What are your plans for this long Labor Day weekend in Jacksonville, Swansboro, Hubert NC?  You know we are very fortunate, we have so many wonderful entertainment options especially this time of year.   You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy the Labor Day weekend in Onslow County NC, most of these destinations are free or very affordable. Camp LeJeune families often ask me what kind of entertainment is there is Jacksonville NC? Here are some the answer I give them Take the boat out or head to one of the public beach and enjoy the beautiful Eastern North Carolina weather Onslow County NC - Public Boat Ramps/Beaches Pack a lunch and take the kids to the Park for some free, relaxing and fun family time Swansboro NC - New Playground Pull out the camper and/or tents, load up the fa... 09/05/2009

It's being touted as the most substantial improvement to the GI bills since WW II.  Tomorrow, August 1st it is going live.  What does it mean for you a veteran living in Onslow County N C or an active duty marine stationed at Camp LeJeune Marine Base, New River Air Station or sailor at the Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, N C? These links provide the details. Up to 100% Tuition and Fee Coverage A Monthly Living (Housing) Stipend Up to $1000 a year for Books and Supplies A One Time Relocation Allowance The Option to Transfer Benefits to Family Members Other Benefits Basic Eligibility Criteria   Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 9189     Email Me Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes We take pride in assisting Military Families locat... 07/31/2009

You've gotten your orders and you will be going to Camp LeJuene, New River Air Station or the Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville NC which is located in Onslow County. There are questions and concerns regarding schools, childcare, housing and more.    The following links are excellent resources for those relocating to Jacksonville NC. I wish you safe travels and we look forward to seeing and welcoming you to Onslow County NC. Locate a Home in Onslow County NC Search the Jacksonville NC MLS Child Care Onslow County NC Before & After School Care Childcare Directory for Families Relocating to Camp LeJeune Jacksonville NC Childcare Directory for Camp LeJeune and New River Air Station Families Schools Onslow County NC Schools, How Do I Enroll My Child? Private Schools in Onslow Co... 07/22/2009

It's a well know fact in the Jacksonville, Onslow County NC area----Camp LeJeune Marine Base hosts the very best 4th of July   Celebration.  The fireworks display is always awesome!  This year will be no exception. Join Marine Corps Community Service Semper Fit Division in partnership with Tyson Foods Saturday, July 4th at W.P.T Field on base for an evening filled with food, fun and music! A concert of patriotic music begins at 5:30 (make sure you carry lawn chairs and/or blankets) featuring  Camp LeJeune's 2nd Marine Division Band and the Carteret Choral Society. Of course, the evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display. Admission is Free Open to the Public Alcohol free event No pets allowed No personal fireworks allowed Fireworks rain date - July 5th. For more information  ... 07/01/2009

Do your children understand why we celebrate July 4th?  Do they even know it is Independence Day?  Educating our children  about our country's history is one of the best ways to protect the future of our country.  I found a good and simple article that you can share with your children "Fourth of July:  Why We Celebrate". Now that everyone understands why we celebrate, the question is where and how. Freedom Festival Onslow Pines Park 1244 Onslow Pines Road Jacksonville NC 2 PM Vendor Booths Face Painting Rides/Games/Fossil Dig   2:30 PM Karaoke 5:30 - 9:00 PM LIKE FLINT on stage 9:00 PM FIREWORKS Concessions furnished by Non-commissioned Officers Assoc. Questions?  Call 910 347-5332       Search the Jacksonville NC MLS Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor, Onslow County Home Specialist   910 459 91... 06/29/2009

In august,  I got to meet the Frame family,  as they were moving to Jacksonville NC.  Chris is a  Sergeant in the US Marine Corps and he moved here with his wife  Melinda, & children  Tyson and Andrea.   Imagine my excitement when I was reading the Daily News's  Chamber of Commerce report and seeing that Chris was selected the April 2009  Service Member of the Month.    If you see him,  please congratulate Chris. 06/08/2009

  Families living in Hubert, Jacksonville, Swansboro and other areas of Onslow County are very fortunate to be able to enjoy the  programs and events offered  by non-profit organizations such as Onslow County Partnership for Children.  Most of the programs and services offered by OCPC are free to low income Onslow County families as well as military dependent families stationed at Camp Lejeune Marine Base, New River Air Station and the Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune. Some of the programs and services  Child Care Referral for Parents Child Advocacy Center More at 4 (Pre-kindergarten Program) Free Newsletter You may visit their website for a complete list and explanation of all programs and services.   Th mission statement - Onslow County Partnership for Children is a private non-profit a... 05/27/2009

