Whether you are selling or buying a home, there is a lot of financial pressure surrounding real estate since it’s such an expensive purchase. Finding a real estate agent you trust is important to ensure you get the best possible experience. A seasoned agent can help you make smart choices and avoid any expensive mistakes.

However, buying or selling coastal real estate differs from other types of house properties. If you are looking at real estate on Topsail Island, you’ll want to work with real estate agents that understand the local market and property situations specific to the island.

Finding a real estate agent or team you trust can be time-consuming and difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. We’ll go over some of the top tips to find an amazing real estate agent that understands the community and market of Topsail Island.

What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?

If you’ve never worked with a real estate agent before, you might not realize all the benefits of working with one. Agents do a lot to ensure you find the right home, avoid mistakes, and guide you through the complex real estate buying and selling process. Real estate agents should work to get you favorable results.

• They can find you the right home. Seasoned real estate agents that are dialed into the community and local market will have the inside scoop. They may even know when a house might go up for sale before the general public.
• They can help you place a strategic offer. Sometimes, competition can be fierce for a home. When that happens, they can give you advice for beating out other offers.
• They can help get you into your new home quicker. They can help speed up the whole process up to the final closing papers.
• They can answer questions about legal and technical paperwork. When you buy or sell a house, there is a lot of paperwork involved. Agents can help guide you through the process and answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the paperwork.
• They’ll help you sell your house quickly for its full value. Selling a home can take some extra work. Agents will help you stage, set the right price, and negotiate a good deal.

What Is the Difference Between Buyers’ and Sellers’ Agents?

Depending on if you are buying or selling your home, you will need a local realtor that has experience representing buyers or sellers. A buyers’ agent will help you find properties that fit your needs. They may even have the inside scoop on properties that will go up for sale before they hit the market. They’ll also help you with the negotiation process to ensure that you get the best deal possible.

Sellers’ agents represent the seller. If you’re selling your home, you’ll want to find a real estate agent that can stage your house, help set a realistic price, and put together marketing materials–listings, photos, descriptions, etc.

Tips for Finding a Great Real Estate Agent

Finding a real estate agent that you trust is important. However, if you don’t already have a professional in mind, selecting an agent can feel difficult. You want to find one that knows the market and has the skills to buy or sell your home for the best price. Here are some tips for finding the right agent for your needs

Think About Your Needs

You should go with Topsail realtors that have the right experience to sell your home. For instance, you might want to go with a local realtor that has past experience buying homes in your price range. Or if you’re selling your home, you might want someone with marketing skills and connections that will be able to sell your home.

If you are a first-time home buyer, then you might like someone that can help you with every step of the process. Conversely, if you have a seasoned real estate history, you should work with someone who can respect your autonomy but still jump in when needed throughout the process.

It’s important to think about what qualities you are looking for in a realtor. The right realtor can make or break your real estate experience, so taking the time and care to think about your needs will help you choose the right professional.

Ask Around

One of the best ways to find a real estate agent is by word of mouth. Ask your friends, colleagues, or neighbors for recommendations. They might have a connection with an experienced real estate agent or know the best team on the island to work with for the real estate business.

Research

It’s important to do research on any prospective Topsail realtors you’re considering for the job. Read through their websites, career profiles, and bios for additional information that will help you decide if they are the right fit for you. You’ll be able to learn more about their specialties, experience, and past clients’ reviews.

Go with a Local

It’s important to find a real estate agent that understands the Topsail Island market, history, and insider information. Before you settle on an agent, you should ask questions to make sure that they have the knowledge and experience necessary. An agent that is well-versed in the island’s real estate market will help you set realistic goals and expectations for the buying or selling process. If they’re local to the area, they’ll also have helpful tips and experience about things you might be aware of, like flooding insurance and maintenance issues particular to the island’s location. Here are some questions to think about as you choose an agent.

• How long have they worked in the real estate industry on Topsail Island?
• How many homes have you closed/sold in the last six months?
• How long do homes typically stay on the market after being listed?

Check out their Connections

It’s helpful to choose a real estate team or agent with strong ties to the local community. Whether you’ve lived in the area your whole life or if you’re moving to the island for the first time, it helps to have people that have a lot of connections to businesses and contacts on the island. This connection can serve you in the buying or selling practice, as they might know about properties before they are listed or get your house’s listing in front of qualified local buyers quickly.

