Weekend Plans (2/26/11 - 2/27/11)

Need something to do for this fine weekend in beautiful Wilmington?

Here's a list of some fun things going on around town that you might want to check out:

Wilmington Winter Wine and Beer Walk

Beginning at 1 pm. on Saturday, February 26 several downtown venues including Costello’s Piano Bar, The Eat Spot, Firebelly Lounge, The Fortunate Glass, Front Street Brewery, Hell’s Kitchen, Mixto, Nutt Street Comedy Room, Paddy’s Hollow, Tre Benzios and Wayfarer Delicatessen – will be offering two samples of adult beverages. A great time and also a great way to explore a new restaurant or two that you haven't yet visited! Hosted by the Downtown Business Alliance tickets are $15 or two for $25. The walk begins at 22 N. Front St., (you'll need to present your ticket, or purchase your ticket here) and ends at 6 p.m.. (Participants must be 21 years or older)

For more details call 216.374.8884 or email info@wineandbeerwalk.com or visit www.WineandBeerWalk.com

Full Belly Feast Fundraiser Event

Yes, it's as good as it sounds! The 9th annual Full Belly Feast is a fundraiser for the locally based Full Belly Project - a non-profit organization committed to empowering people in rural communities. With live music from Transtrum and art auction and of course international cuisine offered by A Southern Thyme Catering Co., Little Pond Caterers and Good Cookies. The event will be held at the Coastline Convention Center and begins at 6 pm. on Saturday, February 26. Tickets are $50-$60.

For more details call 910.452.0975 or visit www.thefullbellyproject.org.

An Evening at the Oscars Fundraiser and Party

Hosted by Cucalorus, the second annual Evening at the Oscars will be held at the Hilton Riverside in Downtown Wilmington beginning at 7:30 pm on Sunday, February 27. Receive the star treatment while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and bevereges from Manna while viewing the Academy Awards on the big screen. There will also be an Oscar pool and a curated silent auction. Tickets are available at the Cucalorus website and are $125 or 8 for $1,250.

For more details and to purchase tickets visit www.cucalorus.org.

 

Whatever you do this weekend, have a safe and happy weekend and let us know what you did!

 

Sweet Taste of Wilmington

Local Radio Station - 102.7 GNI is presenting the very first annual Sweet Taste of Wilmington Dessert Festival this Wednesday, February 23rd from 5 until 9pm at the Hilton Riverside at 301 Water Street in downtown Wilmington. Tickets are on sale now at the WGNI studio and admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

If you have a sweet tooth, you're a foodie or dessert junkie or you're just looking for something fun and delicious to do on Wednesday night, stop by and see who will be crowned the first ever "Dessert King!"

Angel The Cake Lady, Aunt Cake's, Barista Cafe & Cape Fear Bakery, Buck's Nuts, The Confectionary, Crazy Cake Chicks, Cupcake Cutie, A Delightful Design, Hot Pink Cake Stand Nye's Cream Sandwiches, Just Because Chocolates, La Gemme Fine Italian Pastries, The Melting Pot, SweeDeePie Cheesecakes, and Sunset Slush are among the many vendors competing for the prestigious title of the "Dessert King."

Please let us know if you have any questions about this event and what you thought if you went! : )

 

 

What You Get For... $1 Million!

Located in the heart of beautiful South Harbour Island behind Wrightsville Beach, this spacious home features five bedrooms (including two master suites), five full baths and one half bath. The open floorplan, large decks, and lanai gve you the true feel of coastal living at its best! All the upgrades you would expect of a million dollar home - granite counters, wet bar, hardwood floors, elevator, media wiring throughout, fireplace, jacuzzi tub, outdoor shower and a professionally landscaped yard with an irrigation system. This home is practically new, having been built in 2007.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

Cole Bros. Circus Big Top at the NC Azalea Festival

The Cole Bros. Circus Big Top is a beloved tradition of the North Carolina Azalea Festival. Held at the Wlmington Airport gounds - it's a must see for the event. You'll be sure to enjoy the non stop entertainment that the Cole Bros. Cricus brings in this two hour performance.

This year's attraction will include talented elephants, camels, clowns, fearless flyers, motorcycle maniacs in the "Globe of Death," teeterboard acrobats, trapeze, aerial gymnasts, and "The Human Cannonball."

Please Note that you can only purchase the tickets through the Festival office through April 6th. Starting on Thursday (the first show date), April 7th you'll have to go to the Circus Box Office on the airport grounds to purchase tickets.

Interest Rates Rising

It's no secret that interest rates have been at an all time low lately. Qualified buyers have been able to take advantage of these great rates on top of lower home prices and are probably quite happy with their overall investment.

But, as we all know, all good things must come to an end. These fantastic interest rates (while still great) are rising. So, if you're considering refinancing and it makes sense to - you might want to go ahead and do it. If you're considering buying - you might want to go ahead and get something under contract and lock in your rate as soon as possible because it's likely that the rate you see today, won't exist tomorrow.

And as always, stay on top of your credit score! Know it and make it better. You'll be happy that you did when you've saved thousands of money in interest thanks to the better rates available to higher FICO scores.

 

Got questions about specific rates, insurance, payments, etc.? Email us by going to the top of the page and clicking on the "Contact Us" tab.

