The 1910 Seth Thomas-model clock, which operated in downtown New Bern from 1911 to 1999, was moved by the Eastern North Carolina chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Saturday. It will now reside in the Fireman's Museum o The 14-foot-tall clock, which operated inside the New Bern Post Office and Customs tower from 1911 to 1999, should be on public display at the museum in July, said Dobert Owsley, chairman of the committee. The men, members of the New Bern tower clock restoration committee, rolled the 1910 Seth Thomas-model clock from the old fire station on Broad Street to the Fireman's Museum on Hancock Street. New Bern's 300th anniversary committee and the Eastern North Carolina chapter of the National Association of Watch a... 05/18/2008

I recently visited Union Point Park and quickly decided that things are getting "pretty duckie"!  It's Spring and mother nature is hard a work. Love is in the air, in the water and even in the park.                                       It alway fun to watch the "wildlife" at the park and look over the Neuse River winding it's way to the ocean via the Pamlico Sound. I alway leave with a better spirit and appreciation of living in New Bern. We're lucky to be able to look out over the river.  With the sun coming up over the horizon, viewing the wonders we often take for granted brings me back around every time.  Last year we had a Mallard family nest behind our real estate office. It was a real show stopper when they followed "MAMA DUCK" to the river....PAUSE., RELAX and ENJOY!         Vi... 05/12/2008

I was on my way back to New Bern from a listing appointment this afternoon when I spotted 7 really big cranes on the New Bern horizon. Nope, I'm not talking about the bird family, I'm talking about construction cranes! New Bern is growing in many ways.  We have 4 cranes on the new draw bridge construction site(photo above), 2 in the James City area and one monster crane working at Craven Regional Medical Center! One thing is for sure, when the "cranes" leave the money flows in. Here we grow again!   05/08/2008

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at http://www.newbernhomes.com/HOMES SOLD (Closed), April 1 through April 30.(From NB Board of Realtors MLS System)Under $100K = 12$100K-$159,999 = 39$160K-$199,999 = 24$200K-$249,999 = 25$250K-$299,999 = 9$300K-$399,999 = 11$400K - $499,999 = 3Over $500,000 = 3Total = 126NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD"NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE"For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE!Email Dianne(252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800 05/05/2008

You couldn't pick a better time to tell your prospects about all the opportunities at Carolina Colours:...A carefree condominium in the "Mansion Flats building for $229,000..last one at this price!...Towne Homes nearing completion and ready for tours from $279,000 to $329,000....Wooded 1/2 acre lots in the new "Spring Green Pass" neighborhood..return to the $80's!...Fairway lots with several backing up to greens..return to the $130's!...New "Harkers Island" alley home in Carolina Commons complete for $369,900!...Preservation Homes bungalow/craftsman style homess soon in "Bayberry Park"..start in high $200's complete!...Several new Builder Showcase Homes now available by Olde South, Mike Maher, Rick Scheper, George Zaytoun..BB&T has broken ground on the new bank branch next to the Welcom... 04/29/2008

So You Want to Live on the Coast Where can you buy a home for $150,000? $1 million-plus? We have 16 appealing and surprising options to consider. Check out this great article by Bill and Kay Scheller for Coastal Living             #3 NEW BERN NORTH CAROLINA!!!!              http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/living/communities/article/0,14587,1719934.html Your North Carolina Broker Sonja Babic 252-617-0861 www.SonjaBabic.com  Sonja Babic with Prudential Clear Water Realty is your New Bern and North Carolina Real Estate Broker! Looking for waterfront, historic or golf? We have it all! Conveniently located and with so much to offer New Bern is a great place to work, play and retire! Please contact me for more information's or to request your FREE info pack! 04/26/2008

