“Community leaders have been eager to keep the area in the race to develop new technologies and uses since the FCC chose the local television market as the first in the country to transition to digital TV.  New Hanover County and Wilmington are also noted in the FCC’s National Broadband plan as a model of the usability of the spectrum.

New Hanover County has provided network IP cameras, Wi-Fi routers, antennas and other hardware as well as technical installation of the new FCC approved radios.  New Hanover County, city of Wilmington and TVBS have been using white spaces for a number of business applications already, including water quality monitoring and security purposes.

Chaney says the county and city governments collaborated on a pilot project that provided Wi-Fi and video surveillance in the Creekwood housing development.  The county is also using white space to automate the collection of water quality data in environmentally sensitive areas that would have required trenching of wires.

 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

The Cost of Living Index measure differences in costs of services and consumer goods for middle class standard of living.  314 urban areas in the US participated in the study.  The study is conducted over a 3 day period, covering 90,000 prices of 60 different items.   The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce posted the following chart detailing the scores compared to other Southern cities.

Click on chart for larger view.

Some of the things you need to keep in mind are:

1. Make a list of things that you would like to have done to the interior and the exterior of the home. 

2.  Do your homework and ask friends for referrals of cleaning companies.  Check out references before you hand over the keys to you home.

3.  Make sure that the cleaning company handles taxes for their employees, has insurance and is bonded.

4. Get an estimate for services and make sure it is detailed.  Your idea of a cleaning might be different than theirs.

5.  Make sure that the company can schedule days to fit your schedule and whether or not they supply the cleaning equipment and supplies.

6.  A professional cleaning job can make your home shine and show well. 

7.  Call us to help you sell your home!

So, start your real estate search today at www.cbbaker.com.  You can find a new home as well as get seller advice.  You can search by price range, map, schools, neighborhoods and more.

Landfall is also home to well known golf courses such as The Pete Dye or Jack Nicklaus Course. The country clubs at Landfall offer 14  tennis courts, olympic size pool, state of the art fitness center, fine dining and social events year round.            

Landfall NC real estate offers diverse architecture, wooded homesites, and panoramic views of the intracoastal waterway, fairways, ponds and the beaches. Whatever your heart desires in luxurious country club living, it is here at Landfall near Historic Wilmington, NC.

Homes for sale in Landfall range in size and price  from 1650 sq ft patio home at Prestwick to a stately 10,000 sqft Greek Revival home priced at $4,919,000. There are presently 152 Landfall homes for sale, 6 homes are pending and are priced under $1,000,000. In 2009, there have been 16 homes sold in Landfall according to WRAR.

To search for homes in Landfall or Wilmington NC real estate including short sales or foreclosures, please log on to my website at www.cbbaker.com or contact me at kaybaker@ec.rr.com or 910-232-0363. I would be happy to send you a list of homes for sale.

Wilmington NC ranked high on the Forbes list of cities best suited for businesses and careers. NC took six top spots on the list of 20 metro cities listed out of 200 in the US. Raleigh ranked #1, Durham #3, Asheville #6, Wilmington #13, Winston Salem #18 and Charlotte #19. The 200 cities were scrutinized for various criteria including past 5 years of job growth and continued projections through 2011. Also examined were living costs, business expenses, income potential and trends for growth.

Wilmington NC is located between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean in Southeastern NC. It is home to UNCW, USS Battleship NC, Wilmington Regional Film Commission, NC Azalea Festival, The Fort Fisher Aquarium, Masonboro Island, Airlie Gardens and The World’s Largest Living Christmas Tree. Miles and miles of sandy white beaches are enjoyed on a daily basis by residents of the area. The mild climate makes for year round enjoyment of the many sounds, creeks, waterways and beaches.

Wilmington NC Real Estate

The Wilmington NC real estate market has been strong for many years and is named one of the strongest markets for appreciation. Real estate investors have enjoyed over 50% increase in property values in the past 5 years and less than 5% decrease in the past year in the housing meltdown.

For more detailed information on real estate in Wilmington, NC, please contact kay@cbbaker.com or call 800-497-7325. You may also log on to www.cbbaker.com to search all homes in Wilmington, NC by neighborhood, schools, zip, price or map.

There are several custom homes  for sale at Figure Eight Island. They range in price from $1,995,000-$4,475,000. Many of these custom homes are located on the beautiful white beaches of Figure 8 Island. There are also homes on the sound front with private boat docks for easy access to the

intracoastalway or the ocean for deep sea fishing. For complete details on Figure Eight Island real estate, please go to www.cbbaker.com or contact me directly at 910-232-0363. You can also text message 44133 textcode 14041 and you will receive mobile virtual tours to your phone!

