Brunswick County Blog

Ferry Nice

I spent many, many hours on the train commuting from the Jersey Shore to mid-town Manhattan. Probably because of that, I am not a big fan of mass transportation.

Until now.

Recently, I took a ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher (Wilmington) and what a delightful way to spend 40 minutes. It is a budget-friendly price of only $5 per carload. You have a choice between riding out on the decks or inside. Many people bring stale bread or crackers to feed the birds and seagulls that follow the ferry. Reservations are not allowed, so you need to consult the schedule on our website and make sure that you are there in plenty of time "in season." 

While you are on the Fort Fisher side, you can visit the Aquarium, historic Fort Fisher, Kure and Carolina Beaches and, of course, Wilmington. While you are on the Southport side, come visit Three Rivers Realty on Howe Street and we'll talk about life in the simple lane.

Thanks for listening,

Allyn Heck, Broker/owner

Brunswick County NC Defys National Trend

According to statistics compiled by the North Carolina Association of REALTORS; Brunswick County, North Carolina posted the highest year-to-date sales growth. This is a trend that has held steady for five consecutive months. The southeastern-most coastal county, lead the state with a 6% increase in total dollar sales. For more detailed information visit the market statistics area of the NC REALTORS web site: http://www.ncrealtors.org/uploads/June 08.pdf

So for those folks who waited for the bottom of the market, to make their move...

Thanks for listening!

Regards,

Allyn Heck, Broker/owner

Leaving Home to Go Back Home

There's something that happens after a few visits here. You start to think of it as home. A summer relaxation home, a beach home, a golf home, a fishing or boating home. It doesn't seem to matter what time of year you visit -- you just feel as if you are home. It's the restaurants, the shops, the riverscape, the beach and the great people that combine to provide a sense of belonging, brought together by the love of small town living. Then comes the hard part -- packing up to go back home, knowing that there's a special "Brunswick County part" of your psyche that stays behind. Come on home more often. We've always got the lights on. And when you are ready to find the perfect place to hang your hat more permanently, we're ready for that, too!

Thanks for listening!

Pam Quinn, Broker

The Times They Are A Changing

Maybe it's the greening of real estate or newly pragmatic buyers, but there is a new wave of home buyers. We are seeing a bigger demand for smaller homes.  In recent months in Brunswick County, NC, the trends are pointing not to a bigger home but to a better home with more upgrades. Homes with crown molding, granite countertops, upgraded appliances, huge showers and masterful closets are on the "must have" list for many.  A recent buyer told me that after many anxious months up North waiting for her large NY home to sell, she vowed to be more realistic in the purchase of her next home. She did and she loves it.

Downsizing...it's a beautiful thing.

Thanks for listening.

Allyn Heck, Broker/owner

Three Rivers Realty

A Down-sized Life

Pulling out of a parking space in downtown Southport, I had to inch my sedan so I could see around the SUV beside me to make sure the lane was clear. No big deal. No annoyance that I couldn't see around the car, no long wait to get into the traffic flow, no impatience whatsoever. Just a quiet morning, a block from the deep blue river, with a couple of people getting morning coffee and a few others on their way to work.

It made me think of downsizing from my much-loved SUV and how it meant the children were moving on and we no longer needed to haul half a basketball team around.  I smiled at the new reality of my life, moving to Southport where all of life is down-sized. Smaller town, less traffic, and a milder winter. More time to smile.

The great part about a down-sized life is that there are wonderful things that move in to fill in the space where all that stress used to be. The greatest of these gifts is time- a half hour on the beach during a workday lunch hour, a homebound commute that takes minutes, or a precious moment to simply sit and think for a while. There are benches and swings overlooking the river here in Southport waiting for you.  The down-sized life is a great place to be.

Thanks for listening.

Pam Quinn, Broker

Building A Bridge To Higher Real Estate Values

Along with "why is the sky blue?" one of those curious child-questions is how a bridge gets built into the water. Okay, maybe it's not just a child's question!  The engineering feat is amazing and more than a passing interest to those of use who live in Brunswick County, NC.

This photo of the "second" bridge was just taken and yes, indeed, the project is right on schedule. What does that mean? It means that great property opportunities for both homes and land near the bridge on Oak Island, making Wilmington and Myrtle Beach even closer when you choose to leave paradise.

It means another access for those who live in Seawatch, St. James, Riversea and other plantations. Now is the perfect time to buy. Why? Because the prognosticators predict a turn-around just as the bridge is finished and the prices will start going up.

And by the way, the blue of a Carolina sky defies description but who cares? It brings such a sense of wonder and well-being that we don't really care why it's blue.

Thanks for listening,

Pam Quinn, Broker

Three Rivers Realty

Leaving the Beach

Leaving the Beach

Beach time is magic time. The first day of vacation, you'll stay through two tide changes, a cooler full of drinks and half of the summer's top beach book. The last day of vacation is a series of resigned sighs. It can take a good hundred miles toward home before the ache goes away. It's leaving a slowed-down life. The soothing push-pull of the waves on nerves.The restoration of your soul that comes from a blue sea and bright sky. It can be easier. A vacation home, a retirement home to visit through the last crazy years of works- it's completely affordable at prices that won't be seen again. Come here for a long weekend to swim in the ocean in October. Come walk the beach on New Year's Day. Leave winter snow to see daffodils in February.  It can be done, and we can help it happen.

Thanks for listening,

Pam Quinn, Broker

Three Rivers Realty in Southport, NC

Southport: Home of the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival

     

Southport: July 4th, 2007 Southport proudly plays host to the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival each year. Click on the thumbnails below for larger images.

Maybe Positive News Doesn’t Make Headlines

We are bucking the tide of negativity here in Southport, NC or at least in the Three Rivers Realty office. We have new listings (land and homes) that are in superior locations, in great condition and priced to sell.  Every Three Rivers Realty agent is actively working with buyers looking in different neighborhoods, and price ranges.  We are also preparing for new buyers and sellers in the coming weeks.

It is a great time to buy and sell real estate in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The beaches have never been better and our weather is perfect. Come see for yourself.  This is living the good life.

Thanks for listening.
Allyn Heck, Broker/Owner
www.ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com
Southport, NC
AHeck@ec.rr.com

Gardening in Southport, NC

Nothing adds curb appeal and value to a home more than a beautiful garden.  Gardening in our area is not for the faint of heart.  Every transplanted gardener soon finds that what grows well up North does not do well here at all. We also find that much to our delight, many plants that were either annuals or houseplants in the North are perennials here.  We discover new plants, flowers and grasses that rapidly become our favorites.

Gardens in coastal Carolina are also challenged by deer, rabbits, sandy soil and drought. However, we are blessed by a long, strong growing season.  Monday, we went on a Garden Tour showcasing 11 home gardens that were beautiful and inspirational.

I am already planning my new gardening projects for the weekend. What I do know is that gardeners by nature (no pun intended) understand what we can control and what we can’t…and then work around obstacles until we achieve what we want. Superb life skills!

I have a list of plants that are: deer resistant, drought tolerant, and shade tolerant plants. Let me know if you would like me to send you a copy.

Thanks for listening,
Allyn Heck, Broker/Owner
AHeck@ec.rr.com
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

www.ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com