Wilmington Weekend: December 11th – 13th

The holiday spirit is in full swing here in Wilmington and there are several fun events where you can enjoy the cheer! And if you’re worn out from too much cocoa and carols, there are great non-holiday events as well to give you a break! Check out our Wilmington Weekend Guide below and have a fantastic weekend!

The Twelve Tastes of Christmas

Stop by the Brooklyn Arts Center for the 3rd annual 12 Tastes a Christmas, a fundraiser for Cape Fear Literacy Council, with season eats and cocktails. Participants include standout local restaurants and bars including PinPoint, Flytrap Brewing, Palate and more.

Friday, December 11th at 7pm.
Admission is $30.00.
For tickets and more information visit the event page.

Brooklyn Arts Center
516 North 4th Street
Wilmington , NC 28401

Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll

Enjoy holiday sights and activities in downtown Wilmington this Saturday and Sunday. The Stroll includes street musicians, choral groups, a window decorating contest at downtown businesses and decorations at the Port City Marina and Bennett Brothers Marinas.

Friday, December 11th from 4pm – 8pm; Saturday, December 12th from 11am – 8pm.
Admission is free, stroll is self guided.
For details and schedules, visit the Wilmington Downtown website.

Various Venues in Downtown Wilmington.

Jingle Bell 5K Run

Jingle all the way through this 5k, taking place around the Wrightsville Beach loop! Participants are encouraged to dress in holiday apparel and proceeds benefit the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.

Saturday, December 12th, at 9am.
Admission is $15.00 to $30.00.
For more information and to register, visit the event page.

Wrightsville Beach Museum of History on The Loop
303 West Salisbury Street
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

Island of Lights Tour of Homes

There’s nothing we love more than a good homes tour! (We can’t help it, we’re in real estate). The Island of Lights Tour in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach is a self guided tour of some of the area’s homes, complete with elegant holiday decor.

Saturday, December 12th, from 4pm to 9pm.
Tickets are available at touche’ at 201 N. Lake Park Blvd.
For more information, visit the event page.

Carolina Beach
Atlanta Avenue and South Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428

Santa by the Sea

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher never dissapoints with holiday events and this Saturday adults and children can enjoy decked out halls, holiday crafts and games, and of course, a special visit from Santa!

Saturday December 12th, at 5pm.
Admission is $15.00 to $18.00.
For more information, visit the aquarium website.

NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead Road
Kure Beach, NC 28449

Christmas Flotilla at Southport Waterfront

In case you can’t get enough of flotillas, stop by SOuthport along the Southport Marina to Kingsley Park and enjoy decked out boats. Boats will be judged by the students from Southport Elementary for originality and creativity.

Saturday, December 12th, at 7pm.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the event page.

Southport Waterfront
Yacht Basin Drive
Southport, NC 28461

North Carolina Symphony Holiday Pops

The North Carolina Symphony Concert is coming to the Cape Fear Community College Humanities & Fine Arts Center in downtown Wilmington and will be playing fun holiday selections from recent movies such as Frozen, along with holiday classics.

Saturday, December 12th, at 3:30pm and 7pm.
Admission is $15.00 to $71.00.
For tickets and more information, visit the event page.

CFCC Humanities & Fine Arts Center
701 North Third Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

27th Annual Santa Cruise

The 27th Annual Santa Cruise is this Saturday aboard the Henrietta III! Enjoy this charity cruise for the Salvation army by providing 6 non-perishable items for admission. The cruise runs for an hour and a half and picks up Santa on the way to the North Pole!

Saturday, December 12th, at 9:30am and 12:30pm.
Admission is free with 6 non-perishable items per person.
For more information, visit the Cape Fear Riverboats website.

Cape Fear Riverboats
101 South Water Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life at the CFCC Humanities and Fine Arts Center!

Saturday, December 12th, and Sunday, December 13th, at 3pm and 5pm.
Admission is $8.00. Bring a canned good for a discounted ticket.
For more information, visit the CFCC website.

CFCC Humanities & Fine Arts Center
701 North Third Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

A Courtly Holiday Tea with The Beverly Biggs Baroque Trio

Chamber Music Wilmington presents a live performance and German tea ceremony on Sunday evening at the Graystone Inn.

Sunday, December 13th, at 4pm.
Admission is $50.00 to $65.00.
For tickets and more information, visit Chamber Music Wilmington’s website.

