How to Celebrate the Holidays on the Crystal Coast

Carteret County Arts and Crafts, Holiday Show and Sale
Through Sunday, December 15, 2013; 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday, 
1 PM to 5 PM Sunday
Morehead Plaza Shopping Center

Carteret County Arts and Crafts Coalition (CCACC) invites you to join them as they celebrate 35 years of bring local arts and crafts to the Crystal Coast! This is a great time to pick up last minute holiday gifts!

Ice Skating on the Morehead City Waterfront
December 6 through January 1, 2014
Katherine Davis Park Parking Lot 

Skating session times:
Monday - Friday 6:00, 7:00, 8:00
Saturday 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00
Sunday 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00

A fun way to celebrate the holiday season with skating on the Morehead City Waterfront. The Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department will be operating an artificial ice skating rink from Friday, December 6 through Wednesday, January 1— closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Skating fees are $5.00 per skater (fee includes rental skates) for each 45-minute skating session.

Historic Beaufort Candlelight Homes Tour
December 14, 2013; 5 PM to 8 PM
Beaufort NC

How magical to tour Beaufort at night! Tour private homes in Beaufort and ride on the double-decker bus with carolers from local churches. Homeowners will open their doors so that the public can delight in their festive décor and decorations. 

Beaufort Holiday Art Walk
December 14, 2013; 1 PM to 5 PM
Historic Downtown Beaufort

Enjoy this festive day in downtown historic Beaufort and celebrate the season with art receptions and open houses at many downtown locations. A wide variety of art from regional artists will be showcased throughout many of the downtown shops, galleries and restaurants. The Art Walk will begin at The Beaufort Historic Site, 130 Turner St.

Morehead City Christmas Parade
December 14, 2013; 11 AM
Downtown Morehead City

What better way to celebrate the season than with a holiday parade? The Morehead City Christmas Parade will begin downtown at 11 AM for all who wish to come out and enjoy.

Gena Gilbert

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Carve a Crystal Coast, North Carolina Pumpkin!

Happy Halloween from the Crystal Coast! Are you carving pumpkins today? Or simply want to decorate your Coastal Carolina home with seasonal decor? Below are some ideas for adding Halloween flair to homes in Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Isle that you can keep around for the rest of fall— coastal pumpkins are the best!

When you're purchasing a home on the Crystal Coast, from the moment you begin your search for homes in North Carolina, your real estate agent will have the best insight into the area. Contact Gena Gilbert Real Estate today to discuss your options for buying your next Coastal Carolina home or selling your current home.

Gena Gilbert

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Decorating Your Crystal Coast Home— Bring the Beach Indoors!

Living on the Crystal Coast, NC offers a great opportunity to bring that beloved beach style into your home. Jazz up your spaces by incorporating sandy elements, shells, summer beach photos and more to feel the sweet summer all year long— no matter the weather! Below are some great ideas for bring the beach indoors whether you're buying a home in Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Beaufort or elsewhere— or simply sprucing up your beach properties before the new season rolls around.

Family Photo Op
Take a throw pillow and have a fun, family beach photo imprinted to remind you of the summer year round. How to? Just grab a photo, scan the image or map on transfer paper, and iron the image onto the fabric of your throw pillow. You can even have this done at a local copy center.

Bulletin Board Staples
Cover a bulletin board's cork with a map of your Crystal Coast area— attach a map of your neighborhood, city, or even state. Next up, attach photos from the beach, travel push pins, and other mementos from the summer or favorite places in the area. This creates a great focal point for Crystal Coast love!

In the Shower
On your shower curtain, attach sand dollars, shells, and starfish with cotton cording or rope. What better way to bring the beach indoors than in the shower?

Photo Boxes
Create a photo box by placing a photo inside a shadow box and fill the empty space with sand, shells, and trinkets from your favorite areas or summer specialities. This is a great way to peer into the summer, even if it is fall!

Coastal Carolina is a great place to live the good life and embrace the beach properties in the area— and Crystal Coast real estate, if you're ready to move! How do you bring the beach indoors to your homes in North Carolina?

Gena Gilbert

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September Checklist for Your Crystal Coast Home

It's now September! That means fall is coming, a new season, a new opportunity to spruce up your Crystal Coast home and perfect its appearance either for visitors, for curb appeal purposes, or to impress potential homebuyers looking to buy real estate in North Carolina. Here's what you can do this month to make sure your home on the Crystal Coast, NC is in tip top shape:

Proof and Weatherstrip Windows and Doors
The air does begin to smell and act differently in September— it's time you make sure your windows and doors are ready to take on the new season. Weatherstripping can be plastic, foam, felt, or metal and its job is to seal small gaps to lock moisture and cold air outside where they belong. "Lock around your doors and windows," advises MSN Real Estate. Is the weatherstripping torn or missing? This little flaw can end up costing you in the long run. If your windows and doors are older, replacing weatherstripping can really cut down on energy costs this fall.

