Green Energy Audit of your Home | Wilmington NC real estate

Discover Your Home’s Green Factor… And Improve It

Before you jump on the green bandwagon, take time to have an energy audit performed on your Wilmington NC home. An energy audit outlines the energy use and leakage (or waste) in a home by measuring various systems and components. Local utility companies often offer free or discounted energy audits to customers, or you can hire a home energy professional — call us for a referral. If you are thinking of selling your home, audits provide valuable energy-efficiency information to attract prospective buyers. Here is what to expect with an energy audit.

Prepare

• Before the energy audit takes place, make note of all energy issues and concerns you have with your home, listing drafty window/door locations or fireplace flues, condensation problems, multi-pane window seal breaches, etc. (This also is a great to-do list before you put your home on the market.)
• Collect utility bills from the entire previous year or two for review. (This info is also valuable to potential buyers of your home; make it available if you list your home for sale. Be sure to include usage units, as well as dollar costs.)
• Think about your lifestyle — how high or low the thermostat is kept in various seasons; how many people, if any, are home during the day; how different parts of the home are used — or not used; etc.

Perform

• Physical features of the home, including wall area and number and size of windows, will be analyzed by the auditor.
• Equipment such as blower doors and infrared cameras may be used to determine energy leakage.
• If possible, accompany the auditor during this analysis.
• Usually, only major problem areas are discovered during this analysis, but starting at this point will allow you to prioritize what tasks should be addressed.

Process

The final energy audit report provides you with valuable information about your home. It assists you in understanding:

• Your home’s energy-related shortcomings.
• What effective energy-saving improvements can remediate the problems.
• The costs involved.

Remember, there are always numerous possible improvements that can be made to your home to increase its energy efficiency and, most importantly, lower your utility bills. Some of these improvements will be more costly than others; some will offer a faster return on investment. Energy audits help you prioritize making improvements to your home, as well as creating a list of areas to address in order to market your home as a “green” home when it comes time to sell.

Selling For Top Dollar Is Proof-Positive When you’re thinking of selling your home — now or in the future — an audit is a useful tool to boost the value of your home in buyers’ eyes. This is especially true if the final report shows that the home is already energy-efficient or that you have made significant upgrades to increase its energy efficiency.

 

Homes are being shown and are selling in Wilmington NC

The Wilmington NC real estate market is busy.  Sales and prices are up.  The days on the market are down.  Here is the most recent top showings from 3/1/13 – 4/10/13 in the 28405 zip code. 

These are just the first page of 386 total neighborhoods.  If you have thought about selling, please contact us so that we may share the most recent comparable sales with you.  It might be that it is time for you to sell too.

Neighborhood	# of Showings	# of Active Listings in My MLS
Landfall	770	219
Kings Grant	166	15
Northchase	151	11
Windemere	77	6
Cape Cottages	56	5
Mayfaire Townview	46	15
Covil Estates Snug H	41	2
The Village at Mayfa	41	12
Inland Greens	38	2
Brookfield	38	2
Princess Place	37	7
Churchill Estates	36	6
Northchase Bridgep	35	2
Wildflower	35	7
McClelland Townhomes	33	4
Weatherwood	30	3
Spring View	29	4
Chestnut Heights	28	4
Hunters Crossing	26	3
Green Meadows	26	2
Summerfield	26	4
Landfall Pembroke Jo	25	4
Hunting Ridge	24	4
English Moor at West	24	0
Brassfield	23	1

To search Wilmington NC real estate and get seller advice, please visit www.cbbaker.com or call us.

Why Wilmington NC? | Let Us Tell You…

Wilmington NC Real Estate

View Wilmington Listings

Wilmington is our life long hometown and we can assist you with any questions or requests about Wilmington NC real estate or Wilmington NC homes for sale. Our clients benefit from our knowledge, integrity, decades of experience as  real life long Realtors, and a thorough understanding of the residential real estate market. Whether you are thinking of selling or buying a new home, condo, townhome, vacation home, golf course property, waterfront home, horse property, land or something in between, please allow Baker Wayne and Associates of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage to provide you the best service every step of the way. If you are searching for Wilmington NC real estate, Wrightsville Beach  real estate, Landfall real estate, Figure Eight Island,NC real estate, Carolina Beach,  real estate, Kure Beach,  real estate, Hampstead, NC real estate, Leland, real estate or New Hanover, Pender & Brunswick Counties real estate, you have found the perfect website to locate your dreamhome. We cannot speak highly enough about the real estate in Wilmington, NC and the properties that we represent.

 Take a minute to view this awesome video taken by Jack Davis and crew with Cape Fear Real estate directory.