Spring has arrived in Onslow County North Carolina and a great way to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather is by attending  Free Noon Tunes on the waterfront in Jacksonville N C. So plan to pack a lunch on Fridays and head over to the park to soak up some rays and good music. This is a fun and entertaining program supported and funded by the North Carolina Arts Council and the National Endowment for Arts.  Where?  New River Waterfront Park - Downtown Jacksonville When?  Fridays in May Time?  Noon to 1:30 Entertainment?  May 8 - Barefoot Wade - Carribean Jam May 15 - Lucia & Levi - Variety May 22 - Eddie Quinn - Classic Rock May 29 - Richard Lawton - Saxaphone In case of rain, event will be held at the USO It is also a wonderful time to buy a home in Hubert, Swansboro, Jacksonvill... 05/05/2009

It's that time of year again!  It's time for the annual Downtown Going Green Festival! Bettering Our Local Downtown (B.O.L.D.) and EXIT Homeplace Realty invite the community to a celebration of good "clean" fun for the entire family!  This year's festival will be held on Saturday, March 21st from 11am - 6pm on New Bridge Street.  Among the festivities this year, there will be: A fire department puppet show Hwang's Tae Kwon Do Demonstration  Moonbounce & Face Painting Pamlico Joe Port City Pipes & Drums The Tae Kwon Do Academy Demonstration There will also be some great food vendors & restaurants, including: Hawaiian Kine Shave Ice International Order of Rainbow Girls NCOA Knights' Wagon Southern Concessions Enchanted Garden Hayes Cooking & Catering Shirley's V-Bar While you're here in D... 03/20/2009

We hear a lot of doom and gloom, which makes all of us feel unsteady in our comfort zones.  But I have good news.  After reviewing  MLS sales stats for the Jacksonville NC  real estate market --January1-March 17th  2008 and for this year 2009.  Really not as much difference as you would expect.    #  residential homes sold        Dollar volume     Average price     Average Days/Mkt 2008                 491                  $75,393,083         $154752                        74 2009                 458                    74,910,795          154900                         114 Sit back and feel good about your investment. 03/18/2009

Onslow Winds loves to play for family, friends and music lovers alike. We welcome you to our upcoming program, where we hope you will have an evening filled with music you love.     Onslow Winds---- College/Community Band of Coastal Carolina Community College Selections include: The Star Spangled Banner, The Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint-Saens, America the Beautiful by Samuel A. Ward, Suite of Old American Dances by Robert Russell Bennett--includes Cakewalk, Schottische, Western One Step More current music includes: Somewhere Out There, Aaron Copeland's Hoedown from Rodeo, Ringling Brothers Grand Entry March by Al Sweet, and John Williams in Concert--Medley from films The Mission Theme, The Imperial March, Star Wars, Cantina Band, Olympic Spirit and Themes from Jaw... 03/16/2009

2009 is going to be a great year for first-time home buyers!  When President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law in February, it put into place 10 key privisions, one of which is the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. One might ask what this means for buyers in the Camp Lejeune area, so here's a breakdown of what you should know: The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit has been expanded to $8000 or 10% of the purchase price of your home, whichever one is less. It is a refundable credit!  For example, if you are getting a tax return, the amout will be added to your return.  If you owe money, the amount will go to pay down what you owe.  Any money left over will be payed to you. The credit is for homes that are purchased after January 1, 2009 and before December 31,... 03/14/2009

Where can a military family turn for assistance in the event of a emergency?  The answer is the Navy-Marine  Corps Relief Society.      The mission of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs.   How is this accomplished? Interest free loans and grants for emergencies                                                      Funeral Expenses Medical/dental expenses Food, rent, utilities Child care Vehicle repair (essential) Family emergencies Needs-based scholarships and interest free loans for educational purposes Who is Eli... 03/12/2009

I had to share recently compiled sales figures for Jacksonville Board of Realtors members.  I am thrilled to share my office was NUBMER ONE!  I work with many talented folks, this was hard by well earned!  Here's the break down: Century 21 Champion Real Estate: $14,537,936.00 with a market share of 10.43% www.Century21Champ.com and me at 910homes.net Century 21 American Properties (highway 24) : $8,294,808.00 with a market share of 5.95% Century 21 American Properties West (WesternBlvd) : $7,495,925.00 with a market share of 5.38% Choice Realty Gum Branch: $7,209,774.00 with a market share of 5.17% Coldwell Banker Fountain REalty: $6,701,450.00 with a market share of 4.81% RE/MAX Home Connections II (Gum Branch) : $6,261,233 with a market share of 4.49% Century 21 Advantage Gold (former... 03/10/2009

