It’s Still a Great Time to Buy a New Home!

This last year has highlighted the importance of one’s home and community. As a result, renters are making the jump to home ownership while homeowners are re-evaluating their current houses and considering moves to new ones that better fit their lifestyles. This has led to a lot of discussion these days about housing market affordability as home prices continue to appreciate rapidly. The most recent index on affordability from the National Association of Realtors(NAR) shows that homes are actually more affordable now than they have been at any point since the housing crash, when foreclosures and short sales dominated the market from 2009 to 2015. 

We know when discussing the topic of affordability there are concerns about feeling financially secure. However, consider the benefits of home ownership over renting. According to author Mike Lofting of ‘Homeownership Is Affordable Housing,’ renters pay a higher percentage of their income toward their rental payment than homeowners pay toward their mortgage. He goes on to say that a mortgage payment is like forced savings; it goes toward building equity you will likely get back when you sell your home. There’s no return on your rent payments. Mr. Lofting also brings to light that renters are continuously vulnerable to cost increases; mortgage payments remain relatively the same over time, while rent keeps going up. 

On the ladder of financial success, homeownership is the first rung for most households, as their home is often their largest asset. So, with rock bottom mortgage rates helping you save quite a bit of money over the life of your home loan, now is a great time to buy! 

Our Favorite Places to Wine in Wilmington

As we welcome the long summer nights, out-of-town guests and a cocktail (or two) to relax, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite places to sip on some bubbles, a full bodied red or everything in-between.  No matter what part of town you call home, Wilmington offers several great choices when it comes to wine shops and wine bars. 

Located in North Wilmington on Market Street, Fermental is an eclectic, local favorite. And it’s not just the wine ice cream that makes it one of our favorite spots. Fermental also features a large beer garden, live music, food trucks, educational seminars and free tastings in their unique bungalow bottle shop. 

If you find yourself in Mayfaire Town Center, be sure to stop in at Red Bank Wine. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff specialize in artisan brands and highly acclaimed wines offered at all prices. Just down the road in The Forum you’ll find, Winestore, a contemporary solution to the wine purchasing experience. The shop is designed to be innovative, yet approachable. They want the customer to have the best experience possible. 

Around mid-town Wilmington you’ll find The Wine Sampler. This locally owned shop offers over 650 wines at all price points. Enjoy wine from their winestation as you peruse the various bottles in the casual comfortable atmosphere.

Downtown Wilmington has a couple of our favorite spots as well. Palate Bottle Shop and Reserve, on North Fourth Street, is a unique and inviting environment to enjoy the specially curated inventory. Take a bottle home or sit on the patio and enjoy live music, food trucks or a pop-up market and other events. In the heart of Downtown Wilmington is The Fortunate Glass, an intimate and charming wine bar, offering small plates, globally sourced wines and signature events. In the blossoming South Front District of Wilmington, you’ll find The Second Glass. From the seasonal menu and sophisticated wines to the casual yet elegant atmosphere, Second Glass is sure to be an experience you won’t soon forget.

With no shortage of wine bars and wine shop offerings, grab your favorite bottle and enjoy the Coastal Carolina summer evenings with friends and family. 

Top 5 New Eat Spots in Wilmington, NC

With an active and varied dining scene, residents of Wilmington, North Carolina are surrounded by exceptional food. From seafood with a contemporary spin, to Southern comfort foods, to French favorites and upscale Italian cuisine, Wilmington restaurants offer options for any appetite. Here is a list of some of our favorite new spots to check out. 

If you find yourself strolling around Historic Downtown Wilmington, be sure to stop in at Seabird, where you can enjoy creative and tasty offerings of the season. Celebrating local seafood, handcrafted cocktails and best use methods, Seabird’s menu will be sure to delight. Whether you are looking for coffee and breakfast, oysters or wine be sure to land at Seabird.  

Venture over to the blossoming South Front District and be transported to Spain. Mariposa Tapas Bar is the recent brainchild of Bobby Zimmerman, owner of True Blue Butcher and Table. He and his team will be offering a menu full of authentic Spanish tapas, an intentional wine list and an intimate atmosphere. Guest will be sure to enjoy all the offerings. 

If you find yourself in the Cargo District, near downtown Wilmington, NC be sure to stop in at Mess Hall at the Outpost. The relaxed atmosphere is the perfect spot to enjoy a smash burger and tots. Grab some friends and head down to hangout in the beer garden, while enjoying our great coastal climate. Vegan options are available as well.  

