Naughty or Nice?! A Holiday Recipe Makeover

When it comes to holiday-time calories, nothing adds to your bottom line as much as this rich punch. But only a scrooge would give up eggnog altogether, so check out the two versions below. One for those feeling naughty this year, and one for those feeling nice!

The Naughty

(42% of Calories from fat)

Makes: 18 (½-cup) servings.

Ingredients

2 1/2  cups  plus 2 tablespoons whole milk

1  cup  half-and-half

1  (4-inch) piece vanilla bean, split lengthwise

6  eggs, lightly beaten

1/2  cup  sugar

1/2  cup  bourbon

1/4  teaspoon  freshly grated nutmeg

1  quart French vanilla ice cream, softened

Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

Freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan; stir well. Cook over medium-low heat until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Combine eggs and sugar in a medium bowl; stir with a wire whisk until well blended. Gradually stir about one-fourth of hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly. Cook mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, 20 minutes or until mixture is slightly thickened and reaches 160°.

Remove mixture from heat; stir in bourbon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Let cool. Cover and chill 3 hours. Remove and discard vanilla bean; stir in ice cream just before serving. If desired, top each serving with sweetened whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 164  (42% from fat)

Fat: 7.6g

Protein: 5g

Carbohydrate: 15.4g

Fiber: 0.0g

Cholesterol: 97mg

Sodium: 71mg

Calcium: 0.0mg

   

The Nice

(17% of Calories from fat)

Makes:  13 (½-cup) servings.

Ingredients

3 large eggs

3 large egg whites

5 1/2 cup(s) low-fat milk

1/2 cup(s) sugar

2 tablespoon(s) cornstarch

Salt

2 tablespoon(s) vanilla

1/2 teaspoon(s) (plus additional for sprinkling) ground nutmeg

1/3 cup(s) dark Jamaican rum (optional)

Preparation

In bowl, with whisk, beat eggs and egg whites until blended; set aside. In heavy 4-quart saucepan, with heat-safe spatula, mix 4 cups milk with sugar, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook on medium-high until mixture boils and thickens slightly, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat.

Gradually whisk 1/2 cup simmering milk mixture into eggs; pour egg mixture back into milk in saucepan, whisking constantly, to make custard.

Pour custard into large bowl; stir in vanilla, nutmeg, rum, if using, and remaining 1 1/2 cups milk. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 6 hours or up to 2 days. Sprinkle eggnog with nutmeg to serve.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 105

Fat: 2g

Protein: 6g

Carbohydrate: 14g

Fiber: 0.0g

Cholesterol: 53mg

Sodium: 125mg

Calcium: 0.0mg

Real Estate Market Stats for Wilmington, NC

Do you stay up at night wondering what the home values are in your neighborhood? Is all the gloom and doom in media getting you down? Well, I got you covered.  Let me help you separate the truth from the hype.

I'm now offering real-time market trend data and statistic reports for Wilmington, NC and the surrounding areas. These reports are critical in helping you make informed decisions on buying and selling real estate. I can deliver you reports that show current, historical, and seasonal trends in real estate pricing, inventory, and days-on-market analysis. 

I've included a few snapshots below just so you can see exactly the level of detail you'll get. The reports are a FREE service from me, your agent, so be sure to give me a call or an email today!

      For Sale vs. Sold $359,999 and Less

   Avg DOM & Sale Price/List Price

Using Web 2.0 Tools for House Hunters

With the advent of so many electronic means of communicating all of us are sometimes faced with information overload especially while looking for a new home.

Last month I talked about the very handy Realtor.com app for iPhone and Android. So you got this great app and you want to show you're sweetie all the cool houses you've picked out. Well, you'll have to send an email from within the app on each house you found interesting. Which is OK. But not great especially if your sweetie has been picking out houses too. Now you've both got a pile of emails and no way to organize them unless you want to kill a tree and print them ALL out. 

Wouldn't it be great if you had a virtual 'notebook' of your home search instead? One centralized place for all the screen captures from from Realtor.com and other internet searches? Or maybe one that lets you add pictures you took with your cell phone camera while at an open house? Or maybe one that keeps all your text and voice notes for each house you've visited? And one that can be shared with your sweetie that let's them add stuff too? Well, you can with a bit of free software called Evernote. 

This handy little app is available for your Mac, PC, iPhone and Android phone. And it SYNCS between all your devices so your notes are updated no matter what device your on. House hunting just got a whole lot easier and paperless! 

Use Evernote when you're starting your house hunt to create lists of any must haves like hardwood floors, a bonus room or fireplace along with a list of would-be-nice like granite, pool, large backyard. As you search the internet clip info on the homes you like. Then you'll have them all in a central spot always available online, able to sync to multiple devices. When you're ready to go see the homes share your notebook with me, your agent. I can easily pop into Evernote to see which homes to make appointments for, and I can add a note to your notebook listing open house visits with times, addresses for homes you might like.

Once we start visiting homes you're interested in fire up your Evernote app on your phone to keep track of what you are viewing. Take snapshots, text and voice notes of each place you visit, so you won’t forget any important details. 

