History and coastal flair merge as one on the Wilmington NC real estate scene.
Those moving to North Carolina certainly will take notice of Wilmington NC. Real estate galore, this southeastern city on the Cape Fear River blends the charm of a small southern town with the advantages of a large metropolis. Also known as the Port City, Wilmington NC serves as a dynamic business hub for the Southeast. During the last decade, the coastal community has flourished, giving rise to a vibrant downtown scene and renewed cultural centers. Fueling the spike in activity, the market has seen a continued increase in homes for sale in Wilmington. As a result, the availability of high-quality properties at reasonable costs has led to an influx of folks moving to North Carolina.
Wilmington neighbors some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast and regularly receives national accolades for its pristine quality of life. The landscape meshes coastal wetlands with rural fields and pine-laden streetscapes. Cradled by the Wrightsville Beach real estate and Carolina Beach real estate markets, the Port City finds itself in the center of a property trifecta.
Many popular television and film companies have used Wilmington NC real estate as a backdrop in big-screen productions. This includes Under the Dome, Sleepy Hollow and Iron Man 3, as well as past TV series like Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill. In fact, the Wilmington region has been dubbed Hollywood East by many movie insiders. Recently, Rent.com rated Wilmington NC number one (outside of Los Angeles and New York) on its top-10 list of cities for visitors to likely cross paths with a celebrity.
Aside from holding a top spot on the pop-culture map, Wilmington also serves as a home-away-from-home for many academics and entrepreneurs. This includes some 12,000 students attending the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) and the 9,000 students of Cape Fear Community College.
Luckily, there is a healthy stock of housing when it comes to Wilmington NC real estate. Buyers will find everything from historic homes in the downtown district to brand new single family homes, condos and town homes in recently-completed developments. Accordingly, homes for sale in Wilmington NC boast prices ranging across the board.
Downtown Wilmington’s Historic District sits adjacent to the Cape Fear River and is brimming with real estate from eras gone by. The 100 block area is highlighted by the Riverwalk – a restored riverfront promenade. Those exploring the streets and corridors of Downtown Wilmington will find dozens of fine dining restaurants, theaters, playhouses, pubs, art galleries, music clubs and boutiques.
Wilmington NC’s thriving creative scene is centered around Thalian Hall, a centuries-old Opera House that regularly offers musical and theatrical presentations. UNCW is an incubator for the city’s intellectual and cultural growth. Home to an outstanding fine arts program, there is never a lack of concerts, plays or dance performances on the calendar. From events by the University’s symphony orchestra, acts from the theater and dance department or shows by visiting professional performers, every week holds a new live entertainment opportunity.
In April, Wilmington hosts the Azalea Festival – a week-long spring celebration featuring concerts by prominent artists. The popular event also includes parades, a circus, air show and a street fair offering free live music, fireworks and blocks of vendors selling both arts and crafts and festival food.
For the business community, a 107,000 square-foot convention center on the banks of the Cape Fear River anchors a 12,000-square-foot event lawn. This, coupled with Wilmington International Airport, contributes to the area’s growing commerce. Located within the city’s boundaries, ILM offers non-stop flights to New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Atlanta and Charlotte and service to many other cities.
Down the street, a major regional medical center provides care and carries out groundbreaking research. The Wilmington NC real estate collage is rounded out by a focus on leisure and the good life. The community includes seven major shopping centers, as well as museums, libraries, fine parks and a botanical garden.
With its population approaching 110,000, Wilmington can experience occasional traffic congestion, particularly during rush hours and special events.
Although property taxes are low compared to cities and counties in the northeast and mid-Atlantic states, Wilmington’s city and county combined property taxes ($0.83 per $100 of valuation) are the highest in the region. (Personal property such as autos, trucks, boats, aircraft, motor homes, business assets, etc. are taxed at the same rate as real property.) The county is currently reevaluating property taxes, and the new rates will take effect in January 2012.
Looking for the best deals on Wilmington NC real estate? Contact Just For Buyers Realty today at (910) 202-4813.
