The Carolina Place neighborhood (a national register historic district) was built as a streetcar suburb at the turn of the 20th century. The neighborhood boundaries are Market Street, Burnt Mill Creek, Gibson Avenue and Wrightsville Avenue. It's surrounding neighborhoods are Ardmore, Brookwood, and Carolina Heights, and Forest Hills. Today, home prices range from the high 100's to the high 300's. The association known as CPANA has a Facebook page and looks out for the best interest of the people while preserving the historic nature of the neighborhood. By the people for the people, no dues…awesome.
Located approximate 20 blocks from the historic Cape Fear River, neighbors often ride bikes or run downtown. It is a fantastic location if your interest is being near great sites, restaurants, galleries, theatres, and coffee shops. Many neighbors also enjoy their walks through historic Brookwood and Forest Hills, bordering neighborhoods, where beautiful trees and breathtaking homes charm your every step.
The growth of the Carolina Place suburb happened in two phases. The first phase, from 1906 to 1928, constitutes the period in which the American Suburban Corporation held the purchase of the lots that remained by a local realtor and developer, Richard L. Player. The second phase started with Craftsman style bungalows, Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and Classical Revival style homes. The development ended with the start of WWII. The architectural styles in these two phases promoted the property's sale and development. Interestingly enough, this is still a huge factor in the purchase of property in the neighborhood. Learn more about the history of the Carolina Place on HistoricWilmington.org.
Today, Carolina Place is a trendy, eclectic, funky and creative neighborhood. Friends gather at Burnt Mill Creek to celebrate the 4th of July, and Christmas time brings open doors and neighbors offering food and drink while singing carols. On Wednesday at 3:30, parents take their children to play at the park. Around schools hours, you see families riding bikes and walking to Forest Hills Elementary, a fantastic school located at the top of a hill surrounded by giant oaks.
A new grocery store is opened in the neighborhood on Market Street (Carolina Farmin), for everyone to conveniently walk to, which all the neighbors are thrilled about. Currently, they are trying to get a crosswalk approved by the DOT, so they don't have to cross such a busy street. The store offers a coffee shop, organic fruits and veggies, a sandwich shop and, best of all, a ton of variety of ice cream.
Neighbors will boast with pride that Carolina Place is "Front porch living," at its finest. This allows for the opportunity to meet your neighbors and meet and greet as friendly folks wave and walk by. In the age of computers, one might find this very refreshing.
Wilmington NC Homes for Sale
Wilmington NC Real Estate Blog
Welcome to your go-to resource for Wilmington, NC, real estate. Whether you're exploring the historic charm of downtown or eyeing coastal properties, this blog offers insights into the city's diverse housing market. From local trends to neighborhood highlights, we provide everything you need to navigate Wilmington's real estate landscape with confidence.
Carolina Place
Summer Home Projects
What is the best time of time of year to perform home improvements? Many would answer anytime but in the humid, sweltering summer heat. We have seven things you can cross off your “to do” list in the comfort of your air-conditioned home or outside in the early morning.
Create Mulch Beds - Mulching helps hold moisture in and prevents weeds from taking over. To ensure weeds do not take root be sure to put down underlayment to prevent unnecessary and annoying weeding. To get the best price on mulch you will want to order by the truck load and be sure to pick up a pitchfork, this will allow you to shovel the mulch with minimal effort. Now you can accomplish three goals at once, saving money, saving water and increasing the value and look of your home.
Do Some Hardscaping - Hardscaping is landscaping without the plants. Some examples of hardscaping are installing new brick pavers, patio decking or a water feature. While this may take some time, if performed properly this can add value to your home and will provide years of enjoyment.
Paint the House - Pick out some beautiful hues from the local hardware store and attack one room at a time. Don’t forget to patch the holes and sand when needed. The air-conditioning not only helps avoid heat-related issues by removing humidity from the air; it also disperses fumes from the paint. Using low VOC paint (low or no volatile organic compounds) will prevent fumes, too. Home improvement shows, real estate agents and interior decorators all agree that painting can bring a fresh look and open up a room. It is also the least expensive way to improve your home and most everyone can do the work themselves. Do not be afraid to try some faux painting or stripes. There are all kinds of ideas and color schemes out there. Give it a try, you can do it.
