Wilmington is the 8th largest city in North Carolina, and with that comes a lot of fun developments and new experiences to try.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite things to do, and best grub, in Wilmington:

Airlie Gardens 

One of the most picturesque locations in the entire city, the gardens at Airlie offer a diverse selection of flora and a whimsical display. Special events like weddings take place here quite often, so be sure to check out their online calendar!

Additionally, if you’re lucky enough to be here around the holidays, the Enchanted Airlie lights display is definitely a sight to see.

Sunrise/Sunset Paddle Boarding

What better way to wake up or wind down than paddleboarding down the Intercoastal Waterway while the sun is rising or setting? Several local paddleboard rental companies offer great deals if you don’t have one at your disposal.

Whether you’re alone or with a loved one, this is an experience everyone needs to have.

Historic Downtown

Eclectic is the best way to describe downtown Wilmington. There is truly something for everyone from a massive, decommissioned battleship, drool-worthy restaurants, horse-drawn carriages, and dog-friendly shops! 

Nikki’s Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Take it from a self-proclaimed sushi buff; Nikki's is the place to go if you’re looking for delicious hibachi or sushi. Located on Military Cutoff Rd, their food is something to keep coming back for. Their sister restaurant, Nori, located on Shipyard Blvd, is equally as delicious with an even greater variety of Asian cuisine – my suggestion: The Angel Hair Roll.

Port Land Grille

Located in Lumina Station, this is arguably the best fine dining in Wilmington. With Port Land Grills frequently changing menu, open kitchen, and experienced staff, you get the freshest and the finest. They offer a lovely patio setting as well for those warm summer nights. Some other must-visit restaurants in Wilmington include: 

• South Beach Grill
• Indochine
• Ceviches 
• Savorez
• RX Restaurant & Bar
• Manna
• Fork & Cork

Jungle Rapids

Water parks, laser tag, arcade, oh my! This place is every kids’ dream! Their arcade is state-of-the-art and will keep your little ones occupied for hours. If they do, by chance get bored, simply take them outside to partake in go-karts, water slides, mini-golf, or a drop zone ride.

Spill Coffee Co

The product of two ambitious women taking their coffee truck and transforming it into a whole café. The store is very stylish and adorned with pink accents and cozy furniture, making it the perfect work environment. Their house blend is farmed by an all-female coffee farm with endless drink options and a plethora of beneficial health additives to choose from.

They also partner with other local businesses on their sweet treats and breakfast foods.

Sunset Swimming

Not everything fun has to cost money! Time your trip and take your loved ones to the beach at sunset to enjoy the last bit of sunshine of the day. This is a great way to make fun memories with friends and family and, if you’re lucky, the water can actually be pretty warm at the end of a summer’s day!

Wilmington is one Southern destination with something for everyone, and it's overflowing with coastal fun! Want to know about what Wilmington, NC has to offer - check out our blog! 

It's no question that Wilmington, NC, is home to dog lovers!

Every day you can expect to see a handful of folks walking down the street with their furry best friends. With more and more people bringing their animals to vacation with them in town, here is a helpful guide on where your pup can go!

Wrightsville Beach

Pets have to remain on their leashes at all times. That's a given virtually anywhere in this town. Additionally, you are expected to clean up all pet waste. There are numerous trash cans available at every access with complimentary bags. 

Pets are allowed on the beach from April 1 to September 30, according to Wrightsville Beach officials. 

The Wrightsville Beach Loop is a popular trail that dogs can go on at any time! The town has also implemented dog-friendly water fountains so that your pooch is hydrated and well-taken care of.

Historic Downtown Wilmington

You can see several dog walkers downtown at any given time. The grid system, and beautiful Riverwalk, allow you to walk for ages and explore various shops and bars. Some shops will even allow you to bring your dog inside with you as long as they are well behaved - make sure to pop your head in and ask a worker before you do!

Most restaurants in the area will have outdoor seating available so that you can take a break too! If you're fortunate, you may see a bar dog or two!

UNCW Campus

I couldn't even begin to count how many time's I've taken my pup to the grass field in front of Randall Library to run alongside frisbees and soccer balls. Be prepared to get some attention there, though! Many dorm-living students will be thrilled to have a pup to love on for a few moments.

It also deserves to be said if your dog is a bit more on the anti-social side that this is probably not the best place for them.

Ogden/Scotts Hill

This is full of open, expansive places for your pup to roam and burn that energy. One of the more popular places for dogs is Ogden Park. Pets will love to get some off-leash exercise at this grassy, fenced Wilmington dog park. In addition, there is a beautiful pond and plenty of shade.

Another hot spot for dogs of Wilmington is the Abbey Nature Preserve. The 67-acre preserve has a 2.4-mile nature trail winding through woods and crossing over the millpond. Because the preserve maintains a busy schedule of activities throughout the year, all dogs must be leashed.