At the corner of South College Road and North 17th Street Extension, you’ll find Café Chinois, a French inspired, Asian fusion restaurant. Building upon their success with Indochine, the owner group of Café Chinois, will offer Thai, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese dishes.

Heading towards the beach? Be sure to check out the newly renovated Boca Bay, now called Soundside Seafood and Raw Bar. New chef, KC Weaver will offer a menu with many seafood favorites with an emphasis on supporting the local community. And don’t you worry, the popular Sunday brunch that was a mainstay at Boca Bay will continue at Soundside. 

Summer Plants for Eastern NC – Time to Get Planting!

Summer is right around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited! With the temperatures rising and the days getting longer, the growing season is upon us. Now is the time to get that garden going if you haven’t already. If you think you’ve missed out, we are here to let you know that there is still time to get your hands dirty. 

Here are some herbs and vegetables that thrive when temperatures are above 70°F: basil, beans, cantaloupes, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, kale, okra, peppers, pumpkins, southern peas, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and watermelons. 

Get started by visiting your nearest farm supply, farmer’s market or favorite garden store to get advice, seeds or transplants, soil and supplies to help you get your garden started. NC State University Cooperative Extension is another great resource to gardeners of any level. They offer guides on planting schedules, pest control, gardening with children, season extension, composting, soil testing and so much more. 

Don’t think you have a green thumb or just don’t know where to begin? Start with some native North Carolina plants. They are well-suited for the climate, soil types and require relatively little upkeep, once they are placed in the optimal site. The NC State Cooperative Extension has a list of native plant species, including soil moisture, light requirements and the benefits to wildlife. The Dwarf Crested Iris, Eastern Blue Star and Swamp Milkweed are just a few of our favorites to add color and interest to your landscape. The NC Native Plant Society also offers a list of native plants and trees with gallery and descriptions. 

Don’t get overwhelmed with all the choices. Determine your needs and wants, start small and grow (wink, wink) as you gain more experience. And most of all, just have fun! 

Summer Energy Savings Tips

At McAdams Homes, we use building methods and materials to make your home more energy efficient. With the warming summer days coming soon, here are some tips and practices to help you save on energy bills and ease the summer strain put on your HVAC unit. 

Keep your home breezy. An easy way to cut down on cooling costs is by using fans. By using a fan and air conditioner simultaneously, you can raise your thermostat setting by 4 degrees with no change in your comfort. Set the ceiling fan’s blades to spin counter-clockwise to create a cool breeze and remember that fans cool people and not rooms—so use them only in rooms that are occupied!  

Keep the sun out. Your window curtains and blinds can be your best ally against the summer rays. Sunlight coming through your windows will heat up your home, causing you to spend more on air conditioning. To help your home stay cool, keep window coverings closed during the day when the sun is at its brightest and hottest. 

Consider your lighting. Be careful which lights you choose; incandescent bulbs lose approximately 90% of their energy as heat. Consider replacing your incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, which operate at a lower wattage and produce only half as much heat. LED bulbs also use 75% less energy and last 50 times longer than traditional bulbs, saving you money on electricity and replacement costs.

Put it off. Here’s a good excuse to put off some chores. Heat-producing tasks such as laundry, using your dishwasher, and cooking can make your air conditioner work harder. Delay these until the cooler morning or evening hours to help keep energy costs down and your living space comfortable. Pop some burgers on the grill or invite some friends over for a cookout. You can enjoy the great weather while you avoid raising the temperature in your home.

Beat the Summer Heat! The 5 Best Places to Make a Splash in Wilmington, NC

Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to get out and enjoy the beautiful coastal climate the Wilmington area offers. We are all feeling the need to get out of the house these days. Here are some of our favorite outdoor activities to beat the summer heat. 

Spend an afternoon at Long Leaf Park, centrally located in New Hanover County, a brief drive from downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. Stroll around the tree lined paths or watch the kids enjoy the playground. And be sure to cool off on the splashpad. You and your family will surely enjoy the interactive fountains and other water features.   

If you are looking for a complete family entertainment center, Jungle Rapids is the stop for you. Jungle Rapids features a water park with a million-gallon wave pool, lazy river, various slides, and a 7,000 sq. ft. kiddie splash pool, just to name a few of the water features. With a plethora of water activities, Go-Karts and a large arcadewith other indoor activities, there is sure to be plenty of ways for the whole family to cool off. 