 Wilmington NC Real Estate Market Conditions

For the latest Wilmington residential real estate conditions , please check out ourMLS Market Snapshot.

Welcome to the Cape Fear Coast!

Here you will discover the beauty and charm of Wilmington and area beaches. This unique paradise that is my life long home is awaiting you and your family. The Cape Fear region’s many miles of coastline, rivers and sounds offer a wide variety of fishing, watersports, and boating activities. Quite a few harbors are within minutes.

Recreation

With the mild climate, recreational opportunities abound in the area including many golf courses that are playable year round.We know you’ll enjoy life in our beautiful corner of North Carolina. We believe it’s one of the most inviting and friendly areas in the country.

  Historic District

Wilmington is blessed with a beautiful and extensive historic district with magnificent and stately oaks that are draped with Spanish moss. Azaleas and Oleanders abound and many homes have extensive gardens, some of which are opened to the public during the Azalea Festival.

History and architecture have combined to allow 230 blocks of downtown  to be placed on the National Register of Historic Districts. This city has seen a lof of history and it is fortunate that so much of it has been preserved or restored so meticulously in the downtown area. Some of the buildings are from the 1700s. The architecture represented covers Antebellum, Greek Revival, Queen Anne and periods in between.

Beaches NC

 

There are many beautiful beach communities that we have come to love and enjoy such as Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Topsail Beach, Surf City, North Topsail Beach, Oak Island, Bald Head Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Sunset Beach and Figure Eight Island, which front on the always captivating Atlantic Ocean.

 

Climate

Wilmington is in a temperate climate zone and the winds off the Atlantic, due the Gulf Stream effect, help keep winter temperatures moderate. However, there are four seasons and their transitions usually are spectacular. Extreme temperatures occasionally occur in both winter and summer, but typically, the average low temperature in January is around 36 degrees Fahrenheit and the August high is around 90.

Wilmington NC Economy

The wonderful climate and proximity to rivers, lakes and the Atlantic seashore are factors in the population growth. Another factor has to do with the location being a natural trade center. New Hanover county is a good location for comfortable living and a thriving business environment.  It has nineteen incorporated municipalities, more than any other county in North Carolina.

 

To find out more about our great town, please visit http://www.cbbaker.com

NAR and Google Digital Hunt | 2013 Consumer and Market Trends In Real Estate

2013 Consumer and Market Trends in Real Estate

Take minute to view the report.  Great research.

For More Wilmington NC real estate, please visit http://www.cbbaker.com

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TWO-MINUTE DRILL: Timely Tips For Short Notice Home Showings

It’s a seller’s worst nightmare…the sink is full of dishes, the baby is crying — and an agent calls: “We’ll be there in two minutes. I have the perfect buyer for your house.” Before that overwhelming feeling of panic sets in, don’t despair! Here’s a quick roundup of easy pick-up tips to get your house in show-time shape in minutes.

Have A Game Plan

• Assign responsibility for each room to a family member.
  When the “last-minute dash” starts, each person knows which room to straighten.
• Plan your get-away.
  Know where you’ll go when you vacate the house for show time. Take the kids to the library, park, playground or to visit friends. Do your grocery shopping, pick up the dry cleaning or run other errands.

Whole-House Strategies

• Perk up your carpets.
  Eliminate stray crumbs and dirt with a quick pick-up by a hand-held vacuum.
• Turn on the lights.
  Light up dark corners and hallways. Even on sunny days, rooms show better when brightly lighted.
• Open curtains and blinds.
  Let in as much natural light and good views as possible.

Kitchen Quickies

• Use paper plates.
  A lot of people house hunt on their way home from work — at dinner time. Eat on, then toss, paper plates to avoid unsightly dirty dishes and speed clean-up time.
• Put dinner in cold storage.
  If you’re caught with dinner on the table, shove the plates into the refrigerator. Re-heat in the microwave when prospects have gone.
• Simmer some spices.
  Prepare a pot of cloves, cinnamon sticks and water. With only minutes to spare, bring your spices to a rapid boil, turn back immediately to simmer and your home will have a warm, inviting smell.
• Try microwaving instead of baking.
  Keep your oven free of spatters by switching to microwave dinners.
• Drain dishes in the dishwasher.
  Air-dry hand-washed dishes in the upper rack of the dishwasher to keep the sink and counter clutter-free.
• Add sparkle and shine with spray cleaners.
  Wipe out cooking spills with a quick squirt of a grease-cutting spray cleaner and rub with a paper towel.

