Real Estate by Stuart Bowler

04/28/2026

Good news for buyers watching the market — pending home sales ticked up 1.5% in March, according to the latest report from the National Association of REALTORS®.

That means more contracts are being signed, even with mortgage rates still running higher than most of us would like. NAR's Chief Economist put it simply: buyers are out there, demand is real, and more inventory will help turn that interest into closed sales.

The South (that's us! 🙋) was one of the regions that saw gains both month over month AND year over year — which is a great sign for our local market.

If you've been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the "perfect" moment, this kind of data is worth paying attention to. Pent-up demand + improving inventory = a market that's starting to move.

Thinking about buying or selling in Eastern NC? Let's talk. 👇

02/05/2026

Rates Crack the 6% Floor: Following the $200B bond purchase announcement, 30-year fixed rates plummeted.

Freddie Mac reported the weekly average at 6.10%, but many lenders are now quoting 5.99% or lower for the first time in years.

Share this post with someone looking to buy their next home.

02/02/2026

There’s a lot of noise about the "housing market cooling" in Eastern NC, but here’s what’s actually happening on the ground in Jacksonville and Swansboro.

I walked a client through a home in Jacksonville. They were torn between an older ranch and a brand-new build 2 miles away.

The older ranch looked "cheaper" on paper. But once we added up the 20-year-old HVAC, the roof that's seen hurricanes, and the 6.5% interest rate... the NEW build was actually a lot cheaper per month.

The Strategist's Tip: In a military town like ours, your exit strategy is your rental potential. In 2026, BAH rates are up, but so are tenant expectations. A new build is a "set it and forget it" asset. An existing home is a part-time job.

If you're looking in Sneads Ferry or Richlands, don't just look at the price tag. Look at the "Total Cost of Ownership" over the next 3 years.

01/14/2026

Let's be honest about Eastern NC summers. They are hot, they are humid, and the bugs are relentless.

That’s why this new listing in Swansboro is perfect.

I’m a Retired Marine, and I look for tactical advantages in real estate. This house has a massive one: A custom Florida Lanai over the pool.

The home is also sitting right on the White Oak River.

Imagine coming home from the main gate, dropping your gear, and walking out to a pool that’s fully screened in. No mosquitoes. Just you, the water view, and a cold drink.

It’s close to the Swansboro town center, so you can hit the market on weekends. But private enough that you don’t feel like you’re in the city.

This is the kind of home that keeps retention rates high.

Check out the photos below. The pool setup is legitimate.

(Link in the first comment)

01/05/2026

Real talk: I drove through Hubert this morning. Saw three "For Sale" signs on the same street that have been there since before Thanksgiving.

If you’re stationed at Lejeune or Cherry Point, you’ve probably noticed it too. Homes aren't flying off the shelf in 4 hours anymore.

Good.

I ran the numbers for January 2026. Here is the actual math for Onslow and Carteret counties. Ignore the national news, they don't know our market.

The Intel:

Onslow County: Median price is holding steady around $304k.

But the "Days on Market" is up. We are seeing homes sit for 50+ days.

Carteret County: Prices actually dipped slightly (down about 4% from last year) to $445k.

Inventory: We have over 1,600 active listings in Onslow right now. That is ammo we haven't had in five years.

What this means for you:

1. If you are Buying (PCSing in):
You finally have leverage. In 2022, you had to waive inspections and pay over asking. Today? You can ask for repairs. You can ask for closing costs. You can actually think about the decision overnight.

2. If you are Selling (PCSing out):
Pricing is everything. If you price your house like it’s 2022, it will sit. And it will get stale. We are in a "Balanced Market" now. That means it’s a fair fight, but you have to be realistic.

3. The Rate Myth:
Stop waiting for interest rates to hit 3% again. They are stabilizing in the 6s. If you are renting because you're "waiting for the crash," you are just paying your landlord's mortgage.

The Bottom Line:
The frenzy is over. We are back to normal real estate. If you have orders for the Spring, we need to start looking at the inventory *now* before the massive wave of buyers hits the gates in March.

Drop a comment if you want the specific list of homes that have been sitting for 60+ days (aka the "Negotiation List").

