A Gem Along the Coast

Hampstead, North Carolina is a charming community that offers a perfect blend of small-town charm and coastal living nestled along the picturesque coast of southeastern North Carolina. Known for its natural beauty, friendly atmosphere, and proximity to stunning beaches, Hampstead has become a sought-after destination for residents and visitors alike. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat or an active coastal lifestyle, Hampstead has something to offer everyone. With its rich history, friendly atmosphere, and proximity to stunning beaches, Hampstead continues to shine as a gem along the coast. While nestled between larger cities, Hampstead holds its own for entertainment, shopping, and restaurants. Known as “The Seafood Capital of the Carolinas”, Hampstead is home to numerous seafood restaurants and vendors making it perfect for those looking for the taste of the coast. For those that enjoy the water from their boat, there is a conveniently located public access boat ramp on Lewis Road. If you like to enjoy the water from the beach, you’re in luck! Hampstead is located just minutes from Topsail Island’s 26 miles of oceanfront, known to be a quiet and family friendly beach.

Popular Community: Belvedere

With a population of just over 7,000, Hampstead has been ranked #31 of 185 best suburbs to buy a house in North Carolina by Niche.com. One of the most popular neighborhoods in Hampstead, Belvedere Plantation, offers a blend of upscale living and natural beauty. The community is home to Ironclad Golf & Beer Garden which boasts a beautifully designed 18-hole golf course. While enjoying the scenery and live music, feel free to grab a drink from the brewery and delicious tacos from Shaka Taco, all on site. Children and pets are welcome on the putting green too! Belvedere Plantation offers

a diverse selection of homes, catering to various preferences and lifestyles. Belvedere Plantation is known for its picturesque surroundings. Many homes within the community offer stunning views of the golf course, lakes, or wooded areas. The well-maintained landscaping throughout the neighborhood adds to the overall aesthetic appeal. This neighborhood has been around long enough to offer huge home sites and lots of mature landscaping with the smell of salt air as it touches the ICWW!

Popular Community: Carolina Creek

Close by Belvedere, you will find Carolina Creek. Beautifully maintained and better than new, this community is kid friendly with a close knit welcoming atmosphere that offers amenities including a community pool and clubhouse. Situated close to Highway 17, you will enjoy proximity to Wilmington, Topsail Beach, and only minutes to water access and the public boat launch. Homes in this neighborhood are characterized by attention to detail, open concepts, and energy efficiency.

How we can help

Please take a look at a few of the homes offered by Sold Buy the Sea Realty in the neighborhoods mentioned above on our website "Featured Listings". We would love to help you move!

Click here to view our listing in Belvedere! 

Click here to view our listing in Carolina Creek! 

Meet Mike Griswold, an agent with Sold Buy the Sea in the Hampstead office.

One of the first things you will notice about Mike is his friendly and personable demeanor. Outside of real estate, Mike loves the Topsail area, specifically the fishing scene and loves spending time at the ocean. He recommends the North Topsail area for beaches as it is “a bit quieter and not as crowded”. An avid animal lover, Mike and his wife have two dogs (Lilly and Dude) and four cats (Bubba, Massey, Rosie and Boo).

Originally from Fuquay-Varina, Mike lived almost his entire adult life in the Raleigh and Cary area. Although he and his wife moved to Holly Ridge in 2019, he has been involved in the area’s real estate market since 1999 with his personal investment properties. Mike first started his career in Real Estate in 1996 as a means of understanding his properties. A few years later, he started his own investment company with friends but has since decided to focus on assisting others in his area. His passion and love for the coastal area is clear in his work.

Currently, he works with buyers and sellers throughout all phases of the real estate transaction and his favorite part is:

“Seeing customers faces or hearing their voices once they have secured a contract.”

What is your dream vacation?

A week in Tuscany countryside and a concert by Bocelli in his hometown.

Is there a must-do local activity that you would recommend to an out-of-towner?

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Aka the Sea Turtle Hospital

What is your favorite season?

Spring

You can get in touch with Mike for all your real estate needs at 910-803-3343 or grizzync@gmail.com

Welcome to Riptide Stables! Rustic fun just minutes from Wilmington

Centrally located in Castle Hayne, this farm is family owned and is home to 7 adorable miniature donkeys, 2 miniature horses, and 3 gorgeous horses. You can enjoy the two ponds from one of the decks, firepit, and wooded area with nature trails, or even interact with one of the many friendly animals with a scheduled time to go by the farm. As soon as you arrive, you will feel the tranquility of the open pastures, ponds, and animal friends that come right up for a pet or treat! The owners have recently begun to open Riptide Stables to events for both education and fun.

