by Ginger Sala Wilmington NC RealtorAfter a beautiful week of bright blue skies and warm sunshine, it's time to chill with the sounds of some cool music and the Free Friday night concerts offered around town.Over at the Mayfaire Town Center on the north side of town, come out and listen to the Beach and Blues Band "The Jetty Jumpers".  As always the concert lawn is held behind Linens 'n Things. Bring your  lawn chairs, blankets, kids and puppies.  Picnics and coolers welcome, or purchase food to go from one of of the 15 restaurants  located at the Mayfaire Town Center. Concert runs from 6-9pmTonight's Downtown Sundown Summer Concert Series  There's sure to be some Rockin'and Rollin' on the Rver tonight at as "Slippery When Wet"  performs a Bon Jovi tribute! Bring chairs. Food and refres... 07/27/2007

The Wilmington NC Area Real Estate market currently has 553 homes under contract. The market is healthy with sales prices averaging 98% list to sale price ratio. The most active price ranges are $200-250,000 with 397 homes currently on the market and a price to sales ratio of 98%, and the  $250-300,000 range with 359 homes currently on the market and a price to sales ratio of 97%. There is quite a bit of variance in the days on the market (DOM ) with the $175,000-200,000 range experiencing the shortest average DOM at 72. The key to selling your home at a good price to sale ratio is getting it priced right with the help of a Wilminton NC Realtor who knows the current market trends. The key to purchasing a home in our market is having a Realtor who knows the market conditions overall and ... 07/24/2007

January Anniversary of the Capture of Fort FisherKure Beach, 910 458-5538 Greater Wilmington Antique Show(910) 686-3029 Martin Luther King Jr. Day March(910) 763-4183 Model Railroad Show(910) 270-2696 February North Carolina Jazz Festival(910) 763-8585 Wilmington Garden Show(910) 452-6393 ext 211 March Bid for Literacy Mardi Gras Auction(910) 251-0911 Coastal Living Show(910) 686-5904 Kids Art Day, Southport(910) 457-5450 New Hanover County Residents Appreciation Day(910) 341-4030 April Arlie Gardens Concert Series(910) 798-7700 Annual Bluegrass Festival, Ocean Isle Beach(910) 287-2800  Bald Head Island Regatta(910) 457-SAIL Dreams center for Arts Education, Wilmington(910) 772-1501 Museum of Coastal Carolina Family Day, Ocean Isle Beach(910) 579-1016  North Carolina Azalea Festival, Wi... 07/23/2007

The National Association of Realtors is the largest organization set up to enhance the abilities and opportunities for realtors nationwide. They promote professionalism, ethical practices and preservation of the right to own property. This is important to you because it provides the quality service to you that as a homebuyer or seller you deserve. With the increasingly difficult steps that occur in a real estate transaction, it is all that much more important to have a professional handling the legal contracts, negotiations and more.The Internet has been an open portal to increasing the sophistication involved with the real estate transaction process. There are many times that a realtor comes in to the process of home buying after buyers have looked on the internet to find their dream h... 07/22/2007

When you are looking to purchase some commercial real estate, there are tips available to help you get the best deal.Commercial real estate is any real estate that is more than the standard single family home. Usually this means an office building, a rental property with two or more facilities, a retail business, a gas station, a restaurant or any other property that is used for income.When you are looking to purchase commercial real estate, you need to know what you are looking for. It is your money you are investing and therefore you want to make sure that your money is getting used in the ways you want it to be. If you do not want to take the time to manage a 10-unit commercial apartments building, then you want to look for something a little smaller like a 4-plex. If you do not like... 07/22/2007

  The Week in Review....your Wilmington ConnectionJuly 21, 2007A scorching Hot week in Wilmington in the upper 90's, Thunderstorms on Friday finally gave us the cooling we were looking for. You know what they say " If you don't like the weather in North Carolina wait 5 minutes"Have a look at what is new on the Wilmington NC Real Estate Market. Let them keep their promiseNew Hanover County taxpayers were promised that they would never pay another cent to maintain Mason Inlet after the county moved it. More than 1,000 property owners on Figure Eight and northern Wrightsville Beach agreed to foot the bills for dredging and looking out for birds. They swore up and down they'd pay those bills for 30 years.Five years later, some of them are starting to complain. They're tired of shelling out.... 07/22/2007

