Wilmington NC Real Estate Blog

The NewCastle Antique District is located between the 3rd and 8th block range on Castle Street in Downtown Wilmington. This eclectic little area is packed with shopping, food, wine and culture that most people are unaware of. Next time you are making your way downtown try to make it a point to check this area out.  Here are some places to get you started:

Wilmington Wine-

This is a locally owned swanky wine shop where “everyone knows your name”. They have a wide selection of fine wines, ports and beers to choose from. They also host a free
Friday night tasting every week with samples of 5 different wines and pairing notes. Wilmington Wine also hosts a number of social events throughout the year that you won’t want to miss. For more info check out their FB page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/WilmingtonWine

Jester’s Java-

This a great place to grab lunch while out par rousing the shops. They have sandwiches, salads, daily homemade quiches, freshly made coffee cakes and more. Jester’s Java display local artwork from varies artists that are scattered along their walls
so you may even find a new piece while you are munching on some tasty treats. They are open for both breakfast and lunch.

Vintage Values-

A great little thrift shop where all of the proceeds go to benefit the Wilmington Domestic Violence Shelter. They have a wide range of goods like designer men and women’s clothing, shoes, house wares, books, small furniture, art and more. Guilty free
shopping when it’s for a good cause! http://www.domesticviolence-wilm.org/

The Eclectic-

This is a very posh consignment/antique shop that has become one of my favorite places to shop.  They have TONS of great items in this place including antiques, fine art, period furniture, jewelry, china, lighting fixtures, clothing, etc. If you have
some antique items you are interested in consigning check out their website, http://www.theeclecticnc.com/

The Mission-

This is a true secret gem for great findings. It is a local rescue mission and gospel church that sells donated clothes, households, furniture, books, toys and more. The proceeds go to helping families in town that are in need of assistance. The staff is very hard working and super friendly. I try to always donate my "spring clean out" here but sometimes end up buying more then I bring
in, LOL. For more info about donations call (910) 343-0366.

Written By:  BlueCoast agent Carly Gravely

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to go to Airlie Gardens, located just about 5 minutes from Wrightsville Beach. It is referred to by many as the Gardens by the Sea. Springtime is the best chance to see the collection of over 100,000 blooming azalea gardens. They are absolutely breathtaking! The walking tour is self-guided so you can take your time and learn all about the history as it dates back to the 1700’s and began as a 640 tract of land. It’s such a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Established in 1901, Airlie Gardens is a landmark for Wilmington and part of North Carolina history. In 1999, New Hanover County purchased 67 acres to preserve for public use so locals and tourists can enjoy and discover the beauty. It is considered one of the few undeveloped tracts of land along Bradley Creek. You can also see wildlife, sculptures, views of freshwater lakes, and you can’t forget to check out the 462 year old Airlie Oak tree! It’s like stepping back in time to an old plantation. My daughter’s class did a fieldtrip here last year and they learned all about nature, plants and animals.  Their programs are educational and fun for kids. This past  Christmas our family experienced Enchanted Airlie. That is where all the gardens are lit up in lights and it is like a magical winter wonderland. There is a train set up as well and Santa Claus even has a place there for children to visit him. Imagine sipping on hot chocolate as you walk through along the path all bundled up. It is such a festive way to spend an evening that time of year so mark your calendars for that this Winter. The Oyster Roast is something you don’t want to miss either if you like oysters as much as I do. And if you are looking for a wedding spot or picture opportunity, Airlie Gardens is the place. One of the best things coming up though is the Summer Concert Series beginning in early May and going through September.  Different genres of music are featured by a band that plays in the gardens.  Folks enjoy taking their lawn chairs and coolers and relaxing with friends and family in a beautiful setting. It is also free to members. Membership options are reasonable or you can just pay as you go. To learn more information about Airlie Gardens, check out their website at www.airliegardens.org and make it a must do on your list for this summer!

Written By:   BlueCoast Agent Renee Britt

Just 3 miles from the beach and a half hour drive to Camp Lejeune Jacksonville, NC you will find a small town known as Holly Ridge, NC that over 1,200 residents call home.  For many reasons people have sought out this NC gem to live and work including low cost of living, beautiful neighborhoods like The Cottages at Holly Ridge, convenience to Camp Lejeune, and the all-American atmosphere it provides. 

