Many folks visit Wilmington to look at real estate and tour the city.  I suggest that when planning your visit, you allow time to visit our area beaches and historic downtown Wilmington.  To view homes for sale in the Wilmington area, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com Below are some of the tours available in downtown Wilmington. Walking tours: During the day, the Wilmington Adventure Walking Tour covers Wilmington's past. Nighttime tours include the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington and Haunted Pub Crawl ( All walking tours leave from the foot of Market and Water streets. Horse/trolley tour: Drivers go on a variety of routes and offer informationabout the historic buildings and attractions along the way.  Cape Fear Segway: On a Segway tour, experience guided tours through Wilmington's histor... 01/26/2009

Wilmington NC will officially open its newest park, James E.L. Wade Park, on Thursday, January 29, 2009, at 10:30 am.  The city's newest park is located at the end of Bethel Road, off Waltmoor Drive. The Bethel Road Stormwater Wetland was completed mid-2007.  The design helped improve water quality in Hewlett's Creek.  The park is located on the wetlands.  It includes a 3/4 mile path, a picnic shelter, three bridges, restroom and playground.      01/26/2009

  The cast of the TV show "GHOST STORIES" is giving tours on the Battleship USS North Carolina docked at Wilmington, NC this weekend. There has been talk for years that this ship is haunted and has had ghostly visitors. The caretaker is always hearing doors shut by themselves and people walking around the ship when he is alone there. They must think there is something or someone on that ship or they wouldn't be here. The former warship is a very popular attraction in Wilmington. My husband had visitors from Japan to his company and that is all they wanted to see. We are lucky to have the old warrior in our backyard. 01/24/2009

2009 is off to a great start with many plant friendly events planned for this spring. If you love to plant plants now is your time in the sun. Explore all kinds of events to whet your appetite for garden delights. Here is just a capsule of the events:  Wilmington Garden Show - Jan 31 and Feb 1 - Cape Fear Community College. The 59th Annual Tidewater Camellia Club Show - Feb 28, Arab Shrine Club, 4510 S. College Road, Wilmington, free admission. P Allen Smith at Charlestons International Antiques Show - March 20 at the Omar Shrine Temple, 176 Patiots Point Road in Mt Pleasant, SC.  Master Gardener Plant Sale mRch 26 - 31 at the New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington. Popular Grove Plantation's 2009 Herb and Garden Fair March 28- 29, 10200 US 17, Wilmington. 56 Annu... 01/23/2009

With interest rates at a 50-year low, and a $7,500 federal tax credit available to first-time home buyers, it is a great time to buy a home.    Here are a few good reasons to buy your own home:   Tax Savings - The Federal Government allows you to deduct the interest you pay on your mortage, your property taxes, as well as some of the other costs involved in buying your home.    The Federal Govenment also allows you to take up to $250,000 or $500,000 if married as gain within paying additional federal income tax.  Consult your CPA for tax questions.Equity - Mortage Payments help you build equity in your home. Appreciation  - Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value, even considering our current economic condition.   If you choose a fixed-rate mortgage, payments do not rise over ... 01/22/2009

Click here for Wilmington, NC Luxury Real Estate! 01/21/2009

It's January 20th, a history making day as our 44th president is inaugurated and snow dusts the Port City.  School is out today, and there is excitement in the air when flakes fall in the Wilmington area, a rare event.  Here's a few pictures to enjoy.  For information on the Wilmington area, visit www.thekeytowilmington.com Porter's Neck Country Club Porters Neck Boat Ramp 01/20/2009

The Week in Review .....your Wilmington Connection January 18, 2009 Cold this week in Wilmington. Brrrrr...The Real estate market has been dragging a bit...but on a high note there has been a lot more activity these last two weeks than we have seen in the last 2 months. I hope this is a sign that buyers have taken on board that this is the best time as any with the interest rates at the lowest they have been in 50 years. 50 years! So if you are planninng on buying anytime soon you would be crazy not to do it now! In the last six months 1,276 homes have sold and 726 listings have expired. With only 1,276 homes sold in the last 6 months, that would mean we have approximately have 12.8 , so wouldn't you think that sellers would be very motivated to sell? Contact me if you are ready to look... 01/18/2009

