Diane's Wilmington NC Real Estate Thoughts: April 2008

Construction is scheduled to begin at intersection of US 17 servicing the commercial center at Brunswick Forest.  This will be the 2nd entrance into the development from the highway.  Projected completion for the project is expected by Memorial Day.  The project includes reconfiguration of US Hwy 17 in front of Lanvale Road.  Two turning lanes will be added into Brunswick Forest, and three exiting the community, and an additional turning lane into Lanvale Road, signaled turnaround lanes, and extensive median widening and signaling along the corridor.  The $1 million price tag set for the work will be funded by the developer.

Infrastructure on the commercial tract, called "The Villages" is expected to run $4 million.  The 600,000 square feet commercial center will include retail, entertainment, and professional services.  Businesses that have purchased property include BB&T, CVS, Frank Theatres, and Hampton Inn.  Leasees include Lowes Foods and New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  Several restaurant spots are available.

For informaton on property for sale in Brunswick County or surrounding area, click here.

Diane Parker, Broker/Realtor/e-PRO

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty

910-617-5244

DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com

www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

The Wilmington Call Center for Verizon Wireless is one of 26 national call centers.  Verizon Wireless consistently ranks as one of the best places to work in the United States.  For seven consecutive years, the company has been named to Working Mother Magazine's as one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers".

Wilmington's call center is expanding, I understand, and will hire 150 new full-time customer service professionals for its wireless products and services.  The projection is s25 new employees per month through November 2008.  Verizon Wireless currently employees more than 1200 people in the Wilmington area in the fields of customer service, information technology, training, and financial services.  They also have a fitness center that employs two full-time and two intern positions.

Wilmington Area Information provides general information and links to the community for Wilmington and surrounding areas.

Search for homes in the Wilmington NC and surrounding areas from either of these informative websites.

We look forward to an opportunity to introduce you to the Wilmington area.

Diane Parker, Broker/Realtor/e-PRO

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty

910-617-5244

dianeparker@SeaCoastRealty.com

Area builders are back to work after the moratorium was lifted on new connections to the Northeast Interceptor sewer line.  Ripple effects from the restriction will still be felt for months to come.  The moratorium was imposed in May 2007 by the NC Division of Water Quality and lifted March 13 by the State, after approximately $6 million worth of improvements were completed by the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County and Wrightsville Beach.

Since the moratorium was lifted, officials say there has been no rush to obtain building permits.  Approxmately 120 permits were on hold when the moratorium was lifted, mostly residential. 

Fortunately, the Wilmington area is insulated somewhat from the depressed housing market in other areas of the country.  Real estate is local, and we are in an area that continues to grow.  With people continuing to plan to move to the area, we have to plan for growth.  With work completed on the Northeast Interceptor, other improvement work is ongoing.

Search homes in Wilmington 

Search homes in Wrightsville Beach

Diane Parker, Broker/Realtor/e-PRO

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty

910-617-5244

DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com

It is almost time for a Wilmington Area Tradition that has been a favorite of Wilmingtonians and those looking to become Wilmingtonians alike.  The 22^nd Annual Wilmington Parade of Homes will take place over two upcoming weekends; April 26 and 27 and May 3 and 4, 2008.  The Parade of Homes covers three of our surrounding counties; New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick.

The annual event showcases over 100 new homes constructed by Wilmington Area Builders.  There is a broad representation of price ranges available for public viewing over these two weekends.  The price ranges begin in the low $100,000's and end upwards of $3.3 million.  This range provides a great sampling of homes for every potential buyer in all three of the Wilmington, North Carolina areas.  It will help first time homebuyers, those wanting to move up to a larger home and those who are in the search for a vacation or investment property find a builder or style that is right for them.  The showcased homes include urban lofts, condominiums, townhomes and traditional suburban styles.  There is something for every taste. 

The 2008 Plan Book Magazine features renderings of each of the participating homes, floor plans and a detailed map of the entire group of participants in every price range category.  The book is available at any of the homes that are entered and at the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association office located at 3801-5 Wrightsville Avenue.  The Star News also provides a special insert in their newspaper.

The home tour is free of charge and open to the public.  For further information you can contact me, directly, at 910-617-5244.  Of course, for any information on the Wilmington Area , please feel free to visit either of my websites, http://www.thekeytowilmington.com/ OR http://www.dianesparker.com/ .

An often overlooked and inexpensive home maintenance tip is changing the air filters at the HVAC registers.   They trap dirt, dust, and particles in the air and over time they get clogged.

I view lots of houses, and I usually look at the condition of the air filters. I've seen some that actually looked original to the house.  Buyers don't usually think to look, but it can give insight into how well-maintained the seller's home is.   Replacement air filters can be found at home improvement stores. For the cost and time involved, it is one of the simplest home maintenance items.

