Home Sales Up 65% Nov. 09/08!

According to the latest information published by the North Carolina Association of Realtors (NCAR), existing home sales in Brunswick County increased in November 2009 compared to the previous month and the previous year.
Realtors in Brunswick County sold 181 units in November of 2009, up 65 percent from 110 units in November 2008. That also represents a 3 percent increase over October 2009, when 176 houses were sold. The average cost of a house also increased between November 2008 and 2009, from $232,147 to $248,291.

In the Wilmington area, the number of homes sold increased 83 percent between November of 2008 and 2009, from 213 to 389, a decrease over October’s 447. The average cost of a house in that area went from $252,331 in November 2008 to $223,697 in 2009.
According to local Realtor and Accredited Buyers Representative of the National Association of Realtors Martha Pope of Pope Real Estate Company, the end of 2009 was a busy season for the company. January has been very active.
“This first quarter of 2010 looks to be the best in a long time,” Pope said. “This is the time of year when people start looking for second homes.”
“Values are down because of the economy, but everything is showing,” she said. “We feel this is a great opportunity for buyers.”
Pope said that the region does not have as many foreclosures as some people expected, but buyers are actively looking for those deals.
Most of her customers are people looking to relocate to the area, many of them are waiting for their houses in their home areas to sell before they can buy one here.

Local Author’s Books: Huge Hit!

Local Author and Illustrator Miller Pope has spent a lifetime as an artist Read more

Earth Ball Man At Ocean Isle

Roger Drowne (that’s really his last name!) has been turning heads on the intracoastal waterway in his Earth Ball, a combination of pentagons and octagons.

In this video he waves at us as he travels past Ocean Isle Beach NC on December 6, 2009.

Mr. Drowne left Wilimington NC on November 9th – he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry as he makes his way to Key West!

He used treated lumber to create the nearly self-contained habitat.

Drowne said “It’s very simple, this went together in about 5 months”

Drowne made his 11-foot tall Earth Ball for less than $600. It is a place that where he will have a lot of time to spend. He is traveling in his Earth Ball to Key West, FL and hopes to complete the trip in 45 days.

Drowne hopes to spread the message of ecology and economy during his month and a half long voyage. He believes that with his craft he can cut his impact on the environment by 90%.

“The wind generator up top gives me my 12 volt batteries – I have 2 batteries, and that’s enough for refrigeration and lights, it powers my computers, my inverter, so I have 110 power on board. It’s all here.” said Drowne.

He has all the amenities that one might find necessary for a voyage of this long distance including primitive necessities, modern conveniences and of what all homemade hexagonal wooden boat captains need on board – life jackets.

The military veteran plans to travel around the world in his Earth Ball after his trip to Key West,.

Click here to watch a video of an interview with Mr. Drowne on Wilmington’s WECT News

Pirate Captured In Southport!

The pirate Stede Bonnet was captured at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, right by the nearby town of Southport, NC. He was taken to Charleston, SC and hung along with his crew! Read more