Wrightsville Beach is an obvious choice for one of the best places to splash around town. The crystal-clear water and white sand beaches are second to none. While visiting the beach, be sure to stop in to Harbor Way Gardens, situated on the west end of Wrightsville Beach Park. Here you’ll discover a quiet oasis and respite from the summer heat. This one-acre garden allows visitors to rest in the shade of the mature trees while they enjoy native plants and flowers. Set among paved paths, visitors can rest on benches surrounded by large trees and reflect on seasonal flowers in bloom. Kids of all ages can run through the reclaimed water sprouting from the multi-spray Children’s Fountain. 

Community pools are another great way to beat the heat. Robert Strange Pool in downtown Wilmington and the Legion Stadium Pool near Greenfield Lake, offer visitors public swim opportunities that are sure to help relieve that summer swelter. 

Events Are Making a Comeback – Check out What’s Happening in Wilmington, NC

The weather is warming up and we could not be more excited to get out and enjoy it!  We are so thankful that events are making a comeback so there is no shortage of choices of entertainment around town.  The biggest struggle is just choosing where to start! 

Everyone’s favorite Greek Festival is back starting May 14th!  The Drive-Thru Wilmington Greek Festival is the perfect excuse to indulge in some authentic Greek food while learning about the Greek culture, faith and heritage.  It is free to drive thru but impossible to leave without filling up on an entrée or two.  Not to mention their legendary pastries!   

Who isn’t dying to get out and hear some live music?!  And just as soon as the outside mask mandate ends too!  The Port City Music Festival is right around the corner and we can’t wait! This exciting week-long classical concert series is committed to making the experience of great music accessible to everyone. Nationally and internationally known guest artists will join local musicians at various locations around Wilmington performing a wonderful mix of genres that will appeal to everyone!

Want a combination of music, dancing, art and even children’s’ activities?  Then look no further than the Carolina Beach Street Art Festival!  There will be food trucks, arts and crafts for sale, a juggler, balloon artist and crafts for the kids!  Not to mention cooking demonstrations, education programs and so much more.  It’s as if they crammed all that we missed in 2020 into one festival! 

Baseball is back!  The Wilmington Sharks are excited to be back and ready to get their next Championship title; but they need out support! Bring the whole family to enjoy watching The Sharks battle top-notch college players from all areas of the United States.  Games start May 27th and tickets will be available soon!

Kiddos acting like wild animals after being cooped up for so long?  Take them to Family Farm Day and let them hang out with other wild animals and burn off some energy at the Children’s Museum!  This is a chance for kids to get up close and personal with some of their favorite barnyard animals. Children can meet chickens and bunnies and many other four-legged creatures in the courtyard of the Museum. There will be pony rides and a place to enjoy milk and cookies at story time, face painting and more.  The event is free with admission and begins on May 15th. 

Budget Friendly Projects for Your Home

You don’t need a large budget to give your home a noticeable boost. Whether you’re looking for functional fixes, to enhance visual appeal, or just a small refresh—there are a number of ways to update your home cheaply and easily.

No matter your budget, you can transform any wall into a show-stopping feature wall using a broad range of materials including paint, tile, wood, wallpaper, shiplap and even tape. Items like these are a great way to add color, texture, or both to any space in your home. And because you are decorating just one wall, you can add a lot of style to a room without making it feel too busy. 

Here’s a bright idea…string lights!  Nothing warms up a space like string lights. They add coziness, are painless to display, and are typically very affordable.  They are the perfect addition for any outdoor space!

When it comes to a quick and easy update that makes a massive difference in the style of your kitchen, hardware ranks right at the top. It can be changed out in just a few hours, yet transforms the entire appearance and feeling of a space. Think of how the perfect necklace tops off a plain dress, or how a precisely kicked field goal can win the Superbowl. When it comes to an easy kitchen update, new hardware can transform a space.

Light fixture makeovers are one of the simplest ways to make your individual space trendier, increase its functionality and boost the overall style of your home.  Updating your lighting can have a major impact on your home’s interior design, without making a major dent in your wallet like with a complete home renovation. Get inspired by some of the ways you can update your home’s lighting!  From switching to energy saving LED lighting and picking out a more up-to-date lighting design and fixtures, to additional outdoor lighting elements, there are so many ways to update the lighting inside and outside of your home! Not only will your guests be impressed by the new and improved aesthetics of your spaces, you’ll also be able to save on energy costs when you make the switch to LED.

Our Top 5 Wilmington, NC Coffee Shops

“Coffeeology: Espresso yourself. So many blends, so little time. Take life one sip at a time, and stay grounded. Better latte than never.”

