Wilmington NC Real Estate Blog

When you picture a home in the Wilmington, NC, what Southern-style home do you see in your mind’s eye?  Growing up in the Northeast, when I envisioned Southern architecture, I immediately thought of Scarlett O’Hara’s Tara.  Did you know that her Antebellum home, with its stately white columns, expansive porch and symmetrical shape was actually derived from Greek Revival?

According to William H. Bates, III an architect and professor of drawing and design at the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, S.C.  the country’s greatest number of Greek Revival homes survived in the South because the area’s economy languished after the Civil War.  Because many homeowners couldn’t afford to tear down or remodel their homes they left their homes intact.  By the time the economy recovered in the 1940’s people were more interested in spending their money to restore rather than replace.

Southern Styles are still going strong. Just like the majestic Southern style home with stately columns, circular driveway centered around the Old Oak Trees located at 3606 Owencroft Court in one of Wilmington’s most desirable neighborhoods, Windward Oaks.  Windward Oaks is in the Masonboro Sound area. Adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway, Masonboro Sound is defined as that part of the New Hanover County between Hewlett’s Creek to the north and Whiskey Creek to the south.

Beginning in Colonial times, prominent Wilmington families would spend their summers on the sound to escape the heat of the city.  William Hooper, who was one of three North Carolinians who signed the Declaration of Independence built a home in 1773 on the property he purchased on the sound.  Hooper called his property “Finian” which is the primary private road that runs from Masonboro Sound Rd. to Masonboro Loop Rd.Why has Southern style been so endearing to so many buyers?  It could be the grand features and spacious scale.  But more than likely, it is the charm and the genteel lifestyle that Southern architecture suggests.

To catch a glimpse of the glamour that Windward Oak's offers, call 910-262-5936.

Did you know that attics are the main reason for energy loss in your home? Although many homes have fiberglass or another type of attic insulation, they still don’t protect you completely from the outside temperature or from high energy bills. One reason for high electric bills is the fact that many homeowners don’t consider the depleted R-value of their existing insulation. As insulation ages, its ability to resist heat decreases along with its effectiveness. In addition, insulation that’s been subject to moisture or has compressed over time does not provide its labeled R-value.

Your roof is constantly subject to the heat of the sun during summer and the cold of the rain, snow, and blowing winds during winter, which makes it hard to keep heat from flowing between the inside and out. After a period of time, regular insulation will not be able to absorb any more heat, rendering it less useful for you. Rather than absorb the heat and hold it, a radiant barrier will reflect it, helping you to keep the temperature of your home separate from the outside weather environment. Your attic insulation can help lower your utility bills and keep your family cozy.

One of the best ways to help control this heating and cooling efficiency in your existing home is to install radiant barrier insulation in the attic.  Radiant barrier insulation is a foil covered insulation that is placed in your attic.  It is a clean and lightweight material that is easy to handle made of rolls of ¼” foam with foil on both sides.

On the other hand, if you are building a new home you can have radiant barrier roof sheathing panels installed while the home is under construction.  It is a regular 4x8 OSB panel with reflective foil on one side.  The panels install like conventional roof sheathing and require no additional labor.  Radiant barriers help reduce energy consumption.  It is ENERGY-STAR certified and it will reduce the heat load on in-attic air handling systems.  It will cut monthly electric bills.

When choosing the color of your roof keep in mind that a darker color shingle will absorb and attract heat from the sun while a lighter color roof will not.  The types of radiant barriers mentioned above reflect the ultraviolent heat from the sun’s rays whether the color of the roof is light or dark.

Here is a good link from the US Department of Energy on keeping your home cool. http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12350

Masonboro Island is the largest uninhabited barrier island along the southern part of the North Carolina coast and is located just south of Wrightsville Beach and is accessible only by water.  Masonboro Island covers 5,653 acres with eighty-seven percent of the 8.4 mile long island covered with marsh and tidal flats with the remaining portion comprised of beach and dunes.
This Island with over 8 miles of pristine beach can be reach by boat from either the north end near Wrightsville Beach or the south end near Carolina Beach and is open to the public 365 days a year for picnicking, swimming, fishing and primitive camping.  With powdery white sand and picturesque dunes, this island is a tremendous resource not only for the residents of Wilmington but as a spawning ground and bird sanctuary.

