<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <channel>
        <atom:link href="http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/rss/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
        <title>Coastal Carolina Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/</link>
        <description></description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/considering-buying-a-home-you-need-these-three-answers-first.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/considering-buying-a-home-you-need-these-three-answers-first.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>Considering Buying a Home? Three Important Answers You Need First.</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you are considering buying a home today, you are probably getting a ton of advice. Some of that advice is through news mediums, which will bring you a mixed bag of positive and negative feedback: foreclosure and short sale nightmares, low interest rates, and mortgage guideline changes. Another array of opinions are coming from your family and friends, which are more than likely based on their own real estate experiences, whether good or bad. You need to take a deep breath, stop the background noise, and answer the following three questions for yourself to determine whether or not you should purchase a home:1.  What exactly are the experts saying?I encourage you to conduct your own research choosing qualified experts, but in the last 150 days many experts have come to the conclusion that it makes sense to buy a home right now. Our expert list includes: Warren Buffet, John Talbott, and Christopher Thornberg.2.  If I buy now, what is the expected turnaround time for some appreciation?Some of you may have laughed at that, thinking real estate appreciation isn't even on the horizon. I myself may have last year. But believe it or not, the real estate market here in Wilmington, NC has picked up this year, as it has in other parts of the country as well. This is the first step in gaining appreciation down the road. 


On a national level it is predicted that appreciation will begin to happen towards the end of this year, but for the majority of 2012 we will see a plateau. Check out this home price expectation survey from Macro Markets: https://pulsenomics.com/Mar_2012_HPE_Survey.html.This survey began in 2010 and consists of answers from 100+ experts in the housing industry. By 2016 a cumulative appreciation of over 10% is being projected. Always keep in mind that the key to putting your money to work for you in real estate is to buy low and sell high. Well, you can certainly find affordable properties in today’s market and buy low!Why do I really want to buy a home anyway? The first thought that comes to mind when you consider buying a home is obviously the expense of it. How much will my mortgage payment be? What kind of down payment will I need to have? These are both great examples of important questions, and should obviously be considered, but at the true core of your decision to move, you need to consider your quality of life and that quality for your family. It may be helpful to keep some perspective here and reflect on the top four reasons why people buy, which were discovered in a national housing survey by Fannie Mae They have nothing to do with money!




A good place to raise children and for them to get a good education






A place where you and your family can feel safe






More space for you and your family






Control of your space



Consider these and other non-financials, and they just may lead you to answer that lingering question in your mind: “Is now really the time to buy?” ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 13:44:47 -0400</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/nc-filmmaker-mike-wiley-delivers-riveting-performances-in-feature-film.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/nc-filmmaker-mike-wiley-delivers-riveting-performances-in-feature-film.html</link>
            <author>barbara@teamgasparovic.com (Barbara Wood)</author>
            <title>NC Filmmaker Mike Wiley Delivers Riveting Performances in Feature Film </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
"Masterful Performance" by Mike Wiley in "Dar He" / Premieres set for LA and Berlin


 


Raleigh, N.C. ... In an acting tour de force, one man, Mike Wiley, performs all 36 roles in the feature film "Dar He: The Lynching of Emmett Till." Wiley and the North Carolina filmmakers deliver riveting performances in the story, trial, and unbelievable confessions of those accused of Emmett Till's murder in this 1955 tragedy which changed the course of history in the United States.


 


 


A review of the film by the 20th Pan African Film Festival reports: "A masterful performance by Mike Wiley." Deirdre Haj, Executive Director of the Full Frame Film Festival says: "Mike Wiley's ability to transform himself into many characters carries this film much farther than the usual acting triumph of multiple characters..." See the review at: http://www.wix.com/robunderhill/darhemovie#!reviews


 


The official movie trailer for "Dar He" can be viewed at www.DarHeMovie.com


 


Two and a half years in the making by award winning North Carolina filmmakers, the World and European premieres are now set for "Dar He".  A screening for North Carolina media has been added to the calendar.