A Bonafide Farm

As a bonafide farm in New Hanover County, it is the perfect place for your next event. They are offering pony rides and Summer day camp for kids and hoping to offer after-school care as well. For grown-ups and kids at heart, they are adding a great 30 x 42 covered pavilion off the 880 sq ft enclosed space lined with natural pine by the pond with sounds of the fountain in the background along with an occasional bray from one of the miniature donkeys. Whether that event is a wedding, company party, birthday, or an adult party, this venue can do it all.

A Place to Stay

There is even a VRBO available for rental on the property and would be the perfect place to wind down for a night's rest after your event or for a long weekend or week-long beach trip with places where your animals are welcome and theirs are ready for attention too! The quaint farm apartment is so well appointed and yet still feels rustic and fun with a massive covered porch on the second level of the farm so you can see all the animals and both ponds with great news from every window. There is nothing like waking up to enjoy the sunshine, scenery, and animals grazing in nearby pastures from the deck that overlooks the whole farm. While this farm is quietly tucked away, it is well located only minutes to Wilmington and all that it has to offer making this the perfect spot for a refreshing getaway.

Learn More and Come Visit

To learn more about Riptide Stables or to book an event, you can visit www.RiptideStables.com or call (910) 262-5716. Make sure to follow them on Instagram @riptide_stables_ and on Facebook for all the latest updates!

Meet Dylan Fowler. The Office Manager at our Wilmington Office.

If you were to ask our agents what Dylan's title is, the answer would probably be more along the lines of "Doer of All". He does a little of everything, from reminding agents of due diligence expirations to IT issues to transaction coordinating. When he isn't keeping all of our agents organized and in-line, Dylan can be found at either Wrightsville Beach to watch the sunset, fishing off Johnny Mercer's pier, or enjoying the food and brewery options downtown. He loves the summers in Wilmington and spends as much time outside as he can when he isn't working. He moved to Wilmington from central Louisiana 3 years ago to attend UNCW. He took his mom's advice to choose a school near the beach and he has been enjoying the coastal lifestyle ever since.

An interesting fact about Dylan is that he is an identical twin, his brother Daxton is older (by one minute). They grew up closer than most siblings and have always loved being twins. He says, growing up there was little room left for individuality, but wouldn’t trade it for the world. Additionally, Dylan has 2 sisters, London and Kaitlyn, and a brother Braden. After attending UNCW, he turned to Real Estate and found the open position with Sold Buy the Sea as a perfect starting point. He plans to get his license this year in hopes to be a successful Broker with Sold Buy the Sea. He is taking advice from his favorite movie character, as Yoda says:

"Do. Or do not. There is no try."

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I can be a bit of both but I like the routine of getting up early and going to bed on time.

What is your least favorite thing about being an adult?

My least favorite thing about being an adult is doing my taxes.

What is your favorite dessert?

My favorite dessert is a brownie and ice cream mixed together.

Dylan can be found at the front desk of our Wilmington office Monday thru Friday! If you ever call our Wilmington office at 910-367-2965 chances are Dylan will be the one to answer your call.

Meet Graham King. A Broker with the Sold Buy the Sea Wilmington office.

One of the first things you will notice about Graham is his energy and zest for life. He is a sports and outdoor enthusiast with hobbies including surfing, hockey, music, golfing and paddle boarding. Originally coming to Wilmington to attend UNCW, he loved the city and area so much he decided to make it his home. He found his love of surfing while attending UNCW and has now traveled to countries like Bali, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Australia surfing and exploring. While he enjoys an adventurous life, he is not all play. Being a father of two young children, Elliot and Penelope, he knows how to balance fun and responsibility. He describes his daughter as fearless with a love of animals and his son has a huge heart and wants to help everyone. One of his favorite things about being a father is seeing his children flourish

Graham has said that he got into real estate because he enjoys working with people and helping them with one of their biggest financial purchases. After graduating with a Finance and Information Systems degree, he felt Real Estate fit him well. His engaging personality allows him to excel as an agent, building relationships with his clients. And his college education provides a perfect balance to a real estate transaction. When working with clients he enjoys negotiating to get under contract. In his own words,

"My deep roots and professional connections in the area are invaluable assets to getting the job done."

What is your favorite local restaurant?

True Blue

Is there a must-do local activity that you recommend to an out-of-towner?

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

What is your least favorite thing about being an adult?