Finding the right realtor can feel overwhelming when you need help figuring out where to start. Overall, it’s essential to research and vet potential real estate teams or agents before deciding on one to work with you. A local realtor can help you save money and time and get the results you want. Some of the best things you can do to find the right realtor are to do your own research and think about your needs. A local realtor with experience and connections within the Topsail community is a great place to start. If you’re beginning your search for Topsail realtors, you might be interested in learning more about the Lewis Realty Associates, Inc team. With extensive ties to the Topsail Island community, a long history on the island, and a seasoned team of professionals, you can find the right agent that will meet your needs.

Buying and selling luxury real estate comes with its own unique set of challenges. Whether you are looking to buy a luxury home for the first time or you need to sell your oceanfront property, knowing the current market and helpful insider tips will make the transition much smoother.

On Topsail Island, your luxury real estate property is a great investment. As a popular vacation destination on the coast, your home is likely to retain its value throughout the years and can be rented out to tourists during peak seasons for a hefty price.

Since luxury homes typically have a smaller pool of potential buyers, having the right strategy is essential when you’re on the hunt for the perfect property or buyer. If you’re looking to buy or sell your home on or around Topsail Island, we’ll go over helpful tips that you should be aware of in today’s market to get the most out of your property.

About Topsail Island

Topsail Island is located along the North Carolina coast near the town of Wilmington. The twenty-six-mile-long island is composed of three different towns- North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. All three of these towns have beautiful coastlines, sandy beaches, gorgeous views, and ample wildlife to observe. If you are looking to buy or sell a home near Topsail Island, there are a few aspects to be aware of in order to make the best financial move possible.

Since location near the ocean is highly desirable, oceanfront Topsail real estate tends to hold its value well over time. If you have a strong understanding of current market conditions and work with an experienced real estate team, buying or selling a home can become easier.

Buying

In today’s market, interest rates are high. Typically, high-interest rates affect regular real estate markets more significantly than the luxury market. Suppose you are on the edge of entering the luxury real estate sector. This may affect your buying power, as high-interest rates mean higher monthly payments (sometimes as much as thousands of dollars), which means lower purchasing power for those looking to enter the luxury real estate sector.

For those who are buying a home at the higher end of the luxury real estate sector, you may have taken out a mortgage when the rates were low in order to invest your cash elsewhere for a higher yield. While this investing strategy worked with lower interest rates in the past, it may not be as effective in today’s market with higher interest rates.

Also, with higher interest rates, there will be a smaller pool of people buying a home. This can be good news for potential buyers, as sellers may need to adjust prices or be more flexible on negotiations like closing costs, amenities, or home improvements.

Tips for Buying Real Estate Near Topsail Island

Topsail real estate is in a prime coastal location with a vibrant local seaside community that is a popular destination for tourists. Even though interest rates are high, it can still be a good time to buy Topsail real estate.

• Hire a local real estate agent who has experience buying and selling luxury oceanfront homes. They can offer invaluable advice and information that can save you a lot of money.
• Make sure that your financing is in order before buying a home. With high-interest rates, your borrowing strategy may need to change, or you may need to adjust your expectations on how much you can afford.
• Be aware of the responsibilities and differences between coastal real estate versus traditional property lots located on land. Specifically, you’ll need to research flooding insurance requirements. This type of insurance can be quite high, so it’s important to get accurate quotes for your area.
• You’ll need to look into wind and hail insurance, as these are separate from your homeowners’ coverage. Since you’ll be on the Atlantic coast, you’ll need this insurance to protect your home from storms and hurricanes. Often wind can cause the most damage to your home, so you’ll need this kind of insurance or risk paying a lot of money for damages.
• Depending on the location of the property you may also need to investigate flood insurance.

Selling

As a seller in today’s market, you’ll also have to deal with the effects of high-interest rates. Since high-interest rates may affect the number of qualified buyers, you may feel pressure to negotiate price, amenities, or other costs.

As a seller looking to receive the highest offers possible, you should take into account other selling factors, like location and amenities. If you are selling a home, you should focus on the unique, luxury features that make the home desirable. Beach access, incredible views, a hot tub, high-end appliances, and finishes can all affect the desirability of the home.

