The 2012 StarNews Media Conscience Fair is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, in the McKeithan Center at Cape Fear Community College’s North Campus, 4500 Blue Clay Road.

Nonprofit organizations present information about volunteer opportunities. To reserve a space – it’s free – visit StarNewsOnline.com/ConscienceFairand fill out the signup form.
The following nonprofits have signed up as of 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20.

ORGANIZATION NAME:   CONTACT PERSON   PHONE NUMBER   E-MAIL ADDRESS

International Seamen’s Center Ron Casterline 910-681-1603 rgcasterline@yahoo.com
St. Mary Health Center Laura Vinson-Garvey (910) 279-0643 lvinsongarvey@yahoo.com
Armor of God Ministries Debi Tucker 910-259-5062 debineedstime@yahoo.com
Love Is Bald Kelli N. Russell 910-264-6097 kellineese@hotmail.com
CUE Center for Missing Persons Melissa Neu 910.541.1626 cmneu@marketingflotsam.com
Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, Inc. JC Skane 910.399.7563 info@warmnc.org
disAbility Resource Center Gloria Garton 910-815-6618 gloria.garton@drcwilmington.org
Moores Creek Conservation Alliance Nancy Keith 910-540-0179 moorescreekconservation@gmail.com
Cameron Art Museum Bo Dean 910-599-3995 ext 1010 bodean@cameronartmuseum.com
WHQR Public Radio Laura Hunsberger (910) 343-1640 laura@whqr.org
Church World Service/ CROP Walk Janet Magelli 910-616-1342 jmagelli@gmail.com
Arts Council of Wilmington and N.H.Co. Owen Wexler 910.790.3989 mowexler@aol.com
Foreign Exchange Student Program -PAX /STEP Tracy Bickel 910-632-4293 hostexchangestudent@gmail.com
PILOT CLUB OF WILMINGTON RAMONA ANDREWS, PRESIDENT 791-2733 – BUSINESS  612-0834  – CELL randrews@biz.ec.rr.com
Greater Porters Neck Area Foundation Yona Bar-Zeev 910n 686-5191 pnccyona@yahoo.com
The Arc of NC-Benefit Bank/ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site Brian Moeller (9100 538-9421 bmoeller@arcnc.org
The Full Belly Project Daniel Ling (910) 452-0975 fullbellyproject@gmail.com
WINGS MINISTRY Missy Settlemyre 910-512-7643 missy@wingsministriesinc.com
Religion News Wilmington Amanda Greene, local editor and community manager 910-471-9152 or 910-520-3958 Amanda.Greene@ReligionNews.com
Wilmington Health Access for Teens Emily Henley 910-202-4605 emilyhenley@whatswhat.org
Lifeguide  ( We will be sharing a booth with Guardian ad LItem as in the past two years.) Denny Smith 793-3472 densmi@bellsouth.net
ACCESS of Wilmington Inc. Dan Johnson, Chair  AND/OR  David Morrison, Vice Chair 910-962-3659 Johnsonde@uncw.edu  david.morrison87@yahoo.com
League of Women Voters of Lower Cape Fear Carole Ellis 910-791-0922 cellis13@ec.rr.com
OLD BRIDGE PRESERVATION SOCIETY Karen Dombrowski 910.579.9021 Rkd389@hotmail.com
First Book – New Hanover Co. Carol Barre 910-200-1441 cbarre1250@ec.rr.com
First Book New Hanover County John Osinski 910-962-4271 osinskij@uncw.edu
The Affordable Housing Coalition ofSoutheastern NC Toni Melvin Whitaker  Acting Executive Director (910) 599-0348 toniwhit@ec.rr.com
Buy Local ILM Gayle Tabor 910.471.7627 hello@buylocalilm.com
S.H.A.R.E. Briana Kelly 910-431-6418 Brianamkelly@hotmail.com
Trinity Grove Ms. Noel Schuler 910-442-3016 nschuler@trinitygrove.net
MADGRL  Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League Arlene Hubner 910-845-5143 ahubner@ec.rr.com
The Warrior Ride Debra/Bob Racine 910-278-4612 teamracine@thewarriorride.org
Elderhaus PACE Amy Derck (910) 338-2757 amy.derck@elderhaus.com
KAIROS Prison Ministries Intl. Gordon Keifer 256-5781 gordonkeifer@hotmail.com
Wilmington Prostate Cancer Support Group, Us TOO George Gardner 792-9953 wproscasupportgp@aol.com
Bellamy Mansion Museum Gareth Evans 910.251.3700 gareth@bellamymansion.org
Oceana Zachary Keith 321-356-6603 zkeith@oceana.org
Junior Achievement of the Cape Fear Region Courtney Hickman 910-462-3690 chickman@jacarolinas.org
Project Linus Sharon Black 910-681-0452 slhblack@bellsouth.net