Laundry Disguises

• Use the washer as a hideout.
  Put your dirty clothes in the washer until you have time to launder. Same goes for clean clothes that you don’t have time to fold — let them sit in the dryer instead of in a messy pile.
• Try a laundry-basket disguise.
  If you have more laundry than you know what to do with, drop it in a basket, fold two large bath towels and place on top, and presto — laundry goes from messy to neat.

“Junk” Catchers?

• Use under-bed storage boxes.
  For last-minute pick-ups, under-bed boxes are great catch-alls for toys, books, dirty socks, etc.
• Have a bail-out box.
  Eliminate a frantic search for keys, wallet, dog’s leash and shoes when you are leaving to let the agent show the house. Keep a small box with pertinent items stashed in a handy place such as the coat-closet floor.

Make A Final Check?

Run through the home room by room, from top to bottom, to make sure everything is in tip-top shape.

These are just a few of the ways to make your home sparkle and shine in a matter of minutes. If you are considering selling and would like more ideas on how to make your home show in its best possible light, please give us a call!

Gorgeous Andrews Reach | Wilmington NC real estate

Gorgeous New Listing in Andrews Reach.

Architectural delight.  This gracious floor plan offers a down stairs master bedroom with custom ceiling & luxury bath with multi jetted shower, Jacuzzi tub, & granite countertops. Enjoy spaciousness & light in this open floor plan with 10 ft ceilings down, great room with coffered ceiling & gas fireplace. Entertain in the gourmet kitchen with GE stainless Monogram appliances, 5 burner gas cook top, beautiful cabinets with granite counter tops, wet bar & wine cooler all opening into a keeping room & breakfast room. Formal occasions are special in the formal dining room with extensive wainscoting & moldings. Energy efficiency features include a conditioned sealed crawl space, LP tech shield roof sheathing, upgraded wall insulation, low e windows, & energy star rated appliances. This home is ready to move into with plantation shutters, bonus room, 3-car attached garage & beautiful fenced in back yard.  For more information please visit http://www.cbbaker.com/idx/residential/135514/ or on your mobile phone mobile.cbbaker.com

16th Annual Lumina Daze | Wrightsville Beach NC real estate

Lumina Daze at Wrightsville Beach 16th Lumina Daze Sunday, August 26, 2012 Blockade Runner Beach Resort  Wilmington Big Band Dixieland All-Stars The Imitations From the Wrightsville Beach Museum website: Click here for 2012 EVENT SCHEDULE Live auction by DC North in addition to the popular Silent Auction.  Live Auction Items Include: The UNCW Seahawk Mascot can be at your next party! Stand Up Paddleboard- Women’s Joy Ride 8’11 and Men’s Joy Ride 10’11 Golf Lesson with Pro, Drew Pierson.  Includes half-hour lesson and club fitting. 3 Hour Marine Max boat excursion in the Wrightsville Beach ocean or sounds area for 6-8 with drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres Shrimperoo by Walt Lackey for 10 people – a Wrightsville Beach favorite! Reagan Stone, Wrightsville Beach native and New York-based cabaret performer, will provide vocals for a catered cocktail party. Silent auction items include: Prints by artist Ronald Williams Originals from George Pocheptsov Prints by artist Ben Keys A Harbor Island hammock Gift Certificate from Cool Sweats Jewelry from Ziabird Tote from J. McLaughlin Cake from Suzanne Coleman Trolley passes from Wilmington Trolley Company Gift bag from Bellamy Mansion Museum Wrightsville Beach/Masonboro Island aerial print from Elemental Digital Art Bottles of wine from Lighthouse Beer and Wine Tickets only $15.00 Select Number of Tickets >>1 Lumina Daze Ticket2 Lumina Daze Tickets3 Lumina Daze Ticket4 Lumina Daze Tickets5 Lumina Daze Tickets6 Lumina Daze Ticket7 Lumina Daze Tickets8 Lumina Daze Tickets9 Lumina Daze Ticket10 Lumina Daze Tickets

TIMING: Seven Buying and Selling Secrets To Know Before You Relocate | Wimington NC real estatee

The secret to a successful relocation is timing — synchronized buying, moving and selling. Good timing just takes a little advance planning that puts you in control. Here are seven relocation secrets to make your move work smoothly for you.

1. Sell First

Ideally, you should sell your current home first in order to have all your financial resources available to purchase your next home. You want to avoid waiting until the closing on your new home forces you to sell your old home under the gun. Note that in some markets today, houses are moving so quickly that sellers will not even consider taking a contingency clause that postpones their sale until the buyer’s home sells. Setting the right price for your home and having a customized marketing plan are your best bets for bringing about a quick sale.