The north end of the island is a popular spot for surfers when the wind and waves are out of the north or north east.  When there is a big swell you can find 50 or more surfers in the water riding some excellent breaks.  Some boaters will anchor on the “back side” to enjoy the calmer waters of Banks Channel and swim in the clear water.  Others will hike over the dunes and spend a day with family and friends enjoying the surf and shelling on the ocean side.

Kayaks can be rented at the Blockade Runner hotel and it is a easy paddle from there to the north end of Masonboro.  There is also a shuttle/tour boat that also takes daily trips from the hotel and gives eco tours and sunset cruises.  Smaller boats can also anchor or pull up on the sand on the west side of the island to gain access.

Fishing around the island is also a popular pastime with flounder and speckled trout being caught in the estuaries to King Mackerel being caught off the beach.  Other popular fish include,  Red Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Blue Fish and Scup.
The Island is protected by NCNERR (North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve) the NC Coastal Land Trust along with NOAA and NCDNR.  Research on estuary systems and species are carried out by a number of agencies including UNCW as part of their ongoing ocean studies program.

Yes, it's sad but true; we have foreclosures in Wilmington. Of course, the flip side of the negative impact of foreclosures on our economy is the incredible opportunity for everyone who can handle the process. Buying a foreclosure is not for the weak at heart and very similar to riding a roller coaster; exhilarating, fast paced, and screaming all the way to the closing! And just like going on a roller coaster ride for the first time, you really do need a qualified hand holder - I mean broker.

After working for one of the largest real estate foreclosure companies in the Cape Fear region, I feel comfortable in my proclamation as an experienced broker in this market. Many buyers will call you and say “I want to get a smoking deal on a foreclosure”. The first thing I tell them is to search Wilmington NC foreclosures on our website of course.  Then I tell them to “Strap on your spurs”. In other words, giddy-up and go. There is an easy way to guide your buyer through the foreclosure process and there's a hard way. Naturally, I'm taking the easy road which is full disclosure of the process before I even show them a property. Let's get started:

1. Before you take a foreclosure buyer anywhere, get a Buyer's Agency Agreement in place- you must submit this with the offer.

2. Confirm with your buyer whether they are first time buyers, owner occupants or investors. Makes a difference with many properties who restrict the first ten to fourteen days to owner occupancy only. Typically, you cannot even submit your offer for an investor in this initial listing period.

3. Confirm with your buyers if they are paying cash or getting a loan. If cash buyers, they must have Proof of Funds letter on official bank letterhead; if procuring a loan, a Pre-Approval Letter-not a Pre-Qualification letter. Yes, there is a difference."

4. Okay, you're ready to take them to the first listing. Obtain a list of properties to show them and read the listing comments for condition of property. Many times foreclosures are not in the best of shape. And it's not always because the owners were vindictive or angry, sometimes they simply ran out of money and stopped maintaining the property. Your buyers need to know that you buy a foreclosure AS IS, WHERE IS. Typically, the lender will make no repairs.( I always have an inspection so the buyer knows what he's getting into.)

5. Once you've found the property, download the entire package from the listing. This will include all the normal disclosures and a Multi-Offer form, a lender's purchase agreement, and instructions on how to complete the package. The lender's purchase agreement is different from the NCOTP since it will have quite a bit of paragraphs crossed through. Your buyer must read the form and initial to show he is aware of all the seller's disclosures regarding the condition of the property. Tell your buyer that the lender bought the property on the courthouse steps without any property disclosures. The lender's purchase agreement will be regenerated as a clean copy and the buyer will be required to sign their agreement. The lender agreement is basically a CYA and you have no say so in the wording and you cannot add any additional comments.