Guardian ad Litem Program of the 5th Judicial District Lynne Fender or Liz Kachris-Jones 910-616-8960 or 910-520-4035 lfender@ec.rr.com or  liz.k.jones@nccourts.org
Wilmington Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group Burt Masters, Co-Leader, Wilmington MS Spt Gp (910) 383-1368 happyheim@peoplepc.com
Interfaith Refugee Ministry Sarah Kingsley 910-538-0714 skingsley@helpingrefugees.org
Carolina Vocal Arts Ensemble Beverly Cree 910.799.9977 bjcree@gmail.com
Occupy Wilmington NC Roxanne Kirtright 910 380 1690 araweggandastorm@gmail.com
The Friends of the New Hanover County Public Library Ruth M. Brown 910-256-5482 ruthbrown@bellsouth.net
Cape Fear Coalition for a Drug-Free Tomorrow Diane Edwards 962-7432 edwardsd@uncw.edu
The Carousel Center Tira Hanrahan (910) 254 – 9898 ext. 218 tira.hanrahan@carouselcenter.org
Monty’s Home Barb Raab 910-259-7911 info@montyshome.org
Cape Fear Clinic, Inc.  (Formerly Tileston Health Clinic) John Devaney, Executive Director 910-343-8736 jdevaney@capefearclinic.org
American Red Cross- Cape Fear Chapter Wendy Flynn (910) 762-2683 ext 328 flynnw@usa.redcross.org
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Wilmington Jeff Rose 910-251-1465 ext 2205 jrose@foodbankcenc.org
(WRAAP) Wilmington’s Residential Adolescent Achievement Place, Inc. Daryl Dockery 910.392.6007 daryldock@aol.com
Airlie Gardens Flo Berry 910-798-7566 Fberry@nhcgov.com
NC Coastal Federation Ted Wilgis 910-509-2838 tedw@nccoast.org
Phoenix Employment Ministry Don Skinner 910-343-8469 phoenixesw@bellsouth.net
Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter Tracy Register / Jason Clamme 910-512-7559 or 910-796-7981 tracy.register@lcfh.org or jason.clamme@lcfh.org
Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc. Andrea Stough 910-343-0703 dvoutreach@earthlink.net
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History Madeline Flagler 910-256-2569 wbmuseum@bizec.rr.com
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Melissa Clary 910-763-3114 mclary@mdausa.org
Wilmington SCORE Sara Raleigh 910-409-9865 sraleigh@ec.rr.com
Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.  Crisis Intervention Services Julie Ozier, LCSW or   Celine Adair, LMFT (910) 392-6936 jozier@coastalhorizons.org
American Red Cross – Cape Fear Chapter Wendy Flynn 910-762-2683 ext.328 flynnw@usa.redcross.org
Brunswick County Volunteer Center Jayne W. Mathews 910-253-2574 jmathews@brunswickes.com
YWCA Lower Cape Fear Katie Nelson 910-799-6820 ext 104 volunteers@ywca-lowercapefear.org
New Hanover High School Army JROTC LTC James M. Chaffins (910) 520 – 7244 james.chaffins@nhcs.net
Comfort Socks Theresa Tese 9102698577 theresa@comfortsocksonline.org
CHILD ADVOCACY & PARENTING PLACE (CAPP CENTER) ELIZABETH K. MANDEL 910-791-1057 MANDELL@CAPPCENTER.ORG
SEACC (Southeastern Alliance for Community Change) Steve Lee 910-791-4877 seacc1@gmail.com
Brunswick Christian Recovery Center Ouida Hewett 910-842-6017 ouida@atmc.net
OPTIMIST CLUB OF WINTER PARK CHUCK KUEBLER 910-392-7760 charleskuebler@gmail.com
Elderhaus Adult Day Care Trudy Tann (910)251-0660 trudy.tann@elderhaus.com
Brunswick Family Assistance Agency Lora Moree 910-754-4777x 103 lorabfa@gmail.com
Amercan Radio Relay League Glenn Cox 910 431 3875 ke4bmy@hotmail.com
“Bread for Life….” Ministry Claudette Fiskin, MSW 910-343-5276 Bread4life.ministry@gmail.com
Cape Fear Literacy Council Rachel LaCoe 910-251-0911 rlacoe@cfliteracy.org
Canines for Service (formerly Carolina Canines for Service) Laura Kranchalk 910-362-8181 lkranchalk@caninesforservice.org
Pretty In Pink Foundation Joy Wade 910-620-9871 jwade@prettyinpinkfoundation.org
Paws Place Inc.  3701 E. Boiling Spring Rd.  Winnabow, NC 28479 Peggy Durso 910-253-9258 peggydurso@ec.rr.com
New Hanover Regional Medical Center Eileen McConville 815.5317 eileen.mcconville@nhrmc.org
A.R.R.L. The Amercican Radio Relay League Glenn Cox 910 431 3875 ke4bmy@hotmail.com
Cape Fear Volunteer Center Annie Anthony 910-392-8180 cfvcdirector@gmail.com

