Tennis Anyone?

Marsh Oaks tennis courts have gotten the go ahead for some renovations. Recently, the Marsh Oaks Homeowners Association board voted to have the courts resurfaced and the nets replaced. The exciting news is that the courts will have new look that is in line with the US Open with blue paint instead of the green they now have!

Two points to note - (a) the resurfacing and maintenance of the courts will be paid for entirely through the reserves in the HOA budget. The Marsh Oaks reserves are fully funded, which is not a common attribute of most HOA's, and (b) the Marsh Oaks homeowners care about their amenities. Twelve years strong and the movement to get our amenities in pristine repair is evident as witnessed by this action and the recent renovation of the clubhouse.

Keep your eye out for the upcoming tennis leagues and round robin games organized by our neighbors who enjoy a game of tennis!

Money Matters....

Consider the following from Intracoastal Mortgage:

Over the past four to five weeks it has been hard to find any good news to talk about. The stock market has ventured into un-chartered territory but if we look at the current mortgage rate environment there is a small silver lining. We continue to see volatility which feeds anxiety but looking at the rate trend over the past three months (chart below) the market is better now than back in the July/August timeframe. There have been some guidelines tighten which will continue but overall money is available at very affordable rates. Engage a mortgage professional as early in the process as possible so surprises can be mitigated. Please utilize us to help answer questions and clear up some of the confusion that is present in the market.

Suggested reading: “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Considering the times that we find ourselves in this is a great book to read. It deals with one’s frame of mind and how it plays into success.

Martin Barbee
President
Intracoastal Mortgage Co.
534-A Causeway Drive
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
910.256.7773 o
910.256.0443 f
910.264.1208 c

I Got Boo-ed!

No, it doesn't mean I did a horrible job at something and was heckled. Boo-ing is something we see every year this time in Marsh Oaks and it never ceases to excite me! This tradition is one more example of the great and giving neighborhood we call home.



If you aren't familiar with the "Boo" game, it goes something like this: You are sitting in your home after dark and hear the doorbell ring. When you answer the doorbell you notice there is no one waiting to greet you - just a pumpkin filled with goodies for your family. The pumpkin includes a note of instruction telling you that you must post the "boo" on your door for other neighbors to see, and, within a day, deliver two more "boos" to your neighbors. As you are driving the streets of Marsh Oaks you'll spot all the "boo" notices - seems that no one gets left out.

Our "boo" this year included a ton of candy, some halloween cups with pumpkin straws, and some party napkins. I'm not going to divulge what our return "boos" contained, lest the reader recognize their "boo-er", but I can tell you that if they listened hard enough they may have heard my daughter giggling around the corner!

Marsh Oaks Clubhouse

Marsh Oaks, in Wilmington, North Carolina offers terrific amenities for an extremely low monthly fee of $40. When you enter the neighborhood from Hwy 17 Business, you will see the main amenity center to the left. Immediately you will notice our clubhouse.

Recently renovated in 2006, the clubhouse offers a full kitchen equipped with a stove and oven, microwave oven and refrigerator. The granite countertops and center island are a testament to the quality of the homes found in Marsh Oaks. Open to the rest of the clubhouse, the kitchen is the perfect spot for those using the clubhouse to prepare their appetizers or meals for their guest.

The recent renovations saw that the carpet was replaced with hardwoods, and new furniture was added.

The large clubhouse with it's wrap around porches offers the perfect venue for parties and gatherings of all types including wedding and baby showers, wedding parties, and neighborhood parties such as the Marsh Oaks Day cocktail party.

Market Update in Marsh Oaks

While the economic world may be in turmoil, values still hold in Marsh Oaks. This is a great time to buy and savvy buyers are buying value, not just looking for the best deal on paper.

Within the last thirty days of this post, 4 homes in Marsh Oaks have been put under contract, one was on the market less than 30 days, and one was put under contract before it even hit the multiple listing service.

In the last thirty days, 3 homes have closed in Marsh Oaks. One of those homes was a pre-sale, and another sold for 107.75% of asking price! The average percent of sale price to list price in September was 101.8% .

In the SaltGrass section of Marsh Oaks, we are sold out of standing inventory (don't worry, new construction should be done in 6 months!)

If you are looking for a home that will hold it's value, as well as provide a great neighborhood atmosphere, you really should check out Marsh Oaks!

Marsh Oaks Celebrates 2nd Annual Marsh Oaks Day

Neighbors gathered at the clubhouse on Saturday June 28th for it's 2nd annual Marsh Oaks Day. We couldn't ask for a better day! The weather was absolutely fabulous, the food was delicious and the festivities delightful.

Children of all ages enjoyed the enormous inflatable "bouncies", and took turns riding the pony or petting the various animals in the petting zoo. Everyone was able to cool off in the pool and enjoy the sounds of the "Castaways" as they played from the porch of the clubhouse.

Hot dogs and hamburgers were served along with several dishes provided by various neighbors.

The adults gathered back at the clubhouse in the evening for an cocktail party. Various residents and business owners sponsored the event and provided delectable appetizers as well as wine and beer. Ron Cook (of Capt Cook and the Coconuts) serenated the crowd and many neighbors delighted in the door prizes they won.

Choosing Responsibility

As fuel prices continue to rise we are beginning to see a big push towards environmentally friendly construction. Builders in this area are taking note, especially the builders in Marsh Oaks. Currently, many of our homes in the neighborhood feature "green" features and shortly these features will become more and more commonplace.



In Marsh Oaks, we cherish the children that reside here. We delight in watching them play at the playground or in the pool. We encourage them to be kids and have fun, and not grow up too fast. Loving and cherishing them comes along with the task of teaching them respect and responsibility. It is our intent, as we look toward selling out Marsh Oaks, that we pass on the legacy of environmental friendliness. Join us as we travel the Road 2 Hope coming in 2009. Check back often for updates on the planning of this venture.

Please take the time to answer our poll so your voice can be heard!