The Week in Review....your Wilmington connectionJuly 14, 2007In Wilmington we had a very warm week, the beaches were buzzing with people, open houses this weekend should be busy. Drop by at my open house today, Saturday from 1-4pm. Home Prices Expected to Recover in 2008 As Inventories DeclineJuly 11, 2007 Home prices are expected to recover in 2008 with existing-home sales picking up late this year and new-home sales rising early next year, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®. Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, said a good buyers' market has evolved. "Buyers now have an overwhelming advantage given the wide selection of homes available in many markets," he said. "But with profit margins coming under pressure, homebuilders will limit new constructi... 07/19/2007

The Week in Review...your Wilmington ConnectionJuly 7, 2007What a gorgeous week in Wilmington. The 4th of July celebrations on the was one to remember. We were lucky and had some lovely balmy weather (with the cold front that had moved in), the perfect time to sit outside on the river banks with family and friends.The Real estate market slowed this week due to all the celebrations, but with our office turning 25 listings in one day shows the market is back in full swing again. View the new listings here. New Hanover schools to get camera millionsMillions of dollars will soon be on its way from the city of Wilmington to the New Hanover County Board of Education.After an N.C. Supreme Court decision last week, school districts will now receive 90 percent of red-light camera revenue statewi... 07/19/2007

The Week in Review...your Wilmington ConnectionJune 30, 2007 Happy July 4th! The temperatures are rising in Wilmington, this week reached the 90's,perfect beach and BBQ weather. I just want to take the time and wish you and your family an incredible 4th of July. Keep cool!If you are considering selling your home, ask me about my Easy Exit listing agreement. Skyway: Cost higher than the bridgeEstimated $971.5 million for toll bridge exceeds statewide road construction billThe Cape Fear Skyway bridge would cost $100 million a mile.It would cost about 11 times more than Saturday's $89 million Powerball jackpot.The estimated $971.5 million toll bridge over the Cape Fear River would also cost more than the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded for all road-construction contracts across t... 07/19/2007

The Week in Review...your Wilmington connectionJune 9, 2007 Our real estate market continues to improve, with our office closing $49,716,600 to date, other real estate companies not nearly reaching this number, now you know why we are #1. The average time on market has fallen to around 88 days and supply levels falling to just above 5 months for a full report click here . City's value boom a break for someA $300 million increase to Wilmington's tax base has allowed city officials to lower the proposed property tax rate.As a result, the city has reset its revenue neutral tax rate at 29.2 cents per $100 assessed value. Revenue neutral means the city will bring in the same amount of property tax this year as it did last year.The revised 2007-08 budget includes a tax rate of 29.7 cents per ... 07/19/2007

The Week in Review...your Wilmington ConnectionJune 2, 2007 The market is seeing alot of activity, especially with all the well pricedhomes on the market. If you are looking to buy you home now have a look at what is on the market now . NAR reported last month an increase in the purchases of vacation properties. Even as sales of primary residences fell last year, vacation-home sales rose 4.7%, to a record 1.07 million (from 1.02 million in 2005). Furthermore, vacation homes' share of the market rose to 14% last year from 12% in 2005. With the Baby boomers contemplating their retirement this trend will continue.New Hanover curbs use of waterSome residents banned from irrigating lawnsOn Thursday, New Hanover County imposed mandatory water restrictions on its roughly 7,000 customers in the... 07/19/2007

The Week in Review ...your Wilmington ConnectionMay 26, 2007Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Enjoy your free time. The city has received much positive publicity lately. Modern Physician magazine named Wilmington as one of the best places to set up a medical practice. If you are starting a business, Forbes magazine says Wilmington is a great place to do just that. In addition, CNN Money listed Wilmington, NC as a top-ten city for the apprection of real estate in the next five years. Email me if you would like these articles or where you can find them. The Region is ready for the Memorial Day Rush. For tens of thousands of residents and tourists in Southeastern North Carolina, this weekend will be as much - or more - about beaches, barbecues, beers and bumming around.The influx - or onslaught,... 07/19/2007

There are relative factors that help you know that your Realtor is working to get your best deal possible, even if they are getting paid in a commission form.  With the market changing, the traditional 6% split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent is being adjusted to influence the sells of a home in favor of the seller. That is why it is all the more important to make sure you have a buyer’s agent on your side.  Advocates of the consumer are concerned with these increased commissions, however these tactics do work. Sometimes there is favoritism for homes listed with a higher commission promised.  Federal rules dictate that disclosure of fees need to happen at the closing, however by the time the closing happens it may be to late for you to realize this sale may have it qui... 07/16/2007

