Town Tours
Three Rivers Realty Town Tours
If you're like most people who are looking to purchase property in another town, city, or even state, it helps to gather information about the area before you visit. We at Three Rivers Realty are here to aid you in that process by providing the mini-tours of various areas in Brunswick County. Click on the name of an area or town below to learn more about it.
Brunswick County -- Brunswick County is one of the fastest growing counties in the US.
Bald Head Island -- Of Bald Head Island's 12,000 acres, 10,000 acres will remain undeveloped.
Boiling Spring Lakes -- Boiling Spring Lakes offers great home prices and magnificent water views.
Oak Island -- Oak Island is the largest of Brunswick County's barrier islands.
Holden Beach -- The island of Holden Beach offers gorgeous, quiet shores.
River Run -- River Run is a complete water-access community with the look and feel of a well-established neighborhood.
St. James -- In St. James, you can purchase a homesite, build a custom home, or buy a perfect existing home.
Southport -- Often described as quaint or historic, Southport offers old places and new faces.
Winding River -- Winding River residents enjoy amenities including golf, a marina, and a private oceanfront beach club.
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Brunswick County, the southern-most coastal county in North Carolina, is known for its abundant hospitality, temperate climate, and limitless opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy all water activities. Boaters, fishermen and -women, swimmers, beachcombers, kayakers, and water skiers delight in the many bodies of water -- both salt and freshwater. |
Communities and properties here are as varied as the people themselves. Prospective property buyers coming to Brunswick County have a plethora of opportunities to choose from -- everything from oceanfront homes, working farms, and large tracts of undeveloped land. Priced for every budget, these properties range from the multi-million dollar home on Bald Head Island to the getaway mobile home in Sunset Harbor.
It's no wonder that so many of our newest residents come from other parts of the country. Drawn by the fifty miles of sandy beaches, reasonable tax structure, affordable homes, and fabulous lifestyle, this attraction explains why Brunswick County is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.
Strategically located between Myrtle Beach, SC, and Wilmington, NC, Brunswick County offers its residents the best of all worlds without the challenges of living in a heavily trafficked, overdeveloped area. Buyers in 2006 will be seen in years to come as the wise "investors" that bought here before the huge wave of baby boomers flocked to the coast.
This is the start of something big!
Want to contact a Brunswick County investment specialist? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325, or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
| Bald Head Island was recently named one of North Carolina's "Local Secrets, Big Finds" in 2005 by Travelocity. Bald Head Island is a boat-accessed residential community offering a 10-acre marina, championship golf, and pristine island living. It is home to only 264 year round residents, but thousands of all ages discover Bald Head Island and its many activities, such as kayaking, beachcombing, and nature walking, during the summer months. Transportation on the island is restricted to golf carts, bicycles, and pedestrian traffic. Of Bald Head Island's 12,000 acres, 10,000 acres of beaches, salt marshes, and maritime forests are protected and will remain undeveloped. |  |
The island offers fine dining for homeowners as well as guests, and two clubs - the Bald Head Island Club and the Shoals Club (memberships required) - provide a variety of activities year-round. Bald Head Island is also home to North Carolina's oldest lighthouse, and many of its beaches are nesting sanctuaries for the loggerhead sea turtle. Culture and history abound on Bald Head, as there museums as well as an active art league on the island.
Want to learn more about investing on Bald Head Island? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325, or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
Picture life decades ago when your world was more tranquil and living was simply uncomplicated. Now picture all of this just eight miles northwest of Southport, North Carolina, in one of the best-kept secrets in Brunswick County… Boiling Spring Lakes. This area offers great home prices, magnificent water views, and a quality of life for everyone who wishes to take it down a notch or two. In addition to picnic areas and a boat ramp, there is an 18-hole golf course. There are also approximately thirty golf courses available for public play within thirty minutes of Boiling Spring Lakes.
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Boiling Spring Lakes derives its name from a boiling spring that flows with an incredibly pure stream of water. The city's centerpiece, the 150-acre Big Lake, is just one of more than 50 natural and man-made lakes in the city. The Big Lake is fed by five springs and Allen's Creek and is 2-1/2 miles long. It offers ten miles of shoreline. With names as picturesque as the settings, you will find other lakes such as Harper, Keziah, Frink, Spring, North, Pine, Mirror, Hastie, Reeves, Middletown and Boiling Spring Lake (known by one and all as the Big Lake) as well as numerous smaller ponds dotting the landscape. |
Properties are still available both on and off lake. In this peaceful lake town, a wide variety of single-family homes are available, from singlewide mobile homes to traditional stick-built homes. Public water lines have now been installed, replacing the well system. Many anticipate this will favorably impact real estate values for the current property owners in Boiling Spring Lakes. At this time, private septic systems are in use throughout the town. You can still purchase lakefront property, but, in all likelihood, it won't be too long before we won't see waterfront lots and homes come on the market that often.
Boiling Spring Lakes is a wonderful place to call home!
