Brunswick County Blog

Where Did April Go?

Hello Friends,

A quick glance at the calendar this morning gave me a real shock. It is already May- Derby Day actually and I have no idea what happened to April. Seriously. There are months not just moments that fly by so quickly that you just have to laugh.  Today is a glorious day with everyone that can go to the beach, fish, golf or garden are doing just that. Everything is in bloom and the pollen is just about over (no official word just my observations from the condition of my porch).  Another sign of spring? we have a new litter of kittens appear under the porch in our office today.  All agents are busy- good busy- helping wonderful folks to find the perfect home or having strategic conversations with sellers to re-position their home or land. It is a great time to be here in Southport, NC. Happy May!

Be Well,

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.

Let Them Eat Crab Cakes!

 

Southport, NC has made THE list in 1,000 Places in the USA and Canada to See Before You Die. In it, international bestselling author Patricia Schultz highlights a few of Southport's most popular spots. This didn't surprise me, because I've always known that Southport is a must-see for just about everyone!

Schultz writes that Southport is a "richly historic town rife with galleries, boutiques, and a great marina." She also mentions a favorite seafood dive of hers, the Yacht Basin Provision Company -- a restaurant everyone in our office frequents. When there, Schultz writes (and I agree) that you should "grab a beverage from the cooler and order from the bounty of the sea: conch fritters, the best fresh shrimp cocktail, and lumpy crab cakes on paper plates."

Now is the perfect time to visit! Let us know when you're going to be in town, and we'll plan on lunch at the Provision Company.

Have any of you already been to the Provision Company? What's your favorite dish there?

Thanks,
Allyn Heck, Broker/Owner -- AHeck@ec.rr.com
www.ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com
Toll-free: 866.908.4325
611 N. Howe St.
Southport, NC 28461

Paradise Found

As vacation season gets closer, it gets harder to do the routine. Pack the lunches, rush to work, get the kids to practice and then there’s the load of laundry that just won’t fold itself. So you think ahead to the precious week or two at the beach when life slows down, you can finish a conversation and take time to do nothing more than spend an hour watching the tide change.

It’s a softer life.  It doesn’t have to be just a week or two.

With your own affordable vacation home here in Brunswick County, you can get away for a few days. Sneak a week. Do the December holidays under a blue Carolina sky that heals the soul.

We can work with nearly any budget. And your investment holds its value all the way into retirement.

Fish, boat, golf, explore or just watch the tide change. There’s a lifestyle here to suit any interest. Vacation home, retirement or a little of both.

Thanks for listening!
Pam Quinn, Broker
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com

Canadians in Carolina

Well, we couldn’t help the beauty of alliteration in the line, but that was secondary. It’s about escaping the cold and snow for a game of golf, pansies blooming and a blue Carolina sky that heals any winter-weary soul.

Why talk about snow now? Because a real estate vacation home or lot investment now makes perfect sense in a buyer’s market, low interest rates and a strong Canadian dollar. Because by March you can be in tranquil Brunswick County. North Carolina instead of the traffic jams of Myrtle Beach. And because our Canadian specialists know exactly how to make it happen. Welcome the newest brokers of Three Rivers Realty, Bob and Pam Quinn, former long-time Canadian residents. Go to www.CanadiansInCarolina.com.

ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com

Beachcombing of a Different Sort

Peter and I spent a spectacular weekend in Charleston -- which is only a short three hour drive from here -- with some friends. We walked all over this gracious Southern city to sample shopping, restaurants, art galleries, and museums. We grew up in beach towns on the Jersey Shore, so there is an attraction to all things beach. On our way back to Southport, we detoured to visit Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms. Even when we are "off,"  we still think real estate.

The homes were magnificent. Public beach access. . .  not so much. Our point of comparison, with 76 public, free beach access points (with parking) is Oak Island. Frankly, it's hard to find any other coastal town that offers so much for so little to so many.

Thanks for listening,
Allyn Heck, Broker/Owner
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com

News That Will Move You!

A study by United Van Lines reports that Americans are moving to North Carolina at a higher rate than any other state in the country.  These findings were based on a review in the past year of over 212,000 household moves. This is the second consecutive year that North Carolina has claimed the number one spot.

Michigan had the highest rate of out-of-state moves followed by North Dakota, New Jersey, New York and Illinois.

The study did not determine the reason for these moves, but I think I know.  Having lived in both New Jersey and North Carolina, I submit my. . . 

Top Ten Reasons to Leave New Jersey for North Carolina!

1. Better Weather
2. Public Beach Access
3. Much Lower Taxes
4. Realistically Priced Homes
5. Less Traffic
6. Nicer People
7. Shorter Winters and No Snow to Shovel
8. Carolina Blue Skies and Abundant Sunshine
9. Golf, Fishing, Boating Everywhere
10. Hushpuppies (If you don't know what they are now. . .  you will when you get here!)

Thanks for listening!
Allyn Heck, Broker/Owner
Three Rivers Realty
www.ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com

Presidential Candidates: Take Note

Our daughter Jennifer just let me know that the weather in New Jersey is in the 60's. Here our temperature today is in the mid-70's.

I think presidential candidates should propose that on the first winter’s day when it is unexpectedly beautiful everyone should be allowed an extra hour off across the country to drink in such fabulous weather.  Go play outside!

Who would vote against that?

Thanks for listening,

Allyn Heck, Broker/Owner
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC  28461

ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com

Serenity Now!

I had a great conversation with a young friend who was composing a list of her New Year's Resolutions. I used to repeat the same goal every year: to approach life with more serenity. Just so you can picture how much I needed that. . .  I was the one who used to screech, "Don't tell me to relax!"

After that conversation, I realized that I haven't made a New Year's resolution in years, and I know why. You see, I cheated -- I moved here and found a much more tranquil way of life.

  Hope 2008 finds you peaceful and calm -- and if not, come live here. That's the best advice I can offer anyone searching for a better quality of life!

Thanks for listening, and yes. . .  I'm still relaxed!
Allyn Heck
Three Rivers Realty
Southport, NC

ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives. . .  not looking for flaws, but for potential." -- Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize Winning Columnist

Stand Down, Henny Penny

The National Association of Realtors® reports that The Pending Homes Sales Index has increased for the second consecutive month. This Index is a forward-looking indicator based on the number of contracts signed. The better news is that the first region to slump was the Northeast and according to the NAR it is also showing marked signs of recovery.

Both the market and the weather are welcoming buyers from the Northeast. So come sit on our porch and let’s talk about how good life can be for you here.

Thanks for listening.

Allyn Heck, Broker/Owner
Three Rivers Realty Southport, NC

ThreeRiversRealtyNC.com