Brunswick County Blog

Gardeners' Dilemma

Seven years ago, I would have described myself as a gardener...now that I live in coastal North Carolina...not so much...more like a survival gardener. My long lasting challenges can be best described in one word..DEER.  Here's what I have learned about deer and my plants and hopefully this will help you. I have found that these plants will be unattractive to all but the most hungry deer. Buy and plant- any herbs with a scent like basil, lavender, rosemary and thyme. These flowering plants defy most deer so concentrate on planting Lantana,  Black-eyed Susans, Purple Cone Flower, Butterfly bush, Bee Balm, Verbena and Blanket flower. Zinnias seem to be deer-tolerant but then the rabbits came and ate those! Stay away from Indian Hawthorne, roses, azaleas, day lilies and hostas. Those plants in my yard have fed many a happy deer. Geraniums and begonias are also being assaulted, I just can't tell yet if the vandals are deer or rabbits. Either way...they are gone too!

See you next time!

Allyn

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.

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

Field Day!

 

Fifth Wednesday Field Trip: Southport's Waterfront Market

Southport's Waterfront Market unofficially kicked off the summer season in Brunswick County this morning.  I was able to leave the office and snap a few photographs of the first of what will be a weekly event all season long.  This open market features local produce growers and artisans and will be found on the Garrison House lawn each Wednesday from 8 AM to 1 PM.  When you come to visit Brunswick County, this is certainly something you won't want to miss!

Click on the thumbnails below to view larger photographs.

Until next time,

Allyn Heck
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com

Top Tips To Sell Your Home in A Buyer's Market

Five Tips to Help You Sell Your Home in a Buyer’s Market

Most of our buyers here in Brunswick County, North Carolina, are transplants from other areas, especially the Northeast. Here are some strategies to help you sell your home there because we are ready for you here.

1. Price it realistically right from the beginning. Ask your real estate agent to provide you with sales in the last six months in your neighborhood. Your asking price should reflect the reality of the marketplace, not what you “need to get.”

2. Assess the competition. Spend time with your real estate agent and evaluate how your home will compare with all others in your price range and neighborhood currently for sale. Go to public open houses to see: what others are offering, the condition of the property, and what special features are showcased.

3. Staging Homes is not just for HGTV. This is the hardest job for most of us. Your home will be the best marketing tool your agent will have. Repair, paint and clean up; these are activities that will cost little but pay off in a higher price and quicker sale. Eliminate clutter everywhere. Counter tops, closets, and cupboards that are jam-packed translate to the buyer, “not enough storage space.” If you can’t afford to rent a storage unit, neatly stack packing boxes in your garage.

4. Curb Appeal. Before you list your house, take a drive and note which houses just look great from the street. Analyze why, and copy it. We all have had buyers that were sold before they even got out of the car. Unfortunately, it works the other way too. Keeping the exterior of your home neat and well-manicured is basic, but small things really do make a huge difference. Cheery plants, welcoming flowerboxes, and a freshly painted front door all contribute to a great first impression.

5. Marketing. This is the domain of your real estate agency, but before you list, ask them what they will do to market your home. Ask for a plan, a timetable, and monitor it. Request regular phone calls or emails to update you on activity and marketing exposure. Make sure that you have print ads in local papers and extensive exposure on multiple websites. Direct mail is a valuable tool that is frequently overlooked.

Call me with questions,

Allyn Heck: 866.908.4325
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

Meet General Beauregard

Meet General Beauregard, a friend of Peter and Robyn. They can tell you all about him!

As ever,
Allyn Heck
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

Fishing Calendar for Brunswick County

JANUARY
Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Striped Bass, Sea Bass

FEBRUARY
Red Drum, Striped Bass, Sea Bass

MARCH
Bluefish, Atlantic Bonito

APRIL
Bonito, Red Drum, Bluefish, Speckled Trout, Cobia

MAY
King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Red Drum, Black Drum, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Cobia

JUNE
King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Red Drum, Black Drum, Flounder, Dolphin, Sharks

JULY
Spanish Mackerel, Red Drum, Black Drum, Flounder, Tarpon, Barracuda, Dolphin, Sailfish

AUGUST
Barracuda, Spanish Mackerel, Red Drum, Flounder, Tarpon

SEPTEMBER
King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Red Drum, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Gray Trout

OCTOBER
Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Gray Trout, King Mackerel, Flounder, Spot, Croaker, Sea Bass

NOVEMBER
King Mackerel, Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Gray Trout, Spot, Croaker, Sea Bass

DECEMBER
Speckled Trout, Red Drum, Gray Trout, Sea Bass

Source: www.CarolinaExplorer.com -- Carolina Explore Fishing Charters and Guide Service.

Regards,
Allyn Heck
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

Gardening In Coastal NC

So many of our buyers are also gardeners that have moved from another part of the country where they knew what to plant, where to plant it, and when to plant.  When they move to Coastal North Carolina, everything that they knew about growing flowers, vegetables and shrubs doesn't apply here! With the temperate climate, and a year round growing season, it doesn't take long to want to dig in the dirt again.  Here's a great list that I have kept to help me decide what to flowers love this climate and soil.  You can't go wrong with: Yarrow and Columbine, Butterfly Bush and Butterfly Weed, Shasta Daisy, Coreposis, Pinks and Foxglove, purple cone flower, blanket flower and day lilys. You would also do well if you planted coral bells, perennial salvia, stone crop, hibiscus, hostas and candy tufts, lantana and my favorite, black-eyed susans.

Let me know if you have any others to add and I promise to share with everyone.

Best,

Allyn Heck
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

Middle Island Home Featured in Coastal Living

A stunning home in Middle Island Plantation was featured in the January-February 2006 issue of Coastal Living (link found below). The editors at Coastal Living picked the perfect time of year to highlight this beautiful home. Even here in Southport, it’s getting a little nippy, so thoughts of an island paradise are much needed.

With its breathtaking marsh and creek views, Middle Island continues to be one of the best-kept secrets of Bald Head Island. Only a brisk stroll away from the Atlantic, Middle Island is the perfect choice for a true island getaway.

If you happen to visit Middle Island, you’ll most likely run into Charlie Young, the environmentally conscious developer of Middle Island Plantation. He’ll be more than happy to enlighten you with informative and entertaining stories about Bald Head Island and Middle Island living as well as his many trips around the world.

If you’d like more information about Middle Island Plantation or Bald Head Island, give us a call. We have our very own Bald Head Island specialist on staff, Jim Clary. If you’d like to reach Jim directly, his mobile number is 910.477.0100.

Click here to open a .PDF version of the Coastal Living article.

Until next time,

Allyn Heck
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

Carolina Blue Skies

The calendar says that its fall here but the weather to my New Jersey-trained bones says its still summer.  All of our customers that come here other parts of the country comment on how very friendly and nice our residents are. Today I figured out why...we have so many sunshine-filled, warm days- how could it not affect our mood?

Happily,

Allyn Heck
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC