Diane's Wilmington NC Real Estate Thoughts: March 2009

Cape Fear Community College received 350-acres donated as a nature preserve., by local donor, Nathan Sanders.  The property has designated for research, education and enjoyment of natural beauty.  The donation is the first of its kind for the college.

The property is lush with marsh grasses, plants, cypress trees, home to wildcats, herons, owls and other wildlife.

The reserve has almost a mile of frontage along the Cape Fear River and Motts Creek, as well as several thousand feet of other creeks, fresh water ponds and marshes. The preserve features two distinctly different types of environments - brackish tidal-influenced areas and nontidal freshwater areas.

CFCC students in marine technology, biology, landscape gardening and others will be able to access the property to study the variety of wildlife and plants.

For information on Wilmington homes for sale, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

Wilmington NC considers 13 a lucky number....as Forbes magazine ranked Wilmington Number 13 on its list of best cities for a career and/or business.  Wilmington's quality of life remains high even with all the economic woes. 

Wilmington continues to be a popular dstination for retirees and tourists.  Five North Carolina cities made the top 20.  Some of the factors considered for the list were past and projected job growth, cost of living, crime rate, and education level of work-force

Wilmington's access to beaches, mild climate and quality of life will continue to attract people to the area.

March 19th, the Obama Administration launched a new website offering information, tools, and calculators to help borrowers determine if they are eligible for refinancing programs or loan modification.

We hope you find this resource helpful.  Be sure to share it with anyone you know that may be facing foreclosure. 

Click on the link below to view tools or find free counseling.

 Making Home Affordable

For those wondering if they have to wait until next year to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit on their return, attached is a link to the IRS website outlining the various options. 

First Time Home Buyers Options To Maximize $8000 Tax Credit

For personal tax advice, please consult with your tax adviser or attorney. 

While residents residing in the city of Wilmington NC receive curb-side recycling service, residents of New Hanover County do their own sorting in order to recycle.  Those residents can drop-off their recyclables at on the following locations:

Blair Elementary School, Market Street at Blair School Road

Castle Hayne: behind the Hardee's on Castle Hayne Road

Monkey Junction area: parking lot of the Moose Lodge 343, a mile north of Monkey Junction on Carolina Beach Road

Murray Middle School behind Veterans Park, 555 Halyburton Memorial Parkway 

WASTEC, 3002 U.S. 421 North; the New Hanover County Landfill, 5210 U.S. 421 North (7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Saturday)

New Hanover County residents are finding that although it may not be easy to be green, it's worth the extra effort!

Master Gardener Plant Sale
March 26 through March 31, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Daily

The Arboretum, located at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington will hold its Plant Sale March 26-31, 2009.  30% more plants will be available this year.  All plants are locally grown making them ready for the adjustment to your landscape. Varieties are selected to maximize drought tolerance, disease resistance, deer and slug resistance.   Master Gardeners will be on hand to provide expert advice on plant selection and placement in your yard.

New this year are variegated ajuga called "Zebrina" and Serena series of Angelonia.  There will be non-blooming hibiscus with brilliant orange and pink foliage, zinnias, larkspur, azaleas, roses,

This year rain barrels will also be offered.   There will be a limited number available so arrive early to enjoy nature's best water. 

The City of Wilmington NC will be holding tennis clinics for children and adults at Empie Park, 3300 block of Park Avenue, beginning in April and running through November..

Clinics are open to adult beginner and intermediate players and children aged 4-16. A local USTA Instructor will be leading each class. The sessions are limited to ten participants.

The classes cost $75 for each participant, or $50 for city discount cardholders.

City residents can obtain a discount card for $2 from the city's athletics office located at 302 Willard Street.  

Adult Beginner Clinics - Thursdays, 7-8 pm

Session III: July 30 - Sept 3

Session IV: Sept 24 - Oct 29

Adult Intermediate Clinic - Thursdays, 8-9 pm

Session II: June 4 - July 9

Session III: July 30 - Sept 3

Session IV: Sept 24 - Oct 29

Pee Wee Clinics - Ages 4-8, Saturdays 9:00-9:45 amSession I: April 11- May 16

Session II: June 6 - July 18

Session III: August 8 - Sept 12

Session IV: Oct 3 - Nov 7

Junior Tennis Clinics - Ages 9-16, Saturdays 10:00 am-10:45 am

Session I: April 11- May 16

Session II: June 6 - July 18

Session III: August 8 - Sept 12

Session IV: Oct 3 - Nov 7

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  Below are some fun facts about clovers:

• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, 14 is the highest number of leaves found on a clover. 
• An estimate suggests that there are approximately 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers for every one lucky four-leaf clover.     
• According to Legend,  each leaf of the clover has meaning: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.
  

A favorite quote:  "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity" - Seneca

In Wilmington, you may want to consider "Fat Tony's" for your St. Patrick's Day Celebration.  Serving guinness brisket, and Irish plate of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and a roll.  They'll have party favors, irish music, and more.  The Racine Drive location will have a costume contest with $50 cash prize.

The city of Wilmington is moving forward with new sidewalk construction in areas where the need is greatest.  The latest project has been connecting sidewalks along 41st Street and Roland Grise Middle School.  This sidewalk provides students from the neighborhoods of Lincoln Forest and Victoria Place a safe walk to school.  The completed costs is $125,000 and includes approximately 2000' of sidewalk, a new crosswalk, and an island in the center of Lake Avenue.

The funding was provided by the Transportation Bond voted on in 2006.  Priority of the projects is based on linking major sections of existing sidewalks and areas serving schools, hospitals and assisted living facilities.