I hope you are having a great week! The second half of the summer was super busy for Coastwalk Real Estate!

Last week I shared that our sales volume was up 97% year-to-date (through 8/31/2011, compared to 2010). This week I thought it would be fun to show you some of the homes I’ve recently SOLD, along with brief descriptions:

301 S Fort Fisher Blvd ($1,425,000) – This parcel of land was located just south of the Tradewinds complex, and provides a short walk to the Kure Beach pier. It offers a nice elevation, and the footprint of the home(s) permit heated square footage on the ground floor. The location of the CAMA set-back and Vegetation lines allow a pool and extra deck space to be incorporated into the design.

414 N Fort Fisher Blvd ($950,000) – This is a very nice home, approximately 15 years old. It is structurally sound but could benefit from some cosmetic upgrades inside. It has an elevator and large garage area. The location is super, located a few blocks North of the Kure Beach pier, and also just a short walk down the beach to Atlantic Ave. One of the things I liked most about this home is all the deck space, and the open floor plan.

297 Seawatch Way ($675,000) –This is one of the prettiest homes in Seawatch, super curb appeal and in a great neighborhood. Inside had some real nice features including mahogany floors and surround sound. There is also an elevator. The kitchen has a gas range. There is a lot of deck space, and a hot tub in the back yard.

1404 Pinfish Ln ($400,000) – This is a brand new home on the corner of Ocean Blvd and Pinfish Ln., offered by Ocean Grove Cottages. Ocean Grove Cottages offers coastal cottages that are designed to meet the lifestyle of today’s active homeowner. Tons of deck space, open and airy rooms, gorgeous tile work and stunning kitchens. If you have not been inside an Ocean Grove Cottages home…be sure to do so (or call me and I’ll help)!

101 Royal Fern Dr ($375,000) – We also sell a lot of homes off the island, and this is one example. Located in River Oaks, this home is on 1.5 acres, and has two garages, along with a large pool. There is also a bonus room above the garage. Although an older home, it was well cared for and in very good condition. The kitchen has been remodeled as well.

746 Sailor Ct ($350,000) –This home was quality built by Alan Votta. It has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Its not a big house, but it has a great floor plan and nice features inside, including granite counter tops. It has a real nice location in Kure Beach Village, located just down the street from the pool and clubhouse!

Wrightsville Beach is a beautiful community, located minutes fro Wilmington, NC. There are a lot of nice homes for sale, and prices have taken a hit these past few years. Buyers will cash in hand are scooping up deals.

Some recent sales in Wrightsville Beach include oceanfront, ICW, and boating properties.

While some are normal sales, there are also bank-owned sales and short sales.

When working on a distressed sale its imporant to ahve a qualified agent representing you. At Coastwalk Real Estate, we can help you find condos in Wrightsville Beach and other waterfront property in Wilmington.

Coastwalk Real Estate can be reached at 910-458-9119.

You can also search for Wrightsville Beach short sales by clicking this link. If you want foreclosures in Wrightsville Beach you can click here.

It depends, of course, on how you define “famous.” Quite a few celebrities do have Wilmington addresses, though.

Among the more notable is Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin — perhaps best-known as the star of TV’s “Alice” — who fell in love with the area while filming the TV movie “Stolen Memories: Secrets from the Rose Garden” with Mary Tyler Moore, back in 1995. Lavin and her husband, actor/director Steven Bakunas, founded the Red Barn Studio, a 50-seat theater which opened in 2007 at 1122 S. Third St., Wilmington [Map this]. As co-creative directors, they’ve staged productions of such works as Alfred Uhry’s “Driving Miss Daisy,” John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt” and David Mamet’s “Speed-the-Plow.”

Lavin isn’t the only actor who decided to settle. Dennis Hopper spent several years in Wilmington after filming “Blue Velvet” here. He was largely responsible for the restoration of the Masonic Temple building at 17-21 N. Front St., Wilmington [Map this] — now home to the City Stage theater — and he directed the 1994 feature “Chasers” here and in the Myrtle Beach area. Hopper hasn’t visited Wilmington in a few years, but he reportedly still owns real estate in Landfall and other parts of New Hanover County.

Actor/screenwriter Peter Jurasik — best known as the cosmic diplomat Londo Mollari on the TV series “Babylon 5″ — has lived in Wilmington with his family for nearly a decade. He’s taught classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, has appeared on the locally filmed series “Dawson’s Creek” and “One Tree Hill” and co-starred in the locally filmed feature “Amy & Isabelle.”