All dogs WOOF Wilmington! And with so many pup-friendly places and dog parks to visit in the Wilmington area, it's obvious why! 

Are you ready to create a home for you and your best friend here in beautiful Wilmington, NC? If so, contact us today! 

Contact Us today or search below for Wilmington NC Real Estate & Homes for Sale.

By Paul Coffman

Search Wilmington NC Homes For Sale

The Wilmington, NC Real Estate market has grown rapidly in the past year, and home values are projected to continue to increase from 5-10% every year for the foreseeable future. 

Wilmington offers both luxurious and affordable housing with various communities where you can find your perfect home. CNN Money Magazine listed the Wilmington, NC real estate market as the #7 City to Invest. 

Wilmington NC real estate and homes sale

It is an opportune time to invest in real estate; after all, it is a buyer's market, and all prices are negotiable! 

Contact us today or use the "Find A Home" tool to search all real estate listings in Wilmington, NC, and surrounding areas. Please visit our All Wilmington Subdivisions & Communities page for a complete list of the subdivisions in the greater Wilmington, NC area.

An overview of Wilmington's real estate market.

Wilmington's median home value is in the upper $ 200,000's with average listing prices ranging from $150,000-$400,000. This region offers luxurious waterfront real estate, oceanfront real estate, or golf course real estate from $400,000 into the millions. However, for a first-time buyer, there are ample listings under $200,000.

I can assure you that Wilmington has enough to satisfy all of your needs, which is why the Coastal Carolina Properties team is prepared to help. We have negotiated down more than 1.4 million dollars for my clients in recent years alone.

[Looking to buy in Carolina Beach? Click here for more information!]

Why buyers love Wilmington, NC

The Cape Fear region is one of the most populous tourist areas on North Carolina's coastline. Commercialism is typically a cause for concern for our beautiful beaches; this is not an issue here. Residents and tourists alike can enjoy pristine beaches while residing only a few minutes from the city's modern amenities.

Spend the day paddleboarding down the Intercoastal Waterway, fish on the Johnny Mercer's pier, or maybe have a meal literally on the water at Oceanic pier. This area truly offers something for everyone, which is why people keep coming back for more! The beaches near Wilmington provide much-needed relaxation and serve as the perfect escape from city living.

Historic Downtown Wilmington is another ideal location when looking for a trip off the island. The Riverwalk takes you along several eclectic shops and restaurants while providing picturesque views of the Battleship across the river. The cobblestone roads are encompassed by large live oaks, horse-drawn carriages, and breathtaking Victorian architecture. The Bellamy Mansion is one of the downtown area's biggest attractions. 

In addition, there are film locations to be found everywhere, from Iron Man 3, One Tree Hill, and Dawson's Creek for any pop-culture buff. The historic district encompasses nearly 230 blocks and showcasing mansions, old gravesites, churches, and landmarks anyone can get behind.

Contact Us today or search below for Wilmington NC Real Estate & Homes for Sale.

By Paul Coffman

Search Wilmington NC Homes For Sale

With its wide, beautiful beaches and inviting community, Carolina Beach is a hub for investors and full-time residents alike.

There are a plethora of properties available with a range of reasonable prices to fit anyone’s budget. For an ocean lover? Maybe an oceanfront condo or home with an outdoor shower? Got your captain's license? Perhaps a home or condo on the Intracoastal Waterfront with a private boat dock in your backyard? The Coastal Carolina Property team are experts in assisting savvy real estate buyers and sellers in making the right choice.

Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Tourism is booming in Carolina Beach! This means your investment property has a high chance of staying rented throughout the summer and even into the fall/spring seasons. Along with a naturally warm climate, CB hosts numerous mouth-watering restaurants offering both fine and casual dining options. There is truly no lack of activities to do here which is just why so many find success in investing in Carolina Beach real estate.

Activities for all

Located just over the Pleasure Island bridge, Carolina Beach has become one of the hottest vacationing spots in Southeastern North Carolina. Its position as part of the greater Wilmington, NC area also makes this location perfect to live a life of leisure while still having all of the amenities of a city. This unique resort community occupies the northern part of Pleasure Island, just 40 miles from the Gulf Stream, and will hit you with a wave of nostalgia upon arrival. Its boardwalk with a local fudgery, arcade, and amusement park will remind you of the excitement you felt as a kid on vacation. To visit, just cross the fixed span bridge on the southern end of Wilmington, past Monkey Junction, over the Intracoastal Waterway.

There is an unlimited number of activities to do in Carolina Beach which makes for the perfect getaway. The restaurants here are surely something to boast about with award-winning food; Michael’s Seafood and Kate’s Pancake House are two local staples that no one can pass up. Carolina Beach also hosts several seasonal festivals celebrating a variety of topics anyone can get behind! Kite, bacon, music, and street art festivals are just some of the events you’ll see around town. If you’re a bit more on the competitive side, maybe the annual surfing or fishing contest is more for you?

