Masonboro Forest
Neighborhood in Wilmington, North Carolina
New Hanover County 28409
New Traditional brick homes with forested backyards
The entrance of Masonboro Forest features two red brick walls topped with antique streetlights. Manicured bushes, colorful flower beds and a tree-lined median add to the grand feel. The lush scenery continues along the neighborhood’s wide streets, where early 2000s New Traditional brick homes rest on lots shaded by pine, oak and magnolia trees. Yards are 1/3 of an acre or larger in size and professionally landscaped. Homes are primarily four or five-bedroom and feature long concrete driveways, attached garages and small covered front porches. Some homes sit along cul-de-sacs or have views of the neighborhood’s ponds. A few have private pools. Prices are typically above the Wilmington area average of $552,000 and have risen by 18% over the past year. Barentine, who’s lived in the city since 1999, explains why the housing market here is resistant to economic downturns: “We’re not as affected by economic issues because we’re a beach and river town and a small town. We’ve got the appeal that everybody wants. So I expect prices will continue to increase,” he says. Most homes range in price from $700,000 to just over $1 million. However, smaller properties around 2,200 square feet can list in the $500,000s. Stately homes that back up to Whiskey Creek can list for nearly $1.3 million. Potential buyers should note that homes come with monthly HOA fees of around $200. While flood risk is low, Wilmington can be hit by hurricanes.Climbing the owl at Hanover Pines Nature Park
With the Intracoastal Waterway so close, Freeman says many boaters live in the Masonboro area, and they can use the boat ramp at Trails End Park to cruise along the waterway. The popular Wrightsville Beach is reachable by boat or by car. James E.L. Wade Park is about a mile from the neighborhood. This 17-acre wetland captures and treats stormwater runoff heading into Hewletts Creek. Visitors can walk along a 1/2-mile trail to a boardwalk overlook where they can spot native wildlife and plants such as silver-spotted skipper and bald cypress. The recently opened Hanover Pines Nature Park draws families to its colorful, owl-shaped play structure, featuring a slide and a climbing wall. The park’s broad, paved trails curve around a dog park, New Hanover County’s largest to date. Masonboro Forest has its own pool, tennis & basketball courts and a small playground, but for ballfields, basketball courts and soccer fields, residents can drive to Long Leaf Park, about 4 miles away.Cultivating young gardeners at Holly Tree Elementary
Students at Holly Tree Elementary learn hands-on in an outdoor classroom surrounded by garden beds. The school earns an A-minus from Niche and is known for its supportive community. “The school has this ‘we’re better together’ mentality,” says Blue Coast Realty Corporation Realtor Tricia Bursell. “They have a lot of parental involvement, and they believe in meeting students where they’re at,” says Bursell, whose neighbor is a teacher at the school. Roland-Grise Middle gets an A-minus and ranks as the No. 4 public middle school in New Hanover County. John T. Hoggard High receives an A and is considered one of the top public high schools in the Wilmington area, offering an International Baccalaureate program. The private Cape Fear Academy, a popular pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school, is about a mile from Masonboro Forest. Wilmington Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free charter school offering kindergarten through eighth grade, and Coastal Christian, a private high school, are other nearby options. The city’s largest university, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, has a Center for Marine Science just south of the neighborhood along the Masonboro Sound.Cycling along Masonboro Loop Road
Most residents get around Wilmington by car. College Road is nearby for trips into downtown, about 8 miles away. Wilmington International Airport, Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach are all about 10 miles away. The closest Wave Transit bus stops are near Monkey Junction, the bustling intersection of Carolina Beach (U.S. Route 421), College and Piner roads. Cyclists can pedal down the scenic Masonboro Loop Road to reach other bike-friendly streets around the city.Eating local at Masonboro Station
Residents are about 2 miles from Masonboro Station, a small shopping center featuring boutique businesses and two local restaurants. Bursell says The Keg and Egg is popular for brunch, serving steak & eggs and chicken & waffles. The tavern-style Whiskey Trail at The Creek offers burgers, wings and pierogies. Nearby at the Pine Valley and Fulton Station shopping centers, residents can pick up a pizza at Slice of Life or enjoy a craft brew at Drum Trout Brewing Company. The centers are dotted with fast food options such as Taco Bell and Zaxby’s Chicken. Several national pharmacies, Ace Hardware and three grocery stores (Publix, Food Lion and Aldi) make this area a one-stop-shop for the essentials. Before heading home, residents can swing by the New Hanover County Public Library branch to check out a new book.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Team Gale
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
(910) 765-8761
143 Total Sales
1 in Masonboro Forest
$470,000 Price
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Abby Harris
Nest Realty
(910) 807-8440
63 Total Sales
1 in Masonboro Forest
$833,000 Price
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Ed Wagenseller
Keller Williams Innovate-Wilmington
(910) 356-9055
130 Total Sales
1 in Masonboro Forest
$737,500 Price
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TL
Terry Little
Responds QuicklyHarbor Island Realty
(910) 713-1243
26 Total Sales
1 in Masonboro Forest
$405,000 Price
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JB
Jennifer Bullock Team
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Executive
(910) 839-7593
634 Total Sales
2 in Masonboro Forest
$700K - $780K Price Range
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Mary Martin
Responds QuicklyNetwork Real Estate
(910) 390-6610
31 Total Sales
2 in Masonboro Forest
$295K - $500K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Masonboro Forest | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 1 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
Robbery | 1 | 4 |
Burglary | 2 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
Larceny | 2 | 4 |
Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Masonboro Forest Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Masonboro Forest, Wilmington sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Masonboro Forest, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $551,000, down 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 2111am - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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