Once you're back home from hunting you can easily review all the information on your computer. Evernote syncs your account between all the devices you use. Now you can start to narrow your decision down to THE one or make a list follow-up questions you have related to specific properties for me, your agent! 

If we go under contract, we can even use Evernote to save pertinent emails and documents in one spot. Evernote will import emails out of any web mail or Outlook with a simple click. You can highlight portions of text and/or images on the computer screen and clip them. If it's a webpage an automatic link to the site is permanently recorded. You might need a premium account if you start uploading more than 40MB per month but at $5 a month, it's not going to break the bank.

How many times have you made a note and lost it? This will never happen again with Evernote. Take those post-its and put them in Evernote. When you need one, search for effortlessly. Evernote makes collecting and finding information easy.

Evernote has two types of accounts--a free version and a premium service. For most users, the free version is all you will need. The major differences between the free and premium service are upload limits (40MB per month vs. 500MB) and file synchronization (limited vs. any file type). Check out the detail comparison in the image below.

CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW

By the way, this image of the account comparison...I clipped it using Evernote. Once I clipped it, the image was automatically stored in my Evernote account. Then I clicked over to my Evernote app on my computer, hit the Sync button and viola! There's the comparison chart I just clipped saved as a note. Now I click on the chart, click save as picture and now I have an image file which can be inserted into a blog post. Like this one! Do you remember how you used to save screenshots or images from the web? Yeah. It was a lot more work.

Small Way to Thank Our Veterans, Android Unveils Realtor.com App

Small Way to Say Thank You

Veterans Day was created to honor the heroism of those who served the country. Set on Nov. 11 to honor the end of fighting in World War I, Veterans Day was meant to be observed with parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

And though we could never repay those men and women who've sacrificed to serve, I've compiled a list of discounts for area vets as a little way to say thank you. All discounts require valid military ID.

Dining

Applebee’s – Free select menu varying by location, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you
Arby’s -  Discount varies per location, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.

Burger King – Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.

Captain D’s – Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.

Chick Fil A – Varies, Discount with ID card (location dependent), discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Chilis - Free meal

Ci-Ci’s Pizza – Discount varies, dependent on location, must present military ID

Dunkin’ Donuts – Veterans advantage members save 10% on all online orders.  They also send free coffee to the troops oversees.
Flaming Amy's - 10% discount to all active military. 

Golden Corral - Free buffet meals - including beverage and dessert - to current military and veterans on Monday, Nov. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. No military ID is required for its ninth annual Military Appreciation Monday, according to Dolly Mercer, national events manager. The event is held on this date, she says, "so we don't interfere with Veterans Day activities."

Hooters - Veterans and active duty eat free with valid military ID. Drink purchase required.

Krazy Pizza - 50% off a meal with valid military id

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts  - Free doughnuts to all Veterans and active military personnel.

The Melting Pot – Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.

Outback Steakhouse – Free bloomin’ onion and one free drink

Subway – All active military and veterans get a free regular 6 inch sub

Texas Road House – 30% military discount
Wendy’s – Discount varies, simply ask

Zaxby’s – 10% off

Hotels

Bed & Breakfast Inns – A number of bed-and-breakfasts and inns across the country are offering free accommodations to veterans on Wednesday. Reservations are needed. Go to www.bnbsforvets.org to see details and a list of participating venues.  You have to pre-register.   

Best Inns and Suites – Varies, must present Military ID with check-in
Best Western - Rates within allowable per diem, must present military ID with check in

Clarion Inn – Rates within allowable per diem while on travel orders.    Must present valid miliatry ID with check-in
Comfort Inn – Rates within allowable per diem while on travel orders.    Must Present valid military ID with check-in

Retailers  

Apple Computers - The discount varies, you need to sign up here – http://www.apple.com/r/store/government/

AT&T – Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Auto Zone – Varies Per Store - Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.

Banana Republic – 10% military discount 1st of every month (may vary by location; in-store only).
Barnes and Noble – 6% off regular price plus free shipping, check out www.bn.com/militarycity
Bass Pro Shops – 10% off from the 15th to 22nd of each month
Buff Masters Car Wash and Detail Center on S. College Road will offer a free car wash.

Cardinal Lanes North on Market Street offers free bowling to any retired or active member of the armed forces

Cruisers Car Wash - Free Full Service car wash to veterans.

Dell Computers – Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Dick’s Sporting Goods – Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Express Clothing Store- 10% off on top of other coupons as well with military ID
Extreme Outfitters -10-20% on miiltary Gear, online and in Store

Gap – 10% military discount 1st of every month (may vary by location; in-store only).
GNC – Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Hewlett-Packard – Log on to website and click on New User Registration: Enter first and last name, user name, password and email address. Use company code: 2727.  Discounts vary. Online only.
Home Depot – 10% off Year Round, to active duty, active reserve, retired military, and immediate family.    In-Store, just bring valid military IDLowes - 10% off

Jiffylube – 10% off with valid Military ID

Lowes – 10% off year round to active duty, active reserve, retired military, and immediate family.  Just bring in a valid military ID.  The military discount, however, cannot be combined with other coupons they may be offering.