Want to learn more about Boiling Spring Lakes, one of the best kept secrets in Brunswick County? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325, or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
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Oak Island is a picture-perfect beach community. The largest of the barrier islands in Brunswick County, Oak Island provides abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, surfing, shell gathering, and swimming. All of the oceanfront beaches are open to the public, yet they never seem crowded. With over fifty public beach access points -- most with parking -- two public boat ramps, and several areas to put in canoes and kayaks, Oak Island is truly a beach town. It is also a sanctuary and nesting place for sea turtles. |
This recreation-centered town has an extensive sidewalk system for bikes and pedestrians to enjoy, recreation trails, and numerous parks, playgrounds, and youth-friendly facilities such as the newly completed skateboard park. Programs geared toward senior citizens are located at the full-time Parks & Recreation Department and the Oak Island Senior Citizens Center.
Beautiful views and waterfront living opportunities are not just limited to the Atlantic Ocean, as homeowners can also enjoy frontage on the Davis Canal and Intracoastal Waterway. Residents are also privy to a wide array of restaurants, from casual to formal dining.
| Oak Island real estate prices continue to amaze both residents and real estate professionals, and, according to most experts, the long-awaited sewer system and second bridge are projected to dramatically increase the value of each property. This proposed second bridge is becoming a reality as the right-of-way acquisitions have begun. This is the last step before construction begins; the target date to complete this bridge from Middleton Road to the mainland is 2009. These improvements are anticipated to have the most dramatic effect on prices and property values to date. Basically, we haven't seen anything yet! |  |
Ask anyone who has benefited from living on Oak Island: it's not an address but a state of mind. When you're researching your next move, make sure you include Oak Island in your plans.
Want to contact an Oak Island investment specialist? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325, or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
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The Town of Holden Beach is one of the beautiful Brunswick County barrier islands. The Atlantic Ocean can be found on its south side, and the Intracoastal Waterway on its north. Holden Beach, well known for its steel and concrete high-rise bridge, the only way to arrive or depart from the island, is approximately eight miles long and half a mile wide. The tight-knit Holden Beach community prides itself on working hard to keep the beach’s spectacular shores as family-friendly as possible by strictly adhering to zoning rules and regulations, including a building height limit. |
Potential investors are encouraged not to be discouraged by the lack of commercial development on this splendid island; indeed, one will be pleasantly surprised with Holden Beach’s select group of restaurants, stores, and other successful businesses.
The town’s permanent population is approximately 900, and this assures that a wide variety of activities is available year-round. This town with gorgeous, quiet shores is also home to a bustling fishing village and a wonderful pier. Charter boats are also available. Holden Beach residents remember the importance of their town’s past as a commercial fishing center, as they celebrate fishing season by means of festival twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall.
Interested in the lovely shores of Holden Beach? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325, or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
There is something for everyone in River Run Plantation. With 375 acres, River Run is the perfect size for someone that doesn’t want to live in one of the much larger neighboring communities. River Run is tucked away off Highway 211 in Bolivia; simply turn onto Sunset Harbor Road and make a right into the neighborhood’s entrance. River Run, a gated community, requires either a gate card or an entry code.
One look at a map and the location of River Run explains its attraction for residents and investors alike. Houses from traditional stick built to high-end mobile homes are available for all budgets and all styles. Homesites are also available for purchase. All properties are distinguished by the presence of many towering pines and other trees, and this contributes to the heavily wooded appearance of each neighborhood.
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River Run, a complete water access community, is designed to fully embrace its location on the Lockwood Folly River and the Lockwood Folly Bay. In addition to the saltwater river and bay, there are several freshwater lakes in River Run. Boaters will appreciate the location of the boat ramp which positions you a short boat ride to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Over 35 golf courses (open to the public) are just a short drive away. Residents of River Run also enjoy the sand and surf of Holden Beach, only minutes away. |
Property owners enjoy the use of the clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, boat ramps, and boat storage facilities. Low annual Homeowners Assocation dues of $460 make this not only a great place to live but an affordable one as well.
Interested in River Run? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325 or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
If you're looking for a home for your retirement, a weekend getaway, a rental property, or a homesite for the future, you're in good company. Low taxes, low cost of living, and affordable homes and homesites attract residents from across the United States. In St. James, you'll have the opportunity to purchase a homesite, build the custom home of your dreams, or buy a perfect existing home. Homes and lots are available in every price range and style and in locations with views as varied as the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, sweeping golf courses, or tranquil, wooded nature preserves.