Install a Programmable Thermostat - Buying an Energy Star-rated thermostat costs very little compared to the savings it can bring over time. On average, the typical home’s annual electricity costs amount to $2,200 and 50% is related to heating and cooling. EnergyStar.gov states that you can save $180 annually by properly using a programmable thermostat. Learn more on EnergyStar.gov and start saving money on your power bill.
Be a Detector Inspector - Inspect and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Change the batteries or replace any detectors if they are not functioning properly. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and tasteless gas and is incredibly toxic so take the time and save a life.
Install a Security System - Ever thought about a wireless security system? With a wireless system, there are no holes to be drilled and most of all a clean installation. You can add or relocate sensors easily and key pads can be easily configured to control lights, garage doors and some remote ready appliances. Some systems can be connected to monitoring.
Install a Home Theater - While a home theater can cost thousands of dollars it can also add value to a home and brings years of enjoyment. Many home theaters are controlled through a central control system such as Control 4. These systems can control the TV, multi-room audio, home lighting, and many other devices. With prices on LED televisions dropping and football season fast approaching now may be the time. Now that you have some ideas, get started. You’ll be glad you did.
Figure 8 Island and Porters Neck
The Porters Neck area is located just north of Ogden as you head north on route 17. This area is one of the last areas to be developed in Wilmington, or New Hanover County to be specific. As this are was so recently developed you will find a number of impressive communities that offer relatively new homes.
This part of town is also the gateway to Figure 8 Island, a five mile long private island consisting of 441 private vacation homes ranging in price from one to six million. Figure 8 island is connected only by a swivel drawbridge and does not contain commercial establishments such as hotels or restaurants. In fact, the only non-residential facility is the island clubhouse and yacht club. And Figure 8 island real estate is as pristine as the beaches are spectacular. Search Figure 8 island homes for sale.
One of the most established and popular communities in Wilmington is Porter's Neck Plantation, a 650 acre gated golfing community surrounding a Tom Fazio designed course. Golf Digest ranked this golf course number 1 on the North Carolina coast. Porter’s neck also maintains seven clay tennis courts, a fully equipped sports center and a magnificent 18th Century Federal-style clubhouse. Single family homes start in the $300’s and range to 1 million. There are also a few waterfront homes on Bald Eagle Lane with price tags from $1 to $3 million. If you are looking at Landfall in Wilmington, NC you should look at Porter's Neck Plantation, which is every bit as nice but with a slightly lower price tag. Search homes in Porter's Neck Plantation here.
Some of the other Communities in the Porters Neck area include; Blue Point, Marsh Oaks, Vineyard Plantation, Avenel, Laurel Lea, Plantation Landing, Porter’s Crossing and Edgewater. Each community has unique amenities and advantages, from direct intracoastal water access to cottage style homes surrounding a private lake. All of the communities are relatively new and most offer the opportunity to build a new home to your liking.
Porters Neck also has a commercial component located primarily at the intersection of route 17 and Porter’s Neck Road. Here you will find 2 grocery stores, numerous restaurants, cleaners, a new Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, medical facilities and many other services. The new I-140 connecter also makes for an easy commute to GE and other businesses located either on the north side of town or in the downtown area. Porters Neck offers a variety of outstanding communities and a range of prices all wrapped into a scenic coastal area that is not overcrowded and still has the feel of country living. Learn more about the area by using the map below.
Salt Water Chlorination
I couldn’t be happier with the choice I made to convert my chorine pool to a salt water pool. Anyone who has a pool whether it be an in ground or above ground knows there is a lot of maintenance and cost involved. Keeping your pool clean and clear is no easy task, you need bags and bags of shock, safe PH conditions, keeping the debris vacuumed out all these factors can almost make you re-think if a pool is worth it. But, many of those headaches associated with a pool are alleviated when you convert to a salt water system. Salt water systems are a safe and natural alternative to chlorine because the salt generates it’s own chlorine and maintains a beautifully clear pool on its own with no effort or added chemicals. I will say the salt water system its self can be rather pricey to purchase and install but it will save you $300-$600 (depending on the size of your pool) per season in chlorine and chemicals associated with chlorine pools.
