Real Estate Information Archive

Have you been looking for new construction homes in Wilmington and not been impressed by the lot sizes? Then, take a look at Sycamore Grove in the Monkey Junction area, which boasts “larger than average” lot sizes. Homesites sold in the past have varied from .29-.46 acres and have the added bonus of being wooded; so, homeowners get an established feeling from early on despite the homes being new.

Homes start in the low $200s and include Cottage, Craftsman, and Traditional Styles. There are 12 floor plans by Bill Clark Homes and they range from 1820 - 3320 square-feet. Standard features include stainless steel Whirlpool appliances, James Hardie Siding with a 15 year warranty, chair rail molding, wainscoting, oak hardwood flooring in kitchen and foyer, and ceramic tile in master bath. Other optional features include pre-finished hardwoods in the living room; a fireplace with built-in shelves; a soaker tub with separate shower in master bath; brick or stone accents; and maple cabinets, granite countertops, tile backsplash, and recessed and pendant lighting in the kitchen  – just to name a few! To understand the full range of options, you really must arrange a showing.

View Homes for Sale in Sycamore Grove.

Located off Carolina Beach Road, Sycamore Grove is near the growing area of Monkey Junction where there is plenty of shopping and restaurants to choose from. It’s also a short drive to Carolina Beach, including its state park, public beach access, charming boardwalk, entertaining year-round festivals, and excellent seafood restaurants. But owners might not want to stray far, because the community features a club house and outdoor swimming pool!

If you’re interested in receiving more information about Sycamore Grove or scheduling a showing, please contact us at 910.202.2546 or by sending us a message through our Contact page. We’d be happy to help you in any way we can! There are proposed homes currently on the market, but many other options that aren’t listed in the local MLS. So, it’s definitely worth digging further.

Meghan Riley

Woodlake at Lords Creek is one of Stevens Fine Homes’ newest communities. It celebrated its grand opening in October 2012 and boasts a wonderful collection of amenities, including a 7 acre lake, club house, swimming pool, and conservation areas. It stands in a convenient location off Carolina Beach Road near Veterans Park and the shopping area of Monkey Junction, as-well-as a short drive away from Carolina Beach and all its excellent entertainment.

Woodlake has the added benefit of sidewalks and a Safe Walk that leads directly to Ashley High School or Murray Middle School. So, pedestrians always have a safe route to choose from and families can enjoy pleasant walks throughout the neighborhood.

The community currently offers two-story floor plans with two-car garages, in both European and Coastal exterior styles, on .25 acre lots. Interior floor plans boast spacious rooms, quality fixtures, solid cabinets, and ample storage spaces. The homes all come with EnergyStar® appliances and are built with Stevens Energy Wise features, including high-rated insulation that goes beyond NC building code, 15 SEER heat pumps,  Variable Speed air handlers, and radiant barrier reflective roof sheathing. Anyone who places an offer on a pre-build can choose colors and other details for their home.

View homes for sale in Woodlake at Lords Creek.

Craig Stevens is a third generation builder and constructs over 30% of new homes in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties. Stevens Fine Homes has a consistent satisfaction rating of 95% with their past customers; so, buyers know they’re getting quality construction.

If you would like to see one of the current Woodlake homes on the market, take a tour of their model home, or learn more about what features each floor plan provides, give us a call at 910.202.2546 or send us a message through our Contact page. We’d be happy to give you all the details!

Meghan Riley

Brittany Woods is an established community located in Wilmington, North Carolina. It consists of mainly two-story traditional Colonial or Cape Cod style homes with two-car garages, but there are some proposed and newer built homes in the community that are one-story and/or have open floor plans. Many of the homes were built in the 1990's and fall into the 2000 to 3600 sq.ft. range. While many of the homes share a similar style, each have been customized and have a personality of their own.

The lots in Brittany Woods have established trees and run about half an acre. An estimated half of the homes have fenced-in back yards, but the placement of the homes and the mature trees provide a great deal of privacy. Many of the homes also have swimming pools.

Listing prices range between $200,000 and $400,000. In the past year, ten homes have sold in Brittany Woods with the average sale price being $234,253 and days-on-the-market averaging to 98. The average sale price to list price ratio was 96%.

