One of the criteria important to us when we were considering our relocation destination was finding a location with cultural vibrancy, charm and ambiance, & a town that offered a variety of fun activities, to spend a day or evening.
We first discovered discovered Wilmington on the internet & were instantly attracted as we read about it's riverfront location, historic homes, cobblestone streets, quaint shops, art galleries, theaters, music locales, fine restaurants and beautiful area beaches. The more we learned about Wilmington, the more we fell in love, from a distance.
Now that we are living in our new Hometown we are even more enamored of all that our lovely downtown area has to offer. The Historic Riverfront City of Wilmington has a charm and ambiance that is hard to resist. I have put together a few of the highlights of the Historic Downtown area of Wilmington for those who might be thinking of Wilmington NC as a relocation destination. Spend a day or spend a week, you won't run out of fun things to do and see!
Here are just a few of the fun ways to pass the time in Historic Downtown Wilmington NC, "The Port City."
Start of the day with a stroll down The Riverwalk along the Cape Fear River, and enjoy the view of the waterfront graced by fine restaurants, charming shops and impressive historic buildings.
Stop for lunch or dinner at one of the area's fine restaurants such as Elijahs, Pilot House, The Riverboat Landing, The George or Circa1922.
How about taking in the charm of the Historic homes about town. Start at Third St, where you will be greeted by stately Bed and Breakfasts flanked by Live Oaks nestled high on a hill overlooking the Cape Fear River. You will pass a majestic 19th century former Governor's mansion, ante-bellum homes and unique iron gates that will draw you back to another era.
Wilmington is often called the city of churches and for good reason. You will be awed by the eclectic architectural styles and formidable size of the city's historic churches that seem to dot every corner. One Exquisite example is St Mary's Spanish Baroque Church pictured here.
If your feet feel tired and you would like to tour on wheels, what better way than a good old fashioned horse drawn tour with Carriage Tours of Wilmington departing from Water and Market streets.
Feel like cruising? Board the Henrietta II, for a sunset or moonlight cruise on the River and take in the local scenery. Dinner Dances and Theme Cruises are also available as well.
The Azalea Festival comes to town every April, drawing big stars as featured music artists. The street Fair, Parade and garden tours bring large crowds so if you plan on attending be sure to book your reservations early as the town is overflowing with visitors.
History Buffs will not want to miss a tour of The Battleship North Carolina. Dedicated to veterans of World War II, it was the first modern U.S. battleship that made history in the combat zones of the Pacific from 1941 to 1945. Located across the river from downtown the Battleship is open every day year round and on summer evenings plays host to a spectacular sound and light show. The complex includes a gift shop, seasonal snack bar and riverside picnic area.
Care to enjoy a play or musical performance while you're about our town? Thalian Hall, is the home of the country's oldest community theater and currently features national touring companies as well as numerous local theater companies. Built between 1855 and 1858 the impressive building has a theater and city hall, it continues to operate both capacities.
A great selection of museums for children and adults alike include the Wilmington Railroad Museum, which hosts exhibits from the important "rail era" of the city's history. Once the largest Railroad in the world, the Wilmington Railroad was the major contributor to Wilmington's economic development in the mid-1800s.
The Cape Fear Museum displays an interesting nautical exhibit and provides information about the social, cultural and natural history of the region. Changing exhibits and weekend programs offer diverse entertainment. The Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery named after the famous NBA basketball player, who was the star player at Laney High School here in Wilmington, offers a hands-on exploration of southeastern North Carolina where you can feed a Venus' flytrap or crawl through a beaver lodge.
The Bellamy Mansion, at Fifth Avenue and Market Street, is a spectacular example of Ante Bellum architecture is restored structure that was built right before the Civil War. Tours and changing exhibits on history and the design arts are offered with 22 rooms open to the public.
Steps from the Riverwalk across from the Riverside Hilton you'll find The Cotton Exchange, which was once the home of one of the world's largest export companies. Eight restored historic buildings, connected by open-air courtyards, brick walkways and heart-pine beams, house an eclectic collection of specialty shops and restaurants for all tastes and price ranges.
Still need help finding your way around? Guided tours of Wilmington include Haunted Pub Crawl, Wilmington Ghost Walk, and Hollywood Location Walk of Old Wilmington.
Hope you have enjoyed the tour! I have just scratched the surface of some ways to spend a day in historic Wilmington NC, a fun place to visit, a great place to live!
by Ginger Sala, Broker, Realtor®, ASP Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation Specialist serving the beautiful Coastal NC areas of Wilmington , Hampstead, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina & Kure Beach & Leland NC.
Photos by Ginger Sala and may not be used without express permission.
Recently voted as one of Wilmington's "Best Kept Secrets" in a Travelocity Poll is a nature lover's paradise just a couple of miles down the road from Wrightsville Beach, called Airlie Gardens.
The The lush grounds of Airlie surrounded by Bradley Creek are graced with the sculptures of local artists and enhanced by winding walking trails with beautiful vistas at every turn. A public pier provides access to the Creek and in the center of the Gardens is a majestic 485 year old oak Tree.