Sam’s Club - Free Hugo folding cane for military veterans on 11/10-11/12.

Verizon – 23% discount on monthly bills

 
Travel
American Airlines – Discount varies,  requires military ID
Amtrak – 10% off
Avis – 25% off, online you should use this coupon AWD # A555084

Budget – Varies, up to 25% off time and mileage    Store, requires military ID to redeem
Budget Truck Rental – Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you.
Days Inn – Rates within allowable per diem. Must present valid military ID with check-in
Dollar Car Rental – Allowable per diem rates
Hertz – Allowable per diem rates. Show valid military ID
National – No fee for additional drivers, and special off duty rates per location.  Service members receive full loss damage waivers
Ramada – 15% to 30% – depending on availability.  Must present military I.D. upon check in.
Sleep Inn - Rates at or below per diem depending on location. Discounts may vary and depend on availability. Must present military I.
Soutwest Airlines – Varies, it’s a dollar amount, not a percentage.  Not available on all flights, you’ll have to call Southwest and simply just ask.
Travelodge – Rates within allowable per diem. Discounts may vary and depend on availability. Must present military I.D

Android Jumps on Board the Realtor.com App Train

Not wanting to be outdone by iPhone, Android unveiled a Realtor.com app by Move, Inc. loaded with all the features a home shopper will want. It took 10 months but Android's free to download app has just as many bells and whistles, plus a few more that take advantage of the Android operating system. 

The app provides a widget that continually surfaces and displays nearby properties on the Android’s landing screen, voice entry capabilities to save notes, and Google Street View capabilities that give users a pictorial view of the immediate area surrounding a home before investing precious time. Just like the iPhone app this one knows your exact location via GPS. By far the coolest feature IMHO is being able to “draw” with your finger an area you want to search in and even refine! 

What's not to like?!

My Latest Favorite App, Local Film Studio Scores Big Budget Production, September Market Stats

iPhone Realtor.com App Is Free & Very Useful
This app is free and it works on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.  It doesn't have any advertising on it keeping it clean looking and easy to navigate. Because it is from Realtor.com a user has access to all the same listings as the website, including listings from the Wilmington MLS.  There are alot of helpful real estate apps out there but Realtor.com's app is the most comprehensive providing the user accurate and up-to-date information with a super easy search capability.

The best feature this app has is the shape search. This is fantastic for buyers who've found an area they like while driving around and want to restrict their search to that area. The buyer can draw any shape they like in the app and all the houses listed on Realtor.com will show up as pushpins on the map. Each one of the pins shown on the map will deliver more details when it is touched. It is also location based so a buyer can search where they are no matter the neighborhood.  Users can also search by price range or number of bedrooms and more.  Information about the homes for sale can be saved, or emailed. The app has been named one of four great iPhone apps by Money Magazine. It has been downloaded more than a million times!

Here's a REALTOR.com created video showing the app in action! It's pretty dang cool!





Wilmington Film Studio Scores Big Budget Production
Last week local film studio, Screen Gems, was to be one of the locations for shooting "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island", a family action adventure film starring Dwayne Johnson and Oscar-winner Michael Caine. The film is being produced by New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers, will spend five months in Wilmington. This will  bring a nice boost to the local economy and expose some newcomers to our great city who may want to relocate here! Who wouldn't?!

The film is about a teenager who sets out on a mission with his mother’s boyfriend to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island, according to Internet Movie Database. It’s slated to be released September 23, 2011. And even more exciting is that "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" will use the water tank at Screen Gems for the first time ever along with five of the ten stages at Screen Gems. 

“Mysterious Island” is a sequel to “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” That movie, which was released in 2008, had a budget of $45 million and grossed $231 million worldwide. And like the first movie, “The Mysterious Island” will be shot in 3D!

September Real Estate Stats
Single Family Home Sales Dip in September After Rising in August according to data from the Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS^®.  Which most likely reflects the concern of the upcoming elections and family's having little time for home shopping getting the kids back into the routine of school. In looking at the past several years of market stats, when Wilmington has a slight dip in September there more often than not is a rise for October. So even though it's not the news we all want to hear, it's certainly not anything to be too startled to end any plans you may have for relocating or moving-up. And, of course, if you want to discuss your situation with an experienced professional REALTOR^® then give me a call!
 



Based upon data pulled from the Wilmington NC MLS on October 11, 2010.

Real Estate Investing, Wilmington Triathlon, Breast Cancer Awareness

Low Rates, High Inventory: A Good Time for Investing?
According to the Reuters news service, "Mortgage applications for home refinancing loans rose for the first time in six weeks, with demand jumping to its highest level since late August as homeowners reacted to record low interest rates, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday."

Home mortgage rates (averaging 4.15%) are some of the lowest on record. Combine that with a large inventory of homes for sale plus a demand for rentals and you have all the ingredients for a great time to buy an investment property.

Purchasing an investment property sounds intimidating, and it’s certainly not for everyone. As with any investment, the best approach to investing in property is to do your homework. Get your finances in order, be clear on all the costs involved, and get pre-approval so that you will know what type of property you can fit into your budget. 