Located just a short drive to Ogden Park, and all the great businesses and restaurants located between Ogden and Porters Neck, Brittany Woods has the conveniences expected of Wilmington. Its schools include Murrayville Elementary, Trask Middle School, Laney High School, and Eaton Year-Round. Currently, it does not have a homeowners association.

View homes for sale in Brittany Woods.

If you’re interested in viewing a home in Brittany Woods, we’d be happy to schedule a showing. Just give us a call at (910) 202-2546 or send us a message through our Contact page.

*All information in this blog is pulled from the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors MLS and is accurate at the date it was posted. Listing prices, sold stats, and schools may change over time. You’re welcome to contact us at any time for an update.

Meghan Riley

If you’re considering buying a new construction home in the Wilmington area, you may be aware that each community has its own on-site licensed real estate agent that is familiar with the lots, home plans, builder(s), and construction process in that particular neighborhood. They work right along with the builder to make sure contracts are executed on time and all agreements are met. They usually work out of a model home, and provide tours of homes and the neighborhood. So, you may be wondering why you would need to hire another real estate agent if there’s one already provided. Here are a few reasons.

You may be unsure that neighborhood is the one for you…and a buyer’s agent will be familiar with multiple new construction communities in the Wilmington area. They can point you toward communities with different amenities, homeowners associations, and locations that you may not be familiar with; so, you can be sure you’re choosing the right one for you.

The on-site agent works for the seller i.e. the builder. They may be very knowledgeable and ready to give you all the information on the community that you need, but they put the builder’s interests first when it comes to negotiating. It’s important you have someone there who will put YOUR interests first and bring previous experience with new construction to the table, including questions you may not think to ask.

There is a lot of complicated paperwork. Your own buyer’s agent will examine the paperwork to make sure it includes just what you have agreed upon and nothing more. They’ll also know all the forms, insurance, etc. that’s required or recommended in the State of North Carolina, all of which will help protect you in the future. If anything bad was to happen, leading to a conflict or lawsuit, your buyer’s agent could be a fundamental source of information for settling the dispute.

The on-site agent may have a conflict of interest. In most cases, the on-site agent has a special agreement with the builder. They may receive a commission from each sale, a salary for sitting at the model and giving tours, and/or a bonus system as more homes are sold. These are just a few examples, but they are all incentives to work more in the builder’s favor.

While an on-site agent will be very helpful and walk you through picking out any upgrades and colors, a buyer’s agent will be most beneficial during negotiations and the closing process. Their commissions are also (99% of the time in North Carolina) paid by the builder. But it’s important to know that if you’ve already visited a community, met with the on-site agent, and have just decided to bring on a buyer’s agent, you need to let the buyer’s agent know, because there could be a conflict in commissions. If you haven’t met with an on-site agent yet, make sure you secure a buyer’s agent beforehand. It will make things easier for both agents.

If you have any questions about buying Wilmington area new construction, just let us know. We cover New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick Counties. Give us a call at 910.202.2546 or send us a message through our Contact page.

Meghan Riley

Imagine being able to walk down to Dogwood Lake with a picnic basket and company in tow, and settling down to enjoy a nice water view with your meal. That’s an excellent possibility if you choose to purchase in the community of Dogwood Lakes, a Stevens Fine Homes community with about 141 home sites in total.

One of the only communities in the area to offer walk-out basements on select home sites, Dogwood Lakes provides energy wise Craftsman and European Style home plans that are sure to make your wallet happy, as Stevens is one of the most affordable builders around. Plans are available ranging from 1,600 to 4,000 sq. ft. and starting at $199,900. Some of their homes’ features include: walk-in closets, marble-topped vanities, separate soaking tubs and showers, breakfast areas, 9 foot ceilings, sun rooms, hardwood flooring, irrigated yards, and more! If you pick a pre-build, you can choose colors and details. We’ve sold numerous Stevens homes and our clients have always been very happy with them. Their customer service is great.

Dogwood Lakes features a picnic area, gazebo, sidewalks, and water features. It’s located 5-10 minutes from Topsail Island and the beautiful beaches located there. It’s a short drive from Harris Teeter and Lowes, plus numerous restaurants and quaint coastal shops. As a bonus, Dogwood Lakes is located in the award winning Topsail School District. If you’re looking for more entertainment, food, and nightly shows, Hampstead is located about 15 minutes from Wilmington. It’s definitely a location surrounded by convenience.

