Photos from Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~ Ginger & Roger Sala
Blockade Runner Pool and Gardens Wrightsville Beach, NC photo by Ginger SalaLocated in: Wrightsville Beach, NC
Wilmington NC churches are offering a variety of concerts, plays and live nativity presentations this weekend. Public invited and all are free!
A candlelight Lovefeast will be clebrated at Pine Valley United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 14th at 7 pm. In the the traditon of Moravian worship. Traditional carols, reflective worship & a simple meal will be shared to celebrate the Advent season. For more information call 791-0353.
Who doesn't love a live Nativity presentation? College Acres Baptist Church corner Eastwood Rd & Cardinal Dr will have their 28th annual Living Nativity on Saturday, December 13th and Sunday the 14th from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. you will feel as if you are in Bethelehem as luminaries light your way & Angelic music filld the air. park or drive through to view this Nativity scene. For more info call 799-3773.
One of Wilmingtons treasured landmarks, First Presbyterian Church on Third St will have a program on Sunday, December 14th at 5 pm with John T Hoggard High School Holiday Choral Concert. The concert is free and donations are appreciated. Child care is provided. For more information call 762-6688 or visit their website.
First Presbyterian will also host Organ Recitals for the Season of Advent on Tuesday, December 16th and 23rd at 12:10 pm. Lunch is availble following the concerts for a fee of 6.00 reservations must be made by noon on Monday preceding the concert. Call 762-6688.
Preview of next weekend~
The chancel Choir of Pine Valley United Methodist Church will present ''Noel, Night of Everlasting Love'' with bells & orchestra on Saturday, December 20th & Sunday the 21st at 7 pm in the Christian Life Center.call 791-0353.
Wishing you all the Blessings of the Season~
Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation Specialist
If you are looking for a unique Christmas gifts, and a relaxed shopping experience, you may want to avoid the traditional malls and spend time exploring Wilmington's NC shops less travelled! While on this journey you are sure to make some new friends, find some special and unusual gifts and lend support to local artisans and craftsman.
Here are my picks for your holiday shopping pleasure...
The Blue Moon Gift Shop Emporium WOW! The selection of merchandise here will dazzle you. With over 100 local artists and craftspeople under one roof, the Blue Moon is a shopper’s delight. Some of the unique items you may find for that special someone included Hand painted Glassware, Mosaics, and Pottery, Fine Art and Photography open Mon-Friday 10-6 Saturday 10-5 Sunday 12-5
The Cotton Exchange in Historic Downtown Wilmington once the center of Wilmington NC mercantile trade, has been lovingly restored and houses an eclectic mix of specialty shops and restaurants. The cobblestone streets and original brick will bring you back to another era.
My favorite shop there is the Golden gallery. For 30 years the shop of local artist extraordinaire Mary Ellen Golden has been attracting customers from all over the globe. She has recently expanded her space at the Cotton Exchange. You can pick up lovely prints or original Watercolor paintings of local Cape Fear scenery for that extra special gift! Take a look at her work on her website store Mary Ellen Golden
Lumina Station is collection of charming shops and restaurants located on Eastwood Rd. just a couple of miles from Wrightsville Beach. Some of the shops you might want to try here are: Fountainside Fine Art Gallery fine original Art, and The Pink Petunia which features monogrammed gifts and apparel
You can find a good se
lection of high quality stores at the Mayfaire Town Center . My personal favorite is the diminutive jewelry boutique Vanity packs a wallop of selections in a small space. They feature lovely handmade jewelry pieces, with a wonderful price point and trendy leather bags at unbelievable prices. They also carry some scarves and sunglasses... and they will also send you coupons on your birthday and valentines for special savings!
Or how about a gift certificate for GLOMedspa? Your lady will love you for it! Their slogan is "come and get your GLOW!" There services include a complete selection of facials, and extras such as cosmetic fillers and wrinkle treatments.
The Learning Express is a boutique toy shop for children that offers unique educational toys for kids custom monogramming and excellent service. Two locations in Wilmington. Military Cutoff next to PT's Grille and Hanover Mall on Oleander.
Happy Shopping!
Merry Christmas!
by Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation
Enchanted Airlie, a Holiday Tradition that began in Wilmington in 2005 has become one of the must see events of the season in the Wilmington NC Area. The beautiful gardens at Airlie are transformed into a magical 30 acre wonderland of lighted trees, shrubs and sculptures sure to enchant visitors of all ages. The glittering tour includes over 50,000 lights!