| Opportunities to play golf abound with three championship golf courses totaling 63 holes and a new Nicklaus course underway. Golf groups, individual play, lessons, and clinics are available for every level, from the scratch golfer to the beginner. In addition to golf, residents enjoy the many tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness facility including the attention and expertise of a personal trainer, a spa, walking trails, and a full-service 160-slip marina with deep water access right on the Intracoastal Waterway, the gateway to 1,200 miles of the Eastern seaboard. |  |
St. James is not only a planned and growing community of about 2,000 residents but an incorporated municipality as well. This allows the residents to participate in determining the future and direction of the town. St. James has its own all-volunteer fire department and EMS team, town hall, library and chapel. Opportunities to meet new and old friends and neighbors are found in the community parties, fundraisers, volunteering, and events that will keep your calendar filled year round. Activities in St. James are numerous, and they reflect the diversity of its residents: Antique Clubs, Artisan Groups, Bible Study, Bingo, Bird and Nature Club, Bunco Groups, Book Clubs, Bridge Groups (couples, singles and duplicate), Chapel Choir, Chess Club, Decorative Arts, Fishing Club, Holiday Home Tours, Investment Club, Knitting Groups, Mahjong Groups, Master Gardeners, Oil Painting and Watercolor Classes, Poker Clubs, Pottery Classes, Quilting Groups, Service Club, Water Aerobics, Yoga and Pilates.
When you move to St. James, you're not only buying a home -- you're also buying a life style. Opportunities to have an enriched and fulfilling lifestyle abound, and the community is sure to please even the most discerning of buyers.
Want to learn more about the St. James lifestyle? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325, or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
No trip to this area is complete without spending some time in Southport. Often described as quaint or historic, Southport is a town in transition with both old places and new faces creating a dynamic town to either call home or visit for just a day. You can't help but fall in love with a town that has so much to offer everyone.
Downtown Southport has an eclectic array of shops, galleries and restaurants that welcomes residents, newcomers and visitors with charm, warmth and hospitality. As you enter Southport on Hwy. 211 (that becomes the more familiarly named "Howe Street,"), you will first encounter an interesting cluster of tiny stores painted in brilliant sherbet colors with wild flowers overflowing in the abundant gardens fronting each shop. Here you will find delightful shops with everything from antique linens and artisans' crafts to a lovely ladies' tea room with special teas, scones, and finger sandwiches.
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Looking for the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for friend or something wonderful for your own home? Southport's many gift shops will have just what you need. Great boutiques with island-style clothes, precious children's clothes and creative souvenir tee shirts are all within walking distance in picture-perfect Southport. Breakfasts in Southport are best spent at either Surfer's on Howe Street by Dosher Hospital or P.J.'s on the waterfront; expect bottomless cups of coffee, warm biscuits, great omelets, and Southern hospitality at either place. |
You may wish to rent a bike from Southport Bikes (the owner/cyclist LD is a great source of information and cycling advice) and take your time exploring the streets and viewing the old homes in Southport's historic district, or cruise down the Riverwalk on Cape Fear River. Don't miss taking a ride or walk down the Salt Marsh Boardwalk and Waterway to take in the breathtaking views from the Gazebo.
While you are enjoying the Cape Fear waterfront, you can rest on one of the shaded hanging swings or Whittler's Bench at Waterfront Park -- right at the end of Howe. Of course, there are wonderful places for seafood -- all overlooking the Cape Fear River. Provisions is a perennial favorite of residents and visitors alike only open from April through October; this is outdoor dining at its most rustic and best. Fishy Fishy Café, a restaurant that boasts stunning sunsets, can also be found on the water.
Looking for a place to stay?
• Southport's Hampton Inn: 910.454.0016
• Southport's Comfort Suite: 910.454.7444
• Brunswick Inn, a lovely waterfront B&B: 910.457.5278
(www.BrunswickInn.com)
Looking for more to do? Visit the Visitors Center on Nash, right across from The Christmas Store.
Looking for a real estate agent? Call us -- 910.457.3720.
Want to learn more about this lovely part of southeastern North Carolina? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325, or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
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Winding River Plantation is an award-winning golf community located on the Lockwood Folly River mid-way between Wilmington, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC. Positioned near the quaint, historic town of Southport, NC, and the oceanfront beach community of Oak Island, Winding River residents enjoy the finest amenities including golf, tennis, a marina, a fitness center, hiking and bike trails, a private oceanfront beach club on Holden Beach, and the River House on the Lockwood Folly River, where neighbors gather quite frequently. |
Championship Golf
Resident golfers appreciate their home course, the spectacular 27-hole Carolina National Golf Club, designed by the 1992 Masters champion, Fred Couples. It has been designated as an Audubon International Certified Sanctuary Golf Course. Three of its distinctive nines play in a trio of 18-hole combinations, and larger greens afford multiple pin placements for a seemingly endless variety of challenges and scenic views.
Current Real Estate Overview
Food for thought: waterfront property in Winding River, overlooking the majestic Lockwood Folly River, is significantly less than property in St. James or Oak Island.
Fees
The Property Owner Association annual fee is $595 and the condo Home Owner Association dues are $578.49/quarter. Membership initiation fee is currently $7,200. These fees are subject to change. Annual fee includes a 24-hour secure entrance to each neighborhood, sewer fees, and maintenance of common areas, open spaces, roads, River House Landing, Clubhouse, and Beach Club Facility. Taxes in 2004-05 were $0.685 per $100 of assessed value.
Want to learn more about Winding River? Call us toll-free at 866.908.4325, or send us an e-mail: aheck@ec.rr.com.