 


World Premiere: Will be hosted by the 20th Pan African Film Festival on Friday, Feb. 17, in Los Angeles, Calif. With annual attendance in excess of 40,000 people, PAFF is the largest, most prestigious international Black film festival in the U.S. http://2012.paff.org/


 


European Premiere: Will be held at the 27th Black International Cinema, Berlin, Germany. The Festival runs May 2 - 6, 2012. http://www.black-international-cinema.com/BIC12/bic_12.htm


 


N.C. Media Preview: An industry preview and media screening will be held in Raleigh, N.C. on Feb. 13 (call Media Contact for reservation details). 


 


"Dar He: The Lynching of Emmett Till" was adapted from the critically acclaimed one man show written and performed by local theatre heavyweight, Mike Wiley, similarly titled "Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till." It is a true-crime drama of a 14-year old Black boy from Chicago murdered for allegedly whistling at a White woman while visiting family in Money, Mississippi in 1955. The screenplay was crafted from public record and the historic interviews conducted by William Bradford Huie of Look magazine. When the story was published, it became a lightning rod across the nation for moral outrage. "His death was a spark that ignited the Civil Rights Movement in America," Ed Bradley, Emmy Award-winning journalist. 


 


"Dar He" was created by acclaimed North Carolina filmmakers who collaborated on other films including, "Empty Space" (2009) and "Wolf Call" (2010). These films are winners of fifteen festival awards, eight nominations, dozens of official selections, special screenings, and other honors. "Wolf Call" is currently on festival tour and nominated for a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Short Film. The international success of both these films helped inspire the making of "Dar He". Mr. Wiley is winner of numerous best actor awards from 2009 to 2011 for his performance in both films, including Best Actor at the 25th Black International Cinema Berlin and Best Actor at the Carrboro Film Festival in 2009 and 2010.










 


Meet the North Carolina filmmakers










 


Rob Underhill: Director and co-writer of the screenplay "Dar He." Underhill loves to "collaborate with artists of all types to produce dynamic, meaningful works that tell the story with impact while speaking to the vast interconnectedness of the human experience." He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina State University. Underhill's films have screened at scores of festivals, and he has received many festival, Telly and other awards for his work. Underhill began with building theatre productions from the ground up beginning in 1998. In 2004 he incorporated Wake Drama, his nonprofit production house. He currently lives in Raleigh, N.C. www.RobUnderhill.com


 


Mike Wiley: Star, author and co-writer of the screenplay "Dar He." Wiley, an N.C. based playwright, director and actor is a MFA graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. A specialist in documentary theatre, he is the 2010 Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professor in Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke University and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. As founder of Mike Wiley Productions, he currently tours seven original plays. He has appeared on Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and National Geographic Channel and has been featured in Our State magazine, on WUNC-TV's "North Carolina Now" and "The State of Things" in addition to being named Tar Heel of the Week by the (Raleigh, N.C.) News and Observer. "The Parchman Hour", Wiley's newest work, was featured in workshop as the finale event of the Freedom Riders 50th anniversary commemoration this past May in Jackson, Miss. Mike resides in Pittsboro, N.C. www.MikeWileyProductions.com


 


Aravind Ragupathi: Cinematographer and co-producer for "Dar He." Ragupathi is an independent, award-winning cinematographer and producer. He has an extensive portfolio as a cinematographer that includes features, narratives and music videos for leading film production houses. His Interest in American history and culture has enabled him to collaborate and produce very compelling stories that involves the American Civil War, African-American history, the Civil Rights Movement and neo- American stories. Ragupathi has traveled coast-to-coast working, collaborating and consulting on various projects, including festival, Telly and Emmy award-winning productions. He has worked in New York, Ohio, Kansas, Virginia, San Francisco and North Carolina. He is a resident of Durham, N.C. http://www.aravinddp.org


 


Larry Gardner: Editor and Visual Effects for "Dar He." Following Gardner's education at North Carolina State University, he made a career as consultant and chief engineer for major radio stations. He cut his first feature-length film in 1977 while working in radio and managing a recording studio. Larry started Videofonics in Raleigh (now Trailblazer Studios) and "kept editing". Gardner didn't like analog, so he patented one of the first digital editing systems in the world, and went on to win Cleo, Addy, Telly, and New York Art Directors Club awards for his films and commercials. Later Mr. Gardner founded Digifonics, a digital consulting and production company. Gardner "pours extra technical and creative resources into putting together independent films for the pure joy of advancing the art." He lives in Apex, N.C. http://digifonics.com/


