by Desiree Whalen. Hi everyone! Hope you’re  having a great start to your week. I’ve just uploaded a new neighborhood showcase page to the site, this one featuring a community out in Hampstead called Belvedere Plantation, which is on the north side of town just off US-17. Surrounding the golf course at the Belvedere Country Club, residents in this neighborhood can lease or purchase a boat slip in the Harbour Village Marina,  and are just minutes from the beaches of Topsail Island. To see all homes currently available, follow this link: Belvedere Plantation: http://www.desireewhalen.com/belvedereplantation.php or click here for an overhead map of the area: http://www.desireewhalen.idxco.com/i/17564/Homes_for_Sale_in_Belvedere_Plantation As always, if you would like to see any of the home... 09/30/2013

by Desiree Whalen. Happy Friday! Hope you’ve all had a great week. It’s been a busy one for me, and looks like my weekend will be even busier! I’m back to finish of the week with another neighborhood showcase page just added to the site. Today I’m featuring homes for sale in Dogwood Lakes, a community of new construction homes in Hampstead by Stevens Fine Homes (who are hosting another one of their awesome Realtor Luncheons there next week!). Located on the north side of Hampstead headed out towards Surf City off US 17, Dogwood Lakes features 3 to 5 bedroom floor plans ranging from 1,656 to 4,014 square feet starting at $199.9k – built with Stevens Fine Homes’ attention to quality and efficiency. Close to shopping, Topsail Island, and Soundside Park. To see currently homes available, fo... 09/27/2013

by Desiree Whalen. Hi everyone,Just wanted to give you a heads up on a beautiful home for sale in Forest Sound - a waterfront community in Hampstead NC with a private marina and boat slips available. This 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home features many upgrades such as new hardwood floors, spacious closets, newly remodeled bathrooms, and lots of outdoor living space on 6.47 acres! According to the listing, the sale of the home includes a golf cart and sail boat in great condition. To see more, including photos and price information, follow this link: 715 Corcus Ferry Rd, Hampstead NC:http://www.desireewhalen.idxco.com/idx/17564/details.php?listingID=489195&idxID=104 You can check out other properties available in the Forest Sound neighborhood by following this link here: http://www.desireewhal... 05/02/2013

by Desiree Whalen. Hi all,I’ve added another neighborhood showcase page to my website this morning - this one featuring another Stevens Fine Homes community out in Hampstead called Majestic Oaks, which is on the ICWW side of US-17 just off Factory Road. Located in the heart of Hampstead, this neighborhood of new construction homes puts residents within reach of shopping and entertainment in Wilmington, as well as both Wrightsville and Topsail beaches, golf courses, Kiwanis Park, and Intracoastal Waterway boat ramp access. To see all currently available properties, follow this link: Majestic Oaks:http://www.desireewhalen.com/majesticoaks.php As always, if you’re interested in seeing any of these properties or have any questions about the area, give me a call or send me an email – I’m her... 03/13/2013

by Desiree Whalen. Good morning everyone,I’m back at it today with another neighborhood showcase page on my website - today featuring a water access community out in Hampstead called Forest Sound, located on the ICWW side of US-17. This neighborhood offers an optional boat ramp or boat slip lease for residents, so it’s perfect for boaters who want easy access to the water. To see all currently available properties, follow this link: Forest Sound:http://www.desireewhalen.com/forestsound.php As always, if you have any questions about this neighborhood or would like to see any of the properties listed, give me a call or send me an email – I’m here to help!-Desiree 03/04/2013

Olde Point Home Sales Report - Updated July 1, to September 30, 2012 Hampstead NC  6 closed sales Olde Point between July 1 and September 30, 2012  1 renovated home built in 1980 located on deep water with a dock sold for $515 an average $227 a sq ft 5 remaining homes sold for an average $103 a sq ft vs $101 a sq ft in 2011 Sq ft pricing for the 5 non-water homes ranged from $53 to $128 a sq ft 1 of 5 is a short sale The 6 homes closed for an average of 94% of asking price The 6 homes averaged 185 days on market for current listing and 185 days for all cumulative listings The 6 homes were built between 1979 and 2006 and averaged 2338 sq ft in size   Olde Point Home Sales Report  - Jan to June 30, 2012 Hampstead North Carolina 12 closed sales single family homes between January  1 and Ju... 10/09/2012

