Diane's Wilmington NC Real Estate Thoughts: North Carolina

Honor Flight of Southeastern North Carolina is a non-profit program operated entirely by volunteers.  The Wilmington NC headquarters is affiliated with the national Honor Flight Network and serves veterans of Southeastern North Carolina and surrounding areas.  Area veterans are flown at no cost to Washington DC to see the World War II memorial, which was completed in 2004, as well as other nearby monuments. They will be assisted by guardians who can help with mobility or medical needs. 

Honor Flight Southeastern North Carolina's Inaugural flight is April 13, 2010.  The priority is World War II veterans, however they are always willing to consider applications from terminally ill veterans of any war. Realtors will have the opportunity to greet the veterans at the ILM airport at 7 pm as they return from their trip to the World War II Memorial.

Enjoy this touching video

We appreciate the sacrafices of all these veterans.

Diane Parker

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty

910-617-5244

DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com

www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

There will be a Groundbreaking ceremony on February 18, 2010 @ 10:30 am at the intersection of Randall Parkway and Brailsford Drive to begin construction on 3-miles of the Cross-City Trail.  This is a 10-mile multi-use trail connecting Wade Park to the Heide-Trask drawbridge at the ICWW.

Federal Stimulus Money (2M) will help fund Phase I between John Barry Drive and the Cameron Art Museum and Phase II between Converse Road and Randall Parkway.  Construction begins in February and is expected to take 4-6 months to complete.

For more Wilmington NC information, visit 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.TheKeytoWilmington.com

We get lots of questions from home buyers looking at homes in the Ogden area regarding the status of the proposed Military Cutoff Extension.  The US 17 corridor study extends Military Cutoff Road to the US 17 Wilmington Bypass.  This is part of North Carolina's Strategic Highway Corridor Initiative, which is designed to maximize the long-term interconnectivity of major transportations corridors. 

The current project schedule is below, and of course, subject to change at any time.

Complete Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Summer 2010

Select Preferred Alternative - Winter 2010/2011

Complete Final Environmental Impact Statement - Summer 2011

Begin Right-of-Way Acquisition - 2014

Construction - After 2015*

*This project is currently unfunded.  Funds are expected to be available approximately 2015,

US 17 Corridor Study Map

Search for Wilmington NC Homes for Sale

Diane Parker, Broker/Realtor/e-PRO

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty

910-617-5244 or 910-202-3767

DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com

www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

If you're looking for a brick,  spacious 3 BR, 2 bath home, close to area beaches and with no homeowners association, this could be the home for you.  

• 2000-2100 SF
• Inground Swimming Pool
• 24 x 24 Detached Garage
• Additional Storage Shed
• 2 Lots - Front parcel .59, back parcel .23 for a large .82 acre lot
• Minutes to Beach
• .25 mile walk to Intracoastal Waterway
• No Homeowners Association Dues
• Home Being Sold "As-Is"  - Solid Structure in Need of TLC

Call Diane at 910-617-5244 or visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

Saturday, January 23rd, from 12-3 pm, employees from Wilmington's Red Robin restaurant will have a lemonade stand set up in front of the Mayfaire movie theater.  Small servings of the of their Freckled Lemonade will be served for $1 each.  This is a tasty blend of strawberries and lemonade.  A glass of the lemonade sells for $3.99 in the restaurant.  Here's your chance to give it a try for only $1.00 while helping those in Haiti.

To search for homes in the Wilmington Area, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

This home is located in one of Wilmington's premiere water access communities.  With winding streets and hardwood trees, this brick home is nestled on a .35 acre lot that comes alive with Springtime color from azaleas and flowering trees.  Neighborhood amenities include use of boat ramp and picnic area on Intracoastal Waterway.  Click below to see all that this lovely home has to offer.

www.8809SawmillCreekLane.com

Thousands look forward to the annual Fall event in downtown Wilmington referred to as Riverfest.  The festival consists of craft vendors, concessions, car shows, family entertainment, a children's area, River Race, Fireworks, and much more.  Besides allowing us all to enjoy the culture and heritage of the Cape Fear River, the festival awards scholarships for marine related studies at Cape Fear Community College. The ultimate goal of Riverfest is to increase the amount of scholarship funds each year to the college.

So, mark your calendars for October 3rd and 4th, 2009.  It's a great time of year to visit Wilmington NC and enjoy all it has to offer.

For Wilmington area information or to view Wilmington NC Real Estate, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com.

Click here to view the Riverfest Schedule

Diane Parker

910-617-5244

DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com 

Many people inquire about areas to take their canine companions to romp off-leash.  Consider, The Dog Park at Empie.  The park is Wilmington's first off-leash dog park.  The park is within a 2-acre site of unused land within Empie Park.

Wilmington residents have had a growing interest for a place where pet owners can release there dogs to run freely without concerns of other cars or getting lost.  Restrictions at area beaches and the leash law has many looking for other options.

The park is located at Empie Park at the corner of Independence Boulevard and Park Avenue.

For real estate information in Wilmington NC, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com.  Diane can be reached at 910-617-5244 or DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com

 This weekend, take a moment and stop by the Annual NC Spot Festival in Hampstead.  Located across from Deerfield on Highway 17.  Spot dinners are $8.00 including 2 spots, slaw, fries, hush puppies, and iced tea.  Parking is free.  $3.00 entrance fee.  Kids 12 and under get in free.  Bring your lawn chairs, but no coolers or pets.

Spot are abundant around the Carolinas. When spots are running fishermen are able to hook and/or net a great many of these fine fish. Recreational fishermen can fill their coolers and feed their families all winter long with these appetizing fish., and commercial fishermen can fill their nets with this prize catch. As a community that is known as the official Seafood Capital of the Carolinas, many in the Hampstead area owe at least part of their livelihood to the Spot fish. The North Carolina Spot Festival is a great way to honor the little fish that provides great benefits.

While in Hampstead, check out www.420ECreekview.com in the Deerfield community, across the highway from the Spot Festival.  To view homes in the  Hampstead or Wilmington area, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com

For more information, call Diane Parker at 910-617-5244 or email DianeParker@SeaCoastRealty.com.

The current clearing and tree removal at the intersection of Porters Neck Road and Edgewater Club Road is being performed on private property and is not part of the roundabout project.  It is my understanding that the project will come up to but not past the white Porters Neck entrance columns.  The original plans showed this project being completed in 2008.  Many factors, including economic ones, have delayed the schedule.

According to the NC Department of Transportation, obtaining right of ways and easements is scheduled to be completed by December 2009.  Construction is slated to begin in March 2010 with a June 2010 completion. 

For Porters Neck area real estate information, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com.