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!

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!

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.  

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

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! ; )

A close family member has a very nice lake cabin for rent on Watauga Lake TN.  Watauga lake is said to be the third cleanest lakes in the nation and is located minutes from Boone NC, Johnson City TN, Banner Elk NC, Blowing Rock NC, and Beach Mountain NC.  The cabin is called Thrasher's Nest and has 3 bedrooms, a full loft, 2 1/2 bathrooms, an open living room and nice kitchen.  The cabin features a hot tub, long range views of Cherokee National Forest, a dock and boat slip, canoes, kayaks, etc, etc... 

The cabin is within a 30 minute drive to ski mountains, hiking trails, marinas, rivers, caves, Blowing Rock, Tweetsie Railroad, and fine shopping an dining.  You can rent this home by the week, weekend, or by the night. 

Please visit Watuaga Lake Rental for more information or find us on Facebook.

Enjoy the photos!

Wilmington NC Tourist Attractions - What to see in Wilmington NC

If you are coming into town and have never been to the area or unfamiliar with where local attractions are, we would be happy to lend you a gps.  We have several gps units that are preloaded with tourist attractions, beaches, shopping areas and our favorite restaurants.  While you are here you can use our gps to help you find homes for sale and different areas you will want to visit to get acquainted with Wilmington NC, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and surrounding areas. 

These gps units are perfect for visitors and people who need Wilmington NC visitor information.  If you do not need a gps unit but need some visitor information, we would be happy to help.  Call us anytime at 910-262-1002 if you have a trip planned and would like to use our gps unit or plan to visit Wilmington and need any additional information. 

Wilmington NC Visitor Information - Preloaded GPS Wilmington Attractions

It's looking like the kids of Wilmington will be enjoying another snow day tomorrow (Wednesday, January 12). They'll certainly be having fun, but their fun may be short lived as rumors of having to make up the days during Spring Break or (gasp) Saturdays have been flying about!

Check out the most recent list of school and business closings and delays for tomorrow, below.

A

Academy of Excellence
Closed

Amy Bradley School in Wilmington
2-hour delay

B

Bladen County District Court
Opens at 10:30 a.m.

Bladen County Offices
2-hour delay

Bladen County Schools
Closed

Bladen Community College
Closed to faculty and students; staff/administrators report at 11:00 a.m.

Brunswick County Schools
2-hour Delay

Brunswick Community College
Opens at 10:00 a.m.

C

Calvary Christian School
Closed

Cape Fear Academy
2-hour delay

Carolina Adventist Academy
Closed

Charter Day School
Closed

Childcare Network - New Hanover and Leland
Opens at 9:00 a.m.

Children's Schoolhouse Montessori
Opens at 10:00 a.m.

Clinton City Schools
Closed; 11&12 month employees report on a 2-hour delay

Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville
Day classes cancelled

Coastal Christian High School
Normal Schedule

Columbus Charter School
Closed

Columbus Christian Academy
Closed

Columbus County Schools
Closed; optional employee workday at 11 a.m.

Cumberland County Government Offices
Open at 10:00 a.m.

Cumberland County Schools
Closed; central service and 12 month employees report at 10:00 a.m.

D

Duplin County Schools
Closed; optional teacher 2-hour delay workday

F

Faith Christian Academy in Delco
Closed

Fayetteville VA Medical Center clinics
2-hour delay

J

James Sprunt Community College
Opens at 11:00 a.m.

K

Kids' Academy Child Care Center in Lumberton
Opens at 9:00 a.m. (2nd shift closed)

Kids at Play Education Center
Opens at 10:00 a.m.

Kid Kare Academy Child Care in Whiteville
Opens at 9:00 a.m.

Kid Kare Learning Center in Fairmont
Opens at 8:00 a.m. (2nd shift closed)

L

Lake Waccamaw Town Government Offices
2-hour delay

Leland Christian Academy and Day Care
2-hour delay

Living Water Christian School
Jacksonville
2-hour delay

M

Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point
2-hour delay

Myrtle Grove Christian School
2-hour delay

N

New Hanover County Schools
Closed; employess on a 2-hour delay

New Hope Christian Academy
Closed

Noah's Ark Children Center
Opens at 9:00 a.m.

O

Onslow County Schools
Closed; Staff 2-hour delay

P

Pender County Schools
Closed

Pope Airforce Base
3-hour Delay

R

Robeson Community College
3-hour delay

Robeson County Schools
Closed; optional 2-hour workday for staff and central office

Roger Bacon Academy Corporate Office
Opens at 10:00 a.m.

S

Sampson County Schools
Closed; optional teacher workday at 10:00 a.m.

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church at Masonboro
Bible Studies cancelled

Southeastern Christian Academy
2-hour delay

Southeastern Community College
Cancelled; Staff to report at 10:00 a.m.

SRMC Surgical procedures
Resume at 11:00 a.m.

SRMC Gibson Cancer Center
Opens at 11:00 a.m.

SRMC Duke Cardiology, Cardiovascular Surgery and Neurosurgical Assoc. of Lumberton
Open at noon

T

Tot Spot Preschool & Kindergarten
Closed

U

UNCW
Classes & Offices open at 10:00 a.m.

W

Waccamaw Academy
Closed

Waccamaw Bank - Bladen and Columbus locations
Open at 10:00 a.m.

Wallace Town Offices
1-hour delay

Wallace Trash & Yard Debris Pickup
Delayed to Thursday, January 13

West Columbus Family Practive in Chadbourn
Open 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Whiteville City Schools
Closed; optional teacher workday at 11:00 a.m.

Whiteville Medical Associates
2-hour delay

Wilmington Christian Academy
Opens 10:00 a.m.

If you're like me, you might be wondering what is going on with this weather. You might also be wondering if it's safe or even possible to venture out. Whether it's because of a severe case of cabin fever or you have to get into the office, it's nice to know what you're going out in.

As of this evening, things were actually looking pretty good. The DOT actually got quite a bit done today! (I hear an applause) So, it's looking like we'll be back in the swing of things tomorrow afternoon, as long as the temperatures don't stay too low for too long in the morning. Our advice - if you don't have anywhere that you need to be - Stay Home! At least until the temps rise above freezing.

Safe Travels!

We got another 2-3 inches of snow!  This is the second time this Winter we got a snow storm.  What is going on?