6. Counseling your buyer in his offer is the most important step of the process. Remind them that the list price is already a heavily discounted price-do a CMA of the area and use that as your guide. If it is in a Multi-Offer situation, you will probably have to encourage your buyer to offer more than the list price if they really want the property-particularly when the CMA indicates this is a “smoking deal”. Trust me, you're not the only one who wants a great deal and a lot of agents only sell foreclosures. They have been watching the property a long time for their investor buyers. Make sure your buyer puts down a healthy earnest money check-this can make a difference when everything in the other offers are equal. He will get it back if he doesn't get the deal. Complete all the paperwork, scan and email it to the listing agent. Most of the foreclosure companies in this area do not accept FAX copies. You will receive a response anywhere from three days or three weeks.

7. There's no point calling or harassing the listing company in foreclosure properties-they will not respond! This part of the process can be maddening you simply have to wait.

8. If your buyer is the lucky winner, you will get an email or call that the bank has accepted your offer! Now, you are off to the races-immediately order termite and property inspection based on a verbal acceptance. Your due diligence period is short and this can get you a few extra days. WATCH YOUR DATES! If your buyer is a go, you're fine; if he get's cold feet, terminate the offer in the due diligence period. FAST AND FURIOUS!

The Wilmington,Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach waterways offer two distinctively different types of entertainment for the boating enthusiast. Our local beach areas boarder the intracoastal waterway which is used by transient boaters traveling from New York to Florida. Our local boaters have the advantage of cruising the secure intracoastal waterway or passing through one of the local inlets to cruise into the Atlantic ocean. The avid sport fisherman  can catch fish immediately leaving the inlet or run 65 miles to the area known as the Atlantic gulf stream where the larger tournament fish can be caught. On any given weekend you can see dozens of smaller boats cruising the waterways with families headed to areas ,like Banks Channel, to water ski and or just cruising in the pristine waters of Wrightsville beach. One of the most popular area for picnicking and swimming is the barrier island, known as Masonboro Island.

On any given summer weekend, you will find hundreds of people of all ages enjoying the pristine sand and waters around Masonboro island. In the Wrightsville Beach area you will find several major marinas that offer dockage ,fuel and other amenities. Cruising south in the intracoastal waterway, you are now heading for the popular beach town of Carolina Beach. Arriving in the Carolina Beach waterfront, you will see several new marinas offering many services to the boating enthusiast. Multimillion dollar homes line the waterway and both of these beach towns. Restaurants specializing in local seafood are abundant in both of these beach towns. For the boater who would like to cruise into the Cape Fear river, a man made canal, known as Snows Cut, is available to cross through to the Cape Fear river which can take you south or turning north back up the river will take you into the downtown area of our port city.

Approximately six miles heading north up the river, you can explore a completely different landscape as you enter the historic town of Wilmington. Dockage is available at several locations in the downtown area. You can enjoy yourself for several days in the many restaurants and taverns in the downtown district. Shopping is a very popular pastime for those looking for those unusual items. One of the most popular shopping sites is the old Cotton Exchange. Originally a cotton warehouse during the 1800’s, now is used as a large shopping mall with not your typical merchandise. The historic downtown area offers historic homes tours either by bus or horse drawn carriage. You can easily spend several days enjoying the fine restaurants, taverns, shopping and history of this old southern town. Leaving the town of Wilmington, heading south on the Cape fear river, the transient boater is now heading for two other popular boating destinations, Baldhead Island and the historic town of Southport. The distance from Wilmington to the mouth of the Cape Fear is 20 miles. Cruising the Cape Fear river either north or south offers the history buff the opportunity to travel back in time when the large sailing ships were plying these waters, delivering materials from England and the Caribbean islands and carrying cotton and other goods produced in the local area back to foreign countries. If you are looking at the Wilmington or beach areas to live, owning a boat will bring you many pleasurable hours in exploring our historic coastline.

Tanyard Parish brings a new flair of old southern charm to the streets of historic downtown Wilmington. Located on Front Street between Orange and Ann this new development overlooks Chandlers Wharf, an upscale historic complex which includes fine dining and specialty shops.   Tanyard Parish features three stately floor plans which are, the Tanyard Brownstone, The Tanyard Towne, and the Tanyard Flat which are architecturally individualized with many unique features. The eloquent charms displayed in these units are particularly appreciated by those who pay close attention to fine points.

