Soon, the City of Wilmington will have another municipal golf course. 

On March 23, 2010, the Wilmington city council voted to purchase the 18-hole Inland Greens golf course. The city plans to maintain part of the course and turn the rest into a park.

The existing City of Wilmington golf course off Pine Grove Road, will remain open.  It is one of the most-played municipal golf courses in the United States.

Rosy Hays

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty is thrilled to welcome Rosy Hays to our Jacksonville, NC office. 

“I love Jacksonville,” says Hays on her website.  “In 1992, I came to Jacksonville while in the Marine Corps.  My first weekend here,  I rented a pontoon boat and had my first experience with the beautiful Intercoastal Waterway.  Well, I knew this would be my forever home.” 

Prior to becoming a real estate professional several years ago, Hays earned a degree in business management from Mount Olive College and worked in the mortgage industry for eight years.  She also speaks German.

“I’ve also found that providing the very best service is essentially about putting my clients first. This means keeping myself accessible, being a good listener as well as a good communicator, and responding quickly to your needs,” says Hays.

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.

The temperate weather in the Cape Fear region makes it a great place for gardening. The well-drained soil and warm weather make it possible to grow your own vegetables here 9-10 months out of the year.

ColdwellBanker.com offers these tips for a successful first vegetable garden:

How about going to a place where you can relax, enjoy some sun, and get a little exercise and gourmet food? A place even your kids could find interesting? This “spa” need not cost much; in fact, it will save you money.

It’s a home vegetable garden, and don’t be intimidated if you’ve never planted one before. Vegetables are easy to grow, especially if you follow these 10 steps for first-timers:

1. Choose a location in full sun, which means six or more hours of direct sun in summer. Producing succulent, savory vegetables takes energy — the sun’s energy — especially for fruiting vegetables such as cucumbers and tomatoes. If you don’t have this much sunlight, either get out your pruning saw or grow only leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach.

2. Your site needs soil that is well-drained. Roots have to breathe, which they cannot do if water sits in or on the soil for too long after rains. If grass or most weeds grow well, the soil is probably well drained. To be more quantitative, dig a hole, fill it with water and measure with a ruler how fast the level drops. Slower than 1 inch per hour is too slow. Choose another site or build raised beds.

3. Grow your garden as close as possible to your door — no farther than your wife can throw the kitchen sink, goes the old adage, said when kitchen sinks were cast iron. The closer to your door, preferably your kitchen door, the more frequently you’ll enjoy and work in the garden.

4. Start small. Too much garden may begin to feel like work. You can raise plenty of vegetables in even a 10-by-10-foot plot of land. Increase the size of your garden commensurate with your enthusiasm and experience.

5. Fence your garden. A fence, besides keeping out rabbits and other hungry animals, helps define your garden visually. Poultry netting is inexpensive and effective. To keep animals from burrowing under your fence, bend the bottom foot of fencing to the outside of the garden to lay right on top of the ground. Unless deer are a threat — in which case you need a fence 5 or more feet high — a 2- or 3-foot-high fence should be adequate.

6. Make your garden pretty. Yes, it’s a vegetable garden, but even vegetable gardens can be pretty. Wooden pickets can obscure and dress up a poultry netting fence. An arbor, with climbing beans or grapes, can dress up your garden gate. Soften the fence line with an outside border planting of shrubs, perhaps something decorative and edible such as red currants or blueberries. Beauty will also draw you into your garden.

7. Planning your garden in four dimensions is a way to harvest more from limited space. Rather than single, widely spaced rows, plant in wide (3-4 feet) beds (a second dimension). Rather than keeping everything at ground level, let your vegetables — those that can — grow up (a third dimension). Pole beans and tomatoes can be trained up bamboo or metal poles, and peas and cucumbers can be trained up fences — even that fence that encloses your garden. For the fourth dimension — time — use transplants for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and cucumbers, and plant shorter-season vegetables to follow those that finish early or start late, such as lettuce following early bush beans.

8. Pay attention to fertilizing and watering. Spread a balanced organic fertilizer over the ground in late winter at the rate suggested on the container. Or, if existing vegetation is growing well, use soybean meal at 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Or apply an inch depth of compost. Set out a straight-sided can to measure water, and turn on the sprinkler once a week so the combination of rain and s prinkling equal an inch depth of water in that can.

9. Weed regularly and frequently. Weeds are much easier to kill — and haven’t had time to spread many seeds — when they are small.

10. Grow vegetables that you like to eat, and choose the best-tasting varieties.

So get a tiller or shovel, and dig up your new garden area, or use the newer method of smothering existing vegetation beneath a few layers of newspaper topped with compost or other mulch, then plant immediately.

For future successes, thoroughly clean up old plants when they’re finished or at the end of the season, and move plants around the garden so they don’t grow in the same spot for a couple of years.

Finally, read about gardening. I suggest “All New Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew (Cool Springs Press, 2006). This book offers inexpensive, non-intimidating ways for beginning gardeners to get started, with lots of great pictures, charts, and illustrations.

