Fall is a great time to add plants to your landscape.  When plants are dormant they are not spending energy growing, and are less susceptible to wilting and developing disease.  Planting in the fall allows plants to adapt to their surroundings and adjust to soil conditions before blooming season.  It’s also the best time to move established plants because the shock of transplanting will not be as great.  To learn more about this topic or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

This weekend there is something for everyone!  Don’t forget to take time out to look at Wilmington Real Estate, there are some fantastic deals out there plus interest rates continue to be great!  Here is the line-up: 

• RIVERFRONT FARMER’S MARKET, Friday from 8am-12:30pm in Historic Downtown Wilmington on Water Street.
• FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY WALK, Friday from 6-9 pm at various art galleries in downtown Wilmington.
• DOWNTOWN SUNDOWN CONCERT SERIES, Friday from 5:30-10pm in Riverfront Park, downtown Wilmington.
• WILMINGTON FALL FESTIVAL, Friday from 4pm-11pm on Surrey Street in Wilmington.
• HALLOWEEN GHOST TROLLEY, Friday from 6-9pm at Water & Market Street in Downtown Wilmington. 
• 12TH ANNUAL HAUNTED HOUSE, “QUARANTINED IN DEAD CITY”, Wednesday through Friday at 4622 Oleander Drive, next to Kinko’s.
• FULL GALLOP, Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm at Thalian Hall in Historic Downtown Wilmington. 
• TRICK OR TREAT UNDER THE SEA, Thursday at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.  Indoor trick-or-treating and family oriented fun!
• CAPE FEAR FAIR & EXPO, Thursday through Sunday at Wilmington International Airport. 
• EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL, Thursday through Sunday at City Stage on Front Street in downtown Wilmington.
• NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, Friday through Saturday at Cape Fear Community College in Historic Downtown Wilmington. 
• PUMPKIN PARTY AT THE FIT FOR FUN CENTER, Friday at 9am at the Fit For Fun Center at 302 S. 10th Street in Wilmington.  Children and their parents are invited to come to the center dressed in their favorite “non-scary” costume.  The center is for kids under 5 years old. 
• TRICK OR TREAT AT INDEPENDENCE MALL, Friday at 4pm.  Trick or treating and a costume contest.
• MUSIC, MYSTERY & MAGICAL MISCHIEF, Friday, 8pm at UNCW Kenan Auditorium.  Audience members are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes to the “haunted” event that will feature Halloween Favorites. 
• CAM AFTER DARK:  HAUNT 2008, Friday, 9pm at the Cameron Art Museum.  Halloween bash for the “big kids” will feature devilish drinks, monstrous munchies and killer karaoke.  Costume contest!
• BEACH2BATTLESHIP TRIATHLON, Saturday at 7pm.  Full and Iron Distance Triathlon in Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington.  Start at Wrightsville Beach with a channel swim and finish in Wilmington at the USS North Carolina Battleship.
• POW WOW AT CFCC, Saturday, 9am at the CFCC Schwartz Center in downtown Wilmington.  Attending tribes at the Pow Wow will include Lumbee, Coharie and Waccamaw Siouan. 
• CAPE FEAR KITE FESTIVAL, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm.  The event will feature flyers from all over in the front of the Shell Island Resort at Wrightsville Beach.  Free!
• ST. STAN’S POLISH FESTIVAL, Saturday, 11 am at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Castle Hayne.  Traditional Polish cuisine, entertainment, children’s games, raffles, live & silent auctions, craft sale, dancing, music and great fun!
• 2008 HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL, Saturday at 6pm.  Carolina Beach Park & Recreation Department will hold its Halloween Carnival for all children 12 and under.  Admission is $1.00 plus one canned food item.  The evening will be filled games, candy and spooky prizes along with a costume contest.
• 3RD ANNUAL CAPE FEAR WEDDING SHOW, Sunday, 12pm at the CFCC Schwartz Center.  Approximately 80 vendors are expected to exhibit.  Door prize drawings, express VIP admission line and a live radio remote. 
• FLY FLEE FLOW, Sunday, 3pm at UNCW Beckwith Recital hall.  Designed for children ages 3-11 years old to appeal to children and make them dream and laugh.  The show is interactive and children participate by creating musical sound effects. 
• AN EVENING OF JAZZ & BLUES, Sunday, 6pm at The Community Arts Center, 120 S. 2nd Street in downtown Wilmington.

To learn more about any of these Wilmington Weekend Events or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

There was a great article in the October issue of Real Trends.  It said that “housing sales should grow about two to three percent each year for the next ten years.” “It will take some time to absorb the excess housing on the market and the additional housing available for purchase due to the continued foreclosure wave of the 2007-2010 period.” “This will impact house prices more than sales and it appears that the relative attractiveness of today’s prices may even stimulate purchase activities above what might otherwise be normal.”  “Important note: The five percent figure used is a national figure.”  “Each market will have its own number based on the growth of households and housing sales in that particular market.” 

