Lisa Lowe wrote a great post regarding cleaning out your database..I am starting to do that..   I asked Lisa to please keep us posted. I have a data base with 4700 names in Top Producer.  I am always afraid to delete people.  I send an email out to all each month about the Stats of the Market.  Then those that do not have an email...about 1000...I send letters to.  In the long run...I am cleaning out bad leads...and tweeking the remaining ones..  It is a monumental task for me..     01/17/2015

Well Hello AR members... I held an Open House in St. James NC.  There were 3 of us from our company that did the "COAST IN AND WIN" Open houses.  Meaning that those that came to the open house could be put in a drawing for $500. Problem, there were only 6 or so agents to come out and view this house.  Even with us offering gift cards and gifts and food.  We served chicken salad croissants, wheat and plain rolls with ham, cheese, turkey, and roast beef, Chips,  Chocolate Eclairs. What works for you... I really get discouraged..   What is working for you.  I need help on this..   Ginger Harper of St. James   01/10/2015

    Temperture at 7:00 was 17 degrees!   Is all of our County Cold?   It has been a while since we have had cold like this. Frozen water pipes, slipper steps and high electric bills.   Well to be in the South these days does not mean, mint julips on the veranda that is for sure..   It is cold.  We are just not used to this kind of weather.   Our dock becons me but I can't get enough coats, gloves and scarves  on to go out and enjoy the sunset.   So I will just view from the warmth of the fireplace, inside... Hope all is well with you.  Market is showing some signs of activity.  Finally!  Hope that is for you too.   Take care my friend.   Ginger of Southport http://www.GingerHarper.com   01/08/2015

             I have been fortunate enough to work face to face with a special seller today.  She had been debating on whether to list the house for sale or to rent it again.  The last renters did about $3000 worth of damage and since she was the landlord, had no recourse in getting the tenant to pay for the repairs   It loooks good now that the necessary work is done. I told the seller, to think about  it, knowing if the house is not on the market, potential buyers will not know that it is for sale..   WE have listed it for a reasonable  amount and it should sell quickly.       01/06/2015

Oak Island                                                                 Picture by Tammy Hanson                                                   "Put your footprints in the sand"Located on the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy the ocean breezes that sweep across Oak Island while golfing at one of two gold courses on the Island.  With beautiful live oaks and yaupon trees, the Island has so much to offer, you must see it for yourself.  This town is best described as a family-oriented community with 10 miles of beautiful beaches on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other.                                                                        Picutre by Jim Harper                                                 With Oak Island facing south, there is gentle surf, moderate tides and spect... 01/06/2015

  Oak Island - The Town of Oak Island was formed in 1999 when the towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach consolidated. This consolidation gave it the distinction of the most populated incorporated town in Brunswick County.   Although the largest Town in the County, a small town atmosphere is enjoyed by its residents. The foundation of this beach community has always been public access - consider the over 52 public beach accesses (most with parking), two public boat ramps, several areas to put in canoes and kayaks, an extensive sidewalk system for bikes and pedestrians to enjoy, recreation trails, numerous parks and playgrounds, a full service parks and recreation department, and youth friendly facilities such as the newly completed skate board park.   Programs geared toward senior citizen... 01/05/2015

  As we all know, FSBO's are folks that are wanting to sell...that is obvious since they have their home "for sale." I have used some points in the past to see what I could offer them to entice them to work with me.  Some agents have been very successful in bringing FSBO's on board.  If you have been successful and would agree rto share some of those tips with a hardworking agent.   Do you send a letter, call them or drop by?   Would like your suggestions.   Thanks, Ginger of Southport       12/30/2014

Good evening Active Rainers..   I am  wondering how to get Linking points in the system.  I have worked on this for an hour or so with no success.  I am beginning to learn a bout the Q & A's part of Activerain.   I do not understan what a tag is either.  Tags are not key words.   I know that some of you are laughing at this old dog learning new tricks.    But at least I am willing to learn.   Thanks for any suggestions,, 12/27/2014

We live in a beautiul area along the Coast of North Carolina..   Enjoy our Temperatures..    Average Temperatures Season AirMax/Min Water Spring March 65.7/43.1 56.2 April 74.0/50.5 65.7 May 80.8/59.3 71.5   Summer June 85.4/67.5 78.5 July 88.5/71.7 79.5 August 87.6/71.0 79.5   Autumn September 85.2/65.3 77.2 October 76.9/53.7 77.2 November 69.1/44.8 69.9   Winter December 59.4/37.5 50.0 January 55.3/34.4 49.4 February 58.1/36.4 51.3   Climate Statistics Average Air Temp 73.8 max/52.9 min Average Water Temp 69.0 Annual Rain Fall 56.82 inches Clear Days 111.2 Partly Cloudy 103.8 Cloudy Days 150.2                     12/10/2014

This picture was taken January 1, 2012 for our "First Polar Dip"   Oak Island - The Town of Oak Island was formed in 1999 when the towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach consolidated. This consolidation gave it the distinction of the most populated incorporated town in Brunswick County. Although the largest Town in the County, a small town atmosphere is enjoyed by its residents. The foundation of this beach community has always been public access - consider the over 52 public beach accesses (most with parking), two public boat ramps, several areas to put in canoes and kayaks, an extensive sidewalk system for bikes and pedestrians to enjoy, recreation trails, numerous parks and playgrounds, a full service parks and recreation department, and youth friendly facilities such as the newly com... 12/09/2014

