N.C. Existing Home Sales Continue to Post Double Digit Growth

September 27th, 2011

(Greensboro)- North Carolina existing home sales posted double digit growth for the second consecutive month in August with a 21 percent increase in units sold. Existing home sales have not been this high since May 2010.

According to statistics compiled by the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, total units sold for the month were 7,878 and total dollar sales were $1,572,790,747. The average existing home sales price declined 4 percent to $199,643.

Brunswick County led the state with the highest year-to-date sales growth with an 8 percent increase in total dollar sales. Rocky Mount and Carteret County followed closely with a 7 percent and 3 percent increase, respectively. Brunswick County also led the state with the largest price appreciation at 5 percent, while Rocky Mount and Carteret County followed with a 2 percent increase, respectively.

For detailed information, visit the market statistics area of the NC REALTORS® website at http://www.ncrealtors.org/uploads/August11.pdf

Posted in Atlantic Beach, Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, Morehead City, Real Estate, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Top 7 Ways to Enjoy the Crystal Coast this September

September 15th, 2011

Cycling for the CoastSummer may be winding down, but there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the beautiful Crystal Coast as we ease into early fall. Here are a few interesting recreational and cultural activities going on around our region this month.

1. Take a nice walk
Come on out and join the Emerald Isle Parks & Recreation’s fall walking club at the Community Center, 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle. Walks start at 6 PM every Tuesday now through October 17. For more information or to register contact Sheila Lowe at (252) 354-6350 or slowe@emeraldisle-nc.org.

2. Celebrate children
Emerald Isle’s Sixth Annual Day4Kids takes place at Emerald Isle Park and Rec Center from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, September 17. Bring out the kids fun-filled day of vendors, activities, games, face painting and more! Call (252) 354-6350 for details or email Laura Lee Davis at ldavis@emeraldisle-nc.org.

3. See history come alive
See Civil War Reenactments at Fort Macon on the weekend of September 17 and 18. Members of the 1st N.C. Volunteers will perform different programs from 10 AM to 4 PM each day, including historical talks and musket firings and drills. For more information call (252) 726-3775.

4. Bike along the beach
Cycling for the Coast begins at Bogue Banks on Saturday, September 17 at 8 AM. Pedal through Emerald Isle, Salter Path, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach. to raise awareness for our coastal estuaries and white sandy beaches, and raise funds for the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Visit www.nccoast.org to register or contact Sam Bland at (252) 393-8185 for more information.

5. Fish the surf
Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation and The Reel Outdoors are sponsoring the 5th Annual Flounder Surf Fishing Tournament to kick off the surf-fishing and beach driving season that starts September 15. The tournament runs from Saturday, September 24 to Saturday, October 8. Registration is free and the Reel Outdoors will be providing prizes for the top 3 anglers! Contact Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation for further information or call (252) 354-6350.

6. Dine on great seafood
Don’t miss the 25th Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival in Downtown Morehead City, September 30 – October 2. Carteret County’s annual seafood celebration is the second largest festival in North Carolina, playing host to an average of 200,000+ people each year. While sampling the large variety of seafood available, you can also experience educational exhibits and take part in hands-on activities for young and old alike. For more information visit the North Carolina Seafood Festival website.

7. Experience floating art
A $40 million dollar floating art gallery will be docked in Morehead City for the North Carolina Seafood Festival. ArtSplendor on SeaFair is a juried art show and sale of original artwork during the weekend of September 29 – October 2 on the Morehead City waterfront. For more information visit www.expoships.com or www.artscouncilcarteret.org.

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August Fun Events: Pirates and Seafood!

August 8th, 2011

Scalawag School - Beaufort Pirate InvasionWe have some major local annual events coming up on the weekend of August 13 and 14, celebrating the unique cultural heritage of the Crystal Coast. Don’t miss out!

Beaufort Pirate Invasion
Join the town of Beaufort, NC in welcoming Blackbeard back nearly 300 years after the harrowing events of 1747! The yearly invasion reenactment features sword fighting, cannons blaring, pillaging, plundering, and of course, grog swilling.