Ultimately, you can still receive your desired price for your property if you know the market and its consumers. Working with an experienced real estate professional will help you navigate the selling process as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Tips for Selling Real Estate on Topsail Island

• You’ll want to work with a real estate agent with experience with the luxury real estate crowd. Luxury real estate is a small niche of people that know what they want and expect the best service. So having a real estate expert in your corner that can cater to this specific group of people is invaluable.
• Invest in quality photos to display online for prospective buyers, as these will influence who will book an appointment to see your home. Since real estate on Topsail Island is in a prime seaside location, you might want to consider drone photography to get the full picture of the coastal property and its proximity to the beach.
• Video footage can also be a selling point. Consider videos of an expensive boat pulling up to the private dock or someone diving into the pool. You could even include footage of the wildlife in the water, like turtles or dolphins, to emphasize the coastal experience of living near the water.
• Another way to positively improve your home’s appearance is to update cosmetic fixes.
• Most luxury home buyers will want a home that is move-in ready, so be sure to emphasize that aspect in your home’s listing.
• Hire a professional company to stage your home. Appearances matter when selling a home. They’ll put upscale furnishings and decor around your house that will emphasize its best features. For example, a beautiful painting over the fireplace or setting up your dining room table with gorgeous place settings.
• Location is incredibly important to buyers. It’s a good idea to emphasize the unique experience of living on a coastal island with a relaxed and tight-knit local community. It’s also important to mention the beautiful water views, proximity to beaches and parks, and any other unique location features.

Whether you are selling or buying a home, it’s helpful to be aware of the current market conditions, no matter your financial situation, in order to make the best possible decision. Buying a home in the luxury real estate market can be difficult if you’re trying to break into the market for the first time and the interest rates are high. It can also be difficult to sell your luxury property with a small pool of buyers. Working with an experienced local real estate team that knows the location and market well is the best solution to save money and time. If you’re interested in Topsail real estate, contact our team to get started on the buying or selling process.

Beachfront property is a beautiful and luxurious real estate option that may be more beneficial than you think. The sandy beaches, beautiful ocean water, and sunny weather are amazing and highly desirable natural features of the location. Because of the location, when you buy a beachfront property, you may have a lot of opportunities to use it as an investment. Whether you’re renting the home throughout the year or keeping it for years to come until you sell it, beachfront property is a great investment.

If you’re looking for a property that holds its value well and is in a desirable location, then you should consider buying real estate on Topsail Island. Not only are there many beachfront properties available for a variety of budgets, but it’s also a popular summer vacation destination.

If you are considering whether buying a beachfront property is right for you, read on to learn more about the benefits of oceanfront real estate. Plus, we’ll go over why Topsail Island is a great place to buy a property, as it meets all of these benefits.

Great Investment

Beachfront property is beautiful, scarce, and desirable. That’s why you’ll find oceanfront real estate all over the world to be expensive and a great investment. Finding the right property that fits your needs, budget, and location is not an easy task. There are many different options all along the coast. Making the right choice can seem overwhelming at the time, as you want to ensure that you bought a property that is a good investment.

But most beachfront real estate tends to hold its value well over the years, as the location will still be desirable many years later. You won’t experience fluctuating market trends in the same way as other real estate locations. You can buy a vacation home on the beach and pass it on to your children or sell it many years later for a good price. Whether you choose to use it as your own personal home or if you choose to rent it out throughout the year, beachfront property is a good investment choice.

Good Rental Opportunities

One of the great options for buying oceanfront real estate is the ability to rent it out for a decent price. Even if you only rent it out during parts of the year and use it yourself for others, it can bring a steady income.

If you choose to buy a beach property in a popular vacation town, then you can potentially earn a lot of money during the busy summer season. During peak times of the year, many families, couples, groups, or individuals are looking for vacation rentals. This can be an excellent time of the year to make a profit by renting out your home.

Topsail Island is a popular vacation destination for families and retirees alike. Its slow, family-friendly island atmosphere is a welcoming retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Since it’s a popular spot for visitors looking to take a vacation, it’s easy to find renters during the spring and summer months. If you plan on renting out your property, then Topsail Island real estate is a great option to consider as you look to buy a new home.