Also, Know Your Time Line. Short-term or long-term both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you think you're ready to take on the challenges and reap the benefits of investment properties, contact your financial adviser. Together you can run the numbers to see if this is the kind of investment that could help you reach your financial goals. 

Lastly, Develop A Good Relationship Your Real Estate Agent. That's me! I can find homes to fit your investment requirements faster with my extensive network of contacts than searching on the internet or the newspaper. Give me a call to discuss what you're looking for and where. I can even help you find an agent in other states!

2010 Wilmington YMCA Triathlon

Me and Nicole Ferguson Post-Race 2010

On Saturday, September 25 I did the Wilmington YMCA Sprint Triathlon again. There were over 1,300 participants in the largest single distance, one day event held anywhere between northern Virginia and Florida. I finished 189th and dang proud of it! I completed the race in 01:40:14 shaving 20 minutes off last years time! The weather was gorgeous and I had a blast doing it with so many of my friends and coworkers. The date for next years event is being decided so why not get your TRI on and start training?!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month educates women about the importance of early detection. More and more women are getting mammograms to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. As a result, breast cancer deaths are on the decline. Encourage the women in your life to get mammograms on a regular basis. For more information, visit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website or the Susan G. Komen Foundation website. If you need to find a screening location near you, please visit here.

Market Stats, Gallery Open House and A Photo Contest

August Real Estate Stats
Single Family Home Sales Up in August After Slight Drop in July according to data from the Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS^®.
 

2nd Friday Open House and Wine Tasting
Spectrum Art & Jewelry located in the Forum hosts an open house and wine tasting each month from 6PM to 8PM highlighting a unique theme or artist. Showcasing art and art-related events, 2nd Fridays also include trunk shows, artist demonstrations and food sampling.

The next Open House event will be on Oct. 8 Celebrating American Craft Week from October 1-10.

Spectrum Art represents over 100 select American Artists working in all media. They also offer Custom Jewelry Design, Fine Jewelry Repair and Art-on-Approval.

Contact 910-256-2323 for more information.

Quintessential Wilmington - Local Photo Contest
OK aspiring Ansel Adams' and Annie Leibovitz's get your camera's out! I'm hosting my first photo contest for the month of October. I'm looking to highlight local photographers, both amateur and pro, who'd enjoy having their photos splashed all over my website and blog. I'm looking for pics of area landmarks and life in Wilmington, NC done in a unique way. Not the same ol' same ol'! First place winners will receive a $25 Visa Gift Card. Send me your photo at wendy@seacoastrealty.com.

For all the rules and regs click here.

To receive notification when the winners are announced, and to find out about future contests, please subscribe to my free newsletter. You can either subscribe by email or by RSS feed over n the right-hand side.

Post-Foreclosure, Oyster-Less Roasts and a Culcalorus

After Foreclosure: How Soon Can You Buy?

With the rash of foreclosures across the country many people wonder exactly how a foreclosure will affect their home-buying power in the future. Chris Hutchens of Alpha Mortgage provides the following information on the waiting period most lenders follow. In all cases, borrowers must re-establish their credit, meaning they must meet minimum credit score requirements and eligibility requirements.

For buyers who’ve had a foreclosure the typical waiting period is 7 years. There is a three year exception, however, but borrowers must be able to show documentation for an extenuating circumstance, must have at least 10% for the down payment and the purchase must be for a primary residence.

Even if you didn’t go through a full foreclosure Fannie Mae has set requirements for the waiting period for Deed-In-Lieu of Foreclosure, Pre-Foreclosure and Short Sale to the same limits of:

•         2 Years – 80% Max LTV

•         4 Years – 90% Max LTV

•         7 Years – LTV Ratios Per Eligibility Matrix

And as with foreclosure, if you have a documented extenuating circumstance then you may be eligible to qualify for a two year waiting period if the Max LTV is 90%.

If you have experienced any one of these challenging financial events, please contact your mortgage lender to discuss exactly what your options are before trying to buy a home.

Area's Traditional Oyster Roast Almost Wasn't

Airlie's Annual Low Country Oyster Roast was almost an oyster-less roast due to the Gulf Coast oil spill this year.  Many people might have noticed the sign just outside of the park advertising an oyster-less roast this year. That was the brainchild of event organizers who wanted to see what the public reaction would be if oysters were no longer available—ever.

In a letter on the Airlie Garden website Parks and Garden director, Jim McDaniel explains how the Gulf Coast environmental crisis almost ended our local tradition but further explains that our area has been in a coastal crisis for years.

“Airlie Gardens always has been a great resource for providing guests excellent opportunities for hands-on, quality education. This year our Oyster Roast, or Oyster-less Roast as it were, will be no different. This is a chance to focus on our own environment, right here in New Hanover County.”

The Gulf Oil spill created a 'false economy' with Airlie’s normal supplier who began charging $2 per oyster. Fortunately, McDaniel was able to find a new supplier from the Chesapeake area so the roast is on with oysters as is tradition.