 “The Cottages at Holly Ridge” is a beautiful neighborhood developed by award winning Cardinal Builders that is complete with sidewalk lined streets, walking trails, and lushly landscaped common areas.  On March 16th, neighborhood residents celebrated the grand opening of Poppies Park that the developer created especially for the children of the Marine Corp families who live there. 

The Cottages at Holly Ridge community offers eight floor plans ranging in size from 1,333 sq. ft. to 2,472 sq. ft.  New construction prices range from $219,000 to $298,000 for anywhere from two to four bedrooms and baths.  Feel free to visit the onsite sales center that makes it easy to tour and learn more about this neighborhood.  An agent is available to answer questions and
provide access into existing residences. All homes offer superior craftsmanship, the finest details, and a 10-yr bonded builder warranty.  Visit www.TheCottagesNC.com for more information.

Having quick and easy access to nearby Topsail Island Beach is one of the greatest features of living at the Cottages at Holly Ridge.  Many long time locals consider Topsail Island to be one of the best beaches in the area to escape and relax from the busy city life of Wilmington.  With the many beautiful beaches and easy access to the Intracoastal Water Way, Topsail Beach is a great place to spend time and truly enjoy your family.

After spending the day basking in the sun it is fun to have lunch at one of the local restaurants.  The Crab Pot is a fresh, off-the-docks seafood experience that everyone should try!  Located just over the bridge as you  enter Topsail Island, The Crab Pot is an open air restaurant that offers a homespun southern atmosphere.  Each table has a center pit for easy clean up after chowing down on shellfish of every kind!

Another fun fact about Holly Ridge is that it is home to NBC’s “The Voice” singer Katrina Parker.  Coached by Adam Levine from Maroon Five, Katrina has proudly represented her small hometown!  We all wish her luck with upcoming The Voice on-stage competition in Hollywood!

For more information about The Cottages contact BlueCoast listing agent Wayne Bigg at 910.264.4921 or email him at wbigg@bluecoastrealestate.com

Spring has sprung here in Wilmington, NC!  Warm weather has descended upon us and with it, the first signs of the colorful azaleas that our area is famous for. Pink here, red there, a flash of white blooming all over town. And it’s not even April yet!

For those of you that visit our fair city each year for the North Carolina Azalea Festival, you might be a little disappointed that the flowering has come and gone already by April 11th. But even if the Azalea Festival is lacking in, well, azaleas...there will plenty of activities to entertain and amaze visitors and locals alike all over Wilmington. The show-stopping colors only come once a year, so that’s reason to celebrate. Started in 1948, the April weekend celebrating our gorgeous azalea flowers has made southeastern coastal North Carolina a springtime destination for over 60 years!

As I research the festival for this article, I find that there are so many activities and events that I never even knew about before! The official dates of the festival this year are April 11-15, but the festivities commence on March 25th with an Azalea Children’s Tea, 2-4 pm.

Next up on the agenda is the Azalea 5K/10K/Fun Run on April 7th starting at Mayfaire Town Center’s Try Sports Field. Proceeds from this event go to a great cause, Cape Fear Volunteer Center Big Buddy Program.

Then the festival kicks into high gear with some of the events it’s known for. The Queen’s Coronation is held at Riverfront Park on the 11th. A whirlwind of events follows: Kenny Logins and Scott McCreery will perform in concert at Trask Auditorium on the 12th and the 13th respectively. The big Azalea Festival parade is on Saturday. The Cole Bros. Circus is in town April 12-15.

A juried art show, the Azalea Garden Tour, the downtown street fair, visiting ships, boxing matches, historical home tours, a coin show and performances on the main stage all take place all weekend.

All in all, several hundred thousand visitors will enjoy all that this weekend has to offer.

If you have been thinking of coming to town to check out Wilmington’s real estate market, try to time your trip around Azalea Festival dates. Or, if you really love flowers, come on down immediately! Either way, you will love being in Wilmington, NC this spring.

For more information on the North Carolina Azalea Festival, go to http://ncazaleafestival.org/.

Written By:  BlueCoast Agent Shannon Andrews

Hampstead, or as my people call it “The Hampsteads”, is the Relocation Mecca in Southeastern North Carolina- Come along on the Deetour and see what it’s all about...