Once again Port City Java will provide free refreshments of hot chocolate and coffee to keep to warm you as you stroll. Carolers will walk the gardens and sing you into a festive mood. The gift shop will be open for shopping opportunities. A Giant Model Train set will be sure to fascinate the youngsters.
Of Course Santa will be on hand to take the childrens list back to the North Pole.
*NEW This Year GREEN admisson! Fit as many as you can in your standard size car or SUV and pay only 20 per carload!!!!
Tickets for this popular Wilmington NC Holiday Event must be purchased in advance. Two showings are available from 5-7 or 7-9 on Thursdays, Friday and Saturdays through December 22.
Tickets may be purchased online or at the Airlie Gift Shop. Please reserve early as visitors are limited and it does sell out every year.
Be sure to dress warmly and wear comfortable Shoes!
Enjoy!
posted by Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation
In the wake of the countries deep financial woes, unemployment and foreclosure crises, our animal population has become to some a disposable commodity. Many are being abandoned on the street or at local shelters. More than ever we need animal lovers and activists to support the cause of animal care & rescue.
We have many wonderful local organizations here that reach out to these beautiful creatures and give then the care and love they deserve. One of the biggest fundraising events takes place this weekend in Wilmington.
The 3RD ANNUAL WILMINGTON FUR BALL, once again will be held at Thalian Hall in Historic Downtown Wilmington.
Music, hors d’oeuvres, auctions and much more at this black tie, red carpet, fund raising gala to benefit Pender County Humane Society ,Adopt an Angel, and the Columbus county Humane Society.
The fantastic local cover band 360 degrees will provide the musical entertainment. We hope they have another banner fundraisng year!
posted by Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation
December is almost upon us, and as the songs says "oh the weather outside is frightful"~~ wait a minute!! Not in Coastal NC~ it's delightful~ Well it's obvious that songwriter never had the pleasure of celebrating holiday time in Wilmington NC!
Gorgeous "Carolina Blue" skies, warm sunshine and crisp night breezes will be the perfect background for this weekend holiday festivities on Wrightsville Beach. One of the highlights of the season is the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla Weekend at which this year celebrates its silver anniversary!
On Friday at 6:45, The Tree Lighting Ceremony at Wrightsville Beach Town Park will kick of a three day celebration on Harbor Island of Festival, Flotilla,and Fireworks. Miss North Carolina and her friend from the North Pole will be on hand for the ceremony and to meet and greet the youngsters. Donation boxes for toys are set up at Wrightsville Beach Park Town Hall for the duration of the festival.
On Saturday the fun starts early, 10-4pm, The Festival in The Park at Wrightsville Beach Park will feature fun for all ages. Entertainment will provided by Chaz the magician, and special musical guests, the dynamic local string bluegrass group End of the Line.
There will be rides for the young ones, an Arts and Craft Show with over 80 vendors, a display of classic cars and appearances by Miss North Carolina and Miss Outstanding North Carolina Teen. Special treat: Local Baseball hero Trot Nixon will be signing autographs from 1:00-2:00 PM; " Food vendors available. Pets welcome!
The Parade of Boats will begin at 6pm. The route runs from Motts Channel to Banks Channel, Masonboro Inlet and the Intracoastal. Boats of all shapes and sizes, private owners, commercial vessels are eligible to enter. Each year the number of entrants increase and the decorations get more elaborate and inventive.
Residents will have a chance to win prizes by decorating their dock, deck, porch or yard along the parade route. Prizes for the Light Up the Night Contest will be awarded by the Harbor Island Garden Club before the parade begins.Following the parade of boats, the sky will light up over Banks Channel with a fireworks show!
The awards will be handed out on Sunday Morning at the Captains Brunch hosted by the Blockade Runner
Over 50,000 specatoators expected to attend! Make sure to arrive early for best flotilla viewing and dress warm!
Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation Specialist
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Wilmington NC Real Estate Relocation Specialists serving Wilmington, Hampstead, Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, Carolina Beach, Leland, & Surf City, "Coast Home to North Carolina with Us!"
When you team with us as you Real Estate advisors, you can count on us to treat your transaction as if it were our own. We are not interested in "selling" you, but in facilitating transactions that are rewarding to you! Our mission is to offer you our in-depth knowledge of the local markets and current trends, open communication, honest feedback, diligent work ethic, genuine caring, and joy in the journey!
BUYERS: When we work together you can depend on us to provide the same V.I.P. treatment whether you are investing a million, or purchasing a starter home, we will work diligently to find the right home for you.
