The Crystal Coast Blog

The town of Emerald Isle has just announced the 2011 4th of July fireworks display will return to the Bogue Inlet fishing pier. After a two year absence, the town agreed to renew it’s partnership with the Bogue Inlet Fishing pier.

The 4th of July Emerald Isle Fireworks Launching Pad?

Which launch pad do you prefer for the Emerald Isle 4th of July fireworks display? The Bogue Inlet pier or the location at the McLean Park near mile marker 18 in Emerald Isle? Leave a comment and cast your vote?

I relish every opportunity to travel to the Crystal Coast of NC! My upcoming trip to the NC Coast will be extra special as I get to combine my visit to the Southern Outer Banks with the opportunity to do what I’m passionate about – helping Crystal Coast real estate agents understand the power of the Internet. The prospect of meeting and sharing at real estate conferences and events is something I really feel I’m made to do. In fact, I’ve been asked to speak to the local chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®!

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This is one family event you will not want to miss. The Emerald Isle Parks & Rec is hosting a “Friday Free Flick”, Friday, April 17. Checkout the details below. If you are planning a trip to the Crystal Coast, don’t miss the FREE movie “Bolt”.

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According to local media sources, only one final permit is required from the Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners for a new Emerald Suites hotel to be built. Planned for the corner of N.C. 58, Islander Drive and Crew Drive (see map below), the hotel project is being developed by a partnership of the two long-time Emerald Isle families, Larry and Daisy Spell and Paxon Holz. Ms. Holz is the daughter of W.B. McLean. Developer Larry Spell’s uncle, George Spell, and W. B. McLean were the original developers of Emerald Isle.

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As a licensed North Carolina real estate broker, I receive immense fulfillment from helping my clients in real estate marketing, blogging and social media navigation. As a part of those passions, I had the pleasure of attending the Inman Real Estate Connect Conference in New York last week with my son, Brad Carroll.  Brad was asked to participate as a panelist in a breakout session on “Build a World Class Agent Web Site” moderated by Bernice Ross.

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It is painfully obvious that I have been a total slacker when it comes to posting regularly here at the Crystal Coast Blog over the last few months. I’m going to use an “excuse” I hear often from my real estate agent clients and friends, “I’ve been too busy to blog“. There, I used the excuse and it’s still a totally lame reason not to blog (IHMO).

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This story has been the hot topic of the news media of late. In case you missed it or maybe your not a resident of North Carolina, the NC Beach plan is deemed to be underfunded. And should a major hurricane strike the coast of North Carolina, insurance companies and property owners along the coast could be in deep financial trouble. One of the ideas being batted about is to increase homeowner insurance rates statewide to build the kitty.

The NC Beach Plan

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If you have been reading my Crystal Coast Blog for very long you know I am a social media junkie, real estate marketing consultant and blogging addict. Part of my job includes consulting with real estate agents all over the US and Canada. Recently one of my clients entered his Charlottesville real estate blog into a blog competition sponspored by the Virginia Association of REALTORS®. The premise of advancing from round to round is based on popular vote. The vote is open to anyone. I’m happy to report Brian Chase’s C’Ville blog has advanced to the 3rd round.

Creativity Propels the C’Ville Blog into Round #3!

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The 54th edition of Swansboro’s Mullet Festival got off to a soggy start on Saturday with dreary weather ruling the day. Even Saturday’s night events had to be canceled. Improved weather conditions greeted festival attendees on Sunday.

No – We Don’t Pay Homage to a Bad 80′s Haircut!

For my faithful readers who are not from around North Carolina’s Crystal Coast communities, no the folks in Swansboro, NC do not pay homage to the 1980′s “mullet” haircut with an annual festival. A “mullet” is a fish.

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Annual Crystal Coast Seafood Festival is a Big Hit!

There was no hint of a financial downturn judging from the throng that filled the Morehead City waterfront for this years’ 2008 Seafood Festival. Beautiful fall weather greeted a shoulder to shoulder crowd. Great aromas filled the sun-drenched air as the throng munched on a smorgasbord of delicious foods. A crowd favorite was shrimp on the bar-bee along with the usual fair of elephant ears and roasted corn. The kids stood in line for their favorite carnival rides and moms and dads armed with video and digital camera’s snapped memorable photos.

2nd Largest Festival in NC

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