People choose where they live for hundreds of reasons. Being close to work, family, or education, top the list of why people buy a home in a specific location. Weather, affordability, and lifestyle are also important considerations in narrowing down the places home buyers opt to purchase. 

For those who are devoted 5K, 10K, or marathoners, water sports competitors including SUP and swim, and bike riders, the Cape Fear region offers year-round athletic challenges. Living in the Wilmington area means that a race, walk, or water sport is always just a short distance from your home base. Training is a pleasure at the numerous parks with walking/running paths and greenways.

Many of the Wilmington area's events are so popular that competitors register and travel from other state to participate. Race devotees living in Wilmington and the beaches have these races right at their doorstep.

An advantage of living in southeastern North Carolina are year-round weather conditions that ...

Debbie Alford, Broker/Realtor, shares what she loves about the four bedroom, brick home at 7123 Loqust Drive, in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Which room do you love most?

I love the large open living area. A double sided gas fireplace provides a nice touch to both the living room and sunroom. The fireplace adds warmth and ambiance during cool fall nights, long winter weekends, and chilly spring evenings. 









What is unique about this property?

The Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors are gorgeous. They flow throughout the living area and hallways, and into the kitchen. The wainscoting and crown molding pull it all together.







What's not to miss?

The property is located in the heart of all the action. Mayfaire and Wrightsville Beach are just a short drive away. On a nice day, you can ride your bike to either place.








What is the neighborhood's personality? Is there anything special about living in this area?

The neighbo ...

Real Estate Market Update for Jan - Feb 2019 | Kirk Pugh, Broker Realtor



This is a cumulative January and February housing update for the Wilmington North Carolina and beaches, most notably New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties. National level information comes from the National Housing Report through Morgan Stanley. Local county information is pulled from the MLS.



Home Price Appreciation

The housing market has been great. Prices have been going up and there has been an affordability challenge discussed in the media. The home price appreciation has actually slowed somewhat. It looks like we are on track for about 5.6% for 2019. Granted, we are just into it, so that's from the first two months of the year. 

On a positive note, the median price of a house has actually fallen, just under 3%. At the same time mortgage rates have dropped about 3.5%, so we have actually had a little bit of easing in the affordability crunch. Homes have gotten easier to buy for ...

Debbie Alford, Broker/Realtor, shares what she loves about the four bedroom, Craftsman-style home at 348 Tralee Road, in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Which room do you love most?

I love the openness of the kitchen, living area, and eating area. Many of my clients are looking for "open concept" homes, and this one is exactly that; you have clear sight lines from the living room to the informal dining room, to the wide and bright kitchen. The large island adds seating on one side, and a nice division between the cooking and food prep area, and the rest of the living space.







What is unique about this property?

This home is absolutely like-new. It was built by Stevens Fine Homes in October 2017. When it was being built, the sellers very wisely had Stevens Fine Homes finish off the second floor, to add a fourth bedroom and bath. The second floor space is great for a teen, for guests, for an office, or even for a family recreation space. ...

What better way to celebrate National Chili Day than with a pot of a certified, award-winning chili?

Becky Brown, Broker/Realtor, is generously sharing her recipe for Venison Chili. Becky's chili, which she adapted from a classic Better Homes & Gardens recipe, won first place in January 2011's Keller Williams Chili Cook-off.

"I wish I could say that there was a large cash prize," Becky laughs, "but I had bragging rights for a year."

The recipe below yields plenty to serve a group of 12 to 15, depending upon appetites.


Venison Chili Recipe
1 pound ground venison (you may substitute beef, chicken, or turkey)
1 pound venison sausage (you may substitute with beef, chicken, or turkey)
2-1/2 cups chopped onion
1-1/2 cups chopped bell pepper
2 fresh jalapenos, chopped (may omit)
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 15 oz. can of dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 15oz. can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 15oz can of black beans, rinsed and drain ...