The coastal NC issue of Our State hits newsstands today.

May’s issue of Our State Magazine hits newsstands today.The issue dedicated to “Seafood, surfing, and memories of our Carolina Coast” features a fond farewell to Sunset Beach’s floating bridge titled, “The Little Bridge that Could,” by Ryan McGee.

This summer, the little floating bridge is set to be replaced by a new 65-foot tall concrete bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway.

Do you have fond memories of Sunset Beach or it’s floating bridge?

Readers of Wilmington’s Encore magazine have voted Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty as Wilmington’s Best Real Estate Company in their “Best of Wilmington 2010″!

Thanks go out to everyone that voted for for us.  Though this isn’t our first “Best of Wilmington” award, we’re still thrilled by this honor.  Our more than 300 agents and staff take great pride in the fact that every year for the last decade, we’ve sold more homes in southeastern North Carolina than any other real estate company.

Check out the nice things Encore had to say about us:

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY

The local and national housing markets may have taken a hit due to the recession as of late, but Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty is soaring high above the rest with their win for Best Real Estate Agency. Serving the cities of Wilmington and Jacksonville; the coastal communities of Carolina Beach, Topsail Beach, Surf City, Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island, North Topsail Beach, Kure Beach, Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach; and coastal communities, including Porters Neck, Southport, Sneads Ferry, Leland, Scotts Hill, Hampstead, Holly Ridge, Camp Lejeune, New River, Bolivia, Shallotte, Boiling Spring Lakes and St. James, Sea Coast is without a doubt a leader in its industry. In fact, it is the number-one real estate company in southeastern North Carolina, selling more properties than any area firm for the past eight years.

With 300-plus agents and seven convenient locations (two in Wilmington, on Military Cutoff Road and at Porters Neck) Sea Coast is more than equipped to satisfy anything their customers desire. They can handle relocation needs, from start to finish, and even offer a 100-percent Satisfaction Guarantee. In an ever-changing real-estate climate, Sea Coast has remained true to its roots and continues to offer first-class service with a reputation clients have learned they can trust. Their easy-to-navigate Web site, www.seacoastrealty.com, only adds to what Wilmington recognizes as dependable, up-to-date and quality service.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, or Onslow County, North Carolina, shouldn’t you have the “Best of Wilmington” working for you?  Visit us online at www.seacoastrealty.com or call us at 1-800-522-9624.

Marla Vail

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty is proud to welcome Marla Vail to our Carolina Beach NC office.

Marla has a been a real estate professional since 1997 and is proud mother of two sons.  Marla loves helping her customers with their real estate needs and all the the ways to enjoy the outdoors in Carolina Beach NC.

Southport is one of the most beautiful and charming small towns in North Carolina.  During warm weather, visitors flock to Southport’s picturesque tree-lined streets to explore its many restaurants, shops, marina, yacht basin and historic attractions.

Hundreds of years ago, pirates and explorers visited the area.  Today, it’s convenient location, where the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and Cape Fear River meet, is still very popular with mariners.

Ginger Harper with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty has been a Southport resident for 27 years and shares some of her favorite things to do there.  Photos courtesy of Jim Harper.

For more information, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com or become our fan on Facebook.

This week, state & local officials discussed plans for Wilmington’s growth at an economic and business development forum hosted by Coastal Carolina Tomorrow.

Growth strategies included expanding the film industry and arts scene, becoming more involved in historic preservation, and fostering year-round tourism.

What actions would you like state & local leaders to take toward the Wilmington area’s growth?

The New Hanover County town of Carolina Beach has a laid-back attitude, dozens of restaurants, and countless ways to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s Greg Barber is a Carolina Beach resident. He shares some of the great things to do and see in Carolina Beach, NC.

If you’re in the market for a beach property without the hefty price tag, Greg says you’ll want to check out Carolina Beach.

For more information, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com or find us on Facebook.

Thinking of relocating, but you just aren’t sure? Why not take a “test drive”?

Pat Maloney with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty suggests three great ways that you can get a feel for areas like the NC coast before you make a commitment.

Why not rent a beach cottage during the off-season to get a feel for the area? Pat says it’s a great option, especially if you’re already retired.

If you aren’t retired, but want to test the waters, Pat suggests buying a “little something”, a small home that you’ll use for weekend getaways and family vacations. Then when you do retire, you can decide if moving to the coast is what you have in mind.

For those that are more daring, but still not ready to buy, Pat suggests moving somewhere and renting a home for no longer than 6 months.

With all the natural beauty and friendly folks on the Cape Fear Coast, you’ll be surprised how quickly you feel at home.

For more information, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/seacoastrealty.

Normally, the winter months are a pretty slow time in the real estate business.  While the weather has been cold outside this year, the real estate market has been getting hotter and hotter. 

In January 2009, homebuyers toured Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty listings 2,757 times!  That’s a whopping 72% increase from the previous month.  The number of showings is expected to grow even more over the next few months.

Our real estate professionals say that there are lots of homebuyers hunting for homes earlier than usual this year, so that they can take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit before the April 30, 2010 deadline.  First-time homebuyers are eligible for an $8,000 tax credit.  Homeowners that have been in their current home for the last 5 years are also eligible for a $6,500 tax credit.  In addition, real estate agents say that there are lots of investors and folks looking for second homes out looking for great properties at a bargain price.

If you are considering selling your home, it’s smart to contact a Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty agent today.  Our real estate professionals in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Onslow counties will expertly market your home, so that it will get the attention it deserves and sell for the most money.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty has been southeastern North Carolina’s top home seller for the last 10 years!  Find out more at www.seacoastrealty.com.

Wrightsville Beach is a changing growing population that can change and grow like the ebb and tide throughout the year.  Holidays are always a popular around Wrightsville.  You can always find folks shelling, walking, and fishing off Johnny’s pier year round.  But more than the beach and marinas, Wrightsville is great for year round living too.  There’s always NC Coastal beachfront property for sale, and property values have remained strong even through the downturn.  And if the beach front is not for you, there are beautiful communities away from the beach, where properties have southern charm or contemporary modern architecture.  Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty has a great online property search, and you can see those properties with a ColdWell Realtor at your convenience.

Johnny Mercer's Pier

Boiling Spring Lakes or BSL as nicknamed by local people, offers a 150 acre lake with more than 10 miles of shoreline. As one would think, its name is derived from a natural boiling water spring that pumps about 40 million gallons of hot water on a daily basis. Boiling Spring Lake real estate features many wooded homes with astonishing waterfront views. It is a part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Area and Brunswick County. If you are looking for waterfront properties you can also consider New River real estate. New River is famous for canoeing and is home to many similar tourist attractions.