Field notes from
the coast.
Market updates, neighborhood guides, buyer and seller tips, and everything you need to navigate the Wilmington, NC real estate market — written by Tabetha.
-
Wilmington NC Property Tax Increase 2026: Why Your Bill Went Up & What to Do
Wilmington property tax bills landed higher this August. Here’s exactly why — the city’s 4.9-cent rate increase, the county’s rate vs. revenue-neutral, what you’ll actually pay in 2026, and how to be ready for the next revaluation. Straight answers from a local REALTOR®.
-
Pre-Approved vs. Pre-Qualified: A Wilmington NC Buyer’s Guide
Pre-qualified vs. pre-approved in Wilmington, NC: what each one actually means, how they change your offer, and the exact steps to take before you tour homes.
-
Wrightsville Beach vs. Carolina Beach in 2026: Which Wilmington Beach Is Right for You?
Wrightsville Beach vs. Carolina Beach in 2026 — a head-to-head buyer’s comparison of price, location, short-term rental rules, lifestyle, and what each Wilmington-area beach actually offers.
-
Buying in Leland, NC in 2026: A Buyer’s Guide to the Boom
Thinking about buying in Leland, NC in 2026? Here’s a buyer’s-eye guide to what your money gets you, and how Leland compares to Pender and New Hanover.
-
Brunswick County Beaches, Instagram Spots & Historic Southport
Find all the local Instagram accounts to save in Brunswick County! Here’s the locals’ guide to the beaches, events, and who to follow.
-
Moving to Wilmington, NC? The Resource Links You’ll Want Before You Arrive
Relocating to the Cape Fear region? Here’s your friendly, bookmark-worthy list of the utilities, DMV, schools, county, and community links to set up before (and right after) you move to Wilmington, NC.
-
Brunswick County Water Quality in 2026: From Worst PFAS in the Nation to Reverse Osmosis
Brunswick County once had the highest PFAS levels of 44 U.S. water systems tested. Now it’s home to some of the most advanced treatment in the country. Here’s what buyers in Leland, Southport, and Oak Island need to know about reverse osmosis, H2GO, and the tap water in 2026.
-
Insurance & Flood Zones in Wilmington: What to Check Before You Buy
Coastal North Carolina insurance works differently than it does inland. Here’s a plain-English primer on homeowners coverage, wind, and flood zones in the Wilmington area — plus the questions to ask before you fall in love with a house.
-
Wilmington HOA Fees in Master-Planned Communities: What They Cover & What to Ask
From Brunswick Forest to Riverlights to Landfall, many of the Wilmington area’s most popular communities come with an HOA. Here’s what those fees typically cover and the questions to ask before you buy.
-
Beach Investment Property NC: Primary Home, Second Home, or Investment?
A beach place near Wilmington can be your everyday home, a weekend escape, or a rental investment — and how you’ll use it changes your financing, insurance, and taxes. Here’s what to sort out before you shop Wrightsville, Carolina Beach, or Kure Beach.