When to buy real estate!

I often get these questions/responses from people considering a real estate purchase:
"How do I know when to buy?"
"I'm waiting for the bottom...."
"How do I know when it is the best deal?"

I recently read an article about real estate investing that addresses these questions and gives a good investing perspective for potential buyers. See link below to read article!

Also remember real estate is local- we are far better off in NC than many other states.

(BTW: I always recommend buying for the long term! Purchasing to suit your needs whether it is a property for primary residnece or an investment property.)


Real Estate Investment: Waiting For The Best Deal

Welcome to New York Hatters Chris & Bob!

New York Hatters- 105 Grace St., welcomes it's newest residents: Chris and Bob!

Welcome to Weldon Nina & Bryan!

Weldon- 619 N. Fourth St. welcomes its newest residents: Nina and Bryan! Nina and Bryan have relocated from sunny Los Angeles. Nina is a graphic designer and Bryan does film work. Looks like they're in the right place!

Downtown holiday events in a roasted chestnut shell

A lot going on downtown folks--need something to do?
Holiday lights tour have started with the horsedrawn carriage- see some of the best decorated neighborhoods downtown! (Tickets needed)
Annie Jr. will be performing at the Community Arts Center on 2nd St this weekend (Tickets needed)
You can go caroling with Santa and his reindeer on the carriage from Sunday to Wed. 12/24 (Tickets needed)
After Christmas (12/26) Fourth Friday Arts walk downtown... nice chance to get out of the house after the big day! (Free)
Also after Christmas: Jonkonnu at the Bellamy Mansion - a colorful West African tradition. Masked and costumed dancers will preform on 12/27 at 11 am and guess what- it's free!

Lambe joins mailing list

Mark this day! Teresa Lambe, esteemed educator, humorist and hottie, has joined the mailing list.

It's A Wonderful Life- Thalian Hall

Frank Capra's film It's A Wonderful Life will be brought to the theatre! Performances will be at Thalian Hall starting Thurs. 12/11 and going through Sun. 12/21. Call the box office for ticket info: 910.343.3664

Bijou Art and Music Festival on Saturday

Bijou Art and Music Festival
An outdoor art and music festival on Front Street between Chestnut and Grace, celebrating the unique offerings of North Front Street alongside original art, crafts and a live music stage featuring acoustic, experimental and more. Free. Fun. All Ages. An afternoon art experience. More details coming soon. Call 910.763.3737 or email art@bottegegallery.com for more information. Rain date Nov 30.Downtown WilmingtonFront StreetWilmington, NC 28401

Urban condo update!

I have two condos remaining at New York Hatters - 105 Grace St. and one remaining @ Weldon - 619 N. 4th St. Four condos went under contract last week in 28401 zip, showing downtown as a sought after address! Other NoFo properties available- 3 units on market in Brooklyn House, 1 in Merchantile, 1 in Strauss....call me for more details!
www.newyorkhatters.com
www.weldonexperience.com
Kasey 910-367-3982

Downtown Tree Lighting this Friday!

Tree Lighting downtown on Friday November 28th. Grab a cup of hot cocoa at Port City Java and then walk to Riverfront Park (Foot of Market St. at Water Street) to see the downtown tree lighting this Friday. It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays!

Hidden Battleship this Saturday!

Cool behind the scenes tour of the Battleship North Carolina are available on Sat. Small groups will be taken to areas not open on public tours. You will be up in the fire control tower, or down in the jail. Cost $45, unless you're a Friend of the Battleship, then it is only $35. Cameras okay, but no backpacks! 12 and up only. More info and times available- go to the official website:
www.battleshipnc.com

CUCALORuS ya'll!

Cucalorus started yesterday! For those of you not familiar with it, Cucalorus is Wilmington's film festival, now in it's 14th year. It just keeps getting better and better. I looked over this year's schedule and it is quite an eclectic mix! Over 200 films will be screened- humor, docs, features, comedies. I want to see Lightning Salad Moving Picture and Crawford most of all. Check out the official website for schedule, pass info, venues:
www.cucalorus.org
The festival runs through Saturday.
I must run now to the local haberdashery, where my tophat is on reserve...

Plantation Building Corp. offers Value Guarantee at Weldon, New York Hatters

From Plantation Building Corp:

Despite the current uncertainties in financial markets, we at Plantation Building Corp. believe very strongly in the long term appreciation and success of our Weldon and New York Hatters projects in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. As an inducement to prospective buyers at these projects who may be hesitant to purchase at this time, Plantation Building Corp. will guarantee that the value of these properties will not decrease for a period of three years from the date of the initial closing. If a buyer who acquires and actually closes on his/her condominium unit between November 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 later attempts to sell his/her condominium unit within three years following the date of the initial closing, then Plantation Building Corp. will pay the difference between the original appraised value and the newly-appraised value, if the newly-appraised value of such unit is lower than the original appraised value for such unit.