 










Media Contact:


Rob Underhill/Director 919-649-7218 DarHeMovie@gmail.com  











 



 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:06:00 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/nar-report-2012-home-sales-looking-positive.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/nar-report-2012-home-sales-looking-positive.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>NAR Report 2012 Home Sales Looking Positive</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Originally posted on NAR.org January 3, 2012, by Robert Freedman 

NAR released its latest pending home sales index figure last week and for the second month in a row the index is up. But more than that, the index has broken 100. This is significant because the only time since the housing boom collapsed that the index has broken 100 is when the home owner tax credit was in effect. The fact that the index has returned to that level a year since the credit has been in effect means the housing market is strengthening completely on its own, without any stimulus.


NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun is upbeat about 2012 because in a number of areas indicators are pointing upward. Not only are home sales up but housing starts are up and home prices are stabilizing in many markets and heading up in some. In areas where they’re still down, the declines aren’t that great. More fundamentally, broader U.S. economic signs are looking positive, including the all-important jobs picture. About 100,000 job are being created a month, and that could rise to 150,000—still not a quick enough pace to get us back to where we were before the downturn but the headwinds are in the right direction.


In the video, Yun talks about what the latest figures mean.



 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:03:00 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/december-mortgage-rate-update.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/december-mortgage-rate-update.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>December Mortgage Rate Update</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
As of Tuesday, 13th December, 2011* rates have inched up just a bit since last week.









 




Term






Conforming






APR






Payment per $1,000






Jumbo






APR






Payment per $1,000








30 yr Fixed 






360






4.125%






4.250%






$4.85






4.375%






4.459%






$4.99








15 yr Fixed






180






3.375%






3.591%






$7.09






3.875%






4.021%






$7.33








FHA






360






3.875%






3.998%






$4.70






%






0.000%






$0.00








VA






360






3.875%






3.998%






$4.70






%






0.000%






$0.00








5-1 ARM






360






2.50%






2.613%






$3.95






2.75%






2.827%






$4.08








USDA






360






3.875%






3.998%






$4.70






%






0.000%






$0.00








Content courtesy of


JD Terry


Home Mortgage Consultant


Wells Fargo Mortgage


Phone: 910-431-6082


Fax: 866-401-7671


License: NMLSR ID 455169


J.D.Terry@wellsfargo.com


www.JDTerry.com



*Rates are subject to change due to market fluctuations and borrower's eligibility. Payment amounts do not include amounts for taxes and insurance. Actual payments will be higher.


**APR for the conforming rate is based off of a loan amount of $200,000. APR for the jumbo rate is based off of a loan amount of $500,000** **Rates are quoted based off a full documentation loan, purchase of a primary residence, middle credit score of 740, 1% Discount and no points** Information displayed is accurate as of the date of the latest update and is subject to change without notice. Loan pricing can only be locked through a home mortgage consultant. Other restrictions may apply. Due to various federal, state and local requirements, certain products may not be available in all areas. The monthly payment amount displayed includes principal and interest only. The payment amount does not include homeowner’s insurance or property taxes which must be paid in addition to your loan payment. The displayed Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for the loan products shown reflects the interest rate and approximate cost of prepaid finance charges, including 1% of your loan amount to be applied to the origination charge, but does not include other closing costs or discount points. The approximate cost of prepaid finance charges does not constitute and is not a substitute for the Good Faith Estimate of Closing Costs (GFE) that you will receive once you apply for a loan. This is not a mortgage loan approval or commitment to lend. The actual fees, costs and monthly payment on your specific loan transaction may vary and may include additional fees and costs. Conventional loans with a down payment less than 20% require mortgage insurance which could increase the monthly payment and Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Mortgage rates shown are based on a 60-day lock for the purchase of a primary residence. Under certain circumstances, a 60-day rate lock may not be available. These mortgage rates are based upon a variety of assumptions and conditions which include a consumer credit score which may be higher or lower than your individual credit score. Your loan's interest rate will depend upon the specific characteristics of your loan transaction and your credit profile up to the time of closing. For more information, please refer to the Loan Pricing Disclosure or contact us. This is an unsecured email service which is not intended for sending confidential or sensitive information. Please do not include your social security number, account number, or any other personal or financial information in the content of the email. This may be a promotional email. To discontinue receiving promotional emails from Wells Fargo Bank N.A., including Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, click here NoEmailRequest@wellsfargo.com. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Lender. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage-2701 Wells Fargo Way-Minneapolis, MN 55467-8000
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:47:00 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/winners-nc-holiday-flotilla-and-fireworks.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/winners-nc-holiday-flotilla-and-fireworks.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>Winners: NC Holiday Flotilla and Fireworks </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 