Joseph Gallison, who played Dr. Neil Curtis on the daytime drama “Days of Our Lives,” has lived in the area for many years and has been extremely active in local theater.

The late Pat Hingle bought a house in Carolina Beach shortly after filming the Stephen King thriller “Maximum Overdrive” here in 1985; he lived here until his death on Jan. 3, 2009. Nick Nolte, who filmed “Weeds” here in 1986, owned a condominium for a while at Pleasure Island.

Other current celebrity residents include “One Tree Hill” star Hilarie Burton and Henry Darrow, who played Manolito on TV’s “The High Chaparral” and who also appeared on “Santa Barbara,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “The New Zorro.”

Clyde Edgerton, the New York Times best-selling author of such novels as “Raney” and “Walking Across Egypt,” owns a house in town and teaches creative writing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Among notable business leaders with homes in the area are Dr. Fred Eschelman, CEO of the pharmaceutical research giant PPD Inc., and Dennis Gillings, longtime CEO of the pharmaceutical services business Quintiles Transnational.

Quite a few celebrities tie up, at least temporarily, at Wrightsville Beach. DJ John Boy of radio’s “John Boy and Billy Show” has had a resort home on the island for many years and has participated in local fishing tournaments. Mystery writer Patricia Cornwell has spent many summers at Wrightsville and based the climax of her 1998 thriller “Point of Origin” there.

John Edwards, the former U.S. senator and presidential candidate, owns a resort house at Figure Eight Island; former Vice President Al Gore has rented property there. William Bennett, the former U.S. education secretary and federal drug czar and author of “The Book of Virtues,” has owned a house on Bald Head Island, as has “Today Show” celebrity Willard Scott.

Date posted: August 14, 2009

Do you really know where you're spending your time at the computer?

While it may seem like you're only spending "a few minutes a day" on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other websites, the truth might just surprise you. One way to find out where the time online is going is with the use of RescueTime, a website which offers a free way to evaluate your time online.

Lifehacker.com provides this excellent profile of RescueTime, including how to use the free 14-day trial account to get a quick picture of where you can optimize your time management.

How to Reclaim Your Time in Seven Days for a More Productive and Stress-Free Workday

http://lifehac.kr/q07gb6

Check out the article and give RescueTime a try. What you find out may surprise you (and make you more efficient).

This has got to be good advertising for our local tourism industry.

Outside Magazine ranked Wilmington among a list of Best Towns – “the finest places you’d ever want to call home.”

Similar to Charleston: southern charm, a 300-year-old harbor, ample seafood. But what sets Wilmington (pop. 106,500) apart from its genteel South Carolina neighbor is an economy in overdrive—not long ago, it was the second-fastest-growing economy in the U.S. Thanks to EUE Screen Gems, it’s also home to the largest motion-picture and television studio outside California. (The local film industry employs some 800 people.) Situated where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic, the former military port’s recreation options are mostly water-based—sea-kayaking, sailing, deap-sea fishing—and the biggest party of the year is, naturally, Riverfest, a frenzy of vendors, fireworks, music, athletic competitions, and invading pirates.

And don’t forget that Wilmington ranked on two other lists in recent months, including one called “America’s Most Fun, Affordable Cities” by Bloomberg Businessweek, based on data from Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate’s Lifestyle Search, and the best late-summer beach bargain according to Orbitz.

Weekly Mortgage Newsletter Week of Sept. 18, 2011 Mortgage Market Commentary Reminiscent of the days when needles skipped backwards and replayed a line from a song over and over, mortgage rates set a new record low again last week. Economic news was similar to what we have been seeing for some time, highlighting the fragile, extremely-slow, but still growing economy. So, can mortgage rates go even lower in coming weeks? The answer is absolutely maybe. While few analysts believed we could continue to see such low mortgage rates, anything, including even lower mortgage rates is possible. This coming week could set the tone for rates for the next few weeks with the Fed meeting for two days to discuss monetary policy. Most analysts are expecting a significant announcement to come from the Fed. Some of the programs that experts are predicting the Fed may launch, such as changing the mix of investments the Fed holds, could push long and short-term rates in opposite directions. In any event, mortgage rates are likely to stay at low levels for the foreseeable future with occasional flares upward on good economic news. MORTGAGE RATES ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT Have a great week!

