Development firm adds commercial brokerage services

GMC Real Estate, a Wilmington real estate development firm in business since 1978, recently expanded its services to include commercial real estate brokerage activities, a news release said.

According to the release, the firm will provide professional representation to buyers and sellers and lessors and lessees of commercial real estate. GMC will continue to offer appraisal, consulting, and development services, including property tax valuation appeal.

GMC is led by Gene Merritt, a developer and historic preservationist who has been directly involved in more than 125 development projects in Wilmington, the release said.

“I’ve been doing primarily real estate development and appraisal for many years. I used to be a commercial broker many years ago, but I’ve just decided to go back into the business,” Merritt said.

As a result of the expanded services, Lee Hill, CCIM, has joined the firm as a commercial broker.

Merritt said Hill, formerly of Network Real Estate, is a proven producer with many years of experience in the Wilmington market.

The primary service area for the firm’s commercial brokerage services will be New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties.

MarineMax offers free service to Realtors

MarineMax Wrightsville Beach is offering a new free service to area Realtors: waterfront property views and visits for potential homebuyers by luxury boat.

“We’ve sold many boats to clients who came down to the beach to buy a house, but bought a boat first … and then went house hunting aboard their new watercraft,” said Thom Cross, general manager of MarineMax Wrightsville Beach, in a news release.

Cross said the collaboration could lead to greater success for both MarineMax, a boat sales and service business, and real estate agents.  

"We are going to offer this service at no charge to Realtors, giving them the opportunity to show three or four houses on Bald Head Island, Figure Eight or up the ICW [Intracoastal Waterway] in a half day. Cruising aboard one of our premium brand vessels can really make an impact on a home buyer. They can not only see the homes they may be interested in, but fully experience the lifestyle that waterfront living and a boat can offer," Cross said in the release.

Real estate brokers interested in more details and qualifications for arranging a house showing by water can contact MarineMax Wrightsville Beach at 256-8100.

Real estate firm reaches $1 billion in home sales

Wilkinson ERA Real Estate has reached $1 billion in home sales, according to a news release from Fred Gainey, Wilmington Realtor and broker in charge.

“As of Oct. 4, our team of sales professionals closed 4,296 real estate transactions representing a 17 percent increase over sales in 2015,” Gainey said in the release.

Wilkinson ERA Real Estate has 13 locations throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.