Locations: Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort Waterfront, Maritime Museum. Invasion will begin at 1:30 PM Saturday on the Beaufort Waterfront. After the invasion, those captured will be marched to the Beaufort Historic Site for a mock trial. Buchaneer’s Ball will be held Saturday night at 7 PM. Tickets to food events will be available at Beaufort Trading Co., Tierra Fina, Scuttlebutt, Curves, Martha’s Hot Shop in downtown Beaufort (cash or check only). For more information call (252) 728-3917.

Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival
The annual festival at Sneads Ferry Community Center, Park Lane, honors local fishermen and the greatness of wild American shrimp. Events include the Shrimp Ball, Shrimp-a-roo, carnival, arts & crafts, food booths, beer & wine garden, fireworks and live bands.

Parade starts at 10 AM Saturday, festival opens 11 AM Sat., noon Sun. Admission $3 adults, under 12 free. For more information call (910) 327-2707.

And also mark your calendars for the North Carolina Seafood Festival coming up on September 30 – October 2 in Morehead City!

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Crystal Coast Real Estate Market Heats Up

July 11th, 2011

According to a recent report by the North Carolina Association of Realtors Carteret County led the state with the highest year-to-date sales growth with a 13 percent increase in total dollar sales.  This is great news for properties along the Crystal Coast. Grande Villas recorded two additional sales over the past week and is currently enjoying its strongest sales year since opening the project.  We still have a great selection of available units and great purchase incentives.
Contact us today at 877.845.4438 or sales@gvcondos.com for a list of available properties.

Posted in Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle, Events & News, Indian Beach, Morehead City, Real Estate | No Comments »

Benefits of Condo Ownership over Free Standing Vacation Home

July 7th, 2011

Vacation Condo OwnershipTime to Go for a Vacation… Condo!
You’ve made the decision to purchase a vacation property on the Crystal Coast – after all, it’s a great time to buy and, frankly, you deserve it!

Ask the experts and you’ll hear that the proverbial real estate market “ball” is currently in the buyer’s court, so there are more options for you right now than in years past. And with a wide array from which to choose, you may be pondering whether to purchase a condominium or free-standing home.

Well, condos definitely have some no-brainer advantages. For example, because the purpose of a vacation home is for you and your family to relax, the last thing you want to do is deal with the plethora of maintenance issues that come along with a house. And condo-ownership typically comes with the worry-free, maintenance-free living you envision for your second home. Sure, there are fees involved, but sparing yourself the time and hassle of having to do it all yourself can certainly make those homeowners association dues worth the cost. Moreover, many condominium developments offer additional amenities and facilities for your family and guests to enjoy.

For example, Grande Villas at Indian Beach on the Crystal Coast offers owners and guests club-class indulgences, including a state-of-the-art health and fitness center, club lounge, sport and games lounge, poolside restaurant and kids’ club. These extras, which you don’t get with a stand-alone house, all add up to turn your second home into a first-class vacation experience.

It is a wonderful time to buy a vacation home and a condominium is a great choice. So when you’re ready to make your coastal condo purchase, just be sure to go on a fact-finding mission. Check out the financial and operational sides of the development – things like developer strength and financial stability. Also, when you visit the prospective vacation home developments, talk to current owners and ask them for their personal pros and cons of ownership… this can be the most enlightening conversation of all and steer you toward the vacation condo of your dreams!

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Grande Villas Owners Weekend

June 30th, 2011
 2nd Annual Owners Weekend Draws a Crowd

Around 35 Grande Villas families gathered for the Owners Weekend Celebration, June 10th. Delicious gourmet food prepared by the popular Carlton’s Cartering and poolside music by 4EverAll kicked off the event weekend Friday night. Owners mixed and mingled while children frolicked in the pool.
 
Friday night "Pool Party"

Grande Villas Residents, Joel & Charlotte Fortune enjoying the Friday night festivities.