1. This offer is only available if there was an original appraisal completed in connection with the initial closing, the original appraiser and the subsequent appraiser are the same, and Plantation Building Corp. approved the use of such appraiser in writing before the initial closing.

2. This offer is only available if the subsequent appraisal is submitted to Plantation Building Corp., together with the original appraisal and a copy of the recorded deed from the initial closing, on or before the date that is exactly three years following the date of the initial closing.

3. The date of the initial closing shall be established as the date of recordation of the deed for the applicable condominium unit in the Office of the Register of Deeds of New Hanover County, North Carolina.

Southern Fried Chicks come to Thalian Hall this Sat!

The Southern Fried Chicks
Popularized on CMT & Comedy Central TV specials, the outlandish, lovable Etta May and her cohorts take you into their pick-up truck existence as domestic - and not so domestic - southern fried divas. Tickets $26/20. Two shows 4pm & 8pm. Call 910.343.3664 or 800.523.2820.
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
www.thalianhall.com

New York Hatters on You tube!

The New York Hatters Fashion Preview is available to view on you tube- check it out from the links below:
NY Hatters Fall Fashion Event 2 - Wilmington

NY Hatters Fall Fashion Event 1 - Wilmington

Art Auction this Saturday!

Cool downtown art auction details from the Downtown Business Alliance:

Help raise money to better the Downtown community while bidding on gifts (for others, or yourself!) donated by Downtown Wilmington's unique businesses and some of Wilmington's most acclaimed artists! Come see the Wilmington Wine Shoppe's new home and enjoy live music & beverages while visiting with area artists.

This Saturday November 8th, 4-7pm, Wilmington Event & Art Gallery
Free Admission!
4-6:45pm ~ SILENT AUCTION featuring:
Works of art by Billy Cone, Bonnie England, Mary Ellen & John Golden, and more...
A private group wine tasting at the Wilmington Wine Shoppe
3 days/2 nights at the Riverview Suites in Downtown
Fender Squire Guitar & one free lesson
Gift Certificates for Downtown businesses, services, & excursions
Health & beauty items, handcrafted jewelry, home decor, & much more!
Visit http://www.dbawilmington.com/ later in the week for a complete listing of all auction items!
6:45pm ~ LIVE AUCTION

Puppet Show this Sat Downtown- FREE

1 of my top ten reasons to live downtown- free events, here is one I will be attending:

Bread and Puppet (Vermont Puppet Troupe) will be performing at the Brown Coat Pub & Theatre, 111 Grace Street, on SATURDAY at 3:30 pm. Admission price is donation, your choice of amount.
They will be performing "The Sourdough Philosophy Circus." This piece is appropriate for all ages; however, the troupe put a warning out to stay away if you or your children are easily offended by the Poking Fun At Politicians routine, the Questioning of Authority bit, or the Facts Speak Louder than Words dance...whatever those are!

Bread and Puppet will also be at the Farmer's Market on Water St. Sat. morning.

Kasey's Top Ten Reasons to live downtown!

Here it is, my first downtown top ten list!! Why you should live downtown:
1. Walkability- home from the theatre Friday night, out for coffee on Monday morning, to work 5 days a week, along the riverwalk for exercise. Downtown is totally walkable, you'll forget how to drive!
2.Free events- the Downtown Business Alliance offers so many free events throughout the year:
examples: Fourth Friday Gallery Walks, Summer Concerts, Fireworks several times per year...
3. Dining- foodies unite! The restaurant selection downtown is awesome, some of my personal faves: Circa 1922 on Front St., Pilot House on Water St., Little Dipper on Front St., Nikki's on Front St.
4. Community- there is something special about downtown, almost a city within a city. Downtown folks all seem to know each other, see how everyone is doing and overall have a special sense of community.
5. Cultural events- Thalian Hall offers great performances all year round in an amazing venue. But there are other smaller theatres worth visiting, too, Browncoat Theatre on Grace St., City Stage on Front St.... There are also many art galleries and studios. My favorite is Acme Art on N. Fifth St.
6. Night life- downtown is where the action is: great bars, clubs, etc...
7. Music- downtown clubs book great acts: my favorite hot spot: Soapbox Laundro Lounge, check out their website for schedule: www.soapboxlaundrolounge.com and yes, you can wash your clothes there.
8. Shopping-books, gourmet foods, jewerly, clothes, furniture.... Best part- most shops are totally local! My favorite is Planet on N. Front St., check them out!
9. Farmer's market- local meats, veggies, fruits, baked goods, honey and other wares. Saturday mornings on Water St.
10. History- the architecture, local history, ghost stories- all add up to living in a cool place, somewhere you won't want to leave.