View homes for sale in Dogwood Lakes.

For more information about new construction in Dogwood Lakes or to schedule a showing for one of their existing homes, please give us a call at 910.202.2546 or send us an email through our Contact page. We’d be happy to answer all of your questions!

Meghan Riley

Located just off Market Street in the Forest Hills area of Wilmington is a darling little community called Beaumont that’s easy to overlook if you haven’t been through the area before. It’s an established community made up of older homes and mid-sized lots, wooded and landscaped for privacy. Sidewalks line the streets providing a safe path to and from the community park and Forest Hills Elementary School, which are a short walk or bike ride away.

Most homes in Beaumont were built in the 1950’s, but many have been update with modern features. Ranches and bungalows with traditional layouts and brick exteriors are the primary home styles. While many people picture small homes when they think of the 1950’s, you’ll be surprised by the space and variety these homes provide, as well as the darling 1950’s touches they maintain (hardwood floors, molding, unique fireplaces, corner windows, etc.). Each have their own personality and special touches, something you don’t often see in some of the modern, mass produced communities.

Beaumont does not have a homeowners association, nor does it have some of the flashier amenities of newer communities. But that guarantees more freedom for homeowners when it comes to renovations and parking. Plus, the community park has a basketball court and playground, and the YMCA is located just around the corner on Market Street.

Downtown Wilmington is a cultural center with attractive little shops and great local restaurants, and Beaumont is a mere five to ten minute drive away. Beaumont is also located down the road from Indochine, a favorite local restaurant, and around the corner from popular Carolina Farmin’ and Port City Java.

View homes for sale in Beaumont.

If you’re interested in seeing any of these homes in person, we’d be happy to take you on a showing. Just give us a call at (910) 202-2546 or send us a message through our Contact page.

Meghan Riley

Located on the Intracoastal Waterway, just off Myrtle Grove Road near Carolina Beach Road, is a quiet gated community that not only features a wide array of home choices, but also amenities that coastal enthusiasts will love. Developed across a beautiful strip of land opposite of Masonboro Island, Tidalwalk’s home sites include wooded and marsh front lots. The community as a whole is divided into six sub-communities with its own distinct feel and architecture, and even has its own private island called Green Turtle Hammock.

Tidalwalk has four excellent builders - Mark Johnson Custom Homes, Tongue and Groove, Plantation Building Corp, and DR Horton, Inc. - so buyers have a nice range of home plans to choose from. They build semi-custom and custom homes, and each are working actively to create energy efficient “green” homes, which will help buyers save money in the long run. They also work with their buyers throughout the building process to remain competitively priced.

Homes built in the community so far have included: covered front porches, screened porches, fireplaces, wainscoting, decorative wrought iron staircase banisters, verandahs, huge walk-in closets, formal dining rooms, spacious bedrooms, bonus rooms, two car garages, and more! Low Country has been a popular style, but there are many designs to choose from.

No matter which of the six sub-communities a buyer chooses, everyone has access to the boat slips, 150 ft pier with gazebo, and ¼ mile private beach on the Intracoastal Waterway. New in Summer 2012 is a 3,700 sqft resident’s club with L-shaped pool that features lap lanes and a zero-entry area on one side. Sidewalks run throughout the community, so residents can walk to these fine amenities.

View homes for sale in Tidalwalk.

View lots for sale in Tidalwalk.

If you are interested in viewing any of the properties for sale in Tidalwalk, please give The Cameron Team a call. We’d be happy to arrange a showing and answer any questions you may have about this community – 910.202.2546 – or send us a message through our Contact page.

Meghan Riley

Before you buy in a Wilmington community with a homeowners association, there are a few things you need to know to make sure you’re buying in a community where you will be happy living. But first, you must understand what a homeowners association (HOA) is.

HOAs were first created to enforce and improve upon the restrictive covenants i.e. rules written for certain neighborhoods built in the 1940s. The covenants were intended to create a certain quality of lifestyle for the homeowners and at times included racial restrictions, which were later removed by the Fair Housing Act. Now, developers often create HOAs to handle maintenance of community common areas, especially those where federal mandates require certain features, like retention ponds for excess storm water runoff. HOA responsibilities are different from community to community, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing a home.