2. Find Out What You Can Afford

While your house is on the market, look at what’s available to buy within your price range in your destination area. Your perfect house is out there, but take as much time as you can to find it. It’s not just the house you’ll have to live with — you’ll want to find out about the neighborhood, the schools, proximity to shopping, etc. before you commit to your next home.

3. Shop For A Loan Before You Shop For A House

Try to lock in the best rate you can find. Get pre-approved for financing so you have more bargaining power when you bid on a house. With a pre-approved loan, you’ll be able to go to closing on your new house faster.

4. Coordinate Settlements And Moving Dates

Try to move directly from the old home to the new one. Sometimes you can rent back the old property for a few days or weeks if closing on the new one is delayed. Another alternative is an interim move to an apartment for a short time while waiting to close on the new house.

5. Begin Fix-Ups And Pre-Sale Improvements Early

Have any needed work completed before your house goes on the market. Consider having a home inspection early in the fix-up process so you know what’s important to repair or replace before you set the sales price for your house.

6. Work Closely With Your Agent

Make sure every “i” is dotted and every “t” crossed on time for both closings. You may save time and money for the buyer of your old home with lower “re-issue” fees by referring them to the previous providers of inspections, surveys, title insurance, etc. The information is in your settlement papers. And, if it’s a busy season, line up appointments in advance with the people you’ll need to close on your new house.

7. Avoid The Last-Minute Rush

Call us early. We’ll gather information and provide it to you quickly so you can make informed decisions and workable plans.  Search all Wilmington NC real estate on http://www.cbbaker.com

First Ever Surfalorus Film Festival July 19 – 21, 2012 | Wilmington NC real estate

Surf, Surf, Surf…..

From the makers of the GREAT Cucalorus Film Festival in Wilmington NC, join them in the First ever Surfalorus Film Festival starting tonight July 19 – July 21 in various venues around town.  The surf films viewed are local as well as classics.  From their website:

                                                First Ever Surfalorus Film Festival

Have you been kissing the sun? We won’t tell your mama. But she’s gonna be real mad if you don’t shake out your shorts and head out to the first ever Surfalorus Film Festival. That’s right you little sand rabbits – the Cucalorus Film Festival is launching the area’s only film festival dedicated entirely the surfing lifestyle. Carve it into your board or write it on your wrist – Surfalorus takes place July 19-21 – that’s like two weeks from right now!!!!

After ten years of showcasing the tastiest surf flicks at the November festival, Cucalorians are now throwing up a summer festival just for surfers. The Surfalorus Film Festival will feature local films created by filmmakers of all levels as well as classic surf films, such as George Greenough’s Crystal Voyager from 1973, which will kickoff the festival on Thursday night.

The schedule of top-notch films will include “Indo Jax Surf Charities India Surf Surfari” by director Nate Daniel. The sixteen-minute short follows IndoJax founder Jack Viorel and his cohorts as they travel abroad to teach young girls the joy of surfing. A discussion with writer Chris Dixon about his recently published book “Ghost Wave” will take place on Saturday at City Stage Theater. “Ghost Wave” delves into the mysterious swells found at Cortes bank, a shelf of rock 100 miles off the coast of California that was discovered by Wilmington-born ship captain Archibald MacRae.

Zach Hanner, event co-organizer, began building relationships in the surf film community after being tasked with drawing in surf films for Cucalorus in 2001. Hanner is most excited about bringing together like-minded ocean lovers, who enjoy each other’s company and watching stellar surf films.

“My favorite part about Surfalorus will be seeing the tribe gather around to watch a surf film,” said Hanner, “This is an opportunity to catch up with people that you may only see in the water.”

All screenings are $5 at the door. Weekend passes ($20) can be bought right here!!! Buy as many as you want. All passholders get secret cool things like freakers and hugs and merkins. Surfalorus is sponsored in part by Sweetwater Brewing Company and hopefully some other really cool people. Send an email to development@cucalorus.org if you want to be cool.

Surfalorus Film Festival – Schedule of events:

Thursday, 7/19 – FREE

Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach

Live surf rock with The Noseriders! 7-9 pm and Crystal Voyager at 9pm

Crystal Voyager- 1974

Dir. David Elfick, run time 78 min.

