Summer is now on the down side but has been in full swing. Fishing and basking in the sun has never been better.  It seems each time I am in the waterway I spot several beautiful porpoises, even in my canal.  Just another example of the beauty we have here to enjoy.
 
We now have a children’s park on the island.  It is located  beside the museum boasting swings, slides and lots of sand (it is the beach you know). Shallotte Blvd now has a pretty area for fishing, crabbing or just sitting under the gazebo to watch the waterway traffic.
 
Sometime when you are down, check out the programs at the Ingram Planetarium. They have a great turtle movie that you and your children will enjoy. My grandkids loved it and after the movie they were making sure they helped keep our beaches in good shape for the turtles that come in to nest. They realized the importance of keeping the beach clean and not digging the hazardous holes.
 
The new Lowe’s Foods store is now open. It is well stocked with nice steaks and fresh seafood, as well as fresh produce. Speaking of food, if you like Italian you must check out the new restaurant called La Cucina Italian Grill in Sunset Beach. It is located behind Food Lion and just beside Pelican Book Store.  The chef and owner has previously been at Benny Rappa’s (North Myrtle Beach) for the past 9 years. Reservations are recommended and the food is great! Did you see May Coastal Living magazine? Seafood dives in the US were named and Brunswick County had 2 on the list-Provisions in Southport and Seafood Hut in Calabash. You can see I like to eat…
 
Now for the purpose of this letter-Our Real Estate Market. Sales have made a turn for the better. Here at Cooke Realty we matched last years numbers last week and we have 5 months to go. Although prices are down about 25-30% from our 04’, 05’, 06’ highs, they seem to be stabilizing. There are still good   opportunities for second homes at the beach. Our inventory is plentiful in that there are 168 houses and 96 condos on the  market. The average days on market for houses that sold this year is approximately 250 days and improving with new     listings that are priced for today’s market. Condos are about the same.

If you are thinking of selling and will price your home for   today’s market and not the 04’, 05’, 06’ market, it will sell. On the other hand, if you have been thinking of buying that beach dream and do not want to pay the 04’, 05’, 06’ prices-now is the time.
 
CNN news named North Carolina coast as one of the best  bargains for a second home.
 
The highest compliment my clients can give is the referral of their friends, family and business associates.  Thank you for your trust,

Bob