This year’s Oyster Roast is Friday, October 15^th. For $75 per person you get steamed oysters, fried fish, and more to fill your belly. You can work off some of the delicious grub dancing to "The Imitations". This event ALWAYS sells out so get your tickets as they go on sale September 1. If you need more information call (910) 798-7700 or visit the park website. All parking is on-site and all proceeds benefit the Environmental Education Program.

Film Festival November 11-14th

What’s up with that name? What’s a Cucalorus?

cuc•a•lor•us n.,
[orig. Gk. kukaloris, the dance of the shadows.]
1. a film set apparatus placed in front of a light source to create a dappled lighting effect on a subject or background. also cookie, UK. gobo.
2. a film festival in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The festival is mostly centered in our historic downtown area with Thalian Hall as the focus. Films are also being shown at City Stage Theatre, Jengo’s Playhouse and other venues around town. There will be screenings of over 110 independent and international films! If you’ve never been to the film fest don’t panic. There’s something for everyone. According to the event website, 

“Cucalorus screens a little bit of everything. Look for lots of shorts and docs scattered throughout the schedule. Each year, more than 100 films make it onto the lineup. There are roughly 50 narrative and documentary features and about 100 shorts. Short films range from super brief (30 seconds) to 39 minutes. Cucalorus attempts to represent the artform in all its diversity and contradiction.”

That’s a lot of variety and a ton of entertainment! Screenings and events sell out every year so get your tickets now. The schedule is expected to be posted in October. Check the website for additional details and to purchase tickets. 

Wednesdays with Wendy

Wilmington Area Home Sales Up!
According the stats from the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors (WRAR), area home sales are up for the 10th straight month in a row!

Home sales rose to 507 last month, compared with 416 in June 2009 according to the WRAR. And the Days on Market (DOM) time has dropped from 139 to 119 days in the same period.

The only cloudy bit of news is that there's still room for improvement in the price of homes sold. The average price of homes sold is down 7% to $238,610 from $256,616 in June 2009.

Overall, all our numbers are showing a strong market rebound compared to other areas of the country.

Secretary of the Navy Honors Wilmington With Visit

According to a press release from U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, has accepted his invitation to come to Wilmington to celebrate the 235th birthday of the U.S. Navy aboard the USS North Carolina battleship on October 12th.

McIntyre stated, “This is a great honor that Secretary Mabus would come join us in Wilmington, not only to celebrate the Navy’s birthday, but also to honor veterans and our servicemen and women of all branches of our armed forces. Southeastern North Carolina has a great tradition of honoring those who serve and those who have served our country, and the Secretary’s visit will emphasize that service.”

The ceremony on the battleship is being hosted by the Navy League, a veterans organization that includes those engaged in maritime service, such as the Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Merchant Marines.

“The Secretary’s visit will also be an integral part of the ongoing celebration in anticipation of the upcoming commission of the U.S.S. Gravely as the Navy’s newest destroyer, which will be held on November 20th,” continued McIntyre, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Closing Deadline Extended

Congress passed an extension of the closing deadline for the Homebuyer Tax Credit, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623). The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, that have not yet closed. The legislation is designed to create a seamless extension; the new closing deadline for eligible transactions is now September 30, 2010. There will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law. 

NAR worked closely with Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to enact this important legislation. Extending the tax credit closing deadline will help provide additional stability to real estate markets across the nation. 

(Source: REALTOR® Action Center)

Featured Listing - 1152 Island Cove in Fairfield Park Reduced

This beautiful home has just been reduced to $145,000! This home is in a great neighborhood only 20 minutes from Carolina, Kure, and Wrightsville Beaches. It's in close proximity to Monkey Junction where Wal-Mart, Lowes Home Improvement and other national retailers are located. This quaint townhome sits in a cul-de-sac and offers an all brick exterior with a courtyard in front and a private wooded yard in the back with a lovely patio. This 2 bedroom, 2 full baths home features hardwood floors throughout and tiled bathroom and kitchen floors. The high ceilings and open floor plan give added depth, making this house quite spacious along with a large laundry room. Neighborhood amenities include: community pool, clubhouse, and tennis. Also includes exterior building maintenance, yard maintenance, master insurance policy, and trash removal. An AHS home warranty is included.

Wednesdays With Wendy June 9th

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

-Walt Disney


NHCSO out in full force on the waters for the holiday weekend

As summer quickly approaches, boats are ever increasing in numbers on the North Carolina coastal waters. A new law became effective May 1st that requires anyone in NC under the age of 26 to complete a boater safety education course before operating a boat in state waters. Officials say there are quite a few people who are unaware of the law or haven't taken the course yet. The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission provides an easy way to get temporarily certified. Click here to take an online course and get a temporary certificate that can be used for 60 days.

In addition to spreading the word about the new boating law, the sheriff's office has two boats patrolling the waterways trying to cut down on underage drinking and trashing of the islands. Officials want the public to be aware that Masonboro Island is a protected area and that anything that is brought onto the land needs to be taken off.

