Many consumers today are understandably worried about their nest egg. For many of them, however, their Greenville real estate "nest" is the best investment they can make.  Not only does owning a Greenville home help people build long-term wealth, but also it provides shelter and security for their families and fosters involvement in community life. In essence, homeownership is the cornerstone of a healthy community.    U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Greenville real estate owners move less frequently than renters. This stability is important in creating strong foundations for both families and communities.  A recent NAR research study shows that Greenville real estate owners are more likely to vote, volunteer time for civic events or participate in local crime prevention programs be... 07/10/2009

Before you make your final buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective Greenville home inspectors:1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet all state requirements and comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one adopted by the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. Customers can view each group's standards of practice and code of ethics online at www.Ashi.org or www.Nahi.org. ASHI's Web site also provides a database of state regulations.2. Do you belo... 07/03/2009

See what Century 21 The Realty Group is up to...follow us on twitter! Be the first to know about new listings, price reductions and more!  See you there   http://twitter.com/century21trg 06/30/2009

In today's competitive real estate market, Greenville home sellers must have their homes in tip-top condition before putting it on the market. Buyers aren't interested in seeing dirty socks lying around or dirty dishes in the sink. Below are a list inexpensive things, from Realtor Magazine, that you can do to make buyers fall in love with your Greenville home. 1. Move it.Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel.  2. Plant it.Houseplants are a generally undervalu... 06/26/2009

Many folks living in Greenville fantasize about running off to their own personal retreat in the mountains, at a lake or at the beach. But how do you know which vacation home is best for you?  Choosing a location Do you want your vacation home to be in the middle of all the activity, or enjoy the peace and quiet of a secluded location?  Is a condo at the mountain your cup of tea or a farmhouse tucked away in the woods? Whichever environment you prefer, here are some things you should consider: Popularity.  A house in a hot vacation market will usually cost more than a place off the beaten path.  At the same time, continued popularity may help you profit from appreciation. Proximity to your home.  If you plan to visit regularly, look for a place that's easy to get to.  Rental possibiliti... 06/25/2009

The City of Greenville would like to welcome you to the area.  The City of Greenville is here to answer common questions and provide important information to new residents so that your move to Greenville will be successful.  The following list contains important information for new residents: Housing Assistance: Greenville has a variety of housing options for its residents.  Whether you are looking to rent, lease, or buy, Greenville has a large variety of living options.  To learn more about apartments and real estate in Greenville, click on one of the following links:   For apartments: www.apartments.com For real estate:  www.ColdwellBankerGreenvilleNC.com Driver's License: The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles is responsible for issuing North Carolina Residents with Driver'... 06/10/2009

The Pitt County Board of Commissioners approved the 2009-10 budget Tuesday following a public hearing that did not have any speakers. Click Here to View the Budget The commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed budget and no one took the opportunity to comment on the proposal before the board unanimously approved it. The board immediately approved the budget that will not increase taxes in Pitt County. The board approved the $206.4 million budget that is a 6.5 percent reduction from the current year's. The budget keeps the ad valorem tax rate at 66.5 cents per $100 valuation. The budget includes $34.9 million for Pitt County Schools, an increase of $408,360 over the current year's budget. Education takes up nearly 25 percent of the 2009-10 county budget. The county also increa... 06/10/2009

The spotlight is once again on Ayden's Skylight Inn barbecue restaurant. The Pitt County purveyor of pig, East Carolina-style, will hit the big time in the Big Apple this weekend as part of a popular festival that celebrates roasted pork. A short documentary film about the local restaurant, titled "Leave It to Cleaver: The Story of North Carolina's Skylight Inn BBQ," is scheduled to be shown at 4 p.m. Sunday as part of New York's seventh annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. According to the Web site, bigapplebbq.org, the film "showcases the Jones family of Ayden, N.C., whose restaurant The Skylight Inn carries on a family tradition of whole hog barbecue that has continued in an unbroken line since the 1830s." The film was created by filmmaker Joe York and the Southern Foodway... 06/10/2009

It doesn't matter if you are moving across town or across the country, moving is stressful! But a little planning can go a long way to making the move to your new Greenville home less stressful. Below are 10 time-saving tips for a hassle-free move.  1. Make a list.  Create a week-by-week checklist of everything that needs doing. Start 60 days prior to your move and include the most trivial items. Staying on schedule will eliminate a lot of headaches, especially the closer you get to moving day.  2. Hire a quality moving company.  If the quote you get from a moving company seems too good to be true...it probably is! An unreliable company will cost you more in the long run, so be sure to check out the companies you interview with the Better Business Bureau.  3. Have a yard sale.  Now is t... 06/08/2009

Coffman's Mens Wear at 505 Red Banks Road is running a promotion from today through June 20 to help raise funds for the Boy Scouts of America. For every knit shirt or pair of shorts purchased, Coffman's will donate $10 to the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts. Scouting serves 9,000 youth in eastern North Carolina. "We appreciate Coffman's willingness to help raise funds for the East Carolina Council of the Boys Scouts of America," Michael Hesbach, district director of the East Carolina Council, said. "We hope the community will support Coffman's Mens Wear and the Boy Scouts by making a purchase during this two-week promotion." Local Scouts participate in service projects, including "Scouting for Food," which collected more than 70,000 pounds of food. "It is the mission of the Boy... 06/08/2009