THIS HOME IS MARKETED WITH PRUDENTIAL VALUE RANGE MARKETING (PVRM) AND SELLERS WILL CONSIDER OFFERS BETWEEN $339,000 AND 398,876!!! Your buyers are searching in ranges we have sellers selling in ranges LETS GET THEM TOGETHER!  If you have any questions please call me! HOW DOES PVMR BENEFITS BUYERS?· Allows the negotiation process to be more comfortable.· Introduced a larger section of properties to view· Eliminate intimidation by a fixed price tag· Allows searching within affordable price range· Brings buyers and sellers together in the least amount of time    Your North Carolina Broker Sonja Babic 252-617-0861 www.SonjaBabic.com   Sonja Babic with Prudential Clear Water Realty is your New Bern and North Carolina Real Estate Broker! Looking for waterfront, historic or golf? We have it a... 04/23/2008

 For the 2nd Weekend in a row, home buyers, designers, builders, or just plain idea hounds can go see several new homes on dispaly during the Spring Parade of Homes held April 26th and 27th.  AND/ORHelp support the Relay For Life Event in New Bern Saturday, April 26 7:00p to Sunday, April 27 12:00p. at Grover C. Fields Middle School, New Bern, NC.      04/22/2008

The North Carolina Marine Corps Host Communities Growth Task Force has been formed to assist in a unified community planning effort to address issues that may arise due to projected growth in eastern NC and growth in the military personnel at Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River and MCAS Cherry Point. Projected growth of the civilian population and USMC personnel have planner looking at  a possible increase of 61,000 people in the next five years.  This represents a possible increase of 13.7% population growth. USMC growth  Projected at about  25,000 which is comprised of 11,500 new active duty and 13,500+ dependents. Normal Civilian growth Projected growth 2006-2010* OF 21,300+  *NC Office of State Budget and Management Induced growth As many as 15,000 people are projected to be indirectly ass... 04/19/2008

This information is for the Neuse River Region Association of REALTORS® serving the New Bern, Havelock, Cherry Point area, Craven and Pamlico Counties as well as parts of Carteret and  Jones Counties, NC. Well the numbers are in and while the talking heads continue to pound the national real estate market I remain "BULLISH" on real estate. Real estate is one of the few investments that you can put your hands on, walk across and make improvements to .  Everyone needs shelter.                                                                First Quarter 2008                                 First Quarter 2007  Single Family home sales  *                                 337                                                       492 Average days on the market *                               13... 04/19/2008

MCAS Cherry Point is the largest Marine Corps Air Station on the East Coast and it is located in Havelock, NC approximately 20 miles east of New Bern. Cherry Point affects a lot of lives and livelihoods in the Craven, Carteret, Jones and Pamlico County areas.  We are reminded daily of the economic and national defense contributions this military installation is responsible for.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Craven County          Pamlico County       Jones County              Carteret  Active Military                    9004                        263                       102                          710 R... 04/19/2008

The New Bern area is growing all around us.  We can see the numerous road construction projects, we read about the new housing developments and the discussion of a new high school continues. The subject of a new high school located between Havelock and New bern was recently discussed by the Craven County Board of Education and the Craven County Board of Commissioners. The need for this new facility has gained momentum with the recently announced military personnel build up slated for Cherry Point. The county is looking for land in the area to support a high school and possibly a middle school that could share common facilities such as athletic fields and auditoriums. A new elementary school, Creekside was opened in 2007 in this area of rapid growth including Taberna and Carolina Colours... 04/19/2008

Today starts the 2008 Spring Parade of Homes in New Bern, NC. Some of the areas best builders and their work will be show cased this week-end and next week-end April 26-27.  The self guided tour starts at noon and ends at 5 p.m. The tour is an annual event hosted by the Home Builders Association of Craven and Pamlico Counties. This year is the biggest tour to date with 58 homes featured and 34 builders participating in this exciting display of features, architecture and furnishings. You can see the latest trends in construction, visit new developments and communities and enjoy the great Carolina Spring weather. Drop by our office at 312 South Front Street in downtown New Bern for a free booklet and map for the 2008 Spring Parade of Homes. You can find out more by visiting www.newbernbui... 04/19/2008

While we experienced a mild Winter, Spring has arrived in New Bern.  Things are warming up and turning green. Folks are thinking of outdoor activities, the water and the nearby beaches. One of the nice things about New Bern is the location of the city and the ability to "daytrip" to some very interesting places and return in the same day. High on the list of things to do would be a trip to the nearby Crystal Coast beaches.  While there be sure to check out the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knolls Shores. The aquarium saw extensive renovations that tripled its size and cost around 25 million dollars.  It reopened in May of 2006 and has seen over 1 million visitors since then. This is simply a fun place for all ages and is a good place to go if it's too hot or the beach gets rained out.... 04/19/2008

