Day 1 of 7 in Ocean Isle Beach, NC has been like a slice of heaven.   This week, Erich and I are enjoying our timeshare 900 miles from home and a world away from the chilly and rainy Spring weather of the North Eastern US.   For the next week we are free of our chicken-eating dogs (another blog all together), our teenagers and our baby Helena.  Thank goodness for grandparents.  A real vacation for just the two of us and we're stoked!   We had to travel through this....                     .....to get to this.....                   Ok, this is a working vacation, but I'm up for it.  We'll be fully "plugged into the matrix" until Friday...then our cellphones are off til after Memorial Day.    Erich already has his glass of wine in one hand.....iPhone in the other.... We had a rain/sun/rai... 05/22/2011

Ocean Isle Beach is a small coastal town in North Carolina that offers a beautiful beach, family atmosphere, peaceful lifestyle, and moderate temperatures all year round. Take some time to go look at the Ocean Isle Beach oceanfront real estate that is available. With real estate prices dropping and interest rates at an all time low, there is no better time than now to buy that investment or vacation property you've been dreaming of. While you're there be sure to check out the concert series being held every Saturday night from 6:30-8 p.m. on the stage in the parking lot at Museum of Coastal Carolinas on Ocean Isle Beach. This series runs from May 27-Oct. 2, 2011. On May 30, 2011 at 5:45 p.m. the 46th Annual Memorial Day Observance will be held in Battleship Park. Remember those who gave... 05/20/2011

Did you know you can have a Brunswick Forest lifestyle in a next to no maintenance luxury home designed with comfort and convenience in mind just like this one? With interest rates at an all time low, now is the time to purchase as there are a beautiful assortment of Brunswick Forest homes for sale. Whether you're seeking to relocate or investing in income property you have to see what Carolina Plantations has available.Brunswick Forest is located in Leland, NC, just a few minutes from Wilmington, NC. Built on 5,000 acres of beautiful forest land these Brunswick Forest homes for sale are available in a wide variety of styles to choose from. There are single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and villas. Amenities include golfing, a private beach club, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, a ... 05/19/2011

Truthful Thursday ~ Water or Coke? WATER #1.   75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.  (Likely applies to half the world population) #2.     In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger. #3.    Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%. #4.   One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs    for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study. #5.     Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. #6.    Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of      water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. #7.    A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term      memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen... 04/28/2011

Museum of Coastal Carolina hosting a Free Family Day The Museum of Coastal Carolina will host it's 17th Annual Free Family Day on Saturday April 23 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Outdoor games and activities are planned to take place in the parking area of the museum and will include a toddler fish pond, temporary tattoos, plant sales, used books sale, nature crafts for kids, face painting and decorative flower pots for spring blooms. On site will be an Ocean Isle Beach fire truck, sea rescue boat and a police car for children to explore.  The Brunswick County Sheriff's Department will be there with with a K-9 Unit as well as the Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization. Both will be available to answer questions and have information to distribute about the sea turtles that nest e... 04/19/2011

MARKET REPORT FOR OCEAN ISLE BEACH MAINLAND    Listings per Status    Minimum, Average, Maximum    Days On Market Analysis    Listing Price\Selling Price    Active: 139  Pending: 10  Sold: 42  Other: 0  Total: 191    Bedrooms  Bathrooms  Square Feet  List Price  Selling Price  DOM/CDOM  Minimum  2   1.00   801   $79,900   $60,000   3/3   Average  3   2.74   2,191   $360,834   $253,971   247/300   Median  3   2.00   2,001   $274,900   $220,500   190/237   Maximum  8   7.00   6,001   $3,500,000   $587,000   1414/1414   Total Dollar Value           $10,666,766      Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:    0-30 Days   31-60 Days   61-90 Days   91-120 Days   120+ Days   No. of Listings   2    1    5    3    31   Breakdown %   4.76    2.38    11.... 04/10/2011

