Wilmington has lots to do for art lovers. The Cameron Art Museum is a great place to take in this wonderfully artistic city. Here are a few things to do, groups and events:

The Young Patrons at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC, are the membership group for burgeoning and seasoned art lovers and artists in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The group's second event is an intimate conversation with artist Charlie Brouwer on his upcoming installation, Rise Up Wilmington. Complimentary wine/beer and snacks. Admission fee includes child care. Free admission for CAM members. HOURS: 5:30-7:30pm. More Info: Phone: (910) 395-5999

Description: Appearing at Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC, Charlie Brouwer is an artist from Floyd County, Virginia. Ladders have often occurred in his sculptures and installations, and Rise Up Wilmington is the latest in a series of temporary public art projects he has been creating with communities. These projects are designed to bring the art and artist into closer contact with his audience –- especially new audiences. He does this by inviting all parts of the community to help create a sculptural metaphor for itself by lending their individual ladders to be part of the whole –- rising up to a magnificent crescendo. Working together with the museum staff and volunteers, he will spread the word through all available media about the need for ladders. They will also distribute flyers, and go door to door in an attempt to invite all parts of the community. The result will be a substantial sculpture made of hundreds of ladders held together with heavy duty cable ties -- each one carefully tagged and recorded to ensure that they all will be returned after the month-long exhibition. HOURS: 6:30-8pm. More Info: Phone: (910) 395-5999

Description: Co-sponsored by the Cape Fear Jazz Society, The Jazz @ the CAM concert series returns for a 2nd season with some of the best jazz musicians in the Wilmington NC area and beyond. This evening's concert features El Jaye Johnson & the Port City All Stars. HOURS: 6:30-8pm. More Info: Phone: (910) 395-5999

For more info on art events, visit the Cameron Art Center site here:http://www.cameronartmuseum.com/

Wrightsville Beach --

Wrightsville Beach offers lots of activities. In addition to the beach, the town is popular for those who enjoy golf and tennis.

Tennis lessons are offered for Tots ages 6-8, Youth ages 9-12, as well as adults. Group lessons meet on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Wrightsville Beach Park tennis courts. Other days are available for your group of 6 or more. Private and semi-private lessons are also available. Tennis Pro Jackie Jenkins has been an LTA registered coach since 1977. Four-day camps are also available. Call for details.  (910) 256-7925

There are also a lot of golf courses in the Wilmington area, including Landfall, Porter's Neck, Masonboro County Club and others.

For a great family vacation, or a wonderful  lifestyle, consider Wrightsville Beach, NC.

The mission of Wrightsville Beach School is to provide a high quality and challenging education that encourages our students to learn, to understand and appreciate the marine environment, to demonstrate good citizenship, and to choose to become life-long learners.

If you are wanting to move to Wrightsville Beach, be sure to check out more info on Wrightsville Beach elementary school here: http://www.nhcs.net/wbeach/

Wrightsville Beach, specifically Johnnie Mercer’s Fishing Pier, was chosen for the cover shot of the official 2012 travel guide for North Carolina. Lynn Minges, assistant secretary of tourism, marketing and global branding for the N.C. Department of Commerce, made the announcement at the pier to a crowd of government and hospitality-industry officials.

"This, like thousands of other places across our state, is a place where memories are made," Minges said. She explained that since 1939, families were coming to the public pier to fish and to watch the sunrise and sunset.

"This is a very special place… This is why we think this beautiful sunrise, set here at Johnnie Mercer’s Pier, is the perfect cover, to illustrate, to welcome millions of visitors to our state," Minges said.

The 174-page guide lists 800 attractions and 4,000 accommodations around the state, as well as featuring articles about the state’s heritage, restaurants that support sustainable agriculture, fish stories, crafts, family ties and more. The 600,000 copies cost $1.5 million to publish, but Minges said that cost was completely underwritten by travel-industry partners.

Minges said the state’s 38 million visitors spent $17 billion last year, supporting 200,000 jobs that couldn’t be outsourced. She thanked Rep. Susi Hamilton for being a strong supporter of the tourism industry.

In New Hanover County, tourism grew 7 percent last year, with visitors spending $400 million and employing 5,000 people. Minges added that the local growth was not by accident, with the county having one of the best Tourism Development Authorities in the state.

Kim Hufham, president and CEO of the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau, said it was an exciting day for the entire destination. She recognized various attendees and thanked pier owner Matt Johnson, who had graciously agreed to host the press conference without knowing why.

Minges presented framed copies of the cover to Hufham, Hamilton and Johnson.

New Hanover County Commissioners Vice Chair Jonathan Barfield said after the press conference that it was great that the travel guide focused on Wrightsville Beach, and he hoped that it would bring even more tourists and put more people to work across the county.

"This is about jobs," he said.

Wrightsville Beach Mayor David Cignotti said the announcement was wonderful news and an honor that would help expose the beach to people who weren’t familiar with it, and would help the entire area.