Coffee you say?!  You are speaking our love language!  And we think Wilmington, NC may have some of the best coffee shops around.  Here is a list of our Top 5 favorites:

Bespoke Coffee and Dry Goods: Located at 202 Princess St. in the heart of downtown Wilmington, the atmosphere couldn’t be better!  Not to mention, they make an extremely good cup of coffee. It’s really rich and doesn’t require very much sweetener. That’s if you like a strong cup, anyway.  In addition to coffee, the shop has beer on tap, plus it sells dry goods: clothing, glasses, mugs, hats and more!  Why not feed three addictions at once?!

Folks Café: Folk’s Cafe has 2 locations.  One on Princess St and one on North 4th St. in Wilmington has become well-known with locals, tourists and even visiting celebrities (Emma Roberts tweeted about the iced coffee, and Michael Caine stops by whenever he’s in town). Roasting and selling its own organic and fair trade coffees from around the world, the vibe is junk gypsy.  Both the coffee and non-coffee drinks are creative and tasty, and the authentic empanadas that are first-come, first-served are worth the wait!

Outpost Coffee Co.: The Outpost is located in Wilmington’s blossoming cargo district and tucked into a jigsaw puzzle of shipping containers turned useable space. The Outpost is a drive-thru and walk-up bar and shares an open courtyard with a restaurant called the Mess Hall and the Alcove Beer Garden brewery; you can easily turn a Saturday afternoon into an adventure by exploring all three. Besides handcrafted lattes and drip coffee, the Outpost offers a variety of teas—loose leaf, chai lattes, matcha and a spiced beetroot latte.

Grinder’s Caffe’: With its down-to-earth appeal, spacious couches, tables for seating and baristas who have finessed their trade, Grinder’s is a longstanding favorite among UNCW students. Grinder’s has one of the most extensive menus of the coffee shops in Wilmington. Besides the espresso and drip coffee creations, they have smoothies, milkshakes and frappes with a variation of flavors for each.  Something for everyone!

Bitty and Beau’s:  A top 5 list would not be complete without Bitty ND Beau’s!  Bitty & Beau’s opened in Wilmington in 2016 and has since become a franchise with several intended locations around the country. Bitty & Beau’s hires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a mission the founders hope will create a more inclusive community that values people with disabilities. The Wilmington location is spacious and has plenty of indoor seating. Their menu is versatile and features frappes, steamers and smoothies.  Yum!

Spring Updates for Your McAdams Homes

There’s something utterly rejuvenating about spring. After months of cold and dreary weather, you may feel an urge to spruce up your McAdams home even if it is brand new!  We are here to tell you to embrace the energy that comes with the new season and make it happen! It can be difficult to know where to begin to give your space a fresh feel but we are also here to help.

A quick and easy way to bring the outside energy in, is to add flowers throughout your home.  From bunches of daffodils and tulips to sprigs of eucalyptus and hyacinths, take advantage of all those flowers at your local grocery store. Decorating with fresh flowers is easy and can be done in every room of your home. Between stunning centerpieces and nightstand-friendly bud vases, there’s no place in your home that couldn’t use a few flowers.

Another way to celebrate the season is to create vignettes throughout your home; fancy word but simple decorating technique!  Decorating for spring doesn’t have to be hard.   Creating a few small vignettes help to make your home look seasonally appropriate without feeling overwhelmed.  There is so much potential in a small vignette.  The first step is to gather some spring related objects.  Don’t lose sight of your surroundings though – you’ll also want to be sure that the objects you use support the style and design of the rest of the room.  Get creative and vary the height and shapes of the objects in a way that compliments them.  Add depth and vary the textures to keep your display interesting. 

Let’s face it: We’ve been spending all winter shut inside without so much as a waft of a floral breeze.  They say smell is the sense most closely tied to memory, which is why certain scents transport us back to a specific time.  Nothing says spring has sprung like the smell of fresh flowers or freshly cut herbs.  A reed diffuser can add a subtle scent and also a decorative touch.  Oil diffusers are also a great choice for a constant room refresher.  Never underestimate the power of a candle or even an air freshener to change the feel of your space as well!

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money or get carried away with seasonal spring items, you can easily refresh your decor for spring with pretty pillows. Changing out pillows and pillow covers is one of the quickest and most budget-friendly ways to give your home a whole new look each season.  Create happy spring vibes with floral patterns or even just pops of fun spring colors.  Think pinks and yellows if they complement your existing décor.   If you love neutrals but still want to add a bit of spring color, green is the way to go.