The trend is catching on in new residential developments with community pools as well as private homes, apartment and condominiums complexes. Salt water is softer on skin, doesn’t bleach bathing suits or give hair that “green” tint after a summer of swimming in chlorine and one $8.00 bag of salt from your local hardware store should last you the whole summer. The salt water has also been a great therapeutic benefits to those with arthritis, or joint problems, as well as those with allergies to chlorine chemicals. One con to take into consideration if you have an above ground when converting your pool is some pool companies say it voids the warranty on your above ground pool because the salt could possibly cause oxidation of the metal in which the pool is formed. Everyone I have spoken with that has an above ground pool with a salt generating system has not experienced any such problems. I’m sure given that salt systems are still fairly new to pool supply companies they are just trying to protect themselves and keep their chlorine going out the door, either way I think the natural route is a better one and I have been enjoying every hot summer minute of my new salt water pool. Read more about salt water chlorination here.
Paddleboarding in Wrightsville Beach
"What’s up" is used as an informal alternative to the greeting., "Hello", "What are you doing?", "How are you?", as well as "What’s going on?" However, in this case we are referring to Standup Paddle boarding, also known by its acronym SUP (Stand Up Paddleboards) . And as you probably noticed as you cross the bridge to Wrightsville Beach, it is one of the fastest growing water sports.
There is some debate as to the origin of SUPing, some documentation exists in surfboard history of Peruvian fishermen riding waves on primitive boats as far back as 3000BC. While it is widely accepted that the first Polynesians of the Pacific were the first to surf on a wave and make major advances in surfboard design. Think about it, the early Polynesians were not only able to negotiate and navigate the seas, they located a small island in the middle of the largest ocean!
Because of their knowledge of the ocean, is it any wonder that they were the developers of Hoe he'e nalu (SUP in Hawaiian language). As Plato wrote, Necessity is the Mother of Invention. As early as 1777, explorer Capt. James Cook recorded in his journals the sight of native Hawaiians riding royalty on long surfboards called OLO. They were made of solid wood, flat with a square tails. The heavy weight made the boards hard for anyone but the strongest and most athletic.
Others say SUPing was the invention of a young entrepreneur in Waikiki in the 1950’s who decided to take photo’s of tourists as they surfed near Diamond Head. He wanted to get close and personal to capture the moment, but needed to find a way to carry his camera out to meet them without getting his equipment wet. So he grabbed his longboard, borrowed a paddle from an outrigger canoe and headed into the surf. Is it truth or tale?
The sport benefits athletes with a strong core workout. And non- athletes with the opportunity to be adventurous or connect with nature and live in the moment. SUP’ing is popular at warm coastal climates like ours and is gaining in popularity due to access to safe waters and unlike surfing, is easy to learn. Within one hour you can become comfortable in the water and on your board.
In any case, with its protected inland waterway enhanced by challenging ocean conditions, Wrightsville Beach is recognized as one of the prime destinations for SUP athletes in the East Coast’s southeast region.
If you are interested in taking lessons in Wrightsville Beach, there are several resources
Wrightsville SUP, Hook, Line and Paddle and Coastal Urge.
If you are looking for a workout, fun or another form of meditation, a way to connect mind, body soul and nature, give Paddleboarding a try. It’s heritage might be cloudy, but it is clear that SUP’ing is a perfect fit for an active coastal lifestyle.
Wilmington NC zip code map
We created a zip code map for Wilmington, North Carolina to assist visitors with finding real estate by zip code in Wilmington. We focused on the most popular zip codes in the Wilmington, NC area (28403, 28405, 28409, 28411 and 28412).
When using the map click on the color areas and you will see the zip code, some brief information about this area and you can easily search real estate in this zip code by clicking on the link embedded in the copy. To search homes for sale by map, MLS or other details click here and if you have any questions please contact us here at BlueCoast Realty.
View Wilmington NC zip code map in a larger map
Couples Financial To Do List
Planning a wedding presents a natural opportunity to discuss everything from income and debt, to budgeting and establishing priorities. However, a recent survey shows that about half of couples don’t talk about handling the family finances before marriage. And money is a major point of disagreement for most couples, married or not.
Discussing financial matters is a necessary part of making a life together. The conversations helped the couple understand each other’s financial values as well as create a practical plan for managing their bills. Some couples decided to open three joint accounts: one for bills, one for discretionary expenses such as vacations and eating out, and one for wedding gift money, which was renamed the baby fund when the couple learned they were expecting a child. They still have their own credit cards so gifts for each other can be a surprise.