Beach Babies - Share you Photos

Have a great photo of your beach baby? Share it here!

Kids of ALL ages - if they're on the beach, let's see 'em!

Email your photo to us at Carrie@CoastalCarolinaPropertiescom and we'll get it up here pronto!

Fractional Properties - Get More for Your $$$

Want oceanfront property, but get a little sea sick from the sticker shock? While we have great deals here in Wrightsville Beach, Carolina and Kure Beaches and even up on Topsail Island, sometimes you want a little more for your money. If that sounds like your dilemma, you might want to consider a fractional ownership property. I'm not talking about a time share way out in the middle of nowhere that you'll never use. I'm talking about a beautiful house on the beach that is convenient to get to on the weekends and is fully furnished and carefree living. You just can't go wrong with a fractional if you want a nice getaway, but don't want to pay off a million dollar mortgage!  The house is all yours for 4 weeks a year with a bonus week included as available. 

Check out this listing below in serene Kure Beach. With almost 2,700 square feet, 4 beds, 5 baths, and listed at just under $115,000, beach living is affordable and luxurious.

To view this and other listings, check us out at http://www.coastalcarolinaproperties.com/ and let us know what your needs are!

Property Values - What You Get for... $260,000

Ever wonder what kind of house you can buy for about $250,000? I found this article in the New York Times that compares various properties around the country in this price range, and although the properties all have their own charms and features, they aren't oceanfront!  

Check out what you can buy in Carolina Beach for $250,000:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/greathomesanddestinations/27gh-what.html

We've heard there's another furious snow storm looking to take out nearly two dozen midwestern states. With snow, ice and wind, February is a notoriously chill inducing month for the heartland. Wouldn't you rather be enjoying the sunshine of the Carolinas with mild averages of 60 degrees throughout February? Sure, we get our snow. An inch here or there. We build our snowmen. Then, we wake up the next morning and sip our coffee on the deck in the cool, but not cold morning air. :)   

Clients always ask us to find them a "great deal" and "the best value" for their money.  We say come to our beaches and check out the amazing things we have to offer in the Wilmington area.  

  

 

Wilmington NC Azalea Festival 2011

As the Azalea festival Wilmington NCapproaches and plans are underway, the excitment in the area is growing! Wilmington NC has been throwing this "party" for 50 years, so it's no wonder that it's such a big deal around here. We take advantage of the great weather and beautiful flowers with a parade, street fair, circus, concerts and more.

Check out the Azalea Festival Wilmington North Carolina at www.NCAzaleaFestival.org

Festival Update - Darius Rucker, former front man for Hootie and the Blowfish will be performing here in Wilmington on April 6th at the Wednesday Concert for the NC Azalea Festival. A South Carolina native, Rucker will be well received by the Carolinas for this fantastic event. But hurry... tickets will go quickly. The Friday concert is already sold out!!!

Wilmington's 2011 Azalea Festival

The festivities have began for this year's 2011 Azalea Festival in Wilmington NC April 6th - 11th.  Last week was the kick off party downtown.  We will be updating this blog with news, events, and updates that relate to 2011's Azalea Festival.  If you have not had the chance to go to the Azalea Festival, it is a lot of fun!  There are a lot of parties, parades, concerts, and other events all over Wilmington.  Certain homes in the area that have large gardens are featured and are available for the public to tour.  Last year several of these homes were on the market for sale.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Azalea Festival and what is planned in 2011, please let us know.  We would be happy to email you a more information. 

 

Azalea Festival Events

-The Azalea Festival parade will be held on wednesday the 6th of April 2011
-The street fair downtown Wilmington will begin Friday night and end Sunday.  Fireworks will be held Saturday night downtown on the river.
-The circus will be in town Thursday through Sunday
-The Avett Brothers will be playing Friday, April 8th
-Azalea Festival 5K/10K/FunWalk will be held on Saturday April 2nd at 8:00 am at the Village at Mayfaire

 

 

Home Owners Associations in Wilmington, NC

Many new developments in Wilmington (and around the state and country for that matter) have developed Home Owners Associations (HOAs) in order to maintain a desired community look and feel. While this type of control is considered "restrictive" for some, it's desireable and gives peace of mind to others. Some stigma has been attached to more restrictive HOAs, but all in all, they are meant to protect home owners from diminishing values and disruptions. One thing to keep in mind when you're in the throws of your home search is to prioritize your needs. If you need or want to park your RV in your driveway, you'll need to search for a home that has little to no restrictions regarding parking. That being said, you may buy into a neighborhood that has no HOA, therefore your neighbor may be able to collect cars in his/her front yard. If you would prefer to live in a neighborhood that restricts the number of cars one may have in or on their lot, therefore giving your neighborhood a more manicured feel, it might behoove you to rent a parking spot for your RV in a storage facility.

All in all - Figure out what it is that you want and need. And if you're looking at a newer home, chances are there will be HOA covenants that you must abide by in order to avoid fines or even foreclosure on your home. So, do your research if or when you learn that a home you're interested in purchasing has an HOA. Find out what you're able and not able to do. Because, once you sign those documents and close on your home, you are agreeing to abide by the covenants stated in your new home's HOA.

And don't forget... the grass must be no more than 4" tall! ; )