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Welcome to Wilmington North Carolina Real Estate!
Kay’s clients benefit from her knowledge, integrity, decades of experience as a real life long Wilmington Realtor, and a thorough understanding of the residential real estate market. Whether you are thinking of buying or selling a single family home, condo, townhome, vacation home, golf course property, waterfront home, horse property, land or something in between, please allow Kay Baker & Associates of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty to provide you the very best service every step of the way.
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.
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.
Welcome to Wilmington, county seat of New Hanover County on the beautiful southeastern coast of North Carolina. One way to think of Wilmington is as a fine old country home with porches all the way around. Most any time of the day, you can find either a shady spot or a sunny spot to put your rocking chair and enjoy….
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 Wilmington 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.
Wilmington has the powerful Cape Fear River serving as a border on the west and sound sides with neighboring Brunswick County, as it finds its way to the Atlantic.
Pender County to the North completes the “porch” and adds its strength to the interwoven tricounty mix.
The neighboring counties contain a number of delightful towns within commuting distance that complete the circle around Wilmington. Some visitors fall for a town on their first visit and never leave. Some of those are Castle Hayne, Burgaw, Scotts Hill, Hampstead, Rocky Point, Leland, Bolivia, Brunswick.
Kay Baker & Associates of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty is proud to serve this area.
Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County in Southeastern NC. It is in the Eastern Time Zone and the prevailing area code of 910. It is a few miles North of the Latitude line 34 Degrees North. Wilmington is 585 miles south of New York and 785 miles North of Miami, Florida. Interstate Hwy 40 E-W was extended into Wilmington in 1990, creating an East and West coast link. A highway sign on the city limits of Wilmington cites Barstow, CA as 2554 miles away. Since it is about an hour’s drive between Interstate 95 and Wilmington I40, many travelers take a break from the 1300 mile Florida-New York trek by stopping in Wilmington.
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.
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. The proof is in the numbers and the population grew from 120 thousand in 1990 to 160 thousand in the 2000 US Census. It is projected to reach 197 thousand by 2010! The city of Wilmington’s population is growing steadily and in 2002 it was 90,000. The 2004 population for the neighboring counties are Brunswick, 84,575; Pender 41,082; and Columbus, 54,703. Although New Hanover is smaller than its neighboring counties, it is much more densely populated. It has nineteen incorporated municipalities, more than any other county in North Carolina.
Another part of the success in the Cape Fear region’s economy is due to its diversity, its location, tourism and its attraction as a comfortable year round place to live and enjoy.
Although its economic growth rate occasionally drops, even at its lowest it is above the national and state rates of growth. Another good sign is that when its growth rate rises, it doesn’t spike abruptly but grows in a steady trend. Similarly, its slowdowns are not steep drops. There was about a 7 percent growth rate in 2005 and a projected growth rate of 7 percent for 2006. The 2006 figure for total economic activity in the three counties of Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender is $9.76 billion.
The Wilmington International Airport is home to four air passenger lines that provide direct connections to Atlanta and Charlotte with through services from these airports to 141 cities nationally and 28 internationally. A number of charter aircraft options are available in Wilmington and all the national auto rental agencies are waiting for customers 24/7.
New Hanover County has 25 elementary schools, 7 middle schools and 5 high schools. The schools are organized in grades as k-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Recent enrollment was a little more than 22.900 students. County government is working hard to keep up with the rapid population growth with additional schools. The community understands that part of its steady growth is due to the quality of its public school system and has voted overwhelmingly in favor of bond referendums to add both new schools and technological enhancements throughout the district. The school district has benefited from a supportive community that turns out hundreds of volunteers to work with students who need extra help.
The office for New Hanover County Schools is located at 6410 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington and can be reached at 910763-5431 and their website is www.nhcs.k12.nc.us.
The office for Brunswick County schools is located at 35 Referendum Dr., NE Bolivia, NC. The telephone number is 910 253-2900.
Pender County School’s office is at 925 Penderlea Hwy in Burgaw. The telephone number is 910 259-2187.
