Kathy Knight, BROKER/REALTOR, ABR, CRS, GRI

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-

Surfer Chicks Unite- What's Happening this Weekend in Wilmington, NC

If you are coming to see OPEN HOUSES AT WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH this weekend you can also see the Wrightsville Beach surfers - women surfer competition - the East Coast Wahine Championships this weekend at Wrightsville Beach, NC Aug 8-9. Surf competitions for women in longboard, shortboard, bodyboard and novice divisions as well as an 18 and an under advanced shortboard division and an open shortboard division for all ages. Oceanic Pier at Wrightsville Beach - go to http://www.eastcoastwahines.com/ for more information.

Don't forget to check out Wrightsville Beach women surfers - of all ages and ability competing in this cool competition.

The Battle of the Bands continues this week at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Come and see this free entertainment on Friday night.

Wilmington NC host to online - NATIONS NEXT TOP MODEL HOME

Nations Next Top Model Home, the first ever online reality show competition, has selected Wilmington, NC and the community of Compass Pointe as its 2009 host location. 7 Interior Designers will have 28 days to turn 7 empty model homes into beautiful interiors. Compass Pointe is a new subdivision being built in Brunswick County - on Rt 74/76 just south of Magnolia Greens. It will have a wide availability of amenities including a 27 hole golf course, pool and pool house. Price ranges start in the mid $200K's for townhouses. There are all kinds of competitions involving this show with the final viewing for people to choose which one they like best at Compass Pointe. The designers are from NC, FLA, CA. There are some real divas in this competition. Shows are aired online on Mondays at 8 PM. Exciting - can't wait to see the final homes..... Your votes decide which designer will win $25,000! Follow the entire competition at www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com.

Yes here they are in all their glory - nudists doing their thing to promote their idea of a fun weekend in our greater Wilmington area. We do have a nudist camp in Southeastern NC. Are you in this picture? Then you know how much fun it was or how much fun I missed. In an effort to promote our area and show all its " good traits" and happenings I wanted to include this. The warm weather allows us all to have fun and "take it off" for a good cause.....