Marsha Stone Senior Mortgage Advisor NMLS# 90796 Platinum Home Mortgage Corp 910 679-4539 Ofc/ 910-232-3221 mobile 910 679-4541 Fax 3 Keel Street Suite 3 ,Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 mstone@ephmc.com

Mortgage rates managed again to set record low rates last week. While concerns over financial issues

in Europe once more drove money to the relative security of US Treasuries, there was little to get

excited about here in the US. As expected, the President presented a plan to Congress to create jobs.

Regardless of your political leanings, or of your opinion of the plan, financial markets, and many

experts, simply doubt that the contentious climate in Washington can be overcome to get any

significant jobs legislation accomplished. Many are sadly accepting that this recovery is stuck in a

very low gear, across the planet, and little can be done in the near term.

This week has some significant economic data due, some of which could put an interesting twist into

our economic drama. Most experts have been waving off inflation for quite some time, and there is

evidence that it may be well contained. However, if either the Producer or Consumer Price Index

show signs of unexpected inflationary pressures, we could see mortgage rates moving upward.

Mortgage Rates

Economic Snapshot

Marsha Stone

Senior Mortgage Advisor

NMLS# 90796

Platinum Home Mortgage Corp

910 679-4539 Ofc/ 910-232-3221 mobile

910 679-4541 Fax

3 Keel Street Suite 3 ,Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

mstone@ephmc.com

After much soul-searching and working the numbers, you decided to put your home on the market. You may be selling to change cities for a job or are needing to downsize. Regardless of the reason, this is a big and important decision!

The time has come, though. You have received an offer on your home. How can you make it through? This can be a very trying time. How do you know which offer to take or what counteroffer to make?

Here are 10 tips to help you stay calm during negotiations.

• Trust your Agent: You hired your agent for a reason. He has experience handling negotiations and contracts. Feel free to ask him any questions you have, but don't let the pressure of every minute detail overwhelm you.
• Eat and Sleep: Our body needs to refuel in two ways: food and rest. Be sure to get plenty of both so that your brain is well-prepared for any big decisions you may need to make. Pack a bag lunch or some snacks if you think you may be too busy to stop for lunch or dinner on the way to your agent's office.
• Have Downtime: Getting your mind off of a stressful situation means you can come back later refreshed and ready for a challenge.
• Open Communication: Express real concerns to your spouse, significant other, or business partner. You never really know what someone else is thinking unless you talk openly.
• Exercise: This is a great way to clear your mind and to gear your body up for the stress of selling. Walks, runs, and even a trip to the gym can be extremely beneficial.
• Meditate: Take a moment and find a quiet space. Sit quietly with your eyes closed and focus on your breath coming in and going out of your body. Be still and be in the present moment. As thoughts and worries come in your mind, acknowledge that they came and then pull your focus back to your breathing. Even a few minutes can do wonders at centering the mind.
• Run the Numbers: Seeing the facts in black and white can help take emotion out of this business decision. Should you accept this offer? Is it too low? Do the math and know for sure.
• Practice Patience: Buyers may take their time to consider your counter-offers. Be patient and know that an answer will eventually come.
• Leave Impulse at the Door: This is not a time to make rash decisions. You want to be sure that this is the right deal and the right time.
• Enjoy the Process: Yes, it's a stressful time, but it can also be the doorway to your new life. Embrace it and stay positive.

It was a big day when you decided to list your home for sale and it will be a even bigger day when you close with a seller. Take care of your body, relax your mind, and trust in your team of professionals and you're sure to make it through this stressful time.


Written by Carla Hill

Are the first 90-seconds the most important?

Tammy Lenski, the conflict resolution expert of Conflict Zen, recently turned us on to a very interesting concept promoted by Phil Gerbyshak and pioneered by Jim Fannin, called "The 90-Second relationship Rule."

Excerpted from from Phil's blog post on the subject:

If you've been away from someone you care about at least 2 hours, the next 90 seconds have a bigger impact on them than spending hours and hours on them later. Walk in the door and be fully engaged in the moment. Regardless of your day prepare to focus your energy toward the people that matter most.

Investing those first 90 seconds says:

I love you
I care about you
I value you
I need you in my life

Now, while you may not need to come out and tell your clients you love them in the first 90 seconds, you can probably see the value in mindful focus within the first 90-seconds.

Also: Think about those lunch meetings you've had with other agents, brokers, and business professionals. Have they opened with you on the phone, chatting away, partially engaged in their presence? Could the entire tone of the meeting change, based on practicing the 90-second rule?

For a deeper look at this in the context of family and relationships with loved ones, don't miss Jim Fannin's video on Phil's post:

http://www.philgerbyshak.com/90-second-relationship-rule/