New couples tend to get carried away and make a lot of big financial decisions all at once. They have the big wedding, the honeymoon and then they want that beautiful home. Couples should pause and assess their life goals and their financial situation. Buying a house comes with a host of additional expenses beyond the mortgage. Don’t feel rushed into it by the market. Interest rates and prices may still for another year.
Let’s say you find a home, the lender will pull both of your credit histories and a spouse’s lower credit score will probably mean a higher interest rate. And that means you’ll pay more over the life of the loan.
The good news is that a poor score is not something you’re going to be stuck with forever. So how do you improve your credit? Mainly, pay your bills on time and lower the ratio of debt you carry to the amount of credit you have available. There are so many websites that can help, and it can be easier than you think. Make a plan and stick to it.
Couples need to discuss more than the financial nuts and bolts that keep a household happily humming along. Having a strong money relationship goes hand in hand with having a good personal relationship. Good, open and honest communication goes a long way.
Forest Hills Area Living
As a long time resident of the general area known as Forest Hills, I have seen the many advantages of living in this area of Wilmington. The streets are lined with ancient live oaks and magnificent magnolia trees. You can actually feel the temperature drop several degrees on a hot summer day as you drive under the canopy of these trees. What a pleasant relief. The yards are well manicured and have a variety of plantings that can be close to 100 years old. The homes date back to the early 1900’s and you will see some beautiful replacements built as late as 2011. Many of the older homes have garage apartments which you can reach by way of an alley system that dominates the arrangement of homes. Once seen as a good place to store additional household treasures, they are now seen as a valuable way of gaining additional income. Many of these apartments have become home to single professionals who enjoy the beauty and the quiet peace of these neighborhoods. A neighborhood elementary school, Forest Hills Elementary, makes the area very desirable to young couples who have children. On any given morning during the school year, you can see and hear young children walking, riding bicycles or being escorted by their parents down the wide sidewalks, toward the school.
For those that want access to a world class golf course, the private Cape Fear Country Club is located in the heart of this wonderful area. The Club, as it is known, has fine dining, as well as casual dining, pool, tennis courts and one of the oldest golf courses in the state. Designed by the legendary Donald Ross, you will find the course very challenging. As for the housing in this area, you will see many of Wilmington’s finest homes. Click here to search homes for sale in Forest Hills. Your new home may be known by the original owners name. As my home is known as the Afford Home, after the original owner. After living in my home for 25 years, one would think that my name would now be recognized as the home’s owner. That is not the case. Pricing of homes in this area seem to range from the high 200’s to the million dollar plus range. The designs of many of these homes will take you back in time to the old south. Beautiful two story southern colonials and unique vintage cottages. The area has easy access to downtown, the airport and Wrightsville Beach. The area is accessible by the three major roads in the Wilmington area, Oleander, Wrightsville Ave and Market St. When you have some time to take a drive, explore this historic area of Wilmington and enjoy the southern charm that is located in what we locals call Forest Hills.
The Great Escape
Even though we live in one of the nicest spots this side of the Mississippi (and beyond), sometimes us Wilmingtonians have to fly the coop and recharge. No matter where you live, you just have to make a break and get away from it all whether it’s for a day, a weekend, a week or even longer.
On this particular weekend, I am writing this blog from Topsail Beach, just up the coast from our fair city. The easy 45-minute drive up to the island is trumped only by an even easier 30-minute cruise up the Intracoastal Waterway to our soundside getaway cottage which is a must if you love boating.
You might accuse me of working on vacation. Technically, you’d be right...but this swanky beach cottage not only has every amenity we could think of, but it even has wi-fi. So, I said to myself, “wi” not write this blog as I sit on the porch with the ICWW in the background and wait for yet another pod of porpoise to leisurely pass by? It beats doing it inside at my desk facing the wall!
While most of tend to think of a vacation as including a jet plane, a European destination, exotic fare and people with delicious accents, sometimes, it’s really nice to go on vacation just a few minutes from home. As much as I love a good trip over the pond, diving into those decadent French sauces, and saying things with an accent just for kicks, the travel expense and the time spent doing it is over-the-top. Many of the beaches in our state are just as lovely and relaxing, and are a fraction of the price.