Home gardeners can plant vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, kale, and lettuce as early as January and February. When April arrives, the danger of frost has passed and it’s open season on gardening. Ask any gardener and they’ll tell you; if you only grow one vegetable, grow tomatoes. Tomatoes from the grocery store offer only a suggestion of the mouth-watering joy that is a homegrown tomato. Wilmington’s warm weather makes it possible to grow your own tomatoes from April till November.

Vegetables love the summer sun and well-drained soil of the Cape Fear region, so get started on your own first vegetable garden today.

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.

Looking for things to do around Wilmington North Carolina this weekend?  Check out the 31st Annual Coastal Living Show.

This annual Wilmington Woman’s Club fundraiser features over 90 vendors showcasing their wares and services. Everything from jewelry to pottery to rain barrel technology to hurricane shutters will be for sale. In addition there will be great door prizes and raffles. All proceeds from the show go to organizations in our community like the Boys and Girls Home and Carousel Center.

The Coastal Living Show will be held at the Schwartz Center at 601 N. Front Street in Wilmington, March 20 and 21, 2010.  Admission is $4 for adults.  Children under 12 are free.  Doors open Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty recently opened a new office in Hampstead, North Carolina. The new office will serve Hampstead and Pender County.  It is located at 16076 U.S. Highway 17 in Hampstead NC and can be reached at (910) 270-8880.

“The addition of the new Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty office will further strengthen the Coldwell Banker® presence in the Pender County market,” said Jim Gillespie, president and CEO, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “Coldwell Banker is pleased to add this new office to our network.”

“We are extremely pleased to be opening our new office in Hampstead.  Over the years, we’ve built a strong relationship with our friends and neighbors in the Hampstead area.  Now we look forward to providing them with an even higher level of service,” said Tim Milam, president of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty.

For more than a decade, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty has been southeastern North Carolina’s largest and best-selling real estate company.  The company is a perennial recipient of the Coldwell Banker Chairman’s Circle award.  In 2009, recipients of this award represented the top 4 percent of Coldwell Banker affiliated companies worldwide.  Founded in 1988, Sea Coast Realty now operates nine offices with more than 325 sales associates and staff in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, & Onslow counties.  Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty headquarters is located at 1001 Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington, N.C. and can be reached at (910) 799-3435. For more information, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com.

Moving to a new home can be a stressful experience for anyone.  From the moment the house hunt begins to the day one steps foot into a new abode, relocating can be an intense process – especially when children are involved.  More often than not, the home serves as a special source of security and comfort for children, so it’s no wonder why many families have concerns about leaving their familiar surroundings.  After all, kids tend to be reluctant to change their clothes let alone their addresses, schools and friends!

Talking to kids before a move can help get them ready both emotionally and physically. Parents who communicate with their children that moving is an exciting adventure rather than something frightening or dreadful are likely to reduce some of the stress and help make moving more enjoyable for everyone. Most children adjust quickly to a move, especially when parents take the time to talk to their kids about the process and plan activities in advance.  The most important thing is for parents to have a good attitude.  Everything is not expected to be perfect, but if parents stay positive and enthusiastic about moving, the kids will feel better about it too.

Below are six suggestions from the agents of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty for how to make moving fun for the entire family:

1.   Explore the neighborhood. 
Between the time that you close on a new home and the time the moving truck arrives, spend a “family day” touring the new neighborhood.  This will take some of the “mystery” out of the move.  Pointing out local attractions and introducing children to their new neighbors and school will help get them excited about their new surroundings and reassure them that they will be able to make friends after the move.

If it is not possible to go to your new neighborhood, try to compile as much information about the local community as possible.  Online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location can offer consumers a wealth of information.  Also ask your Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty real estate agent for photographs of the new home and local area so that you can share them with your child. 

2.   Make a family wish list. 
One of the best ways to acclimate your child to change is to emphasize the positive opportunities they’ll be presented with once the family makes the adjustment.  Write a list of all of the things your child wants to do once the family is settled in the new home.  By encouraging your child to get involved with extracurricular activities that align with existing interests, you’ll not only keep them busy but help them to feel more at home in their new surroundings.  Activities such a as sports, gymnastics, theater and art classes will also be a great way for your kids to make new friends.

3.   Pack a treasure box. 
It’s no secret that children can become very attached to their belongings.  That’s why Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty suggests giving your child his / her own packing box to decorate however they would like and to pack up their favorite things.  Keep the box close by throughout the move.  This way your child can be sure those precious items will not be left behind.

4.   Let loose your child’s creativity. 
Kids will appreciate being involved in decorating their new house – especially when it comes to their own room!  Bring home paint swatches so that your child can choose a color for the walls.  Then follow up with a special day where he or she can shop for a new comforter, furniture, etc.  Being reasonable with his or her selection and allowing your child to be creative will help make the transition smoother - after all, it’s only paint!

5.   Help your kids create an address book. 
Staying in touch with friends has never been easier.  Help your child collect phone numbers, mailing and email addresses for everyone they would like to keep in touch with.  Then show him / her how easy it is to send an email.  People are using the Internet more and more to ‘speak’ with each other anytime and from anywhere with just the click of a button.  By showing your child how simple it can be to keep in touch with old friends, they are sure to feel more at ease about the move. 