Discover the beauty

With an ever-growing population of over 5,000 residents, Pleasure Island is split down virtually in half with Carolina Beach’s sister town located on the southern point of the island. The back end of Carolina Beach is inundated with scenic walking and biking trails and is one of the only regions in the world that natively produces the acclaimed Venus Fly Traps.

Contact Us today or search below for Carolina Beach Homes & Carolina Beach Real Estate.

By Paul Coffman

Search Carolina Beach Homes For Sale

River Lights community in Wilmington NC is the newest master planned community with residential and commercial mixed use in the area.  Real estate will start in the 200k's and will include a mix of single family homes as well as townhomes.  There will be upscale shopping, restaurants and entertainment as well as nice marina on the cape fear river.  For a list of homes for sale in River Lights please visit - River Lights Wilmington NC

As real estate brokers on the coast of North Carolina, we are acutely aware of the importance of protecting both the beaches and homeowners living on or near the beach. Owners realize the inherent risks associated with living near the water and have paid for insurance accordingly. However, the passage of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act in 2012 calls for huge insurance premium hikes in response to minimizing some of FEMA’s debt.

Realizing that Biggert-Waters has several major flaws and is a short-sighted response to the debt issue, the Senate voted 67-32 on January 30 for the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 that will delay implementation of the Reform Act until 2017.

The Senate bill addresses 2 key issues:

Ø Allows Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) time to complete its affordability study and refines its flood maps.

Ø Allows for “grandfathering” of current premiums for homeowners affected by a remapped flood zone.

Our advocate in the Senate, Kay Hagan, included an amendment in the bill to address the fact that borrowers with certain types of residential loans (e.g., loans to buy a property like a condo that is covered by previously-existing master policy or second mortgages), are forced to escrow flood insurance premiums more than once or have to submit proof to a lender regarding existing coverage (as required by Biggert-Waters).

As it stands, rate hikes have been delayed until the end of 2014 with the passing of the Act in the Senate.

But, without the House of Representatives’ approval, it is unclear how the issue will be resolved in the short and long-run.

We’ll keep you up-to-date on this issue and all things related to real estate in the Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach area. .

Email, text, or call me at your convenience.  808-224-8816

By Paul Coffman

paul@coastalcarolinaproperties.com

Covil Farms Snug Harbour is a quaint neighborhood "snuggled" into a private corner in a very desirable area of Wilmington.  Adjacent to the gated community called Landfall and very near the shopping mecca of Mayfaire Town Center, Snug Harbour manages to be quiet and homey while conveniently located to everything from shopping to the beach. 

The neighborhood has plentiful trees and landscaping making it feel lush and established, and most homes were built in the mid 1990s with a lot brick curb appeal.  Properties contain generous lots and home sizes range from 2,200-3,200 square feet.  Prices generally begin in the $300,000s, but it is not often that homes here are listed for sale so keep your eyes on this gem of a neighborhood. 

A home owners' association manages the landscaping, clubhouse, pool and tennis so there are many opportunities to socialize and get healthy.  Additionally, there are bike trails from the area to Mayfaire and on to Wrightsville Beach.

Take a look at the video below to see if you are interested to learn more about the homes or Wilmington and real estate in general, and we will be happy to assist. 

Email, text, or call me at your convenience.  808-224-8816

By Paul Coffman

paul@coastalcarolinaproperties.com

Search All Snug Harbour Homes

Email, text, or call me at your convenience.  808-224-8816

By Paul Coffman

paul@coastalcarolinaproperties.com

Eastwood Village is a heavily-wooded, cozy neighborhood of patio homes located in an incredibly convenient spot near Mayfaire Town Center, Wrightsville Beach, the airport, and historic downtown Wilmington, NC. 

The friendly community has neighborhood events all year round at its clubhouse where residents and guests may also enjoy a refreshing pool and tennis courts. Many walking trails weave throughout the property further promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Please call me for further information about properties in Eastwood Village or anywhere in the Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach area.

By Paul Coffman

808-224-8816

paul@coastalcarolinaproperties.com

CoastalCarolinaProperties.com

Wrightsville Beach 30th Anniversary Flotilla

Lights on the water in a parade of beautiful boats, balmy breezes (I hope), seafood and cocktails...Join us the weekend of November 29 and 30 to celebrate the 30th year of the flotilla. 

The flotilla information and video are courtesy of North Carolina Holiday Flotilla At Wrightsville Beach site:

Flotilla Schedule

Email, text, or call me at your convenience.  808-224-8816

By Paul Coffman

paul@coastalcarolinaproperties.com