"Wrightsville Beach is the gem of the East Coast," he said.

Minges explained that every year, it was a challenge to find the right cover image at the right time. Her office tried to rotate images from different regions of the state each year. The guides often show beaches, but this particular shot had an unusual perspective that beckoned the viewer to find out more.

It takes some searching through fine print to find where the cover shot site is identified on page 9 in the travel guide. However, the state’s travel and tourism website, www.visitnc.com, pairs an image of the guide with an announcement about a free sweepstakes to win a vacation package at Wrightsville Beach, including a three-night stay at a major hotel, surfing lessons, a cruise and a $500 gift card. The contest lasts through Jan. 31, 2012. Minges said she expected it to generate some 20,000 inquiries about the destination.

Copies of the guide will be distributed nationally and internationally. They can be picked up at any state welcome center, and ordered by calling 1-800-VISITNC or by visiting the state website, where the enhanced digital version also included embedded videos and an interactive map. The guide is also downloadable to iPads, and a mobile application is in the works.

This report was published on www.LuminaNews.com on Friday, Dec. 16.

KURE BEACH TOWN NEWS – DECEMBER 22, 2011

• ·         Go to the Town’s website www.townofkurebeach.org for meetings, info & news
• ·         Also, don’t forget to join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kurebeachnc
• ·         Visit our Business Corner at the bottom of this email for great deals from KB businesses
• ·         For more events: Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce http://www.pleasureislandnc.org/calendar.asp

Prepared or not, the market follows its own rules and logic. Here are 12 investing, banking, mortgage and credit card tips that offer some insight on what to do now to start 2012 off on the right foot.

Here are some financial tips to help for the coming year, courtesy of Bankrate.com...click here od the link below

This week we want to share some interesting information we came across on the Redfin Real Estate Blog…

As we move through the holidays and into winter, many would-be sellers will be holding off on listing their home, waiting for the spring "selling season" to put their home on the market. But if you're ready to sell your home now, is waiting until spring the best strategy? Not according to the data, it isn't.

Redfin (www.redfin.com) pulled a year's worth of data on three quarters of a million homes listed across the country and analyzed sales statistics by season. Here's what they found:

• Homes listed in winter are more likely to sell: 59.2% sell in winter vs. 53.1% sell in summer

• Homes listed in winter sell closest to their original price: a 2.7% drop from the final price in winter vs. a 5.2% drop from the final price in summer, worth more than $7,000 on a $300,000 home

Yes, you read that right, homes listed in the winter sell best according to this study by Redfin.

Overall, homes listed in winter sell best. 5.8% more homes listed in winter eventually sell (compared to the overall percentage of homes listed throughout the year), and they sell 1.4 percentage points closer to their original list price than the median ---that's $4,900 on a $350,000 home.

Spring wins in one category: Speed. Homes listed in spring sell the fastest, sitting on the market for 15% less time than the median. Winter comes in second in this category though, at six percent below the median, while homes listed in summer and fall both sell slower than the median (12% and 16%, respectively).

If you want to sell your home, then this information may be eye-opening. We’re talking about thousands of dollars potentially in your pocket!!!

I believe “inventory” plays a large role in these stats. In the off season, inventory is low, and while fewer buyers are actively shopping for homes, dwindling inventory reduces options. Reduced inventory plays to a seller’s advantage.

So as the data shows, there’s no time like right now to list a property. If you want to sell your home in 2012, let’s talk. Please call Coastwalk Real Estate today at 910-458-9119.

Thanks a ton, and Happy New Year!

NEGOTIATE: Buy The Home You Love At A Good Price

Found the house of your dreams? Now the negotiations begin. An experienced agent can help you nagivate through the process so you can make a solid decision, and feel good about it.

Still looking for a home? If so, you can search homes online here:

Wrightsville Beach Homes for Sale

Wilmington Homes for Sale

Carolina Beach Homes for Sale

Leland Homes for Sale

Landfall Country Club Real Estate

Check the comparables

Your agent has up-to-the-minute price data at hand to help you analyze any comparable properties; just ask. Although every home is unique, here's some of what makes a home "comparable" to the one you're considering purchasing:

same neighborhood; same age and condition; same size lot; same home style--equivalent living space, number of rooms and baths; similar terms of sale.

Follow sales price trends

Ask about recent pricing trends in the neighborhood. Specifically, what has been the average difference between listing price and sales price for recent sales of comparable homes? What is the ratio of assessed tax value to market value?

Offer what you think the house is worth

Some asking prices have built-in padding, but others are already priced to sell. You could lose a well-priced home with a low-ball bid. Remember, a lower mortgage interest rate will allow you to borrow more and pay a higher price for a home without increasing your monthly payment.

Spell out the details

Consider getting a pre-purchase appraisal and home inspection. The appraisal will give an independent valuation of the house, and the inspection will help identify any potential problems you may have overlooked. Consider including a contingency making the contract subject to a satisfactory appraisal and inspection.