View atop the Blockade Runner - Joshua McClure



Wrightsville Beach, NC...The 28th Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and Fireworks ended with a nighttime parade of beautifully decorated boats and a spectacular fireworks display.  Weekend crowds were estimated at 50,000. 

 


Flotilla festivities offered something for all generations. On Friday, tykes and toddlers attended the official tree lighting and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Saturday's Festival in the Park featured a shopping emporium of fine handcrafts, outdoor children's games--a climbing wall and The Arab Choo Choo--and an antique car show for the 'happy days' car enthusiasts.


 


This year featured a $5,000 cash prize for the Best in Show. Winners were announced today (Sunday) at a special brunch at host hotel, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.


 


The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla and Fireworks is consistently named one of the Top 20 "Must See Events in the Southeast" by the Southeastern Tourism Society.


 



Photography by Joshua McClure

 

Photography by Joshua McClure

 

Photography by Joshua McClure



 2011 Winners:


 


Best Costume and Crew Spirit - Captain Steve Arnold - Boat is the Wendy Lee II - Theme was Arctic Holiday Celebration


 


Best Powerboat 22 Feet and Under - Captain Brent Jernigan - Boat is Craig Cat - Theme was Santa's Shuttle


 


Best Powerboat 23 Feet to 31 Feet - Captain Kris Matson - Boat is Joker's Wild - Theme Having Fun


 


Best Powerboat 31 Feet and Over - Captain Skip Wilson - Boat is The Bottom Line - Theme was Sponge Bob Square Pants



Best in Show - Captains Paula Sturdy and Van Marr - Boat is Reel Hot - Theme was Wrightsville Beach Christmas Trolley


Linda Brown, Chair, 2011 NC Holiday Flotilla



For more details, visit www.ncholidayflotilla.org


 


Fireworks photo courtesy of NC Holiday Flotilla


 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/nc-flotilla-and-fireworks-named-one-of-top-20-must-see-events-in-southeast.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/nc-flotilla-and-fireworks-named-one-of-top-20-must-see-events-in-southeast.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>NC Flotilla and Fireworks named one of "Top 20 Must See Events in Southeast"</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 



 


 


Wrightsville Beach, N.C. .... It ends with a bang! A grand finale of fireworks illuminates the seacoast harbor at the conclusion of a three-day Thanksgiving Weekend tradition as the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla returns into homeport, Wrightsville Beach, N.C.


 


From the arrival of Santa and a quaint town tree lighting ceremony to a magical floating boat parade, the 28th Annual NC Holiday Flotilla offers something for all generations.


 


Tykes and toddlers will want to be beneath the Town Hall tree for the official lighting and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.


 


Boat captains, crew members, sponsors and partygoers will gather later for the official Anchors Away launch party at the host hotel and reviewing stand, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort at 7 p.m. The Central Park Band will kick off the celebration; admission is $35 per person and includes the Blockade Runner's award-winning fare.


 


The famed Festival in the Park features a shopping emporium of fine handcrafts, suitable for holiday gift giving, outdoor children's games--a climbing wall and The Arab Choo Choo--and an antique car show, among other novelties staged at Wrightsville Beach Park. Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26.


 


With $7,500 in cash prizes--$5,000 for the Best in Show winner--and an increased number of divisions for powerboats, the lighted boat parade should attract even more captains this year than last. The spectacle can be viewed all the way from Bradley Creek to the Intracoastal Waterway, and Motts Channel to Banks Channel, before ending at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach.  


 


And then there are the spectacular fireworks with the best vantage point from the waterways where thousands of spectators line piers, docks, bridges and channel banks. Rival boat captains and crew members must wait until winners are announced at a special brunch hosted by the Blockade Runner Beach Resort on Sunday, Nov. 26.