1. Lower Rate.

One method is to seek out a lower interest rate for the balance of $175,500. By lowering the interest rate to 7%, but maintaining the current payment schedule (20 more years of payments in the above example) your payment would drop to about $1,361 and the loan would still be retired at the original 30-year mark.

2. Longer Term.

Another way to lower your payment would be to prolong the length of the amortization. For instance, by getting a new 30-year mortgage for $175,500 at the 10-year mark, your payment would drop to $1,167 (at 7%).

3. Cash Out.

Some homeowners pull equity out of their properties for home improvement, vacation, college costs, big-ticket purchases or to consolidate debt. Especially when interest rates are rising or stable, cashing-out is often the primary reason for refinancing.

4. Change Loan Type.

Other folks refinance in order to change the type of loan they are paying off. Some homeowners grow uncomfortable with the variability of adjustable-rate mortgages and would rather have a fixed-rate loan. Others need to reduce monthly expenses and choose an adjustable-rate loan to lower their payment.

5. Shorter Term. The rates are still around 4%

Sharpen Your Pencils!
Determining how much you can afford to finance in today’s market requires careful consideration and a bit of math. If you are thinking about refinancing an existing mortgage or buying a home, use these charts to help you plan. Then call us, so we can answer your questions and help you take the next step!
Monthly Payment: How much can you afford?
Lenders will usually allow you to spend 28% of your total–or gross–monthly income to make mortgage payments of principal, interest, taxes and insurance. The table below shows how much 28% is at various income levels.
Annual Income	Gross Monthly Income	Affordable Monthly Payment**
$20,000	$1,667	$467
$25,000	$2,083	$583
$30,000	$2,500	$700
$35,000	$2,917	$817
$40,000	$3,333	$933
$45,000	$3,750	$1,050
$50,000	$4,167	$1,167
$60,000	$5,000	$1,400
$70,000	$5,833	$1,633
$80,000	$6,667	$1,867
$100,000*	$8,333	$2,333
*For incomes over $100,000, add together the two appropriate columns.
Loan Amount: How much can you plan to borrow?
Once you know how much you can afford monthly, use this table to estimate how much you can borrow. Add your down payment to get an approximate house-hunting price range.
Monthly Payment**	5%	7%	9%	11%
$467	86,995	70,194	58,040	49,038
$583	108,603	87,630	72,457	61,219
$700	130,399	105,216	86,998	73,505
$817	152,194	122,802	101,539	85,791
$933	173,803	140,237	115,956	97,971
$1,050	195,598	157,823	130,497	110,257
$1,167	217,393	175,409	145,038	122,543
$1,400	260,797	210,431	173,995	147,009
$1,633	304,201	245,453	202,953	171,476
$1,867	347,791	280,625	232,035	196,047
$2,333	434,599	350,668	289,951	244,980
**Principal and interest only; taxes, insurance and any homeowner fees not included. These will raise your monthly payment and reduce the amount of principal and interest and total loan amount you can afford. Loan amounts are based on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. For incomes over $100,000, add together the two loan amounts and add your down payment.