I've renamed my blog, "The Real Estate Wave Rider" for a couple of reasons.  One I love surfing and I think there are many lessons to be learned from it that can be applied to real life.  The real estate market is very dynamic, and there is success to be had in any market, as long as you understand it, practice, and have the right tools and skills.  Another reason I chose the name is that we, as individuals, cannot control what the market does, we just have to react to it and I like to metaphor that to riding the wave we call the real estate market. I'm going to teach the real estate community about surfing.  More comments to come 01/16/2009

The Air Force One Museum got one step closer to reality for Wilmington this past week with approval by the Wilmington City Council. It was a unanimous vote to approve the $ 30 million project to be possibly built in Wilmington on the corner of Kerr Ave and Randall Parkway. It is a private project that will be funded by fundraising efforts of a group of volunteers headed by Howie Franklin, a local resident. He also is on the board of the search committee. Mr. Franklin previously served 5 presidents as their coordinator for all flights and details for each activity planned for Air Force One. Due to his previous Air Force One experience Mr. Franklin was selected for this committee. Other locations, besides Wilmington are also being considered. It has not been discussed here if the other lo... 01/10/2009

WILMINGTON, NC PD - WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD   We are very lucky in central south Wilmington, NC to have some new neighbors - Wilmington Police Dept. The crimefighters will be move to an area where they can protect and serve southern Wilmington and New Hanover County. In this area the closest police station was either downtown or at Carolina Beach at least 20 minutes away. As this area has grown along with the southern Monkey Junction area it is good to have police coverage in the neighborhood. The new dept which was previously a commercial building is not yet open- construction is still going on. We expect a formal opening soon and are glad to have Wilmington Police Dept as our new neighbors. 01/10/2009

WILMINGTON, NC PD - WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD   We are very lucky in central south Wilmington, NC to have some new neighbors - Wilmington Police Dept. The crimefighters will be move to an area where they can protect and serve southern Wilmington and New Hanover County. In this area the closest police station was either downtown or at Carolina Beach at least 20 minutes away. As this area has grown along with the southern Monkey Junction area it is good to have police coverage in the neighborhood. The new dept which was previously a commercial building is not yet open- construction is still going on. We expect a formal opening soon and are glad to have Wilmington Police Dept as our new neighbors. 01/10/2009

Hello Friends, Below is a current market update for Marsh Oaks.  This neighborhood is located in the Porters Neck area in Northern New Hanover County.  For more information on this area or other Wilmington neighborhoods, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com   Active: 16  Pending: 1  Sold: 5  Other: 0  Total: 22    Bedrooms  Bathrooms  Square Feet  List Price  Selling Price  DOM/CDOM  Minimum  3   2.00   1,907   $310,000   $309,000   0/0   Average  4   3.95   2,921   $497,593   $443,560   139/163   Median  4   4.00   2,828   $474,900   $424,900    87/119   Maximum  5   5.00   3,801   $675,000   $570,000   701/701   Total Dollar Value           $2,217,800      Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:    0-30 Days   31-60 Days   61-90 Days   91-120 Da... 01/09/2009

Hello Friends, Below is a market update for Vineyard Plantation, located in the Porters Neck area of New Hanover County.  Easy access to shopping, restaurants, US17 and I-140.  The sold properties represent the 4th quarter of 2008. To view properties in the Vineyard Plantation and Great Wilmington area, visit www.TheKeytoWilmington.com   Diane   Area Market Survey Listings as of 01/09/09 at 7:32pm Property Type  Single Family    Property Subtype  Stick Built    Community  Vineyard Plantation Statuses  Active, Active Cont Sale Add, Active Alternative 2, Active Temp Off Mkt, Pending (7/13/2008 or after) , Sold (10/1/2008 to 12/31/2008)   Active Listing Price Range  Quantity      Average DOM   $350,000 thru $399,999 3 53   $400,000 thru $449,999 1 37   $450,000 thru $499,999 2 140     6 80... 01/09/2009

