U.S. OPEN KING MACKEREL FISHING TOURNAMENT

Posted October 2, 2014 by Donald Howarth

COASTAL CAROLINA’S PREMIER FISHING TOURNAMENT

A great time to be in Southport, NC is during one of the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce’s events. This weekend join 1,000 for a popular fishing competition. Thirty-four years ago a small group of community leaders met and decided that they needed an event to showcase the great fall fishing Southport-Oak Island area has to offer. The prizes and expenses for the first tournament were guaranteed by those community leaders signing a promissory note at a local financial institution – thus the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament was born. The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament now attracts almost 400 boats annually and is held in high esteem by the community and anglers.

Top Five Reasons to Buy Coastal North Carolina Property Now

Posted May 5, 2014 by Donald Howarth

From the places that draw crowds to the places that help you escape them, when you are in North Carolina you will find it all. Those of us who call it home experience its beauty daily. For others that #visitnc and wish to return time and time again, consider purchasing this year.

CNN Money reports home prices are climbing. Wilmington is expected to rise 8% through third quarter 2014.
CBS Money Watch predicts 2014 will be another year of gains for the real estate market.
The National Association of Realtors indicated in their March report that a shortage of inventory is proving problematic.
Albeit still low, according to Forbes, the average mortgage rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is expected to rise the most recent year’s 3’s to 5.5% this year.
The coast of North Carolina is gaining in popularity. New Hanover and #Brunswick Counties in particular continue to get national exposure on film and are experiencing growing awareness through national publications. CNN Money Magazine listed Wilmington, NC real estate as the #7 city to invest in and #Brunswick Forest located in Leland just outside of Wilmington and near Southport, NC has been given the Bliss Award Winner designation, Best North Carolina Community of the Year for the Coastal Southern North Carolina area.

At Coastal Realty Connections we understand buying is often an emotional choice. So more than the statistics, it is about finding the place that matches your natural rhythms, provides activities that bring you joy, and above all brings you peace of mind.

From #golfing and #sailing in the isles of Brunswick County and #antiquing in New Bern to soaking up the sun’s rays see why the Coast of North Carolina is the place to be.

Read more about locations in Eastern Coastal North Carolina and begin your property search now.

Focus on Brunswick County

Posted April 7, 2014 by Donald Howarth

What attracts so many people to the coast of North Carolina? Is it the Southern charm of its residents, the laid-back way of life or simply the beauty of its shorelines? Where we live is as much about an expression of our personalities as it is finding the place that makes us feels “at home”.

Southern Living, Coastal Living, Garden & Gun and a host of publications have written about a special place in North Carolina, Brunswick County. Amanda Hutcheson of StarNews recently shared what most of us who live in the area can sense, Brunswick County represents one of the hottest destination in North Carolina.

Developed coastal communities such as St. James Plantation, Brunswick Plantation, Compass Pointe, Indigo Plantation and Marina, Winding River, Lockwood Folly and Bald Head Island have helped make Brunswick County the fastest-growing county in North Carolina and the 47th-fastest growing county in the nation. The population growth rate from 2012 to 2013 was higher than any other county in North Carolina.

Along with Brunswick County’s assets, its proximity to Myrtle Beach and Wilmington provide a host of added benefit for residents. While the latest census reported substantial growth for the Myrtle Beach and Pender County areas, Brunswick County topped the list. Mike Hargett, Director of Planning and Community Development was quoted in the StarNews article, “The figures reflect continued interest in Brunswick County as a desirable location to live, work and visit. Based on the increasing level of development activity, this positive trend is expected to continue.”

It has never been a better time to explore relocation or second-home in Brunswick County. Before you begin your selection process, it is important to refine your “wish list” and work with someone who can assist in narrowing down and matching your search criteria.

Whether you choose Coastal Realty Connections or one of a number of other capable agencies as your buyer’s agent it can be invaluable to have someone experienced in this ever evolving market working on your behalf.

Finding a new home is as much about connecting to a feeling of belonging than it is about a structure. Explore more about North Carolina’s fastest growing county at http://www.ncbrunswick.com/ and start your search for a new home today.

Coastal Realty Connections Supports Community College

Posted March 26, 2014 by Donald Howarth

Coastal Realty Connections is proud to sponsor Brunswick Community College Foundation’s upcoming breakfast with Joe Dittmar, World Trade Center attack survivor. USA Today featured Joe in an article about survivors of the 911 attack on the World Trade Center and Joe is the one of few survivors from the 105th floor. An insurance executive from Chicago, he had arrived early to a meeting that day and of the 54 attendees Joe is one of only of seven who survived. He now travels nationwide telling his story and inspiring audiences.

The Foundation is inviting the public to attend its annual Community Breakfast on Thursday, April 10th, 2014 at 8:00am when Joe Dittmar will give his first-hand account of his experiences as he and his colleagues escaped from the upper floors of South Tower of the World Trade Center after it was hit by a terrorist-hijacked plane on September 11th, 2001. His presentation, entitled “The Victory of the Human Spirit,” will highlight the events, memories, and lessons learned on the day of the attacks and in the years since.

The Foundation was organized in 1982 to provide a means of soliciting and accepting substantial gifts of money or property in order to build an endowment fund to promote and support educational advancement within Brunswick County and the mission of Brunswick Community College. Trisha is a past president and serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors supporting those efforts to help raise community awareness and to secure much needed scholarship funding for students.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has enabled the college to meet a number of diverse needs that would be impossible to meet within state provided funding. Its primary focus has been to provide scholarship support for students and, in addition, the Foundation has assisted faculty members by granting funds for professional development and has sponsored various lecture programs and cultural events.

Tickets for this event are $20 per person and can be purchased either online or by calling 910-755-7473.

Welcome to Coastal Realty Connections

Posted March 17, 2014 by Donald Howarth

I am delighted to announce the launch of our new website and to post the first of many updates on our area, local real estate market and other interesting topics.

The economy has been tough over the past few years and many of us have debated whether the real estate market has hit bottom. Indicators are that it has, sales are improving and, according to the NC Association of Realtors, year on year sales have remained higher for the last 29 months. Enquiry levels are up, mortgage rates are at historic lows and buyer’s are steadily returning to the market. There has not been a better time over the last five years to purchase property than now.

While it is not always easy to determine the best time to list or buy, having the guidance and support of the right real estate agent is a key factor to your success. At Coastal Realty Connections we are committed to helping buyers and sellers find the right property at the right price. We work hard to satisfy a buyer’s desire to take advantage of the best values in the market place and a seller’s need to achieve their price points.

The coastal region of North Carolina is well positioned to take advantage of a recovering market. Wilmington, the Port City, has something to offer everyone who enjoys the conveniences of a big city along with all the advantages of quick access to sandy shores. Brunswick County, the 87^th fastest growing county in the nation, continues to offer amenity-rich communities, traditional neighborhood locations and wonderful beaches at great values. New Bern, the second oldest city in North Carolina, is one of the coast’s undiscovered gems. With average sales prices below state averages, the New Bern area provides an affordable place to live, enjoy and explore the coast.

Please consider Coastal Realty Connections as your agent and we will do our very best to help you with your goals.