Yet another reason for refinancing is to shorten the term of your current mortgage. If your income has grown substantially and you’re happy living in the same home, you could reduce the length of your loan by simply refinancing to a shorter-term mortgage with a smaller balance but higher payment. Using the above example again, a $175,500 loan paid off in 15 years at 8% would cost you $1,677 each month (about $200 more than for the original loan), but the loan would be paid off relatively quickly–saving you thousands of dollars in interest payments.
Whatever you decide, be sure to weigh the costs of refinancing carefully. A lower monthly payment may help your cash flow, but is it going to cost you too much up-front to make sense? Be sure you’ll live in the home long enough to recoup the expenses associated with refinancing–points, closing costs and fees.

Beat Your Competition To The Contract

To sell your home quickly for top dollar in today’s market, the best move you can make is to price the property at its current market value. When you set the right price on your home, you have an edge on your competition.

Here’s how setting the right price helps you:

You tap the pent-up demand of buyers who have already seen everything on the market and are waiting for new home listings.

You target the right group of prospects — the ones who can afford your home and are looking at similar properties.

Your home will compare favorably with other homes potential buyers see because yours will look better than overpriced homes in your category.

Perils Of Overpricing

Overpricing your home gives the advantage to your competition — the other homes on the market. The buyers you want to attract won’t see your home because they are only looking at homes listed in their price range.

Prospective buyers who do see your home realize they can get a better deal elsewhere. If it’s your home they want, they may choose to wait until you lower the price. And if you do reduce the price, other potential buyers wonder why the home has been on the market so long.

The right price is determined by the size, condition and location of your home, what comparable homes are selling for at the time you list yours, and the balance of supply and demand in your area.

Strategic Pricing

Setting the best price to list your home is part science, part art. There are several aspects of the home’s value we consider when making pricing recommendations.

1. Comparison. Where does your home fit in the Wilmington NC marketplace? It should be priced to be competitive with comparable homes in the same area.

2. Negotiation. The price should allow some space to make concessions in order to close the deal.

3. Return. The listing price should be set so you net the most money possible from the sale.

4. Target. Ideally, the price is adjusted to the top of a multiple listing category, so the home’s features compare favorably with lower-priced homes in the range. (If it is placed at the bottom of the next higher price grouping, the higher-priced homes will look better and sell more quickly.)

Other Factors

Unfortunately, what you paid for your home is not a factor in determining its market value. Neither is what you would like to get out of the home. Some home improvements you’ve made may add to the market value, however. Having the home in picture-perfect condition from the first day of the listing may also increase the value of your home. But mostly, these will help you sell faster, and that could mean a sale price close to your asking price.

Call us to find out more about how you can price your Wilmington NC real estate to sell it quickly. We’ll be happy to conduct a FREE market analysis to find the best price for listing your home.

