20th Sunday Jazz Schowcase: a Tribute to Benny Goodman

The Sunday Jazz Showcase brings together top talent from all over and is a highly anticipated New Bern event for the past 20 years! The performances take place at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom. This year the tribute is to the great Jazz Artist, Benny Goodman. The date is Sunday, February 8, 2009. Tickets go quickly to this popular event. Tickets for the 1:30 pm performance are $30 for members of Craven Arts Council and Gallery and $35 for nonmembers; tickets for the 7 pm performance are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Tickets are available at the Craven Art Council and Gallery, 317 Middle St. New Bern and can also be ordered by phone at 252-638-2577. To get more information go to http://www.craventarts.org/. We look forward to seeing you at one of these grand performances.

New Bern, Havelock and Surrounding Area Sales

While it is true that home sales have decreased in our area, we are not as dramatically hit as the rest of the country seems to be, at least in moderate price ranges. This chart, compiled by New Bern MLS data, shows that homes less than $250k are selling. More homes in this price range sold last year than are currently listed. This takes a 12 month period into account (not a true absorption figure according to some experts) but it is a good measure of what is available and what is in demand.

Why are we still selling homes in our area? One reason is the influx of military personnel to our Marine Base in Havelock: Cherry Point Marine Air Station. Many of the pilots and crew are first time buyers and have no house to sell. They are still one of the only groups that can get 100% financing through the VA.

How is this valuable and to whom? As a builder, I would build spec homes under $250k and choose an area convenient to the MCAS. As a buyer, I would know which homes would, most likely, be more negotiable and as a seller, I would how much competition I have and how it is affected.

Marcia Werneke