My favorite floor plan of the three layouts, although hard to choose being that all three are so elegant would be the Tanyard Towne.  The Towne is a beautiful two story unit, you walk in to a grandiose open spindle stairway made of plush hardwood planks, the living area is bright and open with columns separating it from the foyer, very nice judges paneling under the chair rail, five piece crown molding along the ceiling lines really makes the fine craftsmanship of these homes stand out. The kitchen features custom cabinetry, solid granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances.  The black wrought iron porch overlooks the mysterious Cape Fear River, a perfectly quaint place to enjoy your coffee in the morning. 

To access these homes you walk through a private sidewalk next to the beautiful ivy lined wall of the backside of Chandler’s Wharf. Just a few steps down the street you have the pick of the liter to the finest restaurants Historic Wilmington has to offer, a particular favorite among the locals is “The Little Dipper”  a casual fondue spot.  The Little Dipper’s fare consists of a pleasant four course meal starting with a delicious cheese, a small salad of choice, your dinner entrée that you cook yourself right on the table in a port wine broth or peanut oil, and finishes off with sweet ending of rich milk chocolate dipping sauce accompanied by fresh fruit, éclair, and smores.  Live music is offered on their patio deck overlooking the sunset on the weekends, a great place to spend the rest of your evening or if the mood strikes you to move around a bit head on down a few steps more to the “Calico Room” and eclectic jazzy nightspot where the martinis are as tangy as the jazz music. This is just one example of how you can spend an evening all just a few steps away from your residence at Tanyard Parish.

Want to go Green? Here are some ideas.

Given the immediate environmental challenges facing the world, two days a years to celebrate earth day and Arbor Day just doesn't seem like enough to make long-term environmental changes. Why not use this month as inspiration and make a commitment to do environmentally friendly activities throughout the year?

Here are some ideas:

Green Your Office - Start a green team to suggest ways to reduce your office's impact. A recycling program is obvious. Other strategies could entail ridding the kitchen of disposable goods, encouraging colleagues to bring their lunch in washable containers, replacing equipment that hogs energy, improving lighting and HVAC systems, installing a bike rack, brings flowers to work and using native plants that use less water around the outside of the office building.

Shop Locally - Just consider the impact that packaging and shipping your goods has on the environment. Instead, shop locally. Walking to shops saves energy and you also help neighborhood businesses thrive. There usually many great tasting local foods available a farmers market. Check for local farmers markets and see the benefits of buying local.

Make Mini Moves - Build new habits that will have an ongoing impact. Those could include the basics, such as switching to CFL bulbs, fixing water leaks, or cutting the phantom power at home.

Do An Energy Audit - most power companies can help with an audit and they might have free items for you to have like water saving shower heads and pipe insulation. Invest in an energy audit to figure out exactly how your house wastes energy. Even if you're on a tight budget, commit yourself to making some of the changes, and start setting aside money for costlier upgrades.

Car Savings - Plan your trips around town, carpool and reduce your mileage saving money on gas in the process.

Get Involved - Whether it's a community garden, road side cleanup or a committee, get involved in your community. Your participation raises your profile and helps network yourself. Your efforts have a direct impact on improving your community.

Learn Something New - Still fuzzy on the details of programs like LEED or Energy Star? Wondering about new rebates and incentives? Spend time each week to find programs and trends.

Share Your Knowledge - If you find a good article on ‘green initiatives' send these links to friends and colleagues. Pass the torch to the next generation by organizing an environmental event at a school or with a Girl Scout troop. We found this video on Wilmington, North Carolina’s first LEED Platinum home built by Mark Johnson Custom Homes in 2010.

The LEED Platinum rating is the highest green-building certification available from the USGBC.  The home saves save over 100,000 gallons of water and $2200 in utility expenses annually. These savings are achieved through use of insulated concrete foam (ICF) wall construction, tankless water heater, energy star appliances and high efficiency HVAC units. The water savings are possible thanks to 1,800 gallon rainwater collection tanks that are buried underground along with invisible irrigation systems that waste little water.