Grand Opening Celebration!

You're invited to a Grand Opening Celebration!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Join Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty for the Grand Opening of our South Brunswick office!

FREE Food & Fun!
* Hamburgers & hot dogs by the Butcher of Brunswick
* Inflatable Bounce House & Hula Hoops
* Prizes.

The office is located at 127 Village Road in Shallotte, NC.

Our FREE, fun-filled, family-style event is sponsored by Alpha Mortgage, Beacon Title Agency, and Baker & Colby, PLLC.

For more information, please call our South Brunswick office at 910-754-6782 .

Leatherback Sea Turtles Born in Holden Beach

Last week, 53 newly-hatched leatherback turtles made their way from their nest on Holden Beach to the sea.

The nest is Holden Beach, NC’s first known leatherback turtle nest. Loggerhead turtles often nest on Brunswick County’s beaches, but Leatherback turtle nests are much less common.

Volunteers with Holden Beach Turtle Watch dug a trench from the nest to the ocean and protected the Leatherback hatchlings from the crowd that had gathered to observe. Their work was illuminated by red lights, so as not to disorient the baby turtles.

Volunteers named the first turtle hatched, Shannon. When she made her way to the end of the trench, onlookers sang “Happy Birthday” and cheered.

Holden Beach Turtle Watch volunteers estimate the leatherback turtle that made the nest probably weighed about 900 pounds and was more than six feet long. Leatherback turtles are the largest of all living sea turtles. The mother sea turtle probably laid the eggs 60 to 70 days before they hatched. After laying the eggs, she covered her nest with sand to disguise it from predators, and returned to the sea.

Stacey Manning captured images of the event for The Brunswick Beacon. To see her photos, please visit The Brunswick Beacon.

For more information about real estate in Holden Beach and other Brunswick County, North Carolina beaches, please visit SeaCoastRealty.com or visit Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty's offices in Southport, Shallotte, and Oak Island.

TV Report Says Brunswick Home Sales Encouraging

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty associate Sean Skutnik appeared in a report on WWAY Newschannel 3's newscast last night.

Skutnik and other area Realtors told reporter Meghan Torjussen that home sales in Brunswick County have steadily increased over the past year and that they're excited by the recovery of the local housing market.

To see Torjussen's report, click the image above or click here.

To find properties in Brunswick County and other areas on the Cape Fear Coast, please visit SeaCoastRealty.com.

Our People Make the Difference

John O'Connor says he joined Sea Coast Realty's Southport, NC office because of the training, technology, and strong Coldwell Banker brand. However, he says that it's the people and the positive environment there that have really been key to his success. "It really does come back to having an environment where everybody is supporting you to get to the goals that you're trying to achieve," says O'Connor.




For more information, please visit http://www.seacoastrealty.com/ or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/seacoastrealty.

"Cash for Appliances" Expected to Boost NC Economy

North Carolina shoppers only have four days to take advantage of a "Cash for Appliances" program offering 15% off new Energy Star appliances. Some local retailers are staying open longer and offering extra discounts to cash in on the anticipated rush.

North Carolina chose Earth Day to kick off the NC Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program. The program offers North Carolina residents a 15% instant savings when they purchase new Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators & freezers to replace old appliances. That means that an appliance that normally costs $500 will only cost $425. Shoppers will have to hurry to take advantage of the savings though. The program only runs from Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, April 25, 2010.

The so-called "Cash for Appliances" program is similar to its predecessor, "Cash for Clunkers." The $8.8 million North Carolina program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Each state decided how to distribute their allotted funds. This program is designed to stimulate the economy with sales of new appliances and create energy savings by getting Americans to trade older appliances for newer, more energy efficient models.

"Appliances consume a huge amount of our electricity, so there's enormous potential to both save energy and save families money every month," said Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a press release. "These rebates will help families make the transition to more efficient appliances, making purchases that will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs."

North Carolina's program is similar to a program Florida launched last week. Florida planned for its program to last 10 days, but after the second day, the $17.5 million it allotted for the program had been exhausted. Florida's program offered 20% off the purchase of new energy efficient appliances. That means that Floridians spent $87.5 million on appliances in just two days. That means North Carolina shoppers may want to get out and take advantage of the offer sooner, rather than later.

Local appliance retailers are anticipating many more shoppers than usual, thanks to the program. Some are planning extended hours to accommodate the rush and others are even offering additional savings.

"I think a lot of people have been aware of the program and they've been looking ahead," Mindy Hughes of Crossroads Appliance Center in Supply told the Wilmington Star-News. Her store launched an advertising campaign about the rebate last month. "We've got a couple of remodels that have been sparked off by this program, which is great for us. Once they get one new item, they look at remodeling the whole kitchen." Hughes is planning on opening her store an hour early and staying open as late as necessary to serve her customers.

Atlantic Appliance is normally open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. Instead, it will stay open until 8 p.m. these days. It will still be closed on Sunday.

Just across from Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty's main office, retailer hhgregg in Mayfaire Town Center will be open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday. It's also offering 30% off Energy Star appliances those days. The store is also open Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., but some anticipate the funds for the "Cash for Appliances" program may be exhausted by then.

Lowe's and Home Depot are offering an additional 10% off Energy Star appliances more than $398. Both retailers are open Thursday thru Saturday 6 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m, though Home Depot will open at 5 a.m. Thursday.

Thru Saturday, Sears is offering 30% off Energy Star appliances, in addition to the 15% "Cash for Appliances" savings. Its store hours vary by location.

To qualify for the North Carolina "Cash for Appliances" program, Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators & freezers must be replacing an older appliance that will be recycled. Sales tax will be applied to the price of the appliance prior to the 15% instant rebate. Buyers must be North Carolina residents and purchase the new appliances from a participating North Carolina retailer. For more information on NC Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program, please visit ncappliancerebate.com.

