Carolina Beach, NC

This weekend while showing property at Carolina and Kure Beaches I noticed the huge waves rolling in. These strong waves are certainly affecting our beaches. They erode away our precious sand which brings tourists and homebuyers to SE NC. However we are certainly lucky that the US Government and the state of North Carolina are involved in providing $ 22 million to dredge and renourish sand on the beaches of Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Masonboro Islands. It certainly is needed. Those dredging barges although big and nasty looking are a welcome sight as we know they will add sand and contribute sand to the gorgeous white sandy beaches we enjoy in Southeastern NC.

NEWSFLASH!! NEWSFLASH!! The town of Carolina Beach last night at the council meeting passed a resolution to build a new pier and AQUARIUM. The aquarium would be a joint effort between the city of Carolina Beach and NC Aquarium. This is great news for the central business district of Carolina Beach and the neighboring properties - namely the Beach Harbour subdivision pictured above. These several parcels of land are currently vacant having been purchased as part of the now defunct Arcadius project. This will certainly be a shot in the arm for the local economy that will need to build it and support but benefit from increased area traffic and business. By the way I have a condo for sale in the above building for $ 159,900. What a great buy and who can beat that location... Posted by WELCOMEtotheBEACH- BEACHES

Saturday, October 10, 2009

What's Happening this Weekend in Wilmington , NC and its Beaches

This weekend at Pleasure Island - Carolina and Kure Beaches is the Pleasure Island Seafood and Jazz Festival. There will be 15 bands including Delbert McClinton among the notables. There will be food, crafts, drinks and great views of the Cape Fear River. Don't miss this one. All info can be obtained on the Pleasure Island website- http://www.pleasureislandnc.org/. Tickets are $30.00 for this event.

ART IN THE ARBORETUM
The Arboretum located at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington will be the site for two days of Art in The Arboretum. Price: $5.00 free for children 14 and under
Phone: (910) 798-7660
Age Suitability: All Ages
Saturday, October 10, 2009 - Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10th 10:00AM-4:00PM and Sunday, October 11th 10:00AM-4:00PM
The Arboretum located at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington will be the site for two days of Art in The Arboretum. The event will feature many well-known local artists works displayed and for purchase, not only works on canvas but other potters, wood artists, all sorts of sculptures and basket weavers. It will be one of the largest gatherings of outdoor art in the area. The Ability Garden will also have a plant sale with small, reasonably priced fall plants. Live music will be provided by local area musicians. What better time to stroll the Arboretum's beautiful grounds and spend time by the dragon sculpture and water features or discover the japanese tea house and garden. It's two days of fun for the entire family. Children can explore the children's garden and cottage and there's even picnic tables and shade.
Delight in the warm beauty of Autumn in Southeastern North Carolina and get ideas for plants and shrubs you can plant at home--it's all at the Art in the Arboretum, Saturday, October 10th from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday, October 11th from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Admission is $5.00 and free for children 14 and under.

The appeal of Beaches are universal but there are many different ways that a buyer or investor can enjoy the beach. This blog is going to point out the pros and cons of the beach condo: PROS
This is for the weekend user or investor who wants to use the beach condo perhaps on vacation for a small part of the year and rent it out or keep it for family.
Generally the Homeowner association maintains the condo and the grounds and there is little for the owner to do. The picture is of a 2 bedroom condo for I have for sale at Carolina Beach in southeastern NC. It is priced at just $ 169,000.
Dues cover insurance, pest inspection, yard and outside maintenance, sewer and water, garbage, common area taxes, pool, mgm't fee and basic cable. This is turnkey- owner can leave and not worry about any work left to be done on the condo.

Con:

To rent your condo you need to either rent it yourself or arrange for a management company to take it over during that period. This will cost you a % of the rent. You may be restricted as to when you can rent the condo and have to abide by the rules of the condo association.

You do take a chance when you rent it that your furnishings or the condo itself could be damaged...

Condo can be affected by area properties and what is happening with them. The above pictured condo is in the central business district and is subject to zoning in that area. It is a prime location but the business zoning may restrict the association from making changes to the property.

You are at the mercy of the HOA board which can act on its own and impose additional assessments and increase the dues for projects they deem necessary.

This is one of the typical property types available for purchase on the beach...

Monkey Junction Merchant - MODERN CLEANERS

This is my client and friend, Linda of Modern Cleaners. She was one of the 1st people I met when I started my real estate career 9 years ago. She had started and opened her 1st dry cleaners in the Monkey Junction area of Wilmington NC. It is called Monkey Junction since a gas station in the middle of a busy intersection had monkeys in cages to attract people and sales. It was very popular with kids and families who used to stop and pet the monkeys. The name has since stuck although the monkeys are long gone and there is now a Burger King in its place.
Linda however is still there. A former South Korean transplant she has most of her family in NYC which she generously supports and employs a large group of Hispanic people in her dry cleaners. She attracts business by offering very low prices for mens shirts - $.99/shirts and offers low prices to policemen for their uniforms among other specials.
She is physically challenged with very bad rheumatoid arthritis but this never stops her from showing up for work, being kind to her customers and employees and providing excellent customer service. She also employs about 20 people - some of whom may have found it very hard to find jobs. She really does care about her employees and sends them to doctors which she pays and helps them if they are in trouble and need money.
I have been her realtor also in the past as I sold a commercial food business that she had and she just wanted to move on from that venture.
She is never afraid to try something new and her courageous attitude is just amazing. She always is looking out to better her business. She opens branches all over the city to try certain areas - to see if they will succeed. When they do she keeps them - if they don't see closes them. She really is a great example of the great American entrepreneurial spirit - that I can do anything. Nothing will prevent my friend Linda from succeeding... She has made her own way... Posted by WELCOMEtotheBEACH-