Both New Hanover and Pender school districts are beneficiaries of a large, active group called Communities in Schools of Cape Fear. CIS is common nation wide, but the CISCF group has been active in our area for more than 25 years. Its focus is on ensuring that students have access to the “Five Basics”. These are defined as follows:
A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
A safe place to learn and grow
A healthy start and a healthy future
A marketable skill to use upon graduation
A chance to give back to peers and the community
There are a number of private schools in New Hanover and in the other counties. The largest is Cape Fear Academy, which is a secular school with a K-12 student enrollment of about 500. It has received a lot of attention due to having 100% of its graduates enter a four year college program. Its website is www.capefearacademy.org.
The Friends School of Wilmington is operated in the Quaker traditions of equality, h armony, simplicity, service and academic excellence. It provides pre-school classes through eighth grade. The website is www.fsow.org.
Myrtle Grove Christian School has an enrollment of 400 students and the school is supported by more than 50 local churches. It is a K-8 school and its website is www.mgcs.org.
Wilmington Christian Academy is one of the largest private schools in this part of the state. It was founded in 1969 as a ministry of Grace Baptist and its graduates go on to higher institutions across the nation. Its website is www.wilmingtonchristian.com
Wilmington Montessori School follows the Montessori method of teaching and learning and its website is www.wilmingtonmontessorischool.org.
The state of NC began a public- private initiative called Smart Start that focuses on early childhood preparation of students to begin school. Its varied components and objectives are intended to help the child enter school healthy and with a positive attitude toward being successful. Some of the programs help provide access to high quality and affordable child care, health care and family support services for children five and under. Smart Start in New Hanover county operates as the New Hanover County Partnership for Children (NHCPC). The website is www.newhanoverkids.org.
North Carolina is well known for its institutions of higher learning, especially the Raleigh Triangle area. The Cape Fear area also has an abundance of colleges because the vitality of its business growth requires a large number of employees with some college training and or technical skills that the state’s community colleges provide. The list of higher education institutions include: UNC-Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College, Mount Olive College, Brunswick Community College, Miller-Motte College and Shaw University.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
WATER SPORTS
The most obvious outdoor recreation in the Cape Fear region has to do with water – fresh water and salt water. Just about every water related sport you can imagine, except those having to do with ice and snow, are available. There are miles of beaches on the Atlantic. Fishing, from the cane pole to deep sea overnighters, and boating, from a kayak to an ocean sailer to sleek high powered racing craft, are all part of Wilmington’s water scene.
It is important to learn the rules before you start with the water sports and you can do that at www.ncwildlife.org.
BIKING
It may not be widely known that NC has one of the most comprehensive, well documented networks of bicycle trails in the nation. Bicycling in North Carolina is made easier and safer because the NC Department of Transportation works with the numerous bicycle clubs throughout the state to provide signage and designate the safest routes for long rides. The Mountains to the Sea route starts in Murphy in the far west of the state in the Blue Ridge. Then it winds mostly through the long middle of the state east bound to Manteo on the coast, where, if you wish, you may continue on to the wonderful islands of the Outer Banks, and even board a ferry to Ocracoke Island.
There are several bicycle routes in the Cape Fear region whose maps are not yet on the NC DOT bicycle web site. To check those out go to www.capefearcyclists.org.
GOLF
Golf is another outdoor activity available throughout North Carolina. Whatever your handicap, there are more than twenty courses in and around Wilmington that are a pleasure to walk. Some of the courses were designed by some of golf’s greatest names including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Fred Couples and P.B. Dye, among others. Some of the Wilmington courses are listed below.
Beau Rivage Plantation 649 Rivage Promenade, 392-9021
The Cape Golf & Racquet Club 535 The Cape Blvd, 791-9292
Echo Farms Golf & Country Club 4114 Echo Farms Blvd, 799-0324
Inland Greens 5945 Inland Greens Dr, 452-9900
Pine Valley Country Club Pine Valley Dr, 791-1656
Porters Neck Plantation 8204 Fazio Dr, 686-7400
SPORTS
The diversity of culture in Wilmington poses the opportunity to see or participate in some out-of-the-ordinary sports events. The town of Hampstead occasionally hosts polo matches. Flytrap Downs is the site where the Cape Fear Rugby Club competes and trains. UNCWilmington’s basketball team, the Seahawks, won the Colonial Athletic Association Conference championship in 2002-2003, and is a regular contender. UNCW also fields men’s and women’s Seahawk soccer teams and basketball teams. There is a baseball team, track and field, cross country, golf and tennis, and all compete within the CAA.
