A Quick Overview
Southeastern North Carolina is one of the fastest growing areas of the country. It is considered a “hidden gem” by many who live here because it has great year round climate, beautiful natural scenery and a good mix of relaxed living and cultural activities.
The area is centered by New Hanover County, the smallest county in the state but the most populous in the region. It is the cultural and retail hub of the region, though Pender and Brunswick have been moving to become more developed in recent years. New Hanover county is mostly taken up by the city of Wilmington, but there are also the coastal communities of Wrightsville to the east and Carolina and Kure Beaches to the south.
The area saw a real estate boom from 2002 - 2005. During those two years the number of homes sold increased by around 20% per year. From 2004 - 2005, the selling price per square foot went up 24.5%. While the number of sales have been going down since then, the prices have continued to increase. The average home sale in New Hanover County in 2007 was around $315,000. Average selling per square foot was $169.
There are over 1,500 “communities” in New Hanover County. Larger areas include the downtown historic district, the Mayfaire/Landfall area, and the areas along the waterway both north and south. |