SELLERS: When you list with us you reap the benefits of The Sala Team’s Complimentary Professional Home Staging® Service! Ginger is one of only a handful of Accredited Staging Professional™ Realtors in all of Southeastern NC! As seen on HGTV, the practice of Staging Homes for sale is a hot commodity in California, and helps sell homes more quickly for a higher price. And now we are offering it with every listing as a value-added service!
INVESTORS: We are on top of the market trends and We can help find you the properties that best fit your personal investment goals!
RELOCATING to our awesome Cape Fear Region? We know about that first hand since we relocated to this amazing place from the cold and snowy Northeast. We feel so blessed to call Wilmington our home, and we would truly welcome the opportunity to share with you all that we know and love about our "Little Corner of Paradise!"
Wilmington, Hampstead, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Figure Eight Island, Surf City, Ogden, Porter's Neck, Leland, New Hanover County, Pender County, Brunswick County
It is truly a blessing to live here in Coastal North Carolina! We thank God every morning for the joy of living here. We love the Cape Fear Coast and all the wonderful people who make it their home. When people ask "Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world"?, we have only one response... our "hometown" Wilmington, NC! If you are thinking of moving here, come on down, you will love it as much as we do! And if you are living here now, then you know what we are talking about!
Thanks for visiting with us today, we look forward to talking with you! 
Wilmington Area Resources
Wilmington NC Real Estate Blogs by Ginger Sala
The $8000 Tax Credit for New Home Buyers just got better!
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development today announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will now allow home buyers to apply the $8,000 first-time * home buyer tax credit toward the purchase price/closing costs of a FHA-insured home. Housing Secretary Donovan was very hopeful that this new rule action will help to stabilize housing markets by across the country by an increase if future home sales.
New Tax Credit Rules Can Help More Buyers
Originally the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offered First Time Home Buyers a tax credit/refund of up to $8,000. The "old" guidelines allowed this credit to be received as a refund only after the Home Buyers filed tax returns with the IRS. The FHA's new rules allowing state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits to "monetize" up to $8000 of the tax credit (which depends on the amount of the mortgage) so that borrowers can apply the funds toward their down payments.
Lower Monthly Payments Possible... Sound good?
First Time Home buyers * using FHA-approved lenders can apply the tax credit to their down payment in excess of 3.5 percent of appraised value or their closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate.
Down Payment Requirements & Guidelines
Remember, Borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage are still required to make a minimum 3.5 percent down payment on the purchase of their home. Current law does not permit approved lenders to monetize the tax credit to meet the required 3.5 percent minimum down payment, but, under the terms of today's announcement, lenders can now use the tax credit immediately as additional down payment, or for other closing costs, which can in effect create a lower interest rate & monthly payment. In addition to the borrower's own cash investment, FHA allows parents, employers and other governmental entities to contribute towards the down payment.
Projected Home Sales Expected to Climb with New Tax Credit
According to estimates by the National Association of Home Builders, the home buyer tax credit will stimulate 160,000 home sales, 101,000 of which will be first-time buyers who will receive the credit. Another 59,000 existing sellers will be able to buy another home because a first-time buyer purchased their home.
Buyer Beware! Scammers are on the Prowl!
Potential buyers should beware that their are all kinds of mortgage scammers out there, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting. It is crucial to consult with seasoned, respected financial services provider. The local Wilmington NC Area mortgage professionals that we recommend have the outstanding reputation, expertise, integrity & diligence, that every buyer deserves, and they are also FHA approved lenders.
Wilmington NC Homes for Sale
Are you ready to go shopping for your Wilmington NC area home with some Governments money? There are some terrific buys out there! Sellers are eager, prices are down, interests rates, according to the experts will not be going lower, and free money will only be available for a few more months!
Want to get moving??? Call us for more details & to see if you would like to team with us to help you achieve your goals! We'd love to show you what your money can buy. You just might be very surprised!
*Remember definition of first time home buyer is anyone who hasn't owned a home in the past 3 years!
©Ginger Sala, Keller Williams Realty, Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation Specialist: serving the Coastal North Carolina areas of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Hampstead, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Topsail Island, Surf City & Leland. "Relocating from the cold Northeast to the sunny coast of Wilmington NC has been a dream come true for our family! We love Wilmington's beautiful beaches, outdoor lifestyle, vibrant cultural scene, friendly atmosphere, & down home, yet sophisticated environment. Wilmington NC Living truly has something for everyone!" Visit our website CoastHomeNorthCarolina.com for Wilmington NC Area Information, Wilmington NC Schools, Wilmington NC MLS listings! Click here to contact Ginger
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