Night down in Dixie! Posted by: McKenzie Laurence on: March 8, 2009 In: Uncategorized Comment!       Last night's Second Annual Montessori Children's School fundraiser seemed to be a big hit!  I'm not sure what the final numbers are (one of the few drawbacks of attending rather than planning these sorts of events) but there was a great crowd, yummy food and LOTS of bidding on the silent auction items as well as live auction items.  Thanks for a great night to those who had a hand in planning and putting on the event and thanks to everyone I met who was such fun that evening. . .though, next time I will rethink the 4 inch heels. . .concrete floor and lots of standing mixed with hauling art to the car. . .I attached photos of my wins!   www.910homes.net and realestatekenz @ twitter  . . .... 03/10/2009

Bella Hair Salon!!!!   I had to shamlessly plug my pal's salon here in Jacksonville, NC.  Bella Salon is located @ 4225 Western Boulevard just across from the entrance to Carolina Forest and they love walk ins but really love appointments, give them a call at 910.989.9879 to set one up, great cuts, great color. . .I've never been let down. . .if you're in the market to find a new salon or hairdresser, give Bella a try.   If you're in the market for a home, or need an expert to sell one for you, call, email or text me at 910.554.0761 or email me at McKenzieSellsHomes@gmail.com Edit this entry. Tags: Century 21 Champion, real estate, pcs, orders, mckenzie, laurence, johnson, hair salon, family sep pay, square nest, bella salon, bella, spa, gina, lea, leah, jenna, hair place, speacial up d... 03/10/2009

It almost time for the annual Soup In a Bowl Fund Raiser sponsored by the Council for the Arts, Jacksonville, N. C.  If you are a military family who has recently relocated to Camp LeJeune Marine Base, New River Air Station or the Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, N C; you may not be aware of the Soup in a Bowl event. Anyone who has participated in the past will testify that this is an event you will want to mark your calendar for each year. I challenge you to find a better bargain!  A $10.00 donation will buy you a one of a kind collector's soup bowl designed by Ben Watford, renowned potter, and donated by him for the event.  I urge you to buy your bowl in advance as they are snapped up quickly and the best ones go first. On March 14th from 11 AM to 1 PM, those who have p... 03/04/2009

There seems to be much confusion about Magnet Schools so perhaps I can shed some light on the subject.    A magnet school is "a public school with a specific topic to focus planning and instruction--all  curriculum is sought to be taught through the specified focus of the school.  Even though magnet schools have an instructional focus, these schools also teach the North Carolina Standard Course of Study". A look at Onslow County NC's two magnet schools. Elementary - Clyde Erwin Elementary Magnet School of International Studies and Cultural Arts is located in downtown Jacksonville, NC at 323 New River Drive. Area of focus - International Studies and Cultural Arts. Middle - New Bridge Middle School, located in downtown Jacksonville at 401 New River Drive, focuses on science and technology... 02/18/2009

Now that I have covered what exactly a VA loan is, and what the uses and eligibility requirements are, I am going to tackle the last in my series of VA blogs. What about the appraisal and closing costs?  Every loan that is guaranteed by the VA must be appraised by a VA-assigned appraiser. The appraisal is traditionally requested by your lender using the online portal of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once their request has been submitted the VA will select an approved appraiser, at random, to perform your appraisal.  A VA appraisal is only an estimate of the value of the property, and makes no representation or guarantee as to the condition of the property. However, there are certain issues that could affect it. To pass a VA appraisal, the home cannot be in disrepair. There cannot ... 02/16/2009

My husband always tells me that when I write (and for the most part I write all of his blog entries) I shouldn't specify the area as coastal North Carolina. Well, why not? That's where we are! To me, everything east of I 95 is the coastal plain of North Carolina. So, when I say "come, go coastal in North Carolina," that covers a pretty big area. In the case of Sea Coast Realty, all the way from Southport to Swansboro. That's properties in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender and Onslow counties up and down the coast! Anyway, we have expanded The Burchfield Group into the Jacksonville, N.C. market and have two new residential neighborhoods. One of them, called The Highlands at Queens Creek, is a very exciting project. When completed, the neighborhood will have soccer fields, basketball courts,... 02/13/2009