Bills

You can get in touch with Graham for all your real estate needs at 919-749-0769 or grahamkingrealtor@gmail.com

Meet Laurie Stuhrcke. Broker-In-Charge for the Sold Buy the Sea Hampstead office.

Laurie has been our beloved Broker-in-Charge at our Hampstead office since 2016, when she moved to North Carolina to escape the cold. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with Laurie, you know she is an honest and diligent agent. Much like in her professional life, Laurie is equally as energetic and active in her personal life. When the real estate hat is off, she is most likely spending time outdoors. Laurie is an avid runner, having joined the local running group Without Limits in 2016. Waking up at 4am to run is not unusual for her routine, especially since she is training for a marathon in October. Her husband, Tige, was a Marine at Camp Lejeune and as a way to honor his service, Laurie chose the prestigious Marine Corp Marathon in DC as her very first full marathon.

Another of Laurie’s proudest accomplishments is being a mother to her son, Conor. If you have a conversation with Laurie, you will quickly realize that her son is her pride and joy. Conor is an architect in Boston, but the distance doesn’t keep them from being close. In fact, every year they schedule an annual vacation together. This year was skiing and next summer they will be riding bikes together through Spain and Portugal.

Laurie’s focused, driven personality makes her an exceptional agent. She works hard and with over 25 years of experience, she is confidently knowledgeable in all areas of real estate. These days she does a lot of new construction, specializing in the gorgeous Summerhouse and Pecan Grove neighborhoods. In her own words:

“I'm rarely ‘pushy’ (unless it's in your best interest), and I'm skillful in weighing the pros and cons of each property. We’ll work together to make sure that you get exactly what you’re looking for and what you are able to afford. More than that, I treat each client and property purchase experience as if it were me, personally, buying a home. This means that I’m going to work as hard and as long as it takes to get you the best price and perfect property, all the while keeping you in the loop and tending to your best interests behind the scenes."

Do you have any pets?

Two cats, Wilma and Wally. Both rescues

What was your first concert?

James Taylor at Madison Square Garden, I was 15

What is your least favorite thing about being an adult?

Coming up with what to cook for dinner

You can get in touch with Laurie for all your real estate needs at 203-470-5040 or thencagent@gmail.com

An outdoor paradise

If you venture a few miles south of downtown Wilmington along the Cape Fear river, you’ll find the master-planned idyllic community of Riverlights. The carefully designed neighborhood flaunts stunning sunset views, an abundance of amenities and plenty of friendly neighbors ready to offer a cup of sugar. As you wind your way through the neighborhood, you will notice the casual wave from residents playing bocce on the court, riding their bike along the lake path, or walking their dog in the park. The presence of so many green spaces is comforting and expected in a community that encourages enjoyment of the outdoors. A central part of the neighborhood is the 38-acre lake with a 3-mile gravel path surrounding the expansive body of water. Homes look onto the water with its numerous fountains and wildlife, including birds, fish and turtles. A kayak and canoe launch, called The Boathouse, is available for those residents wanting to take advantage of the aquatic activities. With the neighborhood’s close proximity to the Cape Fear River, the enormous cargo ships towering over the trees is an event enjoyed by many.

Amenities Abound

For cooling off in the summer, the clubhouse offers a generous-sized pool with a slide, lap lanes and a beach entry. Residents can also enjoy the gym, yoga studio, outdoor firepit, playground, screened-in patio with numerous rocking chairs and gathering spaces all located at the clubhouse. With an easy golf cart drive up to the community square, Marina Village, you will find shops, places to dine, hammocks for lounging, and a common area where many concerts and markets are held. A boardwalk meanders through the trees taking you along the river to a day dock, fishing pier and social gathering spot called Ember Park with oyster roasting pits, tables for eating, green space and corn hole. The sunsets are the jewel of the neighborhood and Riverlights offers an abundance of spots to watch the evening sun put on its glorious show. Take a look at the listings in the link below and call any one of our experienced agents for inquiries on Riverlights or the active listings!

Check out the active listings in Riverlights!

Hey Y’all! Here are a few things you need to know about me.

Gloria Baker

I moved to Southeastern NC in 1967 after visiting my family in the Wilmington area. However, being born in Virginia Beach, I was not a stranger to the East Coast. After traveling the world for years with my father who was a Naval Officer, I favored Wilmington, NC over many of the other cities I had visited because of its beauty and friendly atmosphere.

What is a hobby you enjoy outside of Real Estate?