Day 25:  1st Time Home Buyer Seminar Today my office gathered and talked about putting on an event to generate some business.  "Let's have a 1st Time Home Buyer Seminar".  Nothing new right?  Well actually, how many real estate companies are really hosting events to generate business these days?  It doesn't seem like many to me.  Why not?  Perhaps everyone has been glued to the tube and are believing all of the gloom and doom that they are hearing. What about the $7,500 rebate the government is offering for 1st Time Home Buyers?  Sounds like a good incentive to buy a house to me. What about interest rates being remarkably low?  Sounds like a great time to get a 30 year fixed loan. What about building equity rather than wasting money on renting?  Sounds like a no brainer to me. Would you... 01/08/2009

The Week in Review .....your Wilmington Connection January 4, 2009 Another year is over and a new one beginning. I sincerely hope allturned out the way you wished for in 2008.May all the dreams in your eyes and all the desires in your heartblend together to give you the most spectacular 2009. Real Estate in Wilmington. The average sales price has been $243,445 and the list versus sales ratio has dropped a tad to 94% with an average of 146 days on the market. Thinking of selling your home. Try the free market analysis .   NC is The Fourth fastest Growing State in US, Census Report Shows North Carolina's population rose 2 percent during the past year, making it the nation's fourth fastest growing state - and the most rapidly growing of any state east of Texas, a new report shows. The stat... 01/04/2009

Intracoastal Realty Corp has ended 2008 with over 1/2 billion dollars in real estate sales and continues to be Wilmington, NC market leader with over 20% of the area's market share of sales. See below to see how the numbers play out for the year 2008. Ranking Report Report By: Company Sort By: Volume Display Top: 10 Sold Counts Include: Both Listing and Selling Office Property Types: Boat Slip, Land/Acreage/Site, Multi-Family, Single Family Status: Sold (1/1/2008 or after) Price: 99,999,000 or less Listings as of 12/30/08 at 11:17am Page 1 Rank    Name                            Listings       Volume                   Average                         %-Total 1 Intracoastal Realty Corp.             1302        $511,148,495          $392,417                        20.42 2 Coldwell Banker S... 12/31/2008

WWAY News Channel 3 ran a feature yesterday evening on me, Paul Hockaday, on how I am using Active Rain and "100 Days to Change" to market myself, promote my community, create a network and to ultimately create a change in my real estate business.  Here is a link: http://www.wwaytv3.com/video/real_estate_agent_blogs_increase_presence_web/12 Key Yessaad, Real Estate Web Trainer, has had an enormous impact on my real estate business plan.  Key has been instrumental in "opening my eyes" to the world of marketing on the internet and I thank him for introducing me to Active Rain. "Blogging regularly about relevant material is one of the best ways to increase your web presence" says Key. When I met Key some 4 months ago, I realized that he was going to help me in an area that I was very inter... 12/30/2008

The Week in Review ....your Wilmington Connection December 27, 2008 We are approaching the end of another year....did you accomplish what you wanted? Never fear another year is around the corner. If one of your goals was to purchase an investment property, now is the best time. With interest rates extremely low and of course propery prices have dropped. But remember spring is around the corner and prices tend to climb a little. So start looking now. Let me know if I can be of some help, we can set up a search and have your properties sent right to you. Great News for Wilmington Wilmington named AmongTop Six Cities Where Housing Values have Climbed News reports have been packed with stories about declining home values, but a recent government report shows that the situation is not nearly... 12/27/2008

Wilmington, NC -Architectural Styles- The BUNGALOW   Wilmington has many of these cottage-y style homes - the bungalow. An abundant number of these houses were built in the 1920's and were clustered around and in the historical area of downtown Wilmington. They were used as homes by merchants, shipworkers and storeowners. They usually consisted of 3 bedrooms, one bath, kitchen, dining and living room. They are very desireable today as they are small and rather affordable if they have never been rehabbed. People configure them in all different ways to make them more liveable. This one currently listed by Intracoastal Realty is on 2007 Metts Avenue - a desireable area. It is a centrally located, leafy neighborhood close to shopping and downtown. It is about 20 minutes to Wrightsville Bea... 12/27/2008