Masonboro Island is the largest undisturbed barrier island along the southern part of the North Carolina coast and is located approximately five miles southeast of Wilmington, in the most populous part of the North Carolina coast. The Masonboro site is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to the west, Masonboro Inlet to the north,
and Carolina Beach Inlet to the south.

Primitive camping is allowed on the island. Campers should use areas that have obviously been camped previously. Camping on dunes and disturbance of vegetation are not allowed. Visitors need to pack out everything they packed in.

Thanks to the North Carolina Wilflife Resource Commission and the North Carolina Coastal Reserve for their facts and information.






Britt's Donuts Carolina Beach-

Doughnut worth drive? 'Oh my God, yes'

Traveling 129 miles from Raleigh to the beach to try an 80-cent doughnut is to put faith in those who have come before, to trust in their ability to judge grease and glaze. Because even with rhapsodic testimonials posted across the Internet, driving that far to eat Britt's Donuts is a gamble because there are no choices. If you prefer chocolate, and your buddy eats jelly-filled, that's fine, but you can't have either. Britt's sells only fried glazed doughnuts. There is a simple reason for this, insists owner Bobby Nivens. "When we get busy," he says of his airy, hand-cut delicacies, "we don't have time for other doughnuts." After the first one, you might not either.

Sold warm and served in a white paper sack, the doughnut has welcomed visitors to the Carolina Beach boardwalk since 1939. Nivens bought the business in 1974 from originator H.L. Britt. Nivens knew the tiny kitchen well, having worked there in the '50s while in high school. Today, at 71, Nivens very literally makes the doughnuts the same way he did as a teenager. The recipe has not changed. He uses the same rolling pin.

On Saturday, the small stand opened its dual garage doors to welcome regulars and first-timers alike. Maureen Bannon, who lives near Charlotte, stopped by with friends enjoying a girls weekend to try the famous doughnut she'd heard so much about. Was it worth it? "Oh my God, yes," she says. "You'll probably see us again in a few hours."

The doughnut has devoted fans, but Nivens isn't the sort of cook who shares his techniques with friends. Only he and his wife, Maxine, know the exact recipe. One of them has to mix the dough so the employees can make the doughnuts. Even their daughter isn't privy to the doughnut's innards, although she knows where the recipe is written down in case anything happens to the secret-keepers. Nivens dreamed years ago of expanding his deep-fried empire to include shops in other cities, but he eventually decided against the plan. Money, he says, isn't everything. Plus he and Maxine enjoy their time off, which is pretty much October through March.

The shop opens at 8:30 a.m. every day during the summer. It closes each night when business slows, and Nivens never shuts the garage doors if there are people in line.
"I don't want to get killed," he says, laughing. Thanks to Matt Ehlers at the Raleigh News Observer for this great story.

Now here is my featured listing!

114 Spring Creek
This private, extensively landscaped home is truly a great find! Offering 19 foot vaulted ceilings, a walk around fireplace, and maple hardwood floors. Lots of windows throughout and a sunroom provide excellent lighting. Open kitchen and dining room are perfect for entertaining. There are four inch maple wood floors in the living areas, along with carpeted bedrooms, and a tiled foyer. Also offering built in shelves between the dining and living room. The stairs leading to the master suite are made from tiger wood. The 891 square foot master suite is on the second floor and has grandeur of its own, with vaulted ceilings and a three sided fireplace; it also has a large master bath, large master closets, and a living area with balcony. Outdoors there is plenty of mature landscaping for privacy, as well as a large back deck with spiral staircase for entertaining and a side deck made out of cypress. Also has a fish pond, and sprinklers on well, and a 23'x14' workshop.

Wednesdays With Wendy May 26th

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

-Henry Miller

With Spring in full effect travel is starting to be at the top of the to-do list. This doesn't necessarily have to be a lengthy trek through the Himalaya's or a 20 hour flight to Hawaii. A quick weekend getaway is becoming the new pseudo vacation for many would-be travelers. Below are a few ideas composed by Joe Collinsworth from Discount-Florida-Vacations, for the perfect mini-vacation that can fit any time or budget constraints. Enjoy!

**Beach Vacations: If you live within a few hours of a beach or have the ability to take a cheap flight, then why not visit a beautiful beach and relax for the weekend. Sit around during the day in the sun, do some shopping, eat some good food, and enjoy time with your loved ones. I know it sounds like a teaser vacation, but a couple days away could be just what you need to let the stress wither away.

**Fly & Dine: This is a great getaway to sweep your loved one off their feet. We've all the seen the rich guy in the movie ask the pretty girl to dinner where he proceeds to take her in his private jet to an exotic island or first class restaurant in some romantic country. Well, it doesn't have to be that extravagant, but why not search online for a neat weekend spot like Paris, Italy, Chicago, New York, or any of your favorite vacation destinations.

**Outdoor Activities: A lot of people do this instead of taking a week long beach vacation. There are many golfers, hunters, fisherman, white water rafting lovers, campers, and so on that love to do these activities over sitting on a beach. Go as first class as you want and stay in a beautiful cabin in the mountains or go rugged and camp underneath the stars. Play 36-72 holes within one weekend or take a charter and spend a couple of days out on the lake or ocean.