For Release November 17, 2011

Merger of Two Top-Selling Coldwell Banker Franchises Creates State’s Third-Largest Residential Real Estate Brokerage Two of the top-selling Coldwell Banker franchises in North Carolina have joined forces, creating the state’s third-largest residential real estate brokerage company. The merger of Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty of Wilmington and Coldwell Banker Advantage of Raleigh and Fayetteville creates a regional powerhouse with a sales team of more than 600 agents and 26 sales offices in Raleigh, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Jacksonville and other Eastern North Carolina markets. The two companies combined to generate more than $1.3 billion in sales volume from 6,500 real estate transactions in 2010, which would have ranked the merged company as the state’s third-largest brokerage, according to REAL Trends, a real estate industry trade magazine. Those totals would also have ranked among the top 55 brokerages in the country in sales volume and among the top 75 in transactions, according to the magazine. The two companies are on track to surpass last year’s sales and transactions totals in 2011, having already exceeded $1 billion in sales and 6,000 transactions through October, according to statistics provided by local offices of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The merger was announced by Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation CEO Jim Gillespie on Thursday, November 17th in separate news conferences in Raleigh and Wilmington. “Today’s merger creates the fifth largest Coldwell Banker affiliated company in North America,” Gillespie said. “Coldwell Banker Advantage and Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty have been long-time members of the Coldwell Banker Chairman’s Circle, representing the best-of-the-best of our great brand,” he said. The new company – to be called Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage – will be led by co-CEOs Tim Milam of Sea Coast Realty and Gary Rabon of Advantage. “This is a true merger of equals,” Milam said. “It is not an acquisition. I want to emphasize that in the strongest possible terms. All owners of both companies will remain owners with the new company. Neither company is buying the other. Instead we’re joining forces to compete more effectively in today’s challenging marketplace. “Gary and I have been friends for years,” he added. “Our companies have been built on similar values and culture. We’ve talked about merging for at least the last five years, and finally decided this summer the time was right to get it done.” Rabon added: “This is a merger where both companies are strengthened. It builds our regional footprint and enables us to do an even better job of supporting our team of brokers and agents in the field. It also creates a lot of synergies in terms of marketing, training and technology.” The merger brings together two companies that have dominated their respective markets. SeaCoast Realty is currently the number one brokerage in Wilmington, Brunswick County, Topsail and Jacksonville with over 23 percent of the market. Advantage, meanwhile, ranks number four in Raleigh and number one in Fayetteville, according to MLS statistics. Both have emerged as leaders in North Carolina’s fast-growing military market, with strong positions among military families in Fayetteville and Jacksonville – home of Fort Bragg and Camp LeJeune, respectively. The merged companies will also have an advantage in serving the two-way traffic between the Raleigh/Research Triangle and the Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach markets, Rabon said. “There’s a lot of cross-pollination on I-40 in both directions,” he said. “Triangle families are looking in Wilmington area for second-home opportunities, while a lot of Wilmington area families are looking to move to the Triangle for job opportunities. “The merger gives us an even better connection to this growing segment of the market, one that we are both going to capitalize on.” CONTACT: Tim Milam Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage (910) 202 2501 Gary Rabon Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage (919) 846 3305

Welcome Coldwell Banker Advantage, we look forward to working with you. Kay Baker and Associates – www.cbbaker.com

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Happy Veterans Day.  A huge thank you for all of you that have served or are serving our great Country.  We would not have the rights and privileges that we enjoy today without your selfless service.  According to the Department of Veterans Website the history of Veterans Day started after  World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Crawl The Walls

Start going to the right when you enter the house, and keep on following to the right. You will check each wall that way. Do the same on every floor. Look for settlement cracks, separating joints, defective plaster or other signs of stress or damage. Check wallpapered areas for crinkling or gathering, which may mean walls are settling or shifting.

Look For Leaks

Loose or wrinkled wallpaper could indicate a water leak somewhere. Look for water stains on the ceiling and walls. You may have to look closely — bring a flashlight — in case they have been painted over or repaired.Spend time in the bathrooms and in every area with pipes, checking for leaks and drips. Also, run the shower and basin, then flush the toilet to check water pressure. Look for cracked or loose tiles and missing grout or mildew stains on the walls or floor, which could indicate a behind-the-wall leak.