Olde Point Home Sales Report  - Jan to June 30, 2012 Hampstead North Carolina Olde Point had 12 closed single family home sales between January  1 and June 30, 2012  No deep water homes sold vs 1 in 2011 No homes on multi-acre sites sold vs 2 in 2011 1 home on the marsh sold for $362,500 at $127 a sq ft.  This home last sold in Dec 09 for $462,500 11 remaining homes sold for an average $102a sq ft vs $104 a sq ft in 2011 1 of 11 is a foreclosure 1 of 11 is a short sale The remaining 9 of 11 sold for an average $103 a sq ft The 12 homes closed for an average of 95% of asking price The 12 homes averaged 177 days on market for current listing and 177 days for all cumulative listings The 12 homes were built between 1981 and 2007 and averaged 2530 sq ft in size   10/09/2012

Olde Point Home Sales Report - Updated July 1 to Sept 30, 2011 Hampstead NC  9 closed sales Olde Point between July 1 and September 30, 2011  1 home built in 1980 located on the ICWW with a protected slip for 55' boat sold for $900k.    2 homes on marsh front sites sold for $330 & $375   6 remaining homes sold for an average $101 a sq ft 1 of 6 is a foreclosure The 9 homes closed for an average of 88% of asking price The 9 homes averaged 276 days on market for current listing and 296 days for all cumulative listings The 9 homes were built between 1980 and 2005 and averaged 2763 sq ft in size   Olde Point Home Sales Report - Jan to June 30, 2011 Hampstead NC 16 closed sales Olde Point between January 1 and June 20, 2011  1 home built in 1974 needing updating, located on a deep water lot ... 11/05/2011

 “Water Peep” was my mother-in-laws term for broken views available from homes across the street from waterfront properties.   Several years ago, we listed a second row property in Hampstead, NC 28443, across the street from the Intracoastal Waterway.  The home, a 40 year old brick ranch, was never built for views.  To make it worse, the waterway home on the ICWW side had a leafy privacy screen.  Yet, my client’s home was on higher ground and, in leafless seasons, permitted “water-peep” from outside. On the inside, if I stood in one or two spots and looked hard, I might glimpse blue water.  But, our client asked we advertise “water view”  in our remarks.   She’d lived there for years, long before the trees across the street grew up.  I had no doubt her “water view” still existed in her ... 10/28/2011

  It’s late October and the Pender Post reports the Hampstead public boat ramp construction is underway and may be complete as early as January 2012.  Currently, pilings are being driven into the Intracoastal Waterway bed to support docks.  Given Hampstead’s proximity to the water, a public launch facility is an important asset to the community.  Obtaining prime property at a great price was the key to the project.  The Lewis Road location, near Pecan Grove Plantation, is a great midpoint for boaters north and south of Hampstead.  Next spring, boaters from all over the county will be benefitting from this long needed public boat ramp!    10/24/2011

  “Supersize me” has applications beyond fast food.  Recently, I shopped for dining room furniture and found chairs bigger.  In the armed “Captains” chair, I felt a bit like Lily Tomlin’s “Edith Ann.”  It set me thinking about the trend toward larger in everything from fast food meals to homes.   Here in the Wilmington and Hampstead, NC area, our market is a long way from recovery but new construction is readily available.  Our local production builders survived and, today, have their pick of large blocks of developed lots in failed neighborhoods.  Builders build what buyer’s want and, today, in Wilmington, that’s BIG homes!  Regardless of family size, large homes are in demand.      Buyers are buying as much home as affordable and 3000+ sq ft is becoming the norm.  Admittedly, this is ... 10/11/2011

Hampstead, NC is a northern suburb of Wilmington, NC.  The path of most cities is north, which guarantees that someday it won’t be obvious where Wilmington stops and Hampstead begins.   That New Hanover County is so small, means development will accelerate when the economy is strong again.  Today, the 8 mile stretch of 4 lane Highway 17 feels like a longer distance because there’s not much there.    About 2 miles north of Wilmington we leave little New Hanover County and cross the county line to enter much larger Pender County.  Before the real estate crash, there were several neighborhoods planned west of Hwy 17 on the New Hanover side and there have been rumors for years about plans for the land to the east extending to the Intracoastal Waterway.  Today, we talk about a 10 to 20 year... 10/08/2011

Everything started with the price of dirt.  It’s true what a builder pays for the land impacts what they build.  That explains what happened when average lot price doubled and tripled in the early 2000s As building lots got more expensive, builders were forced to build larger and larger, ever more expensive homes.  It seemed 3000 sq ft or larger homes were everywhere.  And, no one offers a big home without including special features.  Granite counters in kitchens, 42" cabinets, ever larger amounts of hardwood floors and luxury baths were standards in oversize homes. By 2006, both the lot boom and building boom were over.  Builders finished homes and reduced prices to sell.  In 2008, home prices started to come down.  As for the dirt, only a handful of expensive lots sold in 2008 and 200... 10/04/2011