MARKET REPORT FOR HOMES ON OCEAN ISLE BEACH Property Type  Single Family    Include Property Subtype  Site Built    MLS Areas  Ocean Isle Bch Isld Statuses  Active, Active Contngnt Sale, Active Contgnt Other, Pending, Sold (9/30/2010 to 3/29/2011)      Listings per Status    Minimum, Average, Maximum    Days On Market Analysis    Listing Price\Selling Price      Active: 132  Pending: 1  Sold: 25  Other: 0  Total: 158    Bedrooms  Bathrooms  Square Feet  List Price  Selling Price  DOM/CDOM  Minimum  0   0.00   801   $225,000   $319,520   8/8   Average  4   3.75   2,016   $681,933   $576,977   322/412   Median  4   4.00   1,901   $578,500   $538,000   218/256   Maximum  9   9.00   4,601   $2,100,000   $1,840,000   1836/3537   Total Dollar Value           $14,424,430      Average DOM Break... 03/29/2011

  MARKET REPORT OCEAN RIDGE PLANTATION OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC Statistical Chart Report     Listings as of 03/21/11 at 10:33am    Listings per Status    Minimum, Average, Maximum    Days On Market Analysis    Listing Price\Selling Price  Active: 25  Pending: 2  Sold: 7  Other: 0  Total: 34    Bedrooms  Bathrooms  Square Feet  List Price  Selling Price  DOM/CDOM  Minimum  2   2.00   2,001   $347,900   $425,000   4/4   Average  3   3.18   2,839   $521,982   $505,857   274/348   Median  3   3.00   2,801   $514,250   $475,000   258/295   Maximum  5   5.00   4,701   $950,000   $649,000   714/866   Total Dollar Value           $3,541,000      Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:    0-30 Days   31-60 Days   61-90 Days   91-120 Days   120+ Days   No.... 03/21/2011

This was such a great Sunday today.  We took the little ones to church and met our daughter and other grandson.  Had  a great sermon.  Came home and had a wonderful Spagettie Dinner with salad and french bread. After eating and cleaning up the kitchen, we sat around and watched Shirley Temple in The little Colonel...The 5 year old and the 2 year old were captivated.   Ginger 02/20/2011

Wow... We are getting some powerful information.  I am loving it. The Mike Ferry organization has so much to offer.  They have the tools of the trade. Today...Listing presentations.  Easy...scripted....just follow the script. Also did some GOAL SETTINGS.  I have learned that you have to have a plan and to work tht plan.   Great Day today, Ginger Harper 01/27/2011

Well, I am the grandma and many times I feel like the Ma.   Today, I was able to enjoy three of my Grandchildren.  AngaElla, age 9 months, Marissa age 2 years 8 months and Joshua just turned 5.  They are the most delightful children of all times.  We take pictures of them and post them on facebook.  They are the apple of our eyes... But that is not all.  We have an 8 year old that is the wreasler of the family and then a fourteen year old that is our Ti Won Chi...expert and also very handsome and then our Oldest that is 17 and getting ready to graduate from Page High School in Greensboro NC.  These young ones give us hope for tomorrow... I know you feel the same about yours... Ginger Of Beaver Dam Creek                                                                                         01/13/2011

It's time for the Annual Ocean Isle Beach Food Run to Benefit South Brunswick's Interchurch Council's Food Pantry. The Council is a nondenominational Christian organization that offers help and hope to neighbors in need. The run is scheduled for Saturday, January 8th at 9:00 am sharp! This is the seventh year for the race which will be a combination 5K and Half Marathon Race. Both courses are USATF certified. Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate. Check in at Ocean Isle Beach Town Hall between 7:00 am and 8:45 am on January 8th, the day of the event located at 3 West 3rd Street for race packet. The race begins on West 3rd Street in Ocean Isle Beach, and takes runners on an out and back course that crosses the Odell Williamson bridge over the intracoastal waterway tw... 01/06/2011

Opportunity Time Well, I find myself having Opportunity Day today.  (A better way to sayDuty Time).  Actually I have been enjoying it.  It is the first exposure that your company makes when some one calls on the phone or walks through the door. We need to ponder that a minute.  What you say or do...the minute someone walks in or calls in is the first impression that those folks have of your company. We need to remember that. Hope you have a good Opportunity today,  Smile! And a Happy New Year Ginger of Sea Coast Realty       01/05/2011

Past clients of ours, Reese and Cayce Patterson, own and operate the "Ocean Isle Surf Academy" located in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.                                                                        Surf Camps are offered on a weekly basis and run from Monday thru Thursday from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. Day Surf Camps are offered for ages 10 and up. Little Kids Surf Camp is for ages 6 - 9. Classes start the week of June 27 and run weekly until the week of August 4. http://oceanislesurfacademy.com/index.html Surf camps include all equipment, safe soft top boards, umbrellas for shade, snacks and drinks, basic ocean safety, paddling and positioning on the board, standing up and surfing on the board and a beautiful photo album of the memories. Don't forget to bring plenty of sunscreen, a towel, ... 01/02/2011