 


Giving and receiving is the hallmark of the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla. Its board of directors sponsors a 5k fun run and walk on Saturday, Nov. 12 and opens its headquarters three days a week before, during and after the festival for the purchase of Anchors Away tickets, 5k or boat parade registrations and swag sales. With ball caps, T-shirts, sweats and commemorative boat bags and tree ornaments, the proceeds go back into the organization that spends a year planning the biggest free public party in Wrightsville Beach, homeport of the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, consistently named one of the Top 20 "Must See Events in the Southeast" by the Southeastern Tourism Society.


 


For more details, visit www.ncholidayflotilla.org


 


Accommodations:  www.blockade-runner.com  www.visitwrightsville.com


 


Best of show photography by Joshua McClure | Fireworks photo courtesy of NC Holiday Flotilla



 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:05:00 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/warm-hands-warm-hearts-lets-start-the-season-of-giving.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/warm-hands-warm-hearts-lets-start-the-season-of-giving.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>Warm Hands Warm Hearts Lets Start the Season of Giving! </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Do you have any extra warm and cozy winter gear that is sitting in your closet? If so, please join our Avendale Community in a winter coat drive. Every year there are many people in our community who struggle to keep themselves and their families warm. Let’s join together and contribute to those less fortunate this winter with our gently worn winter clothing. All of your donations will kindly be given to the Christian Pender Services,Catholic Social Ministries and Topsail Schools to distributed to those in need. If you have any questions, or if you are unable to drop off your items, please contact Lee Bryant at 910-233-8810 or Lee@TeamGasparovic.com. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:51:03 -0400</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/inman-news-shows-annual-real-estate-sales-lift-for-3rd-straight-month.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/inman-news-shows-annual-real-estate-sales-lift-for-3rd-straight-month.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>Inman News Shows Annual Real Estate Sales Lift for 3rd Straight Month</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Saw this article in my RSS feed reader from Inman News on the state of real estate nationally. It certainly is GOOD to hear something like this. Our local market continues to rebound, albeit slowly. Nonetheless, as more positive news makes it out into the media the more comfortable buyers will be which is a good thing for everyone.


Enjoy!


Stephanie



By Inman News™


At a glance: Existing-home sales (September 2011):


  



Seasonally adjusted annual rate


4.91 million




% change from Sep. 2010


+11.3%




% change from August 2011


-3%




 


 




National median price


$165,400 




% change from Sep. 2010


-3.5%




 


 




Unsold inventory (months' supply)


8.5




Share of all-cash buyers


30%




Share of investor buyers


19%




Share of first-time buyers


32%




Share of distressed sales


30%






Source: National Association of Realtors.


Existing-home sales rose year over year for the third straight month in September, according to the latest monthly report from the National Association of Realtors.


Sales of single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops increased 11.3 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.91 million. Existing-home sales have been rising by double digits on an annual basis since July. On a monthly basis, sales fell 3 percent in September, compared with a 7.7 percent rise in August.


Nationwide, existing homes sold for a median $165,400 last month, down 3.5 percent from September 2010. Distressed homes, typically sold at discount, accounted for 30 percent of sales last month (18 percent were foreclosures, 12 percent were short sales), down from 35 percent a year ago, the report said.


Unsold inventory fell 2 percent in September to 3.48 million -- an 8.5-month supply at the current sales pace.


All-cash buyers, most of whom are investors, accounted for 30 percent of purchases last month, up slightly from 29 percent in September 2010, according to a separate NAR survey. Investors accounted for 19 percent of sales last month, up from 18 percent a year ago. First-time buyers made up 32 percent of sales, unchanged year over year.













"Existing-home sales have bounced around this year, staying relatively close to the current level in most months," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's cheif economist, in a statement.


"The irony is affordability conditions have improved to historic highs and more creditworthy borrowers are trying to purchase homes, but the share of contract failures is double the level of September 2010. Even so, the volume of successful buyers is higher than a year ago and is remaining fairly stable -- this speaks to an unfulfilled demand."


Eighteen percent of survey respondents reported contract failures last month, unchanged from August but up from 9 percent in September 2010.


"Contract failures are cancellations caused by declined mortgage applications, failures in loan underwriting from appraised values coming in below the negotiated price, or other problems including home inspections and employment losses," the report said.


