Invest in Her Real Estate - Proudly Serving North Carolina Real Estate Buyers, Sellers, and Investors

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Lisa Jeffries Nobling

Thinking About Buying a Coastal Rental? Read This First.

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What Wilmington’s Rental Market Tells Us About Coastal Investing in the Post-Pandemic Era

A new article from May 2024 focused on Wilmington, NC, but if you’ve been watching coastal markets across the country, the story will sound familiar: short-term rental demand is down, and supply has officially outpaced it.

https://www.whqr.org/local/2024-05-23/wilmingtons-airbnb-stock-is-outstripping-demand

The WHQR piece highlights a sharp increase in the number of active Airbnb units in the Wilmington area—and not enough guests to fill them. That kind of oversaturation isn’t unique to Wilmington. We’re seeing similar patterns in many beach and vacation markets nationwide: too many listings, not enough bookings, and increasingly savvy travelers being more selective about where they stay.

So what does that mean if you’re considering buying a coastal property?

Coastal Buyers, Take Note: Short-Term Rental Trends Are Shifting

It depends on your goals.

If you’re aiming to run a high-occupancy, short-term rental business, you’ll need a strong plan and realistic expectations. The days of throwing a property on Airbnb and expecting it to book itself are behind us in many markets.

But if your goal is to use your beach home and rent it out occasionally to help subsidize your ownership costs—especially with mid- or short-term stays—there’s still a smart play to be made.

This model works especially well for buyers from the Triangle and beyond who want to enjoy the coast without the pressure of operating a full-time rental machine. And if you’re looking for easier management and more consistent income, long-term rentals are also worth a second look.

The bottom line? Coastal investing isn’t one-size-fits-all in 2024. Whether you’re looking at Wilmington or another waterfront market, now’s the time to get clear on your goals and align them with current market realities.

Let’s talk about how to make it work for you.

Contact Me Today: Lisa@InvestInHerRealEstate.com

Waterview-ish: Why the Fine Print (and the Right REALTOR®) Matter

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Have you ever seen a listing described as “ocean view” but found out it was really “ocean view adjacent“? You’re not alone—Farmers Insurance captured the absurdity of it perfectly in its hilarious commercial, poking fun at real estate lingo. Watch it here for a good laugh.

But here’s the thing: these kinds of half-truths aren’t always funny—especially when you’re the one making a major financial decision.

I was reminded of this last summer while showing a home in beautiful Morehead City. The listing had been marketed for quite some time as offering a “waterview.” And originally, it did! But in the time since it hit the market, an adjacent property owner had built a tall, two-story home that completely blocked the view. The problem? The listing agent never updated the marketing, not even the rider on the for-sale sign.

Details matter.

Whether you’re buying or selling, you deserve a real estate professional who doesn’t just copy and paste but actually keeps tabs on changes, confirms marketing claims, and gives you the full, up-to-date picture so you can make informed choices.

The moral of the story?
✅ Verify everything.
✅ Work with someone who pays attention.
✅ Don’t settle for adjacent if what you really want is an unobstructed view.

When you work with Invest in Her Real Estate, you get professionals who know the market, ask the right questions, and double-check the details—so you can buy and sell with confidence (and not get caught off guard by a surprise wall where the view used to be).

Let’s find your actual dream view—no disclaimers needed.

Let’s Talk: 919-229-9725

Honoring Service: National Veterans and Military Family Month at Invest in Her Real Estate

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November is a month of gratitude, and as we honor National Veterans and Military Family Month, Invest in Her Real Estate is thrilled to share some exciting milestones and heartfelt reflections. This annual observance reminds us to celebrate the sacrifices and contributions of our nation’s military members and their families, whose dedication often extends beyond the battlefield into every aspect of life.

Supporting Military Families Through Real Estate

Military families face unique challenges, especially when relocating. Frequent moves, often tied to service assignments, mean finding a home isn’t just about location—it’s about community, stability, and navigating transitions seamlessly. At Invest in Her Real Estate, we’re honored to help ease this process. Recently, we proudly assisted three Raleigh-area military families in finding their perfect homes, ensuring their relocations were as stress-free as possible and serving as their trusted local market experts.

A Commitment to Serve: MRP Certification

Our founder, Lisa Jeffries Nobling, REALTOR®, has furthered her dedication to military families by earning her Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification this month. (Fitting timing, no?) This specialized training equips agents with the expertise to address the unique needs of military clients. From understanding VA loan benefits to navigating the nuances of military relocations, the MRP certification is a testament to Lisa’s commitment to serving those who serve our country.