Hampstead, North Carolina, is becoming a magnet area for retirees, or as we call these new residents, “half backs”; historically, retirees went straight from the cold winters of the northeast to the more temperate areas in south Florida. That is, until they discovered North Carolina, particularly Hampstead, also referred to as “The Hampsteads”, With its country, rural ambiance peppered with new real estate developments along the Intracoastal Waterway, on the surface, a newcomer to the area would assume Hampstead is a “backwater” community, but with a little encouragement by their real estate relocation agent, they will find pastoral golf course communities and waterfront mini-mansions.

Hampstead is also known as the “seafood capital of the Carolinas”, a big draw for seafood lovers, boaters, and anyone who’s looking for an abundance of water access. The Intracoastal Waterway runs all the way along the land area of Hampstead from the north to south. And Topsail Island is just a kayak ride away.

Because of the geographical limitations of boundaries in Wilmington, in New Hanover County, the real estate development expansion is occuring to the north in Pender County and Hampstead is in the center of this explosion.

Located between Wilmington and Jacksonville, Hampstead is a prime location for real estate relocation buyers. With the 2010 estimated population of 15,000 residents, and an average age of 42, Hampstead is a highly desirable town within minutes of anything your heart desires. And let’s not forget the new overpass linking Hampstead directly to historic, downtown Wilmington. As a former resident, I can confirm that door to door, it takes less than 20 minutes to be checking out a new art gallery opening with a fine glass of wine as horse drawn carriages stroll by along the Cape Fear River.

Hey, all you wannabe Arnie Palmers, I haven’t forgotten about you-I’d like to tease you with the list of beautifully landscaped golf courses available to just walk onto-no membership necessary! We have Inland Greens Golf Course... Olde Point Golf Course... Duck Haven Golf Club... Castle Bay Country Club and Belvedere Golf & Country Club .

What’s not to like? You get the best of everything in Hampstead: easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway, pristine beaches of Topsail Island, country living with all the amenities of a big town, and striking distance of the big city life in downtown, historic Wilmington..

Written by:  BlueCoast agent Dee Pearce

Pleasure Island, which consist of Carolina and Kure Beach, is probably the best place to buy beach property on the east coast. In the last few years the prices of property on the island has become affordable once again. About 5 years ago it was unheard of to find a single family home for under $200,000. If there was, it was usually something to tear down and rebuild. Now that times have changed, there are many single family homes available for purchase that are almost in perfect shape. There is not a single part of the island that is not at least bike riding distance to the beach and with the weather we have that’s basically what I do on my time off. Who doesn’t enjoy hanging out on the beach sucking in the sun and smelling that salt air.

There is a huge variety of neighborhoods that are sure to appeal to just about everyone. There are condo’s , Paradise Cove, that are fairly new that can be bought in the low 100’s.  Then you have neighborhoods such as Oceana and Seawatch that a king would appreciate. There is also many builders constructing affordable single family oceanfront properties that are below 7 figures. A new oceanfront property with at least 2500 square.feet at that price is unheard of.

Not only are the prices RIGHT but the island is like a tight knit family. It’s not  to big but yet it’s not to small. I think it’s just right. Just in the past few years Carolina Beach has a farmers market every Saturday morning. Besides all the fresh fruits and vegetables there, anyone is welcome to open a stand and sell their creations. I’ve seen some of the neatest arts and crafts  made by the locals here on the island. Such creations include candles, paintings, blown glass, jewelry, nautical copper wall mounts,,stained glass décor, and even  lighters that look like fishing lures. I had to get one of those. The sky is the limit. The farmers market is also a great place to meet people. I have found that the majority of the people that live on the island are friendly good hearted people.

The night life on the Island is incredible. Every Thursday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Carolina Beach has a fabulous firework show. This draws huge crowds from all over Wilmington. After the fireworks are done it’s time to go listen to some live music. Many of the local bars have live music at least 2 days a week. If it’s music you like, Pleasure Island has a Jazz festival in the Spring and a Blue’s Festival in the fall. Always a great time with well known bands and more food than you can imagine.

If you’re looking for affordable beach property, I would recommend Pleasure Island to just about anyone. Come see what it’s all about!

Written By:  BlueCoast agent Jeff Humphrey

When looking for the ultimate affordable privacy, some people choose to venture beyond the boundaries of Historic Wilmington’s downtown area and Northern NC Beaches. Have you ever taken time to head South along Hwy 17 towards North Carolina’s southern shoreline and see what a beautiful area of North Carolina this truly is? Well, after a recent trip to South Carolina, I had the chance to see firsthand why many would choose this area of the world to live.