Regionally, the Northeast was the only region to see existing-home sales rise on both a monthly and annual basis. Sales rose 2.6 percent month to month and 6.8 percent year over year to an annual level of 790,000 last month. The region's median price fell 3.3 percent year over year to $229,400.


The Midwest saw sales rise the most on a yearly basis in September: up 17.2 percent, to 1.09 million. Sales dipped 0.9 percent compared to August. The region also saw the smallest median price slip compared to a year ago: 1.4 percent to $137,400.


The South also saw a double-digit annual increase in sales last month: up 10.5 percent to 1.89 million. Sales fell 2.6 percent compared to August. The region's median price fell 3 percent year-over-year to $144,400.


Though existing-home sales rose 10.7 percent year-over-year last month in the West, the region also saw the biggest decline in sales compared to August, an 8.8 percent decline to 1.14 million.


Yun attributed the decrease to lenders lowering mortgage loan limits in case sales didn't close before the expiration of higher conforming loan limits at the end of September.


The West also saw the biggest year-over-year price decline, -4.5 percent, to $207,400.


In a separate report, the California Association of REALTORS® reported sales of existing, single-family homes in the Golden State fell 2.1 percent month to month in September, but rose 4.1 percent year over year, to an annual rate of 487,940 units. The state's median price fell even more precipitously last month than in the region as a whole: down 8.3 percent to $287,440.


Nationwide, sales rose on an annual basis in all price ranges last month, with homes under $100,000 seeing the biggest jump, according to the NAR report.


Homes $250,000 and under accounted for 70 percent of all existing-home sales.


    



% Change in Sales from 1 Year Ago




Region


$0-100K


$100-250K


$250-500K


$500-750K


$750K-1M


$1M+




Northeast


12.7%


13.7%


2.2%


8.8%


16.1%


6.0%




Midwest


17.4%


18.0%


4.9%


10.7%


3.4%


-7.5%




South


18.4%


12.9%


4.6%


9.1%


8.4%


9.8%




West


42.4%


16.4%


6.7%


2.2%


11.5%


3.5%




U.S.


22.3%


15.2%


4.6%


6.4%


11.5%


4.4%




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Sales Distribution




Region


$0-100K


$100-250K


$250-500K


$500-750K


$750-1M


$1M+




U.S.


25.5%


44.6%


21.4%


5.4%


1.6%


1.5%






Source: National Association of Realtors.

 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:30:03 -0400</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/north-carolina-surf-to-sound-challenge-ncpressreleasecom.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/north-carolina-surf-to-sound-challenge-ncpressreleasecom.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>North Carolina Surf to Sound Paddleboard Challenge - NCPressRelease.Com</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 











Lumina News / Allison Potter








Wrightsville Beach NC . . . Elite standup paddlers will perform a Le Mans style beach start, brave the open Atlantic Ocean, battle through Masonboro Inlet straits, and navigate the channel currents behind Masonboro Island, before reaching the finish line for the North Carolina Surf to Sound Challenge, Saturday, November 19 (alternate weather date: November 20).















Joshua McClure










For the intermediate paddler, a flat water competition will embark from the sound side beach and traverse canals and deepwater channels for approximately four miles encircling Wrightsville's picturesque Harbor Island.


 


Both races promise to be great spectator events, surf and sound, and will launch from the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.  


 


Wrightsville Beach Paddleboard Club organizers expect to attract paddlers throughout the Mid-Atlantic and beyond during this three-day weekend.  Spokesman Haywood Newkirk said today: "We are really excited about being part of the season ending fall race here at Wrightsville Beach. Having the event at this location will allow us to have a more challenging ocean start for the Elite Race, while simultaneously holding an enjoyable flatwater race for the recreational paddlers that are so important for the growth of this sport."


 


William Pope, Director for the World Paddle Association said: "It has been amazing to watch how quickly the stand up paddleboard (SUP) sport has grown throughout the country, especially in the Wrightsville Beach area.  Wrightsville offers so many different types of water and conditions it appeals to everyone.  As the SUP community continues to grow around the world, Wrightsville Beach will be at the heart of that growth on the East Coast." 