Conclusion:  The article went on to say that “housing in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world will recover in the next few years despite challenging economic times.”  “However the accumulation of the record levels of debt at all levels of government, business and households will need to be reduced significantly.”  “Annual housing sales and price increases are not likely to return to their previous levels for the foreseeable future if ever in the next 10-15 years.”  To learn more about this topic or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.   

Compass Pointe is one of the newest communities in the Wilmington area.  Compass Pointe is located in Leland just about ten minutes from Historic Downtown Wilmington.  The gated community is described as being relaxed and casual, rich in amenities and golf.  It will be affordable, resort-style living in the Carolina style.  There will be two amenity complexes, swimming pools, tennis complex, 27-holes of championship golf, 18-hole putting course, 2 additional putting greens, golf clinics with world-class practice facilities, sports and wellness center, amphitheater, canoe and kayak launch, miles of walking trails, gathering areas, dog park, soccer field, lake beaches and much more.  To learn more about Compass Pointe or Wilmington area real estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.

It looks like a chilly week in Wilmington but warming up just in time for the Great Pumpkin!!  I still do not have my Halloween costume for Friday, any ideas?  To learn more about Wilmington weather or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395. 

I just listed this elegant home in Vineyard Plantation near Porters Neck Plantation.  Vineyard Plantation is a beautiful community that is convenient to I-140, I-40, Mayfaire Town Center, Topsail Beach and Wrightsville Beach.  Vineyard Plantation also has a community pool and clubhouse.  To learn more about this gorgeous Vineyard Plantation home or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395.

There are a ton of fun events this weekend.  Enjoy them and take time out to look at Wilmington NC Real Estate.  Here is the line up:

• RIVERFRONT FARMER’S MARKET, Saturday from 8am until 12:30pm.  The market is located on Water Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington.
• DOWNTOWN SUNDOWN CONCERT SERIES, Friday from 5:30-10pm in Riverfront Park in Downtown Wilmington.
• TOY CRAZY EXHIBITION, Wednesday through Sunday at the Cameron Art Museum.  The Cameron Art Museum is located on S. 17th Street in Wilmington. 
• WILMINGTON FALL FESTIVAL, through 10/31 on Surry Street in Wilmington.  Each night enjoy a haunted house, hayrides & horse and pony rides, arcades, live music and vendors.
• BLACK RIVER NATURE CRUISE, Thursday at 9:30am.  A four hour adventure up to the Black River.  Starts at Battleship North Carolina.
• 12TH ANNUAL HAUNTED HOUSE, “QUARANTINED IN DEAD CITY”, Thursday through Sunday next to Kinko’s on Oleander Drive. 
• POPLAR GROVE HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL, 27TH ANNUAL, Friday through Sunday at Poplar Grove Plantation.  Friday from 6pm until midnight, Saturday 2pm until midnight, and Sunday from 2-10pm.  Haunted hayrides, a non-scary haunted house, carnival rides, games and a costume contest.  Poplar Grove is located on Hwy 17 N in Scotts Hill.
• HALLOWEEN GHOST TROLLEY, October 24th through the 31st from 6-9pm.  Listen to ghost stories (tailored for young children) and experience the “Haunted Barn”!  Water & Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington.
• OFFICIAL BLUES BROTHERS REVIVAL, Friday at 8pm.  A Blues Brothers tribute featuring hits from the famous film and five Blues Brothers albums.  The show will be held at Thalian Hall.
• IRISH HOMECOMING, Friday at 8pm.  The show will take place at UNCW Kenan Auditorium.
• EVIL DEAD:  THE MUSICAL, Friday through Sunday, 8pm at the City Stage on N. Front Street.
• PLEASURE ISLAND SURF FISHING CHALLENGE, Friday through Sunday.  The awards dinner is Sunday from noon until 2pm at Federal Point Shopping Center.  Over $12,000 in cash and prizes.  Call 264-5487 for more details.
• 10TH ANNUAL ALL FORD CAR & TRUCK SHOW, Saturday at Independence Mall.  Music, food & drinks, a raffle and approximately 140 cars and trucks will make up the show.
• PORT CITY MOPARS CAR & TRUCK SHOW, Saturday at Mayfaire Town Center.  The show is open to all cars and trucks that are 20 years old or older. 
• FAMILY FUN & FITNESS FEST & HALLOWEEN 8K RUN, Saturday at 9am.  There will be plenty of entertainment, bounce houses, music and food along with representatives from a variety of health & wellness businesses.  The festival will be held at the YMCA on Market Street.
• DOGFEST, Saturday, 11am at Empie Park.  Enjoy live music, vendors, food, costume contest for the dogs and kids, games and prizes.
• GREAT PUMPKIN HUNT AT THE MLK CENTER, Saturday at 11am.  Face painting, arts & crafts, cookie decorating and hayrides.  The MLK Center is located at 410 S. 8th Street.
• 2008 CHILI COOK-OFF, Saturday, 12pm at Hugh MacRae Park.
• KOOKY SPOOKY JAM-BOO-READ, Sunday, 4pm at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington.  Dress in your favorite character from a book or wear your Halloween costume. 

To learn more about any of these events or Wilmington Real Estate contact me at 910-431-9395 or visit my website at www.livingbythecoast.com.