Plug Into The Electrical System

Check every electric socket or outlet. Use a plug-in night light and turn every switch on and off. Look for extension cords and multiple plugs in sockets, which could mean insufficient or poorly placed sockets. Also check every appliance to be sure it works well.

Focus On Condition

Open and close every door and window. Look and listen for squeaking, sticking, or a tendency to close on their own. Check for evidence of shifting or settling around the front stoop, chimney and walks, and places where the driveway and the fence meet the house. Also check the deck for sturdiness and look for rotted wood. Go into the garage and check the walls, floors and doors — inside and out.

Pay Attention To Pests

Look for termites and ants. Especially look along the foundation, around doors and entry points of wiring and pipes. Check the grading of the yard to be sure water runs away from the house.If everything looks good to you and you decide to purchase the house, be sure to require a home inspection by a professional inspector before settlement. You will want a professional who will crawl into the crawl space, climb onto the roof and poke around with a flashlight in the attic. Your professional should also carefully inspect the major systems — electrical, gas, plumbing and heating/air conditioning.

You can and should insist on a written report detailing what the problems are with the house, how important each one is. You may have to consult a contractor to estimate repair costs on any problems found.

We have a list of local service providers that will help you with your inspections. View here….

For all your Wilmington NC real estate needs,  please visit www.cbbaker.com

How Do You Prove You Had It………

When You Don’t Have It Anymore?

Have you counted your silverware lately? Cataloged your coin collection? Inventoried your attic treasures? If you lost them, would you be able to prove to your insurance company you actually possessed what you say you owned? Could you prove how much those lost items were worth? There are lots of ways you could lose some or all of your possessions–flood, fire or other natural disaster, moving, burglary. In attempting to recover your losses, having a comprehensive inventory on hand could be worth many thousands of dollars.

Here are some suggestions for compiling and storing a household inventory.

• Ask your insurance company for a room-by-room form to help you make your inventory or use a computer software program designed for the same purpose.
• Do your counting while you’re in the process of spring or fall cleaning–or as you move from one home to another.
• Work in small doses, one room at a time.
• Be as specific as possible in your listing. Note the date of purchase and the purchase price. Describe the item in detail, including serial number.
• Some items increase in value over time. Be sure to get updated appraisals on antiques, jewelry and other valuables periodically.
• If you’ve kept purchase receipts–always a good idea, especially for big-ticket items–keep them with your inventory.
• To supplement your description, make photographs or a video of your things.
• Update your inventory at least annually and when you purchase more-expensive items.
• Make a copy of your inventory, keeping one at home and placing the other one in a safe place elsewhere–perhaps in a safe deposit box or with a relative.

TIPS
Check with your insurance company about getting replacement-cost coverage if you don’t already have it. Rather than giving you the depreciated value of a lost or damaged item, for a slightly higher premium replacement-cost coverage will give you the full amount necessary to buy a similar new item at current prices.

Also, note the limits on your policy for various types of items. If, for example, you own jewelry worth in excess of the policy’s limit for jewelry, talk with your agent about picking up a rider policy to cover the full worth.

You have spent your lifetime making your home a home.  Keep it that way.  For all the latest Wilmington NC real estate trends, please visit www.cbbaker.com

 10/27/2011

Well it is official.  Screen Gems Studio and Wilmington NC will be host to the filming of IRon Man III.  Welcome to our great town.  Enjoy.

So why is Gov. Perdue coming to Wilmington today to Screen Gems Studio to make an announcement?  We shall know at 2:30 pm.  North Carolina beat out Michigan in posssible places to film Iron Man 3.  Aaron Syrett, director of the N.C. Film Office sent out an email last night to members of the state film council about the visit.  The studio has made a call for crew members for another production, rumor has it that it is really for Iron Man 3.  More later after 2:30 today.  Cross those fingers and get ready to say “Welcome to Wilmington Iron Man III” we hope…..