Graystone Inn
100 South 3rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Selling Your Home During the Winter

“Who would sell their house during the winter?!” A close friend of mine asked me recently. I could understand her point of view, that homes look more elegant with everything in bloom, the warmer months are nicer for house hunting and that selling or buying would seem more stressful among the winter holidays. Winter listings may seem questionable for these reasons, but buying or selling a home during the winter is not impossible. There may even be some hidden benefits like less competition and more attention from buyers. Ultimately, it is a great idea to meet with a realtor and get an idea of what season might be best for selling your home. With that said, we’re laying our tips for of selling your home during the winter months.

1. Learn About Your Local Market

Is the real estate market steady all year long? Or are certain months better than others? A licensed agent can help you navigate your local market and assist you in creating a plan for selling your home.

2. Keep it Warm

Don’t scare off potential buyers with frigid home temperatures! Drafts and cold rooms may steer buyers away. Make sure your home is nice and toasty to encourage buyers to linger and get a good feel for your home. Does your home have a fireplace? Light it up!

Selling Your Home During the Winter Brighten up your home with natural light and pops of color.

3. Light it Up

Winter months can be dreary and dark- don’t let it flow to the inside of the home! Keep lights on during showings and add colorful statement pieces (such as blankets!) or flowers to any area of the home that needs some life. Keep blinds and curtains open to maximize natural light.

4. Clean Your Windows

In addition to maximizing the light in your home, make sure that your windows are nice and clean! Fall and winter can take a toll on the cleanliness of the glass, so it never hurts to take a second look!

Call attention to the architecture of your home with decorations, plants, or other structures.

5. Keep Walkways and Entryways Clean

Both walkways and entryways are a buyers first impression of a home. Keep them clear and clean by raking leaves, getting rid of muddy boots, and touching up any scuffs to provide potential buyers with a comfortable and welcoming feel.

6. Dress Up The Outside & Play Up Architecture

In addition to clearing walkways, consider adding winter plants, urns, or structures that elevate your home and make the architecture pop.

8 New Holiday Traditions to Try This Year

Every Christmas Eve, my siblings and I would enjoy a nice dinner with our family and then open our holiday crackers. The tradition of opening our poppers and laughing with my brother and sister was something I always looked forward to each Christmas. Over the years, the tradition evolved to include into embracing who got the ‘best worst’ joke in their prize. We also convinced our parents for a few years that we also had a tradition of opening one present on Christmas, though they quickly caught on to us and let that tradition fizzle out.

I’ve always enjoyed my family traditions, especially during the winter holidays. Traditions are something to look forward to each year that will provide lasting memories, so we’ve gathered 8 unique and fun traditions to try this holiday season below!

1. The Christmas Eve Box

This is a fun Christmas Eve tradition, for kids and adults alike. Wrap up a box filled with items that can be used for a fun Christmas eve activity, such as popcorn, a movie, pajamas, or hot chocolate. Unwrap and enjoy a fun time!

2. Matching Pajamas or Footie Pajamas

Enjoy your Christmas Eve or Christmas by having everyone dress up in matching pajamas or fun footie pajamas -or better yet matching footie pajamas! This is an easy and cozy tradition you can enjoy every year.

3. Hidden Ornament

Select a particular ornament and each year hide it in your Christmas tree. The family member who finds it can win a prize or good luck throughout the year. If your family is competitive, try hiding a small ornament for each member so no one feels left out.

4. Gift Exchange… with decoy gifts!

Add a fun twist on gift giving by doing a small gift swap at a Christmas or Hannukah party. Have each guest bring one real gift and one ‘decoy’ gift, such as a wrapped empty box or envelope. In each empty decoy gift, include a fun instruction like “Switch gifts with the person to your right” or “Select a new gift that no one can take from you”. Each participant will have fun while receiving a gift.

5. A Holiday Poem

My extended family is big on creating their (humorous) poems and haiku’s. While there isn’t a new poem every year, our family does enjoy reading and reciting our family favorites. One family favorite is a poem written by one of our young cousins which featured the line “Getting noogies from all my uncles…” Needless to say, we still get a good laugh out of it.

6. 25 ‘Dates’ of Christmas

This tradition is a great way for couples to bond throughout the holiday madness! Write a date, big or small, on a popsicle stick and add it to a date jar. Each morning or evening, select one stick and complete the date activity that is listed. Dates can be big or small to accommodate busy schedules. Date ideas could include, “Share a kiss under the mistletoe,” “Curl up with a cup of cocoa,” or “Cook a holiday meal together”.

