Incomes are growing fastest in U.S. metro areas with a military base, according to an analysis by USA Today of per-capita income rankings.

After adjusting for inflation, military compensation rose 84 percent from 2000 through 2009. During that time, private sector compensation rose 9 percent and federal civil workers’ compensation grew 37 percent, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The 10 metro areas (and their military connections) that saw the biggest percentage gains in per-capita income 2000 to 2009 were:

1. Jacksonville, N.C. - Camp Lejeune
2. Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, La. - military shipbuilding
3. Manhattan, Kan. - Fort Riley
4. Fayetteville, N.C. - Fort Bragg and Pop Air Force Base
5. Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Texas - Fort Hood
6. Lawton, Okla. - Fort Sill
7. Farmington, N.M. - none
8. Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. - Naval Sir Station Lemoore
9. Clarksville, Tenn. - Fort Campbell
10. Cheyenne, Wyo. - Warren Air Force Base

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast has an office in Jacksonville and it is only about 40 minutes north of Wilmington.  If you need any information about Jacksonville or Wilmington NC Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

Here is the chart that shows the listing inventory in the Wilmington MLS through April.  The Wilmington MLS includes New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender Counties.  To learn more about the Wilmington MLS or Wilmington real estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

We usually keep our Christmas decorations up until January 1st, however if you are one of the many that are already taking them down, don’t forget to recycle your Christmas tree.  Here are the county drop off locations: 

Brunswick County:  Landfill in Supply will accept trees through January 31.

Columbus County:  drop trees in the leaf and limb containers at any convenience center.

New Hanover County:  the 4 drop off centers in Wilmington are located at Myrtle Grove Middle School on Piner Road, American Property Specialists at 606 Sunnyvale Drive, Smith Creek Park on Harris off Gordon Road, and the New Hanover County Landfill on Highway 421 North.  These sites will accept trees through February 3.

Pender County:  the convenience centers in Burgaw, Hampstead, Rocky Point and Willard will accept trees starting Monday through January 11.

To learn more about Christmas tree recycling or Wilmington real estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

The  Triangle Journal had a story Tuesday that discussed the fact that the economies of Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties are forecast to grow 4 percent during 2010, faster than the state and nation.  The study was based on positive economic indicators by two economists at UNCW. 

The article stated that,  ”North Carolina is expected to grow 1.5 percent, while the nation grows 2.0 percent.  Local, state and national economies are forecast to exit the recession late this year.”

Among the keys signs of improvement mentioned are:

* Container tonnage passing through the Wilmington state port facilities is rising after being down through much of 2008.

* Residential real estate sales show that sector is likely to start growing again after bottoming out during the first quarter of the year.

* And unemployment rates have remained stable after hitting historic highs earlier this year. Still, Hall says that unemployment is a lagging indicator of economic health and likely will remain high, or even increase, after the recovery begins to take hold.

This is fantastic news for the greater Wilmington area.  To learn more about Wilmington area real estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

Saturday was one of the prettiest days we have had in Wilmington which made the athletes happy that were racing in the big BEACH2BATTLESHIP Triathlon.  If you were outside yesterday in the Wilmington area, it was inevitable that you would see someone participating in the race.  The race started with a 2.4 mile swim in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach.  After that came a 112 mile bike ride from Wrightsville Beach to White Lake and back to the Battleship.  The last leg was a 26 mile run that started and ended at the Battleship.  These athletes are incredible to have the stamina needed for this type of race.  There were athletes competing from all over the world and Wilmington residents could be seen cheering them on.  The first place men’s winner is from Denmark and the first place woman is from Winston Salem, NC.  To learn more about this topic or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

Today we had a “Poker Run” luncheon in Cross Creek.  Seven agents teamed up to showcase their listings in this wonderful Hampstead neighborhood.  It was a beautiful, sunny and mild day which made a perfect day for agents to tour homes they may not know about.  Cross Creek is located off of Hwy 210 West in Hampstead making it convenient to Hampstead, Wilmington, Topsail Beach and Jacksonville, NC.  Cross Creek is also just minutes to I-40 and I-140.  To learn more about Cross Creek or Hampstead Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.