Stuart Bowler, Ret. USMC | RE/MAX Homestead | Eastern NC Military Relocation

01/02/2026

Out here in Eastern NC, especially around Camp Lejeune, I keep seeing the same thing play out. Prices are not slowing down. They're climbing.

Just last month, I was talking to a Marine family. They eyed a place in Jacksonville, maybe close to the Main Gate to avoid a long drive. They liked it. But they wanted to "wait and see" what the market would do.

I told them direct. As a Retired Marine with 20 years in the Corps, you learn to read the signs. This isn't a market to wait on. It just isn't.

And sure enough, that house went under contract fast. When they looked again, everything similar was higher. They lost ground. Because they hesitated.

Look, this isn't rocket science. This is what's happening. The cost of getting into a home in Onslow County keeps going up. You can stand on the sidelines hoping for things to slow down. Or you can get in the game now.

My advice is simple. If you're thinking about buying, don't wait for prices to magically drop. Start making your move. It's only going to get tougher if you delay. I’ve seen it too many times.

Stuart Bowler, Ret. USMC | RE/MAX Homestead | Eastern NC Military Relocation

12/31/2025

A lot of folks are asking me what the market in Eastern NC is going to do in 2026.

Here is the truth.

The national news doesn’t know what’s happening at the Main Gate or out in Swansboro. They look at national averages. I look at the street level.

I spoke with a military family the other day. Dad is retiring from the Corps, wanted to wait until "things settle down" to buy their forever home.

I told him: "Things don't settle down here. They just get more expensive."

Don't let the holiday distraction cost you leverage. If you're looking to put roots down in Onslow County, let's get it done before the noise starts.

Stuart Bowler, Ret. USMC | RE/MAX Homestead | Eastern NC Military Relocation

12/26/2025

I was driving to the gym this morning thinking about how many families are throwing money away on rent right now.

It’s frustrating because the data for Onslow County has shifted, and a lot of folks haven't noticed.

Here is the reality on the ground: Inventory is up 12.4%. Rates dropped to 6.18% this week.

I'm seeing sellers in Swansboro and Jacksonville having to actually work for an offer again. Homes are sitting 5 days longer than last year.

This is good news for you.

If you are looking to buy, you finally have room to breathe. We can ask for repairs. We can negotiate price.

But to the homeowners reading this: The days of "set it and forget it" pricing are done.

If your house isn't move-in ready, it's going to sit. Buyers are picky right now, and they have the leverage.

If you're unsure where you stand, send me a message. I'll give you the raw numbers, not a sales pitch.

Stuart Bowler, Ret. USMC | RE/MAX Homestead | Eastern NC Military Relocation

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12/25/2025

I drove past the Main Gate at Lejeune yesterday evening.

Traffic was actually light. It made me think about how many Christmases I spent away, and how many of our neighbors in Eastern NC are missing someone at the dinner table today.

That’s the reality of a military town.

I had a client close on a place near Swansboro last week. It was a tight timeline. We had to fight through some VA appraisal nonsense to get it done. But I told them, "We are getting you in before Santa shows up."

We made it happen.

Seeing a family secure in their own home is why I do this. It’s not about the commission check. It’s about knowing you’ve got a base of operations that actually belongs to you.

Enjoy the downtime. Eat the food. Hug your kids.

Semper Fi, Onslow County.

Stuart Bowler, Ret. USMC | RE/MAX Homestead | Eastern NC Military Relocation

12/23/2025

I walked through a property in Swansboro the other day.

Great layout. close to the base. But the seller was stuck in the past.

They said, "My neighbor sold for $500k three years ago."

I had to be the one to tell him the hard truth. That neighbor had a bidding war because inventory was zero.

In 2026, buyers in Eastern NC have choices.

If you are selling next year, you aren't just competing with other resale homes. You are competing with the new construction popping up all over Onslow County.

Builders are offering incentives. They are buying down rates. Can you compete with that?

You can. But you have to be tactical.

Your curb appeal needs to be tight. First impressions matter.

Your price needs to be based on data, not emotion.

You need to leverage your VA Loan assumption if you have a low rate.

I’m a Retired Marine. I don't sugarcoat things. I would rather hurt your feelings with the truth now than watch you lose money later.

If you’re PCSing soon, let’s get a plan together before the stress kicks in.

Stuart Bowler, Ret. USMC | RE/MAX Homestead | Eastern NC Military Relocation