I had a client that purchased a lot on the ICWW from me in Landfall. Standing on the lot, he pointed up the waterway to Figure Eight Island and said he could see his beach house. I asked him why he’d want a beach house so close to where he’d be living full-time. Most people that have beach homes, he told me, have to drive hours to get to their getaway place. His, he continued, was only 15 minutes up the road. “Isn’t that great?” he said. Although most of us couldn’t afford a waterfront home on Figure Eight Island, in theory, I think he might be right. Running up to this beach, or south to the Brunswick County Coast is so convenient and can feel like a true getaway, in your own backyard.
This evening, we walked to grab a pizza, popped into the mini-golf landmark for a few holes, and checked out the old fashioned roller rink that is located upstairs from the Topsail Beach post office. The cutest old woman who runs the place reads her novel while she waits for customers (every night, 7-10). The place is incredible - like something from a 50’s movie, all wood and original. $5 for skating and memories. How could I resist?
If you never venture out of Wilmington, how do you know about all of these great places? But of course we have the very best spot to come home to.
Selling Your Home in a Down Market
You’ve been browsing Wilmington, NC properties online for a while now and you’ve made the decision...this is the area for you and you want to make the move! The beaches, the fishing, the historic downtown, the southern hospitality. Yep, this is where you want to hang your hat. There’s only one obstacle: you have to sell your home first. So what’s a homeowner to do?
With real estate markets down across the country, sellers are trying just about everything to get their homes sold. Needless to say, some techniques work and some are probably just make owners feel like they are getting the jump on their neighbors. Does burying a St. Joseph statue in your yard make your home more salable than another just down the street? Do savory cookies fresh from the oven make your property seem like the perfect new nest to browsing buyers? How about a rain dance in the back yard? As a selling and listing agent for over a decade here in Wilmington, my advice to you is: stick to the basics! Here are some tips on how to sell your home in a down market:
1. The first step in selling your home is SELECTING THE RIGHT AGENT! Perhaps you already have a personal connection to a great Realtor in your area. Or many you have some referrals from friends or neighbors. Do you see one particular person’s signs frequently or know that one agent or office sells more properties in your neighborhood? If you don’t already have someone in mind, interview several agents. This is the person who will be your advocate, so you want to have a rapport with them. He or she is going to give you advice, work with other agents, market your home, and negotiate on your behalf. I’m not saying this is someone you want to take family vacations with, but it helps to hit it off with them and have a feeling of confidence in their abilities. Did they return your phone call or email quickly or did you have to hound them to come by? Obviously the later wouldn’t be a great sign that they are going to work hard for you. Hear the agent out. Is he or she an old school kind of agent that simply runs ads in the newspaper and throws a sign in the yard? Or do they use some of the most cutting edge internet technology like BlueCoast Realty? As I’m sure you realize since YOU have been searching Wilmington NC homes online, the web is where the buyers are!
2. OK, you’ve found the perfect agent. Now what? PRICING YOUR HOME, of course. After picking your marketing partner, setting the right list price is the most important thing that you can do to sell your home. Let go of what it “should” be listed at and really listen to your agent. Yes, your home may be better than the competition in many ways, but it’s still got to be seen as a “good value” in this buyer’s market. Be the best home for the best price in your area and you’ve got a sale. Get involved and understand the active and sold comps in your area. Where are homes actually selling? When desirable properties hit the sweet spot in price, they will get offers.
3. With the price comes the CONDITION OF YOUR HOME. Clean it up. Throw out that moldy unrecognizable items in the frige. Make the beds for showings (yes, there are people who don’t believe it or not). Keep the yard trimmed and looking good. Get rid of the clutter. Have the carpets cleaned and paint icky walls on the weekends...you’d be surprised at how little imagination some prospective buyers can have when it comes to paint colors, hand prints on the walls and dirty carpets. Get a home inspection and fix what needs fixing--buyer’s typically ask for lots of repairs done these days and refusing to do them might kill a deal. You may not want to invest more money into your property, but it will pay off.
4. Lastly, DON’T WORRY about how much money you are “losing” since the height of the market. How many people sold at that exact time and didn’t reinvest in something? Practically no one! Everyone is in the same boat. Like all investments, you win some, you lose some. And even if you are losing some money on your current home, you are probably going to get a great deal on home in Wilmington where the sellers feel the same way. Come on down and start enjoying life at the coast. Life’s too short to consider “waiting it out” for years until the next big real estate boom. Keep in mind, when that time rolls around, you’ll pay a lot more for a property in your next hometown as well!