Are you thinking about moving to Wilmington? If so, congratulations! Between the gorgeous beaches and the historic downtown area, Wilmington is a beautiful place to live. You've made a great decision to relocate here, but you probably have quite a few questions on your mind. Especially if you’re not that familiar with the area. Well, no need to fret! We've compiled a list of some of the most important resources that you’ll want to check out before relocating to Wilmington. 

Guide to Downtown 

Whether you're thinking about buying a home in downtown Wilmington, or you just want to visit, you'll want to take a look at this great guide. From the shopping, dining, nightlife, and attractions, this source has it all.

Business Relocation

Contemplating moving your business to Wilmington? If so, you’ll definitely want to check out this business relocation guide, provided by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. It covers everything from starting a new company to relocating a current company. 

City Maps 

OK, so maybe you’ll have your smartphone with you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use a great map. The maps provided here will help you navigate your way throughout the city. In fact, you will find a map for both downtown Wilmington and the overall city.  

Wrightsville Beach 

If you live in Wilmington, chances are you’re going to want to take advantage of Wrightsville Beach. After all, what’s summer without the beach? From where to grab the best grub to the best outdoor activities, this is the ultimate go to guide for visiting Wrightsville Beach.

Shopping

Who doesn't enjoy some shopping? If you’re looking for a great outdoor shopping center, Mayfair is the place to be. In addition, you’ll also find a movie theater here, making it your one stop shop for entertainment.

Schools 

If you have school aged children, then you’ll definitely want to know a little bit more about the New Hanover County school district in Wilmington. If you’re wondering when school starts, when it ends, and what schools are where, then this is the guide for you.

Dog Friendly Attractions 

Love your pooch? Well, the people in Wilmington do too. In fact, this city offers a ton of attractions for dog owners. Whether you want to take your dog for a run in the park or spend an afternoon on the boat with your four legged friend, you can find all of this and more in the Port City.

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Wilmington, there is no where else quite like it. Between the beautiful scenery, the wonderful people, and the quintessential southern hospitality, how could you not want to call this place home? Check out our top 5 reasons to love living in Wilmington, North Carolina. 

1.) Everyday is Just Another Day in Paradise

OK, we couldn’t make this list and not mentions the beaches. After all, who doesn’t love a great beach day? Bordering both Wrightsville Beach and Pleasure Island (Carolina Beach and Kure Beach) Wilmington offers a location that just can’t be matched. You have to admit, we’re living in paradise here. You can spend a day paddleboaridng along the Intracoastal, go fishing off of Johnny Mercer’s Pier, and even spend a day walking along the Boardwalk at Carolina Beach. Adventure is always right around the corner. But if you want to kick back and relax, well that’s OK too.

2.) Incredible Dining Options are Just Around the Corner

It’s safe to say, we love food in Wilmington, and it shows. If you’re a local, you know first hand just how many awesome dining options there are. Not to mention there’s a huge variety of them. You can grab some tasty grub at Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn, experience the exotic and flavorful selections of the east at Indochine, and even enjoy a night spent drinking your favorite microbrews and dining on decadent pub selections at the Copper Penny. And we’re just getting started.

3.) The Small Business Scene Here is Thriving

One thing that you’ll quickly notice if you haven’t already, is that the small business scene is thriving here. Wilmington fosters entrepreneurship. Just take a look at the thriving startup scene that’s developing here. It seems like everyday a new company is starting up, and finding somewhere local isn't hard in this town. Whether you’re at the beach or downtown, a local presence can be felt. And that’s something to be proud of.

4.) You can Always Catch a Glimpse of the Past

Old southern mansions, stunning landmarks, and even horse-drawn carriages to take you down the street, Wilmington is in many ways, a piece of living history. With a 230 block historic district that spans the Cape Fear River, this town has it all. Incredible live oak trees line the streets, giving the area a touch of quintessential old southern charm. However, don’t let appearances fool you, you’ll still be able to find all of the comforts of modernity like lightening fast WiFi, and of course, air conditioning.

5.) Good Vibes all Day Everyday

Call us a little silly, maybe even a little crazy, but Wilmington has such a great energy and culture to it. This city is full of life and wonderful people. A laid back lifestyle with an appreciation for southern hospitality, Wilmington locals know what it means to have good vibes all day everyday. Because what’s not to love about this place?

