St. JAMES, NC. -- The sights and sounds of a healthy housing market fill St. James Plantation in Brunswick County.

"We have a sale every 43 hours," said director of sales Tom Condon.

From January through March, 50 homes and lots were sold in the community, a 96 percent increase in sales from the first quarter of 2011.

Bob and Nancy Laudone moved to North Carolina from Rhode Island and decided to build a house in St. James.

"The amenities are outstanding, the location is perfect and it was a great economic value to us," said Bob Laudone.

But before many people can take advantage of the market here, they have to sell.

"There was a great deal of apprehension when trying to sell our home but we were really fortunate," said Laudone.

And that's giving realtors hope for the future.

"We are seeing that people are able to sell those houses in the Northeast and they're able to do what they've be wanting to do for the last few years, this is a place where people want to live," said Candon.

While other communities in Brunswick County are seeing growth, realtors said it's not quite as robust as what St. James is seeing. However, they said St. James tends to indicate what's yet to come.

"In the past, someone bought a home there and then they bought some vacation property as well," said Margaret Rudd Bishop, President of Brunswick County Association of Realtors. "They promote and advertise and it helps put us on the map."

Then, once they get there, most of them stay.

"We did a great deal of research throughout North Carolina and the East Coast, and by far St. James was the most conducive to our lifestyle," said Laudone.

To keep up the momentum, St. James is hosting an Open House this weekend. The community is gated but this weekend the public will have a chance to tour more than 30 homes.