Great Weather & Great Company 
The weather was simply spectacular and allowed everyone to enjoy a variety of family friendly outdoor activities on Saturday. A few early birds started their day with a complimentary beach body workout .  Others enjoyed a lazy morning followed by a catered brunch from Carlton’s. The Spinnakers Kids Club offered youngsters the opportunity to try their hand at beach crafts and outdoor activities on the lawn.  Around noon, chefs prepared a low country boil and barbeque luncheon where owners and guests dined poolside and enjoyed more live music.  Saturday night’s activities featured a poolside family movie and popcorn for Spinnakers Kids Camp attendees. 
 
 What a Way to Start the Summer
The event offered owners and guests the opportunity to relax and enjoy the pleasures of the Crystal Coast in a fun and festive atmosphere.   The weekend came to a close on Sunday with a wonderful patio brunch. What a great beginning to another perfect Grande Villas summer.

 

 
 

  

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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Crystal Coast July 4th Celebration Roundup

June 28th, 2011

Underwater Bike Race (photo courtesy of Discovery Diving Co.)

Cookouts! Live music! Fireworks! The Crystal Coast knows how to celebrate the Fourth of July in patriotic style. Make your plans to attend some of these great Independence Day events scheduled around our region.

Beaufort Fourth of July Parade & Community Picnic
This celebration along the downtown Beaufort waterfront is an old-fashioned tradition in historic Beaufort, NC. The parade includes all the Norman Rockwell ingredients: kids, pets, wagons, flags and music. Parade starts 11 AM. Potluck community picnic follows at the Carteret County Courthouse at Turner & Broad streets. Come and bring a dish to add! For more information contact Martha Barnes at (252) 728-3917.

Emerald Isle Fourth of July Celebration
The town of Emerald Isle again presents July 4th fireworks over Bogue Sound at the Chapel By The Sea. Fireworks will begin at 9 PM on July 4. The fireworks can be viewed at the Chapel By The Sea and the adjacent site of the new public boat launch facility (6800 block of Emerald Drive), and from nearby neighborhoods. Parking will be available along NC 58 and nearby streets. The fireworks will also be visible from Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. For more information call (252) 354-6350.

Morehead City July 4 Celebration
The Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor the Morehead City celebration on July 4th. The fireworks display will begin at approximately 9:15 PM from Sugarloaf Island. A free music concert will be held on July 2 at Jaycee Park, 9th & Shepard Streets. For more info call (252) 726-5083.

Atlantic Beach Fourth of July Fireworks
Enjoy a day full of sun, fun, fireworks, great music, and dancing at the annual Atlantic Beach Independence Day Celebration. The featured band will be playing from 7 PM until 11 PM, with a break at 9 PM for a beautiful fireworks display. Please bring your beach chairs and blankets and enjoy the show! For information call (252) 726-2121.

4th of July Underwater Bike Race
Organized by Discovery Diving Company of Beaufort, the Underwater Bike Race is a unique annual event held on the Fourth of July to benefit the Children’s Mile of Hope in support of cancer research. The race begins on the starboard side of the Indra shipwreck at approximately 3 PM. Contestants may swim, pedal, push, or drag, but only human power is allowed — no motors — and only one biker is permitted per bike. For details call Debby Boyce at (252) 728-2265.

Cannon Firing at Fort Macon State Park
A cannon crew of volunteers in period attire explain the loading and firing of a typical War Between the States field piece. They use an original 6-pounder cannon in the demonstration and actually fire it with a blank gunpowder charge at the conclusion of the program. For times and more information call (252) 726-3775.

Fireworks Cruise on the Crystal Coast Lady
Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display on the beautiful Morehead City waterfront. This Fourth of July voyage includes a scenic harbor tour, sunset and water-view fireworks display. Refreshments and food available for purchase, and we carry a full bar with ABC permits. Trip runs from 7:30 PM to approximately 9:30 PM, or to be determined. Please call (252) 728-8687 or email info@crystalcoastlady.com for more information or reservations.

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Posted in Activities & Attractions, Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle, Events & News, Families & Kids, Morehead City | No Comments »

Family-Friendly Summer Fun on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast

June 23rd, 2011

Summer Camp at the NC AquariumNow that summer is officially here, it’s prime time for coastal NC family vacations! For area residents and visiting tourists alike, the Crystal Coast offers lots of exciting summertime activities for families and kids. Here’s a look at some of the notable events going on around our region.