We’re living in paradise

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Do you find yourself looking around at houses that seem to be selling like lightening, while yours just seems to sit? Nothing is more frustrating than a home that won't sell. Find out why your house may not be selling and what you can do about it. 

1.) Your Pricing is too High 

Ok, this one may be a tough one, but it’s something that you need to consider. Your asking price may be just way too high. It’s not easy to price a home correctly. You don’t want to sell your house for pennies, but you also don’t want to charge more than buyers are willing to pay. While you may place a certain amount of value in your home, buyers may feel differently. Set your price according to its market value.

2.) You Don’t Start Off on the Right Note

This is a pretty easy one to overlook. While making sure that the inside of your home is in tip-top shape, many people forget to consider the outside of their home, the first thing that a buyer will see. While you don’t need to spend a fortune in outside renovations, make sure that you give potential buyers the best first impression possible.

3.) You Keep Your House a Home

If you’re home is too personal, buyers will be turned away. Sure, you love those photos of your family on the wall, but will buyers feel the same way? Probably not. If you find that you’re having trouble selling your home, consider how your home looks from a buyer’s perspective.

4.) You’re Advertising the Wrong Way

Is your home being advertised in the best light possible? Do your photos accurately portray your house? One of the reasons that your home may not be selling is the fact that you’re simply not advertising in the right way. Consider your approach, is it currently being effective? If your answer is no, it’s time to take action.

5.) You’re trying to Fly Solo

While this may initially seem like a good way to save some money, it will cost you in the long run. Skipping out on a real estate agent is one of the worst things to do if you want to sell your home quickly. What happens if your home doesn't sell? You’re left with absolutely no profit, and are in fact, at a loss. Selling a home is no easy task and having a real estate agent can help you tremendously in this process. 

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A laid back and scenic coastal town, Wrightsville Beach offers potential home buyers a truly beautiful location. With plenty of gorgeous sights to explore and a 2.5-mile scenic Loop, this beach offers an experience like no other. While Wrightsville Beach may sound like a dream, that doesn't mean  buying a home here is the easiest process. In fact, finding that perfect place can be pretty tough. Find out what some of our favorite tips are when it comes to buying a home in Wrightsville Beach.

1.) Determine Your Type

When it comes to buying a house in Wrightsville Beach there is something that you will learn very quickly, there are a lot of different types of properties! You’ll find a huge selection when it comes to housing types, from condos to duplexes, to even single family homes. With so many housing types available, it can be pretty overwhelming at first. However, if you know the type of property you are looking for, it can make buying a breeze. Even if you just have a rough idea of what you’re looking for, it really will make the buying process so much easier. Take some time to think about, what are you really looking for in your home?

2.) Consider Your Preferred Proximity

This may be one the biggest decisions that you will have to make as a buyer, how close do you want to be to the water? As with most beach towns, the price goes up as you get closer to the water, and Wrightsville Beach is no different. However, the view can certainly be worth the price. On that same note though, keep in mind that oceanfront homes often require more upkeep due to the harsher winds and salty air. The biggest takeaway, before shopping, take some time to decide what you truly want when it comes to your home in Wrightsville Beach. While you may  want to be near the water, how important is it to you? Is it your number one priority, or something you’re willing to be a bit flexible on? No matter what side of the spectrum you fall on, if you know what you’re looking for, finding that perfect place will be that much easier.

3.) Match Your Lifestyle

How close you are to the water is not the only thing that you'll want to take into consideration You will also want to keep in mind your lifestyle when selecting a property. For example, if you're an avid boater, you'll likely want to settle close to a marina, or look for a home with a personal dock. In contrast, if you are someone who is an avid kayaker or paddleboarder, you may prefer to stay along the Intracoastal rather than by a marina. The good news is that Wrightsville Beach has something for just about everyone. Whether you'er looking for a home right on the water, or perhaps one a little further back, this beach has it.

While finding that perfect place isn't something that happens overnight, with a little preparation and planning, you can one step closer. However, even with the best preparation in the world, it's still crucial to seek the guidance of an experienced real estate professional who knows the market. 

Our real estate agents here at Coastal Select Properties are experts when it comes to buying a home in Wrightsville Beach. Contact us today and begin your journey to finding that perfect escape. 