In North Carolina, when a homeowner lists their property for sale with a Realtor, they provide the contact information for the association manager or management company. Then you or your Realtor can obtain the HOA documents either through them or the listing agent. Those documents will provide most of the information described below.

Rules and Restrictions

When an HOA is created, the founding group, usually the developer, draws up a set of Rules and Restrictive Covenants. These rules can regulate everything from how garbage should be handled to where residents can park. This is probably the most important document from the HOA and should be thoroughly read before buying property in the community. It can be very disheartening to buy a home and discover later on you can’t park your boat in your driveway, repaint the exterior the color you want, mount a satellite dish on your home, etc. If you still aren’t sure about a community after looking at the rules and restrictions, try to get a copy of the last meeting’s minutes or speak with the neighbors.

Architectural Improvements

If you find yourself interested in a home that you may want to add on to or do some exterior improvements to, like adding a swimming pool, there’s a chance the homeowners association will need to approve your project. This usually requires filling out a request form and attending a meeting. However, there may be additional requirements. You should keep this in mind before purchasing and make sure you’re aware of all requirements and limitations.

Budget

You’ll want to know how the HOA board will handle the money. Monthly or quarterly fees usually cover the usual community expenses, like lawn care, common area taxes, pool maintenance, etc. However, what happens if an unexpected expense comes up, like a federally mandated improvement to the community water system or a new roof needed for the club house? It’s likely there will be another fee assessed, but you’ll want to be sure about that, so you aren’t surprised later with a bill.

Condo and Townhouse Owners Associations

If you’re buying a unit in a condo building or townhouse community, you should be aware that by sharing a common building, you have different rules and benefits than single family homeowners. Pest treatments, the master insurance, and exterior maintenance are often covered by the association, which can save you money. However, you should find out exactly what any group plan covers, including disaster insurance. You need to be aware where your responsibility as an owner ends and the Association’s begins. The defining line can be as small as a layer of paint.

We can’t stress enough how important it is to do your research before buying in a community with a homeowners association. If you buy in an association with the same values as you, it can make a huge difference in your level of happiness.

The Cameron Team would be happy to answer any questions you may have about homeowners associations in the Wilmington area. Give us a call at 910.202.2546 or send us a message through our Contact page.

Meghan Riley

Just off Hoover Road in Hampstead is the community of Castle Bay, home to the Castle Bay Golf and Country Club. Built around a traditional Scottish links style golf course and protected wetlands, the homes in the community are afforded wonderful golf course and nature views. Located a short drive to  Topsail Elementary, Topsail High School, and shopping, the community is just far enough away from Highway 17 to remain quiet.

One of the first things visitors notice is the uniquely designed club house that looks like a miniature castle. It houses The King’s Table restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner. There’s also a well stocked pro shop, snack bar, and fitness room. Other community amenities include a swimming pool and tennis court with a variety of events, from pool parties to wine tastings, held throughout the year.

The 18-hole championship golf course is uniquely designed without trees, but does include water hazards and sand bunkers. There is a practice green and driving range for refining the perfect swing. Plus, visitors can rent electric carts to take them around the fairways.

There is a nice mix of modern brick townhomes and homes in Castle Bay, currently priced in the 100s and 200s. Features depend on the floor plan, but include granite counters, french doors, volume ceilings, a gas log fire place, garden tub, wainscoting, double vanity, formal dining room, screened porch, and more! Despite similar exteriors, each home is really quite different.

View homes for sale in Castle Bay.

If you have any questions or are interested in seeing a property in Castle Bay, fill out our contact form or give us a call at (910) 202-2546. We’d be more than happy to help you in any way that we can.

Meghan Riley

Curious to know which communities had the most sales in September? They are listed below according to property type and county with the community owning the most sales being listed first. While this doesn't indicate that a property in a certain community will sell quicker than another (price, demand, and condition all determine that), it can be interesting to see which communities are having the most activity.

*Please keep in mind that there are homes not listed in communities that are also selling well. All communities listed for land had more than one lot sold.

The Cameron Team can help you find the home that best suites your needs, no matter if it's located inside or outside a community. Just Contact us and we'll use our expert knowledge of the local real estate market to help narrow your search.

Meghan Riley