Posts Tagged ‘Area News’

Expected Growth in Carolina Real Estate Markets

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

If Warren Buffet is right (and given his track record of Berkshire stock appreciating from $15 in 1965 to $119,800, he very often is), the US will recover from its residential housing slump by 2011.   “Within a year or so, residential housing problems should largely be behind us,” he wrote in his annual letter to Hathaway shareholders.

Most economists agree that a full-fledged recovery should begin this year, and based on last year’s performance, it is clear that some markets are prepared to grow more quickly than others in 2010.   According to Builder magazine and their “Builder Market Health Index”, compiled by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, seven of the top 20 markets will be in the Carolinas, including the popular Brunswick County coastal corridor between Wilmington, North Carolina, at number 17 and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at number 15.

Brunswick County

Brunswick County Coastal Corridor

Wilmington – Strong employment and population growth, along with its location – minutes from the Atlantic Ocean – should prompt a turnaround in new home construction this year.  A large historic district encompassing 300 city blocks, a new convention center debuting in 2010, and expansion at the Port of Wilmington combine for an excellent outlook for this coastal town in the coming year.

Myrtle Beach is another market that has benefitted from its fantastic location, adding new people to its population with one of the highest household formation rates in the country – 2.5% in 2009, with that rate expected to continue in 2010.  Total building permit activity rose strongly, 47%, in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the same period a year earlier.

The coastal corridor between these two cities is known as Brunswick County, which remains one of the 100 fastest growing counties in the U.S. at number 68.  Boasting four family-oriented beaches – Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach – and some of the best golf courses in the nation, Brunswick County is poised to share in the success of its neighboring coastal towns.

Seawatch Idea House generates $25k for Charity

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

The Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, specifically the organization and facilities of our own neighbor at Lake Waccamaw, have received an early Christmas present this year.  Seawatch at Sunset Harbor, LLC, presented a donation of $25,738.61 to the Boys and Girls Homes, on behalf of the project team for and from tours of the 2009 Coastal Living Idea House at Seawatch at Sunset Harbor.  The organization provides a family environment for at-risk children needing an out-of-home setting.

Gary Faircloth, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Home of NC explained the impact of such donations.  “We believe in the inherent goodness of every child.  Through circumstances beyond their control, the children in our care have experienced abuse, neglect and hurt……The innovation, creativity and quality of the Idea House reflect the heart of those that created it and represents an ideal home.  The funds received from this project will allow us to continue wrapping our arms of love around the children in our care and help them to find their ideal home.  On behalf of the children, we are so very grateful to everyone who made this tremendous support possible.  You do make a difference in the life of a child!”

Idea House Team Presents Check to Charity

Idea House Team Presents Check to Charity

Coastal Living Idea houses celebrate the very best in coastal home innovation, décor, and construction and are built in coastal communities hand-selected by the magazine with a stringent checklist of prerequisites, including location, preservation and workmanship.  It was quite an honor for Mark Saunders Luxury Homes to be selected as the builder for this year’s Idea House at Seawatch, a clear vote of confidence in its environmental consciousness and sensitivity to shoreline preservation, as well as high standards to quality coastal construction.  

“We are extremely blessed to have been selected as Coastal Living’s partner for such a prestigious project,” said Mark Saunders, the developer of Seawatch.  “The natural beauty of the Seawatch landscape and unparalleled skills of our project team united to create a one-of-a-kind, masterfully built Idea House for thousands of guests to enjoy and we are thrilled with the opportunity to help the children with the Boys and Girls Homes.”

Coastal Living Magazine handpicked interior designer Phillip Sides, architect Sam Guidry, and builder Mark Saunders Luxury Homes to create a Cape style home profoundly reflecting coastal Carolina for their November 2009 issue, creating positive awareness of our beautiful southern Brunswick Islands.  When Mark Saunders created the Seawatch community, saving trees and preserving the natural habitat was a major element of the design.  The community would be nestled within the landscape, resulting in a haven of classic architecture that connects its residents with what Coastal Living magazine loves most about coastal neighborhoods – a good vision for today and generations to come by using sustainable products and protecting the environment.  According to Lindsay Bierman, Editor in Chief of Coastal Living, “The Seawatch Idea House reflects the amazing taste and talent of a total dream team.  Everywhere you look, the beauty’s in the details.”

Coastal Living enthusiasts from all over the country arrived by the thousands during the 13 weeks the house was open for tours, bringing droves of new visitors to the Brunswick County area.  Guests enjoyed casual tours of the nearly 6,000-square-foot home and some visited two or three times, all for new ideas and a good cause.  Proceed benefits were donated to the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina during a personal presentation on Thursday, December 10th in the amount of $25,738.61 at the Idea House at Seawatch.

“Hundreds of volunteers from local groups and civic organizations pulled together to staff the home each week, and their generosity to make the experience memorable for touring guests and to raise money for the children made the effort not only possible, but successful,” said Marci Callen, Idea House Manager. 

The 2009 Coastal Living Idea House can be visited virtually for a limited time on the internet at www.SeawatchIdeaHouse.com, where the designer takes you behind the scenes room by room, and it’s open for private showings for interested buyers through mid January.  For more information call 877.732.9282.

