Wilmington, NC Real Estate Blog

 This is a article for anyone who thinks they may be a procrastinator, or who has procrastinated in the past, or any one who may have said "Someday I will blah, blah, yada, yada........"

 Well we have all done it, procrastinate that is, myself one of the biggest perpetrators, and I caught myself in the nick of time before I did it again.  Let me explain.....

 I had the good fortune of meeting a lovely mature lady, who was house shopping  for herself.  She was recently widowed, lives alone with her "puppy", and is in a word or two "well off" 

 On the appointed day we scheduled about 9 homes to view, all of which she had picked out from my list of homes I sent to her via email (yes that generation DOES use email) She arrived with her daughter and a family friend, to "help out with the decision"  A real rainy, cold, wet day, not conducive to looking at homes, however, we plodded on and tried to make the best of the day.  The home she wanted to see in particular, was second on the itinerary, and was everything she wanted in a home.  Still wanting to see the rest of the homes, and surely not wanting to miss anything, we continued on with the rest of the tour. 

 Most would agree at this point a few extra eyes helping the buyer (especially a woman recently widowed, after 40 plus years of marriage, and a Mom) moving to a far off town, are not always looking out for "Mom's best interests"  In fact they REALLY do not want to see Mom moving a couple hundred miles away.  At 2 hours into the tour Mom says "lets go back and look at the second house you showed me"....no problem, and off we all go.

 Well of course you can guess what the daughter and the friend are now saying to Mom, yet Mom says "I want it, lets put in an offer"

 Here is where it becomes someday, or today.....The daughter says no, the friend says no, Mom says yes.  I look at everyone, and in the calmest of tones, and in my best "matter of fact" dialogue say " This is what you want,  maybe someday will never come, I know this is a good decision for you" 

 She is so very happy, the home is everything she wants, someday is today! 

 That is what I love about this business.....you know you are helping people to get what they want, encourage them not to procrastinate, and you know it is in their best interest, it truly is a wonderful feeling.

 I think as the older we get, or the more experienced we become, (mature....older) a little voice goes off and says "do it, do it now"  or maybe she was just really ready to buy a house, getting away from the daughter and the friend!

 What do you think?

 Dick Beals

Blue Point is a sub-division of 100+ patio homes, and 50+ custom built homes. The neighborhood features a large pool, clubhouse, and tennis courts for the residents. This neighborhood is home to many retirees, young families, empty-nester's, and folks wanting a piece of the great life this community affords it's residents.

The patio homes currently range in price from about 300k to almost 400k depending on the style and floor plan. They range in size from 1800 square feet to over 2700 square feet, all are brick exterior and all have two car garages. The patio homes are in a HOA (home owners association) and pay a monthly fee of $80.00 which includes lawn care, some mulch at spring time, and use of all facilities. The homes are perfect for retirees!

The custom homes are on Blue Point Drive, which surrounds the neighborhood. More than 50% of the custom homes back up to Pages Creek, which affords those lucky homeowners incredible views of the marsh and the wildlife that calls Blue Point it's home as well. Plenty of birds....Herons, hawks, and many deer come grazing along at all times. It is certainly a great area for watching wildlife! These homes are all different designs and sizes....some larger than 4000 square feet, and most of them in the 2600 and up size. Prices range from the high 300k to 850k. The lucky residents here also use all the facilities, with monthly dues around $40.00 per month....talk about bargains.

Blue Point is just off Market Street (Route 17) traveling north from Wilmington, almost on the Pender County line. There is plenty of shopping near by, and a new I-40 connector to all major highways, so getting around and being close to everything is right in your back yard.

Blue Point has a great feel to it....friendly neighbors, fun things to do at the club house, walking trails, and always a great time meeting your neighbors at the pool. This is truly a friendly neighborhood, and one that is also a great real estate investment as well!  Blue Point web site

Dick Beals

 Yesterday I had a call from a visitor from Queens New York, (Richard and Tina) to show them one of our listings (www.9007SedgleyDrive.com) in the golf course community "The Cape"  

They were vacationing here in Wilmington, North Carolina, or as they put it "wintering" till the end of March.  That is not such a big deal, as Wilmington has become an attractive place for retirees, vacationers,  and beach goers to "winter"  In fact Wilmington has quite a few ex New Yorkers, New Jerseyians (?) and other assorted "Yankees" calling Wilmington home.  It also has a huge population from other cultures!  Let me explain.....

 Richard and Tina loved the house, and needed some time to think it over, and decided to talk over dinner later that evening.  As the conversation progressed, and as usual, they asked me many questions regarding the Wilmington area.....housing, schools, shopping, arts, pricing, and WHERE to EAT.  Tina is originally from Taiwan and missed all the big New York city restaurants, for her favorite "Asian" delicacies. 