Beaching, boating, walking or looking for shark teeth are some of my ways to spend a weekend! Also, I love to watch movies. Whenever I need a comfort movie, The Notebook will always be my first choice. I also have volunteered for a hospice life care center, been a foster parent for twelve years, and the Vice President of the Helping Hands Ministry. I would describe myself as a passionate and personable person who loves meeting new people. Just a little about me.

What is your favorite part of a real estate transaction?

I personally love working with both buyers and sellers and I am passionate about being a part of making their home buying dreams come true. Having lived in Wilmington for years, My expertise of the area and what it has to offer will provide you with a positive home buying or selling experience. I am a member of both the NC Realtor Association and National Realtor Association. I am looking forward to helping you achieve success in your Real Estate experiences.

Because your favorite destination should always be home

Coastal Haven

The moment you drive into Summerhouse on Everett Bay, you know there is something special about this neighborhood. Not only is the lighthouse at the entrance guiding you into a coastal haven, but the white gates and manicured landscape announce elegance. Located just north of Holly Ridge, Summerhouse on Everett Bay is a neighborhood that offers an abundance of amenities in an area that is showing remarkable growth.

The Clubhouse

By far the most impressive feature of this community is the resort-style pool and clubhouse that boasts a lazy river. Inside the massive two-story clubhouse one will find generous lounging areas with oversized furniture, multiple fireplaces for ambiance, a full kitchen, an expansive library and roomy pool table area. The clubhouse is a space commonly used for community events and gatherings. A second building at the swimming area houses a fully-equipped gym with showers and lockers. The pool is like no other with plenty of space to comfortably handle many residents on a hot summer day. The lazy river wraps around the clubhouse to yet another swimming area. It truly is a magnificent feature.

The Community

The developers of Summerhouse had a lifestyle in mind when they carefully created the unique common areas inside this neighborhood. Throughout the subdivision are six scenic lakes allowing many lots to have water views. The largest of these is Spicer Lake, where residents can enjoy a viewing dock, foot bridge and gazebo. Summerhouse is a nature lovers' paradise with estuary areas, walking trails, a firepit, picnic areas, two tennis courts, a playground and two access points to the intracoastal. A small vessel launch area on King's Creek as well as 10 day-slips on deep water are available to residents wanting to live the water lifestyle that is highly sought out by those in Eastern North Carolina. Residents have access to dry storage for days when they’re not on their boat. The storage area is secured by keyed entry only granted to residents.

How we can help

There is no doubt that Summerhouse on Everett Bay is a destination community. Having listed and sold over 100 properties in the exquisite neighborhood, the Brokers at Sold Buy the Sea are a wealth of knowledge on this development. We work with many preferred home builders who have current and future build projects in Summerhouse and are well-versed on the ARC Guidelines. Below you will find information on current listings in this gorgeous neighborhood as well as links to the builders who can build your dream home.

Click here to view our list of builders!

Click here to view current Summerhouse listings!

If your goal is to purchase a home in 2022 you might be looking for any advantage you can get in today’s market. While competition is still fierce for homebuyers, there are ways you can win and secure the home of your dreams, even in a hot market.

Act Early and Save

The earlier you act this year, the more affordable your purchase will be. That’s because experts project mortgage rates will rise as we move deeper into 2022. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is expected to be 3.5% by year’s end. Experts forecast home prices will rise as well.

That means the longer you wait, the more it will cost you to buy a home. Instead, act early and purchase your home before rates and prices rise further. Not to mention, the sooner you buy, the sooner you can experience the benefits of continued home price appreciation yourself. Once you have your home, you’ll be able to watch its value rise, giving you confidence that your investment is a sound one.

Buy Now, Move Later

Keep in mind, with high buyer demand like we’re seeing today, you’ll be competing against other potential homebuyers, which means you need to find a way to stand out. One way to accomplish this is to negotiate with sellers and present terms that meet their ideal needs. One way you can do that is by being flexible. This could be allowing the sellers a future closing date that may be two or three months down the line, or by offering a lease back option (where the closing date is standard but the sellers continue to live in the home, leasing/renting it from you). 

In other words, if you’re eager to purchase a home now before it becomes more costly and you don’t have to move right away, you could extend the date of your closing and provide the seller with the time they need to find their next home. That’s a deal that could benefit both parties and help you stand out from the crowd.

Of course, it’s important to work with a real estate professional for expert advice on how to make your best offer. Your trusted advisor knows what’s working in your market and what may appeal to sellers.

Bottom Line

Experts project home prices and rates will increase in 2022. That means buyers who are ready should act soon and find ways to strengthen their offer to meet sellers’ needs. Reach out to a trusted real estate advisor today to learn how you can win in today’s market.