Buying a beachfront property can also help you save money in the long run if your family likes to take trips to the beach every year. Beaches are great vacation destinations as there are so many fun activities that are perfect for summer vacations. Kids love to swim, surf, and play in the sand all day. Plus, if there are local shops, restaurants, and local activities, then there are even more options for creating a memorable family vacation.

However, Vacation rentals can be expensive and, ultimately, money down the drain. When you invest in your own vacation home, you won’t have to set a high budget for your family vacations every year. Plus, you can choose to rent the home out whenever you aren’t using it, which can add an extra stream of income.

Family Vacation Home

Even if you choose not to rent out your beachfront property, it’s still a solid long-term investment. Instead of spending most of your time in the city or the suburbs, your family can gain memorable experiences and spend more time outdoors than inside. Early morning walks on the beach, the sound of the waves crashing from your back porch, and the smell of the saltwater are all priceless experiences. If you want to create lifelong memories with your family that are rooted in the beautiful seaside, then buying a vacation home may be worth it. You can decorate and make it your own home instead of staying in hotels or vacation rentals.

Oceanfront homes are a great place to raise your kids and teach them about the natural world. On Topsail Island, there are many beaches, parks, and wildlife to observe. Sea turtles are a big part of life on this island, and there are plenty of resources for kids to learn more about them. If you’re considering real estate on Topsail Island, you should know that it’s a family-friendly community with a lot of activities for kids to enjoy.

Excellent Location

Location is one of the most important factors when buying any piece of real estate. You can always renovate a property, add new additions, or complete home improvement projects to your desire. But you can never fix or change where the property is located. For that reason, it’s important to consider where you want to buy a property. Some beach houses are located in remote areas without a ton of shops, restaurants, or community events. Beach houses that are located in a touristy area, however, will have no shortage of potential renters. Before you buy your next property, you’ll want to consider whether you will be renting it out most of the busy season or using it yourself, as that might determine where you should look for properties.

Oceanfront real estate is a great investment due to its location. Many people want to experience the calm serenity of waking up to ocean waves right outside of their window. Living on the coast is a peaceful and calming experience that people pay a lot of money to do on vacation. The beach will always be a desirable location to live.

Ultimately, buying a beach house in a prime tourist location is a good financial idea. Not only is it a beautiful natural location, but the surrounding community is strong and vital. There will be no shortage of prospective renters or buyers down the road looking for a great place to vacation or retire.

Beachfront real estate is a good long-term investment, whether you decide to rent it out or use it as a family vacation home. If you’re considering purchasing a seaside home, then you should consider real estate on Topsail Island. Not only does it have beautiful beachfront homes available for different budgets, but the local community offers a family-friendly, laidback environment that’s perfect for those looking to take their kids on vacation or even just those looking for a slower pace of life. If you’re ready to start your house search, take a look at all the homes for sale and see if Topsail Island will be the location of your next property.

Have you thought about ditching vacation rentals for a permanent vacation spot on Topsail Island? When the weather begins to warm up and the summer season starts, many people are excited to make memories with their families at the beach. The beautiful coastline, sandy beaches, and small-town atmosphere make this a wonderful place to spend your vacations or even call home for most of the year. However, buying a huge beach house isn’t always feasible or desirable to a lot of people, even though they love the beach.

Owning a huge beach house can be a lot of responsibility, not to mention very expensive (original price, upkeep, insurance, etc.). If you’d like something a bit more permanent and homey than vacation rentals, then investing in one of the condos for sale on Topsail Island may be the best affordable option for you.

Deciding to buy a condo is an important decision. There are a lot of factors to consider. We’ll go over more about Topsail Island, the benefits of buying a condo, and who should consider buying a condo over other types of Topsail real estate.

About Topsail Island

Topsail Island has twenty-six miles of coastline off the shores of North Carolina. Though the island has a slow, small-town atmosphere, it’s conveniently located near big cities like Wilmington and Jacksonville. So when you need to get supplies, or you would like to enjoy a bigger city for the day, both are located about twenty-five miles away from Topsail Island.

The island is composed of three towns–North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. There are beautiful views, sandy beaches, and natural wildlife in all three towns of the island. If you’ve never been to the island, or haven’t experienced all three towns, then you might like to know a little bit more about each of the towns before you consider Topsail real estate.