**Seminars: I know this sounds crazy, but we love to attend seminars. Depending on your fancy they are a lot of fun! The speakers are typically motivating and interesting and you get to mingle with all sorts of people who have interests similar to yours. You never know, you might just meet some new friends. Plus you get to take a trip and enjoy the area you are visiting.

**Spa Treatment: Why not pamper yourself for a couple of days. Spoil yourself with a first class hotel that offers excellent room service and has a world-class spa with the works. You deserve it so treat yourself or loved one to total relaxation, rest, and pampering.

**Concerts & Events: Is your favorite band or singer playing in a nearby town? What about events that center on your hobbies or interests that come to certain cities and never your own? A weekend trip is a perfect opportunity to take part in something that you wished you could've been a part of in the past.

**Theme Parks, Museums, & Entertainment: We live in a city that offers one of the biggest theme parks in the US. Every year people from all over spend a couple of days with their kids enjoying the rides, food, atmosphere, and the town surrounding the park. This is definitely a way to enjoy time with each other and ensure everyone has a good time. Let your imaginations run free for a weekend and you'll forget all about work and remember what it's like to be a kid again.

**Las Vegas: Heading out to places like Vegas, Reno, or Atlantic City is a perfect weekend getaway. Nowadays there are casino boats in various cities all over the world. If you like to gamble, eat all you can, take in shows, or walk the strips, then this type of vacation is perfect. We visited Reno for a weekend once and took in a seminar, played some golf, and did some gambling and shopping. It was the right amount of time to be away as we had done all we planned on, left wanting more, but ready to head home.

The list could go on and on. It only stops at your imagination. You deserve a few days of fun and relaxation. Now is the best time to start planning your next weekend getaway.

Thanks for reading my BLOG, please call me with any of your real estate needs or questions.

Now here is my featured listing:

1200 St. Josephs St. #14

This unique find in the exclusive Forest By The Sea community is sure to catch your attention and is only minutes away from Carolina Beach and historic Wilmington North Carolina. Offering private water access with stunning water views along with an ample 33 foot boat slip and extra finger dock for summer fun that's sure to cause a splash! Featuring 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths, perfect for a second home or primary residence. The 1361 square foot townhome has modern stainless steel appliances that include refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and microwave. Also has newer hardwood floors, paint, a new fireplace mantel and front door. The attic is completely floored and great for additional storage. A one car garage is a great addition to the comforts this property offers. Walking to the water is a joy as you are surrounded by the grandeur of historic live oak trees. Amenities include a community pool, well maintained grounds and a screened clubhouse.

Wednesdays With Wendy May 12th

I feel that the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more.

-Dr. Jonas Salk



Hi There!!

Thanks for stopping by to check out my BLOG! I hope your week is going well and I'm sure you're looking forward to another beautiful Spring weekend!

This weeks Blog features ways to stay in shape and at times, have fun while doing it! With weather like this, who can resist not going outside?!


1. Find a friend (or a few friends) who is/are willing to have a go at getting in shape with you. Support each other, work out together, and watch the other's back. Friends can help make tedious activities a little less stressful.

2. Avoid stressful workouts. Running for two or three hours a day may be great for your heart (assuming it doesn't explode), but it will cause stress levels to rise if you don't enjoy running. Instead, try to find an activity that you would enjoy doing for a longer period of time.

3. Find something fun that keeps you on your feet. Basketball, tennis, soccer, capoeira, martial arts, and dance dance revolution may not give you the perfect body, but will all get your blood pumping and keep you moving while doing nothing but playing.

4. Set aside time for your workouts with your partner(s). Make sure the times are good for everyone, and reschedule if you need to. Get in the habit of doing it regularly, and it won't be such a chore to do anymore.

5. Get some healthy snacks that you can enjoy together. Carrot sticks, celery, or raw broccoli with a low-fat dip can be great and won't pack on the pounds. See if you can find some low calorie, low fat recipes for your favorite snacks as well.


6. If you want to lose weight, don't eat two or three large meals a day: eat six very small ones. If that's not possible, then just try to come as close as you can to that.

7. Get the whole family involved. For some of us, our exercise time conflicts with family time - so mix the two. Go hiking, skiing, or set up a little Sunday touch football. Kids have tons of energy. Use that to your advantage!

8. Go dancing. Single? Hate sports? Hit the dance floor. Dancing is a great aerobic exercise because it's easy to get lost in the music and spend hours shaking your thing.

9. Use an MP3 player. Same thing. Get one, plug in your favorite tunes and even the most repetitious chore becomes a rockin' good time.

10. Fitness vacations. The conventional wisdom is that time off is meant for lounging. Forgetaboutit! Go mountain biking in Moab! Go surfing in Fiji! Go camping! Not the outdoors type? Take a cruise and sign up for every activity you can! Or head to a beautiful location for a weekend fitness camp.


Now share your wisdom. Odds are, you know more about fitness than you think you do. Guiding other people through the journey can be super rewarding. Who knows? It might even lead to a career in the fitness industry. But wait a minute. That would be about having fun in your job, and that's an article for another time . . .