Hello all..   I would like to touch base with the high School classmates from the 1960's.  It has been a long time since we touched base and I would like to renew these old acquaintances.  I do not go back to the home place much any more.      Much has happened in Tar Heel since I left in 1966.  I suppose that everything does change, including us.  Sometimes I think we are not getting older...just more experienced.   We have started having Class Reunions every year now.   That is  so  good because none of us know what tomorrow holds..   I suggest that you retouch those old bases.....before you forget...LOL     12/06/2014

Southport~Oak Island, North Carolina, in  Brunswick County This is one of the loveliest communities along the NC Coastline.  We have so much to offer folks that want to come and visit and folks that want to live here year round. We are situated along the mouth of the Cape Fear River which leads into the Atlantic Ocean.  Good fishing, seafood restaurants and stunning sunbathing spots.  Send your referrals here to see "One of NC's best kept Secrets"..   Come and visit us... 11/18/2013

Duty for me. Well, I find myself having Duty Day today.  (A better way to say Opportunity Time).  Actually I have been enjoying it.  It is the first exposure that your company makes when some one calls on the phone or walks through the door. We need to ponder that a minute.  What you say or do...the minute someone walks in or calls in is the first impression that those folks have of your company. I treasure each time I can be the 1st contact for our company. We need to remember that. Hope you have a good Opportunity today,  Smile!   11/14/2013

Well...no one told us it would be easy.  Again, I find this out. WE have been working on a short sale since February and have just found out that the property does not appraise for the short sale price...Yep...that is right.  The Bank will not accept the amount of the appraised value so our deal is dead. What do you think is going to happen when I get another offer for the appraised value not?....I know..by the time the bank gets around to accepting the offer...the property will not appraise again. Price are still going down. The dilemma   11/14/2013

I have been going through websites and signing up to do BPO and REO.  It seems like I may get one a week. But i need  to list properties in the area that are being sold by Freddie or Fannie. I do not know where to get in touch with them to sign up.  Do you know?  and if you do...will you please point me in the right direction?   All help needed to begin this process   11/12/2013

NEW LISTING OCEAN FRONT "CRESCENT DREAM" $575,000     Relax on your deck and enjoy the sunrises and sunsets from this "Crescent Dream". Located at the west end of the Island. Home offers (2) great rooms, 1 up and 1 down, 3 bedrooms and extra bunk room could be a 4th bedroom, 2 baths also knotty pine walls and ceilings in some rooms. Enjoy the breath taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Great rental investment. Enclosed outside shower with hot and cold water. Located close to the Blue Water Marina and Fish House Restaurant. Bring your family and friends and start making your own Beach Memories. Call today to see this home!   5111 West Beach Dr Oak Island   Property Type: Single Family Company: Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty Bedrooms: 3 Agent Name: Ginger Harper Square Feet: 2060 Agent ... 11/12/2013

  Well, I find myself having Opportunity Day today.  (A better way to sayDuty Time).  Actually I have been enjoying it.  It is the first exposure that your company makes when some one calls on the phone or walks through the door. We need to ponder that a minute.  What you say or do...the minute someone walks in or calls in is the first impression that those folks have of your company. We need to remember that. Hope you have a good Opportunity today,  Smile! Ginger of Sea Coast Realty 11/11/2013

Fall is bringing us some buyers, finally.  It seems that we have been all frozen out of the real estate market but in the past week or so, buyers are returning to our quiet shores once again.  Fishing is good right now off the piers of Oak Island and surf casting has always been a favorite of mine, especially on East Beach on Bald Head Island.  A couple of years ago, I caught a 42 pound Drum.  What a treat.  Problem being that the fish was too big to keep according to NC Wildlife and Fisheries.  We had to throw him back.  The sunsets and the temperatures are great this time of year.   Love Southport in the FALL...         10/23/2013

Monday...Had a great weekend..!  Today is another great day. Started out with a clear, sunshiny morning drinking coffee with hubby then off to work. Yesterday, a potential seller called me to come back  to list her property.  So I put a listing into the computer and emailed it out to all of the agents in the area so that would have the first hand information of the property.  I think it is important to get the newest listings into the hands of the top producers early in the morning. Never know when that buyer will come through the door..and what you sent to them is exactly what they need.     This may be the one.. Hope that you have had a successful selling day too..   10/21/2013

  Re-blogged by 0 agents         "The Rain in Spain falls Mainly on the Plain."  Not so here.  I am in the southeast part  of North Carolina where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Cape Fear River...and the rain is falling on us. We live on a creek, called the Beaver Dam Creek (for obvious reasons)  we have had an ok Spring and gthe drought is less and less in the area. WE have not had a major storm in a few years..and althought I do not like the hurricanes that pass by, they do bring much needed rain to the area.   Seems like  the weather systems that affect us think we need more.  Wish that it would level out some. Are you getting the rainfall that you need in your area..     10/17/2013