with Jon Klein

If you're living in Wilmington, North Carolina, moving to Wilmington, or even just thinking about it… welcome.

Episode 001 is the start of the ILMrealtor Podcast — a local, real-world, no-judgment place to talk about real estate the way people actually experience it. Not a bunch of confusing jargon. Not a highlight reel. Just honest conversation about one of the biggest decisions many of us will ever make.

Hey friend — I'm Tabetha (Tabi) Klein, aka theILMrealtor. I help people buy and sell homes in Wilmington, North Carolina (and all over New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender). In this very first episode I'm joined by my co-host and husband, Jon Klein, to introduce the show and what we're hoping to build with it.

Watch or listen: YouTube · Spotify · makingilmhome.com · @theILMrealtor

What This Podcast Is (and What It Isn't)

It is:

Wilmington-first real estate info (because our market is its own little world)

Conversations that are friendly, educational, and zero-pressure

A mix of local experts + real stories so you can learn from people who do this every day

The kind of advice you can actually use this week (not vague "tips")

It's not:

A sales pitch

A "look how perfect everything is" real estate show

A place where you'll feel judged for not knowing something

You can come here with any question — even the ones you think you "should already know."

Why I Started the ILMrealtor Podcast

Wilmington is the kind of place people fall in love with fast — and it's also a place where buyers and sellers can get overwhelmed quickly. Between coastal considerations, older homes, new construction communities, HOA details, insurance and flood questions, and "is this the right neighborhood for me?" decisions… it's a lot.

I created this podcast because I want people to feel like they have a guide — not just a Google search spiral. My mission is simple: help people find their home between the river and the sea — without stress, confusion, or gatekeeping.

What "Between the River and the Sea" Really Means

You'll hear me say this a lot, so let's talk about it: home between the river and the sea isn't just a catchy tagline — it's literally where we live and work. Wilmington sits on a peninsula bordered by the Cape Fear River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, and that geography shapes almost everything about this market, from New Hanover County out through Brunswick and Pender.

That's the lens I bring to this show. Whether we're talking about a historic downtown home near the river, a beach cottage out on one of our barrier islands, or a new-construction neighborhood inland, water is almost always part of the conversation — flood zones, insurance, boat access, tidal creeks, storm prep, you name it. It's a big reason this podcast is Wilmington-first rather than generic real estate advice: our little corner of North Carolina genuinely plays by its own rules, and I want the show to reflect that.

So when you hear "between the river and the sea," think of it as shorthand for the whole coastal footprint I work in — downtown Wilmington and the rest of New Hanover County, the beach towns and mainland communities of Brunswick County, and the river towns and growing neighborhoods of Pender County. It's a big, varied area, and part of my job (and this podcast's job) is helping you figure out which slice of it actually fits your life.

What to Expect From Every Episode

The format will grow and change a bit as the show does, but here's the general shape you can count on episode to episode:

A local expert guest — lenders, insurance agents, attorneys, inspectors, contractors, and other Wilmington-area pros who actually do this work every day

Real, Wilmington-specific questions — the kind buyers, sellers, and homeowners bring to me in real conversations, not generic talking points

Practical takeaways — something you can actually use afterward, whether that's a question to ask, a term to understand, or a next step to take

My goal is for every episode to leave you a little more confident than when you hit play — never more confused.

What You'll Learn Here

Buying + selling in Wilmington — first-time homebuyer basics without the fluff, how to prepare to sell (and what actually matters), and what's happening in the local market in plain English.

New construction + renovations — how to evaluate new builds, which renovations are "worth it," and how to plan upgrades without blowing your budget.

Local lifestyle + neighborhoods — community spotlights, Wilmington neighborhoods explained like a local would explain them, and what it's actually like living here (pros, cons, quirks and all).

The money questions — the real costs beyond the mortgage, plus HOAs, insurance considerations, maintenance, and more.

Who This Podcast Is For

If any of these sound like you, you're in the right place:

You're relocating to Wilmington and want a local guide

You're buying your first home and want to feel confident

You're selling and don't want to miss important steps

You love home design, renovations, and new construction

You just want to understand Wilmington real estate without feeling overwhelmed

Meet Your Hosts

Tabetha "Tabi" Klein — REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, mom, and long-time educator. Tabi helps people buy and sell across New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties, and hosts the ILMrealtor Podcast to make coastal homeownership easier to understand.

Jon Klein — Tabi's husband and behind-the-scenes co-host, who helps build the systems, tech, and storytelling that keep the show running.

This first episode is just the starting point. Since then, the show has grown to cover the topics that come up again and again in Wilmington real estate — coastal insurance, closing costs, mortgages and pre-approval, title insurance, historic homes, estate planning, and even how to spot real estate scams. If you want a preview of the depth we get into, check out how coastal insurance actually works — it's one of the questions I get asked more than almost anything else.

Want Episode Updates?

Follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube

Follow along on Instagram: @theILMrealtor

Want a topic covered? Send me a message — seriously.

Let's Talk About Your Next Step

If you're thinking about moving to Wilmington, buying a home here, or selling and you want a calm, clear plan — reach out. Call or text me at 910-983-8963, visit www.makingilmhome.com, or DM @theILMrealtor and I'll help you figure out what makes sense for your timeline, budget, and lifestyle.

Keep Listening

If this one got you curious, here's where to go next:

Episode 004: a market overview of Wilmington real estate with Tim Milam, CEO of Coldwell Banker

Episode 010: what buyers need to know before falling for a historic home in Wilmington, NC

Episode 002: real estate and design in ILM with Greer Creech

Tabetha Klein | Making ILM Home — REALTOR® • Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage • 910-983-8963 • www.makingilmhome.com • @theILMrealtor

This podcast is for general education and local insight. Real estate, insurance, lending, and legal details vary from one situation to the next — always talk with a qualified professional about your specific property and goals. Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.