North Topsail Beach is a beautiful residential area with almost no shops or restaurants. The beach houses are spread far apart, and there are many beaches and beautiful parks. Surf City, located in the center of the island, has the most shops, restaurants, nightlife, and community events. This town is perfect for those who would like to be within walking distance of all the activities and social events on the island. The southern town, Topsail Beach, is an old-school town with a few mom-and-pop shops and a slow, island way of life.

The Benefits of Buying a Condo

Though having a beach house can be a fun and beautiful way to experience the island, owning one isn’t ideal for everyone. Sometimes, buying a condo is the best option to experience life on Topsail Island. If you love spending time on the island, and short vacation rentals aren’t enough time in the year for you, then owning your own condo will allow you to experience life on the island more times throughout the year. There are many benefits to buying and owning a condo. Some of the reasons are listed below.

Affordable Island Living

Beach houses tend to be very expensive to buy. Condos for sale on Topsail Island offer a smaller space at an affordable price. Since you’ll want to be spending most of your time outside, enjoying the beaches, parks, and nice weather, then you may want to consider a smaller living space. An affordable place to live will allow you to live life more comfortably on the island. You can go out to dinner and relax at the beach instead of spending time indoors.

Topsail real estate is also a fairly affordable island community compared to other places. Its family-friendly atmosphere and high-quality living make this a great place for retirees, those looking for a second home, and families to spend time during the summer. It’s also pleasant during other times of the year when there are fewer crowds and mild winter weather.

Less Maintenance

Taking care of a beach house is expensive and can cause a lot of headaches. If you’re searching for Topsail real estate that won’t require extensive maintenance or upkeep, then a condo is a great choice. A beach house may require you to live year-round, or you may have to live a close distance away from the property in case of emergencies or maintenance issues. You’re typically only required to keep up with maintenance issues on the interior of your condo, so you will not have to keep up with landscaping or exterior upkeep. This can save you a lot of money, as you won’t be responsible for fixing roofing or siding problems.

Community Amenities

When you buy a condo, you get access to all the community amenities it may have on the property. Having a hot tub available during the colder months can be a fun and relaxing amenity to have available to you. Also, access to a private community pool can be a fun feature if you have kids to entertain for the summer. If having a pool, hot tub, gym, or other features is important to you; then you’ll want to consider the community amenities while you’re searching for real estate on Topsail Island. These can be great features to have access to, so be sure to think about the extra things you would like to have at your home while you’re viewing properties for sale.

Investment

Buying a condo on Topsail Island can also be a good investment property. It’s important to be selective about the condo if you are planning to rent it out. If you haven’t visited all three towns, then it’s important to do so. North Topsail Beach and Surf City both have condos available for a variety of budgets. If you are looking for a peaceful oceanfront property, then you’ll want to consider North Topsail Beach. If you are looking for a more fun vibe, then Surf City will be the place you’ll want to consider buying a condo.

Who Should Consider Buying a Condo?

Buying a condo is a big decision. However, it is much more affordable than buying a beach house. Many people should consider buying a condo, as there are different options for a variety of budgets. If you are a young couple looking for a second home that you might like to rent out occasionally, or you’re an older couple looking to downsize in an idyllic location, then buying a condo on Topsail Island is a great idea. If you have a family, a condo can still work great as a vacation home, as your family will probably want to spend most of the time outside on the beach enjoying the surf and sand.

Topsail real estate is full of beautiful properties with stunning views. Thanks to its welcoming community, many people love to call Topsail Island home, even if just for a week during summer vacation. If you would like to make your home on the island more permanent, then you may want to consider condos for sale on Topsail Island. It’s a much more affordable option and requires significantly less maintenance and upkeep than a beach house. If you’re interested in starting research and looking for your next home on the North Carolina coast, then take a look at our full selection of condos for sale on Topsail Island.

Mutiny EBikes recently announced they will soon begin to rent electric bikes on Topsail Island, NC.

Electric bikes are a very cool and new kind of bike. These "ebikes" offer a powerful electric motor that give the rider pedal assist or full electric throttle with no pedaling.

The pedal assist is great if you have an injury and need a little help pedaling or if you are pacing your workout. The fullthrottle with no pedaling is really cool if you just want to feel the breeze in your hair while sipping your favorite beverage while cruising along Topsail Island's very long bike path. 