Participating retailers in our area are:

Onslow County

• Best Buy, 1116 Western Blvd., Jacksonville
• Boomtown Furniture, 625 New Bridge Street, Jacksonville
• Freedom Furniture and Electronics, 2153 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Furniture Fair, 507 Bell Fork Road, Jacksonville
• Furniture Fair, 2015 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Home Depot, 479 Western Blvd. Hwy 17, Jacksonville
• Lowe's, 1255 Western Blvd., Jacksonville
• Lowe's, 425 Yopp Road, Jacksonville
• Major Appliance & Furniture Co., 2129 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Marine Corps Community Services, Birch and Holcomb Streets, Camp Lejeune
• Sears, 344 Jacksonville Mall, Jacksonville
  

Pender County

• Lowe's, 106 Wilkes Lane, Hampstead
• Sears, 15530 US Highway 17, Hampstead
  

New Hanover County

• Atlantic Appliance & Hardware, 914 S. Kerr Avenue, Wilmington
• Badcock Home Furniture & More, 2642 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Best Buy, 309 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery, 1925 Dawson St., Wilmington
• hhgregg, 830 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington
• Home Depot, 5511 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Home Depot, 210 Eastwood Road, Wilmington
• Island Appliance, 5946 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Kitchen Dreams, 700 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington
• Lowe's, 5110 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Lowe's, 354 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Sears, 3500 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
  

Brunswick County

• Badcock Home Furniture & More, 4511 N. Main Street, Shallotte
• Crossroads Appliance Center, 50 Green Swamp Road N.W., Supply
• Home Depot 150-1 Shallotte Crossing, Shallotte
• Lowe's, 351 Whiteville Road, Shallotte
• Lowe's, 5084 Southport Supply Road S.E., Southport
• Sears, 5302 Main Street, Shallotte
• Shallotte Electric Stores, 4900 Main Street, Shallotte
  

Duplin County

• Brandsource, 111 E. Southerland Street, Wallace
• Brewer Co. True Value Hardware, 348 N.E. Center Street, Faison
• Harrell's Department Store, 107 S. Wright Street, Burgaw
• Lanier & Smith Ace Hardware, 4646 South NC Highway 50, Chinquapin
• Page Audio-Video-Appliances, 312 N. Front Street, Warsaw
• Rochelle Furniture Co., 111 W. Fremont Street, Burgaw
• Sears, 1315 N. Norwood Street, Wallace

Relocating or retiring? Take a "Test Drive"

Thinking of relocating, but you just aren't sure? Why not take a "test drive"?

Pat Maloney with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty's Southport, NC office suggests three great ways that you can get a feel for areas like the NC coast before you make a commitment.



Why not rent a beach cottage during the off-season to get a feel for the area? Pat says it's a great option, especially if you're already retired.

If you aren't retired, but want to test the waters, Pat suggests buying a "little something", a small home that you'll use for weekend getaways and family vacations. Then when you do retire, you can decide if moving to the coast is what you have in mind.

For those that are more daring, but still not ready to buy, Pat suggests moving somewhere and renting a home for no longer than 6 months. After that amount of time, you should have a good feel for the area and can make an informed decision about where to buy a home.

With all the natural beauty and friendly folks on the Cape Fear Coast, you'll be surprised how quickly you feel at home.

For more information, please visit SeaCoastRealty.com or find us on Facebook.

Boiling Spring Lakes, NC

The city of Boiling Spring Lakes takes its name from the array of 50 lakes and a natural boiling spring there.

Sharon Zakszeski with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty, better known as Sharon "Zak", lives along the 10 mile shoreline of the "Big Lake," where she enjoys the natural beauty and friendly faces.



For more information, please visit http://www.seacoastrealty.com/ or find us on Facebook.

Networking Guru & Sea Coast Associate Shares Tips for Success

Over the last 40 years, Bruce Brown has been a teacher, counselor, freelance writer, real estate professional, business coach and small business owner.

At Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty’s Leland, NC office, Brown puts his talents and experience to work helping home buyers and sellers. He is also vice-president of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and frequently attends networking events to promote and support other local businesses. His enthusiasm and willingness to share his wisdom energize the business community and Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty.

Brown is also the owner of his own business coaching company. He shares his passion in “31 Days to Networking Event Mastery," a book he's written with a month's worth of daily tips for making the most of networking events. He will share networking tips and plan for business success Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 at the Brunswick County Association of Realtors, located at 101 Stone Chimney Place in Supply, NC.

Check out the Brunswick Beacon for more about the event and Bruce Brown. For more information about Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty, please visit SeaCoastRealty.com or find us on Facebook.

Lynda Haraway Joins Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty announces that Lynda Haraway has joined its Oak Island, North Carolina office. Haraway is a veteran real estate professional and has been a one of Brunswick County’s top-selling real estate sales associates for more than fifteen years.

“I am thrilled to welcome Lynda Haraway to the Sea Coast Realty family,” said Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty president and CEO Tim Milam. “We opened our new office in Oak Island just a few weeks ago and I’m very proud that it’s already attracting top real estate talents like Lynda to Sea Coast Realty.” Haraway comes to Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty from Century 21 Dorothy Essey & Associates, also in Oak Island.

Haraway grew up near Monroe, N.C., but she’s been an Oak Island resident for 17 years. She and her husband Bud invested in Oak Island real estate for almost a decade before moving there from Danville, Virginia in 1992. Since then, Haraway has been a top-selling real estate sales associate and multi-million dollar producer. At Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty, Haraway plans to continue using her extensive knowledge of the Oak Island area and years of experience to help people find the homes of their dreams.