There are few areas on the North Carolina coast that can offer families peace of mind and a nicer tranquil lifestyle.  Ocean Isle Beach and its neighboring towns of Holden Beach and Sunset Beach offer miles of clean, uncrowded beaches, unlimited entertainment opportunities, shopping centers, delicious dining, educational activities, and more.  Ocean Isle Beach real estate offers this and more! It doesn't matter if you're looking for a tucked away cottage or golf course property, Ocean Isle Beach has it all.  They offer a large selection of condos, homes, villas, and more!  You'll discover property that sits on golf courses, lakes, canals, waterways, and the beach.  Some activities in the area you can partake in are swimming, pier fishing, golfing, parks, movies, and more!  Ocean Isle B... 12/06/2010

Waterway Cove - Ocean Isle Beach, NC - Brunswick County Waterway Cove is a coastal community located in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. This community will be a welcoming and walkable neighborhood of 205 homes built around natural lakes. A place designed in the same manner as traditional neighborhoods reminiscent of a bygone era, a unique community that is timeless, intimate and casual. Shaded by majestic oaks, Waterway Cove is a hidden jewel with Intracoastal Waterway access. Currently this golf-cart friendly community is in the first phase of development (29 single family homes) with the 3,500-square-foot amenity center and two model homes scheduled for completion in December 2010. Because this is a lawn maintenance-free community, residents will have plenty of free time to fish in one of the l... 07/20/2010

You have to grow up in the South to love the weather we have had in Ocean Isle Beach for the past few days.  For women, forget the makeup...forget the hairspray...forget the underwear (not really, just anything lacy...it gets damp & itchy) but at least the hosiery.  It is hard to explain how humidity affects a body until one actually experiences it.  Adults, children, and pets stay in the shade and limit outdoor activities.  Locals talk about walking into a steam room or bathtub...even the ocean water doesn't give relief but wait until the sun sinks below the horizon and the moon starts it ascent.  The community comes alive, again.Tonight, my husband wanted to work on the boat lift at his brother's house so I rode with him.  Generally, outdoor activities are restricted before 11:00 am a... 06/14/2010

If you're looking for a fun filled coastal life, Ocean Ridge Plantation real estate is the perfect place for you!  Located just a few minutes away is the beautiful Sunset Beach, a family friendly destination.  It's a great place to start your life, relocate, own a second home, or retire to the good life.  The area offers unlimited activities as well as the many activities in the community. One thing that stands out with Ocean Ridge Plantation real estate that other coastal communities don't offer is the love and closeness the residents share with each other.  Once you take a ride around this plantation you'll be amazed at the beautiful landscaping, golf courses, trees, and trails that accent these gorgeous homes.  They're also home to numerous championship golf courses. 06/07/2010

I don't know how I missed this program as I am always looking for free marketing material.  Lowe's building supply company is part of the NAR's Realtor Benefits program.  Their big box stores are located up and down the Eastern Seaboard and in some Southwestern states, and they stock almost everything one would need to build a home.  If you don't have access to one of these stores, you are really missing an adventure.  You could spend a day cruising the isles.  For those of you who do have access to one, you can go to www.LowesRealtorBenefits.com to register.  You can view a short video on "How to..." or just follow the step by step instructions.  You set up your profile, and you are ready add your clients.  You will need to have ready access to their address and email (if they have one... 05/03/2010

In the Sun News today, it was announced that homeowners living in the coastal areas of North Carolina can expect up to a 30% increase in insurance.  The appeals court ruled that Jim Long's deal was legal.  Just before he retired from his position of Insurance Commissioner, he approved a deal with the insurance companies to decrease the insurance premiums for the mountain areas, froze the premiums for the mid part of the state and opened the door for a 30% increase for the coastal counties from Sunset Beach to Morehead City.  It appears that the worst hit could be the barrier islands but increases east of highway 17 will be involved, also. In my opinion, it is political decision.  Who has the most to gain?  Where do the majority of politicians reside?  Who has the most political clout.  ... 04/21/2010