Gratitude and Giving Back

As we reflect on National Veterans and Military Family Month, we express profound gratitude for our military community and their sacrifices. Whether through advocacy, real estate services, or community engagement, Invest in Her Real Estate is passionate about supporting those who have given so much. Each year, we are proud to make donations to military-minded non-profit organizations, such as Wreaths Across America, furthering our support beyond real estate services.

We’re committed to continuing our mission of making relocations easier, more accessible, and tailored to the needs of our military families. If you or someone you know is navigating a military move, we’re here to help with a depth of expertise and a heart for service.

Let’s celebrate our veterans and military families this month—and every month. Thank you for your service, we’re honored to be a small part of your journey!

Snapshot: What Is a “Buy Box” in Real Estate Investing?

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A “buy box” is a crucial concept for real estate investors, acting as a personalized framework that outlines the specific criteria for the types of properties they aim to purchase. Think of it as a filter that helps you identify deals that align with your investment goals while avoiding those that don’t. A buy box typically includes parameters like location, property type, size, price range, and potential returns. By defining these parameters upfront, you can streamline your decision-making process and focus your energy on finding properties that truly fit your investment strategy.

Why Is a Buy Box Essential?

Opportunities abound in the always-on world of real estate investing, but not all are worth pursuing. Without a buy box, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of listings or distracted by properties that might not align with your goals. (Hello, shiny objects! ✨) A well-defined buy box helps you stay disciplined and efficient. It acts as a compass, ensuring every deal you consider meets your minimum investment criteria. Over time, this approach saves you time and effort and increases the likelihood of achieving consistent and profitable results.

How to Develop Your Own Buy Box

Creating a buy box begins with clearly understanding your investment goals. Are you focused on long-term rental income or short-term flipping profits? Once you know your objectives, you can set criteria like target neighborhoods, property conditions, and price ranges. For example, if your goal is to build a portfolio of rental properties, your buy box might include single-family homes in appreciating neighborhoods with good school districts, priced below $500,000, and requiring minimal renovations. The key is to make your buy box specific enough to filter out unsuitable deals while remaining flexible to adjust as market conditions or your goals evolve.

Fine-Tuning and Sticking to Your Buy Box

A buy box is not a rigid checklist but a living document that should adapt to your strategy or market changes. Regularly revisit and refine it to ensure it continues to serve your goals effectively. Additionally, stick to your buy box criteria, especially when emotions might tempt you to stray. Patience and discipline are vital in real estate investing, and a well-honed buy box is one of the best tools to help you build a profitable and sustainable portfolio. By leveraging this strategy, you’ll be well-equipped to seize the right opportunities and avoid costly mistakes.

Ready to Build Your Buy Box?

Give me a call (919-229-9725) or send me an email today (Lisa@InvestinHerRealEstate.com) and let’s discuss your criteria. We’ll look in real-time at properties on the market that could check all the boxes, and you’ll be well on your way to investing in yourself… and real estate!

“Study: N.C. has one of country’s highest declines in homeownership”

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Via Asheville Citizen Times by way of Business North Carolina’s Daily Digest,

This is definitely not the direction we want to move, North Carolina.

A study showed that North Carolina is No. 7 in the country for highest decline in home ownership. Real estate school and media company Agent Advice analyzed housing vacancy and homeownership data from government census numbers between 2014 and 2023. North Carolina’s 66.2% homeownership rate in 2014’s fourth quarter compared to 65.8% in 2023.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence waiting for interest rates to come down or are stuck on the spinning wheel of feeling like a lifelong renter, give me a call, send me a text, or toss me a quick email, and let’s connect to get you in the buyer’s lane! 919-229-9725 or Lisa@InvestInHerRealEstate.com.

No matter where you want to call home, we can work together to design an achievable plan to accomplish your goal of home ownership.

Image Credit: Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels

Considering Home Improvements? Think Twice About Upgrades That Don’t Add Value

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Zillow recently shared a lineup of home improvement projects that aren’t high on the list of appealing upgrades for would-be buyers. Do you recognize any of these projects on your upcoming home improvement hot list? If you’re doing it for your enjoyment with no plans to sell in the near future, then we say, “Go for it!” (especially the walk-in closet), but if you’re considering a sale in the next few years, keep in mind that your investment may be better spent on that pesky “honey do” list instead, as a “well-maintained home can sell for about 10% more than a similar home in average condition,” according to the story.

The projects that don’t deliver a dollar-for-dollar return include:

  • All-white kitchens
  • Walk-in closets
  • Decks
  • Converting garages to bedrooms
  • In-ground swimming pools
  • Poorly done DIY projects
  • Wall-to-wall carpeting
  • Bamboo flooring
  • Laminate countertops
  • High-end fixtures

Dig into the story to read about the reported sales metrics for each project if you’ve been considering investing in one of these home improvement projects this year!