Airlie Gardens is host to many activities throughout the year: The popular First Friday Night Jazz Concerts during the summer season, the down home Oyster Roast in the Fall, the awesome "Enchanted Airlie" during the Christmas Season are just a few of the Highlights.
Many opportunities are available for Educational Adventures, such as Kayak ECO Tours, and Bird Walks. A Summer Educational Camp is in session for children called Wild Adventures. The Gardens are also a fabulous outdoor setting for weddings!
No Cars are permitted in the Gardens so be sure you wear comfortable walking shoes. Arrangements for the disabled and elderly can be made.
Let's not keep it a secret any longer! Go out an enjoy this hidden treasure!
By Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Real Estate
New Hanover County NC residents have a great opportunity to visit some of our Wilmington NC area's most popular 
attractions for Free this weekend as once again the Cultural Community of Wilmington NC gives back to its residents. For the 13th Year in a row "Be A Tourist in Your Own Hometown" Residents' Appreciation Day will be celebrated this weekend on Sunday March 2!
The weatherman is promising bright sunny "Carolina Blue" skies and temperatures in the 60's. What a perfect time to get out and enjoy some of the many venues open in the Wilmington NC, New Hanover County Area for Free Admission!
From Gardens to Battleships, from Museums to Mansions, there is surely something for all tastes,ages and interests to explore for free this Sunday in Wilmington NC
Some of the Wilmington NC area attractions opening their doors to residents free of charge on Sunday include:
Check out the the full list of free attractions and hours are available at: Cape Fear Coast
Have a Fun Time!
by Ginger Sala, Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation Specialist serving the beautiful Coastal NC areas of Wilmington , Hampstead, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina & Kure Beach & Leland NC.
Photos by Ginger Sala all rights reserved
Sports Lovers are you thinking of relocating to Wilmington NC? It's good to know that you won't have to leave your favorite spectator sports behind. Our Sporting life is alive and vibrant in the Wilmington NC area, and although the teams and the size of the crowds may be different, the enthusiasm and team spirit remain! Here's a guide to what you can expect as a Cape Fear Sports Spectator
WILMINGTON NC SPECTATOR SPORTS
The Wilmington Sea Dawgs of the ABA League has its home games in the Schwartz Center at Cape Fear Community College. Wilmingtonians are thrilled with the new addition of this pro team to the community!
Soccer is alive and well in Wilmington NC, our own pro league is in its 12th year. The fan base grows every year. Wilmington Hammerheads soccer team games are fun for the whole family and feature crowd participation contest at all home games Hammerheads soccer team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division.
UNCW Seahawks Men’s & Women’s Basketball rock! They are on a winning streak...Games at the Trask Coliseum. Read the latest on UNCW Mens Seahawk Basketball
Seahawks Baseball fans were thrilled with their recent winning seasons! Games at Brooks Field. The Seahawks Swim Team had a record year last year.
UNCW has a full roster of Sports including Golf, Volleyball, Track & Field, Tennis. The Seahawks Swim Team had a phenomenal record year last year. Catch the action at UNCW.
CFCC Mens Basketball team is hot. For the 6th year in a row it is a contender in the Conference Playoffs. Womens Sports Teams at CFCC include Golf, Volleyball, Soccer. Men also compete in Soccer and Golf.
Our town has some awesome high school sports teams with raving fans. The Locals went wild this year when Wilmington's Hoggard High School Football Team won the NC State Football Championship! read: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - HOGGARD WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!
High School Basketball is a big draw here in Wilmington the home town of Michael Jordan who led his Laney High School the Alma Mater to many wins. Laney is still a formidable contender. The Laney Girls basketball team is competing in the Conference Championship for the 6th year in a row. Hoggard and New Hanover finished right behind the Lady Bucs in the regular season standings and will certainly be formidable foes.
The Wildcats New Hanover Boys Basketball team has won 13 Conference Championships and is entering this years conference play on-top was top. Laney or Ashley High School are also competing in the first round play.
There is so much more going on in our local sports scene. Check out the Cape Fear Sports Report for all the latest Local Sports News and Events
PLAY BALL!!
Posted By Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Realtor
Calling all Chocolate Lovers!! Get set for the sweetest event of the year as once again the New Hanover County 
Senior Center hosts a 3 day sugar coated culinary celebration!
The Chocolate Fantasy Adventure kicks off on Friday evening with a Gala catered by local Area restaurants featuring hors d' oeuvres, a wine tasting, unlimited chocolates and desserts. Saxophonist, Benny Hill and his trio will provide the entertainment entertainment.
Saturday and Sunday the fun continues at the center. Your palate will be tempted by all the delicious chocolate concoctions, with samples! There will be demonstrations, raffles, shopping and more. This is the 6th year of the event which always draws big crowds. So come hungry and Enjoy!
All proceeds will benefit the New Hanover County Senior Center.
GALA
When: Friday 6-9pm
Where: The New Hanover County Senior Center 2222 South College Rd
Tickets $20. Limited amount available
SHOW
When: Sat.11:00am-4pm Sunday1-4pm
Where: The New Hanover County Senior Center 2222 South College Rd
Tickets $5.00 in advance, $8.00 at the door. Call: 798-6402
Posted by Ginger Sala Wilmington NC Relocation Specialist
www.CoastHomeNorthCarolina.com
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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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