The Wilmington Hammerheads is a professional soccer team, a member of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. Their home pitch is Legion Stadium in Wilmington and their nickname is the Hammers. Their website is www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.
The NCAA competitors in North Carolina are legendary and spectator sports events from soccer to tennis, and baseball, softball, basketball and football in both the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference are often standing room only.
Wilmington is only 151 miles to Chapel Hill, so nationally ranked collegiate sports teams are within reasonable distance for serious fans.
MUSEUMS
The Cape Fear Museum located on Market St. downtown is over 100 years old and is the state’s oldest. It was completed in 1898 and then was called the New Hanover County Museum. John Montague Trimble was a leading architect in America of the 19th century. Thalian Hall, downtown on Chestnut St, is the last standing performance theatre he designed. It has been in continuous operation since it opened in 1858. The Wilmington Museum, also downtown on Nutt St, pays tribute to the dramatic role the railroad industry played in the rapid growth and development of the Cape Fear area. The Wilmington Children’s Museum, although it is a contemporary artifact, is also located in the historic downtown.
One of the state’s most well known and endearing museum is a historical monument all on its own. The Battleship North Carolina is in semi-permanent anchorage off Eagle Island in the Cape Fear River. The North Carolina was involved in every major sea action in the Pacific during WWII from Guadalcanal to Okinawa.
CULTURE
From the Colonial era to Hollywood, Wilmington’s culture has been visible, dynamic and evolving. The performing arts are a particular favorite and a local strength because the Thalian Hall theatre has been entertaining audiences since 1858. It even hosts debut performances written by local artists. The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra makes its home in Sarah Graham Kenan Memorial Auditorium at UNCW. The auditorium also hosts performances of its student theatre department, entertainment from around the world and performances by local musicians.
The USO was an important home away from home for millions of military personnel during WWII. One of the last USO buildings is still in use in Wilmington as the Community Arts Center. It is home to the Thalian Association Theatre Company and hosts many performances and other local entertainment events during the year. It also is a place that offers classes in pottery, yoga, and painting.
In the 1980’s, Dino De Laurentis acquired 32 acres just outside of downtown Wilmington and built the Screen Gems Studio. Wilmington’s historic downtown area has provided back ground for numerous film and television productions like Matlock, Dawson’s Creek, and One Tree Hill.
The Wilmington area is marvelously scenic and is a magnet for visual artists of all types. Undoubtedly, thousands of paintings of sunrises and sunsets involving the Cape Fear River are created every year and every one is unique. Dozens of art galleries populate Wilmington and dozens more are found nearby. The largest collection of North Carolina art has a 45,000 sq. ft state of the art display capability in the Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum.
A partial list of culture related activities, organizations and events appearing in the 2006 Greater Wilmington Resource Guide has 43 names. A visit to the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce website at www.wilmingtonchamber.org. will assure you that the arts are vigorous and growing in the Cape Fear Region.
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WilmingtonNC- Ranked in Top Ten cities for real estate investment
Wilmington NC (October 25, 2006) -- was recently ranked in the top ten in the United States for real estate investment according to CNN Money, with projected gain in home prices of 37% over a 5 year period.
If you are looking to retire, invest or relocate, you've found just the right place to call home.
Wilmington NC is nestled between some of the most pristine beaches on the East Coast and the Cape Fear River. The region encompasses Wilmington, Historic downtown on the River, Carolina Beach,Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Theareas many miles of coastline, rivers and sounds offer a wide variety of fishing, waters ports, boating activities, and quite a few harbors, marinas and yacht clubs are available. Recreational opportunities abound in the area including golf courses that are playable year round. Wilmington NC offers mild climate and relatively inexpensive cost of living, which make it popular with retirees and second home vacationers.
The Cape Fear Coast is rich in history and folklore and known for its natural beauty, nautical legacy and Southern hospitality. Wilmington NC 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 much of the real estate have extensive gardens, some of which are opened to the public during the annual Azalea Festival in April.