Check Your Windows Again
Check your windows for weatherstripping, but also check them for cracks. If they are dirty or cracked, repair and clean them now in preparation for fall.

Check Gutters and Outdoor Collectors
Do a visual check to make sure your gutters are clear of debris. They may soon be doing double duty in the fall with extra rainstorms and falling leaves.

Keep Out Unwanted Pests
A great time to proof your home for pests is just before the fall begins. September is the time animals begin looking for new places to call home— make sure it's not your Crystal Coast home. Make sure there are no gaps under your garage door, outdoor vents and screens are sealed and in working order, and exterior doors are free of holes or cracks for little mice to slip through.

Clean Your Dryer Vent
This is one thing you should do every six months, but now is as great a time as ever. "Scoot your clothes dryer away from the wall, unplug it, and vacuum behind it," says MSN Real Estate. "Unhook the tube that leads to the vent and clear as much lint from the tube as you can. Grab a shop vacuum, go outside, and tackle the outside dryer vent as well."

Fall is a great time to update your Coastal Carolina home or begin your search for a new one, your dream home in our North Carolina area. Contact us today to discuss your options and plans for moving to a beach property or buying a house on the Crystal Coast— we're here to help!

Gena Gilbert

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Labor Day on the Crystal Coast, NC

Getting ready to enjoy the long holiday weekend? There are many great events happening in the Crystal Coast, NC area for you to attend and experience all that our great community has to offer! Here are just a few that are happening this weekend and Monday for the Labor Day holiday:

Alive at Five Concert Series
Friday, August 30, 2013, 5 PM to 8 PM
Katherine Davis Park, Downtown Morehead City
This FREE event will give you the chance to enjoy some great music in downtown Morehead City, NC. From 5 PM to 8 PM, this is a great event to kick off the holiday weekend.

Murder Mystery Dinner
Friday, August 30, 2013, $30 for reservations
NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort
Have you ever wanted to attend a murder mystery party? Now's your chance! Hosted by the NC Maritime Museum, come help solve the museum's latest unfortunate "accident." Museum staff and volunteers prepare an entertaining evening involving a murder plot, clues and of course a twist, all while you enjoy a catered meal! Call 252-728-7317 for more information.

Carteret County Arts & Crafts Coalition Show
Saturday, August 31 10 AM to 5 PM, through Sunday, September 1, 2013, 12 PM to 5 PM
Beaufort Historic Grounds, Beaufort
Come visit this FREE event and take a look at the arts and crafts of local Crystal Coast artists.

Saturday Night Live
Saturday, August 31, 2013, 6 PM to 8 PM
Atlantic Beach Boardwalk Gazebo
FREE to the public and a chance to enjoy local music at this great boardwalk location.

SwanFest
Sunday, September 1, 2013, 6:30 PM to 8 PM
The Pavilion at Olde Town Square, Downtown Swansboro
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy great music by the sea in this FREE summer concert series.

EmeraldFest
Monday, September 2, 2013, 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Western Ocean Regional Access, Emerald Isle
No admission fee for this local Emerald Isle, NC event on Labor Day, sponsored by Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation. Enjoy live music and the tranquil ocean breeze. Bring chairs, blankets, even dinner! Access also features volleyball courts, picnic tables and restrooms.

Gena Gilbert

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Looking for 'Deals' on the Crystal Coast?

There are still 'deals' on many properties including water front lots, single family residential homes and condos on the Crystal Coast of NC but they are going fast!  Here are just a few that are left that some lucky buyer is going to be VERY HAPPY they did not let their 'hind sight' get the best of them.
Crystal Coast Properties

2001 Anne Neal Rd, Morehead City, NC 28557

SHORT SALE - 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths $179,900

CONTACT GENA OR HAROLD TODAY - 877-240-0259

www.GenaGilbertRealEstate.com

 

101 Molly Lane, Newport, NC 28570

Designed by & Occupied by an Architect

Current Owner is an Engineer

SOUND CONSTRUCTION!  Average Power Bill $133/Mo.

Over 2300 Heated Square Feet on a Lot 0.66 acre in a Water Front Community!

Asking Only $238,000

CONTACT GENA OR HAROLD TODAY - 877-240-0259

www.GenaGilbertRealEstate.com



405 Mansfield Parkway, Unit A, Morehead City, NC 28557

Sellers are Motivated to Sell!  Unbelievable asking price of $368,000 for this 3 story unit with its own private elevator!!

Gorgeous 180 degree panoramic views from the Kitchen and Great Room

Offered tastefully furnished with a few exceptions.

CONTACT GENA OR HAROLD TODAY - 877-240-0259

www.GenaGilbertRealEstate.com