The Crystal Coast Blog

Life on the Waters of the Crystal Coast

Life on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast revolves around the water and the wealth of activities that await you. The variety of things to do on the Bogue Banks are almost as endless as the Atlantic Ocean itself. It’s easy to get back to nature on the water with kayak tours, boat tours, surfing, jet ski rentals to kite surfing and fishing from the surf, boat or pier. The ways to explore the waters of the Inter Coastal Waterway and the Atlantic are limitless. For a hands-on experience, be sure to make time during your vacation for a visit to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

History is Alive at Fort Macon

At the East end of Bogue Banks near the town of Atlantic Beach you will find Fort Macon State Park. Attracting 1.3 million annual visitors, this historic park offers guided walking tour provided by park rangers, fishing, swimming and so much more. Your trip to the Crystal Coast will not be complete without a visit to this historic site.

Turf Fun

Even with so much water and history, options to play on the Crystal Coast are plentiful. For golfers, there are a number of challenging championship caliber courses.

Bike Emerald Isle

For those who visit or live in Emerald Isle, a wonderful bike path meanders along Highway 58 providing biking enjoyment for the whole family.

You and your family are sure to find many things to do here on the Crystal Coast.

Get to know your activity options here on the Crystal Coast:

• Crystal Coast Attractions
• Crystal Coast Golf Courses

• Beach Access Points in Atlantic Beach
• Beach Access Points in Pine Knoll Shores
• Beach Access Points in Salter Path/Indian Beach
  
• Beach Access Points in Emerald Isle

I often receive phone calls from renters seeking a long-term Emerald Isle beach front home or condo. I’ve found most of these inquiries come from younger couples especially military couples stationed at Camp LeJeune who are looking for a long-term rental. A few of things occur during these calls.

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10 Tips to Making Your Crystal Coast Vacation More Affordable

If you have a job and your finances are such that you can afford a vacation to Emerald Isle (or any of our other beautiful NC beach towns), how can you make your trip to the NC coast more affordable? Here are a few tips to help make your Crystal Coast vacation go easier on your wallet:

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It seems a day doesn’t go by that another really cool iPhone APP is introduced. I really enjoy my iPhone and try to take full advantage of all its available applications, features and benefits. For everyone who visits or lives on the Crystal Coast and especially in the town of Emerald Isle, I suggest you put to good use your iPhone the minute you arrive and select the “Nearby” application. With Nearby, you can locate all kinds of great information uploaded by local Crystal Coast residents.

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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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As I sit in our warm North Carolina home, surrounded by family who enjoy excellent health, I am completely overwhelmed by just how wonderfully blessed we are. We give thanks today for the wonderful gift of the birth of Christ. We also give thanks for the gift of family, friends and our extended friends scattered everywhere who are a part of our lives on so many levels.

Here is Our Christmas Wish for You!

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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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