Mutiny EBikes offer two different selections of electric bikes, the RadCity and the RadMini. Both boast speeds up to 25 mph and have a range of up to 45 miles before charging!

The RadCity is a larger bike that is perfect for taller individuals but does adjust to shorter statures. The RadMini fits most adults and even folds up for easy transportation!

Mutiny EBikes will set up shop in late June out front Lewis Realty Associates, Inc.'s office located at 320 N. New River Drive in late to mid June. They will offer daily and weekly rental packages. Lewis Realty is working with Mutiny Ebikes to secure a special promotional deal for Lewis Realty Associates, Inc. vacation rental guests. 

You can keep up with the Mutiny at their website, https://www.ebiketopsail.com/ or on their facebook page, https://facebook.com/mutinyebikes.

This is not official words from the Town of Surf City or NCDCM. This is my interpretation of a meeting held on 2/19/2020.

On Feb. 19, the Town of Surf City held a public meeting with residents, property owners, management companies and CAMA to discuss access to the beach for oceanfront properties. 

The town has been hauling and pushing sand onto the beach for a few weeks now in an effort to correct recent erosion.  This has created what many thought was a new dune. However the current rules and regulations in the State of North Carolina define a dune as having stable vegetation. Obviously the new "dune" does not have that stable line of vegetation. Therefore the Division of Coastal Management has the opinion that the newly created pile of sand is a berm. 

Current regulations prohibit any development past 5 feet of the stable line of vegetation. So it layman's terms, this means we can not place permanent structures to cross the newly created berm.

This no doubt will cause many complaints from your renters as access to the beach will be complicated crossing the berm with no aid of steps or decks. It ultimately may affect your future rental bookings and bottom line as well. 

There is a small loop hole though. The Town and the Division of Coastal Management do recognize that this is a huge issue for the island. They just don't have the rules in place to provide solid solutions. However, they will consider temporary measures to aid in people crossing the berm to reach the flat part of the beach. 

Several temporary measures that were discussed were posts with rope, 2 x 4 framed steps embedded in the sand (see photo below) & Hatteras ramps.

The process to gain permission to install a temporary mechanism for crossing the berm is fairly straightforward. You will need to submit a line drawing of your proposal and a photo of the area to the Town of Surf City and NCDCM. These drawings do not need to be engineered which will save time. Once sent it seems you would have an answer in approx 1 week if it was permissible. 

Every oceanfront property owner or home with a beach access needs to put some attention on this matter before our vacationers show up disappointed that they can not safely access the beach. Our rental season usually starts to kick off in the March to April time frame so time is of the essence. 

I am here to assist you in this matter. Please email me at chris@topsailarea.com for assistance or questions. You may also want to download the handout that was given to me at the meeting.

Thank you,

Chris Rackley

President

Lewis Realty Associates, Inc. 

(Sample of Temp. Berm Steps Provided By Town of Surf City)

Link To Handout From Meeting

For Topsail Island, gone are the “Golden Days of Piracy” but the local legend still abounds.

Local lore takes us to the early 1700’s on a totally uninhabited Topsail Island with no bridges, ferries or the like. At this time, the eastern seaboard was home to the only ports for the “New World” with locations like Charleston, New York, Wilmington NC, and Bath Town, NC (present day Bath).

Queen Anne of England had recently done some “corporate restructuring” and laid off her fleet of hired pirates or “privateers” but there was opportunity abound in the new world.

Many of Queen Anne’s newly unemployed privateers did as any self respecting gentleman would do, start their own business; the business of self privateering.

Now in those days, if you were to glance out at the horizon, you would probably see Schooner and Freighter ships passing along our beautiful island on their way to the next port carrying precious metals, spices and supplies for the colonies.

Off our very shores of Topsail Island, names of history like Stede Bonnet, Charles Vane and the most notorious; Blackbeardsailed in search of their next catch, a heavily laden ship.

There was so much sea traffic off Topsail Island in those days that pirates really did not have to set sail to search for their catch, rather they would hide out and wait for some unlucky sailors to sail past them unbeknownst to the plight they had sailed into.

The Pirates were expert sailors, navigating their shallow draft “sloops” through the shoals and shallow inlets of present day Topsail Island hiding in the channels just behind the 220px-edward_teach_commonly_call'd_black_beard_(bw)island where they could quietly watch the sea lanes off our shores.