7. Ornament Decorating

Before decorating the tree, have every member of your household decorate an ornament. Ornaments can be round or different shapes and don’t forget to include the date so that each participant can look back on their past masterpieces!

8. Cookie Swap Party

This is one event that our office is truly looking forward to this year! Invite your guests to bring cookies for each attendee, plus some to sample. Friends and coworkers get to celebrate the holidays and then have treats to bring home!

What are your holiday traditions? Share with us on Facebook & Twitter!

Some of the ideas listed here were suggested on Babble and RealSimple. Check them out for more great traditions!

What is a Short Sale?

What is a short sale? A short sale is an alternative to a foreclosure, the legal process where a lender seeks to recover the balance of a loan. In a short sale, the lender and borrower agree on a payoff of less than the balance due on the loan.

Investopedia defines a short sale as: “Any sale of real estate that generates proceeds that are less than the amount owed on the property. A real estate short sale occurs when the lender and borrower decide that selling the property and absorbing a moderate loss is preferable to having the borrower default on the loan. It is therefore an alternative to foreclosure.”

While being an alternative to a foreclosure, there are downsides, such as negative consequences to your credit score. Credit Sesame has laid out the details and pros and cons in the infographic below:

(Image via creditsesame.com).

Listing Feature: 6924 Retriever Lane

6924 Retriever Lane

$165,000

6924 Retriever Lane Wilmington, NC 28411

In The Quail Woods Neighborhood

$165,000

3 BR/2 BA 1201 sq. ft. MLS: 522171

Open Floor Plan – Spacious Master – Large Yard and Deck

What we love about it: Huge yard and deck that are perfect for entertaining and hosting family, spacious bedrooms, and a double garage!

Don’t miss this terrific house! This home features a large living area flowing into the kitchen and dining area which features granite counters and a tiled backsplash. Wheelchair accessible hallway bathroom with a walk in shower. Huge master bedroom, extra large deck, fenced backyard and a double garage. Very pretty street appeal and in great condition. Located in an USDA area and a must see for this price range!

This is a great family home at an amazing price point! And in a USDA area!

Ready to make it your home? Give us a call today at 910-332-0736!

20 Fun Facts about Wilmington NC

(Sources: http://bit.ly/1Qi0lIW, http://bit.ly/21yO3kD, http://bit.ly/1O5VI02, http://bit.ly/1NsHLwT, http://bit.ly/1MYPDoe, http://bit.ly/1YLpNc, http://bit.ly/1Rq6gfQ, http://bit.ly/1LReLJD).

10 Safe Holiday Decorating Tips

The holidays are upon us and our office is already getting into the holiday decorating. While putting up lights and garlands are a joyous activity, it is important to be aware of fire hazards and other safety concerns while decorating. We have a our top ten tips to make sure nothing goes awry with your holiday decorations:

If you are buying a live tree, check for a fresh tree. The needles should be hard to remove and the bottom of the tree should be sticky with resin.

Avoid placing trees where they may get too hot, such as near a fireplace, vent, or heater.

Be sure to hydrate your tree and water it regularly! Dried trees are highly flammable!

If using an artificial tree, look for a ‘fire-resistant’ certification!

10 Tips for Safe Holiday Decorating Select a fresh tree and be sure to water it regularly!

Check your lights for broken bulbs or sockets and open wires. Replace any broken or burnt out bulbs.

If using an extension cord, be sure that it is compatible with the intended use.

When placing lights outside, ensure that they are okay for outdoor use and secure lights tightly to prevent wind damage.

Be careful where you place delicate decorations, such as glass ornaments, if you have children in the home.

If small children are in your home, be mindful of where you place sharp or delicate decorations. Keep these decorations in a place where children will not run into them. Be especially careful with glass decorations and ornaments that may break and present a hazard. Place delicate ornaments higher on your tree and out of reach from younger children.

Turn indoor and outdoor lights off before you go to sleep to allow them to cool.

We love this centerpiece with pine and candles- just don’t leave it unattended!

While candles add an elegant holiday ambiance, they are also a common source of holiday fires. If you are using candles to decorate, never leave a lit candle unattended and be sure to keep them away from flammable items such as drapes, curtains, garlands, trees, or stockings. A great alternative to an open flame candle are LED candles!