29th Annual NC Oyster Festival

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Each year, over 45,000 people, including locals and visitors, attend the North Carolina Oyster Festival in Ocean Isle Beach to pay homage to the mighty mollusk.  2009 will mark the 29th anniversary of the festival, which will be hosted by the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce on October 17-18, 2009.  The Oyster Festival is located on Ocean Isle Beach in front of the Museum of Coastal Carolina.

The 29th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, festival food, a road race, kid’s area, North Carolina Oyster Shucking Championships and an Oyster Stew Cook-off. Early morning offers a chance to run a 1 mile Fun Run, a 5K or a 10K. Visit www.brunswickcountychamber.org and click on “Oyster Festival” for details. A yearly celebration of all things oyster-related as well as live entertainment, over a hundred vendor booths offering arts and crafts, and plenty of food vendors with and without oysters! On Saturday the Key West Band from 10:00am-1:00pm; The Band of Oz from 1:00pm-4:00pm, and The Cousin Homer Band from 4:00pm-6:00pm.

Come join us at Ocean Isle Beach and see the inspiration for the Island Inspired Living of Ocean Isle Palms.

Best In Show Blue Ribbons!

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Wow! Hot off the presses. The 2009 Parade Of Homes only just started today and word is already in.

I am very proud to announce that Mark Saunders Luxury Homes’ stunning Low Country feature home at Seawatch received a Best of Show Blue Ribbon for it’s “Unique Window Design” and the new Waterbrook Woods feature home at Ocean Ridge received a Best of Show Blue Ribbon for it’s beautiful “Great Room“!  These special honors were awarded by the 2009 Parade of Homes judges today! 

Congratulations to everyone at Mark Saunders Luxury Homes!

Parade Of Homes

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Today marks the beginning of the 2009 Parade of Homes. Each year The Brunswick County Home Builders Association organizes this popular event to showcase local homes, the latest technology, design trends and some of the highest levels of craftsmanship available in the industry. During this annual event builders open up their model homes and welcome neighbors to come tour for free. This year over 30 homes are participating and are open for viewing October 16-18 and 23-25, with hours on Friday & Saturday set from 10am – 5pm and on Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.

This year local master builder Mark Saunders Luxury Homes, a division of The Coastal Companies, has two homes included in the parade. In Seawatch at Sunset Harbor a Low Country feature home and in Ocean Ridge Plantation the Sheffield Waterbrook Woods model home are open for anyone to tour. If you would like directions to these beautiful custom homes call 877.732.9282 for the Low Country in Seawatch and 800.556.6570 for the Waterbrook Woods model in Ocean Ridge.

We hope you enjoy the 2009 Parade of Homes!

Wilmington Riverfest an Annual Fun-Filled Festival

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

It is that time of year again. Riverfest begins today and continues through the weekend along Wilmington’s historic river front. Along with spring’s Azalea Festival, fall’s Riverfest is one of the highlights for the year for family fun in southeastern North Carolina.

Wilmington is just a short drive north of our real estate communities. Our residents enjoy going up to Wilmington for shopping, arts, food and fun year round but during Riverfest friends and neighbors get together to do it all at the festival. Join us for 2009 Riverfest October 3-4. 

 The majority of the activities are free and family oriented.  Beginning at 8am, the kids’ zone has a multitude of activities designed to keep your children healthy and active while preserving the ultimate goal: fun. A recent addition to River Fest is the Invasion of the Pirates!  In an effort to put more “river” into River Fest, it won’t be uncommon to see swashbucklers amidst the crowd.  Everyone is encouraged to dress in their own pirate garb and enter the pirate costume contest.  In addition, there will also be a treasure hunt, a great way to bring the whole family together.

Invasion of the Pirates

Invasion of the Pirates

 Riverfest features 160 craft vendors, concessions, fireworks, and exhibits. The river event takes place along the downtown Riverwalk.

Join us at Riverside Park for the Shallotte Farmers Market!

Friday, September 25th, 2009
Farmers-Market-SignDid you know Shallotte has a Farmer’s Market? Saturday’s from 8am tillNoon in the park located on the corner of Main St. and Whiteville Rd you will find a great selection of local produce and goods. Spend some time at the Market and you will meet interesting people from around the area, run into Rivers Edge residents and be entertained by live music. The atmosphere is what you would expect from this coastal town, located under a nice canopy of trees and adjacent to the Shallotte River.

The Shallotte Farmer’s Market offers different selections each week as the variety of produce comes in and out of its growing season. Some of the products you will find there include fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, arts and crafts, flowers, plants, eggs, seafood, and baked goods. All items at the market are produced locally by the person selling it. Customers can talk directly with the farmers, artists, growers and crafters to ask any questions they may have.

Available Fresh Produce

Available Fresh Produce

The market is now in its fourth year and continues to grow. For example, a recent grant was issued to the town of Shallotte to build a storage building & canopies for the market. Take the time to support the local community and visit the Shallotte Farmer’s Market before the growing season is over!

A Local Herb Garden

A Local Herb Garden

Where: Riverside Park at Corner of Hwy 130 (Whiteville Rd) and Main St., behind Chamber of Commerce, next to Shallotte Plaza

When: Saturdays, May through October, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m