The shipping sailors soon learned of this new strategy and begin scanning the dune lines of Topsail Island in search of the pirate ship’s “Top Sail” barely showing from behind the island. Hence, local legend tells that is the original source of our island’s name, Topsail Island (pronounced TopSul).

Once the pirates sited the freighters from their crows nest, the chase was on and victory was had by the pirates more often than not. The lore of yester year places the most Notorious pirate, Blackbeard as a frequent to Topsail Island while on his favorite route from Charleston, SC to Ocracoke Island, NC and Bath Town, NC.

Blackbeard (actually referenced as Edward Teach, Edward Thatch or Edward Drummond) was a man of over six feet which was very tall in the 1700s. Blackbeard was a master at psychological warfare and feared from Barbados to New York. Blackbeard would tie cannon fuses and sulfur matches in his long braid beard, light them and become the devil incarnate in the eyes of his opponent as he showed no fear and gave “no quarter” (mercy). Topsail Island PiratesCan you imagine a man almost a foot taller than you, with fire in his beard, smoke around his head, pistols strapped to his chest, swinging a cutlass with another strapped to his hip, yea, and you can get the picture.

Legend tells us that Blackbeard often visited the shores of Topsail Island and even gave Topsail Island his most prized possession, his treasure!

Many have searched extensively for this treasure and there actually is a story of this treasure for local years.

Near the south end of Topsail Island, in the town of Topsail Beach, there is a seemingly bottomless hole; the locals call it the “Gold Hole”. In the mid 1900’s, a team of treasure seekers came to Topsail from the North and identified that hole as the hiding place for Blackbeard’s treasure. They spent many weeks in the “Gold Hole” working until late at night. But one morning, they were gone with no warning, as if they had never been on Topsail Island. Some say the “Gold Hole” is no longer, as the treasure of Blackbeard was found and left on that summer night.

There are even legends of Ghost Ships from the Golden Age of Piracy along our shores.

At the southern end of Topsail Island, there is a barren island called “Lea Island”. Lea Island’s southern inlet, Rich’s Inlet is now a very shallow inlet although in the 1700’s was a deep and wide inlet which sailing ships frequented.

Many say if you are boating with your radar on, just as you pass Rich’s Inlet in the ocean, you may notice a “blimp” or “target” on your radar screen sitting just inside the inlet. You look back, but there is nothing there. As you cruise by, the “blimp” begins to move slowly out the inlet, coming into the ocean just behind you and then rapidly begins to track behind you . . . Just as Blackbeard did over 300 years ago!

I, the author (Chris Rackley) cannot attest to the hidden treasure or other local lore although I can tell you that I have seen this “Ghost Ship” on several occasions throughout my life. Is it Blackbeard? Is it Stede Bonnet? No one knows but we do know it is there!

Whether coming to search for the lost treasure of Blackbeard or catch a glimpse of the Ghost Ship . . . . Come to Topsail Island and see what you think!

Lewis Realty Associates, Inc of Surf City is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Ed McKenna to Vice President.

McKenna started with Lewis Realty Associates, Inc in 2011 after over 30 years in the real estate industry. McKenna fast became a top producing agent of the firm in a very tough market as a result of the financial crisis and housing industry collapse. McKenna was identified by several banks who held foreclosed properties and assisted them in liquidating 100s of their assets which aided in the repair of the local real estate market. The skills McKenna honed during this time has proven beneficial today with his certain aptitude to successfully move properties where other agents have failed.  McKenna has also represented many developers, builders, investors and completed a transaction with the North Carolina ABC Board.

In 2014, Lewis Realty Associates, Inc completed a successful acquisition of another original Topsail Island real estate company, Bryson and Associates, Inc. McKenna was appointed to head Lewis Realty’s sales department at that time. Since that appointment, McKenna has recruited top agents and grown the department exponentially to become one of the area’s leading companies.

McKenna has also been instrumental in the local Topsail Island Association of Realtors by serving as their president for 3 terms in 2012, 2013 & 2018 and receiving their coveted Realtor of the Year Award in 2012.

Lewis Realty Associates, Inc President Chris Rackley said “When the company had the opportunity to recruit Ed we knew it was a must do. Ed’s track record since has solidified that decision and he is a tremendous asset to not only the company but the local real estate market.”