Have any tips for safe holiday decorating? Share with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Your Complete Guide to Holiday Events in Wilmington NC

The holiday season is upon us and we’re looking forward to a month of cheer! Below is your complete guide to holiday events in Wilmington NC!

bread & lights gingerbread & lantern festival

Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC, presents bread & lights gingerbread & lantern festival featuring a display of gingerbread creations by all ages as well as artist-made lanterns.

Monday through Sunday, running until Sunday, December 6th. Mondays – Sundays, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Admission is $6 to $12.
For more information visit the Cameron Art Museum website.

The Christmas Train & Light Spectacular

Enjoy a fantastic display of lights and toy trains and enjoy an appearance from Santa each night!

Fridays and Saturdays through December 26th, 6PM to 8PM.
Admission is $5.00 per person.
For more information, visit the Wilmington Railroad Museum website.

Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Greenfield Tree Lighting (& Movie Night featuring Elf!)

Watch the tree light up, participate in an elf costume contest and catch a live screening of Elf at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Santa will be visiting after the lighting ceremony and will have gifts for the first 500 children! Concessions will also be available for purchase during the film.

Thursday, December 3rd at 6:00 PM.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
1941 Amphitheater Drive
Wilmington, NC 28401

Enchanted Airlie

Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, NC, presents Enchanted Airlie, where visitors can take a self-guided tour through the gardens that are featuring festive lights and holiday displays. Santa Claus will be making an appearance and guests can also enjoy food and beverages from local vendors.

December 4th-6th, 10th-13th, 16th-22nd. Viewing times are 5pm-7pm.
Various ticket options are available. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Airlie Gardens website.

Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Road
Wilmington, NC 28403

Island of Lights Christmas Parade

Enjoy festive floats and gain some holiday cheer from the annual Island of Lights parade in Carolina Beach. The parade runs from Atlanta Avenue up Lake Park Boulevard to the Federal Point Plaza.

Friday, December 4, 2015 at 7:30 PM.
For more information, visit the Pleasure Island website.

Carolina Beach
Atlanta Avenue and South Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428

Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla

Boats and lights! Get into the Christmas spirit by the water with wonderfully lit boats. The boats cruise from Snow’s Cut to the Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back.

Saturday, December 5th, at 6PM.
For more information, visit the Pleasure Island website.

Carolina Beach Yacht Basin and Marina
216 Canal Drive
Carolina Beach, NC 28428

Christmas by the Sea

Celebrate the holiday season by the sea on the Carolina Beach boardwalk. Enjoy hot chocolate at the Welcome Center, a fire pit with story telling, caroling, holiday themed movies at the Gazebo, puppet shows, and arts & crafts.

Saturday, December 5th, 12th, and 19th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the event page.

Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Cape Fear Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428

13th Annual Holiday Parade

Enjoy the 13th Annual Holiday Parade in downtown Wilmington filled with floats and fun! The parade begins at North Front and Walnut Streets and moves south on Front Street, ending at Church Street. View the parade route here.

Sunday, December 6th at 4:55PM.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the event website.

North Front Street and Walnut
Wilmington, NC 28401

5th Annual Chanukkah Menorah Lighting

Oak Island’s 5th Annual Chanukkah Menorah Lighting at Middleton Park (next to Town Hall) features Rabbi Paul from the Temple of Israel and music.

Sunday, December 6, 2015, at 4PM.
Admission is free.

Middleton Park
4700 East Oak Island Drive
Oak Island, NC 28465

Pet Photo Night with Santa

Let fluffy and spot share their wishlist with Santa and get a great photo op.

Sunday, December 6th from 6PM to 8PM.
For more information, visit the Independence Mall website.

Independence Mall
3500 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403

A Christmas Stroll Through the Past

Join the Burgwin-Wright House, Bellamy Mansion Museum and St. James Episcopal Church as they stroll through the past with period decorations, costumed interpreters, entertainment and refreshments! Enjoy a trolley ride or a candlelit stroll through Downtown Wilmington as you go from one location to another!

Saturday, December 12th, 4PM to 7PM.
Admission is $20 for adults. Children 15 and under are free.
For more information, visit the event website.