Shot by surf pioneer/innovator George Greenough, this film follows Greenough and friends Richie West and surfing champion Nat Young as they board Greenough’s yacht in search of empty waves. This film is famous for it’s final sequence, a trippy collection of in-the-tube shots captured by Greenough with a back mounted camera and scored by Pink Floyd’s Echoes. This film will be screened on the pier at the Ocean Grill Restaurant and Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach (1211 S. Lake Park Blvd, CB, next to the Golden Sands Motel)

Friday – July 20

Jengo’s Playhouse @ 7 pm: Happy Beach, Glass Love

Happy Beach – 2011

Dir. Jack Coleman, 34:00

A gimmick free contemporary surf flick, this quirky piece features some super cool use of multiple film stocks, even a few rolls that expired in 1989! In addition to some crazy processing techniques that give the movie a real texture, there’s also some super hot surfing from Ford Archbold, Dane Reynolds, Chippa Willson and Ozzie Wright. Winner of the “Most Experimental Work” award at the Surf Film Festibal in San Sebastian Spain, this one will leave you super stoked on shooting on film again.

Glass Love – 2006

Dir, Andrew Kidman, 64:00

Director Andrew Kidman is a triple threat in the surf world, a guy that can shape his own boards, shoot his own movies and then compose and perform the soundtrack. Basically, he’s the Australian version of Jack Johnson. This pursuit captures the quiet beauty of surfing from multiple angles. Exploring how surfing gets passed down through the generations, Kidman focuses on the Purchase family, one of Oz’s most dedicated surf clans, as well as the Curren family, one of America’s most legendary ocean families. Look for parts from Tom Curren, Dean Morrison and Neal Purchase, Jr., as well as legends like Nat Young, Skip Frye and the late Michael Peterson.

Friday – July 20

City Stage Theater 9pm: Indo Jax Surf Charities India Surf Surfari, Windansea, You Scratched My Anchor!

Indo Jax Surf Charities India Surf Surfari – 2012

Dir, Nate Daniel, 16:53

This heartfelt short follows IndoJax Surf School founder Jack Viorel and his cohorts as they travel to India to teach an orphanage of young girls the joy of surfing. Funny, exhilarating and deeply moving all at once, this film shows the beauty of kindness and how the ocean can unite different cultures and heal myriad types of wounds.

Windansea – 2012

Dir, Derek Dunfee, 8:00

Dunfee is an emerging writer/filmmaker who is also a serious charger in big surf. While composing an article about his beloved SoCal surf spot, Windansea (one of the legendary breaks where legends like Butch Van Artsdalen and Skip Frye cut their teetch), Dunfee documented the faces and surf styles of his community of waterfolk. Told simply through music and video portraits, this short embodies the stoke and feel of this preeminent surf break.

You Scratched My Anchor!- 2009

Dir, Capt. Fin, run time 30 min.

Capt. Fin (aka pro surfer Mitch Abshere) draws together a collection of hipster surfers for this goofball mixtape of a surf video. Using old, grainy ads as segues and featuring some red hot surfing from stylists Alex Knost, Kassia Meador, Tyler “Pickle” Warren and Jason “Ratboy” Collins, this film runs fast and furious, with the odd homage to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and, of course, taking its title from a Caddyshack quote.

Saturday – July 21

Jengo’s Playhouse 7pm: Fatal Wave, So It Goes, Josh Kerr Films

Fatal Wave- 2012

Dir. Zach Hanner, run time 4 min

This music video for Durham band Bustello features the rock trio as a variety of different Carolina Beach, cliques. When a group of teens try to surf on too big a day, they’re warned away from the ocean by fishermen, surfers and a threesome of CB drunkards. Shot with a wide variety of cameras on location at the Ocean Grill Restaurant and Tiki Bar, this story fortunately has a happy ending.

For the rest of the venue please visit website here…

If you see a house for sale that you like, look it up on your phone at mobile.cbbaker.com or online http://www.cbbaker.com

Wilmington NC real estate full service website.

Rip Current Awareness Week June 3-9 | Wilmington NC real estate

To all of our visitors to the Wilmington NC area, WELCOME!  Please enjoy yourselves in our wonderful town.  Our beaches are awesome and clean.  The water is crystal clear.  When you are swimming, be aware of rip currents.  If you see sand being churned up and heading in a line away from the beach, then you are looking at a rip current.

If you see any real estate that your are interested in knowing what the price is, please feel free to use our mobile site.  Mobile.cbbaker.com will let you put in the address and you will be able to pull up the information from our local mls.  Enjoy…. Baker, Wayne & Associates

Per the NOAA site:

Why Rip Currents Form
As waves travel from deep to shallow water, they will break near the shoreline. When waves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, this can cause circulation cells which are seen as rip currents: narrow, fast-moving belts of water traveling offshore.   (more info)
 
Why Rip Currents are Dangerous
Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second. However, speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured–this is faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint! Thus, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.
 
Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the United States. More than 80% of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents.

Rip currents can occur at any surf beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes.  Read rest of story here….