Evaluate contingencies

The contract can also be contingent upon an attorney's review, previous home sale, and acceptable mortgage loan terms, etc. Contingencies are typically used to smooth acceptance of an offer without delaying the final decision. Too many contingencies, however, weaken your bargaining position.

Know what's important to you

Prioritize the elements of the sale on paper ("must" and "want") and decide where you have negotiating room--what you'll give up or accept in exchange for a concession. Items frequently negotiated include adjustments for needed or requested repairs, what personal property stays and what goes with the seller, points and closing costs, and move-in date. Knowing exactly what you want and where you are willing to bargain is your most important negotiating tool.

Put everything in the first purchase offer

If the first offer is accepted it may be too late to add anything. Include a financial statement. Do all negotiating in writing with a deadline for a response, often 48 hours. You are free to cancel an offer until it is accepted by the seller. Require that your binder or deposit be held in an escrow account with the interest credited to you.

Be Patient

Negotiating could take several days. Be patient; you won't want to rush into one of the most important purchases you'll ever make.

We can help

If you'd like help finding your dream home, please call or e-mail Coastwalk Real Estate. We can help you buy a home, and specialize in Wilmington Homes for Sale, Wrightsville Beach Real Estate, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach Homes, Leland Homes, Topsail Beach and the surrounding areas.

We'll help with your home search and will give you all the important information we can provide to help you make the right offer for the right home.

Coastwalk Real Estate continues to shine in the local real estate scene.

Did you know that Coastwalk Real Estate’s main office (Office ID 579500070) is the leading seller of beach homes in the area?  That’s right, this office has SOLD more homes this year in Carolina / Kure and Wrightsville Beach combined than any other office in the area (source: Wilmington MLS 12/15/2011).

Coastwalk Real Estate’s main office is also the #1 seller of oceanfront homes in New Hanover County, with sales 26% higher than their closest competitor (source: Wilmington MLS 12/15/2011).

“We have such an amazing team of agents here at Coastwalk,” said Justin Donaton, owner of Coastwalk. “Their energy, commitment and expertise is astonishing. I’m lucky to have such a super group of people to surround myself with each day. We have a lot of fun in the office too.”

Coastwalk Real Estate is a family-owned business. Established in 1996, the company employs 17 REALTORS, and specializes in helping its clients buy and sell real estate.

“There are other real estate firms that are really good at property management, and handling rentals, so we refer this business to them. We think we’re really good at helping clients buy and sell, so that is what we focus on” said Donaton.

Coastwalk Real Estate attributes its success to: its high-impact marketing, its experience and its technology!

Coastwalk’s business model focuses on the creative implementation of technology.

“Today’s buyer has a limited amount of time to digest a tremendous amount of information,” says Donaton. “The company has excelled under these conditions by incorporating technology and processes that enable buyers to make educated decisions.”

“Our technology and our processes are also customized to those selling property, as we understand many of these properties are second homes and many of these owners live out-of-town.”

How is this done? The company utilizes high quality photographers, virtual tours, call capture technology, a dedicated call center, eMarketing and aggressive on-line advertising. They have a 28-Step Home Marketing Plan that they utilize with each of their clients.

If you list with Coastwalk, you will see your home on the most highly visited websites including REALTOR.com, Yahoo, AOL, Google and more. This is just one way they create maximum exposure for your home.  Their website, www.CoastwalkRealEstate.com, is also one of the best websites in the real estate industry (check it out)!

“More exposure and proper presentation means a better price and a faster sale” says Donaton.

In addition, they can build a quality high-impact website for your home. It’s a great tool that provides a ton of pictures, a virtual tour, an aerial view, and it lists the features of your house and information on financing.

They even provide a “walkability score,” which shows the local attractions that are within walking distance, along with the proximity to schools, shopping, dining and healthcare facilities.

“In this market, we have to sell the house and the community. Buyers need to be aware of all the wonderful amenities, the parks, outdoor attractions, the restaurants, the activities and special events!” says Donaton.

Coastwalk Real Estate goes the extra mile for its clients. When a prospective buyer shows interest in your home, Coastwalk can turn the lights on, and can make sure the thermostat is comfortably set. They’ll even deliver a bottle of wine and invite buyers (with your permission) to spend some additional time inside.

“We want to make a house feel like a home,” said Donaton.

As a result of these efforts, Coastwalk Real Estate is a market leader.

“While I am proud of this accomplishment, the greater accomplishment is the success of our clients,” says Donaton.  “Our clients are such advocates of our business, and we are very appreciative of this.”

To succeed in this environment it is critical to have an experienced  REALTOR, great technology, and proven processes that tie the two together. At Coastwalk Real Estate, they have accomplished this.

There are a lot of great agents on the island, however if you are considering buying or selling a home, you will most certainly want to give Coastwalk Real Estate a call. They can be reached seven days a week at 910-458-9119, or visit them on-line at www.MyCoastwalk.com.