Keeping the air filters clean takes a few minutes and benefits your HVAC system and the air in your home.  Make sure you know the size of the filter before going to the store.  Guessing is no fun.  

Wilmington area information and homes for sale can be found at Wilmington Homes for Sale or www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

Diane Parker, Broker/Realtor/e-PRO,                                                                                  

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty

910-617-5244 or 910-202-3767

DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com

www.sendoutcards.com/intouchtoday

Often times, home buyers seem to over analyze square footage when deciding on the size of their dream home.  Sellers seem to think their house value is highly inflated because they have more square footage than the house down the street.  Buyers sometimes won't even consider a smaller/larger home than the set square footage number they have in their minds.

Square footage is an important consideration, however, not varying from that set range could eliminate a house that would match the buyer's criteria, and the only difference may be a hall, or some other nonessential area.  I feel it's important to consider useable space not just total footage.

When selling your home, layout, room size, and functionality outweigh a slight difference in square footage. If that extra space isn't usable, buyers sometimes aren't willing to pay more for having it.

Each house is going to have its own unique use of space.  The style, layout and use of space is what's really important when deciding on size.  I think you may find a more accurate match than by looking at only the square footage number.

Click here for Wilmington Homes or Cape Fear Area Information.

Diane Parker

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children" - Native American Proverb

 April 22nd is Earth Day - a good time to think about what we as a community can do to help our environment.  Conservation is everybody's business, and was made quite real by the drought we began experiencing last summer. 

Did You Know.............

• Catching rainfall in barrells can improve the health of your lawn, gardens, and trees.
• Turning the water off when brushing your teeth can save up to 9 gallons of water every time you brush.
• Recycling a stack of newspapers 3' tall can save one tree.
• The junk mail received in one day containes enought energy to heat 250,000 homes.

The City of Wilmington offers curbside recycling and has since 1990.  Carolina Beach has offered the service since 1992 and Kure Beach since 1997.  There are several drop off locations in New Hanover County. 

Click here for Wilmington NC Real Estate information. 

Diane Parker, Broker/Realtor/e-PRO

One of the most popular perennial shrubs in our Southeastern NC gardens is the butterfly bush.

These are very fragrant shrubs that attract hummingbirds, songbirds, and butterflies from early summer to  the first frost.  The butterfly bush thrives in rich, well-drained soil with lots of sunshine.  You will notice leaf growth in March.  Plan to fertilize in mid-April with a handful of 5-10-10 fertilizer and 1/4 cup of superphosphate. 

 The butterfly bush is a great addition to your yard's landscape, and can be seen blooming throughout the Wilmington NC area.                                

Click here, for more information of the Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas.

Diane Parker, Broker/Realtor/e-PRO

www.DianeSParker.com  

Masonboro Lodge, a building combining office and residential space, is under construction at 4032 Masonboro Loop Road, at the intersection of Navaho Trail. Worsley Investment and Development Co. LLC, the developer, expects the project to be finished by Fall 2008.

"It will be an urban-type living arrangement near the water," said Earl Worsley, manager of the development company. "We think there's a need for neighborhood goods and services but in more of a neighborhood, relaxed atmosphere."

The project will have approximately 5,300 square feet of space for commercial condominiums on the first floor and four second-story, one-bedroom residential lofts of about 1,230 square feet each.

Three lofts are on the market; two are listed for $204,900 and the other for $199,900. The developer is negotiating for discounted prices for loft owners to lease boat slips at nearby Masonboro Yacht Club & Marina.

Masonboro Loop is a great spot for professional offices, a coffee shop, or retail spot.

Visit www.thekeytowilmington.com for information of Wilmington NC real estate.

Wilmington is in bloom, which means the Azalea Festival is near.

The 61st Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival begins next week on April 9th through April 13th. This yearly event attracts visitors from all over the country.  It brings in local and state talent as well as national artists and celebrities.  Kickoff is  Wednesday at 3:00 PM with the Queens Coronation in Riverfront Park.  Thursday night enjoy a live performance by Sugarland at Trask Coliseum, with special guest Little Big Town. On Friday, a Ribbon Cutting at the Dudley Mansion at 10:00 AM to open up the Garden Tour.  Other events include an art show, coin show, circus, parade, and street fair.   

  While visiting downtown Wilmington, we have an exceptional 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Water Street Center available.  This property would make an excellent weekend getaway, investment property or place to call home.  A new price of $264,900 makes this property the best value in Water Street Center.  Excellent rental history.  For more details, click on 106 Water Street #311

Enjoy all that Wilmington has to offer this wonderful time of year!

Diane Parker

www.TheKeytoWilmington.com