6.   Pre-plan a housewarming party with friends from the old neighborhood.
Saying goodbye to friends can be difficult for parents and their children.  Before the big moving day arrives, plan a gathering at your new home with pals from the old neighborhood.  Having a date set in advance will help your child to see that just because the family is leaving behind a particular home, does not mean they are leaving behind friends.   

For more information, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com or become a fan of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty on Facebook.

Incorporating eco-friendly measures in homes has moved beyond installing energy efficient appliances and swapping out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents – going green is giving home sellers a competitive advantage. With luxury condos touting eco-friendly features like rain water recycling, and home builders incorporating energy saving features into new homes, it’s no wonder real estate professionals say more and more home buyers are asking about “green homes.” In the end, small changes to a home can help the environment and help a property stand out among the competition. 

It makes sense on a number of levels to incorporate green principles into a home and many consumers are surprised at just how easy it is to do so.  Not only is it great for the environment, but homeowners are looking at “going green” as an opportunity to have their home stand out from the crowd.

The following are eight tips from the professionals at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty that outline how to make homes sustainable, energy- and cost-efficient now, and appealing to eco-conscious homebuyers:

1.   A Ray of Light: 
South-facing windows provide more natural daylight making a home more bright and cheery. But, more importantly, natural daylight can help keep the indoor climate comfortable during the winter months, allowing a homeowner to set the thermostat a bit lower. Alternatively, drawing shades during key daylight hours during the summer can help cut down on air conditioning needs.

2.   Green Gardening:
Sustainable landscaping is becoming all the rage to eco-conscious homeowners.  Planting native plants, vegetation and shade trees strategically around a yard can keep a home cool during the summer and block cold winds during the winter.  And native vegetation will thrive in its preferred environment without requiring excess water.

3.   Switch to Green Power:
The use of renewable energy in a home, such as solar, wind, water or geothermal, greatly helps reduce pollution. However, installing solar panels or wind generators property can be cost-prohibitive for some. Fortunately, many utility companies in the United States offer options to purchase a form of renewable energy that is cost efficient for the homeowner. 

4.   Dial it Back:
Lowering the settings on water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and laundry machines reduces the amount of energy required to maintain the temperature. Installing low-flow sink faucets and shower heads also lessens water consumption.

5.   Reuse Rain:
Recycling rain water for gardening is another great way to conserve. For example, a water collection system under drains can catch the water and then reuse it for watering landscapes.

6.   Less Lawn does More:
Eliminate as much of the lawn as possible and plant native bushes, flowers, etc. Depending upon a number of factors (including the climate of the region), homeowners can simply cut back on the amount of space that they have to mow to promote energy conservation in lawn care.

7.   Turn Old into New:
Refurbish the home’s existing materials when remodeling instead of buying new ones (cabinets, tiles, flooring). If brand new appliances are required, homeowners should make sure they are energy-efficient, and should consider donating their old appliances to be recycled or reused.

8.   Insulation is Key:
Insulating cold-water pipes will prevent them from dripping condensation, and insulating hot-water pipes will prevent costly heat loss and save on energy bill.

For more information, please visit www.seacoastrealty.com or become a fan of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty on Facebook.

If you owe more on your home loan than you could sell your home for today, then you’re “upside down” or “underwater.”  What are your options?

Explore Alternatives
Consider whether or not you really need to sell your home.  Can you wait a few years to sell?  Could you move in with friends or family & rent out your home?  The ideal time to sell your home is not while you’re “upside down,” so explore your alternatives.

Loan Modification
First, call your mortgage company and try to get a loan modification done.  A loan modification will adjust your rate lower & make your payments lower.

Short Sale
If a loan modification isn’t possible or isn’t enough to keep you out of danger, short sale is always an option.  A short sale is when your lender or mortgage company agrees to accept less than the amount you owe on your home.  In some cases, the lender forgives the difference.  In other cases, you must make arrangements to settle the remainder of what you owe.

Real estate professionals advise that you should contact a qualified agent that has experience working with sellers that are in upside down loans.  Not all real estate professionals have experience with short sale situations.  This is imperative, so make sure to ask when interviewing an agent to market your home.

Bankruptcy & Foreclosure
Short sale is a much better option than foreclosure & bankruptcy.  A short sale can reduce your credit score by about 120 points & it will be 2 years until you are able to qualify for another loan.   Foreclosure will lead to a 250-point to 300-point drop in your credit score & then it will be 7-12 years until you are able to qualify for another loan.  Bankruptcy will lead to a 350-point drop in your credit score & it will be 12 years until you are able to qualify for another loan.

Get Help Before It’s Too Late
“By all means, try to get out.  That’s the key,” says one Sea Coast Realty sales associate.  “I’ve seen so many houses that were short sales & now they’re foreclosed on.  It’s because they’re not getting what they need to get done.  It’s all about time.”

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