Here they are:

1. I’m semi-famous. One of my several nicknames is Wilmywood and more than 300 films have been produced here since the 1980′s.
2. I raised Henry Bacon, the architect of the Lincoln Memorial. And when he died, he was buried here.
3. I’m getting fatter. My population has grown from 55,030 in 1990 to 90,330 in 2000. I’m expect to reach 99,781 next year.
4. I’m not going to tell you my age, but let’s say George Washington dropped by one day and had supper with me.
5. I’m really into the arts, ever since I was little. Oscar Wilde, Charlie Daniels, Claude Howell, Robert Ruark and others are all buddies. And just recently I’ve decorated with some new sculptures downtown.
6. I love to go fishing. The state’s biggest flat head catfish was caught right here in the Cape Fear River. It was 78 pounds. The state’s biggest black drum was caught here, too. It weighed 100 pounds.
7. I’m athletic, too. I’ve been home to Michael Jordan, Meadowlark Lemon, Sonny Jurgensen, Roman Gabriel, Althea Gibson, Trot Nixon.
8. Sometimes I can be obsessive compulsive. Did you know there are exactly 19 seams in the bridge over Bradley Creek?
9. I’m super smart. UNCW has 73 undergraduate degree programs and 32 graduate degrees. About 11,840 students attend the college. Cape Fear Community College’s student enrollment in credit programs topped 7500 in the fall 2007 semester.
10. I don’t reveal my secrets to just anyone. Did you know miles of more than 100 year old underground tunnels criss cross in the streets downtown? They were originally drainage, but who knows what else happened down there.
11. I don’t like to talk about my criminal past. But did you know Stede Bonnet, the gentleman pirate was captured here?
12. One of the proudest moments in my life happened just last year when the nuclear fast attack submarine, USS North Carolina, was commissioned at my port.
13. I love to party! Next time you get a chance, come on down to my NC Azalea Festival, Riverfest, Fourth of July Fireworks display over the battleship or lighting of the World’s Largest Christmas Tree. Those are good times, my friends.
14. My parents had a hard time deciding what to name me. Originally, they were going to call me New Carthage. They they changed it to Liverpool, New Town, Newton and finally, thank goodness, Wilmington.
15. Years ago there was a rumor that I had more fast food restaurants per capita than any other city in the Union. Well, I don’t know about that. But I sure can cook. All the movie stars complement me on my restaurants including Cafe Phoenix and Deluxe.
16. I’m a tough old bird. I’ve survived a lot of hurricanes, held off German submarines during World War II, lived through race riots, doused huge fires and trudged through two feet of snow back in 1989. But I keep on truckin’.
17. Lately I’ve been socializing with a lot of Northern friends. But I’ve always kept my deep Southern ways–sweet tea, magnolia blossoms in June, Civil War re-enactments and some darn good oysters.
18. I’m a pretty likeable city, but I’ve kicked out a few blow-hards like Hazel, Bertha, Fran, Diana, Floyd and the list goes on.
19. I’m super stylish, I’ve changed my looks over the years, from dirt roads and buggies to brick streets and trolley cars, then asphalt and speedsters. I move with the times. I’m starting to get rid of those unsightly power lines, too, and put in some modern underground ones.
20. Don’t tell anybody. Sometimes I get dandruff. During the Spring you’ll find everything covered in yellow-green pine pollen. It’s embarrassing.
21. I’m short but you’ll never guess how short. I only stand about 30 feet above sea level.
22. I’ve served our country. One of North Carolina’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence, William Hooper, lived here.
23. When it comes to love, I’m ruthless. Back in the 1700′s, I stole away the entire population of Brunswick Town. It’s just a State Historic site now. They loved me better anyway.
24. Sometimes you might hear mysterious loud booms. Some people call it the Seneca Guns. But it’s really me having a tantrum.
25. I love to spill the beans, the Wilmington Star News is the oldest published newspaper in North Carolina.

Thanks to Amy Hotz of the Wilmington Star News!

With Christmas approaching, the visitors are arriving. Wilmington NC has so much to offer visitors from the best shopping at Mayfaire to the many Christmas events and attractions. For starters is the Worlds Largest Christmas tree, an oak that is believed to be more than 400 years old and covered with 5,250 bulbs, which was lit last week at Wilmington’s Hilton Park at The 79th Annual Lighting!  Of course Santa & Mrs. Claus made an appearance. The Dolphins are out in Wrightsville Beach, & Pleasure Island is gearing up for their Island of Lights. The Historic Downtown Candlelight Tours, Enchanted Airlie, The Battle Ship Lighting and a Christmas Parade highlight some of the holiday festivities that Wilmington is famous for. And, this weekend, let’s don’t forget the Annual Christmas Choir & Orchestra at First Baptist Church, Christmas in the Country at Poplar Grove Plantation and Holiday Light Tours. Slow down and take time to enjoy and reflect during this busy time. Help others by putting a smile on their face. Need help with real estate, or have a question we might be able to help you with, please don’t hesitate to call us or visit www.cbbaker.com. Search by schools, map, zip codes, neighborhood and more.

The world’s largest living Christmas tree is lit nightly and available for viewing between now and Christmas at 407 Hilton St. Wilmington, NC.