Time to Sell? Tips to make your HOME Shine!      As the homeowner, your responsibility during this marketing process is to do everything possible to showcase the home in its best light during the showing times. When a prospective buyer comes to look at your home, you should talk all family members and all pets away for a while, so that the buyer can really "try on" your home. Below is a list of 13 "lucky" things that you can do to make the home really "shine"! 1. Consider Renovation. Though not a necessity, certain renovations, such as new kitchens, bathrooms, and professional landscaping may reap a financial benefit that far out weighs their cost. Your Real Estate Sales Representative will discuss the costs and benefits of any renovation with you personally. 2. You Never Get A Second C... 06/08/2009

Pitt County and Greenville foreclosure homes spiked in April compared to February and March. There were 41 new foreclosure filings in April compared to 31 filings in February and 30 filings in March, according to RealtyTrac.com. Pitt County and Greenville Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index Pitt County and Greenville foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings - default notice, foreclosure auction notice or repossession notice - each month. Home price appreciation is based on month-over-month percentage change of the Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is calculated from home sales records.   Pitt County and Greenville Foreclosure Geographical Comparison The Pitt County and Greenville foreclosure rate is .01% below the state ... 06/05/2009

Local Medical Professional Guide:  Click HERE   Click HERE for Real Estate in Eastern North Carolina The Pirates are on the MOVE!  ECU Baseball Post Season - Keep Up with it HERE 06/05/2009

With today's economy, it's nice to get something for nothing. And for the past 36 years, the City of Greenville has provided just that with its Sunday in the Park concert series. It begins again at 7 p.m. Sunday on the Town Common with a concert by the Tar River Community Band. Sunday in the Park has become a staple of summer family entertainment for Pitt County residents. Each Sunday a new group will take the stage for an all-ages event. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnics and even the family dog, provided it's on a leash. "It came about because the summer theater was not functioning at the time and I felt we needed something of a cultural nature to bring the whole family together," said event organizer Stuart Aronson. In summers past, the concerts were held in June ... 06/05/2009

Volunteer!  Volunteer!  Volunteer! GET LOCAL! Click HERE Local Opportunities: American Cancer: The American Cancer Society needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to and from treatments. Call 695-9028. Animal effort: The Pitt County Animal Response Team (CART) is seeking volunteers. Call 355-7879 or e-mail mrwhaley@co.pitt.nc.us or coolcrittr@aol.com for a volunteer application. Boys & Girls Club: The Boys & Girls Club of Pitt County needs volunteers to assist in tutoring and mentoring students from 6-to-12-years of age from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 355-2345, Ext. 204. Communities in Schools: Communities In Schools of Pitt County is seeking volunteers to serve as tutors and mentors at least one hour a week for students in Pitt County schools. Call Heather Rhodes at 757-9349 ... 06/04/2009

The United States economy is on the way up, according to East Carolina University's Bureau of Business Research.  Gas prices are expected to hold steady this summer while companies are expected to increase production and eventually create more jobs. James Kleckley, director of Bureau of Business Research, said that the worst part of the economic slump is likely over, and he is starting to see the economy slowly improve. The Bureau of Business Research monitors economic indicators on the national and international level with a particular focus on how it affects eastern North Carolina. "The worst of the worst was probably at the end of last year and the beginning of this year," he said. "We are not losing jobs at the same pace. We are starting to see a more optimistic consumer and a more... 06/04/2009

If your looking to move to Greenville, North Carolina or other surrounding areas of Pitt County, NC, you've come to the right place. We have the largest selection of Greenville, NC real estate listings and homes for sale.   The subdivision guide contains over 231 of the counties subdivisions.  From the established to the new, the starter home to the dream home, we have it all inside! Simply visit us by Clicking Here  Welcome to Eastern North Carolina. Former home of Blackbeard the Pirate and current home to the East Carolina University Pirates. Coldwell Banker Coastal Rivers Realty is so fortunate to be able to serve one of the most beautiful parts of North Carolina, Pitt and Beaufort Counties. Please take some time to review our website to gain more knowledge of the area that we serve... 06/03/2009

It seems like this is neverending, but it's an important issue that parents and students alike need to adhere to.  The less time we spend playing fashion police and the more we focus on the root of the school systems goals - ie. education, we'll be better off!  Pitt County Schools officials are hoping their latest decision regarding school uniforms will put to rest an ongoing debate about the system's policy. The Board of Education on Monday night unanimously approved revisions to the school uniform and appearance policy that was implemented this year for all Pitt County schools. Among the notable changes to the policy were adding black and navy blue collared shirts to the list of acceptable clothing at all schools in addition to the white and designated school colors and the allowance... 06/03/2009

Should you move up to a larger home? This is a question many Greenville home owners are asking.  The questions below will help you decide whether you're ready for a home that's larger or in a more desirable location.  1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home?  If you have owned your Greenville home for a number of years you might have built up some equity. Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to determine your loan balance. Then give me a call to determine your home's market value. The difference between your loan amount and current market value is your equity. Get the market value of your Greenville home.  2. Has your income or financial situation improved?  If your income has increased, you may be able to afford a higher mortgage payment.  3. Hav... 06/02/2009

Pending home sales rose with many first-time buyers taking advantage of historically good housing affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in March, increased 3.2 percent to 84.6 from a level of 82.0 in February, and is 1.1 percent higher than March 2008 when it was 83.7.Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said it should take a few months for the market to gain momentum. "This increase could be the leading edge of first-time buyers responding to very favorable affordability conditions and an $8,000 tax credit, which increases buying power even more in areas where special programs allow buyers to use it as a downpayment," he said. "We need several months of sustained gr... 05/26/2009