Rumors abound.  According to the Latino Review, a website that reviews and researches films, director Shane Black  is scouting the Wilmington NC area to film Iron Man 3.  The previous versions have all been filmed in Los Angeles and the thought is that the director would like a change of scenery for the sequel.  Screen Gems Studio is home to many movies and television shows.  Currently “One Tree Hill” and “Eastbound and Down” are being filmed in the area.  Colin Firth and Emily Blunt will start filming in the area for ” Arthur Newman – Golf Pro” in October.  If the rumor is true Iron Man will be taking over 10 of Screen Gems sound stages and set designs are rumored to have already started.  Filming should start in June 2012 and the release should be May 3, 2013.  The budget for Iron Man 2 was $200 million and this film should have a similar budget.  We welcome you Shane Black, Robert Downey Jr.  and crew.  You will love Wilmington NC and the creative crew at Screen Gems Studio.  You will also love the people of Wilmington NC, who make the city we live in “perfect”.

If you see the area and want to look at real estate please feel free to search on www.cbbaker.com for virtual tours, videos, photos and more.

photo from movietrailers.com

Wilmington NC makes the news again.  This time for being the #79th  most searched real estate market on Realtor.com website for September.  This is good news.  The market has been slowly picking up and the buyers are starting to look again.  With the interest rates below 4%, now more than ever is a great time to buy.  Realtor. com was one of the first real estate websites that the public could search all over the United States.  We have been with them for over 17 years.  It is a great tool to have to expose your properties to the public.  In addition to the regular service Realtor.com provides, we also “Showcase” our listings so that we can add more information, virtual tours  and photos to each or our listings.  We also have “Featured Homes” on Realtor.com.  When someone types in Wilmington NC in the search term, our listings are featured at the top and bottom of the screen in a revolving sequence.  We do get more public hits on the Featured Homes and think that this helps increase exposure on each home.  Being progressive and proactive are vital in this real estate market, and Kay Baker and Associates have always tried to stay above of the trends.

Riverfest logo 2011 from www.wilmingtonriverfest.com

The first Riverfest was October 1979.  A group of Wilmingtonian’s who were interested in the arts and wanted to resurrect the feeling of community in Downtown Wilmington brainstormed on how to bring back the alive nature of the downtown riverfront.  The area had become in disrepair and not family friendly.  The beautiful old buildings and the setting on the Cape Fear River deserved something better than the current conditions in the 1970′s.  The group of 40 volunteers put together the first Riverfest  with a budget of $5,500 (all donations).  This would be a free festival and would include trolley rides, 4 concessions and fireworks.  It was a huge success, thereby starting the tradition of holding the Riverfest every year since then on the first week of October.  This years festivities have grown even larger than past celebrations.

According to the Riverfest 2011 Reflections website ”

Over thirty years later Riverfest consists of: Twenty plus committees, over 300 volunteers, a budget of $90,000, over 200 craft vendors, 35 concessions booths, entertainment on various stages, Saturday night fireworks, Run the River 8K, the Great Wine Waiter’s Race, A Children’s Area, and more than 6 sporting events with contests for all ages. The end result is a half mile of free family entertainment, dependant on sponsorships and donations from community businesses and organizations. The economic impact on Riverfest on the surrounding community has been estimated at over three million dollars with attendance in excess of 100,000 per year.

As delightful as the festival outcome is, the end result is awarding of scholarships for marine related studies at Cape Fear Community College. The ultimate goal of Riverfest is to increase the amount of scholarship funds each year to Cape Fear Community College.”

It is wonderful to see such a great event in the fall in Wilmington NC.  The arts, cultural scene, music scene and the picturesque background of the city, is something not all cities can boast about.  Please join us in celebrating this years Riverfest ~ Reflections on the River October 7th – 9th.  For all the highlights and schedules please visit  www.wilmingtonriverfest.com

If you see any historic homes or any neighborhoods  that catch your interest, give us a call and we can show you the homes available in the area.  Feel free to visit http://www.cbbaker.com or text 14059 to 44133 to view listings on your phone.  Above all, welcome to our town and may you feel the Southern Hospitality all weekend.  Enjoy.