 I named 5 or  6 Asian restaurants that Sandy and I have frequented, and promised them I would email them a few more that I would remember later.  They needed addresses, (GPS in the family car) so I rushed back to the computer to fulfill my promise. 

 Wilmington has over 500 Restaurants!   Asian Restaurants.....52.  

  I had my work cut out for me emailing all those restaurants and phone numbers and information.  (I know I should have just given them the phone book and directions to the restaurant yellow pages)  We REALTORS sometimes get caught up in thinking our recommendations are of no use to folks unless we have physically dined there as well. 

 My research on Asian Restaurants was indeed thorough, comprehensive and full of " I've been there...really good!"  They surely had enough places to choose from....even to the end of March, I doubt they would visit them all. 

 With over 500 Restaurants of all styles, cultural themes, food choices, and ethnic backgrounds, Wilmington surely is a diverse destination for anyone wanting to discover a fine restaurant.

 No matter where you came from, or how you found Wilmington NC, you will find Wilmington to be a great choice for any taste. 

 Oh by the way, they ended up at the Banyan Cafe on Market Street, (about a mile from my office)  Richard and Tina recommended the Banyan to me....going to check it out this Saturday

Dick Beals

 Yes that right, I was the proud recipient of a new, huge, see through glass top wok.  I like cooking!  My specialities run from throwing a lot of "stuff" together and hoping for the best, to creating recipes from the latest Food and Wine edition.  Back to the wok.....if you have never used one before, you are missing out on a great way to steam your meal quickly, while retaining all the flavor it is meant to have.

 For our New Years Eve dinner I decided to do our traditional fare....lobster, shrimp, veggies, pasta, and a nice dessert, what happened was a meal beyond my greatest expectations.  Here it is and soooo simple and tasty!

 This new wok of mine is huge, probably about the size of a 20 inch pan, plenty of room to cook a whole meal in there....which is what I did.  Don't know where the idea came from, I guess all cooks experiment at sometime, and this was one of those times.  In the bottom of the pan put a couple cups of water and start bringing it to a boil, add some sea salt,  then add any kind of pasta ( I used about a cup of tortellinis).  Put the insides of the wok together, add 1 pound of shrimp, 2 or 3 lobster tails (we did 3 as they were on a real nice sale) a bunch of asparagus, and cook for about 3-4 minutes, with the see through cover on.  Add 2 cups of white wine to the boiling water and bring to another boil.  It is done when it boils the second time ( about 2 minutes)  Drain the pasta, put the shrimp, tails, and asparagus around the pasta....and voila...you have a great tasting all in one dish meal.

 I used a sauvignon blanc for the wine, which accompanied this meal wonderfully ( or a couple of bottles of champagne), and for desert there is nothing better than chocolate covered strawberries for lobster and shrimp.  Total cost was about $30 for everything, including leftovers for New Years Day.  A special meal for a special day!!  Thanks to Sandy for one of the nicest Christmas presents, to enjoy more and more.  Wok it, my friends!

Dick Beals

 I had the good fortune of attending a Vince Lombardi motivational talk quite a few years ago.  For those of you who don't know Mr Lombardi, he was a coach with the Green Bay Packers professional football team.  Some say he was the best, he got more out his players than any coach could ever do, and is probably the man who most would say brought football into the 20th century.  He was a "mans man"  He was as tough as nails. He was a family man.  He was hated, he was loved. 

 Every New Year I bring out his poem he shared with us that day.  It is my map for not quitting.  I have shared it with my own sons, our agents, and with people who are in need of uplifting.  No one knows the author, it could be Mr. Lombardi....he never said.  You may relate, you may cry, you may rethink your own self, or you may just think about it for awhile.  One thing for sure is, you won't forget it!   So here is my copy and paste for a great New Year to all of you.....hopefully it will help keep you from quitting and on track for a great year.

Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
    my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
A children's race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
    excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
    or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,
    and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,
    to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy's desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
    was running in the lead and thought "My dad will be so proud."
But as he speed down the field and crossed a shallow dip,
    the little boy who thought he'd win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace,
    and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn't win it now.
    Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
    which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win that race!"
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that's all,
    and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
    his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
    "I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race."

But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face
    with a steady look that said again, "Get up and win that race!"
So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last.
    "If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to run real fast!"
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten...
    but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye.
    "There's no sense running anymore! Three strikes I'm out! Why try?
I've lost, so what's the use?" he thought. "I'll live with my disgrace."
    But then he thought about his dad, who soon he'd have to face.

"Get up," an echo sounded low, "you haven't lost at all,
    for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up!" the echo urged him on, "Get up and take your place!
    You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!"
So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit,
    and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been,
    still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
    Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place,
    head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place,
    the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
    you would have thought he'd won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
    "To me, you won," his father said. "You rose each time you fell."

And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face,
    the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
    And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face,
    another voice within me says, "Get up and win that race!"

I did find out the author is D.H.Groberg....To all A Very Happy New Year!

 Dick Beals