Wilmington also holds the distinction of being the cultural center for the NC coastline. Dance and music companies enliven the local stages of Thalian Hall Center, Kenan Auditorium and Trask Coliseum on the Campus of UNCW. The Louise Wells Cameron Museum of Art is a showcase of regional and international artists.
Wilmington NC, over 250 years old, has the charm of small, historic, deep south town, yet it is contemporary and industrial enough to impress giants such as GE, Corning &Dupont.
For many years, the film industry has accounted for a significant portion of our economy; it still has the potential for growth because ofWilmington's film industry infrastructure.
Wilmington NC and surrounding areas have recently experienced a tremendous building boom. Shopping centers now boast national chains such as Macys, William Sonoma, Banana Republic,Dillards, Sharper Image, Pottery Barn, & Barnes & Noble.
The Cape Fear River is a NC deep water port that that has recently been dredged and deepened so that large cargo ships and some cruise ships can dock in Wilmington NC.
Wilmington International Airport ILM is the regional airport servicing Southeastern NC. It is serviced by USAIR & Delta.
My name is Kay Baker. Thank you for visiting my website. The unique paradise that is my life long home is awaiting you and your family.
Wilmington NC has it all from the River to the Sea! Whether you are looking for relocation, retirement, second homes, real estate investment opportunities, or development opportunities.
Specializing in residential real estate in the Wilmington NC, Wrightsville Beach area, Kay Bakers clients benefit from her knowledge, integrity and decades of experience as a life long Realtor specializing in real estate investments. Being a Wilmington native, please be assured that you will have the most up to date knowledge about the Wilmington NC area to make an informed decision regarding your real estate investment. Kay has the areas largest service team to assist you every step of the way home.
Please take a minute to tour my websitewww.kaybakerwilmington.com, which is full of information about the Wilmington North Carolina area. I have included links to various attractions, Schools in Wilmington and surrounding areas, New Hanover County information, the City of Wilmington information and other vital links to Wilmington.
If you would like a FREE Relocation package, please click here. Looking for employment in Wilmington, Rocky Point, Hampstead, or Burgaw? Let us know and we will include some local listings of job opportunities.
Looking for 1031 tax free exchange for investment properties? Let us know, our beaches and resort properties might be right for you.
Looking for waterfront property in Wilmington North Carolina with a Low Country feeling? We have gorgeous wooded homesites graced with Southern Oaks in a waterfront community called Masonborough Plantation. Situated on Whiskey Creek offering waterfront, waterview and interior lots. Only 22 homesites in the community. Limited number of Boat Slips available for purchase. Community dock and gazebo will be a feature in the park that will be a focal point of the neighborhood. Limited offering. Please call now, if you are interested. Great Builder program offered. Ask about Low Country Homes that will soon be available.
Looking for Coastal Architecture? Let us do the search for you so you do not have to go through every listing. Interested in where to keep you boat? Let us know, we have some of the finest marinas in the Southeast.
Investing in real estate? Selling a home? Rest assured that Kay Baker & Associates with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty will be able to help you. Our commitment to you is full service. Our Commitment to You.
Fishing....Fishing....and more Fishing!
Interested in Off-Shore Fishing in Southeast North Carolina Area?
Love to Golf! You have come to the right place. We love to golf in Southeastern NC. Golf Packages available. Please visithttp://www.coastalgolfaway.com/wilmington
Arts....Arts....and more Arts!
The Wilmington Area is blooming with the arts. Musically, Theatrically & Visually. Our talented local artists have enhanced the area and have put Wilmington on the artistic map. Our Screen Gems Studios under the great direction of Frank Capra Jr. has blessed this area with many fine movies and television shows. Award winning "Dawsons Creek" finished filming here last year and we were lucky to attract "One Tree Hill" which is filming in the area now. The talented individuals that work behind the cameras have earned notice in many publications. David Hartley has co-produced both shows and he and his staff have assembled a fantastic group of local talent.
Conservation in the Cape Fear Area is an ideal that is shared by many of our residents to conserve the gift of a beautiful area that we have. Please enjoy the following newsletter from our Fort Fisher Aquarium