The real estate market has opened up in Wilmington North Carolina; however, there are still ways to buy cheap homes there. The secret to find the best deals is to know where to look and do it at the right time. Wilmington has a haven of comfort and creativity in the choice area between the Cape Fear River, and North Carolina Inner beaches. The area is complimented with great golf, wonderful weather in all four seasons, natural beauty, and a relatively inexpensive cost of living. So then how do you find the cheap homes for sell? It is not that hard. First you will need to decide on if you are going to be going through a realtor, a realtor that does the work for both the buyers and the sellers, or if you are going to be looking on your own. Wilmington is just starting to boom, and the tim... 07/15/2007

  How does one like CNN/Money, Relocate-America, MSNBC, retirement articles, and a host of Hollywood types actually find a city like Wilmington North Carolina and put it on the HOT list of places to live?It is called a BUZZ, and people talk, and the talk is about the wonderful lifestyle, climate, attractions, opportunities for the movie industry and the affordability of living in a seaside resort area. We found Wilmington quite by accident back in the eighties (living in upstate New York), when our vacation hotel in Myrtle Beach suffered some storm damage, and would not be able to accommodate us. The hotel management suggested we try Wilmington, as it is only 70 miles away, and we could obtain a town home on the ocean for a reduced rate for the inconvenience. Well needless to say we dis... 07/15/2007

History of WilmingtonView Historic Homes in WilmingtonWilmington, North Carolina, was incorporated in 1739/40. It was originally situated on seven hills or bluffs located on the east side of the Cape Fear River about twenty-eight nautical miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It was known as New Liverpool, New Town and Newton before the permanent name of Wilmington was chosen to honor Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, an Englishman and patron of Gabriel Johnston, North Carolina's Governor at the time.The town was founded by the English, many of whom were maritime businessmen looking for investments in a newly opened area of the Atlantic Coast. Other early inhabitants were the second and third sons of New Englanders who could not inherit family lands in their already settled area of the colo... 07/15/2007

Real estate is not something that can be done on a part-time basis. Here are seven reasons not to use a part-time real estate agent.A real estate agents main focus is to sell. Therefore it is important to find a real estate agent that will focus full time on your real estate needs. There is a fiduciary responsibility to the sellers in the instance of an agent for the seller, and a buyer's agent for the buyer to get the best deal possible for them. You have every right to ask the real estate agent if they are part-time or full time. If an agent says they can work part time and fulfill your needs for your real estate transactions, it is likely that they are working to make them money; they would not have the time to be fully loyal to you, when they are working at another job.If a real est... 07/15/2007

The market in Wilmington North Carolina is showing great potential. Therefore, the time is right for listing your home. Here is why.There has been an increase of sales of single-family residential homes in North Carolina. This was good because in many areas of the United States there has been a decline in real estate purchases. Wilmington North Carolina offers a great deal of enjoyment to their residents in their community. The charming port city, with salt and fresh bodies of water, beautiful scenery, charming four seasons, and festivities brings the meaning of living life to its fullest form. Therefore, listing and selling your home is going to be convenient and hopefully very profitable. That is the goal of selling a home, even if you are planning to move for another reason, making m... 07/15/2007

 Finding the right real estate agent right from the start is the best way to go. However there are five signs it is time to find a new real estate agent.Under some circumstances it is acceptable to stop the buyer or seller and agent relationship. However, it is a good idea to look at any contract you might have signed.The first step in terminating your real estate agent is to make sure there is an ethical or legal reason to do so. Many times a problem between seller or buyer and agent can be resolved by simply by talking about the problems. There are reasons certain results occur in the real estate market and it is a good idea to have a clear understanding of what a real estate agent can do and is obligated to do. Clear expectation of what can be expected is a good start of any relation... 07/15/2007

 By Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Realtor It's TGIF and that means it's time for the Free Friday Night concert post. it's been a hot week in Wilmington so get ready for some hot bands! With the high humidity today we hope  rain holds off so these fantastic concerts can go on!   One of Wilmington's most popular bands The Cosmic Groove Lizards will be playing tonight at the Mayfaire Town Center. Concert is held on the lawn behind Linen's &Things. (Near the Movie theatre) Bring the Kids, the dogs, the coolers, lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a rockin' good time! While you're there say hello to a stranger, you might make a new friend! 266-5131 for more info. Starts at 6pm til 9pm Spencer Rush will open the show at tonight's Downtown Sundown Summer Concert Series followed by Zoso who will play... 07/13/2007