It’s really cool when driving over the Cape Fear River leaving Wilmington how you can see the entire historic downtown landscape and shoreline, the big boats sitting at dock in the Cape Fear River, and the USSNC Battleship. The next thing you know you are traveling through the Cape Fear River Basin, an area where serenity and peace can be witnessed in every marsh, swamp and low country Pine and spontaneous Palm you see. It’s a beautiful site – the moss covered trees, the low lying fog hanging over the water, the occasional hawk or owl.

If you head south towards Southport, Oak Island, and the South Carolina border, you’ll find a sign for Bolivia, North Carolina, a serene coastal community of North Carolina. In Bolivia, North Carolina you will find RiverSea Plantation, a great community offering an excellent balance of peace, serenity, and access to everyday service providers. Anyone who loves nature and the water will love RiverSea Plantation with its convenient location to the Lockwood Folly River. Water access for residents provides opportunity for a day of kayaking, boating or if you happen to be a land lover, taking a walk through the wooded low county can be enjoyable.

RiverSea Plantation community features and amenities include: private members amenity center, outdoor and indoor community pools, fitness room boat ramp, clubhouse, walking and biking trails, tennis courts, and much more. Community boat ramp offers direct access to deep water access on Lockwood Folly River.

A fantastic real estate opportunity within the RiverSea Plantation is 670 SE Summerhaven Lane. This desirable and beautifully landscaped home is listed at only $389,000. Built in 2005, along a pond in the RiverSea Plantation this home sits on an acre and is complete with four bedrooms and three baths. The total living area is 3300+ and offers spacious 15 ½ ft ceilings in great room. Gourmet kitchen includes double oven, oversized refrigerator and granite countertops, and intercom and surround sound systems throughout. Home is within Brunswick County School District and convenient to community college. For more information on this property or other listings offered at BlueCoast Realty Corporation, contact Jan Justice at jan@bluecoastrealestate.com or call 910-509-0234. You can also visit www.WilmingtonNCHomes.com and look up MLS #470839.

Written By:  BlueCoast REALTOR Jan Justice

Looking for luxury condo living close to the beach with the amenities of a country club--pool, tennis, fabulous clubhouse? Add a location conveniently located to the area’s best amenities AND beautiful, spacious, well-appointed residential units with no maintenance. But...your budget is in the $200,000’s or $300,000’s. Don’t think there is a product like this in Wilmington?

Look no further than The Village at Mayfaire located on Military Cutoff! The complex is in walking/biking distance to Mayfaire Town Center, featuring shops, restaurants and cinema. The on-site clubhouse facility is top notch with more features than even most Wilmingtonians are aware of. A 25-seat movie theater is available for residents and guests, a state-of-the-art gym, a billiards room, a large gourmet kitchen for entertaining, and a cozy library where you can select a book from the shelf and read by the fire in the cooler months. Located just outside is the beautiful pool with elaborate landscaping and several outdoor gourmet grilling stations. It’s the perfect spot for summer whether you are a full time resident or own a second home as your vacation getaway. More of a beach lover? Wrightsville Beach is a just a few minutes away!

The community also features tennis courts, a car washing station, and walking/biking trails. Throw in total facility maintenance and you have one of the most sought-after properties in Wilmington at a very affordable price. Units at The Village at Mayfaire currently start at $264,000 for a 2-bedroom home and go up to the high $400’s. Most units are priced in the $300,000-$389,000 list price range. With several floor plans to choose from offering 2 or 3 bedrooms, there is something for every buyer.

If you are tired of mowing, raking, painting, power washing and all the other joys of home ownership, this spring is the perfect time to get into the condominium mindset. You’ll finally be able to spend your time enjoying the pool, club, the beach and boating nearby instead of the tasks on your every growing to-do list. We live in too nice a climate to not enjoy it, and a purchase at The Village at Mayfaire is your first step. 

But you might want to start looking... After a quiet 2011, 2012 has started off with a bang in terms of sales. At the time of this writing, there are five units under contract. Luxury condo living at an affordable price? What more could you ask for? Call me for a tour of the community today! 

