Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty...Makes the 11pm NBC News

Housing Market Heating Up

April 3, 2007 07:30 PM EDT

Housing Market Heating Up

NEWS 6 NEWSBOX

This Day in History
NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- Just a few months into 2007, there are already some encouraging signs about the area's housing market. Some Wilmington Realtors say they're seeing a big boost in business.
The numbers may not match the record year of 2005, but what had been a slow down in the Wilmington-area housing market may be picking up speed.
"We had 3,000 showings in March, 100 a day. Before that, the best we had was 80 a day, so more people are looking, and that's a good indication things are picking up," said Chip Pearsall of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty.

Springtime's warmer weather usually means more people look at homes anyway, but increased numbers at places like Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty could mean more home sales.
C.B. Johnson works at Keller Williams, and says he sees good things down the road.
"I see a balance returning to the market by spring next year," he said.

But there may never be a return to past years, and that leaves buyers and sellers forced to adapt.
"Six thousand homes sold are down to 4,500, so the question is, what part of that 4,500 do you want to have?" Johnson said.
"Emotionally, it's a buyer's market. They're feeling good about looking at their options," Pearsall said.

Realtors say the good thing about the Wilmington area is that it remains largely isolated from some of the national trends.
Reported by Joe Keiley