New Bern is very fortunate to have the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center on the banks of the Trent River in downtown New Bern. For a town this size it is really a benefit to all the citizens and local economy for us to have such a wonderful facility. There is something going on all the time at the Riverfront Convention Center and the building is really nice, overlooking the waters of the Trent River. I thought of several things I have visited the Convention Center for in the last year: Home and Garden Show. local REALTOR® board meetings and luncheons. Induction to the Neuse River Region Association of REALTORS®.  Continuing education real estate classes including required Ethics class to become a REALTOR®.  First leg of the Graduate REALTOR®.  Institute classes (4 days). New Bern Ch... 04/14/2008

   Remember hospitality? In New Bern North Carolina, hospitality is always part of the atmosphere. Voted the friendliest small town in North Carolina in 1995 ultimately the warmth and genuine charm of the people and town are the real treasures of New Bern.    Second oldest city in North Carolina founded in 1710 by Swiss Baron DeGrafenried with plenty of beautiful historic sites. Downtown historic district,  historic Riverside, Genth and of course magnificent Tryon Palace are just some. The Birthplace of Pepsi is located in historic New Bern, North Carolina.  Pepsi-Cola was first invented by Caleb Bradham in his pharmacy in 1898.  The store is located in the original location where Bradham first invented Pepsi-Cola. The Birthplace of Pepsi is owned and operated by Pepsi-Cola Bottling Com... 04/11/2008

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at http://www.newbernhomes.com/HOMES SOLD (Closed), March 1 through March 31. (From NB Board of Realtors MLS System) Under $100K = 9$100K-$159,999 = 39$160K-$199,999 = 22$200K-$249,999 = 21$250K-$299,999 = 10$300K-$399,999 = 6$400K - $499,999 = 1Over $500,000 = 4Total = 112 NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD"NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE"For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne(252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800 04/07/2008

There are several reasons why a property won't sell and it's usually NOT your real estate agent. Below are some of the things to ask yourself about your property . Did you list with the agent that was realistic on pricing, or the one who promised you the most money? Are you aware of the number of substitute houses equally or more favorably positioned? Did you comply with your with agent's recommendations on: Pricing? De-cluttering the house? Addressing deferred maintenance? Next is: the house kept "showing appointment ready" inside and out at all times? the property easy for agents to access and show? Other factors to consider: Is the house less than ten years old? Is it a single level home? Does it have central air conditioning? Is it satellite/cable TV-ready? Does it have a walk-in cl... 04/04/2008

I ran the numbers this a.m. when I got to work and they confirmed what I already knew.  Inventory levels are creeping back up in the area serviced by the Neuse River Region Association of REALTORS®. In January it looked like we might be trending back down after high levels in the Fall of 2007  as we got into the 1300's. However as of April 1, 2008 we are back at 1560 houses for sale. My advice to sellers at this point is: #1   Be realistic in your expectations based on current market where the property is #2   Do not sell unless you really need to #3   Do not put your house on the market if  "we really don't need to sell" fits your situation.  #4  Do not over-price your house.  Buyers are more savvy than ever and 2005 is history. If you want top dollar( relative to the current market) y... 04/01/2008

The annual fund raiser for Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens will be held  May 9th 2008 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in New Bern, N.C. The "Gathering in the Gardens" will be on the South Lawn Friday evening, open to the public and is casual. Tickets for this event are $25.00 and can be purchased at Mitchell's Hardware on Craven Street, Frazier's Wine and Cheese on Middle Street, Cooks and Connoisseurs or Tryon Palace Visitor Center. Great fun, food and music is a sure thing.  This is a great way to find out about all the activities that go on at Tryon Palace.  Nearly 100, 000 visitors go through the palace and grounds each year. For further information contact Judy Bailie at 252-514-4936 or e-mail @jbilie@tryonpalace.org.     03/31/2008