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.
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Wilmington County Taxes & City Limits: Why Two Nearby Homes Have Different Tax Bills
One of the most overlooked costs in a Wilmington-area home purchase is property tax — and whether a home sits inside city limits can change the bill meaningfully. Here’s how county and city taxes work here, and how to check any address yourself.
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The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Toll Question: What Wilmington Buyers Should Know
A toll could be coming to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to fund its replacement. Here’s a neutral, factual look at where the proposal stands as of mid-2026 and how to factor it into a home purchase on either side of the river.
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Wilmington NC Road Projects in 2026: Bypasses, Bridges & a New School
If you’re moving to the Wilmington area, the roads, bridges, and schools being built right now will shape your commute and your community for years. Here’s a plain-English rundown of the big projects and where they stand as of mid-2026.
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Start Here: Your Guide to Buying a Home in Wilmington, NC
Hi — I’m Tabetha (Tabi) Klein, your ILMrealtor. This blog is going to be the home base for my podcast episodes, local real estate education, and practical guides for anyone living in or moving to Wilmi
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Short Sales vs. Foreclosures NC: What Buying One Really Looks Like
Short sales and foreclosures both promise a deal, but the buying process, timeline, and risk are worlds apart. Here’s a plain-English deep dive into how each one works in North Carolina, and why, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
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Is New Hanover County Tap Water Safe? What CFPUA Filters Out of Wilmington’s Water
Buying in Wilmington and wondering about GenX and PFAS in the tap water? Here’s exactly what the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) filters at its Sweeney plant, what the latest tests show, and what every relocating buyer should know before closing.
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Wilmington Water Quality: What Every Buyer Asks About PFAS, GenX & Tap Water (2026 Guide)
Moving to the Cape Fear region and worried about the tap water? Here’s the plain-English overview of PFAS, GenX, and Chemours — and why the honest answer depends entirely on which county and utility serves your future home. Links out to a deep dive on New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender.
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Things to Do in Wilmington NC: An Instagram Cheat Sheet for New Locals
The follow list every new resident needs — Wilmington plus Pender and Brunswick counties — so you never miss a road closure, parade, flotilla, election deadline, or festival again.
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Moving to Pender County, NC: Instagrams, Beaches & Events Worth Driving For
Quiet beaches, blueberry-town charm in Burgaw, and a festival calendar all its own. Here’s Pender County’s guide to beaches, annual events, and who to follow.
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Pender County Water Quality: Does It Actually Filter Out PFAS? A Straight Answer for Buyers
If you’re moving to Pender County and you’ve Googled “Cape Fear River PFAS” at 11pm, this one’s for you. Here’s what the local utility actually filters, what the numbers mean in plain English, and what every relocating buyer should know before closing.