 


Registration is $60 and includes welcome reception, Friday, Nov. 18, race jersey, entry into one of two races (Elite or Intermediate) Saturday morning, Nov. 19, awards ceremony and celebration.  Cash prizes will be paid to the first male and female to finish in the Surf to Sound Challenge.  Prizes will be awarded in each class for both races.  


 


Also featured on site, Saturday, 12noon to 6pm, is the Waterman's Expo.  This water sport display is FREE and open to the public.  The expo will showcase local retailers specializing in SUP, surf, kayaking, sailing and fishing merchandise, equipment and outer wear.  Included will be demonstrations of advanced paddle techniques and fly casting.


 


Proceeds will benefit "For Masonboro" a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the co-existence of wildlife habitat and human recreation through education efforts to preserve the pristine, eight mile, uninhabited barrier island located between Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach in Southeastern North Carolina. 


 


Contact information:


 


Race Registration:  www.surftosoundchallenge.com


 


Race Chairman: Shawn Spencer, surftosoundRace@gmail.com, (910) 256-2545


 


Expo Chairman: Jason St. Clair, surftosoundExpo@gmail.com, (910) 256-7115


 


Accommodations with board storage packages:  (910) 256-7115


 


Accommodations:  www.blockade-runner.com or call:  (800) 541-1161


 


 


 


 


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:01:04 -0400</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/beach-to-battlship-triathlon.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.stephaniegasparovic.com/blog/beach-to-battlship-triathlon.html</link>
            <author>info@teamgasparovic.com (Stephanie Gasparovic)</author>
            <title>Beach to Battlship Triathlon - NCPressRelease.Com</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. ... Making waves, a record 1,875 triathletes will stroke the waters of Wrightsville Beach during the first leg of the internationally acclaimed Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon.



Photography by Joshua Curry


From its starting point at Wrightsville's south end Coast Guard Station on the eastern shore of BanksChannel to the finish line at the USS Battleship North Carolina on the west bank of the Cape Fear River, thousands of spectators are expected to crowd waterway beaches, channel banks, docks and bridges to cheer for and witness extraordinary feats of athletic endurance along the 140.6-mile route. The 2.4-mile swim through Banks Channel and Motts Channel begins at 7 a.m. and is expected to continue for approximately 1.5 hours, passing the docks of the Blockade Runner and ending at Sea Path Marina, the first of several key transition areas. Sprinting from Sea Path to Wrightsville Beach Park, athletes will mount their bikes and begin the 112-mile ride traversing Interstates, highways and country roads in four neighboring counties before arriving at Battleship Park. The final leg of the race is a 26.2-mile run across the Cape Fear River, through historic downtown Wilmington, around scenic Greenfield Lake and back.


 



Lumina News | Joshua Curry


Named by Triathlete Magazine as one of the top five iron distance triathlons in the world, the field of participants represents 43 states and five foreign countries. Since the inaugural event in 2008, this year marks the first time the Beach2Battleship Triathlon, sponsored by PPD, has sold out. A total of 800 athletes are registered for the full iron distance race. Last year's top time was 8 hours, 55 minutes and 52 seconds. An additional 1,075 athletes are registered for the half iron distance.


The PPD Beach2Battleship benefits the Wilmington Family YMCA and the greater Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach area. Organizers anticipate 6,000 spectators, with as many as 2,000+ traveling to the destination.


 


Spectators are encouraged to plan the three-day, two-night weekend in advance by booking overnight lodging and reserving meals. 


 


Witness the triathlon excitement, relax in Wrightsville Beach, and tour Wilmington's historic flagship, the USS Battleship North Carolina. 


 


Other activities scheduled for the weekend include:  Scenic nature tours with Captain Joe Abbate, the Carolina Naturalist, as featured in Our State Magazine; Halloween Horse Drawn Trolley Tours, "Avenue Q" at City Stage, the Model Railroad Extravaganza, Fall Camellia Show and Sale, and the 6th annual Cape Fear Wedding Show.    


 


For weekend reservations: www.blockade-runner.com or www.visitwrightsville.com/lodging/


 


For further information: www.Beach2Battleship.com


 


Other resources:  www.capefearnaturalist.com   www.horsedrawntours.com   www.wrrm.org   www.tidewatercamelliaclub.org   www.capefearwedding.com 


 


 


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:52:36 -0400</pubDate>
                    </item>
    </channel>
</rss>