Thanks Wikihow and howtobefit.com for your inspiring ideas to becoming a lean machine.

I hope you have a great weekend and please call me for any of your real estate needs or questions.

Here is my featured listing of the week:

4506 Regent Drive

This light and bright, lovely, maintenance free townhome has many fine comforts and has been gently lived in making it almost like new. Located in the Fairfield Park community, it is conveniently located near all the local beaches and shops. Featuring two bedrooms, two full baths and a den, this home is a very comfortable size. It also has a one car garage attached. The layout is spectacular and living area is very spacious. The hallway, kitchen, and bathrooms all feature tile flooring. The living room and bedrooms have carpeted floors that are in great condition. The kitchen has an upgraded smooth top stove, side by side refrigerator and a spacious pantry. The home also includes a washer and dryer. Gas fireplace in living room has never been used and the mantle features a recessed television enclosure. The hallway offers a coat closet and separate linen closet. There are plantation shutters in all the windows. The garage has ample space and has pull down stairs which lead to the attic. Community features include pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, lots of sidewalks and a gazebo for relaxing!

Wednesdays with Wendy April 28th

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

-Buddha











Thanks for stopping by to read my blog, I hope your having a great week!

Here are some Eco-friendly ways to clean and fix your home and gadgets from The Today Show and Julie Edelman:

Rice to the rescue: Uncooked rice-
Coffee Grinder: It cleans and sharpens the blades at the same time.
Cell phones: If you drop them in water or your phone gets wet, put in dry, raw rice to absorb the moisture.

Salad and shine: Extra virgin olive oil-
Polishes hard wood floors.
Removes eye make-up.
Helps with squeaky doors.
Removes candle wax.

Crystal clear: Kool Aid/Crystal Light (unsweetened lemonade flavor)-
Cleans dishwashers.
Cleans toilets.

Smack attack: Lip balm-
Fixes squeaky doors.
Loses stuck drawers or doors.

Not the same ol' rind: Lemons-
Cleans your microwave. Grab a lemon, cut it in half and squeeze the lemon into a bowl of water. Zap the bowl of lemon water for five minutes. Once cooled remove the bowl and wipe down any remaining yuck with paper towel.
Cleans copper kettles.
Naturally Sanitizes/cleans counters, switch plates, etc.

Breath of fresh air: Listerine-
Disinfectant which kills germs.
Use on counters, showers, rids tough stains and mineral build up.
Floors, mix cap in gallon of water for linoleum floors.
Mold and mildew on grout: Spray and let sit for a few minutes.

New news for old fav: Newspapers-
Shine faucets.
Cleans mirrors.
Absorbs odors. (Is that why we read it in the bathrooms?)

Roll with it: Aluminum Foil-
Polishes silver: Place sheet of aluminum foil on bottom of a pan. Put in cold water and add two tablespoons of salt and let sit for three minutes.
Pot scrubber vs. scouring pads.

Thanks again to Julie Edelman for these great tips and ideas.


I want to take this opportunity to make you aware of an exciting new program initiated by Coldwell Banker nationally known as the “BUYER BONUS” SALES EVENT. It stems from the industry wide success from having the $8,000 federal home buyer tax credit over the past several months and the fact that it is ending April 30.

What Coldwell Banker is proposing is that you, as sellers, consent to offer a credit to buyers of 3 percent of your sales price up to a maximum of $8,000. This credit would be offered towards allowable closing costs beginning May 1st, and applying to buyers who sign a contract before July 31st, 2010. (There is no deadline for closing). While your first reaction may be cautious, if you were sitting down with me tonight to look at an offer for 97% of your listed price, I would have to encourage you to give it serious consideration and I would personally be hopeful we could work it out.

The program will receive broad marketing support including but not limited to National television commercials; extensive on line advertising, both through Coldwell Banker’s national website and our own company site; we will also include it in our print advertising campaign locally. In short, we think it will make your home stand out from the competition and encourage the still numerous buyers who did not have an opportunity to participate in the federal program to give serious consideration to the purchase off your home.



Enjoy your week and please feel free to call me with any of your questions or real estate needs.


Wendy's featured Listing:


1205 Airlie Road


This is a once in a century find! The lot is approx. 2.04 acres overlooking Wrightsville Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway. The land runs the entire length of Gray Gables, is 90 ft. wide in the back and has completely unobstructed water views and access, and construction of a pier or dock is allowed. Have CAMA permits in hand for two 40ft. floating boat slips with a gazebo and dock. On the lot sits a 3 bed, 2 bath, 2963 sq. ft. home built in 1917 and a 3 bed, 2 bath, detached garage apartment. The home has a formal living and dining room, eat-in kitchen, 2 fireplaces, and a den or office. The detached garage apartment has 2 beds and 1 bath upstairs, and 1 bed, 1 bath, and 1 car garage downstairs. Positioned in the No Wake Zone. Seller will consider sub-dividing and selling front or back acre with common water rights. A one-of-a-kind property only several hundred yards from Airlie Road restaurants and entertainment.