If you are Dreaming of the North Carolina coast, have you visited Hampstead?  We’re partly a bedroom community for folks who work in Wilmington and live in Hampstead for the great schools.  The rest are retirees who love the quiet neighborhoods and the proximity to Wilmington.  Just 30 minutes can get you to most things in the greater Wilmington area.  15 Minutes from Hampstead is Topsail Island and the Atlantic Ocean!  Free entertainment is always available - walk on the beach, play in the surf, cast a line or relax on the sand.  Another aspect of Hampstead’s cross-generational appeal is the potential for a larger lot.  Wilmington proper is in New Hanover County, the second smallest county in NC.  Regardless of price point, the average resident in New Hanover County lives on less than ... 10/04/2011

Hampstead NC 28443 Home Sales Report - Jan to June 30, 2011   To $150k  -        Primarily 3BR/2BA                                                           17 Home Sales Median sale $125k, Avg dollars per sq ft $80, Avg Days 225, Avg sq ft 1522, Avg closed price to list price 96% $150k  to $250k –     80% 3BR/2BA                                                            50 Home Sales Median sale $202k, Avg dollars per sq ft $105, Avg Days 125, Avg sq ft 1945, Avg closed price to list price 96% $250k  to $350k –     80% 4BR/3BA                                                           27 Home Sales Median sale $283k, Avg dollars per sq ft $113, Avg Days 296, Avg sq ft 2579, Avg closed price to list price 97% $350k  to $450k –     73% 4BR & 40% 4BA   30% Deep Water Docks  11 Home Sales ... 09/29/2011

Eagles Watch Home Sales - Jan to Sept 30, 2011 Hampstead NC 28443   Eagles Watch had 2 closed sales between January 1 and June 30, 2011 Both are new construction The 2 homes closed for an average of 100% of asking price The 2 homes averaged 3050 sq ft in size   Eagles Watch had 7 closed sales between June 1 and September 30, 2011  All 7 are new construction2 The 7 homes closed for an average of 99% of asking price The 7 homes averaged 3098 sq ft in size       09/29/2011

Cross Creek in Hampstead, NC 28443 had 4 closed sales between January 1 and June 30, 2011 2 of 4 are foreclosures 1 foreclosure is a modular home which closed for $65 a sq ft 1 foreclosure is a stick-built home which closed for $99 a sq ft 2 Non-distressed stick-built homes sold for $101 a sq ft and $118 a sq ft The 4 homes closed for an average of 96% of asking price The 4 homes averaged 112 days on market for current listing and 169 days for all cumulative listings The 16 homes were built between 2003 and 2007 and averaged 1922 sq ft in size   Cross Creek had 2 closed sales between June 1 and September 30, 2011  2 Non-distressed stick-built homes sold for $101 a sq ft and $112 a sq ft The 2 homes closed for an average of 95% of asking price The 2 homes averaged 63 days on market   The... 09/29/2011

Olde Point Home Sales Report  - Jan to June 30, 2011 Hampstead NC 28443 16 closed sales in Olde Point between January  1 and June 30, 2011.  1 home built in 1974, needing updating, located on a deep water lot with dock sold for $500k.     1 home on  a second row Intracoastal Waterway site sold for $347   2 homes in Olde Point Estates on multi-acre sites closed for $342 and $353 12 remaining homes sold for an average $104 a sq ft 3 of 12 are foreclosures 1 of 12 sold at auction 1 of 12 is a short sale The remaining 7 of 12 sold for an average $115 a sq ft The 16 homes closed for an average of 92% of asking price The 16 homes averaged 158 days on market for current listing and 201 days for all cumulative listings The 16 homes were built between 1977 and 2004 and averaged 2353 sq ft in size   09/29/2011

Day 123 - http://ncspotfestival.com/..Don't miss out on the Spot Festival....Fun, Food...don't miss it.  If you love fish, you'll want to be here for the festivities. The fun starts at 10:45 and spots are served at  11am on 9/24 and 9/25 in Hampstead, NC.  Fireworks at 9pm on Saturday after the show!.  09/23/2011

This weekend the 47th Annual NC Spot Festival comes to Hampstead, NC! The festival is fun for all ages and will run from 9:45am-9:30pm this Saturday Sept. 25th, and 9:45am-5:00pm this Sunday Sept. 26th. Admission is $3 for adults, and children under 12 years are free. There will be tons of local seafood to taste including the festival namesake, the spot fish. After trying the local delicacies you will be able to see and purchase local handmade crafts and artwork. The Spot Festival will also have its fair share of entertainment with everything from the Little Miss Wilmington Pageant to a performance from the Apsara Belly Dancing Troupe. Saturday night will end with a special performance from Nashville recording artist Kevin Lee and a fireworks show. For more information about the Spot Fe... 09/26/2010