Archives for January 2013

January Snapshot for the Outer Banks

January 30, 2013 By Ilona

After coming off such a strong year in 2012, I’m sure you’re wondering how things are going so far in 2013. Here’s a snapshot of what’s been happening on the Outer Banks for January.

Surprise! No news to report on the Mid-Currituck Bridge
Actual Surprise – It SNOWED! It’s all gone now, but it was fun for a day
The Great White Shark Mary Lee was cruising around Hatteras
I was named Beach Realty’s 2012 Agent of the Year
Sales for January have been STRONG. Over 50 properties CLOSED so far
Over 200 properties have already had a price adjustment in January
Nearly 200 new listings came on the market
When priced correctly multiple offers are coming in!
When priced correctly properties are selling within 30 days of listing

Last year I predicted the sales for 2012 would increase 15%. The actual number was 21%! It was even better than I thought. This year I predict a similar trend. With the activity in the market so far we should easily exceed the number of sales over last year again. I also predict we will see a stabilization in pricing…no real movement up or down.

So here’s the question…how can I be of help to you this year? What is your strategy for making the most of the 2013 market? What are your thoughts on how this year is going to play out? I’m interested to create this dialogue with you, so I can be sure to provide you with the most relevant information.

Stay warm and talk soon!

Best Buys for the Week of January 28, 2013

January 28, 2013 By Ilona

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Filed Under: OBX Real Estate News & Data, Outer Banks Good Living Tagged With: Best Buys on the Outer Banks, Duck NC Homes for Sale, Ilona Matteson, Outer Banks homes for Sale

2012 Agent of the Year

January 23, 2013 By Ilona

Beach Realty & Construction / Kitty Hawk Rentals
2012 Agent of the Year – Ilona Matteson

Ilona Matteson, associate broker for Beach Realty & Construction / Kitty Hawk Rentals was named the company’s agent of the year for 2012. Ilona was licensed in the late 1990’s and became sales manager for Beach Realty in 2002. In 2006, she moved to Richmond, VA and was affiliated with a national coaching company where she excelled as a one-on-one coach for real estate professionals. The allure of the Outer Banks brought her back to the beach and she resumed her career in real estate sales. She quickly became a top producer and attributes her success to hard work, discipline and an in-depth knowledge of the local market. Along with her successful career in real estate sales, Ilona Matteson also offers training and coaching to the sales team at Beach Realty & Construction.

Sales Manager Beth Urch says, “Ilona is an integral part of the Beach Realty sales team. She brings a level of integrity and professionalism to the business that her clients and peers appreciate. She is a valuable resource for our sales team and is instrumental to the company’s success.”

You can reach Ilona Matteson in the Duck office of Beach Realty & Construction / Kitty Hawk Rentals at (252) 261-6600 or email [email protected].

Beach Realty & Construction/Kitty Hawk Rentals is a full-service real estate company offering an attractive and ethical environment for licensed real estate professionals to realize a successful career. For more information about joining the Beach Realty Sales team contact Sales Manager, Beth Urch at (252) 261-3815 or [email protected].

Filed Under: OBX Real Estate News & Data, Outer Banks Good Living Tagged With: 2012 Beach Realty & Construction Agent of the Year, Ilona Matteson, Outer Banks homes for Sale

The Secret Formula

January 22, 2013 By Ilona

It’s been a while since my last personal blog. That’s for many reasons. First, I hate to write. Second, I have been busy. Third, I hate to write. (See Adam, it’s not just running I hate.) I’m sure I could have found the time if I really wanted to. I just didn’t make it a priority. It’s interesting what we CAN do when we make it a priority.

Last night I graduated I think my 5^th or 6^th Bootcamp. I’ve lost track. After getting into a routine with Charlie and letting my hip injury heal I decided to get back in and signed up for the Night Camp. Wow, what a great decision! All through the holidays I had something more to keep me on track. And I actually did a pretty good job!

For the two months I took off I gained no weight! I was thrilled. I was also worried that I had lost my momentum and this next camp would be like starting over. Boy was I wrong. It’s a combination of mental and physical breakthroughs. After running the half marathon, I actually believe now that I AM a runner. That was step 1, belief. Step 2, physically doing it, came on the first night of the camp when I look around at mile 2.5 and I’m still in the front group. I was amazed. Normally I’m the first person of the back group. The front group always a good 100 yards in front of me. Not this time. I was the last person in the front group! Woo Hoo!

That alone gave me a shot of confidence so big I felt I could take on the world! Not to mention, I’ll never get tired of hearing how skinny I look when I see someone I haven’t seen in a few months! That’s a good booster there too. So with this renewed confidence I saw myself doing things with ease that 6 months before I struggled with. My physical ability had gone to the next level.

Now, the most important lesson here is this…it started in my mind first. The truth is, I was probably physically capable of many of these tasks 2 months ago, but I didn’t believe it yet. It took my mindset shifting before I really broke through. Now I see why it was so important to Matt that I run that half marathon. I’m just going to have to get him a keychain that says “you were right again” as I keep finding myself saying that to him. One day, I’ll stop questioning and just start doing!

So back to the lesson…all of my mentors, all the self help books, even the bible talks about how (whatever you want to do) is not possible if you can’t first believe it can be done. You have to believe it to achieve it. I’ve known this for years, yet still didn’t apply it in my fitness life until now. I’ve been telling Charlie for months now that he has two choices…he can believe he’s going to live or believe he’s going to die. Everything else will respond to and fall into whatever belief he chooses. Ever notice how it’s always so much easier to give advice than take it?

For the second time this month I was given an achievement award. Last night Adam surprised me with the Honor Graduate dog tags. Earlier this month I was awarded Agent of the Year at Beach Realty for 2012. In both cases I really worked hard. I really wanted to excel. I made it a priority to do so. And I believed it could be done. So there you go folks. There’s the “secret” formula for success.

This year I plan to lose 30 pounds. I will fight in an amateur kickboxing fight. I will earn a yellow shirt, (maybe even a black one) at Bootcamp and I will sell 40 houses on the Outer Banks. How can I be sure? Because I will follow the formula.

I will work HARD. It won’t be easy. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
I’ve set goals I really WANT to achieve.
I’ve made a schedule that allows the work required to be a priority.
I have no doubt these things are possible if I follow 1 through 3.As with any great achievement, it isn’t done alone. I want to thank those who helped me get there and also say, I’m counting on you big time this year!

Matt Costa – Head Coach and my Fight Trainer

Adam Swansen – Bootcamp Coach and fitness “Pusher”

Jay Bowman – Bootcamp Coach and all around Inspirational Guy

Re – Bestest Friend and excellent cheerleader

Lisa – Best Friend and excellent cheerleader

Ann Baker – Best Real Estate Coach EVER!

Kimberly, Jean, Beth and Kari – Beach Realty Gals and Lifeline

Mom – Well, that’s obvious – the giver of life and creator of my moral foundation

Charlie – For your patience and courage. You inspire me every day to keep going!