NC Aquarium Summer Camp
Summer camp programs at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher provide fun and safe learning opportunities with knowledgeable and competent leadership. Kids enjoy outdoor excursions, animal interactions and behind-the-scenes aquarium explorations. Camps run simultaneously for ages 5-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Learn more at the NC Aquariums website.


NC Maritime Museum Summer Science School
In partnership with the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve, the North Carolina Maritime Museum sponsors a diverse range of fun educational programs for students from preschool to middle school. Registration is now open. Details on courses and schedules are available at the NC Maritime Museum website.

Friday Free Flicks at Emerald Isle
Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation presents its Friday Free Flick series on the second Friday of each month. Admission is free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Unless otherwise stated, movies are appropriate for all ages. For more information call 252.354.6350 or visit www.emeraldisle-nc.org.

Morehead City Marlins Baseball
Morehead City’s collegiate summer baseball team has its new season underway, playing home games at O’Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium. General admission tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12. For schedule information and ticket purchases, visit the Morehead City Marlins website.

Fort Macon Civil War Reenactment
On the weekend of July 9-10 , this event at Fort Macon State Park on Bogue Banks features Civil War–period activities performed between 10 AM and 4 PM by members of the 1st N.C. Volunteers. Talks on flags, uniforms and Civil War dress are held, as well as musket firings and drills. Admission is free.

Fort Macon Concert Series
Also being featured at Fort Macon is The Concert in the Park Series presenting pop classics, orchestral groups, Cajun, bluegrass and Civil-war era music. Sit up on the ramparts or down in the main fort area, watch the sunset and listen to great music. Each concert begins at 7 PM and ends around 8 PM. Admission is free. Call the Park at 252-354-5259 for details about the concerts.

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Grand Opening of New Blackbeard Exhibit in Beaufort

June 14th, 2011

Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge exhibit at NC Maritime MuseumNational interest in the legend of Blackbeard is running high following the recent discovery of a 3,000-pound anchor in Beaufort Inlet, believed to be an artifact from the pirate’s wreck off the North Carolina coast nearly 300 years ago. Coincidentally, a new exhibit on Blackbeard and his famed sailing vessel is now opening at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

In 1718, the notorious pirate ran his flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge aground in Beaufort Inlet, roughly two miles from where the Museum stands today. On Saturday, June 11, the Museum opened the “Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge” exhibit, showcasing the artifacts and history of the wreckage.

“This is the most significant exhibition the Museum has undertaken in several decades,” said Museum Director Joseph Schwarzer. “It will be the most definitive and comprehensive display of Queen Anne’s Revenge material to date.”

The new exhibit illuminates the life of pirates aboard the ship from 1717 to 1718, with interactive features and newly released key artifacts including a whole wine bottle, sail cloth, glass beads, cannon tompions, clothing items, cask parts and French ceramics. Old favorites such as cannon and weapons from previous displays will be featured as well.

Call the NC Maritime Museum for more information, 252-728-7317 or visit ncmaritimemuseums.com.

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BLACKBEARD’S ANCHOR RECOVERED OFF N.C. COAST

June 2nd, 2011

An Associated Press story picked up by USA Today, archaeologists recovered the first anchor from what’s believed to be the wreck of the pirate Blackbeard’s flagship off the North Carolina coast last Friday, a move that might change plans about how to save the rest of the almost 300-year-old artifacts from the central part of the ship.  Divers had planned to recover the second-largest artifact on what’s believed to be the Queen Anne’s Revenge but discovered it was too well-attached to other items in the ballast pile, said project Mark Wilde-Ramsing.  Instead they pulled up another anchor that is the third-largest artifact and likely was the typical anchor for the ship. State officials hope the anchor and other artifacts will attract visitors. The largest exhibit of artifacts from the shipwreck, which was discovered in 1996, will be shown starting June 11 at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort.  Wilde-Ramsing has said the team hopes to recover all the artifacts by the end of 2013.

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