503 Market Street
Wilmington NC 28401

Wilmington Ballet Company Presents: The Nutcracker

Wilmington Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker at the Cape Fear Community College Humanities & Fine Arts Center in downtown Wilmington, NC. The event features Master of Ceremonies WWAY news anchor Daniel Seamans and stars Keaton Thomas, a Marine Corps Prior Active Duty Captain, as the beloved Nutcracker. Robin Dale Robertson portrays the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer while the role of Clara is danced by Sydney Jones, a 10th grader at Laney High School and student at the Wilmington School of Ballet. Professional guest dancers include Stacey Slichter of North Atlanta Dance Theater as Sugar Plum Fairy and Adam Schiffer of Carolina Ballet as the Cavalier.

Saturday, December 19 & Sunday, December 20 at 3pm.
Admission is $35 per person.
For tickets and more information, visit the Cape Fear Community College website.

CFCC Humanities & Fine Arts Center
200 Hanover Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Where to Shop Small in Wilmington, NC

Can you believe that it is December already? While we can’t believe it, we are also incredibly excited to start our holiday decorating and shopping.

We love the shop small movement, which was created to encourage shoppers to support their local businesses. In Wilmington, we have so many fantastic small stores and shops that offer perfect holiday gifts. Below, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite local Wilmington vendors and businesses.

Our Favorite Vendors in Wilmington, NC

AlfaGraphics
Rick and his team at Alfagraphics do such a phenomenal job and offer several print services including business cards, brochures, invitations and digital and traditional marketing materials.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Randy and the team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are fantastic for plumbing repairs and hot water heater installations.

K enny Fowler Heating & Air
We don’t know what we’d do without Kenny. Enough said!

Grant Brand Instrument Repair
Faith and Josh are the best in town for musical instrument repairs.

Luxe Home Interiors
There is always something amazing to find at Luxe and the friendly staff always makes our visits a great experience.

Seagate Baptists Church

Brad Southerland, Insurance Sales at Senn Dunn

Some of Our Favorite Stores and Services in Wilmington, NC:

Carter Kayte

Island Passage

Shoe Soultique

New River Pottery

Black Cat Shoppe

Cape Fear Spice Merchants

We’re lucky to have several great hair salons in Wilmington, NC! Here are some of our staff favorites:

N Salo Salon

The Rockin Roller Salon

Beauty Bar Boutique

Wilmington Weekend Guide: November 20th – 22nd

Wilmington Riverfest!

After Riverfest was postponed last month, we’ve been anxiously awaiting it’s arrival! The annual street fair will be bringing shopping, street food, live music, fireworks and more to Downtown Wilmington all throughout the weekend. For the complete schedule of events, see the event website.

Friday, November 20th 6pm -11pm; Saturday, November 21st, 12pm – 11pm; Sunday, November 22nd, 12pm – 6pm.
Admission is free.
Event website listed above. Port City Daily has a great event and parking guide that can be found here.

Historic Downtown Wilmington around Water Street.

Party in the Pines
a kickoff party for bread & lights gingerbread and lights festival!

Party in the Pines kicks off the gingerbread and lights festival at Cameron Art Museum with music, cocktails, and holiday desserts!

Party in the Pines: Friday, November 20th at 6pm
Admission is $35 to $45. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 910-395-5999.
For more information, visit the Cameron Art Museum’s website.
bread & lights begins Saturday, November 21st through December 6th.

Cameron Art Museum
3201 South 17th Street
Wilmington, NC 28412

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Stop by the Carolina Civic Center to catch a screening of one of our favorite films, The Grand Budapest Hotel. The story follows a young lobby boy who becomes the trusted friend of the hotel’s lead concierge. Popcorn and other conseccions will be available.

Friday, November 20th at 7pm.
Admission is $5.
For more information, visit the Carolina Civic Center’s website.

Carolina Civic Center
315 North Chestnut Street
Lumberton, NC 28358

Carolina Music Festival

Enjoy live music all weekend long with the Carolina Music Festival! Performances will be held at the Brooklyn Arts Center on Friday, Satellite Bar & Lounge on Saturday, and The Art Factory on Sunday.

Friday, November 20th – Sunday, November 22nd.
Admission is $5 to $20. Single day and three day ticket options are available.
For tickets and band lineups, visit the event website.

Pleasure Island Library Grand Opening

The new Pleasure Island Library in Carolina Beach has a grand opening celebration on Saturday, with tours, a ribbon cutting, refreshments, and events throughout the day.

Saturday, November 21st, 10am – 2pm.
Admission is free.

New Hanover Public Library at Pleasure Island
401 N Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428