Downtown Wilmington Halloween Concert

Friday Oct. 31st- Halloween, downtown business alliance presents the "Halloween Hoedown". Concert featuring local faves: The Barnraisers and Woodwork Roadshow. The concert is free at Riverfront Park- near Market and Water St. There is also a costume contest and door prizes. The Trolly Stop will be selling beverages and hot dogs! Show starts at 6 pm. See you downtown!

New York Hatters Fashion Week Video

If you missed it, or just want to relive the excitement- check out the video from New York Hatters Fashion Week - 105 Grace St. Downtown Wilmington. James + Dunne Styling provided models with this fall's must have looks. Local fashionistas united for this afternoon of fashion, style and beauty. Clothing by Island Passage, hats & accessories by aMuse, make-up tips by Beauty Bar, foundations by La Bella Forma.....

New York Hatters is an exquisite building with 9 residences just a stone's throw from the Cape Fear River. 3 condos remain...call me today for a showing- 367-3982

Check out www.newyorkhatters.com for more information, floor plans, and picture gallery!

New York Hatters Fashion Week video

Downtown Wilmington Halloween Happenings!!

It is starting to feel a lot like Halloween downtown. This Friday the downtown horse carriage will change into the Haunted Horse Trolley! On the haunted trolley, you can expect ghost stories and a tour of the haunted barn, too. This tour is tailored for the kiddies- so bring 'em out! Children receive free treats. $12 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. If you need more info, visit:
www.horsedrawntours.com , or call me- 367-3982!

More Halloween events will be posted this week and next: details on downtown concerts, costume contests and more!!

Fourth Friday Arts Walk this week downtown

It is time for Downtown Wilmington's Fourth Friday Art Walk. It's a free monthly event where downtown galleries and studios open their doors to the public in an after-hours celebration of art and culture. Taking place from 6 to 9pm on the fourth Friday of each month, the Art Walk is a self-guided tour featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, metals, ceramics, mixed media and more. Showcasing art and art-related events, Fourth Fridays also include opening receptions, artist discussions, live music, wine, food and other traditional art-activities.
There are nine galleries participating this Friday: Acme Art Studios, Bottega Gallery & Art Bar, Facade Design Studio, Golden Gallery, Montage Gallery at WHQR, New Elements Gallery, Peacocks Fine Art Atelier, Port Cit Pottery, and Three Hounds Gallery.
While, I love them all- Acme is my favorite. It is so interesting to walk through Acme, see what is hanging, but also have the opportunity to peak into the artists' studio space. I was in Acme last week and couldn't help but notice amazing new works in both Mio's and Pam Toll's studio spaces. Go there Friday!!

One Tree Hill goes vintage on N. Fourth St.

Drive down the 600 block of North Fourth St. in the Brooklyn Arts District of downtown Wilmington and you may feel like you've gone back in time! The CW's series One Tree Hill is using several buildings in the 600 block of North Fourth for a back in time episode. A vintage night club, clothing store and furniture store are among the store fronts. The appliances look like something you might see at the Smithsonian! When you drive by, stop by my open house at the Weldon- 619 N. Fourth St. This building has a vintage appeal- with its sleek lines and art deco detailing. Our new decorated loft is worth the stop. Pricing starts in the $180's!!!

New Rebel Condo at Weldon Building, 28401

Come see our new decorated model at Weldon! It's a rebel.... Weldon is located at 619 N. Fourth St. in the Brooklyn Arts District of downtown Wilmington. It is open Thurs. & Fri 12-5, Sat & Sun 3-5!! Stop by this week.

Downtown Wilmington Concert Fri. Oct. 17th!

Downtown Sundown Concert Series w/ Key West (Jimmy Buffett) Fri, October 17th 2008 - 6:00 - 10:00 at Riverfront Park.
The concert series reaffirms downtown Wilmington as the premier destination for young professionals, business people, and families alike. It is timed for people to head downtown – or stay downtown – right after work.
The concerts will take place in a cordoned-off area in front of the Courthouse in Riverfront Park. Admission is free and food, wine, and beer will be available for sale within the event area. All proceeds will benefit Wilmington Downtown, Inc. and the Downtown Business Alliance to aid in the continuation of achieving the goals outlined in our mission statement, as well as working towards the initiatives of the Vision 2020 plan.
There is always something fun happening downtown- be sure to walk by 105 Grace St., The New York Hatters condo building- gorgeous condos- call me for a showing or stop by Sat 12-3 during my open house! (Kasey 910-367-3982)