Wilmington, NC Real Estate Blog

Forbes Magazine just recently listed the "America's Top Recession Proof Cites" and North Carolina's Raleigh at number 5, and Charlotte at number 9 made the list!

Texas had 4 top cities....San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth!  Other cities that are said to have recession proof cities were San Jose California, Salt Lake City Utah, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, and Seattle Washington. 

In a nutshell,  recession proof means these areas are, or will have, a great economy, low unemployment, affordable housing, top education and health services, along with a host of other services and opportunities that measures a cities potential for growth and WEALTH.  Without alienating Seattle these cities were all in warmer climates (I guess if it ever stops raining, Seattle could be considered warm) 

Of these top ten cities only Raleigh and Charlotte were on the east coast.  Wilmington, North Carolina IS on the coast!!  North Carolina also recently made the list of the third most attractive state  people WERE MOVING TO (but that is another list story).  Charlotte and Raleigh provide many of those relocated folks... if only for a vacation home, or for a quick week-end get-a-way, as we are only a short highway drive away.

Forbes has been putting together these top ten lists for many years (maybe an idea from "The Letterman Show")  who was first is... unknown.  Americans have an addiction to lists, seems like every show or magazine has one or more lists we can check out. 

So after this brief history of lists and top cities....I have decided to have my list.  My list is very simple and straight forward, I am calling it.....

       "The Number One Best Small City for Moving too on the East Coast, as

         There Are Beautiful Beaches, Excellent Weather, Low Unemployment,

        Great Hospitals, Southern Values and Charm, and only a Short Drive From Raleigh and Charlotte

Welcome to Wilmington, North Carolina"

I may have to shorten that title a bit!

 Anyway, I would be happy to send out a package to anyone needing information on this vibrant city, just send me an email or call.  If you need it QUICKER please log on to our web site at www.WilmingtonRealEstate4U.com and look at these links...Number 1 in my Heart!   That's it...I'll call it:

     "Wilmington, North Carolina... Number 1 in Your Heart"

Dick Beals

We recently listed for sale a nice maintenance free brick patio home in Cypress Island, just off River Road in Wilmington, North Carolina.  For you newcomers or folks in other areas, Cypress Island is about 12 miles south of the city Wilmington.  Traveling from Wilmington, on Carolina Beach Road, you will pass through the thriving community of Monkey Junction (more on that name in another article).  Carolina Beach is only a short 5 minute drive from Cypress Island, which is also close to major shopping and attractions.

There are 107 town homes, with 126 patio homes, all surrounding a par 3 golf course, and  a couple of ponds.  The homes here range in price from the 180's for a town home, and up, to 300k plus for a larger patio home with many upgrades available.  This community is about 7 years young, so there will be no further construction going on to interrupt the peacefulness.   7829 Cypress Island Drive is a well kept home, gently lived in by a business man during the work week before heading back to the Raleigh area. 

Cypress Island is perfect for the young family just starting out, the retiree, or empty nester (snowbirds) as there is golfing on the par 3 course, swimming in the community pool, tennis courts, and maybe a fish or two to catch in one of the ponds nearby. 

What is very attractive to the home owner here is, most of the homes are brick, feature plenty of room, 2 car garages, and the HOA (home owners association) dues of $100 per month include all lawn maintenance and trash pick up.  This along with the pool, tennis, clubhouse, and a host of amenities, surely make this a desirable area in which to call home.

7829 Cypress Island Drive is sure to please....it features a nice view of the pond, and the 8^thgreen (a golfers dream) from the enclosed screen porch.  Also included is a corner fireplace, volume ceilings, breakfast bar, and a walk in laundry area.  It is MLS listing number 420841 in any of the national listing registers, or can be viewed on the web site at www.7829CypressIslandDrive.com. This beautiful patio home is just the right home for your consideration...and priced under $230,000.

Just recently a new web site for Cypress Island has been created at Cypress Island HOA

Dick Beals

I tend to go on two or three listing appointments each week, some weeks more, some less.  There is a common  discussion taking place at each home, and it goes something like this...."You want me to price it at what?  You got to be kidding me!  I don't need you to sell it at that price.  Anybody could sell it at that price"   So, hello to the new FSBO on the street!

Or to the newly listed property from new agent Joe Schmo, at "I'll take any listing Company" 

 Dear home seller....Welcome to the wonderful world of selling your home on your own, in a buyers market! 

The reason you don't hear from your agent Joe is because he doesn't know his market, he knows your home is overpriced, does not have a plan to sell your house and the biggy....does not follow through on his promises.  When frustration sets in, when nobody is looking at your house, and you call Joe to ask "What's up?.  I will bet that call goes into voice mail.  So you are on your own (again)

In a deperciating market, you have to price your home at market price, or BELOW MARKET PRICE!!  That is the beginning definition of a Buyers Market, or a depreciating market.  Remember the old commercial "pay me now or pay me later"?  The market will catch your price at some point (in this case downward)

My advice to you is price it right, the first time!  You will save time and money, and be prepared not to hear from Joe, as your home loses more of your money.  Joe does not care.  He is not calling you, is he?

Dick Beals