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When it comes to selling your home, well, things can get a bit complicated. After all, how many times have you heard how difficult it is to successfully sell your home, especially in today’s market. However, with just a few simple tips, you can achieve a competitive edge, even in the midst of this highly competitive market. Discover what some of these best kept secrets are when it comes to selling your home, they may just change your approach.

1.) Know that the Show is Always On

When it comes to selling your home, many sellers forget one simple fact. Your home is always on show. If you want to attract buyers, you need to make your home as available as possible. A well lived in home is not likely going to be appealing to potential buyers. While this can be frustrating to have to deal with, the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience. You never know when a potential buyer may want to see your home, if you're not ready, you could lose out, big time. If you really want to be successful in selling your home, you will need to be flexible when it comes it comes to showing your home. Remember, your home should always be show ready whenever you leave.

2.) Only Work with Agents who are Experienced and Know the Market

Ok, so this one may seem a bit more obvious, but it goes without saying, do your research. Having an agent who is well versed in the market you will be entering can have tremendous benefits. Selecting just any agent is not going to drive the results that you are looking for. A great agent can make the difference between a house that sells and a house that sells successfully. Which outcome would you rather have? If you want to sell your house successfully, then you will need an agent who is experienced and truly knows the market that you will be competing in. An experienced agent will be able to help you market and present your home in a manner that is attractable to buyers.

3.) Depersonalize Your Space to Entice Buyers

It can be pretty easy to overlook this little secret. Sure, maybe your family photos are a great memory, but potential buyers may not feel the same way. While you see personal items around your home as a reflection of your memories and style, buyers see these items as a reflection of the space being someone else’s home. Remember, you want to help your buyer envision their place in your home. While sentimental items are a common thing to have in your home, they are not great for helping potential buyers. The more personal items that you have scattered around your home, the more likely it is that buyers will have a harder time imagining themselves living there.

While selling your home may not always be the easiest process, it is certainly worth it in the long run.

We want to know what you think when it comes to selling your home, comment below with your favorite tricks or suggestions!

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A place with an unparalleled degree of mystery, intrigue, and fascination, Figure Eight Island is known by many, but occupied by few. This exclusive island is home to politicians, celebrities, and of course North Carolina’s wealthiest residents. Elusive in its nature, Figure 8 Island offers visitors and residents a serene escape. With a natural and minimally touched landscape, Figure 8 Island is in many ways, it's own little world, and who doesn't want a little more of that in their lives? It should come as no surprise then why so many people are itching to have a piece of this little island. With less than 500 residents, Figure Eight Island is not your average destination. 

Located just north of Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island is seemingly close, but somehow so far away. Perhaps that’s some of the appeal to this elusive place though. With 5 miles of exclusively multimillion-dollar homes and roads that have never seen a sign of traffic in their lives, this island is truly an astonishingly beautiful hideaway. However, guests may be surprised when first visiting. In fact, many people are surprised to find out that the island is not full of five star hotels and high end boutiques. Residents of Figure 8 come to the island for quite the opposite reason. The true beauty of the island lies in the fact that it is seemingly untouched.

With 1,300 gorgeous acres sprawling across the island, and not a commercial businesses in sight, Figure Eight Island represents pure freedom and escape. Visitors quickly come to find out that once they enter the island, they have stepped into a completely different world. A world that is filled with nothing but miles of pristine beaches and million dollar bungalows.

To many, Figure Eight Island is more than an island, its a lifestyle. It's quite simply luxury in its purest form. Potential buyers should know that this island is truly the perfect hideaway. Home to the only private bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway, Figure 8 is a stand out.

When staying on this piece of paradise, potential homeowners can rest assured that the experience will be nothing less than exceptional. From entering the island through the gated entrance to driving along the roads without a sign of traffic in site, Figure 8 is unlike anywhere else. These homes may go for well over a million dollars on the market, but buyers know they are worth every penny. After all, Figure 8 Island is home to a world and lifestyle unlike any other.

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Looking for something different to do during these chilly times? Check out Wilmington's competition dining series "Fire on the Dock"  Local chefs will go head to head creating a 3 course meal with a mystery ingredient from North Carolina.  Spectators get to taste both meals and vote for which chef should move on to the next round.  For a schedule of competitors and tickets click here

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