Written By:  BlueCoast REALTOR Shannon Andrews   (910) 352-2759

Cove Landing at Mallory Creek is the neighborhood to visit in Brunswick County where taxes are lower and unbeatable value is discovered.  An  ideal location, being about 20 minutes to all the beaches and to Southport, the quaint fishing village where you can take a day ferry over to Bald Head Island and Fort Fisher/Carolina Beach.  It is only 10 minutes to Downtown Wilmington’s Historic District and just 15 minutes from the airport and hospitals.  The community amenities include a competition size swimming pool, beautiful clubhouse and playground all for just $40 per month. The Brunswick Nature Park is nearby and the public boat access is only 2 miles away which takes you to the Cape Fear River, leading you to the Intracoastal Waterway so you could be on your boat easily. 

Currently, Cove Landing at Mallory Creek is in the Closeout phase of the South Brook section. This means   significant discounts of up to $15,000 off the price of a brand new home.  Also, Stevens Fine Homes is introducing the new European exterior style home which everyone is so excited about.  Homes range in price from $149,900 to $259,900. Square footage ranges from 1400-4000. Now you can calculate the value per square foot, unbelievable!  All homes are built Energy Wise which results in greater savings and efficiency.  Clients can also choose to pick their lot and build a new home.  This process takes about 3 months and there is a lovely design studio that the client can visit to see their choices so it can be personalized.  The building process is made easy as 1-2-3!!

To share with you more about Craig Stevens, the builder…..he has been in the business for 20+ years and is a third generation builder.  After much dedication to his customers and hard work, he has successfully become Wilmington’s #1 Builder.  Interestingly enough, the company has achieved a 95% rating on the customer satisfaction survey.  The builder has their own warranty department and offers every new homeowner a one year builder’s warranty, a two year mechanical warranty and a ten year structural warranty.  This gives the client a piece of mind that the builder stands behind their product and service and satisfaction is of utmost importance to Stevens Fine Homes.

Wendy Melville, the new home specialist in Mallory Creek, has been with the company for nearly ten years and has been in Mallory Creek the last four years.  She was #1 in the company in 2010.  She is very knowledgeable about the area and genuinely cares for her clients.  She will be happy to mail you information or speak to you anytime and would love a personal visit.  Feel free to contact her at 910-262-1660 and let her know how you found out about Cove Landing at Mallory Creek. 

Written By:  BlueCoast REALTOR Renee Britt

Did you know that banks are paying you to sell your house if you are in Short Sale situation here in the Wilmington NC area?  Here lately we have been instructed by banks to add to the closing statement money going to the seller.  It is not on EVERY transaction, however, it is a surprise that the sellers have really enjoyed hearing at the close of their home.

I will list below incentives that a few of our larger banks are able to offer:

Bank of America Cooperative Program: In this program, qualified households that participate in this short sale program will receive $2500 at closing.

HAFA: In this program, qualified households who participate in this program (which has both short sale and deed-in-lieu of foreclosure options) receive $3000 at closing. (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also participate in HAFA.)

Chase & Citi Bank: Both of these mortgage lenders are now sending certain borrowers letters offering them the option of participating in a short sale for a significant incentive (often between 20,000 and 35,000 dollars). Read the fine print on the offer and follow all of the rules in order to receive this incentive at closing.

Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo frequently sends borrowers letters asking them to participate in a short sale and offering an incentive in the letter. Sellers should read their mail and save the letter so that they can redeem the incentive at closing (usually between three and five thousand dollars).

Ocwen: Ocwen frequently sends borrowers letters asking them to participate in a short sale and offering an incentive in the letter. Sellers should read their mail and save the letter so that they ree and five thousand dollars).

Is this to good to be true?  The Citi & Chase incentives seem a little crazy, right?  I want you to know that we have recently had one of those banks ask us to put a $35,000 credit to the seller on the closing statement.

How do you know if you qualify?  Many of the banks mail you these offers, unfortunately, many of these offers are never seen because the bank “stuff” gets thrown in the trash.  With the current Short Sale Listings that we have here in the Wilmington area, you can bet your hard earned dollar we are asking to make sure that there is no money that is waiting for you.

We are offering at BlueCoast Realty monthly seminars to go over Short Sales, Modifications, Bankruptcy, Deed in Lieu and Foreclosures.  In these seminars we work with attorneys to make sure you are looking in to your best possible options.

Our next Seminar is Saturday March 25 at 11am at our office on 575 Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington.  I hope to see you there!

Written By:  BlueCoast REALTOR Kirby Keene