks, and anywhere else in North Carolina or Virginia.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 

The Outer Banks Blogs are heating up

Blogs are humming on the Outer Banks.  I have really enjoyed the handful of local bloggers and the online discussions going on recently.  Bob Muller's blog - View from the Ridge delves into the code of conduct for comments and blog posts.  The Outer Banks Republic posted their view on writing an anonymous blog. 

Controlling comments is an ongoing issue with blogs.  When someone makes a comment on my blog, I have the right to accept or deny it.  I have deleted comments from locals that I felt were not acceptable and even sent them an email to explain my reasoning.  They didn't like it but unreasonable people are just that. 

I link to local Outer Banks Blogs because I think it allows people from the outside to get a view into the daily life on this strip of sand we call home.  I do not control what others publish.  I agree with some views and disagree with others.  Linking does not mean I give a blanket endorsement to their writings. 

Google Maps New Tool

Google Maps recently added another cool feature to their mapping program.  Click to Call allows you to have Google automatically connect you with a business phone.  Simply click the call hyperlink, enter your number and the service connects the two.  Consider how easy this makes it for someone doing research on a place to go for a vacation - say the Outer Banks.  Pull up Google Maps and search for a business "Rental Homes" and location "Outer Banks".  You will then see a map with lots of businesses that specialize in just that. 

I wonder if the next step will be to offer the same for individuals. 

BBQ for dinner tonight

The Outer Banks Swim Club will be selling BBQ dinners this afternoon at the KMart parking lot (map) between 4:00 and 7:30 PM this afternoon.  Proceeds benefit the swim club.  Why not come out and support the local team and clog some arteries. 

Outer Banks React to Beach Nourishement Vote results

There is quite a buzz today on the beach about the results from the Nags Head Beach Nourishment Bond Referendum.  Here is a list of what some have to say about the results:

Bill's OBX Beach Life - Bill's poll was a little skewed though he got the same end results - 6 for and 16 against.  I don't think Bill's blog will replace Zogby in the near future but it was a good idea on his part.

Protect Nags Head.org - currently has links to the Dare County results page. 

View From the Ridge - Bob is the former Mayor of Nags Head and was part of the Protect Nags Head organization.  Two posts this morning. 

Outer Banks Republic - I guess one of the benefits of having an anonymous blog is that you can say exactly what you feel without worries of repercussion .  Two posts this morning.

Greg Cremia - A local Realtor posts his views on the results.

Nags Head Beach Nourishment Vote Results

The polls closed at 7:30 tonight and the results are in.  As I had feared, the voters on the west side of town (the ones only paying 5 cents per $100 of value) defeated the measure.  I spoke with the Director of Elections for Dare County and here are the unofficial results:

Special District - These people were to pay 39 cents tax per $100 in value.

    Yes - 56      No - 53

West Side - These people were to pay 5 cents tax per $100 in value.

    Yes - 324    No - 478

Both sides had to approve the measure for the project to move forward.  I am guessing beach nourishment will be dead for a while on the Outer Banks. 

Google 411 free service

Google continues to add valuable services to consumers.  Do you get tired of paying high fees for directory assistance (especially on your mobile phone)?  Google has released a beta version of their free 411 service.  The number is 800-goog411 (800-466-4411) and it offers some great features.  Once you have identified a business, the system automatically connects you.  You can also say "text message" and google will send you a text message with the business address and phone number.

The service is currently only offering business listings but one can hope residential will be added in the future.  You can go to their website for additional information. 

Nags Head Beach Nourishment update

The time has come (scheduled for Tuesday April 17th) for Nags Head Residents to vote on Beach Nourishment.  There are many opinions - you can read the letters submitted to our local papers and local blogs.  One of my regular reads - Bills OBX Beach Life has an online poll asking whether or not you support beach nourishment.  It will be interesting to compare his results to the real vote on Tuesday.  His current vote count is 1 - All for it (that would be me) and 1 - Not sure if I am for it or against it (this is the part that concerns me).  Other options that have zero votes are Not a Good Idea and Never Heard of it.

I support beach nourishment.  I believe it is a necessary maintenance issue but I am concerned that there is not enough local support to pass the proposal.  The cost for not doing anything will probably turn out to be much greater than anyone expects.  If this proposal passes, the rest of the Outer Banks might be willing to take on the challenge - I know Kitty Hawk could really use some help.  If it does not pass, some have predicted it will take ten years before it can be addressed again.  I will post the voting results on Wednesday.   Get informed and let your voice be heard.   

Another service to get your listings on the Web

The folks at realbird posted a comment on my post about listing services.  It seems that they offer some of the same features as vFlyer and have also included links to another listing service I was not aware of - Vast.  Vast had quite a few listings for Outer Banks Real Estate.  They are also a fellow typepad blogger.  With the growing number of sites available, it really doesn't make sense to go it alone and try to post to each service.  The price seems right - $ 89 per year for unlimited postings can't be a bad thing.